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10.1136/jmedgenet-2013-102038 | A type i interferon signature identifies bilateral striatal necrosis due to mutations in ADAR1 | Background: We recently observed mutations in ADAR1 to cause a phenotype of bilateral striatal necrosis (BSN) in a child with the type I interferonopathy Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS). We therefore decided to screen patients with apparently non-syndromic BSN for ADAR1 mutations, and for an upregulation of interferonstimulated genes (ISGs). Methods: We performed Sanger sequencing of ADAR1 in a series of patients with BSN presenting to us during our routine clinical practice. We then undertook detailed clinical and neuroradiological phenotyping in nine mutation-positive children. We also measured the expression of ISGs in peripheral blood from these patients, and in children with BSN who did not have ADAR1 mutations. Results: Nine ADAR1 mutation-positive patients from seven families demonstrated an acute (five cases) or subacute (four cases) onset of refractory, four-limb dystonia starting between 8 months and 5 years of age. Eight patients were developmentally normal at initial presentation. In seven cases, the disease was inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, while two related patients were found to have a heterozygous (dominant) ADAR1 mutation. All seven mutation-positive patients assayed showed an upregulation of ISGs (median: 12. 50, IQR: 6. 43-36. 36) compared to controls (median: 0. 93, IQR: 0. 57-1. 30), a so-called interferon signature, present many years after disease onset. No interferon signature was present in four children with BSN negative for mutations in ADAR1 (median: 0. 63, IQR: 0. 47-1. 10). Conclusions: ADAR1-related disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of apparently nonsyndromic BSN with severe dystonia of varying evolution. The finding of an interferon signature provides a useful screening test for the presence of ADAR1 mutations in this context, and may suggest novel treatment approaches. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.3389/fnbot.2018.00023 | Fetal origin of sensorimotor behavior | The aim of this article is to track the fetal origin of infants’ sensorimotor behavior. We consider development as the self-organizing emergence of complex forms from spontaneously generated activity, governed by the innate capacity to detect and memorize the consequences of spontaneous activity (contingencies), and constrained by the sensory and motor maturation of the body. In support of this view, we show how observations on fetuses and also several fetal experiments suggest that the fetus’s rst motor activity allows it to feel the space around it and to feel its body and the consequences of its movements on its body. This primitive motor babbling gives way progressively to sensorimotor behavior which already possesses most of the characteristics of infants’ later behavior: repetition of actions leading to sensations, intentionality, some motor control and oriented reactions to sensory stimulation. In this way the fetus can start developing a body map and acquiring knowledge of its limited physical and social environment. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System"
]
|
AU 2023/050668 W | ENGINEERED HUMAN CARDIAC TISSUE | The present application relates to methods for the generation of engineered human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac tissue, engineered cardiac tissue produced by such methods and methods for their use. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1038/nrmicro2939 | Microbial life under extreme energy limitation | A great number of the bacteria and archaea on Earth are found in subsurface environments in a physiological state that is poorly represented or explained by laboratory cultures. Microbial cells in these very stable and oligotrophic settings catabolize 10 4 - to 10 6 -fold more slowly than model organisms in nutrient-rich cultures, turn over biomass on timescales of centuries to millennia rather than hours to days, and subsist with energy fluxes that are 1,000-fold lower than the typical culture-based estimates of maintenance requirements. To reconcile this disparate state of being with our knowledge of microbial physiology will require a revised understanding of microbial energy requirements, including identifying the factors that comprise true basal maintenance and the adaptations that might serve to minimize these factors. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
]
|
174424 | Kac-Moody groups and computer assistants in mathematics | This fellowship will enable the experienced Researcher Dr Rieuwert Blok - a currently USA-based European Union national - and Dr Corneliu Hoffman - as Host researcher based at the University of Birmingham - to carry out innovative and mutually beneficial research utilising their complementary skill sets. Blok brings extensive research experience in buildings, Lie theory and geometries while Hoffman's background is in group theory, representation theory and number theory. The fellowship aims to create optimal conditions for the Researcher to reintegrate into ERA for the benefit of both the Researcher and the ERA.
The action comprises two distinct, yet interconnected Work Packages.
The first one concerns Curtis-Tits groups, a large family of groups recently introduced by the Researcher and Dr Hoffman.
This family includes groups of established importance, namely groups of Lie and Kac-Moody type, but in fact contains many new groups of great theoretical significance and practical interest.
The action develops methods that open up this promising family for further study. It then determines key properties such as simplicity, and explores and establishes applications in geometric group theory, combinatorics, group presentations, and computer science. The subject area is an innovative blend of group theory, homological algebra, topology, geometry, number theory and computer science.
The second package is an interdisciplinary project between mathematics and computer science, exploring the promise of effectively using the recent developments surrounding proof assistants in teaching and research.
It builds forth upon pioneering work in this direction by both researchers at their respective universities. | [
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.4161/viru.1.4.12364 | The relevance of heat shock regulation in fungal pathogens of humans | Despite being obligately associated with warm-blooded animals, Candida albicans expresses a bona fide heat shock response that is regulated by the evolutionarily conserved, essential heat shock transcription factor Hsf1. Hsf1 is thought to play a fundamental role in thermal homeostasis, adjusting the levels of essential chaperones to changes in growth temperature, for example in febrile patients. Hsf1 also regulates the expression of Hsp90, which controls the yeast-hypha transition in C. albicans, and we argue, might also control morphogenesis in other fungal pathogens of humans. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
]
|
10.1007/978-3-642-22935-0_43 | Dense Locally Testable Codes Cannot Have Constant Rate And Distance | A q-query locally testable code (LTC) is an error correcting code that can be tested by a randomized algorithm that reads at most q symbols from the given word. An important question is whether there exist LTCs that have the c3 property: constant rate, constant relative distance, and that can be tested with a constant number of queries. Such LTCs are sometimes referred to as "asymptotically good". We show that dense LTCs cannot be c3. The density of a tester is roughly the average number of distinct local views in which a coordinate participates. An LTC is dense if it has a tester with density ω(1). More precisely, we show that a 3-query locally testable code with a tester of density ω(1) cannot be c3. Furthermore, we show that a q-locally testable code (q > 3) with a tester of density ω(1)nq-2 cannot be c3. Our results hold when the tester has the following two properties: - (no weights:) Every q-tuple of queries occurs with the same probability. - ('last-one-fixed':) In every q-query 'test' of the tester, the value to any q - 1 of the symbols determines the value of the last symbol. (Linear codes have constraints of this type). We also show that several natural ways to quantitatively improve our results would already resolve the general c3 question, i. e. also for nondense LTCs. | [
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
979057 | Biopolymers for the generation of 3d tissue engineering scaffolds by solution mask liquid lithography | Three-dimensional (3D) printing in biomedical science has recently advanced the development of tailor-made implants. Designing structural and functional 3D constructs mimetic of both tissues and organs offers a genuine route to personalised implants, improving the patients' quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. While engineers have significantly progressed 3D printing methods, the barriers to progress include the limited variety of printable materials as well as the need for alternative low-cost printing technologies. BioSMaLL aims to address this through combining Solution Mask Liquid Lithography (SMaLL), a recent technology developed at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), with the expertise of the applicant and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in functional biopolymers and tissue engineering to develop bio-active scaffolds. The objectives of this global fellowship will be achieved by adaptation of BioSMaLL for newly designed biopolymers during the outgoing phase at UCSB . In a transfer of knowledge, BioSMaLL will then be established at RCSI and bespoke biocompatible scaffolds produced and validated during the incoming phase. The innovative approach will be facilitated by an interdisciplinary methodology at the interface of polymer chemistry, (bio)materials science, 3D printing and tissue engineering in two world-renowned groups. The career goal of the fellow to embark on a career in emerging biomedical technologies in a start-up company will be facilitated by a dedicated training programme across scientific methods as well as complementary training at UCSB and RCSI covering leadership, project management and commercialisation in addition to meetings with laboratory and management staff of the start-up company SurgaColl. The partners have a proven track record in training future leaders in materials science and healthcare aiming to make a difference and establish new technologies and innovative processes in Europe and beyond. | [
"Materials Engineering",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
714429 | Multicomponent Aerogels with Tailored Nano-, Micro- Macrostructure | Aerogels and hydrogels from nanocrystal building blocks are a fascinating novel class of materials with extremely low densities and large specific surfaces, which partially exhibit the advantageous properties of their nanoscopic building blocks (e.g. size quantized fluorescence or catalytic activity). In the present project, multicomponent gels with controlled mechanical properties, plasmon enhanced fluorescence, photocatalytic properties, and with controlled conductivity properties will be synthesized. These new materials will not only exhibit the nanoscopic properties of their building blocks, but they will also exhibit new properties which are neither accessible from nanoparticle nor from bulk material. This will e.g. be achieved due to nanoscopic interactions between the materials or due to synergistic combination effects caused by appropriate material combination.
Synthetic routes for nanostructuring, microstructuring and macrostructuring nanocrystal hydrogels and aerogels will be developed. Nanostructuring involves advancement of colloidal nanocrystal synthesis as well as postsynthetic gel modifications. Microstructuring involves synthesizing multicomponent gels with defined contact points of the materials and intercalating multicomponent gels. Macrostructuring involves implementation of the gelation techniques into 3D printing, and gel deformation by external triggers and will enhance the applicability of gels. The materials developed will be tailored for several physicochemical effects and hence applications.
While the project focuses on the synthesis of these new materials with defined physicochemical properties, the outcome of this project will influence many different research and application fields, such as electrodes and batteries, sensors, photocatalysis and catalysis, solar cells, air and solar batteries, and even membranes and touch screen devices. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1038/emboj.2011.245 | Vaccinia extracellular virions enter cells by macropinocytosis and acid-activated membrane rupture | Vaccinia virus (VACV), the model poxvirus, produces two types of infectious particles: mature virions (MVs) and extracellular virions (EVs). EV particles possess two membranes and therefore require an unusual cellular entry mechanism. By a combination of fluorescence and electron microscopy as well as flow cytometry, we investigated the cellular processes that EVs required to infect HeLa cells. We found that EV particles were endocytosed, and that internalization and infection depended on actin rearrangements, activity of Na+/H+ exchangers, and signalling events typical for the macropinocytic mechanism of endocytosis. To promote their internalization, EVs were capable of actively triggering macropinocytosis. EV infection also required vacuolar acidification, and acid exposure in endocytic vacuoles was needed to disrupt the outer EV membrane. Once exposed, the underlying MV-like particle presumably fused its single membrane with the limiting vacuolar membrane. Release of the viral core into the host cell cytosol allowed for productive infection. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.3847/2041-8205/826/1/L1 | Lost And Found Evidence Of Second Generation Stars Along The Asymptotic Giant Branch Of The Globular Cluster Ngc 6752 | We derived chemical abundances for C, N, O, Na, Mg and Al in 20 asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the globular cluster NGC 6752. All these elements (but Mg) show intrinsic star-to-star variations and statistically significant correlations or anticorrelations analogous to those commonly observed in red giant stars of globular clusters hosting multiple populations. This demonstrates that, at odds with previous findings, both first and second generation stars populate the AGB of NGC 6752. The comparison with the Na abundances of red giant branch stars in the same cluster reveals that second generation stars (with mild Na and He enrichment) do reach the AGB phase. The only objects that are not observed along the AGB of NGC 6752 are stars with extreme Na enhancement. This is also consistent with standard stellar evolution models, showing that highly Na and He enriched stars populate the bluest portion of the horizontal branch and, because of their low stellar masses, evolve directly to the white dwarf cooling sequence, skipping the AGB phase. | [
"Universe Sciences"
]
|
10.1371/journal.pgen.1004674 | The Kinesin AtPSS1 Promotes Synapsis and is Required for Proper Crossover Distribution in Meiosis | Meiotic crossovers (COs) shape genetic diversity by mixing homologous chromosomes at each generation. CO distribution is a highly regulated process. CO assurance forces the occurrence of at least one obligatory CO per chromosome pair, CO homeostasis smoothes out the number of COs when faced with variation in precursor number and CO interference keeps multiple COs away from each other along a chromosome. In several organisms, it has been shown that cytoskeleton forces are transduced to the meiotic nucleus via KASH- and SUN-domain proteins, to promote chromosome synapsis and recombination. Here we show that the Arabidopsis kinesin AtPSS1 plays a major role in chromosome synapsis and regulation of CO distribution. In Atpss1 meiotic cells, chromosome axes and DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) appear to form normally but only a variable portion of the genome synapses and is competent for CO formation. Some chromosomes fail to form the obligatory CO, while there is an increased CO density in competent regions. However, the total number of COs per cell is unaffected. We further show that the kinesin motor domain of AtPSS1 is required for its meiotic function, and that AtPSS1 interacts directly with WIP1 and WIP2, two KASH-domain proteins. Finally, meiocytes missing AtPSS1 and/or SUN proteins show similar meiotic defects suggesting that AtPSS1 and SUNs act in the same pathway. This suggests that forces produced by the AtPSS1 kinesin and transduced by WIPs/SUNs, are required to authorize complete synapsis and regulate maturation of recombination intermediates into COs. We suggest that a form of homeostasis applies, which maintains the total number of COs per cell even if only a part of the genome is competent for CO formation. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1088/1742-6596/509/1/012048 | Heavy Flavor Suppression Boltzmann Vs Langevin | The propagation of heavy flavor through the quark gluon plasma has been treated commonly within the framework of Langevin dynamics, i. e. assuming the heavy flavor momentum transfer is much smaller than the light one. On the other hand a similar suppression factor $R_{AA}$ has been observed experimentally for light and heavy flavors. We present a thorough study of the approximations involved by Langevin equation by mean of a direct comparison with the full collisional integral within the framework of Boltzmann transport equation. We have compared the results obtained in both approaches which can differ substantially for charm quark leading to quite different values extracted for the heavy quark diffusion coefficient. In the case of bottom quark the approximation appears to be quite reasonable. | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
10.3762/bjnano.5.72 | Biocalcite, a multifunctional inorganic polymer: Building block for calcareous sponge spicules and bioseed for the synthesis of calcium phosphate-based bone | Calcium carbonate is the material that builds up the spicules of the calcareous sponges. Recent results revealed that the calcium carbonate/biocalcite-based spicular skeleton of these animals is formed through an enzymatic mechanism, such as the skeleton of the siliceous sponges, evolutionarily the oldest animals that consist of biosilica. The enzyme that mediates the calcium carbonate deposition has been identified as a carbonic anhydrase (CA) and has been cloned from the calcareous sponge species Sycon raphanus. Calcium carbonate deposits are also found in vertebrate bones besides the main constituent, calcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite (HA). Evidence has been presented that during the initial phase of HA synthesis poorly crystalline carbonated apatite is deposited. Recent data summarized here indicate that during early bone formation calcium carbonate deposits enzymatically formed by CA, act as potential bioseeds for the precipitation of calcium phosphate mineral onto bone-forming osteoblasts. Two different calcium carbonate phases have been found during CA-driven enzymatic calcium carbonate deposition in in vitro assays: calcite crystals and round-shaped vaterite deposits. The CA provides a new target of potential anabolic agents for treatment of bone diseases; a first CA activator stimulating the CA-driven calcium carbonate deposition has been identified. In addition, the CA-driven calcium carbonate crystal formation can be frozen at the vaterite state in the presence of silintaphin-2, an aspartic acid/ glutamic acid-rich sponge-specific protein. The discovery that calcium carbonate crystals act as bioseeds in human bone formation may allow the development of novel biomimetic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Na-alginate hydrogels, enriched with biosilica, have recently been demonstrated as a suitable matrix to embed bone forming cells for rapid prototyping bioprinting/3D cell printing applications. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
311704 | The role of CpG island RNAs and Polycomb-RNA interactions in developmental gene regulation | A great challenge in developmental biology research has been to understand how cell type specific expression programs are orchestrated through regulated access to chromatin. The interaction between non-coding RNAs and chromatin regulators is emerging as an exciting new research area with the potential to explain how chromatin modifications are targeted.
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) modifies chromatin to maintain developmental regulator genes specific for other cell types in a repressed state and is essential for embryogenesis across Metazoa. We have recently determined that CpG islands targeted by PRC2 generate a class of short non-coding RNAs. The RNAs are produced independently from mRNA, indicative of hitherto uncharacterised transcriptional processes. Furthermore, we have found that the PRC2 subunit Suz12 is an RNA binding protein and directly interacts with these short RNAs and with other RNAs in cells. The role of ncRNA in targeting PRC2 to CpG islands and the importance of PRC2 RNA binding activity for development remains to be understood. Our aims are to:
1. Determine the functional properties of CpG-island RNAs by A. identifying their conserved features, B. determining their role in polycomb targeting of CpG islands and C. investigating whether such a role relates to the antagonism of polycomb targeting by DNA methylation.
2. Establish the biological role for Suz12 RNA binding activity by A. determining the structural determinants for Suz12 binding in vitro, B. verifying these features play a role in PRC2 RNA binding in cells and C. determining the role for PRC2-RNA interactions for polycomb function and development.
This work promises to characterise a potentially fundamental aspect of cell biology and will open a number of avenues for understanding the function of ncRNAs, the RNA binding activity of chromatin regulators, how transcription and chromatin structure are regulated, and how cell state is maintained and reshaped during development. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
EP 2014002723 W | NEW USE FOR JNK INHIBITOR MOLECULES FOR TREATMENT OF VARIOUS DISEASES | The present invention relates to the use of novel JNK inhibitor molecules and their use in a method of treatment of the human or animal body by therapy. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1111/arcm.12274 | Lead Isotope Analyses Revealed the Key Role of Chang'an in the Mirror Production and Distribution Network During the Han Dynasty | Chang'an (now Xi'an) was the capital of the Western Han Dynasty and the starting point of the Silk Road. In the light of the importance of Chang'an as the centre of politics, economy and cultural interaction, the overarching question proposed in this paper is focused on its role in the mirror production and distribution network during Han period. On the basis of chemical and lead isotopic analyses of 34 Han mirrors, this paper discusses the potential existence of a mirror production centre in Chang'an. Meanwhile, a comparative study with mirrors uncovered from the south-western frontier and from Central Asian and North-East Asian countries offers new insight into these related issues. | [
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
10.1186/s12915-019-0656-2 | Pivoting of microtubules driven by minus-end-directed motors leads to spindle assembly | Background: At the beginning of mitosis, the cell forms a spindle made of microtubules and associated proteins to segregate chromosomes. An important part of spindle architecture is a set of antiparallel microtubule bundles connecting the spindle poles. A key question is how microtubules extending at arbitrary angles form an antiparallel interpolar bundle. Results: Here, we show in fission yeast that microtubules meet at an oblique angle and subsequently rotate into antiparallel alignment. Our live-cell imaging approach provides a direct observation of interpolar bundle formation. By combining experiments with theory, we show that microtubules from each pole search for those from the opposite pole by performing random angular movement. Upon contact, two microtubules slide sideways along each other in a directed manner towards the antiparallel configuration. We introduce the contour length of microtubules as a measure of activity of motors that drive microtubule sliding, which we used together with observation of Cut7/kinesin-5 motors and our theory to reveal the minus-end-directed motility of this motor in vivo. Conclusion: Random rotational motion helps microtubules from the opposite poles to find each other and subsequent accumulation of motors allows them to generate forces that drive interpolar bundle formation. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
W3005313438 | Refining early stage interventional composite catheter design | Abstract The development paths of interventional medical devices are long and involve a significant numbers of iterative design steps. Composite interventional catheters deliver implants, facilitate the deployment of delicate therapeutic instruments, measure pressures and temperatures and can remove clots and foreign bodies. This paper summarizes the history of composite interventional catheters and the key evolutions in terms of materials and reinforcement structures. The current design practices, performance standards and general guidance available to assist composite interventional catheter design are reviewed. The environmental factors that affect the companies in which many of the leading edge interventional composite catheter designs are developed are also examined. A Predictive Modelling Framework is proposed to guide the design of composite interventional catheters to meet the key user needs. Two distinct but compatible methodologies are selected: The first method involves use of a DOE (Design of Experiments) approach to understand the influence of key variables on final catheter properties; The second involves the creation of customizable Finite Element models of the various potential catheter structures. The results of the predictive model constructed based on the DOE approach for braided composite catheters are presented and compared with experimental data. The DOE shows good alignment with experimental data in most cases. The sources of noise and error in the initial model are examined and potential improvements and learnings are discussed, with special focus on the results with poorer alignment. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1016/j.carbon.2020.01.115 | Influence of diamond crystal orientation on the interaction with biological matter | Diamond has been a popular material for a variety of biological applications due to its favorable chemical, optical, mechanical and biocompatible properties. While the lattice orientation of crystalline material is known to alter the interaction between solids and biological materials, the effect of diamond's crystal orientation on biological applications is completely unknown. Here, we experimentally evaluate the influence of the crystal orientation by investigating the interaction between the <100>, <110> and <111> surfaces of the single crystal diamond with biomolecules, cell culture medium, mammalian cells and bacteria. We show that the crystal orientation significantly alters these biological interactions. Most surprising is the two orders of magnitude difference in the number of bacteria adhering on <111> surface compared to <100> surface when both the surfaces were maintained under the same condition. We also observe differences in how small biomolecules attach to the surfaces. Neurons or HeLa cells on the other hand do not have clear preferences for either of the surfaces. To explain the observed differences, we theoretically estimated the surface charge for these three low index diamond surfaces and followed by the surface composition analysis using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We conclude that the differences in negative surface charge, atomic composition and functional groups of the different surface orientations lead to significant variations in how the single crystal diamond surface interacts with the studied biological entities. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1088/2041-8205/785/1/L7 | Patchy Accretion Disks In Ultra Luminous X Ray Sources | The X-ray spectra of the most extreme ultra-luminous X-ray sources - those with L ≥ 10^(40) erg s^(-1) remain something of a mystery. Spectral roll-over in the 5-10 keV band was originally detected in in the deepest XMM-Newton observations of the brightest sources; this is confirmed in subsequent NuSTAR spectra. This emission can be modeled via Comptonization, but with low electron temperatures (kT_e ≃ 2 keV) and high optical depths (T ≃ 10) that pose numerous difficulties. Moreover, evidence of cooler thermal emission that can be fit with thin disk models persists, even in fits to joint XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations. Using NGC 1313 X-1 as a test case, we show that a patchy disk with a multiple temperature profile may provide an excellent description of such spectra. In principle, a number of patches within a cool disk might emit over a range of temperatures, but the data only require a two-temperature profile plus standard Comptonization, or three distinct blackbody components. A mechanism such as the photon bubble instability may naturally give rise to a patchy disk profile, and could give rise to super-Eddington luminosities. It is possible, then, that a patchy disk (rather than a disk with a standard single-temperature profile) might be a hallmark of accretion disks close to or above the Eddington limit. We discuss further tests of this picture, and potential implications for sources such as narrow-line Seyfert-1 galaxies (NLSy1s) and other low-mass active galactic nuclei (AGN). | [
"Universe Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
interreg_799 | Cultural (garden) heritage as focal points for sustainable tourism | CultTour aims at implementing strategies to preserve/valorise cultural garden and open space heritage sites by giving it a modern use in tourism, conserving the "genius loci" of the site. The need for professional tourism offer and well-educated staff according to international standards is constantly growing in SEE. This need is addressed by scenarios/strategies for well-adapted tourism development, based on the principles of sustainability and regional economy. Feasibility studies for the restoration and re-use of cultural heritage with a special focus on sites including a garden/park will be done. Financing of subsequent project chains will be prepared by working out business plans and addressing potential investors. To identify regional needs, pilot sites will analyse regional action, interfaces to urban/infrastructure/environmental planning and will do public participation. Common marketing/dissemination will support the economic dimension of the project. CultTour covers a wide range of topics: Cultural garden and open space heritage in the whole SEES will be assessed. A common methodology/tools for future conservation strategies will be defined, addressing the operative level of conservatory work, cooperation with nature conservation and architecture, as well as quality management in tourism. Feasibility studies and model re-utilisation concepts for pilot sites will be a core activity, as a basis for stable and long-term income from tourism. Sector-specific modules for gardeners, constructors, handcraft and tourism staff will be offered as post-graduate programme for professionals and an online university course for landscape architects. To root the project in the regions, workshops on conservatory aspects and concrete regional tourism aspects will be held, integrating the urban/regional/ environmental planning of the municipality. Dissemination of project results in European expert networks will be organised for future co-operation in SEE. | [
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Studies of Cultures and Arts",
"The Study of the Human Past"
]
|
640638 | Making Scientific Inferences More Objective | What makes scientific inferences trustworthy? Why do we think that scientific knowledge is more than the subjective opinion of clever people at universities? When answering these questions, the notion of objectivity plays a crucial role: the label ""objective"" (1) marks an inference as unbiased and trustworthy and (2) grounds the authority of science in society. Conversely, any challenge to this image of objectivity undermines public trust in science. Sometimes these challenges consist in outright conflicts of interests, but sometimes, they are of a foundational epistemic nature. For instance, standard inference techniques in medicine and psychology have been shown to give a biased and misleading picture of reality.
My project addresses precisely those epistemic challenges and develops ways of making scientific inferences more objective. Our key move is to go beyond the traditional definition of objectivity as a ""view from nowhere"" and to calibrate the most recent philosophical accounts of objectivity (e.g., convergence of different inference methods) with the practice of scientific inference. The combination of normative and descriptive analysis is likely to break new ground in philosophy of science and beyond. In particular, we demonstrate how two salient features of scientific practice––methodological pluralism and subjective choices in inference––can be reconciled with the aim of objective knowledge.
The benefits of the proposed research are manifold. First and foremost, it will greatly enhance our understanding of the scope and limits of scientific objectivity. Second, it will improve standard forms of scientific inference, such as hypothesis testing and causal and explanatory reasoning. This will be highly useful for scientific practitioners from nearly all empirical disciplines. Third, we will apply our theoretical insights to ameliorating the design and interpretation of clinical trials, where objectivity and impartiality are sine qua non requirements. | [
"Texts and Concepts",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
230261 | Islamic Law materialized: Arabic legal documents (8th to 15th century) (ILM) | The project examines edited and unedited Arabic legal documents from a new comparative perspective. Documents, immediate manifestations of legal practice, were instruments to assure subjective rights of persons for whom the copy had been issued. Most studies on early Islamic legal practice however focus on literary sources (notarial manuals, responsae, juridical treaties) and neglect documents mainly for two reasons: 1) cursive handwriting and technical language render their deciphering difficult; 2) the existing collections come from various provenances which hindered until now a synthetic analysis. This project inverses the focus with a new historical perspective: Thanks to its innovative full text database (CALD) that analyses documents by functional components and sequence-patterns, the project reveals relevant variations in structure and juridical clauses among many documents, in great detail and from multiple aspects. Even if existing studies on specimens from various regions establish a general conformity of these documents with Islamic law, the PI s analysis of the 14th-century Jerusalem corpus illustrated, for the first time, how private notarisation (of legal transactions) and court documents (with judicial elements) were used complementary to apply the complex rules of Islamic procedural law. The CALD-database facilitates comparing and deciphering legal documents. The research group will use this methodology with three under-examined corpuses from al-Andalus, Egypt and Palestine from the 13th to the 15th century, and compare these to other edited documents from Central Asia, Iran, Syria, Egypt and Muslim Spain (8th-15th centuries). This approach aims to a) develop a sophisticated typology of legal documents and their components, b) compare various notarial practices as expression of applied Islamic law, guaranteed by judicial institutions, which leads to c) pre-modern Islamic law as a uniform reference system within multi-faceted legal systems. | [
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Texts and Concepts"
]
|
Q4295420 | Atlantic Network of Innovative Toxicity Alert Systems in Safer Marine Products | Main seafood toxins are emerging toxins, non-regulated marine toxins that have proliferated in the Atlantic Area as a consequence of climate change and which are harmful towards public health. ALERTOX-NET aims to facilitate market delivery of safer seafood products by putting at disposal of affected industries a new toxicity alert system for prevention strategies/processes across the value chain. This system consists of cost-effective, easy-to-understand, detection and alert methods, which will facilitate adoption by industry. Furthermore, ALERTOX-NET will recommend a regulatory framework addressed to public agents regarding emerging toxins, including tetrodotoxins, palytoxins and cyclic imines, due to their risks. ALERTOX-NET will have a bottom-up approach: from the “on-the-ground” demonstration in affected industries, to cooperation with Administration to adapt regulations to the risk represented by emerging toxins. The change sought is to provide better and easy-to-use detection and alert systems for emerging toxins so that industries will be prepared to detect those toxins, as well as Public Administrations, which will be involved in ALERTOX-NET, to get the directly required regulatory changes to adapt legislation. Moreover, the alert system will be also developed for toxins that are currently regulated so that industries which are not adapted, e.g. they are not aware of the toxins and methods, can benefit from better protected products for their consumers. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1103/PhysRevB.87.125406 | Phase-locked magnetoconductance oscillations as a probe of Majorana edge states | We calculate the Andreev conductance of a superconducting ring interrupted by a flux-biased Josephson junction, searching for electrical signatures of circulating edge states. Two-dimensional pair potentials of spin-singlet d-wave and spin-triplet p-wave symmetry support, respectively, (chiral) Dirac modes and (chiral or helical) Majorana modes. These produce h/e-periodic magnetoconductance oscillations of amplitude ‰(e2/h)N-1 /2, measured via an N-mode point contact at the inner or outer perimeter of the grounded ring. For Dirac modes the oscillations in the two contacts are independent, while for an unpaired Majorana mode they are phase locked by a topological phase transition at the Josephson junction. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
10.1007/JHEP08(2014)079 | Lhc Signatures Of Warped Space Vectorlike Quarks | We study the LHC signatures of TeV scale vectorlike quarks $b'$, $t'$ and $\chi$ with electromagnetic charges -1/3, 2/3 and 5/3 that appear in many beyond the standard model (BSM) extensions. We consider warped extra-dimensional models and analyze the phenomenology of such vectorlike quarks that are the custodial partners of third generation quarks. In addition to the usually studied pair-production channels which depend on the strong coupling, we put equal emphasis on single production channels that depend on electroweak couplings and on electroweak symmetry breaking induced mixing effects between the heavy vectorlike quarks and standard model quarks. We identify new promising $gg$-initiated pair and single production channels and find the luminosity required for discovering these states at the LHC. For these channels, we propose a cut that allows one to extract the relevant electroweak couplings. Although the motivation is from warped models, we present many of our results model-independently. | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
10.1088/0004-637X/763/2/129 | Keck Spectroscopy Of 3 Z 7 Faint Lyman Break Galaxies The Importance Of Nebular Emission In Understanding The Specific Star Formation Rate And Stellar Mass Density | The physical properties inferred from the SEDs of z>3 galaxies have been influential in shaping our understanding of early galaxy formation and the role galaxies may play in cosmic reionization. Of particular importance is the stellar mass density at early times which represents the integral of earlier star formation. An important puzzle arising from the measurements so far reported is that the specific star formation rates (sSFR) evolve far less rapidly than expected in most theoretical models. Yet the observations underpinning these results remain very uncertain, owing in part to the possible contamination of rest-optical broadband light from strong nebular emission lines. To quantify the contribution of nebular emission to broad-band fluxes, we investigate the SEDs of 92 spectroscopically-confirmed galaxies in the redshift range 3. 8 4 than previously thought, supporting up to a 5x increase between z~2 and 7. Such a trend is much closer to theoretical expectations. Given our findings, we discuss the prospects for verifying quantitatively the nebular emission line strengths prior to the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. | [
"Universe Sciences",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
W2077552010 | A spatial decision support system for the Portuguese public transportation sector | SIGGESC is a spatial decision support system (SDSS), based on a Geographic Information System (GIS), directed towards the public transportation sector. This SDSS contributes to a paradigm shift at the Portuguese Transportation Authority (IMTT) in terms of the process of registering and granting concessions to the bus companies, and also increases IMTT's ability in other supervision tasks. It allows a better coordination and planning of bus lines, and contributes to the dematerialization of the licensing processes.This project not only brought an added value to IMTT, but also to the Portuguese passenger transportation companies; by setting up an integrated information system that offers an opportunity to automate work processes and routines, greater efficiency in inspection and licensing processes, and the organization of a database on the public passenger road transport service. Such a database allows the compilation of useful references, indicators and parameters for the regulatory process, leading to faster and better decisions in terms of planning. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
]
|
10.1137/140975255 | Nonlocal Systems Of Conservation Laws In Several Space Dimensions | We present a Lax--Friedrichs-type algorithm to numerically integrate a class of nonlocal and nonlinear systems of conservation laws in several space dimensions. The convergence of the approximate solutions is proved, also providing the existence of a solution in a slightly more general setting than in other results in the current literature. An application to a crowd dynamics model is considered. | [
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1109/ECC.2014.6862461 | Identification Method For Nonlinear Lfr Block Oriented Models With Multiple Inputs And Outputs | Recently, the nonlinear LFR model has been proposed as a candidate model with high potential, due to its surprising flexibility and parsimony. It is a quite general block-oriented model consisting of a static nonlinearity (SNL) and multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) dynamics. It can cope with both nonlinear feedforward and nonlinear feedback effects and does not postulate the SNL's location prior to the identification. This contribution extends the model from single-input-single-output (SISO) to MIMO. Starting from two classical frequency response measurements of the system, the method delivers the best possible MIMO dynamics and estimates the SNL in an automated, user-friendly, non-iterative way, with an improved computational efficiency. The method is successfully applied on a numerical simulation example to illustrate the theory. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1038/ncomms5905 | A unified design space of synthetic stripe-forming networks | Synthetic biology is a promising tool to study the function and properties of gene regulatory networks. Gene circuits with predefined behaviours have been successfully built and modelled, but largely on a case-by-case basis. Here we go beyond individual networks and explore both computationally and synthetically the design space of possible dynamical mechanisms for 3-node stripe-forming networks. First, we computationally test every possible 3-node network for stripe formation in a morphogen gradient. We discover four different dynamical mechanisms to form a stripe and identify the minimal network of each group. Next, with the help of newly established engineering criteria we build these four networks synthetically and show that they indeed operate with four fundamentally distinct mechanisms. Finally, this close match between theory and experiment allows us to infer and subsequently build a 2-node network that represents the archetype of the explored design space. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
]
|
10.1007/978-3-319-08575-3_22 | The Nitrogen Cycle | This chapter focuses on the nitrogen (N) cycle, a complex network of mainly microbial transformations in which various nitrogen compounds are interconverted. Both microorganisms and plants absorb N from and excrete N into the environment. First, N assimilation is addressed (22. 1), after which N transformations by microorganisms are described (22. 2). In paragraph 22. 3 both plant and microbial N cycling are discussed at the ecosystem level, followed by paragraph 22. 4, where the use of N by humans and the consequences for the N cycle are reviewed. Finally, in 22. 5 the conclusions and outlook are presented. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
]
|
223821 | Deconstruction as critical method in political theory | Deconstruction as Critical Method in Political Theory
‘Deconstruction as Critical Method in Political Theory’ (DECON) explores the critical potential of deconstruction for three important - but contested - concepts in political theory: democracy, sovereignty and universality, and systematises deconstruction as a methodological and theoretical framework for political theory. This is done through methodological and conceptual development within deconstruction and through critical conversation with other approaches in political theory. The overall objective of DECON is to develop deconstruction as a systematic approach within political theory. The proposed research is highly relevant for current academic and political debates about the challenges to liberal democracy from populism, the representative character of contemporary democratic institutions, and the possibility for social critique in the face of post-truth politics. My wager is that deconstruction can provide a novel and productive perspective on these debates – but, in order to do so, it is necessary to develop deconstruction in a more systematic fashion so that it can enter into critical conversation with other, more mainstream approaches in political theory.
I pursue this project in the political theory research group in the Department of Political Science and in the Centre for Anthropological, Political and Social Theory (CAPS) at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), where I will be part of an international research environment focusing on critique and critical theory in the social sciences. The expected impact of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action consists of two journal articles and a book manuscript as well as organisation of workshops and a reading group, seminar and conference presentations, and public dissemination activities. This is in addition to essential training n dissemination for non-academic audiences and in research and administrative leadership. | [
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Texts and Concepts"
]
|
10.1021/nn201132a | Single-step injection of gold nanoparticles through phospholipid membranes | We propose and demonstrate a new method of an all-optical, contactless, one-step injection of single gold nanoparticles through phospholipid membranes. The method is based on the combination of strong optical forces acting on and simultaneous optical heating of a gold nanoparticle exposed to laser light tuned to the plasmon resonance of the nanoparticle. A focused laser beam captures single nanoparticles from the colloidal suspension, guides them toward a phospholipid vesicle and propels them through the gel-phase membrane, resulting in the nanoparticle internalization into the vesicle. Efficient resonant optical heating of the gold nanoparticle causes a pore to form in the gel-phase membrane, a few-hundred nanometers in size, which remains open for several minutes. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
W1175662894 | Formulating Dynamic Agents’ Operational State via Situation Awareness Assessment | Managing autonomy in a dynamic interactive system that contains a mix of human and software agent intelligence is a challenging task. In such systems, giving an agent a complete control over its autonomy is a risky practice while manually setting the agent’s autonomy level is an inefficient approach. This paper addresses this issue via formulating a Situation Awareness Assessment (SAA) technique to assist in determining an appropriate agents’ operational state. We propose four operational states of agents’ execution cycles; proceed, halt, block and terminate, each of which is determined based on the agents’ performance. We apply the SAA technique in a proposed Layered Adjustable Autonomy (LAA) model. The LAA conceptualizes autonomy as a spectrum and is constructed in a layered structure. The SAA and the LAA notions are applicable to humans’ and agents’ collaborative environment. We provide an experimental scenario to test and validate the proposed notions in a real-time application. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
W1557535254 | Selective oxidation processes of organic substances in water by means of photocatalytic systems | Selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde in anoxic acidic aqueous solution, through a TiO2/Cu(II)/solar UV photocatalytic system, has been investigated both in a laboratory scaled reactor equipped with a high-pressure mercury lamp as well as in a solar pilot plant.
During the laboratory experiments, benzaldehyde gave best results, in terms of yield, equal to 35% with respect to the initial benzyl alcohol concentration. A partial conversion of benzaldehyde to benzoic acid has also been observed. Traces of hydroxylated by-products have also been detected. On the basis of the formation of these species, a production of HO radicals has been thus inferred.
The study has suggested that different operative parameters, such as the composition and amount of TiO2 photocatalyst, pH, ionic inorganic components in water, and the initial concentration of Cu(II) ions, play an important role in the photocatalytic selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol.
The mechanism of photocatalytic selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde and benzaldehyde into benzoic acid has been investigated in the presence of TiO2 catalyst and cupric ions, as electron acceptor, in water at a pH = 2.0 and under deaerated conditions.
A competitive adsorption has been proposed in which the aromatic substrates are adsorbed on the TiO2 surface and react with the positive holes. Whereas Cu(II) ions are reduced to Cu(0) by the photogenerated electrons.
A new kinetic model has been developed by writing a set of mass balance equations for the main species involved in the photocatalytic oxidation process. The resulting mathematical model has been used for the analysis of the data collected at different starting substrates’ concentrations. During each of the selective photoxidation runs, it satisfactorily predicts the concentrations of Cu(II) species, organic substrates, and intermediates. The effect of ionic components, which compete with benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde for the reaction with positive holes on the catalyst surface and behave as scavengers towards HO radicals, has been taken into account in the model.
The values of some rate constants of the reactions of the holes with benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, Cu(II) species, and inorganic anions (sulfates and di-hydrogenophosphates), not available in the literature, have been estimated by a proper optimizing procedure.
7
The conversion of hydroxybenzyl alcohols, methoxybenzyl alcohols and nitrobenzyl alcohol into the corresponding aldehydes has been attempted by using the same process.
The presence and position of substituent groups in the aromatic alcohols structure change the photocatalytic oxidation rates and product selectivities with respect to that previously observed for unsubstituted benzyl alcohol. In particular, the presence of both electron donating (hydroxy, methoxy groups) and electron withdrawing (nitro group) on the aromatic ring of the substrate causes a detrimental effect on the selectivity of the process with respect to that of benzyl alcohol.
The technical feasibility of selective photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, in aqueous solutions and in presence of cupric ions, has been then investigated in a solar pilot plant with Compound Parabolic Collectors.
Under deaerated conditions, the presence of reduced copper species has been proved by XPS analysis. The results indicated that, at the end of the process, cupric species can be easily regenerated and reused, through a re-oxidation of reduced copper that is produced during the photolytic run, with air or oxygen in dark conditions.
A figure-of-merit (ACM), proposed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and based on the collector area, has been estimated, under the proposed conditions, with the aim to provide a direct link to the solar-energy efficiency independently of the nature of the system. Generally speaking, it can be considered that the lower ACM values are, the higher is the system efficiency. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
US 2016/0037374 W | CYCLOHEXANECARBOXYLIC ACIDS FOR SELECTIVE TASTE MASKING | The use of cyclohexanecarboxylic acids in a consumable to provide taste specific masking effect is provided. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
W2019567610 | Modulation of Antimicrobial Host Defense Peptide Gene Expression by Free Fatty Acids | Routine use of antibiotics at subtherapeutic levels in animal feed drives the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Development of antibiotic-alternative approaches to disease control and prevention for food animals is imperatively needed. Previously, we showed that butyrate, a major species of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) fermented from undigested fiber by intestinal microflora, is a potent inducer of endogenous antimicrobial host defense peptide (HDP) genes in the chicken (PLoS One 2011, 6: e27225). In the present study, we further revealed that, in chicken HD11 macrophages and primary monocytes, induction of HDPs is largely in an inverse correlation with the aliphatic hydrocarbon chain length of free fatty acids, with SCFAs being the most potent, medium-chain fatty acids moderate and long-chain fatty acids marginal. Additionally, three SCFAs, namely acetate, propionate, and butyrate, exerted a strong synergy in augmenting HDP gene expression in chicken cells. Consistently, supplementation of chickens with a combination of three SCFAs in water resulted in a further reduction of Salmonella enteritidis in the cecum as compared to feeding of individual SCFAs. More importantly, free fatty acids enhanced HDP gene expression without triggering proinflammatory interleukin-1β production. Taken together, oral supplementation of SCFAs is capable of boosting host immunity and disease resistance, with potential for infectious disease control and prevention in animal agriculture without relying on antibiotics. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
]
|
interreg_1840 | INUNDA - Actions pilote de prévention des risques d'inondation dans des zones fortement urbanisées | Floods cause extensive human and material damage so are amongst the greatest natural risks for the EU. There were more than 181 large floods on the continent between 1971 and 2001. Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and several countries in Eastern Europe have suffered from the devastating effects of floods. Overall objective / Objectif général To provide authorities with criteria and alternatives for action that will minimise human and material losses caused by floods in heavily built-up basins. The initiative, proposed as an independent project for cooperation, aims to create an appropriate framework for transmitting among different authorities a methodology which, after adaptation and testing in a pilot area for each partner, should improve quality of life for their inhabitants. Expected results / Résultats attendus The expected results are improved professional qualifications and the use of reliable anti-flooding tools based on the dissemination of the INUNDA products: One edition of 500 copies of the methodology, to be distributed among public administrations, universities, etc.; One edition of 2,000 copies of the regulation, programme of actions and good practices, to be distributed among administrations, universities, consultancies and professionals in the sector; One edition of 5,000 copies of specific maps to be distributed among the above-mentioned parties and the general public; 100 participants in local seminars open to the public and 300 participants in the transnational seminar, also to be open to the public. In the long term, if the appropriate administrations approve the regulations and carry out the investments laid down in the programme of action for the standard areas prone to flooding that have been analysed, the impact could be similar to that for other areas where the original methodology has been successfully adopted. In these, a 30-40% reduction was achieved in the human and material damage caused by flooding. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
224292 | Ligustinus project: new survey techniques for an ancient riparian landscape. | The lacus Ligustinus was the great paleo-estuary of ancient Baetis or current Guadalquivir river (Southern Spain). It is a radically transformed landscape because of the intensive sedimentation and other geomorphological dynamics. The estuary banks were highly populated during the Roman period. Important cities and towns articulated the surrounding rural settlement, dedicated to the agricultural and livestock activities. In addition, the lacus allowed the connection with the maritime routes and the output of products destined to foreign markets. Nowadays this spatial configuration is difficult to restore, especially the exploitation villae settlement patterns. The main purpose of the project is to devise a methodology applicable to the study of the paleo-banks through the identification of archaeological sites. In that sense, the right border of the current Lower Guadalquivir region has been selected as a delimited study area, and particularly a local region of Cadiz province. The historical diachronic evolution will be analysed through the archaeological evidences. In order to achieve this, geomorphological, archaeological and other historical data from this area will be integrated in a GIS. Then survey methodology, such as geophysical survey, and UAV flights applications, will be applied in the local scale considering it as a continuum area, to detect archaeological sites employing non-invasive prospection techniques. We will apply this methodology through the selection of a series of study cases. The project will be carried out in the Laboratory of Landscape Archaeology & Remote Sensing (LAP&T) at University of Siena. This laboratory is specialised in survey and integral analysis of ancient landscapes. There the candidate will be trained in the application of these techniques in order to acquire skills for the interpretation of the collected data. | [
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
W2473308289 | Reversible Increase of Central Choroidal Thickness During High-Altitude Exposure | This study aimed to quantify the impact of high altitude on choroidal thickness and relate changes of altered choroidal blood flow to clinical parameters and acute mountain sickness (AMS). This work is related to the Tübingen High Altitude Ophthalmology (THAO) study.Enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used to quantify macular choroidal layer thickness. Peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, and AMS scores were assessed in eight healthy subjects at baseline (altitude, 341 m) and at altitude (4559 m) for respective correlations.Longitudinal analysis revealed a significant (P = 0.011, ANOVA) increase in central choroidal thickness (CCT) during altitude exposure (CCT baseline = 271 ± 9 μm; CCT altitude = 288 ± 9 μm) due to an increased choroidal blood flow. Incidence of AMS at altitude was 50%, peripheral oxygen saturation decreased by 25%, and heart rate increased by 39%. All changes were completely reversible after descent to low altitudes.A small but significant increase in choroidal thickness was observed upon acute altitude exposure to 4559 m. This increase in choroidal blood flow was not related to AMS and was fully reversible after return to low altitude. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
10.1038/s41598-018-32997-9 | Cytometry meets next-generation sequencing – RNA-Seq of sorted subpopulations reveals regional replication and iron-triggered prophage induction in Corynebacterium glutamicum | Phenotypic diversification is key to microbial adaptation. Currently, advanced technological approaches offer insights into cell-to-cell variation of bacterial populations at a spatiotemporal resolution. However, the underlying molecular causes or consequences often remain obscure. In this study, we developed a workflow combining fluorescence-activated cell sorting and RNA-sequencing, thereby allowing transcriptomic analysis of 106 bacterial cells. As a proof of concept, the workflow was applied to study prophage induction in a subpopulation of Corynebacterium glutamicum. Remarkably, both the phage genes and flanking genomic regions of the CGP3 prophage revealed significantly increased coverage upon prophage induction – a phenomenon that to date has been obscured by bulk approaches. Genome sequencing of prophage-induced populations suggested regional replication at the CGP3 locus in C. glutamicum. Finally, the workflow was applied to unravel iron-triggered prophage induction in early exponential cultures. Here, an up-shift in iron levels resulted in a heterogeneous response of an SOS (PdivS) reporter. RNA-sequencing of the induced subpopulation confirmed induction of the SOS response triggering also activation of the CGP3 prophage. The fraction of CGP3-induced cells was enhanced in a mutant lacking the iron regulator DtxR suffering from enhanced iron uptake. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the potential of the established workflow to gain insights into the phenotypic dynamics of bacterial populations. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
]
|
10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.12.020 | Recent developments in enzyme promiscuity for carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions | Numerous enzymes have been found to catalyze additional and completely different types of reactions relative to the natural activity they evolved for. This phenomenon, called catalytic promiscuity, has proven to be a fruitful guide for the development of novel biocatalysts for organic synthesis purposes. As such, enzymes have been identified with promiscuous catalytic activity for, one or more, eminent types of carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions like aldol couplings, Michael(-type) additions, Mannich reactions, Henry reactions, and Knoevenagel condensations. This review focuses on enzymes that promiscuously catalyze these reaction types and exhibit high enantioselectivities (in case chiral products are obtained). | [
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
IB 2021052712 W | AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE AND ASSOCIATED TOOLS AND METHODS | An aircraft including a fuselage with one or more wings extending from the fuselage. The aircraft may include one or more apertures in a surface of at least one of the fuselage and the one or more wings. The one or more apertures may be configured to enable air to pass through the one or more apertures when the aircraft is flying. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
172350 | Establishing a european knowledge and learning mechanism to improve the policy-science-society interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services | The aim of EKLIPSE is to establish an innovative, light, self-sustainable EU support mechanism for evidence-based policy on biodiversity and ecosystems services open to all relevant knowledge holders and users, and to hand over this mechanism to the wider knowledge community by the end of the project. The mechanism will build on existing science-policy-society interfaces and be further refined via iterative evaluation and learning throughout the project. The mechanism will provide trustworthy evidence for policy and society upon request and will make the knowledge community more able to provide synthesized and timely evidence by providing a platform for mutual learning and engagement. All relevant knowledge holders and users will be actively encouraged and supported by the project team through their individual strengths and interests, thus ensuring targeted contributions. Many institutions have already expressed their interest in the “Network of Networks” of potential contributors to the EU mechanism’s activities. EKLIPSE will directly support the further development of this network and ensure the involvement of relevant stakeholders in the following key areas: (a) jointly developing and setting up a business plan for the mechanism after the end of the project (WP1), (b) conducting joint evidence assessments using established and innovative methods to support policy and societal needs (WP3), (c) jointly identifying research needs and emerging issues (WP4), actively building the Network of Networks and (d) encouraging societal engagement (WP6). This will be supported by an interim governance structure, a strong communication component, including a Science-Policy-Society Forum, and an independent formative evaluation to ensure learning (WP2). | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
]
|
172767 | Cell-Cell interactions at the neurovascular interface | The coordinated orchestration of cell movements is a vital process for assembling functional structures. In recent years we have learned a simplifying lesson: organ development is governed by a limited set of conserved cell-to-cell communication signaling pathways repeatedly used in different contexts. Particularly fascinating is the parallelism between the vascular and nervous systems. My lab has been working for more than a decade on the molecular and functional parallelism between nervous and vascular system development and plasticity. Although it is clear that cellular communication between the different cells in the brain is fundamental for brain function, very little is known about the signaling effectors that are used for such trans-cellular signaling. Molecular pathways involved in the crosstalk between vessels and neuronal cells are slowly emerging. How this crosstalk signaling is integrated at the interface of the different cellular players (neurons, endothelial cells, glial cells) for proper brain development and function is still poorly understood. Here I propose to delineate the molecular pathways that govern such communication in order to understand basic mechanisms of brain development, function and dysfunction. Using a combination of state-of-the-art inducible and cell type-specific genetics, both in mouse and zebrafish, together with high-resolution light microscopy and multi-photon live imaging we will examine the cell-context dependent integration of signaling pathways in building up proper neuronal/glial structures and functional networks. We will use advanced ultra-structural analysis using serial block-face electron microscopy (SBEM) to obtain high-resolution maps of cortical structures. Functionally, we will characterize the integration of vascular/glial/neuronal signals during cortical neuronal migration, arborization, synaptic connectivity, higher-order integrative cortical function and behavior-related plasticity in vivo. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
10.5194/acp-10-1885-2010 | Atmospheric data over a solar cycle: No connection between galactic cosmic rays and new particle formation | Aerosol particles affect the Earth's radiative balance by directly scattering and absorbing solar radiation and, indirectly, through their activation into cloud droplets. Both effects are known with considerable uncertainty only, and translate into even bigger uncertainties in future climate predictions. More than a decade ago, variations in galactic cosmic rays were suggested to closely correlate with variations in atmospheric cloud cover and therefore constitute a driving force behind aerosol-cloud-climate interactions. Later, the enhancement of atmospheric aerosol particle formation by ions generated from cosmic rays was proposed as a physical mechanism explaining this correlation. Here, we report unique observations on atmospheric aerosol formation based on measurements at the SMEAR II station, Finland, over a solar cycle (years 1996-2008) that shed new light on these presumed relationships. Our analysis shows that none of the quantities related to aerosol formation correlates with the cosmic ray-induced ionisation intensity (CRII). We also examined the contribution of ions to new particle formation on the basis of novel ground-based and airborne observations. A consistent result is that ion-induced formation contributes typically significantly less than 10% to the number of new particles, which would explain the missing correlation between CRII and aerosol formation. Our main conclusion is that galactic cosmic rays appear to play a minor role for atmospheric aerosol formation events, and so for the connected aerosol-climate effects as well. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
interreg_3461 | SUstainable fiSHeries wIth DROnes data Processing | Within SUSHI-DROP, a customized unmanned underwater vehicles will be developed and equipped with acoustical and optical technologies in order to implement a non-invasive mean to assess environmental status of habitats, fish stocks population and, in general, to monitor the biodiversity of marine ecosystems. We are planning to assess the accuracy of the opto-acoustic surveys in deriving single-species abundance indices (in numbers or weight) for direct input into stock assessments, and to evaluate the benefits brought by these new technologies with respect to the classical procedures based on fish sampling. Moreover, a dedicated open-access database system will be created to collect, maintain and share the scientific data acquired by the UUVs. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
W2021873779 | Advances in inductive position sensor technology | Purpose The purpose of this paper is to outline the basic principles of inductive position sensors. Design/methodology/approach The paper explains one company's advances in inductive position technology in detail, together with some of the applications for which they are now suitable. Findings It is shown that concentrating on high volume applications in market sectors such as automotive, user interfaces, and utility metering, where the low cost of these sensors and their moderate accuracy (typically<1 percent of full scale) offers an attractive price/performance ratio. Originality/value An original and useful contribution direct from an international technology consulting, product development, and intellectual property [IP] licensing organisation with a reputation for successfully commercialising emerging science and technology. Which, for more than a decade, has made innovations in inductive position sensors and developed application‐specific sensor systems. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
W2089527954 | Unfolding of electronic structure through induced representations of space groups: Application to Fe-based superconductors | We revisit the problem that relevant parts of bandstructures for a given cell choice can reflect exact or approximate higher symmetries of subsystems in the cell and can therefore be significantly simplified by an unfolding procedure that recovers the higher symmetry. We show that bandstructure unfolding can be understood as projection onto induced irreducible representations of a group obtained by extending the original group of translations with a number of additional symmetry operations. The resulting framework allows us to define a generalized unfolding procedure which includes the point group operations and can be applied to any quantity in the reciprocal space. The unfolding of the Brillouin zone follows naturally from the properties of the induced irreducible representations. In this context, we also introduce a procedure to derive tight-binding models of reduced dimensionality by making use of point group symmetries. Further, we show that careful consideration of unfolding has important consequences on the interpretation of angle resolved photoemission experiments. Finally, we apply the unfolding procedure to various representative examples of Fe-based superconductor compounds and show that the one iron picture arises as an irreducible representation of the glide mirror group and we comment on the consequences for the interpretation of one-iron versus two-iron Brillouin zone representations. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1534/g3.114.014845 | Population genetics of Anopheles coluzzii immune pathways and genes | Natural selection is expected to drive adaptive evolution in genes involved in host-pathogen interactions. In this study, we use molecular population genetic analyses to understand how natural selection operates on the immune system of Anopheles coluzzii (formerly A. gambiae "M form"). We analyzed patterns of intraspecific and interspecific genetic variation in 20 immune-related genes and 17 nonimmune genes from a wild population of A. coluzzii and asked if patterns of genetic variation in the immune genes are consistent with pathogen-driven selection shaping the evolution of defense. We found evidence of a balanced polymorphism in CTLMA2, which encodes a C-type lectin involved in regulation of the melanization response. The two CTLMA2 haplotypes, which are distinguished by fixed amino acid differences near the predicted peptide cleavage site, are also segregating in the sister species A. gambiae ("S form") and A. arabiensis. Comparison of the two haplotypes between species indicates that they were not shared among the species through introgression, but rather that they arose before the species divergence and have been adaptively maintained as a balanced polymorphism in all three species. We additionally found that STAT-B, a retroduplicate of STAT-A, shows strong evidence of adaptive evolution that is consistent with neofunctionalization after duplication. In contrast to the striking patterns of adaptive evolution observed in these Anopheles-specific immune genes, we found no evidence of adaptive evolution in the Toll and Imd innate immune pathways that are orthologously conserved throughout insects. Genes encoding the Imd pathway exhibit high rates of amino acid divergence between Anopheles species but also display elevated amino acid diversity that is consistent with relaxed purifying selection. These results indicate that adaptive coevolution between A. coluzzii and its pathogens is more likely to involve novel or lineage-specific molecular mechanisms than the canonical humoral immune pathways. | [
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
]
|
W2587084227 | Strategy with Externalities (Version 1) | The purpose of this model is to explore the effects of technological and social shifts on the behavior of incumbent and startup firms. The model was constructed to provide insight into the choices firms make regarding adoption of new energy technologies. A firm’s performance is determined by its location on an NK fitness landscape, and each firm’s strategy, or technology portfolio, is modeled as a string of bits which locate the firm on the landscape. Firms move along the landscape by modifying their strategies. The model explores how the performance landscape needs to shift in order for startups to become established and incumbents motivated to search for higher preforming strategies.
The conceptual space representing all possible firm strategies is described in terms of an NK model. Each strategy is represented as a string of N binary decisions, each of which is dependent on K other decisions within that same string. A firm's performance, or value, is represented as an average of the contributions from each decision and its related decisions.
The model is based on two landscapes,old world and new world. To start a number of incumbent firms search for advantageous positions on the old world landscape. The landscape is then shifted and startup firms are added to the new world landscape. The two types of firms then search the new world landscape for advantageous positions.
Firms are instantiated with different levels of aspiration which are used to trigger search behaviour. If a firm’s relative performance is above their aspiration level it will not change its strategy, but when the performance drops below that threshold a firm will choose one of two search types: incremental or imitative. Each time period firms that fall below a specified relative performance are removed with a given probability. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
]
|
215728 | Computational design of novel functional proteins for immunoengineering | Finely orchestrated protein activities are at the heart of the most fundamental cellular processes. The rational and structure-based design of novel functional proteins holds the promise to revolutionize many important aspects in biology, medicine and biotechnology. Computational protein design has led the way on rational protein engineering, however many of these designed proteins were solely focused on structural accuracy and completely impaired of function. DeNovoImmunoDesign proposes novel computational design strategies centered on the exploration of de novo protein topologies and the use of structural flexibility with the ultimate goal of designing functional proteins. The proposed methodologies aim to solve a prevalent problem in computational design that relates to the lack of optimal design templates for the optimization of function. By expanding beyond the known protein structural space, our approaches represent new paradigms on the design of de novo functional proteins. DeNovoImmunoDesign will leverage our new methodologies to design functional proteins with rational approaches for two crucial biomedical endeavors - vaccine design and cancer immunotherapy. Our strategy for vaccine design is to engineer structure-based epitope-focused immunogens to elicit potent neutralizing antibodies – a requirement for vaccine protection. The underlying basis of cancer immunotherapy is the inhibition of key protein-protein interactions - an arena where rational design is lagging. To meet this central need we will develop innovative approaches to design new protein binders for cancer immunotherapy applications. DeNovoImmunoDesign is a multidisciplinary proposal where computation is intertwined with experimentation (biochemistry, structural biology and immunology). Our unique competences and groundbreaking research have all the components to translate into transformative advances for both basic and applied biology through innovations in rational protein design. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1098/rsta.2013.0027 | Performance and optimization of X-ray grating interferometry | The monochromatic and polychromatic performance of a grating interferometer is theoretically analysed. The smallest detectable refraction angle is used as a metric for the efficiency in acquiring a differential phase-contrast image. Analytical formulae for the visibility and the smallest detectable refraction angle are derived for Talbot-type and Talbot–Lau-type interferometers, respectively, providing a framework for the optimization of the geometry. The polychromatic performance of a grating interferometer is investigated analytically by calculating the energy-dependent interference fringe visibility, the spectral acceptance and the polychromatic interference fringe visibility. The optimization of grating interferometry is a crucial step for the design of application-specific systems with maximum performance. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
617777 | COLONISATION AND CULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION IN UNFAMILIAR LANDSCAPES | This project explores the relationship between climate change and human behaviour. During the harshest conditions of the last ice age European human populations abandoned northern latitudes, with their range contracting to southern regions. By the time ice sheets retreated and large areas of land became available for resettlement there had been a hiatus of at least 7000 years. This project examines the recolonisation of these Northern regions which took place during a period of rapid climate change, the last major global warming event on earth. As people move eastwards and northwards increasing diversification is seen in their stone and bone tool industries which indicate human development. This project examines whether climate a) drove the human dispersal and development, b) played a more indirect role, or c) was of little significance to humans at this time. State-of-the-art scientific techniques (radiocarbon dating, DNA, stable isotope, clumped isotope and charcoal ring width analyses) will be used to create integrated chronological, palaeoclimatic and palaeoecological frameworks that are directly linked to the Late and Final Palaeolithic archaeological record. Temporal and spatial trends in climate change, prey abundance and behaviour, and technological development will be compared and considered in light of regional and global climate trends and archaeological evidence for hunting strategies, human mobility and landscape use. Such data will provide an insight into the conditions Palaeolithic people experienced and how this influenced their perceptions of the landscape they inhabited and the decisions they made. | [
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
950427 | A GLOBAL THEORY OF REFLEXIVE DEBT (DELIBERATION) | Modern capitalism is essentially built on the institution of debt. The unlimited conception of debt reinforces an infinite growth logic and drives economic, political, cultural and ecological unsustainability. A crucial research question is how to constitute debt as more sustainable socio-economic medium. The RESOLVENCY project aims to shape a new (socially) reflexive debt paradigm by rethinking insolvency law as reflexive (democratic) debt deliberation. The project intends to set up a global theory of debt deliberation (for firms, consumers and states), which outlines a new RESOLVENCY paradigm for insolvency law reintegrating over-burdened debtors into the economic system (making them ‘re-solvent’) and incorporating other social (political, cultural, ecological) perspectives. ‘Resolving’ debt conflicts requires a collective procedure including debtor, creditors and all other private (employees, inhabitants) and public (communities, environment) interests involved. Advancing PI’s novel ‘discursive normative grammar’ (DNG) methodology and combining it with empirical methods, the project has four main objectives: (A) to reconstruct a universal argumentative frame (an insolvency DNG) for debt deliberation integrating normative principles (values) from corporate, consumer and sovereign insolvency theories across different jurisdictions; (B) to newly classify insolvency laws worldwide with a global comparative insolvency law theory based on this DNG; (C) to model and experiment with legal designs of reflexive debt deliberation procedures (RESOLVENCY law); and (D) to outline a model of reflexive debt (RE:DEBT) and analyse its ex ante effects on credit markets. The project does not only impact any legal and economic research on insolvency, but also debt theory in all social and sustainability sciences. In advancing PI’s DNG method, it enhances general understanding of deep normative architectures of legal reasoning and its constitutional effects for society at large. | [
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
]
|
10.1103/PhysRevB.90.201305 | Excitonic ring formation in ultrapure bulk GaAs | We report on spatially resolved low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements of excitons in ultrapure bulk GaAs. At moderate excitation densities we observe butterfly-shaped luminescence images in the wavelength-radial distance plane with a pronounced quench of the exciton PL intensity at the excitation center. The shapes of the PL images show a delicate dependence on excitation wavelength and pump power. We present a model that quantitatively explains the PL intensity quench by a localized overheating of the exciton ensemble due to nonresonant optical excitation. Our model allows us to extract absolute exciton temperatures and to trace the influence of excitation excess energy on the spatial dependence of the exciton energy relaxation. We observe temperature gradients in the exciton system which persist over distances ≥10μm away from the excitation spot. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.09.019 | Purinergic mechanisms in neuroinflammation: An update from molecules to behavior | The principle functions of neuroinflammation are to limit tissue damage and promote tissue repair in response to pathogens or injury. While neuroinflammation has utility, pathophysiological inflammatory responses, to some extent, underlie almost all neuropathology. Understanding the mechanisms that control the three stages of inflammation (initiation, propagation and resolution) is therefore of critical importance for developing treatments for diseases of the central nervous system. The purinergic signaling system, involving adenosine, ATP and other purines, plus a host of P1 and P2 receptor subtypes, controls inflammatory responses in complex ways. Activation of the inflammasome, leading to release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, activation and migration of microglia and altered astroglial function are key regulators of the neuroinflammatory response. Here, we review the role of P1 and P2 receptors in mediating these processes and examine their contribution to disorders of the nervous system. Firstly, we give an overview of the concept of neuroinflammation. We then discuss the contribution of P2X, P2Y and P1 receptors to the underlying processes, including a discussion of cross-talk between these different pathways. Finally, we give an overview of the current understanding of purinergic contributions to neuroinflammation in the context of specific disorders of the central nervous system, with special emphasis on neuropsychiatric disorders, characterized by chronic low grade inflammation or maternal inflammation. An understanding of the important purinergic contribution to neuroinflammation underlying neuropathology is likely to be a necessary step towards the development of effective interventions. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Purines in Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration'. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
643352 | Pathways, memory and information processing in matter | Imagine squeezing a crumpled plastic sheet – what is its response? For complex materials – crumpled sheets, granular media, glassy materials – tiny forces already cause a nonlinear response, associated with hopping in the energy landscape, for which we lack a coherent description. The central tenet of this proposal is that this hopping allows complex materials to process information. I propose to understand and unlock the full potential of such complex materials. Central questions are:
- How can we describe their nonlinear response?
- What are the computational capabilities of complex matter?
- Can we create materials for targeted computations?
To answer these questions, I will subject macro-scale complex matter to sequentially and spatially patterned driving forces (information input), and observe the sequential response (information output). The responses to multiple forcings form an intricate web of linked pathways, which can be represented in a graph that I interpret as encoding a sequential computation. This is the central link between driving, pathways and information, which allows me to probe the algorithmic capabilities of complex materials.
Recent breakthroughs in my group have brought experimental access, modelling and design of pathways within reach. In this proposal, I will investigate these pathways and will develop strategies to create algorithmic matter, using a combination of disordered – crumpling – sheets and carefully designed mechanical metamaterials; I will develop theoretical models for both.
Just like a focus on the architecture of complex matter has revolutionized our view of their linear response and gave birth to mechanical metamaterials, a focus on their pathways will revolutionize our understanding of their nonlinear response and opens the door to new forms of information processing matter. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
W2015399519 | Surgical treatment of stress incontinence in men | The committee was charged with the responsibility of reviewing and evaluating all published data relating to surgical treatment of male urinary incontinence since the previous consultation in 2004.Articles from peer-reviewed journals, abstracts from scientific meetings, and literature searches by hand and electronically formed the basis of this review. The articles were evaluated using Levels of Evidences adapted by the ICUD from the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine. The Recommendations for Care were based on the level of evidence and discussed among the committee members to reach consensus. The incontinence problems were classified according to their etiology, that is, either primarily sphincter or bladder related.Specialist evaluation of the patient is primarily a clinical approach with history, frequency-volume chart, physical examination, and post-void residual urine. Other investigations such as radiographic imaging of the lower urinary tract, cystoscopy, and urodynamic studies can provide important information for the clinician. For stress incontinence of various etiologies the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has the longest record of satisfactory results. Consideration must be given to the need for revisions for mechanical breakdown, erosion/infection, and recurrent incontinence, as well as cost. Sling procedures are increasingly being reported to have good outcomes for mild to moderate incontinence. Injectable agents have not shown durable results but newer technologies such as volume-adjustable balloons have shown favorable early results. Incontinence following cystectomy with neobladder and pelvic trauma has been treated most commonly with the AUS.Although the literature is replete with well-done cohort studies, there is a need for prospective randomized clinical trials. Recommendations for trials include standardized workup and outcome measures and complete reporting of adverse events and long-term results. Further research is also needed to elucidate the mechanism of post-prostatectomy incontinence. | [
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
10.5194/amt-8-2037-2015 | Airborne in situ vertical profiling of HDO / H<sub>2</sub><sup>16</sup>O in the subtropical troposphere during the MUSICA remote sensing validation campaign | . Vertical profiles of water vapor (H2O) and its isotope ratio D / H expressed as δD(H2O) were measured in situ by the ISOWAT II diode-laser spectrometer during the MUlti-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water (MUSICA) airborne campaign. We present recent modifications of the instrument design. The instrument calibration on the ground as well as in flight is described. Based on the calibration measurements, the humidity-dependent uncertainty of our airborne data is determined. For the majority of the airborne data we achieved an accuracy (uncertainty of the mean) of Δ(δD) &approx;10‰. Vertical profiles between 150 and ~7000 m were obtained during 7 days in July and August 2013 over the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean near Tenerife. The flights were coordinated with ground-based (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change, NDACC) and space-based (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer, IASI) FTIR remote sensing measurements of δD(H2O) as a means to validate the remote sensing humidity and δD(H2O) data products. The results of the validation are presented in detail in a separate paper (Schneider et al. , 2014). The profiles were obtained with a high vertical resolution of around 3 m. By analyzing humidity and δD(H2O) correlations we were able to identify different layers of air masses with specific isotopic signatures. The results are discussed. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
10.1038/labinvest.2012.2 | Loss of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 enhances TGF-Β/Smad-mediated renal fibrosis and NF-κB-driven renal inflammation in a mouse model of obstructive nephropathy | It is known that angiotensin (Ang)-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 catalyzes Ang II to Ang 1-7 to prevent the detrimental effect of Ang II on blood pressure, renal fibrosis, and inflammation. However, mechanisms of renoprotective role of Ace2 remain largely unclear. The present study tested the hypothesis that deficiency of Ace2 may accelerate intrarenal Ang II-mediated fibrosis and inflammation independent of blood pressure in a model of unilateral ureteral obstructive (UUO) nephropathy induced in Ace2 +y and Ace2 -/y mice. Results showed that both Ace2 +y and Ace2 -/y mice had normal levels of blood pressure and plasma Ang II/Ang 1-7. In contrast, deletion of ACE2 resulted in a fourfold increase in the ratio of intrarenal Ang II/Ang 1-7 in the UUO nephropathy. These changes were associated with the development of more intensive tubulointerstitial fibrosis (α-SMA, collagen I) and inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, F4/80 + cells, and CD3 +T cells) in Ace2 -/y mice at day 3 (all P≤0. 05) after UUO, becoming more profound at day 7 (all P≤0. 01). Enhanced renal fibrosis and inflammation in the UUO kidney of Ace2 -/y mice were largely attributed to a marked increase in the intrarenal Ang II signaling (AT1-ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase), TGF-β/Smad2/3, and NF-κB signaling pathways. Further studies revealed that enhanced TGF-β/Smad and NF-κB signaling in the UUO kidney of Ace2 -/y mice was associated with upregulation of an E3 ligase Smurf2 and a loss of renal Smad7. In conclusion, enhanced Ang II-mediated TGF-β/Smad and NF-B signaling may be the mechanisms by which loss of Ace2 enhances renal fibrosis and inflammation. Smad7 ubiquitin degradation mediated by Smurf2 may be a central mechanism by which Ace2 -/y mice promote TGF-Β/Smad2/3-mediated renal fibrosis and NF-κB-driven renal inflammation in a mouse model of UUO nephropathy. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1007/JHEP02(2016)052 | One Point Functions In Ads Dcft From Matrix Product States | One-point functions of certain non-protected scalar operators in the defect CFT dual to the D3-D5 probe brane system with k units of world volume flux can be expressed as overlaps between Bethe eig . . . | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Mathematics"
]
|
W2053673091 | Estimates of Genetic Variability of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Complex and Its Association with Drug Resistance in Cameroon | The present study investigates the genetic diversity among Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex circulating in the Centre region of Cameroon and analyzes the relationship between genotypes and drug resistance patterns. Spoligotyping was performed by PCR-amplification followed by the reverse hybridization of 298 cultured specimens. Spoligotypes patterns were identified by comparison to reference strains in SPolDB4 database via the MIRU VNTR plus web application. About 97.65% of all tuberculosis (TB) cases were attributed to M. tuberculosis. A total of 65 different profiles were identified. Of these, 40 were represented as Shared Types (ST) while the others were orphans. LAM10_CAM and Haarlem families were the most prevalent genetic families with 51.01% and 14.09% respectively. ST 61, a member of the LAM10_ CAM family formed the largest cluster with 128 (42.95%) isolates. No association was found between genotypes with regard to drug resistance and HIV sero-status. However, there was a significant association between genotypes and age groups. Patients belonging to 15 - 24 and 35 - 44 age groups were more likely infected by LAM10_CAM strains compared to others. The population structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains from the Centre region was found to be diverse and the spoligotype 61 of the LAM10_CAM family was highly predominant. Isolates of the LAM10_CAM seem to be not associated with drug resistance. | [
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.040402 | Bell Inequalities Tailored to Maximally Entangled States | Bell inequalities have traditionally been used to demonstrate that quantum theory is nonlocal, in the sense that there exist correlations generated from composite quantum states that cannot be explained by means of local hidden variables. With the advent of device-independent quantum information protocols, Bell inequalities have gained an additional role as certificates of relevant quantum properties. In this work, we consider the problem of designing Bell inequalities that are tailored to detect maximally entangled states. We introduce a class of Bell inequalities valid for an arbitrary number of measurements and results, derive analytically their tight classical, nonsignaling, and quantum bounds and prove that the latter is attained by maximally entangled states. Our inequalities can therefore find an application in device-independent protocols requiring maximally entangled states. | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
W2785768012 | Fotokemijske i termičke transformacije diklor-supstituiranog butadienskog derivata | In order to study the influence of chlorine as a substituent on the thermal and photochemical behavior of conjugated butadiene systems, new dichloro derivative of butadiene 1 was synthesized by Wittig reaction. The new synthesized derivative 1 was exposed to thermal and photochemical reactions to prepare new unexplored thermal products. Getting the new complex polycyclic structures which depends on the electronic and steric effects of two chlorine atoms as substituent bounded on p-locations in the molecule was expected. Thermal reaction of the starting compound 1 leads to new product 2 in moderate-to-good yields. The starting compound 1 by photochemical reaction undergo intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition giving benzobicyclic structures. These structures, because of its stability, cannot undergo further oxygenation reactions. The starting compound 1 as well as their product 2 were characterized by modern spectroscopic methods (one-dimensional 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and HRMS). | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1111/tpj.12488 | Strigolactones and the control of plant development: Lessons from shoot branching | Strigolactones (SLs) were originally identified through their activities as root exudates in the rhizosphere; however, it is now clear that they have many endogenous signalling roles in plants. In this review we discuss recent progress in understanding SL action in planta, particularly in the context of the regulation of shoot branching, one of the best-characterized endogenous roles for SLs. Rapid progress has been made in understanding SL biosynthesis, but many questions remain unanswered. There are hints of as yet unidentified sources of SL, as well as unknown SL-like molecules with important signalling functions. SL signalling is even more enigmatic. Although a likely receptor has been identified, along with some candidate immediate downstream targets, our understanding of how these targets mediate SL signalling is limited. There is still considerable uncertainty about whether the targets of SL signalling are primarily transcriptional or not. There is at least one non-transcriptional target, because a rapid primary response to SL is the removal of PIN1 auxin exporter proteins from the plasma membrane in vascular-associated cells of the stem. We discuss how the various early events in SL signalling could result in the observed changes in shoot branching. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1080/08940886.2017.1289799 | Local Maps Of Potential Energy Surfaces And Chemical Pathways | Potential energy surfaces are a central tool to rationalize, in a multidimensional system, how distortions along defined degrees of freedom link conformation and structural modifications to energy. The local and global mimima define stable conformations and the ground state. Crossings between the ground- and electronically excited-state potential energy surfaces often define rate-limiting steps in chemistry. Here, optically excited or spin-excited states live on different potential energy surfaces. How a molecular wavepacket propagating on a potential energy surface bifurcates at, e. g. , a saddle point creates selectivity in a reaction pathway. As a fully quantum mechanical description, wavepacket interference plays an important role. In chemistry, active atomic sites are at the core of excitations, bond creation, and breaking, and thus detailed local information on the potential energy surface surrounding these active atomic centers holds the key to rate and selectivity. The electronic ground state is exp. . . | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1016/j.celrep.2012.08.019 | Structural Basis for a Reciprocal Regulation between SCF and CSN | Skp1-Cul1-Fbox (SCF) E3 ligases are activated by ligation to the ubiquitin-like protein Nedd8, which is reversed by the deneddylating Cop9 signalosome (CSN). However, CSN also promotes SCF substrate turnover through unknown mechanisms. Through biochemical and electron microscopy analyses, we determined molecular models of CSN complexes with SCFSkp2/Cks1 and SCFFbw7 and found that CSN occludes both SCF functional sites-the catalytic Rbx1-Cul1 C-terminal domain and the substrate receptor. Indeed, CSN binding prevents SCF interactions with E2 enzymes and a ubiquitination substrate, and it inhibits SCF-catalyzed ubiquitin chain formation independent of deneddylation. Importantly, CSN prevents neddylation of the bound cullin, unless binding of a ubiquitination substrate triggers SCF dissociation and neddylation. Taken together, the results provide a model for how reciprocal regulation sensitizes CSN to the SCF assembly state and inhibits a catalytically competent SCF until a ubiquitination substrate drives its own degradation by displacing CSN, thereby promoting cullin neddylation and substrate ubiquitination | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1093/cid/ciaa075 | Age-Specific Incidence of Influenza A Responds to Change in Virus Subtype Dominance | Abstract
When H3N2 replaced H1N1 as the dominant influenza A subtype during the 2018–2019 season, the pattern of age-specific incidence shifted due to the lingering effects of antigenic imprinting. The characteristic shape that imprinting leaves on influenza susceptibility could foster important advances in understanding and predicting the epidemiology of influenza. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1038/nature23013 | T<inf>FH</inf>-derived dopamine accelerates productive synapses in germinal centres | Protective high-affinity antibody responses depend on competitive selection of B cells carrying somatically mutated B-cell receptors by follicular helper T (TFH) cells in germinal centres. The rapid T-B-cell interactions that occur during this process are reminiscent of neural synaptic transmission pathways. Here we show that a proportion of human T FH cells contain dense-core granules marked by chromogranin B, which are normally found in neuronal presynaptic terminals storing catecholamines such as dopamine. TFH cells produce high amounts of dopamine and release it upon cognate interaction with B cells. Dopamine causes rapid translocation of intracellular ICOSL (inducible T-cell co-stimulator ligand, also known as ICOSLG) to the B-cell surface, which enhances accumulation of CD40L and chromogranin B granules at the human TFH cell synapse and increases the synapse area. Mathematical modelling suggests that faster dopamine-induced T-B-cell interactions increase total germinal centre output and accelerate it by days. Delivery of neurotransmitters across the T-B-cell synapse may be advantageous in the face of infection. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
W4281794547 | Non-institutionalized frail elderly: are there any medications associated with falls? A case-control study. | Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre queda e o uso de medicamentos em idosos frágeis não institucionalizados.Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo caso-controle realizado com usuários da Atenção Básica do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) na cidade de Divinópolis, interior de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Os casos eram idosos frágeis com queda autorreferida no último ano e os controles eram idosos frágeis sem relato de queda, pareados por sexo, idade e centro de saúde. A variável de desfecho foi a ocorrência de queda no último ano. As variáveis de exposição foram o uso de medicamentos por classe de medicamentos, o uso de terapia medicamentosa combinada, início e interrupção e ajuste de dose nos últimos 12 meses. A magnitude das associações foi estimada por Odds Ratio (OR).Resultados: Na análise univariada, o uso de medicamentos antianêmicos, antiinfl amatórios, antiepilépticos e a suspensão e iniciação da medicação estiveram associados à queda. Após ajuste pelas demais variáveis de exposição e covariáveis, houve associação signifi cativa entre quedas e uso de medicação antianêmica (OR = 6,10; IC95% 1,72 - 21,58).Conclusão: A queda de idosos frágeis não institucionalizados esteve associada ao uso de medicamentos antianêmicos, associação não descrita em outros estudos. | [
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
10.1038/srep22633 | Dragon kings of the deep sea: Marine particles deviate markedly from the common number-size spectrum | Particles are the major vector for the transfer of carbon from the upper ocean to the deep sea. However, little is known about their abundance, composition and role at depths greater than 2000 m. We present the first number-size spectrum of bathy- and abyssopelagic particles to a depth of 5500 m based on surveys performed with a custom-made holographic microscope. The particle spectrum was unusual in that particles of several millimetres in length were almost 100 times more abundant than expected from the number spectrum of smaller particles, thereby meeting the definition of "dragon kings. " Marine snow particles overwhelmingly contributed to the total particle volume (95-98%). Approximately 1/3 of the particles in the dragon-king size domain contained large amounts of transparent exopolymers with little ballast, which likely either make them neutrally buoyant or cause them to sink slowly. Dragon-king particles thus provide large volumes of unique microenvironments that may help to explain discrepancies in deep-sea biogeochemical budgets. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
]
|
10.1109/ICASSP.2018.8462100 | Accounting For Room Acoustics In Audio Visual Multi Speaker Tracking | Multiple-speaker tracking is a crucial task for many applications. In real-world scenarios, exploiting the complementarity between auditory and visual data enables to track people outside the visual field of view. However, practical methods must be robust to changes in acoustic conditions, e. g. reverberation. We investigate how to combine state-of-the-art audio-source localization techniques with Bayesian multi-person tracking. Our experiments demonstrate that the performance of the proposed system is not affected by changes in the acoustic environment. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
240132 | Spiking neural models of auditory perception | In classical connectionism, the information is conveyed by the firing rate of neurons. Spiking neuron models offer an additional dimension to the rate: synchrony. Synchronous spike trains are more effective than uncorrelated ones in driving the responses of target neurons. Because neurons can encode their inputs in a sequence of precisely timed spikes, input similarity translates into synchronous spiking, which can be easily detected by afferent neurons. The dual properties of synchronization and coincidence detection lead to a new computing paradigm, where neurons perform a similarity operation instead of a summation. Because synaptic plasticity favor correlated neuron groups, synchrony-based computation should play an important role in developed neural circuits. The presence of neural correlations has been demonstrated in early sensory systems, but their computational role is still unclear. In auditory perception, the fine temporal structure of sounds is thought to play an important role, in particular for pitch perception and spatial localization of sounds. It has long been proposed that the auditory system exploits the structure of neural correlations to infer information about those properties, but it is still unclear how this computation is physiologically implemented. In this project, I propose to investigate synchrony-based computation and learning in the auditory system, using computational neural modeling. The expected impact of the project is 1) the development of spike-based neural network theory, 2) a better understanding of the role of neural synchronization in auditory perception, 3) industrial applications (music transcription, auditory scene analysis) and medical applications (stimulation procedures for cochlear implants) with neural simulation technology. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1371/journal.pone.0066971 | Genome Analysis and Physiological Comparison of Alicycliphilus denitrificans Strains BC and K601<sup>T</sup> | The genomes of the Betaproteobacteria Alicycliphilus denitrificans strains BC and K601T have been sequenced to get insight into the physiology of the two strains. Strain BC degrades benzene with chlorate as electron acceptor. The cyclohexanol-degrading denitrifying strain K601T is not able to use chlorate as electron acceptor, while strain BC cannot degrade cyclohexanol. The 16S rRNA sequences of strains BC and K601T are identical and the fatty acid methyl ester patterns of the strains are similar. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis of predicted open reading frames of both strains showed most hits with Acidovorax sp. JS42, a bacterium that degrades nitro-aromatics. The genomes include strain-specific plasmids (pAlide201 in strain K601T and pAlide01 and pAlide02 in strain BC). Key genes of chlorate reduction in strain BC were located on a 120 kb megaplasmid (pAlide01), which was absent in strain K601T. Genes involved in cyclohexanol degradation were only found in strain K601T. Benzene and toluene are degraded via oxygenase-mediated pathways in both strains. Genes involved in the meta-cleavage pathway of catechol are present in the genomes of both strains. Strain BC also contains all genes of the ortho-cleavage pathway. The large number of mono- and dioxygenase genes in the genomes suggests that the two strains have a broader substrate range than known thus far. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
]
|
219825 | Single-Cell multi-omics approach to study intra-tumour heterogeneity of soft tissue sarcomas | Recently, multi-omics approaches have led to a plethora of publications describing in detail the ‘omics landscapes of common cancer types. However, at the bulk tissue level, integrating different ‘omics layers remains an uncompleted challenge. Soft tissue sarcomas are rare and often aggressive cancers of mesenchymal origin representing ~1% of all cancers but encompassing at least 50 subtypes. Hence, collecting enough of these rare samples for significant findings in a timely fashion is the biggest hurdle. This issue can be addressed by repeating observations within individual patients to generate new hypotheses. Our long-term collaboration aims to obtain the genome, transcriptome and methylome of each of 1,000 single-cells from 10 individual subtypes of soft tissue sarcomas. This design is possible thanks to DNA & RNA single-cell sequencing (SCS) of the same cell in Dr. Voet’s lab, and bespoke computational analyses in Dr. Van Loo’s lab, and access to this rare material of Prof. Flanagan, lead for the sarcoma component of the Genomics England 100,000 Genomes Project. This proposal is the pilot project, where we focus on one malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, a rare aggressive cancer originating from the connective tissues surrounding nerves. We will also sequence multiple regions of the primary tumour, the blood, and cell-free tumour DNA (ctDNA) before surgery and subsequently every three months. Prof. Flanagan’s group will process the samples, and Dr. Voet will oversee the sequencing. In Dr. Van Loo’s lab, I will develop the computational tools to uncover the 3 ‘omics signals at the single-cell level that are averaged out in bulk tissues. SCS will shed light on the fundamental links between cancer genomic subclones and the transcriptional and epigenetic diversity of cancer cell types; and we will answer whether ctDNA reflects the diversity of cancer cells and how it evolves in the course of treatment. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
W2472665424 | Modelling and simulation of direct solar radiation for cost-effectiveness analysis of V-Trough photovoltaic devices | In the urge to make solar energy competitive enough to directly face fossil fuels, several approaches result crucial for their intended capacity to maximise the energy that can be produced with a given photovoltaic area. Low Concentration Photovoltaics (LCPV) and tracking methods can be integrated in V-Trough solar devices to increase their effective solar harvesting area through low-cost non-imaging optics. As a tool to support the design and simulation of such devices, this work proposes an analytical and numerical model that simulates the interactions of direct solar radiation with the V-Trough’s elements. The proposed model is design-oriented and was developed seeking high parameter flexibility, high geometrical detail and low computational demands. The model was experimentally validated through several simulations of V-Trough set-ups which results were compared against measurements with a testing platform. Through a non-parametric statistical analysis, the model proved to be satisfactory and highly accurate. Furthermore, the calculations regarding optical concentration performance were complemented with a cost analysis and integrated into a cost-effectiveness index. The results from this work serve as a useful modelling tool for designing and comparing alternatives of V-Trough solar devices. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
10.1002/wnan.1462 | Antibodies from plants for bionanomaterials | Antibodies are produced as part of the vertebrate adaptive immune response and are not naturally made by plants. However, antibody DNA sequences can be introduced into plants, and together with laboratory technologies that allow the design of antibodies recognizing any conceivable molecular structure, plants can be used as ‘green factories’ to produce any antibody at all. The advent of plant-based transient expression systems in particular allows the rapid, convenient, and safe production of antibodies, ranging from laboratory-scale expression to industrial-scale manufacturing. The key features of plant-based production include safety, speed, low cost, and convenience, allowing newcomers to rapidly master the technology and use it to its full advantage. Manufacturing in plants has recently achieved significant milestones and offers more than just an alternative to established microbial and mammalian cell platforms. The use of plants for product development in particular offers the power and flexibility to easily coexpress many different genes, allowing the plug-and-play construction of novel bionanomaterials, perfectly complementing existing approaches based on plant virus-like particles. As well as producing single antibodies for applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry, plants can be used to produce antibody-based supramolecular structures and scaffolds as a new generation of green bionanomaterials that promise a bright future based on clean and renewable nanotechnology applications. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2017, 9:e1462. doi: 10. 1002/wnan. 1462. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. | [
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1021/jp511953p | Gas adsorption and separation in realistic and idealized frameworks of organic pillared graphene: A comparative study | In this work, we present a systematic and thorough comparison between gas adsorption and energy storage properties in idealized or realistic models of organic-pillared reduced-graphene-oxide sheets. First, atomistic simulations based on density functional theory are used to generate the structures of these novel systems. Second, Grand Canonical Monte Carlo is used to predict the adsorption properties of the proposed frameworks in the case of two different gases, notably hydrogen and carbon dioxide. While one can safely conclude that gas adsorption is strongly affected by the density of the pillars and the chemical composition of the compounds, a comparison between realistic idealized structures shows that even the corrugation of graphene sheets has a deep impact on such properties. Finally, we produce evidence of the potentiality of these pillared structures to be used as gas separation devices by investigating the sieving of an equimolar CO2/H2 mixture at room temperature. (Figure Presented). | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
307023 | Inverse Problems in Partial Differential Equations and Geometry | Inverse problems research concentrates on the mathematical theory and practical interpretation of indirect measurements. Applications are found in virtually every research field involving scientific, medical, or industrial imaging and mathematical modelling. Familiar examples include X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Inverse problems methods make it possible to employ important advances in modern mathematics in a vast number of application areas. Also, applications inspire new questions that are both mathematically deep and have a close connection to other sciences. This has made inverse problems research one of the most important and topical fields of modern applied mathematics.
The research team proposes to study fundamental mathematical questions in the theory of inverse problems. Particular emphasis will be placed on questions involving the interplay of mathematical analysis, partial differential equations, and Riemannian geometry. A major topic in the research programme is the famous inverse conductivity problem due to Calderón forming the basis of Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), an imaging modality proposed for early breast cancer detection and nondestructive testing of industrial parts. The geometric version of the Calderón problem is among the outstanding unsolved questions in the field. The research team will attack this and other aspects of the problem field, partly based on substantial recent progress due to the PI and collaborators. The team will also work on integral geometry questions arising in Travel Time Tomography in seismic imaging and in differential geometry, building on the solution of the tensor tomography conjecture in two dimensions obtained by the PI and collaborators in 2011. The research will focus on fundamental theoretical issues, but the motivation comes from practical applications and thus there is potential for breakthroughs that may lead to important advances in medical and seismic imaging. | [
"Mathematics",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
174464 | Solution processed low-dimensional oxide semiconducting structures and devices | Progress in thin-film transistor (TFTs) over the past 40 years has been based primarily on the development/processing of new materials and on implementation of innovative device architectures together with new material combinations. The SUPERSOL project is a highly multidisciplinary research effort that aims to develop the next generation TFT technology based primarily on solution-processable low-dimensional (ultra-thin) metal oxide structures. The most important aspects of the technology include; (i) the potential for low-cost and scalable manufacturing, and (ii) performance characteristics well beyond the current state-of-the-art. To achieve these objectives I will develop low-dimensional metal oxide superlattices (SLs) comprised of sequentially deposited (via solution methods) dissimilar ultra-thin metal oxide layers. Device fabrication will be performed solely from solution methods such as spin casting, dip-coating and ultrasonic spray pyrolysis at plastic-compatible temperatures (100-200°C). By exploring the charge transport phenomena occurring at the critical 2DEG interfaces, I will be able to develop transistors with carrier mobility well beyond incumbent technologies (i.e. poly-Si TFTs with carrier mobility ~70 cm2/Vs).
The first part of the project I will investigate the critical conditions that determine the formation of 2DEG systems within the oxide SLs. Best performing oxide SLs will then be used for the fabrication of TFTs on arbitrary substrates including plastic. This work will form the basis for the second part of the project which will focus solely on the development of technologically relevant devices including: memristors and novel quantum devices by manipulating at will the nature of the 2DEG formed within these simple to manufacture oxide SL based devices. Evaluation of the technology reliability/manufacturability and potential for scale-up will be performed in collaboration with the Holst Centre during the agreed secondment periods. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1007/s00401-017-1796-5 | A zebrafish model for C9orf72 ALS reveals RNA toxicity as a pathogenic mechanism | The exact mechanism underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) associated with the GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 is still unclear. Two gain-of-function mechanisms are possible: repeat RNA toxicity and dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) toxicity. We here dissected both possibilities using a zebrafish model for ALS. Expression of two DPRs, glycine–arginine and proline–arginine, induced a motor axonopathy. Similarly, expanded sense and antisense repeat RNA also induced a motor axonopathy and formed mainly cytoplasmic RNA foci. However, DPRs were not detected in these conditions. Moreover, stop codon-interrupted repeat RNA still induced a motor axonopathy and a synergistic role of low levels of DPRs was excluded. Altogether, these results show that repeat RNA toxicity is independent of DPR formation. This RNA toxicity, but not the DPR toxicity, was attenuated by the RNA-binding protein Pur-alpha and the autophagy-related protein p62. Our findings demonstrate that RNA toxicity, independent of DPR toxicity, can contribute to the pathogenesis of C9orf72-associated ALS/FTD. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1007/s00125-013-3118-3 | Pharmacological inhibition of NOX reduces atherosclerotic lesions, vascular ROS and immune-inflammatory responses in diabetic Apoe <sup>-/-</sup> mice | Aims/hypothesis: Enhanced vascular inflammation, immune cell infiltration and elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute significantly to pro-atherogenic responses in diabetes. We assessed the immunomodulatory role of NADPH oxidase (NOX)-derived ROS in diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis. Methods: Diabetes was induced in male Apoe -/- mice with five daily doses of streptozotocin (55 mg kg-1 day -1). Atherosclerotic plaque size, markers of ROS and immune cell accumulation were assessed in addition to flow cytometric analyses of cells isolated from the adjacent mediastinal lymph nodes (meLNs). The role of NOX-derived ROS was investigated using the NOX inhibitor, GKT137831 (60 mg/kg per day; gavage) administered to diabetic and non-diabetic Apoe -/- mice for 10 weeks. Results: Diabetes increased atherosclerotic plaque development in the aortic sinus and this correlated with increased lesional accumulation of T cells and CD11c+ cells and altered T cell activation in the adjacent meLNs. Diabetic Apoe -/- mice demonstrated an elevation in vascular ROS production and expression of the proinflammatory markers monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, vascular adhesion molecule 1 and IFNγ. Blockade of NOX-derived ROS using GKT137831 prevented the diabetes-mediated increase in atherosclerotic plaque area and associated vascular T cell infiltration and also significantly reduced vascular ROS as well as markers of inflammation and plaque necrotic core area. Conclusions/ interpretation: Diabetes promotes pro-inflammatory immune responses in the aortic sinus and its associated lymphoid tissue. These changes are associated with increased ROS production by NOX. Blockade of NOX-derived ROS using the NOX inhibitor GKT137831 is associated with attenuation of these changes in the immune response and reduces the diabetes-accelerated development of atherosclerotic plaques in Apoe -/- mice. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1167/13.6.8 | Pupil Constrictions To Photographs Of The Sun | The pupil constricts in response to light increments and dilates with light decrements. Here we show that a picture of the sun, introducing a small overall decrease in light level across the field of view, results in a pupillary constriction. Thus, the pictorial representation of a high-luminance object (the sun) can override the normal pupillary dilation elicited by a light decrement. In a series of experiments that control for a variety of factors known to modulate pupil size, we show that the effect (a) does not depend on the retinal position of the images and (b) is modulated by attention. It has long been known that cognitive factors can affect pupil diameter by producing pupillary dilations. Our results indicate that high-level visual analysis (beyond the simple subcortical system mediating the pupillary response to light) can also induce pupillary constriction, with an effect size of about 0. 1 mm. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
10.1371/journal.ppat.1002657 | Entry of human papillomavirus type 16 by actin-dependent, clathrin- and lipid raft-independent endocytosis | Infectious endocytosis of incoming human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16), the main etiological agent of cervical cancer, is poorly characterized in terms of cellular requirements and pathways. Conflicting reports attribute HPV-16 entry to clathrin-dependent and -independent mechanisms. To comprehensively describe the cell biological features of HPV-16 entry into human epithelial cells, we compared HPV-16 pseudovirion (PsV) infection in the context of cell perturbations (drug inhibition, siRNA silencing, overexpression of dominant mutants) to five other viruses (influenza A virus, Semliki Forest virus, simian virus 40, vesicular stomatitis virus, and vaccinia virus) with defined endocytic requirements. Our analysis included infection data, i. e. GFP expression after plasmid delivery by HPV-16 PsV, and endocytosis assays in combination with electron, immunofluorescence, and video microscopy. The results indicated that HPV-16 entry into HeLa and HaCaT cells was clathrin-, caveolin-, cholesterol- and dynamin-independent. The virus made use of a potentially novel ligand-induced endocytic pathway related to macropinocytosis. This pathway was distinct from classical macropinocytosis in regards to vesicle size, cholesterol-sensitivity, and GTPase requirements, but similar in respect to the need for tyrosine kinase signaling, actin dynamics, Na+/H+ exchangers, PAK-1 and PKC. After internalization the virus was transported to late endosomes and/or endolysosomes, and activated through exposure to low pH. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
]
|
10.1002/anie.201712186 | Visible-Light-Mediated Decarboxylative Radical Additions to Vinyl Boronic Esters: Rapid Access to γ-Amino Boronic Esters | The synthesis of alkyl boronic esters by direct decarboxylative radical addition of carboxylic acids to vinyl boronic esters is described. The reaction proceeds under mild photoredox catalysis and involves an unprecedented single-electron reduction of an α-boryl radical intermediate to the corresponding anion. The reaction is amenable to a diverse range of substrates, including α-amino, α-oxy, and alkyl carboxylic acids, thus providing a novel method to rapidly access boron-containing molecules of potential biological importance. | [
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
EP 0004866 W | ACCESSORY FOR A TRANSANAL ACCESS SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, IN PARTICULAR, FOR A MECHANICAL CIRCULAR SUTURING DEVICE | An accessory, unusually capable of painless insertion of a transanal access surgical instrument and, in particular, a mechanical, circular suturing device, including a sleeve-shaped (90) inserter (86), said sleeve (90) having an annular section (98), designed to receive by sliding an operative extremity of said surgical instrument, and a tapered section (92), for the painless introduction of said operative extremity in an intestinal tract. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1016/j.pbi.2015.05.013 | Regulation of appressorium development in pathogenic fungi | Many plant pathogenic fungi have the capacity to breach the intact cuticles of their plant hosts using specialised infection cells called appressoria. These cells exert physical force to rupture the plant surface, or deploy enzymes in a focused way to digest the cuticle and plant cell wall. They also provide the means by which focal secretion of effectors occurs at the point of plant infection. Development of appressoria is linked to re-modelling of the actin cytoskeleton, mediated by septin GTPases, and rapid cell wall differentiation. These processes are regulated by perception of plant cell surface components, and starvation stress, but also linked to cell cycle checkpoints that control the overall progression of infection-related development. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
]
|
10.1126/science.abd0811 | Human NLRP1 is a sensor for double-stranded RNA | Inflammasomes function as intracellular sensors of pathogen infection or cellular perturbation and thereby play a central role in numerous diseases. Given the high abundance of NLRP1 in epithelial barrier tissues, we screened a diverse panel of viruses for inflammasome activation in keratinocytes. We identified Semliki Forest virus (SFV), a positive-strand RNA virus, as a potent activator of human but not murine NLRP1B. SFV replication and the associated formation of double-stranded (ds) RNA was required to engage the NLRP1 inflammasome. Moreover, delivery of long dsRNA was sufficient to trigger activation. Biochemical studies revealed that NLRP1 binds dsRNA through its leucine-rich repeat domain, resulting in its NACHT domain gaining adenosine triphosphatase activity. Altogether, these results establish human NLRP1 as a direct sensor for dsRNA and thus RNA virus infection. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
W1632242929 | Diameter and Height Distributions of Natural Even-Aged Pine Forests (Pinus sylvestris) in Western Khentey, Mongolia | The purpose of this study was to find a suitable probability density function (PDF) to model the diameter at breast height (dbh) and height distributions of even-aged pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests. For the study, three different age-classes (AGs) of pine forests were used. Burr, Dagum, and Johnson SB distributions were applied due to their flexible properties. Result showed that dbh distributions of the 10~15- (AG1) and 40~45-yr (AG2) stands were left-tailed, while the 60~65- yr (AG3) stand was normally skewed. Height distributions of the AG1 and AG3 stands were left-tailed, while that of the AG2 stand showed no obvious distribution shape, due to its discrete height distribution. A distribution study revealed that in left-tailed forests, dbh and height distribution shapes were best approximated by the Dagum distribution. In the case of the normal distribution shape, the Johnson SB was better than the Burr and Dagum ones. Based on these results, we concluded that dbh distributions of even-aged AG1 and AG2 forests were heavily left-tailed, and the forest structure tended to normal for the AG3 forest. The height distribution is left tailed (AG1 and AG3) if a forest's height growth is not constrained by space, while it will become discrete in a high-density stand (AG2). | [
"Earth System Science",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1042/bst20160395 | From molecular chaperones to membrane motors: through the lens of a mass spectrometrist | Twenty-five years ago, we obtained our first mass spectra of molecular chaperones in complex with protein ligands and entered a new field of gas-phase structural biology. It is perhaps now time to pause and reflect, and to ask how many of our initial structure predictions and models derived from mass spectrometry (MS) datasets were correct. With recent advances in structure determination, many of the most challenging complexes that we studied over the years have become tractable by other structural biology approaches enabling such comparisons to be made. Moreover, in the light of powerful new electron microscopy methods, what role is there now for MS? In considering these questions, I will give my personal view on progress and problems as well as my predictions for future directions. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1088/1367-2630/17/9/093004 | Synergy Of Atom Probe Structural Data And Quantum Mechanical Calculations In A Theory Guided Design Of Extreme Stiffness Superlattices Containing Metastable Phases | A theory-guided materials design of nano-scaled superlattices containing metastable phases is critically important for future development of advanced lamellar composites with application-dictated stiffness and hardness. Our study combining theoretical and experimental methods exemplifies the strength of this approach for the case of the elastic properties of AlN/CrN superlattices that were deposited by reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering with a bilayer period of 4 nm. Importantly, CrN stabilizes AlN in a metastable B1 (rock salt) cubic phase only in the form of a layer that is very thin, up to a few nanometers. Due to the fact that B1-AlN crystals do not exist as bulk materials, experimental data for this phase are not available. Therefore, quantum-mechanical calculations have been applied to simulate an AlN/CrN superlattice with a similar bilayer period. The ab initio predicted Young's modulus (428 GPa) along the [001] direction is in excellent agreement with measured nano-indentation values (408 ± 32 GPa). Aiming at a future rapid high-throughput materials design of superlattices, we have also tested predictions obtained within linear-elasticity continuum modeling using elastic properties of B1-CrN and B1-AlN phases as input. Using single-crystal elastic constants from ab initio calculations for both phases, we demonstrate the reliability of this approach to design nano-patterned coherent superlattices with unprecedented and potentially superior properties. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1063/1.4820586 | Enhanced Spin Accumulation At Room Temperature In Graphene Spin Valves With Amorphous Carbon Interfacial Layers | We demonstrate a large enhancement of the spin accumulation in monolayer graphene following electron-beam induced deposition of an amorphous carbon layer at the ferromagnet-graphene interface. The enhancement is 104-fold when graphene is deposited onto poly(methyl metacrylate) (PMMA) and exposed with sufficient electron-beam dose to cross-link the PMMA, and 103-fold when graphene is deposited directly onto SiO2 and exposed with identical dose. We attribute the difference to a more efficient carbon deposition in the former case due to an increase in the presence of compounds containing carbon, which are released by the PMMA. The amorphous carbon interface can sustain very large current densities without degrading, which leads to very large spin accumulations exceeding 500 μeV at room temperature. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
W4226271301 | Alheira | Among the processed pork products, one of the most traditional in Trás-os-Montes, Ne Portugal, is the alheira. Being a regional product it is consumed throughout the country, being part of Portuguese gastronomy. There are a large number of different brands, mostly commercial and three with PGI label, which can have different formulations and production conditions that can vary between regions. However, PGI label brands establish a set of guarantees that production methods must comply with. Thus, this chapter describes in detail the formulation processes, stages of elaboration with the analysis of the variability in the centesimal physical-chemical composition. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.5194/acp-13-2391-2013 | Long term measurements of aerosol optical properties at a primary forest site in Amazonia | Abstract. A long term experiment was conducted in a primary forest area in Amazonia, with continuous in-situ measurements of aerosol optical properties between February 2008 and April 2011, comprising, to our knowledge, the longest database ever in the Amazon Basin. Two major classes of aerosol particles, with significantly different optical properties were identified: coarse mode predominant biogenic aerosols in the wet season (January–June), naturally released by the forest metabolism, and fine mode dominated biomass burning aerosols in the dry season (July–December), transported from regional fires. Dry particle median scattering coefficients at the wavelength of 550 nm increased from 6. 3 Mm−1 to 22 Mm−1, whereas absorption at 637 nm increased from 0. 5 Mm−1 to 2. 8 Mm−1 from wet to dry season. Most of the scattering in the dry season was attributed to the predominance of fine mode (PM2) particles (40–80% of PM10 mass), while the enhanced absorption coefficients are attributed to the presence of light absorbing aerosols from biomass burning. As both scattering and absorption increased in the dry season, the single scattering albedo (SSA) did not show a significant seasonal variability, in average 0. 86 ± 0. 08 at 637 nm for dry aerosols. Measured particle optical properties were used to estimate the aerosol forcing efficiency at the top of the atmosphere. Results indicate that in this primary forest site the radiative balance was dominated by the cloud cover, particularly in the wet season. Due to the high cloud fractions, the aerosol forcing efficiency absolute values were below −3. 5 W m−2 in 70% of the wet season days and in 46% of the dry season days. Besides the seasonal variation, the influence of out-of-Basin aerosol sources was observed occasionally. Periods of influence of the Manaus urban plume were detected, characterized by a consistent increase on particle scattering (factor 2. 5) and absorption coefficients (factor 5). Episodes of biomass burning and mineral dust particles advected from Africa were observed between January and April, characterized by enhanced concentrations of crustal elements (Al, Si, Ti, Fe) and potassium in the fine mode. During these episodes, median particle absorption coefficients increased by a factor of 2, whereas median SSA values decreased by 7%, in comparison to wet season conditions. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
10.1117/12.2292533 | Advancing flexible volatile compound sensors using liquid crystals encapsulated in polymer fibers | Until recently, organic vapor sensors using liquid crystals (LCs) have employed rigid glass substrates for confining the LC, and bulky equipment for vapor detection. Previously, we demonstrated that coaxially electrospinning nematic LC within the core of polymer fibers provides an alternative and improved form factor for confinement. This enables ppm level sensitivity to harmful industrial organics, such as toluene, while giving the flexibility of textile-like sheets (imparted by polymer encapsulation). Moreover, toluene vapor responses of the LC-core fiber mats were visible macroscopically with the naked eye depending on the morphology of the fibers produced, and whether they were oriented in specific geometries (aligned, or random). We identified two types of responses: One corresponds to the LC transition from nematic to isotropic, and the other we suggest is due to an anchoring change at the LC-polymer interface that influences the alignment. While we need to study the presence that defects can have in more detail, we noted that fiber mat thickness is crucial in attempting to understand how and why we are able to visualize two responses in aligned LC-fiber mats. Ultimately, we noted that the response of the polymer sheath itself (softening) to organic vapor exposure affects the liquid crystal confinement in the core. From the microscopic point of view, this will influence the threshold concentration that fibers in a mat will overall respond to. In this paper we will discuss three findings the morphologies enabling LC-core fiber mat response to vapor seen both micro- A nd macroscopically, how thickness of the fiber mat can play a role in the visualization of the responses, and the effect that the polymer structure has in the mat's sensitivity threshold. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
2723033 | Adaptable, compact and maintenance-free cooling systems for onboard equipment | CEDRION, a company incubated in the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA-BIC) program, provides refrigerating solutions to the new demands in the electronics industry. More specifically, CEDRION -which has an international patent requested since April 2019 on its technology- designs and produces refrigeration devices for on-board electronics, based on the Corona Discharge Effect. These devices, which are 10 times more efficient than present cooling technologies (heatsink, fan-assisted heatsink and thermoelectric) and do not have any moving parts, can extend the useful life of high-power on-board electronics by 30%, allowing on-board electronic equipment to have a better performance and reduce its maintenance costs.
In fact, currently, one of the main technological challenges is to increase the efficiency of cooling systems for high-power electronic equipment. These demands are even more urgent on aeronautical sector, where it is necessary to provide innovative technological solutions on a continuous basis to meet the high market demands.
To accomplish this objective, CEDRION has already validated COOLSOE devices with companies of the drone sector as DroneXServices. Furthermore, it has commercial agreements with aerospace mechatronics companies as SUMA Aerospace and AXTER AEROSPACE to test and certificate the devices for aeronautical market. Finally, the company has caught the attention of Hoovering Solutions, AeroTools, DIP solutions or Airbus, which have shown interest in CEDRION´s technology for their systems (see Section 4-5). | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
648379 | Learning to See in a Dynamic World | The goal of SEED is to fundamentally advance the methodology of computer vision by exploiting a dynamic analysis perspective in order to acquire accurate, yet tractable models, that can automatically learn to sense our visual world, localize still and animate objects (e.g. chairs, phones, computers, bicycles or cars, people and animals), actions and interactions, as well as qualitative geometrical and physical scene properties, by propagating and consolidating temporal information, with minimal system training and supervision. SEED will extract descriptions that identify the precise boundaries and spatial layout of the different scene components, and the manner they move, interact, and change over time. For this purpose, SEED will develop novel high-order compositional methodologies for the semantic segmentation of video data acquired by observers of dynamic scenes, by adaptively integrating figure-ground reasoning based on bottom-up and top-down information, and by using weakly supervised machine learning techniques that support continuous learning towards an open-ended number of visual categories. The system will be able not only to recover detailed models of dynamic scenes, but also forecast future actions and interactions in those scenes, over long time horizons, by contextual reasoning and inverse reinforcement learning. Two demonstrators are envisaged, the first corresponding to scene understanding and forecasting in indoor office spaces, and the second for urban outdoor environments. The methodology emerging from this research has the potential to impact fields as diverse as automatic personal assistance for people, video editing and indexing, robotics, environmental awareness, augmented reality, human-computer interaction, or manufacturing. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
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