Beyond the spatio-temporal model in femtosecond optics

We use the method of amplitude envelopes to obtain a class of linear nonparaxial amplitude equations, governing the propagation of short optical pulses in media with dispersion, dispersionless media and vacuum. The equations are solved using the method of Fourier transforms and fundamental and exact analytical solutions are obtained. Nonparaxiality leads to nonsymmetrical diffraction enlargement of light pulses and to their transformation in light disks on several diffraction lengths.     

Nacho López: Photojournalist of the 1950s

Abstract

The importance of the seemingly insignificant, the dignity of the evidently downtrodden and the quest for an aesthetic to render their testimonies — these were the focus of Nacho López (1923–1986). His lens portrayed the daily life of the ‘underdogs’ during the 1950s in photo-essays published by the illustrated magazines Hoy, Mañana and Siempre!, the Mexican equivalents of Life and Look. Although he is littleknown outside Mexico, López is the most influential documentary and. journalistic photographer in the history of that country.     

Mdm31 protein mediates sensitivity to potassium ionophores but does not regulate mitochondrial morphology or phospholipid trafficking in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Mdm31p is an inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) protein with unknown function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutants lacking Mdm31p contain only a few giant spherical mitochondria with disorganized internal structure, altered phospholipid composition and disturbed ion homeostasis, accompanied by increased resistance to the electroneutral K⁺/H⁺ ionophore nigericin. These phenotypes are interpreted as resulting from diverse roles of Mdm31p, presumably in linking mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to the machinery involved in segregation of mitochondria, in mediating cation transport across IMM and in phospholipid shuttling between mitochondrial membranes. To investigate which of the roles of Mdm31p are conserved in ascomycetous yeasts, we analysed the Mdm31p orthologue in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Our results demonstrate that, similarly to its S. cerevisiae counterpart, SpMdm31 is a mitochondrial protein and its absence results in increased resistance to nigericin. However, in contrast to S. cerevisiae, Sz. pombe cells lacking SpMdm31 are also less sensitive to the electrogenic K⁺ ionophore valinomycin. Moreover, mitochondria of the fission yeast mdm31Δ mutant display no changes in morphology or phospholipid composition. Therefore, in terms of function, the two orthologous proteins appear to have considerably diverged between these two evolutionarily distant yeast species, possibly sharing only their participation in ion homeostasis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Improved Method for Global Solution of Non-Linear Systems

In this paper, two modifications of an interval method for global solution of systems of non-linear equations are suggested. The first consists in reducing the size of the linear interval system that is to be solved at each iteration of the method. The second incorporates the constraint propagation approach in solving the reduced linear system. The modifications introduced result in a method of improved numerical efficiency.     

New Formulae for Multiplication of Intervals

The paper treats the problem of interval multiplication for the case where the product interval has to be in affine form. New formulae for multiplication of independent intervals, given in endpoint form or in affine form, are suggested which provide a result without overestimation. The case of multiplication of dependent intervals in affine form is also considered. A new multiplication rule is proposed which leads to smaller overestimation in comparison with other previously known results.     

Anionic polymerization of acrylates

Summary The article presents preliminary results of the anionic polymerization of 2-ethylhexyl- and butyl acrylates initiated by ester enolate in the presence of Li 3-methylpentoxide-3. Compared with the Li t-butoxide which has been widely used earlier, this alkoxide is a more efficient stabilizer of active centers. Under selectively chosen reaction conditions, polymerizations of both monomers proceed quantitatively with a small extent of the selftermination event at-40 and-20°C producing polymers with narrow MWD's.     

Outer Solution of Linear Systems Whose Elements Are Affine Functions of Interval Parameters

In this paper, linear systems whose elements are affine functions of a given set of independent intervals are considered. A direct method for computing an outer solution to such systems is suggested.     

Complex Positive Effects of SGLT-2 Inhibitor Empagliflozin in the Liver,Kidney and Adipose Tissue of Hereditary Hypertriglyceridemic Rats: Possible Contribution of Attenuation of Cell Senescence and Oxidative Stress

(1) Background: empagliflozin, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, is an effective antidiabetic agent with strong cardio- and nephroprotective properties. The mechanisms behind its cardio- and nephroprotection are still not fully clarified. (2) Methods: we used male hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (hHTG) rats, a non-obese model of dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction fed standard diet with or without empagliflozin for six weeks to explore the molecular mechanisms of empagliflozin effects. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics; quantitative PCR of relevant genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism, or senescence; glucose and palmitic acid oxidation in isolated tissues and cell lines of adipocytes and hepatocytes were used. (3) Results: empagliflozin inhibited weight gain and decreased adipose tissue weight, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides and increased HDL-cholesterol. It also improved insulin sensitivity in white fat. NMR spectroscopy identified higher plasma concentrations of ketone bodies, ketogenic amino acid leucine and decreased levels of pyruvate and alanine. In the liver, adipose tissue and kidney, empagliflozin up-regulated expression of genes involved in gluconeogenesis and down-regulated expression of genes involved in lipogenesis along with reduction of markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and cell senescence. (4) Conclusion: multiple positive effects of empagliflozin, including reduced cell senescence and oxidative stress, could contribute to its long-term cardio- and nephroprotective actions.