Metal-Catalyzed Hydration of 2-Pyridyloxirane

In the presence of CuII the hydration of 2-pyridyloxiran is accelerated 18,000-fold, and its reaction with Cl–, Br–, and MeO– becomes 100% regiospecific for β-attack

The demographics of neutron star - white dwarf mergers: rates, delay-time distributions and progenitors

The mergers of neutron stars (NSs) and white dwarfs (WDs) could give rise to explosive transients, potentially observable with current and future transient surveys. However, the expected properties and distribution of such events is not well understood. Here we characterize the rates of such events, their delay time distribution, their progenitors and the distribution of their properties. We use binary populations synthesis models and consider a wide range of initial conditions and physical processes. In particular we consider different common-envelope evolution models and different NS natal kick distributions. We provide detailed predictions arising from each of the models considered. We find that the majority of NS-WD mergers are born in systems in which mass-transfer played an important role, and the WD formed before the NS. For the majority of the mergers the WDs have a carbon-oxygen composition (60-80%) and most of the rest are with oxygen-neon WDs. The rates of NS-WD mergers are in the range of 3-15% of the type Ia supernovae (SNe) rate. Their delay time distribution is very similar to that of type Ia SNe, but slightly biased towards earlier times. They typically explode in young 0.1-1Gyr environments, but have a tail distribution extending to long, Gyrs-timescales. Models including significant kicks give rise to relatively wide offset distribution extending to hundreds of kpcs. The demographic and physical properties of NS-WD mergers suggest they are likely to be peculiar type Ic-like SNe, mostly exploding in late type galaxies. Their overall properties could be related to a class of rapidly evolving SNe recently observed, while they are less likely to be related to the class of Ca-rich SNe.Comment: updated version: accepted for publication in A&

SR-B1 drives endothelial cell LDL transcytosis via DOCK4 to promote atherosclerosis

© 2019, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited. Atherosclerosis, which underlies life-threatening cardiovascular disorders such as myocardial infarction and stroke1, is initiated by passage of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol into the artery wall and its engulfment by macrophages, which leads to foam cell formation and lesion development2,3. It is unclear how circulating LDL enters the artery wall to instigate atherosclerosis. Here we show in mice that scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) in endothelial cells mediates the delivery of LDL into arteries and its accumulation by artery wall macrophages, thereby promoting atherosclerosis. LDL particles are colocalized with SR-B1 in endothelial cell intracellular vesicles in vivo, and transcytosis of LDL across endothelial monolayers requires its direct binding to SR-B1 and an eight-amino-acid cytoplasmic domain of the receptor that recruits the guanine nucleotide exchange factor dedicator of cytokinesis 4 (DOCK4)4. DOCK4 promotes internalization of SR-B1 and transport of LDL by coupling the binding of LDL to SR-B1 with activation of RAC1. The expression of SR-B1 and DOCK4 is increased in atherosclerosis-prone regions of the mouse aorta before lesion formation, and in human atherosclerotic arteries when compared with normal arteries. These findings challenge the long-held concept that atherogenesis involves passive movement of LDL across a compromised endothelial barrier. Interventions that inhibit the endothelial delivery of LDL into artery walls may represent a new therapeutic category in the battle against cardiovascular disease

Credibility and adjustment: gold standards versus currency boards

It is often maintained that currency boards (CBs) and gold standards (GSs) are alike in that they are stringent monetary rules, the two basic features of which are high credibility of monetary authorities and the existence of automatic adjustment (non discretionary) mechanism. This article includes a comparative analysis of these two types of regimes both from the perspective of the sources and mechanisms of generating confidence and credibility, and the elements of operation of the automatic adjustment mechanism. Confidence under the GS is endogenously driven, whereas it is exogenously determined under the CB. CB is a much more asymmetric regime than GS (the adjustment is much to the detriment of peripheral countries) although asymmetry is a typical feature of any monetary regime. The lack of credibility is typical for peripheral countries and cannot be overcome completely even by “hard” monetary regimes.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/40078/3/wp692.pd

The Nonlinear Schroedinger Equation with a random potential: Results and Puzzles

The Nonlinear Schroedinger Equation (NLSE) with a random potential is motivated by experiments in optics and in atom optics and is a paradigm for the competition between the randomness and nonlinearity. The analysis of the NLSE with a random (Anderson like) potential has been done at various levels of control: numerical, analytical and rigorous. Yet, this model equation presents us with a highly inconclusive and often contradictory picture. We will describe the main recent results obtained in this field and propose a list of specific problems to focus on, that we hope will enable to resolve these outstanding questions.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figure