Towards Two Bloch Sphere Representation of Pure Two-Qubit States and Unitaries.

We extend Bloch sphere formalism to pure two-qubit systems. Combining insights from Geometric Algebra and the analysis of entanglement in different conjugate bases we identify two Bloch sphere geometry that is suitable for representing maximally entangled states. It turns out that the relative direction of the coordinate axes of the two Bloch spheres may be used to describe the states.

Autogenous reproduction by (Ixodida: Argasidae) females and vertical transmission of the tick-borne pathogen (Spirochaetales: ).

Previous research has implicated ticks, including , as long-term reservoirs of relapsing fever (RF) spirochetes. Considering the tick's long lifespan and their efficiency in maintaining and transferring spirochetes within the population, the infection could persist in a given enzootic focus for decades. However, little is known about the relative importance of horizontal and vertical transmission routes in the persistence and evolution of RF .

Ion detector of time-of-flight mass spectrometer with registration of leading and trailing edges.

The accuracy of the ion flight time measurement in the time-of-flight mass spectrometer is critical to achieving high resolution. The pulse amplitude variation of the detector pulses leads to the registration time spread at a given pulse detection threshold. This time spread can be eliminated by determining the position of the pulse apex.

Crystal structure refinement, low- and high-temperature X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy study of the oxoborate ludwigite from the Iten'yurginskoe deposit.

This paper reports an investigation of the chemistry, crystal structure refinement and thermal behavior (80-1650 K) of ludwigite from the Iten'yurginskoe deposit (Eastern Chukotka, Russia). Its chemical composition was determined by electron microprobe analysis, giving an empirical formula (MgFeMn)(FeAlMg)O(BO). A refinement of the crystal structure from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (SCXRD) was provided for the first time for ludwigite from this deposit (R = 0.

Vertical transmission of (Spirochaetales: ) by autogenously reproducing (Ixodida: Argasidae) female naturally infected with the spirochetes.

Unlabelled: is a vector of relapsing fever (RF) spirochetes in North America and transmits to a variety of vertebrate hosts. The remarkably long lifespan of and its ability to maintain spirochetes horizontally (between life stages) and vertically to progeny promotes the perpetuation of in nature. Nevertheless, the reproductive biology of is poorly understood.

Sodium Alginate-Based Carbon Aerogel-Supported ZIF-8-Derived Porous Carbon as an Effective Adsorbent for Methane Gas.

Adsorption natural gas (ANG) is a technology in which natural gas is stored on the surface of porous materials at relatively low pressures, which are promising candidates for adsorption of natural gas. Adsorbent materials with a large surface area and porous structure plays a significant role in the ANG technology, which holds promise in increasing the storage density for natural gas while decreasing the operating pressure. Here, we demonstrate a facile synthetic method for rational construction of a sodium alginate (SA)/ZIF-8 composite carbon aerogel (AZSCA) by incorporating ZIF-8 particles into SA aerogel through a directional freeze-drying method followed by the carbonization process.

A simple non-invasive method to collect soft tick saliva reveals differences in saliva composition between ticks infected and uninfected with spirochetes.

We developed a new simple method to assess the composition of proteinaceous components in the saliva of , the main vehicle for pathogen transmission and a likely source of bioactive molecules acting at the tick-vertebrate host interface. To collect naturally expectorated saliva from the ticks we employed an artificial membrane feeding technique using a simple, chemically defined diet containing phagostimulants and submitted native saliva samples collected in this way for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. These experiments were conducted with groups of uninfected ticks as well as with infected with .

Energetic [1,2,5]oxadiazolo [2,3-]pyrimidin-8-ium Perchlorates: Synthesis and Characterization.

A convenient method to access the above perchlorates has been developed, based on the cyclocondensation of 3-aminofurazans with 1,3-diketones in the presence of HClO. All compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structure determinations. Initial safety testing (impact and friction sensitivity) and thermal stability measurements (DSC/DTA) were also carried out.

First data on bacteria associated with bat ectoparasites collected in Kharkiv oblast, Northeastern Ukraine.

Background: Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) serve as natural reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens worldwide, including vector-borne pathogens. However, bat-associated parasitic arthropods and their microbiota are thus far not thoroughly described in many regions across the globe, nor is their role in the spillover of pathogens to other vertebrate species well understood. Basic epidemiological research is needed to disentangle the complex ecological interactions among bats, their specific ectoparasites and microorganisms they harbor.

Amplification and sequencing of entire tick mitochondrial genomes for a phylogenomic analysis.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has proven to be important for the taxonomy, systematics, and population genetics of ticks. However, current methods to generate mitogenomes can be cost-prohibitive at scale. To address this issue, we developed a cost-effective approach to amplify and sequence the whole mitogenome of individual tick specimens.

Unitarity of Decoherence Implies Possibility of Decoherence-like Dynamics towards Macroscopic Superpositions.

Quantum decoherence is crucial to understanding the emergence of the classical world from the underlying quantum reality. Decoherence dynamics are unitary, although they superselect a preferred eigenbasis. Decoherence dynamics result in stable macroscopic, localized, classical-like states.

Characterization of the arthropod associated lipoprotein (Alp) in the tick-mammalian transmission cycle of Borrelia turicatae.

Pathogenic species of Borrelia are etiological agents of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF). Most species of TBRF Borrelia are transmitted by argasid ticks, and persistent colonization of the salivary glands is vital for spirochete transmission. This is due to the fast-feeding dynamics of the vector.

Konjac glucomannan/cellulose nanofibers composite aerogel supported HKUST-1 for CO adsorption.

Biomass aerogels are attractive in various applications owing to their inherent advantages of renewability, biodegradability and eco-friendly. Herein, a novel composite aerogel of konjac glucomannan (KGM)/TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNF)@HKUST-1 (KTA@HKUST-1) is prepared through a facile vacuum impregnation method combined with the directional freeze-drying process, which using KGM and TOCNF as raw materials. The structural analyses disclose that the KTA@HKUST-1 has a hierarchical porosity, in which HKUST-1 can provide micropores for adsorption, while the meso-/macropores from KTA act as high-speed channels to improve diffusion and mass transfer rate to transport CO components into the micropores of HKUST-1.

Luminescent Coatings Based on (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and Europium Complex β-Diketophosphazene.

The reaction of β-diketophosphazene with the europium (III) salt synthesized the corresponding metal complex which was structured with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and treated with dibenzoylmethane for additional coordination of europium atoms. The polymer thus obtained exhibits luminescence with a maximum of 615 nm, which is characteristic of europium. The polymer is thermally stable up to 300 °C, the coating based on it has a contact angle of 101°, and the adhesive strength of the coating to non-finished glass (according to ISO 2409: 2013) is 1 point.

Determination of the Degree of Crystallinity of Poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline).

A new method for purification of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline using citric acid was developed and living cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline was carried out. Polymerization was conducted in acetonitrile using benzyl chloride-boron trifluoride etherate initiating system. According to DSC data, the temperature range of melting of the crystalline phase of the resulting polymer was 95-180 °C.

Differential vector competence of Ornithodoros soft ticks for African swine fever virus: What if it involves more than just crossing organic barriers in ticks?

Background: Several species of soft ticks in genus Ornithodoros are known vectors and reservoirs of African swine fever virus (ASFV). However, the underlying mechanisms of vector competence for ASFV across Ornithodoros species remain to be fully understood. To that end, this study compared ASFV replication and dissemination as well as virus vertical transmission to descendants between Ornithodoros moubata, O.

Solvate of 2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) with both N O and Stable NO Free Radical.

A new solvate of a powerful explosive 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) and liquid oxidizer N O has been synthesized. When stored at room temperature, the white crystals turn yellowish brown, which indicates partial dissociation of N O with the formation of a stable NO free radical, which is confirmed by ESR spectroscopy. The resulting solvate was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction, IR-spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis.

Investigation of thermal behavior of mixed-valent iron borates vonsenite and hulsite containing [OM] and [OM] oxocentred polyhedra by in situ high-temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis.

The investigation of elemental composition, crystal structure and thermal behavior of vonsenite and hulsite from the Titovskoe boron deposit in Russia is reported. The structures of the borates are described in terms of cation-centered and oxocentred polyhedra. There are different sequences of double chains and layers consisting of oxocentred [OM] tetrahedra and [OM] tetragonal pyramids forming a framework.

The novel borate LuBaBO with a new structure type: synthesis, disordered crystal structure and negative linear thermal expansion.

Single crystals of LuBaBO were obtained by cooling from a melt and polycrystals of the borate were prepared using a multi-step solid-state synthesis. The crystal structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The borate crystallizes in a new structure type in the monoclinic crystal system in space group C2/c, with cell parameters a = 13.

Humoral immune response of pigs, Sus scrofa domesticus, upon repeated exposure to blood-feeding by Ornithodoros turicata Duges (Ixodida: Argasidae).

Background: Ornithodoros turicata is an important vector of both human and veterinary pathogens. One primary concern is the global spread of African swine fever virus and the risk of its re-emergence in the Americas through potential transmission by O. turicata to domestic pigs and feral swine.

Comparative vector competence of the Afrotropical soft tick Ornithodoros moubata and Palearctic species, O. erraticus and O. verrucosus, for African swine fever virus strains circulating in Eurasia.

African swine fever (ASF) is a lethal hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild suids caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), which threatens the swine industry globally. In its native African enzootic foci, ASFV is naturally circulating between soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros, especially in the O. moubata group, and wild reservoir suids, such as warthogs (Phacochoerus spp.

Synthesis of Bisphenol A Based Phosphazene-Containing Epoxy Resin with Reduced Viscosity.

Phosphazene-containing epoxy oligomers (PEO) were synthesized by the interaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCP), phenol, and bisphenol A in a medium of excess of epichlorohydrin using potassium carbonate and hydroxide as HCl acceptors with the aim of obtaining a product with lower viscosity and higher phosphazene content. PEOs are mixtures of epoxycyclophosphazene (ECP) and a conventional organic epoxy resin based on bisphenol A in an amount controlled by the ratio of the initial mono- and diphenol. According to P NMR spectroscopy, pentasubstituted aryloxycyclotrophosphazene compounds predominate in the ECP composition.

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Borrelia Infecting Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) verrucosus Ticks Collected in Ukraine.

Background: Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a neglected zoonotic bacterial disease known to occur on 5 continents. We report a laboratory-acquired case of TBRF caused by Borrelia caucasica, which is endemic in Ukraine and transmitted by Ornithodoros verrucosus ticks.

Methods: We isolated spirochetes and characterized them by partially sequencing the 16s ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rrs), flagellin (flaB), and deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase (gyrB) genes and conducting a phylogenetic analysis.

Curing of Epoxy Resin DER-331 by Hexakis(4-acetamidophenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene and Properties of the Prepared Composition.

The method of optical wedge revealed that the optimum temperature for compatibility of hexakis(4-acetamidophenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (ACP) and DER-331 epoxy resin is in the range of 220-260 °C. The interdiffusion time of components at these temperatures is about 30 min. The TGA and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods revealed the curing temperature of 280 °С for this composition.