Bounds for the Rank of the Finite Part of Operator K-Theory and Polynomially Full Groups

We derive a lower and an upper bound for the rank of the finite part of operator K-theory groups of maximal and reduced C*-algebras of finitely generated groups. The lower bound is based on the amount of polynomially growing conjugacy classes of finite order elements in the group. The upper bound is based on the amount of torsion elements in the group. We use the lower bound to give lower bounds for the structure group S(M) and the group of positive scalar curvature metrics P(M) for an oriented manifold M. We define a class of groups called “polynomially full groups” for which the upper bound and the lower bound we derive are the same. We show that the class of polynomially full groups contains all virtually nilpotent groups. As example, we give explicit formulas for the ranks of the finite parts of operator K-theory groups for the finitely generated abelian groups, the symmetric groups and the dihedral groups. At the end, we discuss the possible directions to improve our results

Bounds for the Rank of the Finite Part of Operator K-Theory and Polynomially Full Groups

We derive a lower and an upper bound for the rank of the finite part of operator K-theory groups of maximal and reduced C*-algebras of finitely generated groups. The lower bound is based on the amount of polynomially growing conjugacy classes of finite order elements in the group. The upper bound is based on the amount of torsion elements in the group. We use the lower bound to give lower bounds for the structure group S(M) and the group of positive scalar curvature metrics P(M) for an oriented manifold M. We define a class of groups called “polynomially full groups” for which the upper bound and the lower bound we derive are the same. We show that the class of polynomially full groups contains all virtually nilpotent groups. As example, we give explicit formulas for the ranks of the finite parts of operator K-theory groups for the finitely generated abelian groups, the symmetric groups and the dihedral groups. At the end, we discuss the possible directions to improve our results

From reactor to rheology in industrial polymers

This article reviews current efforts towards quantitative prediction of rheological properties of industrial polymer resins, based upon their polydisperse branched molecular structure. This involves both an understanding of how reactor and reaction conditions influence the distribution of chain lengths and branch placement (which is the province of reactor engineering) and an understanding of how the molecular structures in turn give rise to the rheology (the province of polymer physics). Both fields are reviewed at an introductory level, focussing in particular on developments in theoretical prediction of rheology for both entangled model polymers and industrial polymers. Finally, we discuss three classes of reaction for which the fields of reactor engineering and polymer physics have been truly combined to produce predictions from reactor to rheology

Nonlinear viscoelastic behaviour of linear polyethylene : molecular weight effects and constitutive equation evaluations

The nonlinear viscoelastic properties of a series of blends of linear polyethylene were studied using the McGill sliding plate rheometer. A more reliable and sensitive shear stress transducer for this rheometer was designed, built and used in this work. The molecular weight dependence of a variety of nonlinear viscoelastic properties was investigated. It was determined that, as with steady state properties, the sensitivity of such properties to molecular weight diminishes with increasing shear rate. The behavior of these materials in large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) was also studied. By using harmonic analysis, the frequency content of the nonlinear stress response to the sinusoidal strain was studied as a function of molecular weight, strain amplitude and frequency. The predictive abilities of the Wagner model in LAOS, exponential shear, start-up and cessation of steady shear and interrupted shear, at high shear rates were evaluated. Qualitative trends were well predicted by the model for a variety of sigmoidal and exponential damping function forms. For the first time, it has been shown that Wagner model predictions for molten thermoplastics are insensitive to the damping function form. The damping functions in simple shear and planar extension were obtained for a branched low density polyethylene (LDPE). Simple shear is similar to planar extension in a rotated reference frame and thus the two flows should have similar damping functions. It was found that the damping functions that fitted these two flows are, in fact, quite different. Thus we have shown that the contribution of kinematics cannot be simply described

A Rheological Study of Three Linear Low Density Polythylene Film Resins

Note:The recent, rapid growth in the use of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) for plastic film production by the blown film process has resulted in a great deal of interest in the rheological properties of this material, as these properties govern processing behavior. In particular, knowledge of rheological properties is necessary for the design of processing equipment. […]Au cours de dernière années, l’utilisation de plus en plus grande de polyéthylène basse densité linéaire (PBDL) pour la production de film souffle est responsable de l’intérêt accru pour les propriétés théologiques de ce matériau, et ce surtout pour la conception de l’équipment de procédé. […

Ryanodine Receptor as Insecticide Target

The ryanodine receptor (RyR) is one of the primary targets of commercial insecticides. The diamide insecticide family, including flubendiamide, chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, etc., targets insect RyRs and can be used to control a wide range of destructive agricultural pests. The diamide insecticides are highly selective against lepidopteran and coleopteran pests with relatively low toxicity for non-target species, such as mammals, fishes, and beneficial insects. However, recently mutations identified on insect RyRs have emerged and caused resistance in several major agricultural pests throughout different continents. This review paper summarizes the recent findings on the structure and function of insect RyRs as insecticide targets. Specifically, we examine the structures of RyRs from target and non-target species, which reveals the molecular basis for insecticide action and selectivity. We also examine the structural and functional changes of RyR caused by the resistance mutations. Finally, we examine the progress in RyR structure-based insecticide design and discuss how this might help the development of a new generation of green insecticides

Recent progress in the structural study of ion channels as insecticide targets

Ion channels, many expressed in insect neural and muscular systems, have drawn huge attention as primary targets of insecticides. With the recent technical breakthroughs in structural biology, especially in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), many new high-resolution structures of ion channel targets, apo or in complex with insecticides, have been solved, shedding light on the molecular mechanism of action of the insecticides and resistance mutations. These structures also provide accurate templates for structure-based insecticide screening and rational design. This review summarizes the recent progress in the structural studies of 5 ion channel families: the ryanodine receptor (RyR), the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC), the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, and the ligand-gated chloride channel (LGCC). We address the selectivity of the channel-targeting insecticides by examining the conservation of key coordinating residues revealed by the structures. The possible resistance mechanisms are proposed based on the locations of the identified resistance mutations on the 3D structures of the target channels and their impacts on the binding of insecticides. Finally, we discuss how to develop “green” insecticides with a novel mode of action based on these high-resolution structures to overcome the resistance

Discovery of Potential Species-Specific Green Insecticides Targeting the Lepidopteran Ryanodine Receptor

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are homotetrameric intracellular calcium (Ca2+) release channels responsible for excitation-contraction coupling of muscle cells. Diamide insecticides specifically act on RyRs of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera pests and are safe for nontargeted organisms, generating big worldwide sales. Despite their popularity, several devastating agricultural pests have been reported to be resistant to them because of mutations in a small transmembrane region of their RyRs, hinting a binding pocket nearby. A potential solution to overcome resistance is to develop new insecticides targeting different binding sites in pest RyRs. Based on a high-resolution crystal structure of diamondback moth (DBM) RyR N-terminal domain (NTD) determined by our group, we carried out extensive structure-based insecticide screening targeting the intersubunit interface. We identified eight lead compounds that selectively target the open conformation of DBM RyR, which are predicted to act as channel activators similar to diamide insecticides. Binding mode analysis shows selective binding to a hydrophobic pocket of DBM NTD-A but not to the pocket of its mammalian counterpart. We tested three available compounds on the HEK293 cell lines stably expressing DBM or mammalian RyR, one of which shows good potency and selectivity against DBM RyR. The insecticidal effect of the compound was also confirmed using fruit flies. The detailed binding mode, toxicity, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, and reactivity of the compound were predicted by bioinformatic methods. Together, our study lays a foundation for developing a new class of selective RyR-targeting insecticides to control both wild-type and resistant pests.</p