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882601 | Deep Decarbonisation: The Democratic Challenge of Navigating Governance Traps | The standard advice to politicians confronting long-term challenges such as decarbonisation is to adopt time-consistent commitment devices such as binding policies. Yet politicians appear unable to do this, greatly imperilling the achievement of the 1.5 and 2oC limits in the landmark Paris Agreement.
The state-of-the art struggles to explain the causes, and hence the solutions, to this impasse. Political scientists argue that politicians fear retribution at the next election; psychologists claim that citizens understand what is at stake, but expect politicians to lead. The untested assumption is that both are locked into a ‘governance trap’ which greatly reduces the political feasibility of rapid change.
DeepDCarb seeks to significantly advance the academic state-of-the-art by directly interrogating the relationship between politicians, citizens/voters and other actors in a uniquely detailed and comparative manner, drawing on an unconventional combination of methods and unrivalled new data sets.
It will establish a new subfield of interdisciplinary research that:
• Explores the commitment devices that all states in the world have adopted, via a nested array of 13 new datasets and time-sensitive statistical techniques;
• Opens up the ‘black box’ of societal commitment formation in a sample of large emitters (including the EU-28) to explore the relationship between politicians and citizens (1990-2020);
• Investigates the scope for unlocking traps by bringing actors together in deliberative fora such as citizens’ assemblies, thus confronting the uncomfortable question of how far societal commitment is more effectively engendered by depoliticising or politicising contentious issues.
The findings, to be widely disseminated through a programme of publication and public engagement, will contribute significantly to understanding the scope for unlocking the profound impasse in society’s struggle to deliver deep decarbonisation. | [
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
]
|
10.1109/CLEOE-IQEC.2013.6801656 | Two Photon Spectra Of Quantum Systems | Summary form only given. We present our recent theory [1] of frequency-filtered and time-resolved N-photon correlations or N-photon spectra, g(N)Γ (ω1, T1;. . . ; ωN TN). There are an extension of the standard Nth order temporal correlation functions, g(N) (T1;. . . ;TN) (that measure the probability of emission of N photons at times T1,. . . , TN), into the frequency domain. Heisenberg uncertainty principle requires the introduction of the detector or filter frequency resolution, Γ, in the theory. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
309612 | Keeping gene expression in check: eliciting the role of transcription in the maintenance of genome integrity | Genomic integrity is essential for accurate gene expression and epigenetic inheritance. On the other hand, a prolonged transcriptional arrest can challenge genome stability, contributing to genetic and epigenetic defects and the mechanisms of ageing and disease.
Here we aim to identify the molecular mechanisms that couple transcriptional arrest to chromatin alteration and repair. We wish to explore the idea that transcription suppresses cellular toxicity and preserves genetic and epigenetic inheritance.
Towards these goals our work will be focused on:
1. Deciphering the molecular events impinging on the manner cells respond when the progress of a transcribing RNA polymerase II is blocked.
2. Exploring a novel, so far unanticipated function of key players of the transcription-associated repair pathways, such as the Cockayne Syndrome (CS) proteins, not related to repair.
3. Understanding the role of transcription in chemotherapeutic-driven toxicity.
4. Investigating novel post-translational modifications of CS and determining their function.
These objectives will be addressed using advanced proteomics and genome wide technologies in combination with biochemical and cellular techniques in normal human cells and a large battery of patient-derived cell lines. Our rational is that better understanding of CS function will help reach our ultimate goal, which is to identify the regulatory cascades involved in the interplay between genomic stability and transcription. The novel key idea put forward in this proposal is that active transcription itself directly contributes to genome integrity. While the role of DNA damage-driven transcription blockage in promoting repair is well established, the protective role of active transcription in genome stability is entirely unexplored.
If successful, the proposed studies may help reveal the underlying causes of related disorders and explain their clinical features. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
10.1162/jocn_a_00951 | Learning warps object representations in the ventral temporal cortex | The human ventral temporal cortex (VTC) plays a critical role in object recognition. Although it is well established that visual experience shapes VTC object representations, the impact of semantic and contextual learning is unclear. In this study, we tracked changes in representations of novel visual objects that emerged after learning meaningful information about each object. Over multiple training sessions, participants learned to associate semantic features (e. g. , “made of wood,” “floats”) and spatial contextual associations (e. g. , “found in gardens”) with novel objects. fMRI was used to examine VTC activity for objects before and after learning. Multivariate pattern similarity analyses revealed that, after learning, VTC activity patterns carried information about the learned contextual associations of the objects, such that objects with contextual associations exhibited higher pattern similarity after learning. Furthermore, these learning-induced increases in pattern information about contextual associations were correlated with reductions in pattern information about the object’s visual features. In a second experiment, we validated that these contextual effects translated to real-life objects. Our findings demonstrate that visual object representations in VTC are shaped by the knowledge we have about objects and show that object representations can flexibly adapt as a consequence of learning with the changes related to the specific kind of newly acquired information. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
185414 | Innovative solutions for sustainable mobility of people in suburban city districts and emission free freight logistics in urban centres. | The cities of Madrid, Stockholm, Munich, Turku and Ruse have formed the CIVITAS ECCENTRIC consortium to tackle the challenges of mobility in suburban districts and clean, silent and CO2 free city logistics. In many cities, these two important areas have received less attention in urban mobility policies.
Though European cities have made significant steps forward in making city centres attractive and liveable urban nodes, there is a remaining conflict between providing high quality public space and meeting the accessibility requirements for freight deliveries. The suburban areas have remained largely unaddressed with a much higher car usage as a consequence. Recent or expected urban growth processes are posing additional pressure to peri-central areas, which face the specific challenges of:
• Becoming sufficiently appealing to avoid an unnecessary traffic flow towards to the city centre;
• Providing sustainable and high quality mobility options to enable and encourage car independent lifestyles; and
• Planning the urban future according to carbon neutral mobility principles.
ECCENTRIC will demonstrate and test the potential and replicability of integrated and inclusive urban planning approaches, innovative policies and emerging technologies to reach sustainable urban mobility objectives. The solutions will be implemented in 5 living laboratory areas in the outskirts that face high population growth and an increasing pressure on the existing transport networks.
As highlighted in the SUMPs of the ECCENTRIC cities, this action on a wider geographical scale than the city centre is needed in order to meet the targets of the Transport White Paper in terms of air quality, energy use and CO2 emissions, road casualties and wide uptake of clean vehicles.
To reach CO2 free city logistics by 2030, ECCENTRIC will test clean vehicles and fuels, formulate new regulations and services and develop consolidation solutions in close partnerships with the private sector. | [
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
]
|
10.1039/C5NR02313K | Melt Grafting For The Synthesis Of Core Shell Nanoparticles With Ultra High Dispersant Density | Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are used in a rapidly expanding number of applications in e. g. the biomedical field, for which brushes of biocompatible polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have to be densely grafted to the core. Grafting of such shells to monodisperse iron oxide NPs has remained a challenge mainly due to the conflicting requirements to replace the ligand shell of as-synthesized NPs with irreversibly bound PEG dispersants. We introduce a general two-step method to graft PEG dispersants from a melt to iron oxide NPs first functionalized with nitrodopamine (NDA). This method yields uniquely dense spherical PEG-brushes (∼3 chains per nm2 of PEG(5 kDa)) compared to existing methods, and remarkably colloidally stable NPs also under challenging conditions. | [
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Materials Engineering",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
W2512984212 | Evaluation of Response Times on a Touch Screen Using Stereo Panned Speech Command Auditory Feedback | User interfaces to access mobile and handheld devices usually incorporate touch screens. Fast user responses are in general not critical, however, some applications require fast and accurate reactions from users. Errors and response times depend on many factors such as the user’s abilities, feedback types and latencies from the device, sizes of the buttons to press, etc. We conducted an experiment with 17 subjects to test response time and accuracy to different kinds of speech-based auditory stimuli over headphones. Speech signals were spatialized based on stereo amplitude panning. Results show significantly better response times for 3 directions than for 5, as well as for native language compared to English, and more accurate judgements based on the meaning of the speech sounds rather than their direction. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
Q3070385 | IWS — Nórdico polimarca INSTA SBC EN 13476 | El objetivo de este proyecto es certificar las tuberías espirales de PE producidas por Innovative Water Systems OÜ de acuerdo con la norma Nórdica INSTA SBC EN 13476 y así aumentar las exportaciones a los mercados finlandés, sueco, noruego, danés e islano. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1002/cbic.201300694 | Biosynthesis of the insecticidal xenocyloins in xenorhabdus bovienii | The biosynthesis gene cluster for the production of xenocyloins was identified in the entomopathogenic bacterium Xenorhabdus bovienii SS-2004, and their biosynthesis was elucidated by heterologous expression and in vitro characterization of the enzymes. XclA is an S-selective ThDP-dependent acyloin-like condensation enzyme, and XclB and XclC are examples of the still-rare acylating ketosynthases that catalyze the acylation of the XclA-derived initial xenocyloins with acetyl-, propionyl-, or malonyl-CoA, thereby resulting in the formation of further xenocyloin derivatives. All xenocyloins were produced mainly by the more virulent primary variant of X. bovienii and showed activity against insect hemocytes thus contributing to the overall virulence of X. bovienii against insects. There's more than one: The biosynthesis of the insecticidal xenocyloins has been identified, as well as the second example of an acylating ketosynthase (KS). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these related enzymes represent a new subclass of KSs found in different bacteria; acylating KSs might be more widespread than thought. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
635928 | Ice-binding proteins: from antifreeze mechanism to resistant soft materials | Crystallization of water into ice is lethal to most organisms and detrimental to many soft materials. Freeze-tolerant fish living in polar seas evolved to tackle this problem with an unusual coping strategy. They produce ‘antifreeze’ proteins that block the growth of nascent ice crystals within a narrow temperature range known as the ‘thermal hysteresis gap’ enabling survival under extreme conditions. Encoding this functionality into synthetic polymers would open up new avenues in biomedicine, agrifood and materials science for e.g. cryopreservation, crop hardiness, ice-templating, dispersion stability, and advanced coatings. Progress requires a profound understanding of the mechanism of non-colligative freezing point depression at the molecular level and allows for efficient strategies for the design and preparation of powerful macromolecular antifreezes.
I propose to unravel how antifreeze proteins work and to build upon these insights to explore effective routes towards ice-binding polymers aiming to make sensitive soft materials freeze-resistant. Within this challenge we first focus on single-molecule experiments to visualize bound proteins and study the strength of the non-covalent interaction with ice. We will study if and when adsorption on ‘foreign’ interfaces and solution assembly impact activity. These fundamental insights will guide our research towards synthetic antifreeze agents with superior functionality to achieve record supercooling in complex environments. This knowledge-based design of polymers with high affinity for crystalline interfaces holds great promise for many areas of science and technology in which crystallization plays a decisive role. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Materials Engineering",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
W3106595549 | A conceptual framework modeling of functional microbial communities in wastewater treatment electro-bioreactors | Abstract Understanding the microbial ecology of a system allows linking members of the community and their metabolic functions to the performance of the wastewater bioreactor. This study provided a comprehensive conceptual framework for microbial communities in wastewater treatment electro-bioreactors (EBRs). The model was based on data acquired from monitoring the effect of altering different bioreactor operational parameters, such as current density and hydraulic retention time, on the microbial communities of an EBR and its nutrient removal efficiency. The model was also based on the 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing data analysis and bioreactor efficiency data. The collective data clearly demonstrated that applying various electric currents affected the microbial community composition and stability and the reactor efficiency in terms of chemical oxygen demand, N and P removals. Moreover, a schematic that recommends operating conditions that are tailored to the type of wastewater that needs to be treated based on the functional microbial communities enriched at specific operating conditions was suggested. In this study, a conceptual model as a simplified representation of the behavior of microbial communities in EBRs was developed. The proposed conceptual model can be used to predict how biological treatment of wastewater in EBRs can be improved by varying several operating conditions. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
interreg_1438 | France Italy online to increase the competitiveness of SMEs | This project stems from an understanding of the need of SMEs in the cooperation area to be supported in their first years of activity with high value added services, allowing them to remain on the market.
The experience developed as part of the Fr.I.Net2 project shows that micro enterprises and SMEs feel the need for more services in areas that are fundamental for their survival, such as positioning on foreign markets and the ability to generate innovation.
The project aims to structure a specialised technical assistance service for SMEs/scale-ups/gazelles in the cross-border area, that operate in the priority supply chains of the Maritime Programme; this assistance service is based on the experience and skills developed as part of the previous “Frinet” and “Frinet2” projects.
The project aims to create a cross-border network of experts and organisations that are able to offer advanced technology and services for the aforementioned types of company operating in the priority supply chains of the Programme. The idea of this network is to increase companies’ ability to generate innovation and to consolidate their position on foreign markets.
Specialised assistance will be focused on key aspects linked to these specialist areas, such as: IPR, digitalisation and ICT use, smart manufacturing, risk finance, identification of foreign markets/customers.
The project aims to enhance the results achieved by the Fr.I.Net2 project, in particular:
1. the selected group of experts (which will be updated through a new call for applications).
2. the methodology to establish the Cross-border Centre of Expertise and the related range of services.
However, the project also innovates the previous project experience by working with new partners (PACA regional chamber) and by including cross-border innovation hubs and research centres and foreign investors among its service providers. | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
interreg_594 | Climate Change and Impacts on Water Supply | Climate change (CC) affects fresh water resources and may have significant influence on public drinking water supply. Land use activities exert pressure on water resources and will change according to CC. It is crucial for safeguarding future water supply to anticipate these climate and land use changes and to assess their impacts on water resources. Transnational action is needed to prepare SEE for the challenge of ensuring water supply for society for several decades. Policy makers and water suppliers are required to develop sustainable management practices for water resources, considering existing and future CC influences. Therefore CC-WaterS will identify and evaluate resulting impacts on availability and safety of public drinking water supply for several future decades. Elaborated measures to adapt to those changes build the ground for a Water Supply Management System regarding optimization of water extraction, land use restrictions, and socio-economic consequences under climate change scenarios for water suppliers in SEE. The joint actions to produce this technical system will be performed on a transnational level in the Alps, Danube Middle and Lower Plains and coastal areas representing different SEE-characteristic climates and topography. In CC-WaterS, SEE governmental bodies, water suppliers and research institutions work together and implement jointly developed solutions, hence to be applied on a regional or local level in SEE. The complementary knowledge of the partners, enhanced by further applicable results of past projects, will provide a strong background. Capitalising already existing knowledge and data from EU-funded scientific projects and eliminating parallel investigations, CC WaterS will make information applicable for concrete solutions, develop tools and instruments for public water supply and implement safeguarding measures. An accessory dissemination strategy will ensure that CC-WaterS durable results are transferred to the relevant users. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4156-12.2012 | Episodic Reinstatement In The Medial Temporal Lobe | The essence of episodic memory is our ability to reexperience past events in great detail, even in the absence of external stimulus cues. Does the phenomenological reinstatement of past experiences go along with reinstating unique neural representations in the brain? And if so, how is this accomplished by the medial temporal lobe (MTL), a brain region intimately linked to episodic memory? Computational models suggest that such reinstatement (also termed "pattern completion") in cortical regions is mediated by the hippocampus, a key region of the MTL. Although recent functional magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrated reinstatement of coarse item properties like stimulus category or task context across different brain regions, it has not yet been shown whether reinstatement can be observed at the level of individual, discrete events-arguably the defining feature of episodic memory-nor whether MTL structures like the hippocampus support this "true episodic" reinstatement. Here we show that neural activity patterns for unique word-scene combinations encountered during encoding are reinstated in human parahippocampal cortex (PhC) during retrieval. Critically, this reinstatement occurs when word-scene combinations are successfully recollected (even though the original scene is not visually presented) and does not encompass other stimulus domains (such as word-color associations). Finally, the degree of PhC reinstatement across retrieval events correlated with hippocampal activity, consistent with a role of the hippocampus in coordinating pattern completion in cortical regions. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System"
]
|
227716 | Statistics of Fractionally Charged Quasi-Particles | The discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect created a revolution in solid state research by introducing a new state of matter resulting from strong electron interactions. The new state is characterized by excitations (quasi-particles) that carry fractional charge, which are expected to obey fractional statistics. While odd denominator fractional states are expected to have an abelian statistics, the newly discovered 5/2 even denominator fractional state is expected to have a non-abelian statistics. Moreover, a large number of emerging proposals predict that the latter state can be employed for topological quantum computing ( Station Q was founded by Microsoft Corp. in order to pursue this goal). This proposal aims at studying the abelian and non-abelian fractional charges, and in particular to observe their peculiar statistics. While charges are preferably determined by measuring quantum shot noise, their statistics must be determined via interference experiments, where one particle goes around another. The experiments are very demanding since the even denominator fractions turn to be very fragile and thus can be observed only in the purest possible two dimensional electron gas and at the lowest temperatures. While until very recently such high quality samples were available only by a single grower (in the USA), we have the capability now to grow extremely pure samples with profound even denominator states. As will be detailed in the proposal, we have all the necessary tools to study charge and statistics of these fascinating excitations, due to our experience in crystal growth, shot noise and interferometry measurements. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
AT 4522014 A | Schaltungsanordnung zum Betreiben einer elektrischen Last | Bei einer Schaltungsanordnung (1) zum Betreiben einer elektrischen Last (2) mit einem pulsweitenmodulierten Gleichstrom mit einer vorgebbaren und im Wesentlichen konstanten Periodendauer (3), wobei die Schaltungsanordnung (1) zumindest zwei Lastanschlüsse (4) zum Anschließen der Last (2) aufweist, wobei die Schaltungsanordnung (1) eine Gleichstromquelle (5) aufweist, wobei die Schaltungsanordnung (1) eine Laststrommessanordnung (6) aufweist, zum Messen eines über die Lastanschlüsse (4) fließenden Laststroms, wird vorgeschlagen, dass die Schaltungsanordnung (1) eine lntegrierschaltung (7) aufweist, welche lntegrierschaltung (7) mit der Laststrommessanordnung (6) zum Integrieren eines gemessenen Laststromes verbunden ist, und dass die lntegrierschaltung (7) mit der Gleichstromquelle (5) und/oder den Lastanschlüssen (4) schaltungstechnisch verbunden ist, zum Unterbinden eines weiteren Stromflusses über die Lastanschlüsse (4), wenn der integrierte Laststrom einen vorgebbaren Maximalwert überschritten hat. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
W3124995768 | Estimated Impact of the Federal Reserve's Mortgage-Backed Securities Purchase Program | The largest credit or liquidity program created by the Federal Reserve during the financial crisis was the mortgagebacked securities (MBS) purchase program. In this paper, we examine the quantitative impact of this program on mortgage interest rate spreads. This is more difficult than frequently perceived because of simultaneous changes in prepayment risk and default risk. Our empirical results attribute a sizable portion of the decline in mortgage rates to such risks and a relatively small and uncertain portion to the program. For specifications where the existence or announcement of the program appears to have lowered spreads, we find no separate effect of the stock of MBS purchased by the Federal Reserve. | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
]
|
10.1515/chempap-2015-0051 | Graphene as signal amplifier for preparation of ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors | AbstractEarly diagnosis of diseases with minimal cost and time-consumption has become achievable due to recent advances in the development of biosensors. These devices use biorecognition elements for the selective interaction with an analyte and the signal read-out is obtained via different types of transducers. The operational characteristics of biosensors have been reported as improving substantially when a diverse range of nanomaterials is employed. This review presents the construction of electrochemical biosensors based on graphene, atomically thin 2D carbon crystals, a nanomaterial currently the subject of intensive studies. Here, the most attractive directions for graphene applications in biosensor preparation are discussed, including novel detection and amplification schemes exploiting graphene’s unique electrochemical, physical and chemical properties. There is probably a very bright future for graphene-based biosensors, but much further work is required to fulfill the high expectations. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.7554/eLife.33158 | Glutamatergic drive along the septotemporal axis of hippocampus boosts prelimbic oscillations in the neonatal mouse | The long-range coupling within prefrontal-hippocampal networks that account for cognitive performance emerges early in life. The discontinuous hippocampal theta bursts have been proposed to drive the generation of neonatal prefrontal oscillations, yet the cellular substrate of these early interactions is still unresolved. Here, we selectively target optogenetic manipulation of glutamatergic projection neurons in the CA1 area of either dorsal or intermediate/ventral hippocampus at neonatal age to elucidate their contribution to the emergence of prefrontal oscillatory entrainment. We show that despite stronger theta and ripples power in dorsal hippocampus, the prefrontal cortex is mainly coupled with intermediate/ventral hippocampus by phase-locking of neuronal firing via dense direct axonal projections. Theta band-confined activation by light of pyramidal neurons in intermediate/ventral but not dorsal CA1 that were transfected by in utero electroporation with high-efficiency channelrhodopsin boosts prefrontal oscillations. Our data causally elucidate the cellular origin of the long-range coupling in the developing brain. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
10.1111/biom.12538 | Robustifying Bayesian nonparametric mixtures for count data | Our motivating application stems from surveys of natural populations and is characterized by large spatial heterogeneity in the counts, which makes parametric approaches to modeling local animal abundance too restrictive. We adopt a Bayesian nonparametric approach based on mixture models and innovate with respect to popular Dirichlet process mixture of Poisson kernels by increasing the model flexibility at the level both of the kernel and the nonparametric mixing measure. This allows to derive accurate and robust estimates of the distribution of local animal abundance and of the corresponding clusters. The application and a simulation study for different scenarios yield also some general methodological implications. Adding flexibility solely at the level of the mixing measure does not improve inferences, since its impact is severely limited by the rigidity of the Poisson kernel with considerable consequences in terms of bias. However, once a kernel more flexible than the Poisson is chosen, inferences can be robustified by choosing a prior more general than the Dirichlet process. Therefore, to improve the performance of Bayesian nonparametric mixtures for count data one has to enrich the model simultaneously at both levels, the kernel and the mixing measure. | [
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
Q4928117 | PUBLIC NOTICE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF INTERNATIONALISATION PROJECTS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL FAIRS 2021-22 | PUBLIC NOTICE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF INTERNATIONALISATION PROJECTS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL FAIRS 2021-22 | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
]
|
10.1007/978-3-319-62075-6_7 | Classification Of Alignments Between Concepts Of Formal Mathematical Systems | Mathematical knowledge is publicly available in dozens of different formats and languages, ranging from informal (e. g. Wikipedia) to formal corpora (e. g. , Mizar). Despite an enormous amount of overlap between these corpora, only few machine-actionable connections exist. We speak of alignment if the same concept occurs in different libraries, possibly with slightly different names, notations, or formal definitions. Leveraging these alignments creates a huge potential for knowledge sharing and transfer, e. g. , integrating theorem provers or reusing services across systems. Notably, even imperfect alignments, i. e. concepts that are very similar rather than identical, can often play very important roles. Specifically, in machine learning techniques for theorem proving and in automation techniques that use these, they allow learning-reasoning based automation for theorem provers to take inspiration from proofs from different formal proof libraries or semi-formal libraries even if the latter is based on a different mathematical foundation. We present a classification of alignments and design a simple format for describing alignments, as well as an infrastructure for sharing them. We propose these as a centralized standard for the community. Finally, we present an initial collection of \(\approx \)12000 alignments from the different kinds of mathematical corpora, including proof assistant libraries and semi-formal corpora as a public resource. | [
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1051/0004-6361/201832865 | Gaia Data Release 2 Mapping The Milky Way Disc Kinematics | Context. The second Gaia data release (Gaia DR2) contains high-precision positions, parallaxes, and proper motions for 1. 3 billion sources as well as line-of-sight velocities for 7. 2 million stars brighter than GRVS = 12 mag. Both samples provide a full sky coverage. Aims. To illustrate the potential of Gaia DR2, we provide a first look at the kinematics of the Milky Way disc, within a radius of several kiloparsecs around the Sun. Methods. We benefit for the first time from a sample of 6. 4 million F-G-K stars with full 6D phase-space coordinates, precise parallaxes (σω/ω/≤ 20%), and precise Galactic cylindrical velocities (median uncertainties of 0. 9-1. 4 km s-1 and 20% of the stars with uncertainties smaller than 1 km s-1 on all three components). From this sample, we extracted a sub-sample of 3. 2 million giant stars to map the velocity field of the Galactic disc from ∼5 kpc to ∼13 kpc from the Galactic centre and up to 2 kpc above and below the plane. We also study the distribution of 0. 3 million solar neighbourhood stars (r < 200 pc), with median velocity uncertainties of 0. 4 km s-1, in velocity space and use the full sample to examine how the over-densities evolve in more distant regions. Results. Gaia DR2 allows us to draw 3D maps of the Galactocentric median velocities and velocity dispersions with unprecedented accuracy, precision, and spatial resolution. The maps show the complexity and richness of the velocity field of the galactic disc. We observe streaming motions in all the components of the velocities as well as patterns in the velocity dispersions. For example, we confirm the previously reported negative and positive galactocentric radial velocity gradients in the inner and outer disc, respectively. Here, we see them as part of a non-axisymmetric kinematic oscillation, and we map its azimuthal and vertical behaviour. We also witness a new global arrangement of stars in the velocity plane of the solar neighbourhood and in distant regions in which stars are organised in thin substructures with the shape of circular arches that are oriented approximately along the horizontal direction in the U - V plane. Moreover, in distant regions, we see variations in the velocity substructures more clearly than ever before, in particular, variations in the velocity of the Hercules stream. Conclusions. Gaia DR2 provides the largest existing full 6D phase-space coordinates catalogue. It also vastly increases the number of available distances and transverse velocities with respect to Gaia DR1. Gaia DR2 offers a great wealth of information on the Milky Way and reveals clear non-axisymmetric kinematic signatures within the Galactic disc, for instance. It is now up to the astronomical community to explore its full potential. | [
"Universe Sciences"
]
|
US 2018/0049194 W | POLAR NANOREGIONS ENGINEERED RELAXOR-PbTiO3 FERROELECTRIC CRYSTALS | A relaxor-PT based piezoelectric crystal is disclosed, comprising the general formula of (Pb1-1.5xMx){[(MI,MII)1-z(MI',MII')z]1-yTiy}O3, wherein: M is a rare earth cation; MI is selected from the group consisting of Mg2+, Zn2+, Yb3+, Sc3+, and In3+; MII is Nb5+; MI' is selected from the group consisting of Mg2+, Zn2+, Yb3+, Sc3+, In3+, and Zr4; MII' is Nb5+ or Zr4+; 0 < x ≤ 0.05; 0.02 < y < 0.7; and 0 ≤ z ≤ 1, provided that if either MI' or MII' is Zr4+, both MI' and MII' are Zr4+. A method for forming the relaxor-PT based piezoelectric crystal is disclosed, comprising pre-synthesizing precursor materials by calcining mixed oxides, mixing the precursor materials with single oxides and calcining to form a feeding material, and growing the relaxor-PT based piezoelectric crystal having the general formula of (Pb1-1.5xMx){[(MI,MII)1-z(MI',MII')z]1-yTiy}O3 from the feeding material by a Bridgman method. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1051/0004-6361/201527502 | A Multi Wavelength Interferometric Study Of The Massive Young Stellar Object Iras 13481 6124 | We present new mid-infrared interferometric observations of the massive young stellar object IRAS 13481-6124, using VLTI/MIDI for spectrally-resolved, long-baseline measurements (projected baselines up to ~120 m) and GSO/T-ReCS for aperture-masking interferometry in five narrow-band filters (projected baselines of ~1. 8−6. 4 m) in the wavelength range of 7. 5−13 μ m. We combine these measurements with previously-published interferometric observations in the K and N bands in order to assemble the largest collection of infrared interferometric observations for a massive YSO to date. Using a combination of geometric and radiative-transfer models, we confirm the detection at mid-infrared wavelengths of the disk previously inferred from near-infrared observations. We show that the outflow cavity is also detected at both near- and mid-infrared wavelengths, and in fact dominates the mid-infrared emission in terms of total flux. For the disk, we derive the inner radius (~1. 8 mas or ~6. 5 AU at 3. 6 kpc), temperature at the inner rim (~1760 K), inclination (~48°) and position angle (~107°). We determine that the mass of the disk cannot be constrained without high-resolution observations in the (sub-)millimeter regime or observations of the disk kinematics, and could be anywhere from ~10 -3 to 20 M ⊙ . Finally, we discuss the prospects of interpreting the spectral energy distributions of deeply-embedded massive YSOs, and warn against attempting to infer disk properties from the spectral energy distribution. | [
"Universe Sciences"
]
|
10.1080/00438243.2011.624764 | Food Globalization In Prehistory | Abstract Plant sources of starch have been domesticated in several parts of the world. By the second millennium bc in various parts of Eurasia, such starchy crops are encountered, not only around their geographical regions of origin, but also at considerable distances from them. Drawing on evidence from across Eurasia, this paper explores this episode of food globalization in prehistory, comparable in the scale of its impact on global diets to the Columbian Exchange of historic times. Possible reasons for the earlier episode of food globalization are discussed and situated within a broader consideration of cross-continental contact in prehistory. | [
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
]
|
10.1364/OE.22.010747 | Monochromatization Of Femtosecond Xuv Light Pulses With The Use Of Reflection Zone Plates | We report on a newly built laser-based tabletop setup which enables generation of femtosecond light pulses in the XUV range employing the process of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in a gas medium. The spatial, spectral, and temporal characteristics of the XUV beam are presented. Monochromatization of XUV light with minimum temporal pulse distortion is the central issue of this work. Off-center reflection zone plates are shown to be advantageous when selection of a desired harmonic is carried out with the use of a single optical element. A cross correlation technique was applied to characterize the performance of the zone plates in the time domain. By using laser pulses of 25 fs length to pump the HHG process, a pulse duration of 45 fs for monochromatized harmonics was achieved in the present setup. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
10.1063/1.4838238 | Rapid Embedded Wire Heating Via Resistive Guiding Of Laser Generated Fast Electrons As A Hydrodynamic Driver | Resistively guiding laser-generated fast electron beams in targets consisting of a resistive wire embedded in lower Z material should allow one to rapidly heat the wire to over 100 eV over a substantial distance without strongly heating the surrounding material. On the multi-ps timescale, this can drive hydrodynamic motion in the surrounding material. Thus, ultra-intense laser solid interactions have the potential as a controlled driver of radiation hydrodynamics in solid density material. In this paper, we assess the laser and target parameters needed to achieve such rapid and controlled heating of the embedded wire. | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
10.4161/cib.29084 | Reaching for far-flung antigen: How solid-core podosomes of dendritic cells transform into protrusive structures | We recently identified a novel role for podosomes in antigen sampling. Podosomes are dynamic cellular structures that consist of point-like concentrations of actin surrounded by integrins and adaptor proteins such as vinculin and talin. Podosomes establish cellular contact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and facilitate cell migration via ECM degradation. In our recent paper, we studied podosomes of human dendritic cells (DCs), major antigen presenting cells (APC) that take-up, process, and present foreign antigen to naive T-cells. We employed gelatin-impregnated porous polycarbonate filters to demonstrate that the mechanosensitive podosomes of DCs selectively localize to regions of low-physical resistance such as the filter pores. After degradation of the gelatin, podosomes increasingly protrude into the lumen of these pores. These protrusive podosome-derived structures contain several endocytic and early endosomal markers such as clathrin, Rab5, and VAMP3, and, surprisingly, also contain C-type lectins, a type of pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). Finally, we performed functional uptake experiments to demonstrate that these PRRs facilitate uptake of antigen from the opposite side of the filter. Our data provide mechanistic insight in how dendritic cells sample for antigen across epithelial barriers for instance from the lumen of the lung and gut. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
]
|
634134 | Functional and advanced insulating and energy harvesting/storage materials across climate adaptive building envelopes | Buildings account for around 40% of total energy use and 36% of CO2 emissions in Europe . According to the recast Directive on the energy performance of buildings (EPBD) all new buildings after 2020 should reach nearly zero energy levels, meaning that they should demonstrate very low energy needs mainly covered by renewable energy sources. EU 2030 targets aim at least 40% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels), at least 32% share for renewable energy, at least 32.5% improvement in energy efficiency , and 80% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 . Therefore, an urgent need is present for a deep market transformation by deploying efficient materials and technologies in the construction sector to support the real implementation of nearly zero-energy/emission and plus-energy buildings with high indoor environment quality across Europe. As energy consumption of buildings depend strongly on the climate and the local weather conditions, additional aspects arise (such as environmental, technical, user experience, functional and design aspects) on the selection of the appropriate material and technical components installation for a successful implementation of nZEBs. Further, this selection of materials and design for climate should be based on a circular economy perspective considering environmental, economic and social effects along value chains. Better utilisation of products and resources via reuse-repair-recycling is essential in achieving a transformation from a linear to a circular economy model. Many of the current materials and technical systems still have varying degree of difficulty in accomplishing a circular perspective. Material and technical system development in a ZEB framework should focus on building thermal performance improvement, high quality of indoor environment according to occupants’ comfort and health needs, while reducing the emission intensity in terms of production, maintenance, assembling and operation. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1038/nmeth.3395 | Rapid, optimized interactomic screening | We must reliably map the interactomes of cellular macromolecular complexes in order to fully explore and understand biological systems. However, there are no methods to accurately predict how to capture a given macromolecular complex with its physiological binding partners. Here, we present a screening method that comprehensively explores the parameters affecting the stability of interactions in affinity-captured complexes, enabling the discovery of physiological binding partners in unparalleled detail. We have implemented this screen on several macromolecular complexes from a variety of organisms, revealing novel profiles for even well-studied proteins. Our approach is robust, economical and automatable, providing inroads to the rigorous, systematic dissection of cellular interactomes. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1088/0004-637X/806/1/126 | The 0 3 30 Kev Spectra Of Powerful Starburst Galaxies Nustar And Chandra Observations Of Ngc 3256 And Ngc 3310 | We present nearly simultaneous Chandra and NuSTAR observations of two actively star-forming galaxies within 50 Mpc: NGC 3256 and NGC 3310. Both galaxies are significantly detected by both Chandra and NuSTAR, which together provide the first-ever spectra of these two galaxies spanning 0. 3–30 keV. The X-ray emission from both galaxies is spatially resolved by Chandra; we find that hot gas dominates the E 1–3 keV. The NuSTAR galaxy-wide spectra of both galaxies follow steep power-law distributions with Γ ≈ 2. 6 at E > 5–7 keV. Using new and archival Chandra data, we search for signatures of heavily obscured or low luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We find that both NGC 3256 and NGC 3310 have X-ray detected sources coincident with nuclear regions; however, the steep NuSTAR spectra of both galaxies restricts these sources to be either low luminosity AGNs (L_(2−10 keV)/L_(Edd) 10^(−5)) or non-AGNs in nature (e. g. , ULXs or crowded X-ray sources that reach L_(2−10 keV) ~ 10^(40) erg s^(−1) cannot be ruled out). Combining our constraints on the 0. 3–30 keV spectra of NGC 3256 and NGC 3310 with equivalent measurements for nearby star-forming galaxies M83 and NGC 253, we analyze the star formation rate (SFR) normalized spectra of these starburst galaxies. The spectra of all four galaxies show sharply declining power-law slopes at energies above 3–6 keV primarily due to ULX populations. Our observations therefore constrain the average spectral shape of galaxy-wide populations of luminous accreting binaries (i. e. , ULXs). Interestingly, despite a completely different galaxy sample selection, emphasizing here a range of SFRs and stellar masses, these properties are similar to those of super-Eddington accreting ULXs that have been studied individually in a targeted NuSTAR ULX program. We also find that NGC 3310 exhibits a factor of ≈3–10 elevation of X-ray emission over the other star-forming galaxies due to a corresponding overabundance of ULXs. We argue that the excess of ULXs in NGC 3310 is most likely explained by the relatively low metallicity of the young stellar population in this galaxy, a property that is expected to produce an excess of luminous X-ray binaries for a given SFR. | [
"Universe Sciences"
]
|
716211 | Greening the Poles: Science, the Environment, and the Creation of the Modern Arctic and Antarctic | This project investigates how and why environmental concerns have become so important to our conceptions of the polar regions today. Through a historical study of both the Arctic and Antarctic from 1945 to the turn of the past century, the project explores the connections between how environments are described - particularly through the natural sciences and economics - and the judgments made about how those environments should be administered. The key hypothesis of this project is that the process of describing an environment cannot be separated from the process of controlling and managing it. Changing perceptions of concepts such as development, ecological fragility, and wilderness have provided frames for describing and understanding the polar regions. Why has natural resource extraction been deemed appropriate (or even necessary) in some contexts, and wholly forbidden in others? Why did the concept of sustainable development become important during the 1980s? Can we think of scientific research programs as instruments of colonialism? And why did national parks and conservation agreements become politically useful? GRETPOL will produce a new understanding of how far from being the passive frames for human action, environments (in the polar regions but indeed also beyond) are constructed by human agency. As anthropogenic climate change reduces polar ice extent and threatens the entire globe, the question has never been timelier. | [
"Earth System Science",
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
]
|
10.1111/btp.12684 | Experiments with artificial nests provide evidence for ant community stratification and nest site limitation in a tropical forest | Ants are dominant in tropical forests and many species nest in hollow cavities. The manner in which species are vertically stratified in these complex habitats is not known, with lack of nest sites being proposed to limit ant populations. Here, we assess ant community stratification and nest site limitation in a lowland rainforest in New Guinea using experimental addition of artificial bamboo nests of two cavity sizes (small: ~12 mm large: ~32 mm diameter) placed at ground level, in the understorey, and in the canopy. We also conducted a pilot experiment to test the utility of nest translocation. Nests were checked for occupancy after 10 weeks and half of the occupied nests were then translocated between forest plots, while keeping same vertical position. Occupancy of small nests was much higher in the understorey and canopy than at ground level (~75% vs. ~25%). Translocation was successful, as a majority of nests was inhabited by the same species before and after translocation and there was no impact of translocation to a different plot compared to the control, except for a reduction in colony size at ground level. Our experiment demonstrates a vertical stratification in community composition of ants nesting in hollow dead cavities and shows that these ants are more nest site limited in the higher strata than at ground level. Use of small artificial cavities has great potential for future experimental studies, especially for those focused on arboreal ants, as occupancy is high and translocation does not negatively affect their colony size. Abstract in Tok Pisin is available with online material. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.12.006 | Applied Hologenomics: Feasibility and Potential in Aquaculture | Aquaculture will play an essential role in feeding a growing human population, but several biological challenges impede sustainable growth of production. Emerging evidence across all areas of life has revealed the importance of the intimate biological interactions between animals and their associated gut microbiota. Based on challenges in aquaculture, we leverage current knowledge in molecular biology and host microbiota interactions to propose an applied holo-omic framework that integrates molecular data including genomes, transcriptomes, epigenomes, proteomes, and metabolomes for analyzing fish and their gut microbiota as interconnected and coregulated systems. With an eye towards aquaculture, we discuss the feasibility and potential of our holo-omic framework to improve growth, health, and sustainability in any area of food production, including livestock and agriculture. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
]
|
223465 | Ultra high efficiency radiation hard space solar cells on large area substrates | Project RadHard aims for increasing both the technical and commercial competitiveness of the European space solar cell technology to maintain the independence of European space industry in this field. RadHard will demonstrate the future next generation of space solar cells featuring i) beginning-of-life efficiency exceeding 35% under AM0 condition enabled by a new, patent protected 4-junction space solar cell, ii) the world’s highest radiation hardness leading to an efficiency >31% after 1E15 cm-2 1MeV electron irradiation, iii) scaling of the solar cell manufacturing to 200mm wafer size to enable competitive cost of the product and iv) demonstration of manufacturability and reliability of this cell concept. TR levels for relevant technologies will be increased from TRL 3 to 5-6.
The project makes use of technology innovations in solar cells design, epitaxy, semiconductor bonding and ultra large Ge wafers. The work plan is based on a parallel development of the new solar cell by semiconductor bonding and establishing solar cell manufacturing processes on 200 mm Ge wafers. At the end of the project, these development lines will be merged to demonstrate the commercial viability of the selected approach. Technology development activities will be accompanied by extensive test programme to allow for continuous feedback on the achieved device performance and to address reliability aspects. Finally an industrialization plan for the new 4-junction semiconductor bonded solar cell will be elaborated.
The project team is led by AZUR SPACE and consists of 7 industrial partners (incl. 1 SME) and 2 academic institutes and covers all R&D aspects, from basic research on advanced materials at academic partners to device manufacturing in industrial environment and testing on higher integration level. The relevance of the team for commercial exploitation is extremely high: RadHard includes industrial partners from each of the main parts of the value chain for space solar generators. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1080/08940886.2013.771064 | High Speed X Ray Imaging On The Fly | In 1878, Scientific American published Muybridge's famous photographic time series of horses in trot and in gallop, providing insights into the biomechanics of animal motion too fast to be resolved by the human eye [1]. A few decades later, Lucien Bull presented even faster image sequences of insect flight [2]. Ever since, fast detection, measurement, and acquisition schemes have been a pillar of research fields ranging from materials science and chemistry to structural biology and medicine. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1080/23273798.2015.1135247 | Hazy Or Jumbled Putting Together The Pieces Of The Bilingual Puzzle | ABSTRACTSix commentaries [Bialystok, E. (2015). How hazy views become full pictures. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience. doi:10. 1080/23273798. 2015. 1074255; de Bruin, A. , & Della Sala, S. (2015) The importance of language use when studying the neuroanatomical basis of bilingualism. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience. doi:10. 1080/23273798. 2015. 1082608; Green, D. W. , & Abutalebi, J. (2015). Language control and the neuroanatomy of bilingualism: In praise of variety. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience. doi:0. 1080/23273798. 2015. 1084428; Kroll, J. and Chiarello, C. (2015). Language experience and the brain: Variability, neuroplasticity, and bilingualism. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience. doi:10. 1080/23273798. 2015. 1086009; Luk, G. , & Pliatsikas, C. (2015). Converging diversity to unity: Commentary on the neuroanatomy of bilingualism. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience; Paap, K. (2015). The neuroanatomy of bilingualism: Will winds of change lift the fog? Language, Cognition and Neuroscience. doi:10. 10. . . | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
819318 | Infinite Protein Self-Assembly in Health and Disease | Understanding how proteins respond to mutations is of paramount importance to biology and disease. While protein stability and misfolding have been instrumental in rationalizing the impact of mutations, we recently discovered that an alternative route is also frequent, where mutations at the surface of symmetric proteins trigger novel self-interactions that lead to infinite self-assembly. This mechanism can be involved in disease, as in sickle-cell anemia, but may also serve in adaptation. Importantly, it differs fundamentally from aggregation, because misfolding does not drive it. Thus, we term it “agglomeration”. The ease with which agglomeration can occur, even by single point mutations, shifts the paradigm of how quickly new protein assemblies can emerge, both in health and disease. This prompts us to determine the basic principles of protein agglomeration and explore its implications in cell physiology and human disease.
We propose an interdisciplinary research program bridging atomic and cellular scales to explore agglomeration in three aims: (i) Map the landscape of protein agglomeration in response to mutation in endogenous yeast proteins; (ii) Characterize how yeast physiology impacts agglomeration by changes in gene expression or cell state, and, conversely, how protein agglomerates impact yeast fitness. (iii) Analyze agglomeration in relation to human disease via two approaches. First, by predicting single nucleotide polymorphisms that trigger agglomeration, prioritizing them using knowledge from Aims 1 & 2, and characterizing them experimentally. Second, by providing a proof-of-concept that agglomeration can be exploited in drug design, whereby drugs induce its formation, like mutations can do.
Overall, through this research, we aim to establish agglomeration as a paradigm for protein assembly, with implications for our understanding of evolution, physiology, and disease. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
W1972349982 | A detailed decomposition for nonlinear econometric models | This paper proposes a detailed decomposition for nonlinear econometric models, covering well-known limited dependent variable models such as the logit, probit and Tobit models. The purpose of the proposed method is to relate between-group differences in an outcome variable to differences in observable characteristics. The method overcomes disadvantages of existing decompositions for nonlinear models discussed in the literature. In particular, it leads to a unique decomposition and absorbs the present nonlinearities in a natural way. In this paper, the proposed decomposition is theoretically identified and it is shown how it can be estimated and how inference can be conducted. It is then compared to existing decomposition methods. An empirical application is presented where the results from the proposed decomposition method are compared with results from existing methods. It is demonstrated that linear methods such as the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition may not be appropriate in the presence of substantial nonlinearities, and that the decomposition approach proposed in this paper leads to a theoretically sensible decomposition of the outcome differential. | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1111/pce.12561 | Silencing a key gene of the common symbiosis pathway in Nicotiana attenuata specifically impairs arbuscular mycorrhizal infection without influencing the root-associated microbiome or plant growth | While the biochemical function of calcium and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) is well studied, and plants impaired in the expression of CCaMK are known not to be infected by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in glasshouse studies, the whole-plant and ecological consequences of CCaMK silencing are not well understood. Here we show that three independently transformed lines of Nicotiana attenuata plants silenced in CCaMK (irCCaMK) are neither infected by Rhizophagus irregularis in the glasshouse nor by native fungal inoculum in the field. The overall fungal community of field-grown roots did not differ significantly among empty vector (EV) and the transgenic lines, and the bacterial communities only showed minor differences, as revealed by the alpha-diversity parameters of bacterial OTUs, which were higher in EV plants compared with two of the three transformed lines, while beta-diversity parameters did not differ. Furthermore, growth and fitness parameters were similar in the glasshouse and field. Herbivory-inducible and basal levels of salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and abscisic acid did not differ among the genotypes, suggesting that activation of the classical defence pathways are not affected by CCaMK silencing. Based on these results, we conclude that silencing of CCaMK has few, if any, non-target effects. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
852796 | Exploring the diet-microbiota axis for immunomodulation and organ protection in hypertension | Essential hypertension damages organs such as the kidney, thereby leading to premature death. Beyond elevated blood pressure, hypertension is characterized by a pro-inflammatory immune response ahead of measurable organ damage. Activated immune cells infiltrate the kidney to cause tissue injury. However, inflammation is insufficiently addressed by today’s drugs. Current treatments do not include the gut microbiota, its metabolites and the associated lymphoid tissue – the largest immune cell reservoir in the body. We have recently shown for the first time that variations in dietary salt intake promote hypertension by modulating the immune system via the microbiota and its metabolites. Thus, the diet-microbiota axis is an important modulator of the immune response in hypertension. HyperBiota envisions a personalized, microbiome-guided immunonutrition for anti-inflammatory immunomodulation and organ protection in hypertension. It will explore the interplay between diet-dependent microbial metabolism in the intestine and the immune system in hypertension. By using an interdisciplinary approach, HyperBiota aims to 1) decipher the reciprocity of dietary composition, microbial community structure and metabolism, and immune response in hypertension. The identification of critical dietary and microbial components will enable targeted interventions. 2) Particular attention will be payed to worsening kidney function and how this affects microbial ecology and immune cell homeostasis. 3) It will investigate the extent to which the gut-associated lymphoid tissue contributes to the immune response in hypertension and its responsiveness to targeted interventions. 4) Knowledge gained in model systems will be translated and verified in mice associated with human microbial communities. Taking this approach, HyperBiota will cross borders and take a systems view on inflammation in hypertension to enable microbiome-guided immunonutrition for organ protection in hypertension. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
]
|
W2019329654 | A taxonomy of process calculi for distribution and mobility | In this paper, we comparatively analyze some mainstream calculi for mobility and distribution, together with some of their variants: asynchronous π-calculus, distributed π-calculus, and some dialects of Mobile/Boxed/Safe ambients. In particular, we focus on their relative expressive power, i.e. we try to encode every language in the other while respecting some reasonable properties. According to the possibility or the impossibility for such results, we set up a taxonomy of these languages. Our study enables understanding, for every pair of calculi, which features of one can be rendered in the other and how this is possible, or which features cannot be rendered and why this is impossible. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1002/bies.201600129 | A SUMO and ubiquitin code coordinates protein traffic at replication factories | Post-translational modifications regulate each step of DNA replication to ensure the faithful transmission of genetic information. In this context, we recently showed that deubiquitination of SUMO2/3 and SUMOylated proteins by USP7 helps to create a SUMO-rich and ubiquitin-low environment around replisomes that is necessary to maintain the activity of replication forks and for new origin firing. We propose that a two-flag system mediates the collective concentration of factors at sites of DNA replication, whereby SUMO and Ubiquitinated-SUMO would constitute “stay” or “go” signals respectively for replisome and accessory factors. We here discuss the findings that led to this model, which have implications for the potential use of USP7 inhibitors as anticancer agents. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1007/s10680-012-9265-2 | Partner Choice Patterns Among the Descendants of Turkish Immigrants in Europe | We examine the partner choice patterns of second-generation Turks in 13 European cities in seven countries. We not only compare intermarriage versus endogamous marriage, but also explicitly include the choice of a second-generation partner of the same origin and of a partner of other migrant origin as important alternatives. In Europe, populations are made up increasingly of migrants and their descendants resulting in new alternative partner options not open before. Findings suggest that second-generation Turks who choose a second-generation partner seem to be located between the partner choice of a first-generation and native partner in terms of family values and contact to non-coethnic peers. The choice of a partner of other migrant origin hardly differs in these characteristics from the choice of a native partner. Context variables such as group size and type of integration policies seem to play a role for the likelihood of having a first-generation versus a second-generation partner of Turkish origin but not for the likelihood of exogamous partner choice. A second-generation partner is the most popular choice in Germany but represents a minor option in the other countries. Furthermore, a partner of other migrant origin is more common among men but is in some countries more popular than a native partner among Turkish second-generation men and women. | [
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Studies of Cultures and Arts"
]
|
Q2073138 | MISE À JOUR DE L’IMAGE LOCALE (RESTAURANT) | IL S’AGIT D’UN ACHAT DE MATÉRIEL ET D’AMEUBLEMENT POUR INNOVER ET AMÉLIORER L’IMAGE DE L’ENTREPRISE DE RESTAURATION PUBLIQUE SOUS LE SIGNE «ORAZIO», OPÉRANT À PADOUE PENDANT PRÈS DE 60 ANS. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
10.1039/c8cp00210j | Initial stage of atomic layer deposition of 2D-MoS<inf>2</inf> on a SiO<inf>2</inf> surface: A DFT study | In this study, we investigate the reactions involving Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) of 2D-MoS2 from the heteroleptic precursor Mo(NMe2)2(NtBu)2 and H2S as the co-reagent on a SiO2(0001) surface by means of density functional theory (DFT). All dominant reaction pathways from the early stage of adsorption of each ALD reagent to the formation of bulk-like Mo and S at the surface are identified. In the metal pulse, proton transfer from terminal OH groups on the SiO2 to the physisorbed metal precursor increases the Lewis acidity of Mo and Lewis basicity of O, which gives rise to the chemical adsorption of the metal precursor. Proton transfer from the surface to the dimethylamido ligands leads to the formation and desorption of dimethylamine. In contrast, the formation and desorption of tert-butylamine is not energetically favorable. The tert-butylimido ligand can only be partially protonated in the metal pulse. In the sulphur pulse, co-adsorption and dissociation of H2S molecules give rise to the formation and desorption of tert-butylamine. Through the calculated activation energies, the cooperation between H2S molecules ('cooperative' mechanism) is shown to have a profound influence on the formation and desorption of tert-butylamine, which are crucial steps in the initial ALD deposition of 2D-MoS2 on SiO2. The cyclic ALD reactions give rise to the formation of a buffer layer which might have important consequences for the electrical and optical properties on the 2D layer formed in the subsequent homodeposition. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
982239 | New market: an exploration into the changing nature of business environments, informal barriers and emerging markets in the post-soviet region | The past ten years have seen several changes in post-USSR business environments. From Kazakhstan to Belarus, and eventually Uzbekistan in 2016, a growing number of post-USSR republics have gradually begun economic reforms to allow foreign businesses to operate in their territory. These declared intentions, however, are sometimes contrasted by non-official, or informal, barriers into domestic and regional markets. Indeed, from rampant corruption to the necessity to get protection from local oligarchs, entering post-Soviet markets involves several risks. New Markets addresses the current limited existence of clear instructions that could enable new, and existing economic actors to gain an overview into the hidden risks associated with business activities in the post-Soviet region. Our research follows a three stage approach:
First, we will conduct a review of policy measures adopted in the past 10 years (2008-2018) to liberalize the markets in our target countries. Our analysis will compare three countries that have fully opened to foreign investors already in the early 2000 – Estonia, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan - with three countries that have only recently shown a more cooperative attitude - Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan. We will survey the major mechanisms, and policies, adopted in these six countries to evaluate how they have ended up affecting the business environment.
Second, we will conduct an empirical evaluation of the measures adopted for improving the business climate in the target countries. This will be done through a national survey of core business actors in each country
Third, building upon results of the second stage, we will map challenges and opportunities in the region comparing macro and micro perspectives and testing government-led decisions against their results. | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
]
|
10.1016/j.concog.2011.08.016 | Consciousness and modality: On the possible preserved visual consciousness in blindsight subjects | In a recent paper, Brogaard (2011) presents counter-arguments to the conclusions of an experiment with blindsight subject GR. She argues that contrary to the apparent findings that GR's preserved visual abilities relate to degraded visual experiences, she is in fact fully unconscious of the stimuli she correctly identifies. In this paper, we present arguments and evidence why Brogaard's argument does not succeed in its purpose. We suggest that not only is relevant empirical evidence in opposition to Brogaard's argument, her argument misconstrues necessary criteria to decide whether a conscious experience is visual or not visual. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
interreg_1722 | Immigrant's Entrepreneurship for Socio-Economic Cohesion and Improvement of Living Standards | The need for socio-economic inclusion of immigrants and minorities and the reduction of migration waves are challenges widely recognised throughout the EU. In the IMMENSITY project host countries and the immigrants' countries of origin are involved, because both have to face the consequences connected with immigration. One problem is that, compared to the rest of the population, the share of self-employment among economic immigrants is very low due to a lack in adequate skills. For example in Greece 25% of the people registered in the Social Insurance Institute are economic immigrants, repatriates and refugees. Of them, less than 0.5% are entrepreneurs. This signifies a crucial imbalance with impact on the whole local, regional and national economy. Similar figures can be found in other regions participating in the project. IMMENSITY aims at overcoming this imbalance by stimulating entrepreneurship with immigrants. One characteristic feature of the IMMENSITY project is the social and economic inclusion of legal economic immigrants and repatriates in host countries, with a specific focus on women. This should be achieved by stimulating their entrepreneurship and self-employment potential as well as by improving the standard
of living in the countries of origin through the promotion and support of bilateral trade. | [
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
]
|
634896 | A background-free experiment to discover the nature of neutrinos based on single barium atom light detection | Searching for neutrinoless double beta decays (NLDBD) is the only practical way to establish if the neutrinos are their own antiparticles, a discovery of enormous importance for particle physics and cosmology. Due to the smallness of neutrino masses, the lifetime of NLDBD is expected to be much longer than the ones from the noise associated with the natural radioactive chains. A positive identification of NLDBD decays requires finding a signal that cannot be mimicked by radioactive backgrounds. In particular, the NLDBD decay of Xe-136 could be established by detecting the doubly ionized daughter atom, Ba2+ created in the decay. Such a detection could be achieved via a sensor made of a monolayer of molecular indicators. The Ba2+ would be captured by one of the molecules in the sensor, and the presence of the single Ba2+-complexed indicator would be subsequently revealed by a fluorescent response after interrogation with a laser system. Our proposed sensor is based on a new type of molecular bicolor fluorescent indicators, able to shift their emission spectra when complexed with Ba2+. The interrogation and detection system will be based in fast, two photon absorption microscopy.
The primary goals of this proposal are: 1, a full demonstration of the feasibility of a sensor capable of detecting single Ba2+ ions in a High Pressure Xenon Chamber (HPXe), and 2) the construction of a large HPXe demonstrator, the BOLD detector, which will implement a full Barium Tagging Detector System and will demonstrate the feasibility of building a background-free experiment at the ton-scale, with large discovery potential. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
MY 2010000127 W | NONLINEAR BOOLEAN PERMUTATION | A method (100) for generating a nonlinear Boolean permutation, the method (100) comprises selecting n number of initial binary Boolean functions for a first n number of components of the nonlinear Boolean permutation (102), iterating converting linear combination of the selected n number of initial binary Boolean functions to a plurality of balanced functions (104), randomly generating a remaining number of components of the nonlinear Boolean permutation (106) and performing a nonlinearity test on the nonlinear Boolean permutation (108) to obtain a nonlinearity parameter, until the nonlinearity parameter meets a predetermined condition. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Mathematics"
]
|
W1805646897 | Japanese Management & SMEs application | This project's main objective is to study and develop management methods employed for more than half a century by the Japanese in terms of production management, human resources and everything related to the company stuff, placing them as leaders in the global market indeed in all sectors in terms of efficiency, reliability, quality and safety at work. As a starting point a theoretical analysis of the history, culture and behaviour throughout Japanese history to understand why the concept of Japanese Management is famous throughout the world and is increasingly used by multinational companies of all sectors in the market. The second part deal with everything related of Lean Management and all the concepts that the term carries on such as Just in Time, Kaizen, 5S, etc. Concerning the own experience applying 5S in a multinational. The knowledge gained is then applied to a Spanish company in the sector of surface‟s treaters with has solvency problems, although it has an amazing projection in the close future. So it is applied the concept of lean manufacturing to reduce costs primarily through process redesign and time recovery of unnecessary daily tasks at work and it is applied to achieve working as a team and as a family. It requires a long-term projection to achieve the Lean Manufacturing company so unfortunately it is not possible to quantify the results as regards efficiency because the lack of time, however, it is reflected how is studied the current situation, how it begins to act dramatically and all the pros and cons found, making a comparative between a Japanese and Spanish company.
Despite major drawbacks, it is expected that though the work done during this thesis the company will be able to reduce production costs by at least 10% and 20% structure costs as well. | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
10.1038/cdd.2014.16 | Oncogene-induced reactive oxygen species fuel hyperproliferation and DNA damage response activation | Oncogene-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proposed to be signaling molecules that mediate proliferative cues. However, ROS may also cause DNA damage and proliferative arrest. How these apparently opposite roles can be reconciled, especially in the context of oncogene-induced cellular senescence, which is associated both with aberrant mitogenic signaling and DNA damage response (DDR)-mediated arrest, is unclear. Here, we show that ROS are indeed mitogenic signaling molecules that fuel oncogene-driven aberrant cell proliferation. However, by their very same ability to mediate cell hyperproliferation, ROS eventually cause DDR activation. We also show that oncogenic Ras-induced ROS are produced in a Rac1 and NADPH oxidase (Nox4)-dependent manner. In addition, we show that Ras-induced ROS can be detected and modulated in a living transparent animal: the zebrafish. Finally, in cancer we show that Nox4 is increased in both human tumors and a mouse model of pancreatic cancer and specific Nox4 small-molecule inhibitors act synergistically with existing chemotherapic agents. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2016.09.026 | Erratum: Corrigendum to “Modeling of the planetary ball-milling process: The case study of ceramic powders” [J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 36 (9) (2016) 2205–2212] (10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2015.09.032) (S0955221915301515)) | The authors regret that the parameter C reported in Eq. (8) is not correctly defined in the manuscript. Indeed, C is not the total number of collisions but rather the number of points sampling collisions during the simulation time period (τ) with mean output step size of ∼1E-3 (resulting from setting Msc. Adams software integrator parameters hmax = 1E-6 and step = 100). It should thus be stressed that the absolute scale for the power (named specific impact energy) used in Figs. 4–6, implicitly depends on the choice of the integrator parameters and therefore it is arbitrary and not directly comparable with power available in a real apparatus. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. | [
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1103/PhysRevA.93.013827 | Momentum-space Landau levels in driven-dissipative cavity arrays | We theoretically study the driven-dissipative Harper-Hofstadter model on a two-dimensional square lattice in the presence of a weak harmonic trap. Without pumping and loss, the eigenstates of this system can be understood, in certain limits, as momentum-space toroidal Landau levels, where the Berry curvature, a geometrical property of an energy band, acts like a momentum-space magnetic field. We show that key features of these eigenstates can be observed in the steady state of the driven-dissipative system under a monochromatic coherent drive and present a realistic proposal for an optical experiment using state-of-the-art coupled cavity arrays. We discuss how such spectroscopic measurements may be used to probe effects associated both with the off-diagonal elements of the matrix-valued Berry connection and with the synthetic magnetic gauge. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
10.2514/6.2019-3329 | Wake vortex detection and tracking for aircraft formation flight | Formation flying is known to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of a follower aircraft flying close to the wake vortices of a leader. In this study, two wake sensing strategies designed to locate these vortices are exposed. The first one is based on dedicated measurements of the follower wing circulation distribution and on the control surfaces deflections. The second one relies on measurements from its flight dynamics (position, velocity) and control surfaces. Both techniques implement an Ensemble Kalman Filter for the propagation in time of the non-linear surrogate model, which involves Prandtl lifting lines for the aerodynamics, and a simplified equation of motion. The resulting estimators are tested under steady and unsteady flight conditions, using reference data obtained from the numerical simulation of the associated wake flows using CFD. As a result, an accurate estimation of the wake parameters is produced by both methods, even in configurations where a symmetry was known to hamper the filter efficiency. Noisy configurations are also considered through the addition of ambient turbulence in the simulations. In that case, the second method proves more sensitive to external perturbations. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
219455 | Next generation authentication for the digital age | The cost of cybercrime is rocketing—to $500 billion in 2015 according to The Economist. This is why European Commission introduced the Revised Directive on Payment Services (PSD2) to implement strong two-factor authentication for payments before 2018.
There are already several MFA solutions on the market, however they are suboptimal - expensive to implement, slow to use and do not meet requirements for PSD2, eIDAS and modern EC-funded approaches to crypto libraries.
Notakey allows banks to implement a strong and scalable multi-factor authentication. The technology is made in a way that it can easily be implemented also in other industries, where there is need for protecting sensitive data. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
W2587880966 | Das extrapolare SWIFT-Modell: schnelle stratosphärische Ozonchemie für globale Klimamodelle | The goal of this PhD-thesis was the development of a fast yet accurate chemistry scheme for an interactive calculation of the extrapolar stratospheric ozone layer. The SWIFT-model is mainly intended for use in Global Climate Models (GCMs). For computing-time reasons GCMs often do not employ full stratospheric chemistry modules, but use prescribed ozone instead. This method does not consider the interaction between atmospheric dynamics and the ozone layer and can neither resolve the inter-annual variability of the ozone layer nor respond to climatological trends. Various studies [Calvo et al., 2015, Gillett and Thompson, 2003, Thompson and Solomon, 2002] have pointed out these insufficiencies. Existing fast ozone schemes, as in Cariolle und Teyssedre [2007] and McLinden et al. [2000], use a Taylor expansion of the first order to expand the rate of change of ozone about reference conditions of ozone mixing ratio, temperature and the locale ozone column and thus can not sufficiently adept to climate change scenarios, differing from the reference conditions.
The SWIFT-model, in contrast, considers the full chemical system of a stratospheric chemistry model, including non-linearities and fluctuations of ozone depleting species, to determine the rate of change of ozone.
The SWIFT-model consists of two modules, a polar and an extrapolar module. The polar module calculates vortex-averaged ozone loss by solving a set of coupled differential equations for the key species in polar ozone chemistry. Coefficients of the equation system are determined by simulations with a full chemistry model [Wohltmann et al., 2016]. This dissertation presents the extrapolar SWIFT-module, where we use algebraic functions to approximate the rate of change of ozone of the full model. In the full model, 55 initial and boundary conditions (e.g. various chemical species and atmospheric parameters) determine the function of rate of change of ozone, creating a 55-dimensional hypersurface. The numerical output of several simulations with the full model characterize the shape of the hypersurface. Using linear combinations of these variables, we can reduce the parameter space to the following nine dimensions: latitude, pressure, temperature, local ozone co-
lumn, mixing ratio of ozone and of the ozone depleting families (Cly , Bry, NOy and HOy ). These nine variables sufficiently describe the shape of the 55-dimensional hypersurface. An automated procedure fits 9-dimensional polynomials of degree four to the reduced function. One global polynomial per month is determined which calculates the rate of change of ozone over 24 h. The full model used to fit the polynomials is the chemistry- and transport-model ATLAS. Two 2.5-years ATLAS-simulations from separate decades constitute the fitting-dataset. A key aspect for the robustness of the SWIFT-model is the incorporation of a wide range of stratospheric variability in the fitting-datasets.
The systematic error between ATLAS and SWIFT causes the ozone mixing ratios to drift by less than 0.5% per day in the central regions of the 9-dimensional parameter space. Higher errors are located in the boundary regions, where the sampling density of the fitting-dataset is low, i.e. for rarely occurring atmospheric conditions. Here, the errors can rise to 4% per day. However, steep ozone gradients and non-linearities in the rate of change function are not the sources of significant errors. The extrapolar SWIFT-module has been integrated into the ATLAS-CTM as an optional chemistry scheme. Simulations with SWIFT in ATLAS have proven that the systematic error does not accumulate in the course of a run. In a 10 year simulation SWIFT has continuously produced a stable annual cycle, with inter-annual variations of the ozone layer well comparable to the full ATLAS-CTM.
Horizontal gradients in the ozone distribution due to planetary waves, are well resolved by SWIFT. The average deviations between partial ozone columns in ATLAS and SWIFT are less than ±15 DU. Especially in the mid- and high-latitudes the extrapolar SWIFT-module yields better results than existing fast ozone schemes. The application of SWIFT requires the calculation of polynomials with 30 – 100 terms. Nowadays, computers can
solve such polynomials at thousands of grid points in seconds. Therefore SWIFT provides the desired numerical efficiency and computes the ozone layer 10000 times faster than the chemistry model in the ATLAS-CTM. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Mathematics"
]
|
W1974084640 | The preference‐signaling effect of search | Consumers often make choices in settings where some alternatives are known and additional alternatives can be unveiled through search. When making a choice from a set of alternatives, the manner in which each of these was discovered should be irrelevant from a normative standpoint. By contrast, we propose that consumers infer from their own decisions to search for additional alternatives that previously known alternatives are comparatively less attractive, and that this results in an increase in preference for an alternative precisely because it was initially out of sight (rather than known). Evidence from four experiments provides support for this theorizing, demonstrating that — paradoxically placing an alternative out of sight (while providing the consumer with the opportunity to unveil it) can render that alternative more likely to be chosen. Moreover, the findings indicate that this shift in preferences is driven specifically by a devaluation of alternatives that were known prior to the decision to search. Finally, the preference-signaling effect of search is shown to be persistent in that it systematically influences a consumer's subsequent choices among new alternatives. | [
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
]
|
258259 | Extreme biophysics: single molecule characterisation of extremophilic protein folding | Extremophilic (extreme-loving) organisms have evolved unique features to enable them to function in extreme environmental conditions. Despite much progress in understanding extremophilic protein structure, there is a lack of quantitative information on the conformational dynamics and flexibility of proteins in extreme environments, information which is crucial to develop an understanding of their functional capabilities. Understanding the physical mechanisms of extremophilic organisms and their remarkable preservation capability is not only of fundamental interest, but also pivotal to our abilities to rationally engineer or re-engineer biological materials for exploitation. This proposal aims to develop quantitative biophysical approaches to characterise the physical mechanisms of protein folding and stability in extreme environments. This is an ambitious program of work with great potential to lead to ground-breaking scientific breakthroughs in the fields of water and aqueous solutions, protein folding and protein adaption in extremophilic environments. A state-of-the-art, custom built force spectroscopy instrument will be used to examine the conformational dynamics of single extremophilic proteins. A newly built, state-of-the-art diffractometer at the ISIS pulsed neutron facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories in the UK will be exploited to uncover details of the structural architecture of extremophilic proteins and their surrounding solvent environment. The development of these methods will deliver fundamental insights into the mechanisms of extreme organisms, in addition to developing research tools that will be exploited in synthetic biology, industry and bionanotechnology. A unique collection of skills, together with a world class team of collaborators from across Europe, gives this proposal unrivalled ability to transform extremophilic protein folding research in Europe. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
]
|
10.1177/0091450916660143 | Toward The Smarter Use Of Smart Drugs Perceptions And Experiences Of University Students In The Netherlands And Lithuania | The use of cognitive enhancement drugs (CEDs) among university students has raised widespread concerns about non-medical prescription drug use, safety, exam cheating, and study-related stress. While much of the empirical research to date has been conducted in the United States and Australia, this article examines perceptions and experiences of CED use among university students in the Netherlands and Lithuania. Our data come from two qualitative studies and one mixed-methods study and comprise 35 semi-structured interviews (20 in the Netherlands and 15 in Lithuania) and open-ended online survey responses from a convenience sample of 113 students in the Netherlands. Employing a crowded theory approach to interpret our qualitative data, we found most of our informants turned to CEDs to enhance their studying through better concentration and time management. Students used a broad range of pharmaceuticals (with and without a physician’s prescription), recreational drugs, and nutritional supplements as cognitiv. . . | [
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
]
|
10.1111/1469-8676.12305 | Socialities Of Solidarity Revisiting The Gift Taboo In Times Of Crises | This article addresses solidarity and the opening of social spaces in the relations between refugees and residents of Greece who try to help them. ‘Socialities of solidarity’ materialise alternative worldviews; they are loci for the production of lateral relationships; places inhabited by the prospects that derive from the political production of sociality. The article discusses the ‘gift taboo’, dominant in the pre-crisis era, that reflects the risks of giving to the formation of horizontal relationships. In the contemporary ‘European refugee crisis, and other crises, the gift taboo has collapsed, posing challenges to the egalitarian visions of sociality. | [
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
]
|
10.3390/atmos11080865 | Why Does Fog Deepen? An Analytical Perspective | The overall depth of a fog layer is one of the important factors in determining the hazard that a fog event presents. With discrete observations and often coarse numerical grids, however, fog depth cannot always be accurately determined. To address this, we derive a simple analytical relation that describes the change in depth of a fog interface with time, which depends on the tendencies and vertical gradients of moisture. We also present a lengthscale estimate for the maximum depth over which mixing can occur in order for the fog layer to be sustained, assuming a uniform mixing of the vertical profiles of temperature and moisture. Even over several hours, and when coarse observational resolution is used, the analytical description is shown to accurately diagnose the depth of a fog layer when compared against observational data and the results of large-eddy simulations. Such an analytical description not only enables the estimation of sub-grid or inter-observation fog depth, but also provides a simple framework for interpreting the evolution of a fog layer in time. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1073/pnas.1715640115 | Human ectoparasites and the spread of plague in Europe during the Second Pandemic | Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, can spread through human populations by multiple transmission pathways. Today, most human plague cases are bubonic, caused by spillover of infected fleas from rodent epizootics, or pneumonic, caused by inhalation of infectious droplets. However, little is known about the historical spread of plague in Europe during the Second Pandemic (14–19th centuries), including the Black Death, which led to high mortality and recurrent epidemics for hundreds of years. Several studies have suggested that human ectoparasite vectors, such as human fleas (Pulex irritans) or body lice (Pediculus humanus humanus), caused the rapidly spreading epidemics. Here, we describe a compartmental model for plague transmission by a human ectoparasite vector. Using Bayesian inference, we found that this model fits mortality curves from nine outbreaks in Europe better than models for pneumonic or rodent transmission. Our results support that human ectoparasites were primary vectors for plague during the Second Pandemic, including the Black Death (1346–1353), ultimately challenging the assumption that plague in Europe was predominantly spread by rats. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1007/s00222-018-0841-x | Algebraic renormalisation of regularity structures | We give a systematic description of a canonical renormalisation procedure of stochastic PDEs containing nonlinearities involving generalised functions. This theory is based on the construction of a new class of regularity structures which comes with an explicit and elegant description of a subgroup of their group of automorphisms. This subgroup is sufficiently large to be able to implement a version of the BPHZ renormalisation prescription in this context. This is in stark contrast to previous works where one considered regularity structures with a much smaller group of automorphisms, which lead to a much more indirect and convoluted construction of a renormalisation group acting on the corresponding space of admissible models by continuous transformations. Our construction is based on bialgebras of decorated coloured forests in cointeraction. More precisely, we have two Hopf algebras in cointeraction, coacting jointly on a vector space which represents the generalised functions of the theory. Two twisted antipodes play a fundamental role in the construction and provide a variant of the algebraic Birkhoff factorisation that arises naturally in perturbative quantum field theory. | [
"Mathematics"
]
|
948141 | Simulating ultracold correlated quantum matter: New microscopic paradigms | Strongly correlated quantum systems have some of the most exotic physical properties in nature, but detailed theoretical understanding is lacking. These systems are not only of immense fundamental interest: they also have practical applications, e.g. in the case of high-temperature superconductors. Previous studies have focused on solid state settings, where microscopic studies of the underlying correlations are challenging.
The goal of my ERC project is to obtain a new level of understanding of strongly correlated quantum matter on microscopic scales. This is enabled by recent breakthroughs in quantum simulations using ultracold atoms in optical lattices, namely the capability to implement lattice gauge theories coupled to dynamical matter and doped quantum magnets in the context of the 2D Fermi-Hubbard model. My main research objective is to identify the universal constituents of correlated matter in doped quantum magnets — i.e. I will develop new approaches to understand the ingredients underlying high-temperature superconductivity. The key innovative aspects of my research are (i) the development of new semi-analytic descriptions of correlated quantum matter based on fluctuating anti-ferromagnetism; (ii) the atomistic description of the emergent constituents of doped quantum magnets and (iii) the utilization of new experimentally accessible models of correlated quantum matter. Building on my unique expertise, I will establish the theoretical framework to utilize state-of-the-art quantum simulators and numerical tools to address long-standing questions about strongly correlated quantum matter.
My proposed research will have an immediate impact on current experiments with ultracold atoms, which have just started to explore strongly correlated quantum matter. I further envision that the new theoretical connections that I will establish between atomic and condensed matter physics will lead to a shift of paradigms in the study of strongly correlated quantum matter. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
10.1094/MPMI-02-14-0032-R | Pseudomonas Syringae Evades Host Immunity By Degrading Flagellin Monomers With Alkaline Protease Apra | Bacterial flagellin molecules are strong inducers of innate immune responses in both mammals and plants. The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes an alkaline protease called AprA that degrades flagellin monomers. Here, we show that AprA is widespread among a wide variety of bacterial species. In addition, we investigated the role of AprA in virulence of the bacterial plant pathogen P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000. The AprA-deficient DC3000 ΔaprA knockout mutant was significantly less virulent on both tomato and Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, infiltration of A. thaliana Col-0 leaves with DC3000 ΔaprA evoked a significantly higher level of expression of the defense-related genes FRK1 and PR-1 than did wild-type DC3000. In the flagellin receptor mutant fls2, pathogen virulence and defense-related gene activation did not differ between DC3000 and DC3000 ΔaprA. Together, these results suggest that AprA of DC3000 is important for evasion of recognition by the FLS2 receptor, allowing wild-type DC3000 to be more virulent on its host plant than AprA-deficient DC3000 ΔaprA. To provide further evidence for the role of DC3000 AprA in host immune evasion, we overexpressed the AprA inhibitory peptide AprI of DC3000 in A. thaliana to counteract the immune evasive capacity of DC3000 AprA. Ectopic expression of aprI in A. thaliana resulted in an enhanced level of resistance against wild-type DC3000, while the already elevated level of resistance against DC3000 ΔaprA remained unchanged. Together, these results indicate that evasion of host immunity by the alkaline protease AprA is important for full virulence of strain DC3000 and likely acts by preventing flagellin monomers from being recognized by its cognate immune receptor. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
10.1021/ja200545n | Conserved Tyr223<sup>5.58</sup> plays different roles in the activation and G-protein interaction of rhodopsin | Rhodopsin, a seven transmembrane helix (TM) receptor, binds its ligand 11-cisretinal via a protonated Schiff base. Coupling to the G-protein transducin (Gt) occurs after lightinduced cis/trans-retinal isomerization, which leads through photoproducts into a sequence of metarhodopsin (Meta) states: Meta I Meta IIa Meta IIb Meta IIbH+. The structural changes behind this three-step activation scheme are mediated by microswitch domains consisting of conserved amino acids. Here we focus on Tyr2235. 58 as part of the Y5. 58X7K(R)5. 66 motif. Mutation to Ala, Phe, or Glu results in specific impairments of Gt-activation measured by intrinsic Gt fluorescence. UV-vis/FTIR spectroscopy of rhodopsin and its complex with a C-terminal Gtα peptide allows the assignment of these deficiencies to specific steps in the activation path. Effects of mutation occur already in Meta I but do not directly influence deprotonation of the Schiff base during formation of Meta IIa. Absence of the whole phenol ring (Y223A) allows the activating motion of TM6 in Meta IIb but impairs the coupling to Gt. When only the hydroxyl group is lacking (Y223F), Meta IIb does not accumulate, but the activity toward Gt remains substantial. From the FTIR features of Meta IIbH+ we conclude that proton uptake to Glu1343. 49 is mandatory for Tyr223 5. 58 to engage in the interaction with the key player Arg135 3. 50 predicted by X-ray analysis. This polar interaction is partially recovered in Y223E, explaining its relatively high activity. Only the phenol side chain of tyrosine provides all characteristics for accumulation of the active state and G-protein activation. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
W2155868932 | Tourists’ perceptions of world heritage destinations: The case of Guimarães (Portugal) | Guimarães is a UNESCO world heritage site, deemed as such in 2001 and hosted the 2012 European Capital of Culture. This paper examines the profile, destination image, and motivations of tourists’ visiting behaviors in Guimarães before the cultural event. Based on survey responses from 276 tourists, we found that tourists arriving in Guimarães had previously visited the two most important cities in the northern part of Portugal. These respondents were relatively young and well educated compared to the average tourists that visited Portugal. The results suggest that many tourists were aware of the city status as a world heritage site that encompasses a historic center, monuments, and architectural buildings. Furthermore, these perceptions shape the image of Guimarães, as the factor analysis indicates that “historical background and functionality” was the most reliable and valid factor behind the choice of visiting the city. | [
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Studies of Cultures and Arts"
]
|
W2064659462 | Influence of pesticides and application methods on pest and predatory arthropods associated with cotton | Incidence of sucking pests was studied in a transgenic (Bt) and non-transgenic cotton (non-Bt) agro ecosystem in 2008 and 2009. Simultaneously, the influence of different pesticides applied in two different methods on sucking pests and generalist predators was investigated on transgenic cotton. In stem application, the insecticides solutions prepared were painted directly on the middle portion of the plant stem but in foliar application the recommended dosages of the insecticides were sprayed on the cotton plant. The transgenic and non-transgenic cotton did not differ significantly in the population of sucking pests. The different pesticides when applied by foliar sprays reduced significantly more sucking pests than stem application. Among the different insecticides used, imidacloprid caused the maximum reduction of the leaf hopper population, acetamiprid caused the maximum whitefly reduction, and clothianidin caused the maximum thrips reduction under foliar application. Via stem application, acetamiprid and thiomethoxam were found better in suppression of the sucking pests’ population, but the population of predators was significantly less disrupted by the stem application method. The foliar application was in general more effective; stem application may be more applicable early in the season when its efficacy was higher and when foliar sprays were particularly destructive to beneficial pests. In foliar application, all the systemic neonicotinoids like imidacloprid, clothianidin, admire, thiamethoxam and acetamiprid were found highly toxic to natural enemies in comparison with spirotetramat, buprofezin and fipronil. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
883240 | Disentangling metaphase chromosome organisation one chromosome at a time | Chromosomes assume their most compact state during metaphase just before they are separated. In this process of cell
division the chromosomes experience high forces and genomic defects can occur then. Many techniques have built
considerable understanding of metaphase chromosome structure and a multitude of models have been put forward how
cells organize their chromosomes during metaphase. Yet, given the complexity of the process and limitations of the methods
to study them, it is far from being fully understood. The breakthrough opportunity in this regard is the development of tools
that allow real-time, 3D, super-resolution imaging and manipulation of entire non-fixed metaphase chromosomes under nearphysiological
conditions.
Here I propose to quantitatively image the proteins that establish the architecture of metaphase chromosomes and
disentangle the connection between its architecture, internal protein dynamics and mechanics at the multi-protein as well as
the single-molecule level. For this project I plan to expand the combination of optical manipulation and fluorescent
microscopy by introducing force-induced expansion microscopy together with advanced labeling and imaging techniques
that ultimately will permit real-time, 3D, super-resolution quantitative analysis of complex (protein) structures within native
non-fixed metaphase chromosomes. With this kind of instrument it becomes possible to validate and/or challenge the current
models of metaphase organization as well as explore the physical properties of chromosomes but also study chromosome
separation dynamics.
My extensive experience handling biological systems and pushing instrumental boundaries gives me an excellent starting
point to address key research questions with regards to metaphase chromosomes. In doing so I can improve our
understanding of chromosome organization which is important because chromosome defects can have devastating
consequences leading to for example cancer or fragile X syndrome. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
260747 | Why do we do what we do? Biological, psychological and computational bases of motivation | We are largely unaware of our own motives. Understanding our motives can be reduced to knowing how we form goals and these goals translate into behavior. Goals can be defined as pleasurable situations that we particularly value and that we intend to reach. Recent investigation in the emerging field of neuro-economics has put forward a neuronal network constituting a brain valuation system (BVS). We wish to build a more comprehensive account of motivational processes, investigating not only valuation and choice but also effort (how much energy we would spend to attain a goal). More specifically, our aims are to better describe 1) how the brain assigns values to various objects and actions, 2) how values depend on parameters such as reward magnitude, probability, delay and cost, 3) how values are affected by social contexts, 4) how values are modified through learning and 5) how values influence the brain systems (perceptual, cognitive and motor) that underpin behavioral performance. To these aims, we would combine three approaches: 1) human cognitive neuroscience, which is central as we ultimately wish to understand ourselves, as well as human pathological conditions where motivation is either deficient (apathy) or out of control (compulsion), 2) primate neurophysiology, which is essential to describe information processing at the single-unit level and to derive causality by observing behavioral consequences of brain manipulations, 3) computational modeling, which is mandatory to link quantitatively the different descriptions levels (single-unit recordings, local field potentials, regional BOLD signal, vegetative manifestations and motor outputs). A bayesian framework will be developed to infer from experimental measures the subjects prior beliefs and value functions. We believe that our team, bringing together three complementary perspectives on motivation within a clinical environment, would represent a unique education and research center in Europe. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
W1923110739 | General practitioner registrars’ experiences of multisource feedback: a qualitative study | To explore the experiences of general practitioner (GP) specialty training registrars, thereby generating more understanding of the ways in which multisource feedback impacts upon their self-perceptions and professional behaviour, and provide information that might guide its use in the revalidation process of practising GPs.Complete transcripts of semi-structured, audio-taped qualitative interviews were analysed using the constant comparative method, to describe the experiences of multisource feedback for individual registrars.Five GP registrars participated. The first theme to emerge was the importance of the educational supervisor in encouraging the registrar through the emotional response, then facilitating interpretation of feedback and personal development. The second was the differing attitudes to learning and development, which may be in conflict with threats to self-image.The current RCGP format for obtaining multisource feedback for GP registrars may not always be achieving its purpose of challenging self-perceptions and motivating improved performance. An enhanced qualitative approach, through personal interviews rather than anonymous questionnaires, may provide a more accurate picture. This would address the concerns of some registrars by reducing their logistical burden and may facilitate more constructive feedback. The educational supervisor has an important role in promoting personal development, once this feedback is shared. The challenge for teaching organisations is to create a climate of comfort for learning, yet encourage learning beyond a 'comfort zone'. | [
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
10.1111/psyp.12544 | Noradrenergic and cholinergic modulation of late ERP responses to deviant stimuli | Researchers have proposed several hypotheses about the neuromodulator systems involved in generating P3 components of the ERP. To test some of these hypotheses, we conducted a randomized placebo-controlled crossover study in which we investigated how the late positive ERP response to deviant stimuli is modulated by (a) clonidine, an α2 agonist that attenuates baseline noradrenergic activity; and (b) scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist of acetylcholine receptors. We collected EEG data from 18 healthy volunteers during the performance of an auditory oddball task with several active and passive task conditions. We then used temporospatial principal component analysis (PCA) to decompose the ERP waveforms. The PCA revealed two distinct late positive ERP components: the classic parietal P300 and the frontal novelty P3. Statistical analysis of the temporospatial factor scores indicated that in most conditions the amplitude of the classic P300 was increased by clonidine and scopolamine. In contrast, the amplitude of the novelty P3 was decreased by both drugs. The similar pattern of results for clonidine and scopolamine probably reflects the strong interactions between the noradrenergic and cholinergic systems. The results, in combination with previous pharmacological studies, suggest a critical role for both neuromodulator systems in the generation of the P300 and the novelty P3. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
W2030726128 | Payment cost minimization with transmission capacity constraints and losses using the objective switching method | Deregulated electricity markets in the U.S. currently minimize total bid costs to select bids and their generation levels but determine payments based on market clearing prices. The inconsistency between auction and settlement mechanisms can lead to a significantly higher consumer payment. This gives rise to the “payment cost minimization,” an alternative auction mechanism that minimizes consumer payments directly. This paper formulates payment cost minimization problems with transmission capacity constraints and losses. DC power flow is used to model the transmitted power. The locational marginal prices are defined by “economic dispatch” and characterized by using the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions. The formulation is converted to linear to be solved by the branch-and-cut method in standard commercial solver CPLEX's MIP. Specific methods for the linear conversion are highlighted. The efficiency for solving this linear payment cost minimization model in CPLEX's MIP is still low. The difficulties are studied by comparing the convex hulls of the two auction problems. To overcome the difficulties and improve the efficiency, the new “objective switching method” is developed which can be also used for solving other NP hard problems. Performance cuts are first generated to reduce the feasible region. The infeasibilities of originally discrete variables are then minimized within the reduced region to find one of many feasible near-optimal solutions with quantifiable quality. Numerical testing results of small examples and IEEE Reliability Test System demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the model and the method. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1007/978-3-319-96884-1_20 | Multi Input Functional Encryption For Inner Products Function Hiding Realizations And Constructions Without Pairings | We present new constructions of multi-input functional encryption (MIFE) schemes for the inner-product functionality that improve the state of the art solution of Abdalla et al. (Eurocrypt 2017) in two main directions. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
US 2005/0041050 W | METHODS OF MAKING FUNCTIONALIZED NANORODS | A process for forming functionalized nanorods. The process includes providing a substrate, modifying the substrate by depositing a self-assembled monolayer of a bi-functional molecule on the substrate, wherein the monolayer is chosen such that one side of the bi-functional molecule binds to the substrate surface and the other side shows an independent affinity for binding to a nanocrystal surface, so as to form a modified substrate. The process further includes contacting the modified substrate with a solution containing nanocrystal colloids, forming a bound monolayer of nanocrystals on the substrate surface, depositing a polymer layer over the monolayer of nanocrystals to partially cover the monolayer of nanocrystals, so as to leave a layer of exposed nanocrystals, functionalizing the exposed nanocrystals, to form functionalized nanocrystals, and then releasing the functionalized nanocrystals from the substrate. | [
"Materials Engineering",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
10.1002/prca.200900088 | MS analysis of rheumatoid arthritic synovial tissue identifies specific citrullination sites on fibrinogen | Purpose: Citrullination is a post-translational modification of arginine residues to citrulline catalyzed by peptidyl arginine deiminases. Induced expression of citrullinated proteins are frequently detected in various inflammatory states including arthritis; however, direct detection of citrullination in arthritic samples has not been successfully performed in the past. Experimental design: Citrullination of human fibrinogen, a candidate autoantigen in arthritis, was studied. Accurate identification of citrullinated fibrinogen peptides from rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue specimens was performed using accurate mass and retention time analysis. Results: A peptide with the sequence ESSSHHPGIAEFPSRGK corresponding to amino acids 559-575 of fibrinogen α-chain was identified to be citrullinated with an occupancy rate between 1. 4 and 2. 5%. Citrullination of the peptide KREEAPSLRPAPPPISGGGYRARPAK corresponding to amino acids 52-77 of the fibrinogen β-chain was identified with an occupancy rate of 1. 2%. Conclusions and clinical relevance: We report a proof of principle study for the identification of citrullinated proteins and within them, identification of citrullination sites and quantification of their occupancies in synovial tissue from rheumatoid arthritis patients using high-resolution MS. Detailed studies on which molecules are citrullinated in arthritis can provide information about their role in immune regulation and serve as novel biomarkers and potentially even as therapeutic targets. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
10.1088/1361-6579/aae6ed | Image-based classification of bladder state using electrical impedance tomography | Objective: In this study, we examine the potential of using machine learning classification to determine the bladder state ('not full', 'full') with electrical impedance tomography (EIT) images of the pelvic region. Accurate classification of these states would enable urinary incontinence (UI) monitoring to alert the patient, before involuntary voiding occurs, in a low-cost and discrete manner. Approach: Using both numerical and experimental data, we form datasets that contain diverse observations with varying clinical parameters such as bladder volume, urine conductivity, and the reference used for time-difference imaging. We then classify the bladder state using both pixel-wise and feature extraction-based classification techniques. We employ principal component analysis, wavelets, and image segmentation to help create features. Main results: The performance was compared across several classifier algorithms. The minimum accuracy was 77. 50%. The highest accuracy observed was 100%, and was found by combining principal component analysis and the Gaussian radial based function kernel support vector machine. This combination also offered the best trade-off between classification performance and the costs of training time and memory space. The biggest challenge in bladder state classification is classifying volumes near the separation volume of not full and full, in which choosing the most suitable classifier combination can minimize this error. Significance: We performed the first machine learning classification of bladder EIT images, achieving high classification accuracies with both numerical and experimental data. This work highlights the potential of using image-based machine learning with an EIT device to support bladder monitoring for those suffering from UI. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
645355 | The role of functional redundancy on stability mechanisms in multi-level ecosystem processes face to climatic extremes | The present proposal, SMILE, aims to answer core questions on the current climatic and biodiversity crisis. Together with Dr. Francesco de Bello, a prominent authority on functional ecology and biodiversity, at the CIDE-CSIC, Spain, the applicant, Dr. Felícia M. Fischer, seeks to understand how biodiversity responds to extreme climatic events and how this response affects multiple ecosystem functions. For so, SMILE will explore the role of key aspects of the biological communities in terms of functional traits on the resistance and resilience of natural processes and the provision of multiple ecosystem functions connected to various ecosystem services. Two approaches, one using large-scale datasets of permanent plots, and another, within an extensive biodiversity experiment in controlled conditions, will allow testing the effect of functional redundancy within biological communities (i.e. multiple species with similar ecological functions but different environmental preferences) over the ecological stability (insurance hypothesis). SMILE will rely on cutting edge quantitative methods for accessing and testing the role biodiversity to buffer extreme climatic events. It will also count on a transdisciplinary approach to evaluate multifunctionality, involving the fields of climatology, community ecology, functional ecology, soil biology and biochemistry, carbon and water cycles, among others, with promising applications to conservation. For so, SMILE will involve a large multidisciplinary and multinational collaboration network. Moreover, the project is well aligned with the priorities and themes promoted by the Europe 2020 strategies and the Horizon 2020 program, as it can have important role for restoration of degraded lands, and their maintenance. Communication and dissemination will be, thus, a key priority of the project. The execution of SMILE will be key to enhance the applicant`s career, improving her theoretical, methodological, and overall operational skills. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
10.3233/ASY-151348 | On Asymptotic Isotropy For A Hydrodynamic Model Of Liquid Crystals | We study a PDE system describing the motion of liquid crystals by means of the Q−tensor description for the crystals coupled with the incompressible Navier-Stokes system. Using the method of Fourier splitting, we show that solutions of the system tend to the isotropic state at the rate (1+ t)−β as t→∞ for a certain β > 1 2 . | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Mathematics"
]
|
US 0213108 W | GLYCOPEPTIDE ANTIBIOTICS | The invention provides compounds of formula (I), wherein R<1>, R<2>, R<3>, R<4>, R<5>, R<6a>, R<6b>, R<6c>, R<6d>, R<6e> and R<7> are defined in the specification. These compounds are useful as antibiotic agents. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1088/1751-8121/aaa8f9 | Dynamical phase transitions in the current distribution of driven diffusive channels | We study singularities in the large deviation function of the time-averaged current of diffusive systems connected to two reservoirs. A set of conditions for the occurrence of phase transitions, both first and second order, are obtained by deriving Landau theories. First-order transitions occur in the absence of a particle-hole symmetry, while second-order occur in its presence and are associated with a symmetry breaking. The analysis is done in two distinct statistical ensembles, shedding light on previous results. In addition, we also provide an exact solution of a model exhibiting a second-order symmetry-breaking transition. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1039/C5CC01558H | Nickel Cobalt Oxide Hollow Nanosponges As Advanced Electrocatalysts For The Oxygen Evolution Reaction | A class of novel nickel cobalt oxide hollow nanosponges were synthesized through a sodium borohydride reduction strategy. Due to their porous and hollow nanostructures, and synergetic effects between their components, the optimized nickel cobalt oxide nanosponges exhibited excellent catalytic activity towards oxygen evolution reaction. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
W2095678633 | Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms among Iranian Parents of Children during Cancer Treatment | Support of parents of children with cancer requires healthcare personnel to be knowledgeable about the prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms among Iranian parents of children with cancer. This study was conducted to fulfill this aim in the South-East of Iran. Using the Impact of Event Scale -Revised, for parents of children with cancer, 200 parents in two hospitals supervised by Kerman University of Medical Sciences, were assessed. The total mean score of post-traumatic stress symptoms was 41.70. Among all categories of the Impact of Event Scale -Revised, the highest mean belonged to the category of 'intrusion' 16.03 (SD = 6.24) and the lowest one belonged to the category of 'hyperarousal' 10.68 (SD = 4.58). Based on the results, mothers had higher post-traumatic stress symptoms compared with fathers (p < 0.05). Adjusted odds ratio showed that the prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms among mothers was 2.49 times more than that among fathers (p = 0.01). There was no association between sociodemographic data and post-traumatic stress symptoms. More research is needed to elucidate the Iranian parents' experience of having children with cancer. | [
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
]
|
W2897369713 | Análisis y propuesta para la inclusión de la cerveza artesanal en la Ley de Alcoholes para el Estado de Guanajuato | A comparison is made that goes from the Federal, State and Municipal legislations, addressing some States and Municipalities of the Country, which normalize this activity within its legislatures. Subsequently, a market analysis is made within the State of Guanajuato, finding producers that fit this turn and an Association that supports them, reinforcing the assumption that this research is feasible. The proposal is made of how the definition in the Law of Alcohol for the State of Guanajuato of this proposal of Operation License in Matter of Alcohols, whose turn is the one of Artesanal beer and the classification and costs that would generate the acquisition of a license , Including also the proposal within the Income Law for the State of Guanajuato. Complementing the work are outlined the steps to follow to acquire this Operating License, the documentation to be presented at the Ministry of Finance, Investment and Administration of the State of Guanajuato and a small manual to acquire such permit. | [
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
]
|
10.1038/ni.2991 | Emerging functions of the unfolded protein response in immunity | The unfolded protein response (UPR) has traditionally been viewed as an adaptive response triggered by the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and aimed at restoring ER function. The UPR can also be an anticipatory response that is activated well before the disruption of protein homeostasis. UPR signaling intersects at many levels with the innate and adaptive immune responses. In some types of cells of the immune system, such as dendritic cells (DCs) and B cells, particular sensors that detect the UPR seem to be constitutively active in the absence of induction of the traditional UPR gene program and are necessary for antigen presentation and immunoglobulin synthesis. The UPR also influences signaling via Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and activation of the transcription factor NF-ΰ B, and some pathogens subvert the UPR. This Review summarizes these emerging noncanonical functions of the UPR in immunity. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1016/j.addr.2016.02.006 | Extracellular vesicles for drug delivery | Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane vesicles, and represent an endogenous mechanism for intercellular communication. Since the discovery that EVs are capable of functionally transferring biological information, the potential use of EVs as drug delivery vehicles has gained considerable scientific interest. EVs may have multiple advantages over currently available drug delivery vehicles, such as their ability to overcome natural barriers, their intrinsic cell targeting properties, and stability in the circulation. However, therapeutic applications of EVs as drug delivery systems have been limited due to a lack of methods for scalable EV isolation and efficient drug loading. Furthermore, in order to achieve targeted drug delivery, their intrinsic cell targeting properties should be tuned through EV engineering. Here, we review and discuss recent progress and remaining challenges in the development of EVs as drug delivery vehicles. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
]
|
185569 | Extreme ultraviolet circular time-resolved spectroscopy | Chiral molecules exist as two forms, so-called enantiomers, which have essentially the same physical and chemical properties and can only be distinguished via their interaction with a chiral system, such as circularly polarized light. Many biological processes are chiral-sensitive and unraveling the dynamical aspects of chirality is of prime importance for chemistry, biology and pharmacology. Studying the ultrafast electron dynamics of chiral processes requires characterization techniques at the attosecond (10−18 s) time-scale.
Molecular attosecond spectroscopy has the potential to resolve the couplings between electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom in such chiral chemical processes. There are, however, two major challenges: the generation of chiral attosecond light pulse, and the development of highly sensitive chiral discrimination techniques for time-resolved spectroscopy in the gas phase.
This ERC research project aims at developing vectorial attosecond spectroscopy using elliptical strong fields and circular attosecond pulses, and to apply it for the investigation of chiral molecules. To achieve this, I will (1) establish a new type of highly sensitive chiroptical spectroscopy using high-order harmonic generation by elliptical laser fields; (2) create and characterize sources of circular attosecond pulses; (3) use trains of circularly polarized attosecond pulses to probe the dynamics of photoionization of chiral molecules and (4) deploy ultrafast dynamical measurements to address the link between nuclear geometry and electronic chirality.
The developments from this project will set a landmark in the field of chiral recognition. They will also completely change the way ellipticity is considered in attosecond science and have an impact far beyond the study of chiral compounds, opening new perspectives for the resolution of the fastest dynamics occurring in polyatomic molecules and solid state physics. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1016/j.epsl.2016.07.010 | Lead isotope evidence for a young formation age of the Earth–Moon system | A model of a giant impact between two planetary bodies is widely accepted to account for the Earth–Moon system. Despite the importance of this event for understanding early Earth evolution and the inventory of Earth's volatiles critical to life, the timing of the impact is poorly constrained. We explore a data-based, two-stage Pb isotope evolution model in which the timing of the loss of volatile Pb relative to refractory U in the aftermath of the giant impact is faithfully recorded in the Pb isotopes of bulk silicate Earth. Constraining the first stage Pb isotopic evolution permits calculating an age range of 4. 426–4. 417 Ga for the inflection in the U/Pb ratio related to the giant impact. This model is supported by Pb isotope data for angrite meteorites that we use to demonstrate volatility-driven, planetary-scale Pb loss was an efficient process during the early Solar System. The revised age is ∼100 Myr younger than most current estimates for the age of the Moon but fully consistent with recent ages for lunar ferroan anorthosite and the timing of Earth's first crust inferred from the terrestrial zircon record. The estimated loss of ∼98% of terrestrial Pb relative to the Solar System bulk composition by the end of the Moon-forming process implies that the current inventory of Earth's most volatile elements, including water, arrived during post-impact veneering by volatile-rich bodies. | [
"Universe Sciences",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
263067 | Neurophysiological and functional mechanisms of human voluntary action control | Humans carry out actions either in response to environmental demands, or independently of external input in order to achieve their goals. The first type of action may be referred to as stimulus-based or reactive, the latter kind may be referred to as intention-based or voluntary. Voluntary actions are an important component of our interaction with the environment and our social lives. Yet, research on human action has only relatively recently begun to try to understand the control of voluntary actions, focusing instead on action that is performed in response to a stimulus in the environment. The proposed project will pursue this attempt to elucidate the functional and neurophysiological underpinnings of voluntary actions along several axes (e.g., neural and functional mechanisms of voluntary action control, functional differences between voluntary and stimulus-based action control, mechanisms of action-effect learning). The project will approach these issues with the help of techniques coming from psychophysics (e.g., signal detection theory) and neurophysiology (EEG, fMRI), separately, and also in combination. Its aim is to shed light on yet unexplored issues in research on voluntary action control, such as its cortical mechanisms and time course, and to provide new methods for further sophisticated investigation. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
10.1038/nature09110 | Visualizing and controlling vibrational wave packets of single molecules | The active steering of the pathways taken by chemical reactions and the optimization of energy conversion processes provide striking examples of the coherent control of quantum interference through the use of shaped laser pulses. Experimentally, coherence is usually established by synchronizing a subset of molecules in an ensemble with ultra-short laser pulses. But in complex systems where even chemically identical molecules exist with different conformations and in diverse environments, the synchronized subset will have an intrinsic inhomogeneity that limits the degree of coherent control that can be achieved. A naturaland, indeed, the ultimatesolution to overcoming intrinsic inhomogeneities is the investigation of the behaviour of one molecule at a time. The single-molecule approach has provided useful insights into phenomena as diverse as biomolecular interactions, cellular processes and the dynamics of supercooled liquids and conjugated polymers. Coherent state preparation of single molecules has so far been restricted to cryogenic conditions, whereas at room temperature only incoherent vibrational relaxation pathways have been probed. Here we report the observation and manipulation of vibrational wave-packet interference in individual molecules at ambient conditions. We show that adapting the time and phase distribution of the optical excitation field to the dynamics of each molecule results in a high degree of control, and expect that the approach can be extended to achieve single-molecule coherent control in other complex inhomogeneous systems. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.03.011 | Methods to account for movement and flexibility in cryo-EM data processing | Recent advances in direct electron detectors and improved CMOS cameras have been accompanied by the development of a range of software to take advantage of the data they produce. In particular they allow for the correction of two types of motion in cryo electron microscopy samples: motion correction for movements of the sample particles in the ice, and differential masking to account for heterogeneity caused by flexibility within protein complexes. Here we provide several scripts that allow users to move between RELION and standalone motion correction and centring programs. We then compare the computational cost and improvements in data quality with each program. We also describe our masking procedures to account for conformational flexibility. For the different elements of this study we have used three samples; a high symmetry virus, flexible protein complex (~1 MDa) and a relatively small protein complex (~550 kDa), to benchmark four widely available motion correction packages. Using these as test cases we demonstrate how motion correction and differential masking, as well as an additional particle re-centring protocol can improve final reconstructions when used within the RELION image-processing package. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
10.1109/TIT.2015.2417877 | Coding Theorems For Compound Problems Via Quantum Renyi Divergences | Recently, a new notion of quantum Renyi divergences has been introduced by Muller-Lennert, Dupuis, Szehr, Fehr, and Tomamichel and Wilde, Winter, and Yang, which found a number of applications in strong converse theorems. Here, we show that these new Renyi divergences are also useful tools to obtain coding theorems in the direct domain of various problems. We demonstrate this by giving new and considerably simplified proofs for the achievability parts of Stein’s lemma with composite null-hypothesis, universal state compression, and the classical capacity of compound classical-quantum channels, based on single-shot error bounds already available in the literature and simple properties of the quantum Renyi divergences. The novelty of our proofs is that the composite/compound coding theorems can be almost directly obtained from the single-shot error bounds, essentially with the same effort as for the case of simple null-hypothesis/single source/single channel. | [
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1038/s41467-017-02007-z | Molecular basis of differential 3′ splice site sensitivity to anti-tumor drugs targeting U2 snRNP | Several splicing-modulating compounds, including Sudemycins and Spliceostatin A, display anti-tumor properties. Combining transcriptome, bioinformatic and mutagenesis analyses, we delineate sequence determinants of the differential sensitivity of 3′ splice sites to these drugs. Sequences 5′ from the branch point (BP) region strongly influence drug sensitivity, with additional functional BPs reducing, and BP-like sequences allowing, drug responses. Drug-induced retained introns are typically shorter, displaying higher GC content and weaker polypyrimidine-tracts and BPs. Drug-induced exon skipping preferentially affects shorter alternatively spliced regions with weaker BPs. Remarkably, structurally similar drugs display both common and differential effects on splicing regulation, SSA generally displaying stronger effects on intron retention, and Sudemycins more acute effects on exon skipping. Collectively, our results illustrate how splicing modulation is exquisitely sensitive to the sequence context of 3′ splice sites and to small structural differences between drugs. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1016/j.epsl.2011.09.037 | Implications of a simple mantle transition zone beneath cratonic North America | Many areas of old continental interiors have thick roots that extend to depths of 250km or more, in contrast to the oceans and younger continents, whose lithospheric thickness is less than 100km. These cratonic roots might perturb temperatures in their surrounding mantle, though the net result could be either cooling or heating; both of which may lead to small-scale convective flow around the root. We show here, using new data from a study of the seismic structure of the Canadian Shield, that the relative positions of the 410km and 660km seismic discontinuities are unperturbed beneath one of the deepest and broadest cratonic roots on the Earth. Differential arrival times and internal discontinuity structure are remarkably uniform and simple, varying by little more than ±0. 5s over the root's 3500km lateral extent. This implies that the root has no significant thermal effect on the underlying mantle (<50K), and any small-scale convection or cold mantle downwelling associated with the large free-air gravity anomaly beneath the shield must be confined to the upper mantle. Our observations are also consistent with phase changes solely in the olivine system ((Mg,Fe)2SiO4), with the caveat that our method is dominantly sensitive to S-wave velocity jumps alone. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
984743 | Integral cost-efficient system for smart navigation of the vessel | Vessels of the future must undergo an important control of safety, loads, machinery, consumption, contamination, noise, etc, and this control should be possible from the ground. This means that it will be necessary to know accurately and at all times what is happening on the ship and, in turn, should have the possibility of intervening in it remotely. For this, the automation and integration of intelligent systems will be increasingly important. Based on this objective, Janus Systems has developed JANUS®, a system that combines software, hardware and sensors and that once installed on any existing vessel or under construction, makes it “Smart” and allows its management or governance (both in calm Waters and in adverse conditions) from a Remote Operation Centre via satellite. That is, a system that allows the existence of remote ships. The system consists of 8 modules that work together, integrating all aspects of safety, efficiency, environmental and navigation, according to the regulations that have already entered into force or will enter soon. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
SG 2008000092 W | HEALTH MONITORING METHOD AND SYSTEM | A sensor for use in a health monitoring system, comprising a first transducer for collecting biometric data for biometrically identifying an individual, a second transducer for measuring at least one physiological parameter and outputting data indicative thereof, and an output for outputting the data. The invention also provides a health monitoring system, comprising a server comprising a data processor and a memory; and one or more of these sensors, wherein the server is arranged to receive the data from the one or more sensors, to process the data associated with the respective individual from which the data was collected, and to output at least one result of the processing of the data. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
222604 | Design of nanomaterials for targeted therapies guided by super resolution imaging | Nanomaterials revolutionized the field of targeted cancer therapies introducing innovative approaches towards the molecular recognition of diseased cells. However, despite the large investments in nanotechnology-based drug delivery the translation into clinical applications is still unsatisfactory and up to date there are no actively-targeted materials approved for clinical use. One of the main reasons is the lack of knowledge about the behaviour of nanostructures in the biological environment that makes the rational design of effective drug delivery carriers extremely challenging.
NANOSTORM proposes the use of an innovative optical imaging technique such as super resolution microscopy to visualize and understand the molecular interactions of nanomaterials with their cellular targets in unprecedented detail. We recently reported for the first time the ability of Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) to image self-assembled synthetic materials in vitro with nanometric resolution. NANOSTORM aims to bring this to the next level, using STORM to unveil the structure-activity relations of therapeutic nanomaterials in the biological environment at the single molecule level. The knowledge arising from this investigation will provide novel design principles for the next generation of nanomaterials for targeted therapies. In particular, in the framework of NANOSTORM novel nanomaterials for the targeted treatment of prostate cancer will be synthesized and evaluated.
This interdisciplinary research program will advance our understanding of nanostructures for targeted drug delivery and guide the formulation of novel materials for cancer therapy. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
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