Forming a desired structure topology for a group of autonomous agents based on local self-coordination

A model for the cooperation of autonomous agents of a multiagent system based on self-coordination is developed. A method is proposed to set up controls for each agent based on Kirchhoff matrices, sets of mutual-position vectors, and combined attraction–repulsion potential functions. The proposed approach was modeled for the formation of a multiagent system structure with desired topology.     

A test generator of single square-wave voltage pulses

A generator of single square-wave voltage pulses (SSPs) of 5-kV amplitude and the length from 100 ns to 10 μs is described. This generator is intended for testing pulse electrical strength of devices and electronic components of various purposes. SSP is apllied across an investigated object using five forming lines with an impedance of 50 Ω and three switches: a mercury reed relay, IGBT transistors, and an atmospheric-air-filled spark gap. The SSP rise time is less than 5% of the pulse length. The SSP amplitude depends on the generator load and is equal to 50% of the charging voltage in the matched mode, which can be set with an accuracy of 0.01–10 V (depending on the range) within the range of ±10 V to ±10 kV.     

Phase Composition of the Products of Fe Oxidation in Fe + C + NaCl + H2O + O2 Exothermic Mixtures

Using thermodynamic analysis of the Fe–C–NaCl–H₂O–O₂ system and experimental studies (x-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy) of exothermic mixtures containing Fe metal, activated carbon, water, and NaCl, we identified the state of Fe and determined the phase composition of the reaction products at different stages of oxidation with atmospheric oxygen. The calculation and experimental results are in reasonable agreement. Under the conditions of restricted access for air, the main oxidation product is magnetite, Fe₃O₄. Free access for air leads to the formation of hydrous ferric oxide, Fe₂O₃ · nH₂O. The most stable phase under the conditions of interest is goethite, Fe₂O₃ · H₂O (-FeOOH). Storage of incompletely oxidized samples away from air for 7–14 days leads to partial reduction of iron(III) oxide phases to Fe₃O₄ and -Fe.     

Electrotempering of quenched Fe−N alloys

Conclusion Phase transformations during tempering of quenched Fe–N alloys with induction heating (200 deg /sec) occur in the same manner as in heating at the rate of 5–10 deg/min, although the temperature range of the transformations is 50–80° higher.Kiev Polytechnical Institute. Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 2, pp. 63–64, February, 1974.     

Ibuprofen Favors Binding of Amyloid-β Peptide to Its Depot,Serum Albumin

The deposition of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in the brain is a critical event in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This Aβ deposition could be prevented by directed enhancement of Aβ binding to its natural depot, human serum albumin (HSA). Previously, we revealed that specific endogenous ligands of HSA improve its affinity to monomeric Aβ. We show here that an exogenous HSA ligand, ibuprofen (IBU), exerts the analogous effect. Plasmon resonance spectroscopy data evidence that a therapeutic IBU level increases HSA affinity to monomeric Aβ₄₀/Aβ₄₂ by a factor of 3–5. Using thioflavin T fluorescence assay and transmission electron microcopy, we show that IBU favors the suppression of Aβ₄₀ fibrillation by HSA. Molecular docking data indicate partial overlap between the IBU/Aβ₄₀-binding sites of HSA. The revealed enhancement of the HSA–Aβ interaction by IBU and the strengthened inhibition of Aβ fibrillation by HSA in the presence of IBU could contribute to the neuroprotective effects of the latter, previously observed in mouse and human studies of AD.