Superconductivity in a Molecular Metal Cluster Compound

Compelling evidence for band-type conductivity and even bulk superconductivity below $T\_{\text{c}}\approx 8$ K has been found in $^{69,71}$Ga-NMR experiments in crystalline ordered, giant Ga$\_{84}$ cluster-compounds. This material appears to represent the first realization of a theoretical model proposed by Friedel in 1992 for superconductivity in ordered arrays of weakly coupled, identical metal nanoparticles.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Молотильно-сепарирующее устройство для первичного семеноводства кукурузы

The development of domestic primary maize seed production requires the development of new threshing devices capable to minimize seed grains macro- and microdamage. (Research purpose) To justify the design and technological parameters of the axial-rotary threshing and separating device for varietal and hybrid maize with a device that ensures the cobs orientation in space before threshing and partial violation of their grain structure by friction during swirling by air flow. (Materials and methods) The authors used system analysis methods, ensuring the principle of flow in mechanized lines, building algorithms for the automated systems operation and designing agricultural machines. (Results and discussion) To minimize corn grain damage, the authors recommended the sequence of technological process operations of threshing with an axial-rotary threshing-separating device, into which the cobs were fed in a strictly oriented spatial position with a partially broken grain structure. They improved the orienting- dispensing loading device, presented in the form of a vortex orienting dispenser equipped with an automatic loading level control system. The authors established the design parameters of the vortex orienting batcher based on the experimental determination of the corn cobs mechanical and technological parameters. They proposed methods, equipment and devices for determining the angle of corn cobs repose. The authors calculated the dimensional parameters of the funnel window for the corn cob output and the metering vortex tube diameter. (Conclusions) The authors developed the design of a threshing-separating device with a device for orienting corn cobs in space before threshing and partial violation of their grain structure by friction during swirling by an air stream. They determined the funnel window optimal parameters at the bottom of the vortex orienting batcher: length – 0.378 meters, width – 0.122 meters, vortex tube diameter – at least 0.624 meters.Развитие отечественного первичного семеноводства кукурузы требует разработки новых обмолачивающих устройств, способных минимизировать макрои микроповреждения семенного зерна. (Цель исследования) Обосновать конструктивно-технологические параметры аксиально-роторного молотильно-сепарирующего устройства для сортовой и гибридной кукурузы с приспособлением, обеспечивающим ориентирование початков в пространстве перед обмолотом и частичное нарушение их зерновой структуры посредством трения при вихревом перемещении воздушным потоком. (Материалы и методы) Использовали методы системного анализа, обеспечения принципа поточности в механизированных линиях, построения алгоритмов работы автоматизированных систем и конструирования сельскохозяйственных машин. (Результаты и обсуждения) Для минимизации повреждений зерна кукурузы рекомендовали последовательность операций технологического процесса обмолота аксиально-роторным молотильно-сепарирующим устройством, в которое початки подаются в строго сориентированном пространственном положении с частично нарушенной зерновой структурой. Усовершенствовали ориентирующе-дозирующее загрузочное приспособление, представленное в виде вихревого ориентирующего дозатора, оснащенного автоматической системой управления уровнем загрузки. Установили конструктивные параметры вихревого ориентирующего дозатора на основе экспериментального определения механико-технологических параметров початков кукурузы. Предложили методику, оборудование и приспособления для определения угла естественного откоса початков кукурузы. Рассчитали размерные параметры окна-воронки для вывода початков и диаметра вихревой трубы дозатора. (Выводы) Разработали конструкцию молотильного-сепарирующего устройства с приспособлением для ориентирования початков в пространстве перед обмолотом и частичным нарушением их зерновой структуры посредством трения при вихревом перемещении воздушным потоком. Определили, оптимальные параметры окна-воронки в дне вихревого ориентирующего дозатора: длина – 0,378 метра, ширина – 0,122 метра, диаметр вихревой трубы – не менее 0,624 метра

Two novel mutations associated with ataxia-telangiectasia identified using an ion ampliSeq inherited disease panel

© 2017 Kuznetsova, Trofimov, Shubina, Kochetkova, Karetnikova, Barkov, Bakharev, Gusev and Sukhikh. Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), or Louis-Bar syndrome, is a rare neurodegenerative disorder associated with immunodeficiency. For families with at least one affected child, timely A-T genotyping during any subsequent pregnancy allows the parents to make an informed decision about whether to continue to term when the fetus is affected. Mutations in the ATM gene, which is 150 kb long, give rise to A-T; more than 600 pathogenic variants in ATM have been characterized since 1990 and new mutations continue to be discovered annually. Therefore, limiting genetic screening to previously known SNPs by PCR or hybridization with microarrays may not identify the specific pathog enic genotype in ATM for a given A-T family. However, recent developments in next-generation sequencing technology offer prompt high-throughput full-length sequencing of genomic fragments of interest. This allows the identification of the whole spectrum of mutations in a gene, including any novel ones. We report two A-T families with affected children and current pregnancies. Both families are consanguineous and originate from Caucasian regions of Russia and Azerbaijan. Before our study, no ATM mutations had been identified in the older children of these families. We used ion semiconductor sequencing and an Ion AmpliSeq ™ Inherited Disease Panel to perform complete ATM gene sequencing in a single member of each family. Then we compared the experimentally determined genotype with the affected/normal phenotype distribution in the whole family to provide unambiguous evidence of pathogenic mutations responsible for A-T. A single novel SNP was allocated to each family. In the first case, we found a mononucleotide deletion, and in the second, a mononucleotide insertion. Both mutations lead to truncation of the ATM protein product. Identification of the pathogenic mutation in each family was performed in a timely fashion, allowing the fetuses to be tested and diagnosed. The parents chose to continue with both pregnancies as both fetuses had a healthy genotype and thus were not at risk of A-T

Correlations Between Charge Ordering and Local Magnetic Fields in Overdoped YBa2_2Cu3_3O6+x_{6+x}

Zero-field muon spin relaxation (ZF-$\mu$SR) measurements were undertaken on under- and overdoped samples of superconducting YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+x}$ to determine the origin of the weak static magnetism recently reported in this system. The temperature dependence of the muon spin relaxation rate in overdoped crystals displays an unusual behavior in the superconducting state. A comparison to the results of NQR and lattice structure experiments on highly doped samples provides compelling evidence for strong coupling of charge, spin and structural inhomogeneities.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, new data, new figures and modified tex

Spin dynamics and ordering of a cuprate stripe-antiferromagnet

In La1.48Nd0.4Sr0.12CuO4 the 139La and 63Cu NQR relaxation rates and signal wipe-out upon lowering temperature are shown to be due to purely magnetic fluctuations. They follow the same renormalized classical behavior as seen in neutron data, when the electronic spins order in stripes, with a small spread in spin stiffness (15% spread in activation energy). The La signal, which reappears at low temperatures, is magnetically broadened and experiences additional wipe-out due to slowing down of the Nd fluctuations.Comment: 4 pages including 3 figures - ref. 16 adde

First time determination of the microscopic structure of a stripe phase: Low temperature NMR in La2NiO4.17

The experimental observations of stripes in superconducting cuprates and insulating nickelates clearly show the modulation in charge and spin density. However, these have proven to be rather insensitive to the harmonic structure and (site or bond) ordering. Using 139La NMR in La2NiO4.17, we show that in the 1/3 hole doped nickelate below the freezing temperature the stripes are strongly solitonic and site ordered with Ni3+ ions carrying S=1/2 in the domain walls and Ni2+ ions with S=1 in the domains.Comment: 4 pages including 4 figure

Пневматическая система дифференцированного обмолота кукурузы

Differentiation of the force applied to the cobs of seed corn in the process of threshing allows minimizing the amount of macro- and micro-damage to the grain, which maintains the potential yield level of this crop. (Research purpose) To develop an automatic control system for active pneumatic elements of the deck of the threshing-and-separating unit capable of varying the pressing force of the spikes applied to the cobs of seed corn in different parts of the threshing chamber to minimize the crop damage. (Materials and methods) The authors have used the methods of system analysis, designing the operating algorithms of automated mechanical systems, electronics and general electrical engineering. (Results and discussions) The authors offer an advanced design of the threshing-and-separating unit for seed corn. The design features an active pneumatic deck with an automatic control system varying the pressing force of separate deck spikes to the cob grain directly in the course of threshing. For air inflating and lowering, two valves are installed in each of the 16 airbags, 32 control relays being used. The operation process is automatized through the Atmega 2560 controller regulating the amount of pressure in the airbags forcing the spikes against the grain in the process of threshing. The authors propose a schematic diagram describing the operation algorithm of the controller with pressure control units in deck airbags. By programming the controller, an operator can change the amount of pressure in the airbags, thus adjusting the force of direct and precise pressing the deck spikes to the corn cobs, for any airbag and in any part of the deck. (Conclusions) It has been determined that the destructive pressing force of 55 Newtons can be achieved in certain combinations of the membrane thickness, the pressure in the airbags and the pressing depth of the spikes. The proposed design of the threshing device with a system of automated pressure control in the deck airbags allows varying the force of threshing, which minimizes the amount of macro- and micro-damage to the seed corn grain and thus maintains the potential yield level of this crop.Дифференцирование величины силового воздействия на початки семенной кукурузы в процессе обмолота минимизирует количество макро- и микроповреждений зерна, что сохраняет потенциал урожайности данной культуры. (Цель исследования) Разработать автоматическую систему управления активными пневматическими элементами деки молотильно-сепарирующего устройства, позволяющую дифференцировать силу прижатия шипов к початкам семенной кукурузы в различных зонах молотильной камеры, чтобы снизить травмирование зерна. (Материалы и методы) Использовали методы системного анализа, проектирования алгоритмов работы автоматизированных механических систем, электроники и общей электротехники. (Результаты и обсуждение) Предложили перспективную конструкцию молотильно-сепарирующего устройства для семенной кукурузы. Укомплектовали ее активной пневматической декой с системой автоматического регулирования силы прижатия независимых друг от друга шипов деки к зерну, находящемуся в початке, непосредственно в процессе обмолота. Для подкачки и спуска воздуха установили два клапана в каждой из 16 пневмоподушек, использовали 32 управляющих реле. Для автоматизации процесса регулирования предусмотрели управление посредством контроллера Atmega 2560 давления в пневмоподушках, прижимающих шипы к зерну в процессе обмолота. Определили принципиальную схему, описывающую алгоритм работы контроллера с блоками управления давлением в пневмоподушках деки. Показали, что благодаря программированию контроллера можно изменять давление в пневмоподушках и тем самым регулировать силы прижатия шипов деки к початкам кукурузы адресно, то есть для любой пневмоподушки в любой части деки. (Выводы) Определили, что разрушающее усилие вдавливания 55 ньютонов достигается в определенных вариантах сочетания толщины мембраны, давления в пневмоподушках и глубины вдавливания шипа. Разработали конструкцию молотильного устройства с системой автоматизированного регулирования давления в пневмоподушках деки, позволяющую дифференцировать величину обмолачивающих сил, что минимизирует количество макро- и микроповреждений зерна семенной кукурузы

Impurity scattering effects on the low-temperature specific heat of d-wave superconductors

Very recently impurity scattering effects on quasiparticles in d-wave superconductors have attracted much attention. Especially, the thermodynamic properties in magnetic fields H are of interest. We have measured the low-temperature specific heat C(T,H) of La_1.78Sr_0.22Cu_1-xNi_xO4. For the first time, the impurity scattering effects on C(T,H) of cuprate superconductors were clearly observed, and are compared with theory of d-wave superconductivity. It is found that impurity scattering leads to gamma(H)=gamma(0)(1+D((H/H_c2)(ln(H_c2/H)) in small magnetic fields. Most amazingly, the scaling of C(T,H) breaks down due to impurity scattering.Comment: Physical review B, in pres

Maize Threshing and Separating Device for Primary Seed Production

The development of domestic primary maize seed production requires the development of new threshing devices capable to minimize seed grains macro- and microdamage. (Research purpose) To justify the design and technological parameters of the axial-rotary threshing and separating device for varietal and hybrid maize with a device that ensures the cobs orientation in space before threshing and partial violation of their grain structure by friction during swirling by air flow. (Materials and methods) The authors used system analysis methods, ensuring the principle of flow in mechanized lines, building algorithms for the automated systems operation and designing agricultural machines. (Results and discussion) To minimize corn grain damage, the authors recommended the sequence of technological process operations of threshing with an axial-rotary threshing-separating device, into which the cobs were fed in a strictly oriented spatial position with a partially broken grain structure. They improved the orienting- dispensing loading device, presented in the form of a vortex orienting dispenser equipped with an automatic loading level control system. The authors established the design parameters of the vortex orienting batcher based on the experimental determination of the corn cobs mechanical and technological parameters. They proposed methods, equipment and devices for determining the angle of corn cobs repose. The authors calculated the dimensional parameters of the funnel window for the corn cob output and the metering vortex tube diameter. (Conclusions) The authors developed the design of a threshing-separating device with a device for orienting corn cobs in space before threshing and partial violation of their grain structure by friction during swirling by an air stream. They determined the funnel window optimal parameters at the bottom of the vortex orienting batcher: length – 0.378 meters, width – 0.122 meters, vortex tube diameter – at least 0.624 meters

Two novel mutations associated with ataxia-telangiectasia identified using an ion ampliSeq inherited disease panel

© 2017 Kuznetsova, Trofimov, Shubina, Kochetkova, Karetnikova, Barkov, Bakharev, Gusev and Sukhikh. Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), or Louis-Bar syndrome, is a rare neurodegenerative disorder associated with immunodeficiency. For families with at least one affected child, timely A-T genotyping during any subsequent pregnancy allows the parents to make an informed decision about whether to continue to term when the fetus is affected. Mutations in the ATM gene, which is 150 kb long, give rise to A-T; more than 600 pathogenic variants in ATM have been characterized since 1990 and new mutations continue to be discovered annually. Therefore, limiting genetic screening to previously known SNPs by PCR or hybridization with microarrays may not identify the specific pathog enic genotype in ATM for a given A-T family. However, recent developments in next-generation sequencing technology offer prompt high-throughput full-length sequencing of genomic fragments of interest. This allows the identification of the whole spectrum of mutations in a gene, including any novel ones. We report two A-T families with affected children and current pregnancies. Both families are consanguineous and originate from Caucasian regions of Russia and Azerbaijan. Before our study, no ATM mutations had been identified in the older children of these families. We used ion semiconductor sequencing and an Ion AmpliSeq ™ Inherited Disease Panel to perform complete ATM gene sequencing in a single member of each family. Then we compared the experimentally determined genotype with the affected/normal phenotype distribution in the whole family to provide unambiguous evidence of pathogenic mutations responsible for A-T. A single novel SNP was allocated to each family. In the first case, we found a mononucleotide deletion, and in the second, a mononucleotide insertion. Both mutations lead to truncation of the ATM protein product. Identification of the pathogenic mutation in each family was performed in a timely fashion, allowing the fetuses to be tested and diagnosed. The parents chose to continue with both pregnancies as both fetuses had a healthy genotype and thus were not at risk of A-T