Generalized binary arrays from quasi-orthogonal cocycles

Generalized perfect binary arrays (GPBAs) were used by Jedwab to construct perfect binary arrays. A non-trivial GPBA can exist only if its energy is 2 or a multiple of 4. This paper introduces generalized optimal binary arrays (GOBAs) with even energy not divisible by 4, as analogs of GPBAs. We give a procedure to construct GOBAs based on a characterization of the arrays in terms of 2-cocycles. As a further application, we determine negaperiodic Golay pairs arising from generalized optimal binary sequences of small length.Junta de Andalucía FQM-01

On quasi-orthogonal cocycles

We introduce the notion of quasi-orthogonal cocycle. This is motivated in part by the maximal determinant problem for square {±1}-matrices of size congruent to 2 modulo 4. Quasi-orthogonal cocycles are analogous to the orthogonal cocycles of algebraic design theory. Equivalences with new and known combinatorial objects afforded by this analogy, such as quasi-Hadamard groups, relative quasi-difference sets, and certain partially balanced incomplete block designs, are proved.Junta de Andalucía FQM-01

Kinematic, strength, and stiffness adaptations after a short-term sled towing training in athletes

One of the most frequently used methods for training the sprint‐specific strength is the sled towing. To date, no studies have been conducted to explore the effects of this method after a training period in well‐trained athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 4 weeks of resisted sprint training with sled towing. Twenty‐two trained athletes experienced in the use of weighted sled (WS) participated in the study. They conducted the same 3‐week training to level their initial condition. After that they were distributed in two groups, unresisted (UR) and WS training. They carried out the same 4‐week, 2 days/week sprint‐specific training, only differing in that the experimental group performed sprints with a (WS) which caused a reduction of 7.5% of their maximum velocity. Pre‐ and posttest were conducted which included the measurement of sprint kinematics, muscular strength (including isoinertial, isokinetic, and jump measurements), and sprinting stiffness (leg and vertical). Results show different adaptations in the groups although no interaction effect was found. The WS group improved the velocity in the transition phase, while the UR group improved the velocity in the maximum velocity phase. No improvements in the height of the jump tests were found.Actividad Física y Deport

Almost supplementary difference sets and quaternary sequences with optimal autocorrelation

We introduce almost supplementary difference sets (ASDS). For odd m, certain ASDS in Zm that have amicable incidence matrices are equivalent to quaternary sequences of odd length m with optimal autocorrelation. As one consequence, if 2m − 1 is a prime power, or m 1 mod 4 is prime, then ASDS of this kind exist. We also explore connections to optimal binary sequences and group cohomology.Junta de Andalucía FQM-01

Combined use of the GGSFT data base and on Board Marine Collected Data to Model the Moho Beneath the Powell Basin, Antarctica

The Powell Basin is a small oceanic basin located at the NE end of the Antarctic Peninsula developed during the Early Miocene and mostly surrounded by the continental crusts of the South Orkney Microcontinent, South Scotia Ridge and Antarctic Peninsula margins. Gravity data from the SCAN 97 cruise obtained with the R/V Hespérides and data from the Global Gravity Grid and Sea Floor Topography (GGSFT) database (Sandwell and Smith, 1997) are used to determine the 3D geometry of the crustal-mantle interface (CMI) by numerical inversion methods. Water layer contribution and sedimentary effects were eliminated from the Free Air anomaly to obtain the total anomaly. Sedimentary effects were obtained from the analysis of existing and new SCAN 97 multichannel seismic profiles (MCS). The regional anomaly was obtained after spectral and filtering processes. The smooth 3D geometry of the crustal mantle interface obtained after inversion of the regional anomaly shows an increase in the thickness of the crust towards the continental margins and a NW-SE oriented axis of symmetry coinciding with the position of an older oceanic spreading axis. This interface shows a moderate uplift towards the western part and depicts two main uplifts to the northern and eastern sectors

Computational Study of the Effect of Electrode Polarity on Neural Activation Related to Paresthesia Coverage in Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy

[EN] Objective: Using computer simulation, we investigated the effect of electrode polarity on neural activation in spinal cord stimulation and propose a new strategy to maximize the activating area in the dorsal column (DC) and, thus, paresthesia coverage in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A new three-dimensional spinal cord model at the T10 vertebral level was developed to simulate neural activation induced by the electric field distribution produced by different typical four-contact electrode polarities in single- and dual-lead stimulation. Our approach consisted of the combination of a finite element model of the spinal cord developed in COMSOL Multiphysics and a nerve fiber model implemented in MATLAB. Five evaluation parameters were evaluated, namely, the recruitment ratio, the perception and discomfort thresholds, and the activating area and depth. The results were compared quantitatively. Results: The dual-guarded cathode presents the maximum activating area and depth in single- and dual-lead stimulation. However, the lowest value of the ratio between the perception threshold in DC and the perception threshold in the dorsal root (DR) is achieved when the guarded cathode is programmed. Although the two versions of bipolar polarity (namely bipolar 1 and bipolar 2) produce higher activating area and depth than the guarded cathode, they are suitable for producing DR stimulation. Similarly, dual-lead stimulation is likely to activate DR fibers because the electrodes are closer to these fibers. Conclusions: The results suggest that the activating area in the DC is maximized by using the dual-guarded cathode both in single- and dual-lead stimulation modes. However, DC nerve fibers are preferentially stimulated when the guarded cathode is used. According to these results, the new electrode programming strategy that we propose for clinical practice first uses the dual-guarded cathode, but, if the DR nerve fibers are activated, it then uses guarded cathode polarity.The authors thank Virginie Callot for providing us with all the spinal cord measurements from her research group’s study. The authors would like also to thank Surgicen S.L. for providing financial assistanceDurá, JL.; Solanes, C.; De Andrés, J.; Saiz Rodríguez, FJ. (2019). Computational Study of the Effect of Electrode Polarity on Neural Activation Related to Paresthesia Coverage in Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. 22(3):269-279. https://doi.org/10.1111/ner.1290926927922

Mechanistic versatility at Ir(PSiP) pincer catalysts: triflate proton shuttling from 2-Butyne to Diene and [3]Dendralene motifs

The five-coordinate hydrido complex [IrH(OTf)(PSiP)] (1) catalytically transforms 2-butyne into a mixture of its isomer 1,3-butadiene, and [3]dendralene and linear hexatriene dimerization products: (E)-4-methyl-3-methylene-1,4-hexadiene and (3Z)-3,4-dimethyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, respectively. Under the conditions of the catalytic reaction, benzene, and 363 K, the hexatriene further undergoes thermal electrocyclization into 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene. The reactions between 1 and the alkyne substrate allow isolation or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) observation of catalyst resting states and possible reaction intermediates, including complexes with the former PSiP pincer ligands disassembled into PSi and PC chelates, and species coordinating allyl or carbene fragments en route to products. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations guided by these experimental observations disclose competing mechanisms for C–H bond elaboration that move H atoms either classically, as hydrides, or as protons transported by the triflate. This latter role of triflate, previously recognized only for more basic anions such as carboxylates, is discussed to result from combining the unfavorable charge separation in the nonpolar solvent and the low electronic demand from the metal to the anion at coordination positions trans to silicon. Triflate deprotonation of methyl groups is key to release highly coordinating diene products from stable allyl intermediates, thus enabling catalytic cycling

The c-completion of Lorentzian metric spaces

Inspired by some Lorentzian versions of the notion of metric and length space introduced by Kunzinger and Sämman [24], and more recently, by Müller [31], and Minguzzi and Sühr [30], we revisit the notion of Lorentzian metric space in order to later construct the c-completion of these general objects. We not only prove that this construction is feasible in great generality for these objects, including spacetimes of low regularity, but also endow the c-completion with a structure of Lorentzian metric space by itself. We also prove that the c-completion constitutes a well-suited extension of the original space, which really completes it in a precise sense and becomes sensible to certain causal properties of that space.Project PID2020-116126GB-I00 (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)IMAG-María de Maeztu grant CEX2020- 001105-M (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/50110001103)Grants PID2020-118452GBI00 and PID2021-126217NBI00 (Spanish MICINN)PY20-01391 (PAIDI 2020, Junta de Andalucía-FEDER

Cellular and subcellular localization of Marlin-1 in the brain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Marlin-1 is a microtubule binding protein that associates specifically with the GABA_B1subunit in neurons and with members of the Janus kinase family in lymphoid cells. In addition, it binds the molecular motor kinesin-I and nucleic acids, preferentially single stranded RNA. Marlin-1 is expressed mainly in the central nervous system but little is known regarding its cellular and subcellular distribution in the brain.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we have studied the localization of Marlin-1 in the rodent brain and cultured neurons combining immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and pre-embedding electron microscopy. We demonstrate that Marlin-1 is enriched in restricted areas of the brain including olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Marlin-1 is abundant in dendrites and axons of GABAergic and non-GABAergic hippocampal neurons. At the ultrastructural level, Marlin-1 is present in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of CA1 neurons in the hippocampus. In the cytoplasm it associates to microtubules in the dendritic shaft and occasionally with the Golgi apparatus, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and dendritic spines. In the nucleus, clusters of Marlin-1 associate to euchromatin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that Marlin-1 is expressed in discrete areas of the brain. They also confirm the microtubule association at the ultrastructural level in neurons. Together with the abundance of the protein in dendrites and axons they are consistent with the emerging role of Marlin-1 as an intracellular protein linking the cytoskeleton and transport. Our study constitutes the first detailed description of the cellular and subcellular distribution of Marlin-1 in the brain. As such, it will set the basis for future studies on the functional implications of Marlin-1 in protein trafficking.</p