United Technologies Corporation (Poland)

Layered boron nitride (BN) is a two-dimensional (2D) insulator that exhibits several polytypes, which differ in the stacking sequence of adjacent atomic planes. The relative shift and rotation of subsequent planes modify the crystal symmetry and thereby determine the crystal's fundamental properties. While most previous NMR-oriented studies have focused on AA'-stacked hexagonal BN (hBN), ABC-stacked rhombohedral BN (rBN) has not yet been investigated. In this study, we present the magic-angle spinning 11 B NMR spectra of rBN and compare them with those of hBN and with DFT calculations. We also measure spin-lattice relaxation of both polytypes. Our findings suggest that both phases exhibit nearly identical NMR parameters, including chemical shifts and quadrupole couplings. However, our rBN and hBN samples differ significantly in relaxation, which may be attributed to different growth methods, resulting in different concentrations of paramagnetic centers. Interestingly, we also observe extremely long spin-lattice relaxation times for terminal groups in hBN, which have rendered them unobservable in many previous studies. Experimental and computational 11 B NMR comparative study of MOVPE-grown rhombohedral and bulk hexagonal boron nitride A PREPRINT

The title compound, [Ti(C4F9O)2(C2H3N)4][Al(C4F9O)4] or [Ti{OC(CF3)3}2(CH3CN)4][Al{OC(CF3)3}4], is the first structurally characterized complex of TiIII containing four aceto-nitrile mol-ecules and perfluorinated alk-oxy-aluminate in its coordination sphere. The [Ti{OC(CF3)3}2(CH3CN)4]+ cation adopts a compressed octa-hedral geometry where aceto-nitrile occupies the equatorial positions with apically bound alkoxide anions.

BackgroundCellular senescence is a fundamental process leading to organismal aging and age-related diseases. Alterations accompanying cellular senescence concern, among others, nucleus architecture, chromatin structure, DNA damage and gene expression. Some changes are universal for all types of senescence, but some characteristics are typical for a given senescence inductor or cell type. The aim of the study was to analyze senescence-associated alterations in chromatin modifications and look for differences depending on senescence type (replicative, RS and stress-induced premature senescence, SIPS) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro. The alterations were compared with those observed in VSMCs derived from atherosclerotic plaques (ex vivo) and, to assess their universality, with those in senescent fibroblasts.MethodsWe investigated the level and distribution of HP1α and H3 modifications that are markers of hetero- and euchromatin (H3K9me3, H3K27me3, H3K4me3, H3K9Ac - WB and IF), alterations in the transcriptomic profile (DNA microarray, qPCR), H3K4me3, H3K9me3 and HP1α protein distribution in the genome (ChIP-seq), and expression of enzymes involved in histone post-translational modifications (DNA microarray, qPCR, WB, IF).ResultsOur results have shown that the decline in H3K4me3 and H3K9me3 modifications and in HP1α is a universal hallmark of senescence in all tested cell and senescence types, although the extent of the change depends on the senescence inductor. The distribution of H3K4me3 and H3K9me3 in the genome of VSMCs depends on the senescence type, and the transcriptomic analysis identified genes and processes specific to each type.ConclusionsWe characterized senescence and cell type-dependent changes in chromatin-associated proteins and enzymes involved in histone H3 decoration which, in consequence, impact senescence-associated gene expression. We can conclude that certain similar alterations occur in senescent VSMCs ex vivo, although inter-individual differences usually obscure them. Our results clearly showed that differences existed not only between young and senescent cells but also between SIPS and RS ones. The subtle differences between various SIPS types suggest that various stressors activate the same cellular mechanisms. This study can serve as a starting point to search for factors that may be used to distinguish between SIPS and RS, which in turn could be helpful in defining conditions responsible for accelerated aging.

BackgroundOATD-01 is a chitinase-1 (CHIT1) inhibitor, reducing inflammation and fibrosis in animal models where chronic inflammation leads to tissue remodeling. CHIT1, predominantly secreted by macrophages, is overexpressed in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).Methods and resultsIn the study, we demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of OATD-01 in two murine models (STAM, DIAMOND) and one rat model (CDHFD) of MASH. RNA-Seq analysis of livers obtained from CDHFD rat model revealed that OATD-01 reversed MASH-dysregulated genes. In addition to reducing inflammation and fibrosis observed in the rat model, RNA-Seq demonstrated that OATD-01 regulated key metabolic processes such as acetyl-CoA metabolism, triglyceride metabolism, cholesterol synthesis, cholesterol flux, and glycolysis. Using functional assay performed on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) we demonstrated that both genetic and pharmacological inactivation of CHIT1 resulted in inhibition of glucose uptake. As a consequence, our data suggest decreased glycolysis, accompanied by increased ATP levels, lower citrate, and increased acetate levels, ultimately leading to a reduced IL-1β secretion in BMDMs.ConclusionsThese results revealed the key role for CHIT1 in regulating metabolism. OATD-01 is a macrophage modulator that can directly restore metabolic balance and consequently inhibit inflammation and fibrosis, supporting its use for MASH treatment.

Por-crownphyrin-art: Crownphyrinoids—hybrid macrocycles comprising crown ethers and porphyrin functionalities—show versatile coordination properties and reactivity. Depending on the oxidation level of the macrocycle and the type of metal cation, they form several structures resulting from binding one or two metal centres. More information can be found in the Research Article by B. Szyszko and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/chem.202402932). Artwork created by M.M.

We report a detailed NMR and NMR study of as synthesised obtained in a novel dry-synthesis method. A combination of 1D and 2D single- and triple-quantum techniques was used for the assignment of all observed signals. Minor side-products and reactants were detected in the product: , , , and two yet unknown salts containing 7-membered chain anions: and . We believe the assignment provided within this study might be helpful when analysing the mixtures containing numerous ammonia borane derivatives, which often give overlapping signals that are hard to distinguish.

Abstract In this article, a motion planning framework for autonomous driving is explored to achieve unmanned last‐mile delivery vehicle application in complicated urban scenario. This approach can dramatically improve the intelligence, driving safety, driving robustness, and scalability of autonomous vehicles. In this framework, a specific High‐Definition (HD) map representation was proposed for last‐mile delivery applications, and a Route Planning layer generates a kinematically feasible reference line with smoothness condition based on Routing and HD Map components. Then a Scenario Planning layer considers routing results and both static and dynamic obstacles into account to select a corresponding scenario to execute, such as cruise on‐road scenario, cross intersection scenario, parking scenario, and so forth. Finally, a Trajectory Planning layer which is classified with trajectory generation and optimization modules is described. In the trajectory generation part, a rough path–speed profile and corresponding decisions, such as nudge, stop, yield, and so forth, are generated. Then, the rough path–speed profile is postprocessed by optimization algorithms in the trajectory optimization part. On the basis of the real road test results from thousands of times for JD.com's real autonomous delivery vehicle operations and approximate 115,475 km of fully autonomous driving mode in an urban scenario, the proposed motion planning framework demonstrates the efficiency of autonomous driving, improves the driving quality and reduces the manual intervention.

In order to reduce carbon emissions, there is considerable interest in both superconducting generators and motors to enable all-electric aircraft for transportation. This paper summarizes the results of an initial design study for a 5 MW, 6000 rpm fully-superconducting generator. Using the FEMM magnetics code and the Lua scripting language, electromagnetic optimization was performed to determine the best cases. This study also considered ac loss capability of Bi-2212 superconductors, which can operate in the 30 to 40 K temperature range, along with the associated cryogenic refrigeration requirements. Initial results show that, while machines with active weight densities of ~40 kW/kg are possible, the weight of the associated cryocoolers would be prohibitive; however, the use of liquid hydrogen makes these machines realizable. Future cryocooler development is required to get their specific weights down to ~3 kg/kW of input power.

A mechanics-based modeling approach is developed to rapidly predict damage in polymer matrix composites resulting from a low velocity impact event. The approach is incorporated into a computer code that provides an efficient means to assess the damage resistance for a range of material systems, layup configurations, and impact scenarios. It is envisioned that the developed approach will aid in early design and analysis of composite structures where sizing and layup decisions must be made, and evaluating the feasibility of a large number of laminate configurations using numerical approaches such as finite element analysis (FEA) is prohibitively expensive. Therefore, the goal of the modeling approach is to predict the impact damage size given the laminate configuration and impact scenario. This information can then be used to determine the residual strength of the material. To be useful in such a context, the tool is designed to run quickly (<2 minutes) to allow a large number of design cases to be investigated. The results presented demonstrate that the model is capable of efficiently predicting low velocity impact damage size, shape, and location within an acceptable accuracy suitable for preliminary design and analysis of composite structures.

Hybrid electric aircraft have the promise of leveraging green energy through battery pack charging with grid energy for some portion of total mission required energy. This could lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions. However, integration of a MWhr battery pack without innovative approaches for battery heat acquisition (cooling) and battery heat rejection to an ultimate sink will result in a large weight penalty that could overcome any CO2 emissions benefit. The current research has developed a packaging concept for battery pack heat acquisition with a pack burden as low as 15%. In addition, an approach of cooling has been developed that leverages the pack thermal mass to absorb heat when the ambient heat sink is too hot to provide adequate cooling. Once the ambient temperature drops significantly below safe battery cell operating temperature, the thermal management system (TMS) begins supplying coolant to the battery pack, acquiring both the generated heat and the heat that has been stored in the battery thermal mass. A mission analysis has been executed showing how the pack temperature can be managed to within less than a 30°C temperature swing. Using this approach, the required TMS heat exchangers, pumps and fans required to supply coolant to the battery pack have been sized.