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10.1162/jocn_a_01260 | Working memory and reasoning benefit from different modes of large-scale brain dynamics in healthy older adults | Researchers have proposed that solving complex reasoning problems, a key indicator of fluid intelligence, involves the same cognitive processes as solving working memory tasks. This proposal is supported by an overlap of the functional brain activations associated with the two types of tasks and by high correlations between interindividual differences in performance. We replicated these findings in 53 older participants but also showed that solving reasoning and working memory problems benefits from different configurations of the functional connectome and that this dissimilarity increases with a higher difficulty load. Specifically, superior performance in a typical working memory paradigm (n-back) was associated with upregulation of modularity (increased between-network segregation), whereas performance in the reasoning task was associated with effective downregulation of modularity. We also showed that working memory training promotes task-invariant increases in modularity. Because superior reasoning performance is associated with downregulation of modular dynamics, training may thus have fostered an inefficient way of solving the reasoning tasks. This could help explain why working memory training does little to promote complex reasoning performance. The study concludes that complex reasoning abilities cannot be reduced to working memory and suggests the need to reconsider the feasibility of using working memory training interventions to attempt to achieve effects that transfer to broader cognition. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
W1982455112 | New principles in nuclear medicine imaging: A full aperture stereoscopic imaging technique | In nuclear medicine, images of planar scintigraphy and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) obtained through gamma camera (GC) appear to be blurred. Alternatively, coded aperture imaging (CAI) can surpass the quality of GC images, but still it is not extensively used due to the decoding complexity of some images and the difficulty in controlling the noise. Summing up, the images obtained through GC are low quality and it is still difficult to implement CAI technique. Here we present a full aperture imaging (FAI) technique which overcomes the problems of CAI ordinary systems. The gamma radiation transmitted through a large single aperture is edge-encoded, taking advantage of the fact that nuclear radiation is spatially incoherent. The novel technique is tested by means of Monte Carlo method with simple and complex sources. Spatial resolution tests and parallax tests of GC versus FAI were made, and three-dimensional capacities of GC versus FAI were analyzed. Simulations have allowed comparison of both techniques under ideal, identical conditions. The results show that FAI technique has greater sensitivity (approximately 100 times) and greater spatial resolution (>2.6 times at 40 cm source-detector distance) than that of GC. FAI technique allows to obtain images with typical resolution of GC short source-detector distance but at longer source-detector distance. The FAI decoding algorithm simultaneously reconstructs four different projections, while GC produces only one projection per acquisition. Our results show it is possible to apply an extremely simple encoded imaging technique, and get three-dimensional radioactivity information. Thus GC-based systems could be substituted, given that FAI technique is simple and it produces four images which may feed stereoscopic systems, substituting in some cases, tomographic reconstructions. | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1021/acsami.9b18757 | Enhancing the Open-Circuit Voltage of Perovskite Solar Cells by Embedding Molecular Dipoles within Their Hole-Blocking Layer | Engineering the energetics of perovskite photovoltaic devices through deliberate introduction of dipoles to control the built-in potential of the devices offers an opportunity to enhance their performance without the need to modify the active layer itself. In this work, we demonstrate how the incorporation of molecular dipoles into the bathocuproine (BCP) hole-blocking layer of inverted perovskite solar cells improves the device open-circuit voltage (VOC) and, consequently, their performance. We explore a series of four thiaazulenic derivatives that exhibit increasing dipole moments and demonstrate that these molecules can be introduced into the solution-processed BCP layer to effectively increase the built-in potential within the device without altering any of the other device layers. As a result, the VOC of the devices is enhanced by up to 130 mV, with larger dipoles resulting in higher VOC. To investigate the limitations of this approach, we employ numerical device simulations that demonstrate that the highest dipole derivatives used in this work eliminate all limitations on the VOC stemming from the built-in potential of the device. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1051/0004-6361/201117054 | Thermal Phase Curves Of Nontransiting Terrestrial Exoplanets Ii Characterizing Airless Planets | Context. The photometric signal we receive from a star hosting a planet is modulated by the variation in the planet signal with its orbital phase. Such phase variations (or phase curves) are observed for transiting hot Jupiters with current instrumentation and have also been measured for one transiting terrestrial planet (Kepler10b) and one nontransiting gas giant (Ups A b). Future telescopes (JWST and EChO) will have the capability of measuring thermal phase curves of exoplanets, including hot rocky planets in transiting and nontransiting configurations and at different wavelengths. Short-period planets with a mass below 10 R⊕ are indeed frequent, and nearby targets (within 10 pc) are already known and more are to be found. Aims: We test the possibility of using multiwavelength infrared phase curves to constrain the radius, the albedo, and the orbital inclination of a nontransiting planet with no atmosphere and on a 1:1 spin orbit resonance. Methods: We modeled the thermal emission of a synchronous rocky planet with no atmosphere and its apparent variation with the orbital phase for a given orbital inclination. We assume that the planet is detected by radial velocity so its orbital period and minimum mass are known. We simulated observed noisy phase curves and then applied an optimization procedure to retrieve the radius and albedo of the planet and the inclination of the orbit. Results: Airless planets can be distinguished from planets having a dense atmosphere and their radius, albedo, and inclination (and therefore true mass) can be retrieved from multiband observations with MIRI-JWST and EChO in the 5-15 μm range. The accuracy depends on stellar type, orbital distance, radius of the planet and inclination: hot and large planets on highly inclined orbit are favored. As inclination above 60° represents half of the randomly oriented orbits, the growing population of short-period, terrestrial-sized planets detected by radial velocity surveys and transits should offer several nearby promising targets for this method, including planets GJ581 e, b, and HD 40307 b. Conclusions: Stellar activity is likely to limit the accuracy of this method, at least for some stars. It has not been taken into account in this study, and its effects will have to be addressed in future works. | [
"Universe Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
10.1088/1757-899X/63/1/012092 | Transmission Electron Microscope Investigations On Cu Ag Alloys Produced By High Pressure Torsion | Cu-Ag alloys in three different compositions (Cu – 25/50/75wt% Ag) were produced by powder consolidation followed by high-pressure torsion. Deformation was performed till a saturation regime was reached. The generated microstructures were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and vary from ultra-fine grained to nanocrystalline to even partially amorphous structures. Vickers hardness measurements show a strong increase in hardness compared with the pure metals, annealing at 130°C leads to an additional increase in hardness. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
772487 | supracellular contractility of myofibroblasts in gut homeostasis and cancer invasion | There has been tremendous progress in understanding the importance of the microenvironment and its chemical signals for homeostasis of stem cell niche in the intestine and for tumor invasion and metastasis formation in many different tissues. However, the way stromal cells such as myofibroblasts or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) use mechanical forces to shape the extracellular matrix and consequently dictate the response of epithelial cells remains unexplored at the single-cell level mainly due to limited imaging tools. Here we propose a multi-disciplinary approach, at the interface of cancer cell biology and physics, aimed to understand how myofibroblasts contractility influences epithelial cell functions in physiological (homeostasis) and pathological (cancer) conditions using the gut as a model.
Specific aims:
1. Characterize myofibroblasts in gut mucosa. Using omics analysis, mouse models and optogenetic tools we will obtain molecular signatures of myofibroblasts, characterize their migration, proliferation and contractile capacities.
2. Determine the role of myofibroblasts contractility in gut epithelial homeostasis. Using gut-on-chip and intravital imaging we will determine if supracellular contractility of myofibroblasts is necessary to maintain crypt shape upon mechanical stimuli.
3. Determine the role of CAF alignment in cancer progression. We will use 3D in vitro models to explore if CAFs alignment prevents or stimulates cancer cell invasion. Using mesentery metastasis mouse model, we will test if CAFs alignment can generate collagen bundles that cancer cells use to metastasize.
4. Explore if CAF alignment can induce therapy resistance and tumor relapse. Using human samples of rectal cancer before and after chemo-radiotherapy we will determine if CAFs alignment can protect cancer cells from therapy and stimulate metastasis formation. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
10.1073/pnas.1211929109 | Single-molecule dissection of the high-affinity cohesin-dockerin complex | Cellulose-degrading enzyme systems are of significant interest from both a scientific and technological perspective due to the diversity of cellulase families, their unique assembly and substrate binding mechanisms, and their potential applications in several key industrial sectors, notably cellulose hydrolysis for second-generation biofuel production. Particularly fascinating are cellulosomes, the multimodular extracellular complexes produced by numerous anaerobic bacteria. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy, we analyzed the mechanical stability of the intermolecular interfaces between the cohesin and the dockerin modules responsible for self-assembly of the cellulosomal components into the multienzyme complex. The observed cohesin-dockerin rupture forces (>120 pN) are among the highest reported for a receptor-ligand system to date. Using an atomic force microscope protocol that quantified single-molecule binding activity, we observed force-induced dissociation of calcium ions from the duplicated loop-helix F-hand motif located within the dockerin module, which in the presence of EDTA resulted in loss of affinity to the cohesin partner. A cohesin amino acid mutation (D39A) that eliminated hydrogen bonding with the dockerin's critically conserved serine residues reduced the observed rupture forces. Consequently, no calcium loss occurred and dockerin activity was maintained throughout multiple forced dissociation events. These results offer insights at the single-molecule level into the stability and folding of an exquisite class of high-affinity protein-protein interactions that dictate fabrication and architecture of cellulose-degrading molecular machines. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
3741175 | International, interdisciplinary & intersectoral postdoctoral fellowships at the paul scherrer institut | Large-scale research facilities are enabling cutting edge research and innovation in important domains such as materials science, health and energy. A number of such accelerator facilities is currently under construction in Europe and will become operational within the next five years. Thus, there is a growing need for highly qualified researchers trained in interdisciplinary research at such facilities and also an increasing demand from companies to use these facilities for developing and testing innovative products.
The Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), one of Europe’s leading research centres and particularly renowned for its accelerator facilities and long-standing industry collaborations, intends to establish a novel post-doctoral research programme with a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral exchange opportunities.
PSI features a unique combination of excellent research facilities, including neutron, muon and light sources and (as of 2019) an X-ray free electron laser, which all exceed the possibilities of universities or industrial research centres. Motivated by the successful implementation of the H2020 COFUND programme PSI-FELLOW-II-3i, PSI now wants to further advance in post-doctoral training and education and proposes to set up PSI-FELLOW-III-3I. This 5-year programme will offer a total of 60 fellowships of two years duration each. The fellowships will be awarded in two calls for proposals with 30 fellowships in each call. In order to maximise the benefit for the Fellows and offer the widest possible range of research topics, PSI has teamed up with 46 partner organisations (34 research institutions and 12 companies). The unique setup of PSI-FELLOW-III-3i will allow using synergies with other leading research institutions for the training of the next generation of researchers specialised in tapping the full potential of large-scale research facilities, to transfer knowledge and stimulate innovation in Europe’s industries. | [
"Materials Engineering",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
10.1103/PhysRevB.99.045438 | Dual quantum confinement and anisotropic spin splitting in the multivalley semimetal PtSe2 | We investigate the electronic structure of a two-dimensional electron gas created at the surface of the multivalley semimetal 1T-PtSe2. Using angle-resolved photoemission and first-principles-based surface space-charge calculations, we show how the induced quantum well sub-band states form multiple Fermi surfaces, which exhibit highly anisotropic Rashba-like spin splittings. We further show how the presence of both electronlike and holelike bulk carriers causes the near-surface band bending potential to develop an unusual nonmonotonic form, with spatially segregated electron accumulation and hole accumulation regions, which in turn amplifies the induced spin splitting. Our results thus demonstrate the novel environment that semimetals provide for tailoring electrostatically induced potential profiles and their corresponding quantum sub-band states. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
311819 | Integrating human agency in global-scale land change models | Current global-scale research on environmental change has a strong focus on the physical processes that underlie changes in the earth system. Although global environmental change is driven by individual and collective human decisions, most earth system and integrated assessment models lack a proper representation of variation in human decision making. The importance of variation in local context has caused much social-science research on the underlying driving factors and decision making structures to focus on local case studies. Consequently, important insights from social-science have been ignored in global-scale assessment models.
The proposed research, which focuses on land system change as one of the dominant processes of global environmental change, contributes to a new generation of integrated global assessment models. These models will explicitly account for the (spatial) variation in decision making to support the design of earth system governance.
An improved understanding of the factors that drive decision making will be obtained through a novel approach for the meta-analysis of existing case studies worldwide. Supplementary empirical evidence will be collected by analyzing a number of transects and disentangling the global and local factors that influence land change decisions. Generalized, global-scale multi-agent modelling systems that represent variation in decision making will be developed. While the current approaches are driven mainly by changes in consumption patterns and demography, we propose an alternative approach that accounts for the full range of ecosystem service demands and explicitly addresses the spatial relationship between demand and supply of those services that influence decision making. Incorporating the findings into existing integrated assessment models will be supported by a trans-disciplinary approach to identify the requirements of the science-policy process in earth system governance. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
]
|
10.1103/PhysRevB.80.245433 | Hartman effect and spin precession in graphene | Spin precession has been used to measure the transmission time τ over a distance L in a graphene sheet. Since conduction electrons in graphene have an energy-independent velocity v, one would expect τL/v. Here we calculate that τ<L/v at the Dirac point (=charge neutrality point) in a clean graphene sheet, and we interpret this result as a manifestation of the Hartman effect (apparent superluminality) known from optics. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
W4226178852 | The EC-Earth3 Earth system model for the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 | The Earth system model EC-Earth3 for contributions to CMIP6 is documented here, with its flexible coupling framework, major model configurations, a methodology for ensuring the simulations are comparable across different high-performance computing (HPC) systems, and with the physical performance of base configurations over the historical period. The variety of possible configurations and sub-models reflects the broad interests in the EC-Earth community. EC-Earth3 key performance metrics demonstrate physical behavior and biases well within the frame known from recent CMIP models. With improved physical and dynamic features, new Earth system model (ESM) components, community tools, and largely improved physical performance compared to the CMIP5 version, EC-Earth3 represents a clear step forward for the only European community ESM. We demonstrate here that EC-Earth3 is suited for a range of tasks in CMIP6 and beyond. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
W2064691387 | The impact of high zinc intake on the copper status of dairy cows in New Zealand | To determine the effect of a high Zn intake on the concentration of Cu in the liver of dairy cows.Sixty non-pregnant, non-lactating, mixed-age Friesian dairy cows were randomised into four groups: unsupplemented control; thrice weekly oral treatment with 350 mg Cu (equivalent to 150 mg Cu/day) as CuSO(4) x 5H(2)O; a ZnO bolus releasing 6.628 g Zn/day given on Days 0 and 28; and oral treatment with Cu and ZnO boluses. The cows were fed baled silage for the duration of the study (56 days). On Days -12, 14, 28, 42 and 56 liver biopsies were collected for determination of concentrations of Cu, and blood samples for measurement of Cu and Zn in serum.Mean concentrations of Cu in the liver of unsupplemented control cows decreased from an initial 717 (SE 108.5) to 396 (SE 88.0) micromol/kg fresh tissue on Day 28, and then increased to 542 (SE 105.3) micromol/kg fresh tissue on Day 42, before decreasing to 434 (SE 81.6) micromol/kg fresh tissue on Day 56. Administration of ZnO resulted in no change in the concentration of Cu in liver compared with controls. Supplementing with 150 mg Cu/day significantly increased the concentration of Cu in liver, compared with controls, to 1,074 (SE 105.2) micromol/ kg fresh tissue on Day 56. Treatment with ZnO significantly reduced concentrations of Cu in liver on Day 56, compared with Cu-supplemented cows, to 786 (SE 107.7) micromol/kg fresh tissue. The treatments had no effect on concentrations of Cu in serum. In cows given the ZnO, mean concentrations of Zn in serum increased from 17 (SE 0.6) on Day 0 to 30 (SE 1.7) micromol/L on Day 14, then decreased to 20 (SE 1.3) micromol/L on Day 28, increased to 40 (SE 2.9) micromol/L on Day 42, then decreased to 24 (1.16) micromol/L on Day 56. In cows given ZnO plus Cu, concentrations of Zn in serum were significantly greater than in cows only given ZnO on Day 41 (46 (SE 2.71) vs 35 (SE 3.23) micromol/L, respectively). Mean concentrations of Cu, Mo and Zn in the baled silage were 4.4, 0.5 and 21 mg/kg dry matter (DM), respectively.High Zn intakes used in the prevention of facial eczema in dairy cows had little effect on concentrations of Cu in liver when the Cu intake was low, but decreased the efficacy of a Cu supplement by about 50%.When using Zn as a prophylactic treatment for facial eczema the level of Cu supplementation should be adjusted, which may mean that in some situations it is recommended not to supplement cows with Cu. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
]
|
10.1109/TOH.2015.2482478 | Thimblesense A Fingertip Wearable Tactile Sensor For Grasp Analysis | Accurate measurement of contact forces between hand and grasped objects is crucial to study sensorimotor control during grasp and manipulation. In this work, we introduce ThimbleSense, a prototype of individual-digit wearable force/torque sensor based on the principle of intrinsic tactile sensing. By exploiting the integration of this approach with an active marker-based motion capture system, the proposed device simultaneously measures absolute position and orientation of the fingertip, which in turn yields measurements of contacts and force components expressed in a global reference frame. The main advantage of this approach with respect to more conventional solutions is its versatility. Specifically, ThimbleSense can be used to study grasping and manipulation of a wide variety of objects, while still retaining complete force/torque measurements. Nevertheless, validation of the proposed device is a necessary step before it can be used for experimental purposes. In this work, we present the results of a series of experiments designed to validate the accuracy of ThimbleSense measurements and evaluate the effects of distortion of tactile afferent inputs caused by the device's rigid shells on grasp forces. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1090/s1088-4173-2011-00226-8 | A uniform contraction principle for bounded Apollonian embeddings | Let
H
^
=
H
∪
{
∞
}
\widehat {H}=H \cup \{\infty \}
denote the standard one-point completion of a real Hilbert space
H
H
. Given any non-trivial proper subset
U
⊂
H
^
U\subset \widehat {H}
one may define the so-called “Apollonian” metric
d
U
d_U
on
U
U
. When
U
⊂
V
⊂
H
^
U\subset V \subset \widehat {H}
are nested proper subsets we show that their associated Apollonian metrics satisfy the following uniform contraction principle: Let
Δ
=
d
i
a
m
V
(
U
)
∈
[
0
,
+
∞
]
\Delta =\mathrm {diam}_{V}(U) \in [0,+\infty ]
be the diameter of the smaller subsets with respect to the large. Then for every
x
,
y
∈
U
x,y\in U
we have
\[
d
V
(
x
,
y
)
≤
tanh
Δ
4
d
U
(
x
,
y
)
. d_V(x,y) \leq \tanh \frac {\Delta }{4} \ \ d_U(x,y) . \]
In dimension one, this contraction principle was established by Birkhoff [Bir57] for the Hilbert metric of finite segments on
R
P
1
{{\mathbb R}\textrm {P}}^1
. In dimension two it was shown by Dubois in [Dub09] for subsets of the Riemann sphere
C
^
∼
R
2
^
\widehat {\mathbb {C}}\sim \widehat {\mathbb {R}^2}
. It is new in the generality stated here. | [
"Mathematics"
]
|
773091 | High speed AFM imaging of molecular processes inside living cells | Imaging the inside of living cells with single nanometre resolution has been a long-standing dream in bio-microscopy. Direct observation of changes to molecular networks inside of living cells would revolutionize the way we study structural cell biology. Unfortunately, no such tool exists. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is the closest we have, to nanoscale functional imaging of cells in their native, fluid environment. However, it is limited to imaging the outside of the cell.
With InCell, I will remedy this by developing an AFM capable of imaging the inside of living cells. The approach is based on a microfabricated high speed AFM cantilever encased in a double barrel patch-clamp shell. The patch clamp shell seals onto the plasma membrane of the cell, so that the tip of the AFM cantilever can enter the cell without causing the cytosol to leak out. Parasitic interactions of the AFM tip with the cytosol will be subtracted from the cantilever deflection signal, using high speed photo-thermal off-resonance tapping (PT-ORT), a novel AFM mode we have recently developed in my lab. This allows the extraction of the true tip-sample interaction, even in viscous fluids. A dedicated InCell HS-AFM combined with confocal optical microscopy will be used to guide the InCell cantilever inside the cell to the area of interest.
Using this minimally invasive technique we will study the formation of clathrin coated pits, a crucial part of endocytosis. By imaging for the first time the nanoscale dynamics of this process in living cells, we aim to answer fundamental questions about the clathrin coat assembly. We will characterize the kinetics, stability and force generation by the clathrin lattice. This will be the first example of how enabling nanoscale imaging inside living cells will be a game changer in cell biology. It will open up a myriad of possibilities for the study of vesicular transport, viral and bacterial infection, nuclear pore transport, cell signalling and many more. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1093/molbev/msu287 | Reassortment between Influenza B Lineages and the Emergence of a Coadapted PB1-PB2-HA Gene Complex | Influenza B viruses make a considerable contribution to morbidity attributed to seasonal influenza. Currently circulating influenza B isolates are known to belong to two antigenically distinct lineages referred to as B/Victoria and B/Yamagata. Frequent exchange of genomic segments of these two lineages has been noted in the past, but the observed patterns of reassortment have not been formalized in detail. We investigate interlineage reassortments by comparing phylogenetic trees across genomic segments. Our analyses indicate that of the eight segments of influenza B viruses only segments coding for polymerase basic 1 and 2 (PB1 and PB2) and hemagglutinin (HA) proteins have maintained separate Victoria and Yamagata lineages and that currently circulating strains possess PB1, PB2, and HA segments derived entirely from one or the other lineage; other segments have repeatedly reassorted between lineages thereby reducing genetic diversity. We argue that this difference between segments is due to selection against reassortant viruses with mixed-lineage PB1, PB2, and HA segments. Given sufficient time and continued recruitment to the reassortment-isolated PB1-PB2-HA gene complex, we expect influenza B viruses to eventually undergo sympatric speciation. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
]
|
10.1007/JHEP03(2018)087 | Algebraic Geometry And Bethe Ansatz Part I The Quotient Ring For Bae | In this paper and upcoming ones, we initiate a systematic study of Bethe ansatz equations for integrable models by modern computational algebraic geometry. We show that algebraic geometry provides a natural mathematical language and powerful tools for understanding the structure of solution space of Bethe ansatz equations. In particular, we find novel efficient methods to count the number of solutions of Bethe ansatz equations based on Grobner basis and quotient ring. We also develop analytical approach based on companion matrix to perform the sum of on-shell quantities over all physical solutions without solving Bethe ansatz equations explicitly. To demonstrate the power of our method, we revisit the completeness problem of Bethe ansatz of Heisenberg spin chain, and calculate the sum rules of OPE coefficients in planar $$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$
super-Yang-Mills theory. | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1101/gr.189886.115 | An extended family of novel vertebrate photopigments is widely expressed and displays a diversity of function | Light affects animal physiology and behavior more than simply through classical visual, image-forming pathways. Nonvisual photoreception regulates numerous biological systems, including circadian entrainment, DNA repair, metabolism, and behavior. However, for the majority of these processes, the photoreceptive molecules involved are unknown. Given the diversity of photophysiological responses, the question arises whether a single photopigment or a greater diversity of proteins within the opsin superfamily detect photic stimuli. Here, a functional genomics approach identified the full complement of photopigments in a highly light-sensitive model vertebrate, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), and characterized their tissue distribution, expression levels, and biochemical properties. The results presented here reveal the presence of 42 distinct genes encoding 10 classical visual photopigments and 32 nonvisual opsins, including 10 novel opsin genes comprising four new pigment classes. Consistent with the presence of light-entrainable circadian oscillators in zebrafish, all adult tissues examined expressed two or more opsins, including several novel opsins. Spectral and electrophysiological analyses of the new opsins demonstrate that they form functional photopigments, each with unique chromophore- binding and wavelength specificities. This study has revealed a remarkable number and diversity of photopigments in zebrafish, the largest number so far discovered for any vertebrate. Found in amphibians, reptiles, birds, and all three mammalian clades, most of these genes are not restricted to teleosts. Therefore, nonvisual light detection is far more complex than initially appreciated, which has significant biological implications in understanding photoreception in vertebrates. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
W4394947997 | De las Ordenanzas filipinas a la necropolítica. La resistencia de la población negra y el embrión estructural del racismo positivista en Brasil | Este artículo tiene como objetivo discutir el racismo existente en la sociedad brasileña a partir del contexto histórico de Brasil desde la colonización y analizar cómo se reconstruye la resistencia de la población negra al racismo estructural positivista brasileño en clave histórica. Para ello se desarrollo un análisis de las particularidades de la legislación embrionaria que propugnaba lo que hoy se ha vuelto latente: el papel del Estado en las políticas de exterminio de la existencia negra. A lo largo del texto se revisarán las principales legislaciones creadas durante la esclavización de la población negra, dando cuenta de la permanencia de las mismas aún después del período de abolición. Se pretende además resaltar qué agenda o necesidades de las élites fueron atendidas por estas leyes, teniendo en cuenta el accionar del Estado, su estrategia de exterminio y necropolítica. | [
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
]
|
W81075598 | Investment Casting of Precious Metals: Materials and Methods | Aim of this work is the analysis of the materials and parameters related to the investment casting process,mainly focusing on peculiarities and criticisms of the casting of precious metals in jewelry production.Precious metals casting is traditionally and historically targeted to overcoming limitations in terms of geometries and final quality of the cast part. Moreover, an increasing interest rises concerning the use of new technologies and the industrializations of typical handcraft skills. New materials are therefore introduced into the process, in order to be able to get thin and intricate shapes, hollow parts and innovative design features. This is leading to a substantial rearranging of the process, with a constant innovation regarding technologies and medication of traditional materials. Considering the whole process, nvestment casting is dealing with a wide range of materials, from metallic, polymeric and ceramic classes. All these materials cannot be considered as single identities, but their synergetic behavior has to be studied, not just meaning that all of them contribute to the final quality of the cast part, but taking into account possible mutual interdependencies. The research work has been divided in a preliminary analysis of the process, in order to deepen the knowledge about material features, and in a extended study on the application of competences deriving from other sectors to the specific one. In fact it's almost impossible to find sector boundaries between jewelry and fashion accessories both in terms of process and in terms of market. Therefore the analysis of the state of the art has been widened to other processes and applications, in particular focusing on fashion accessories and eyewear component production. Market analysis clearly show a high interest of jewelry towards innovative processes/materials, often deriving from completely different fields of application. For this reason, an analysis of the investment casting process applied in the automotive and biomedical sectors can give valuable hints for the jewelry production optimization. Particular attention has also been paid to fluid dynamic analysis of the casting system, considering metal flow into the flask and following cooling and solidification. For this purpose, computational fluid dynamic has been applied to the process. Material analysis, needed for both the simulation and for a complete understanding of the process, has been carried out. Physical and thermal properties of metals and investment materials have been analyzed in order to get a proper database for casting simulation. Waxes and resins have been tested both in terms of thermal, mechanical and chemical characteristic, in order to understand their respective roles into the process and try to optimize them. Following the analysis, process implementation has been performed in order to apply information deriving from experimental tests to the process. Many parameters can be taken into account when optimizing precious metal casting; in order to focus the research activity, some limitation in terms of process have been applied. Casting trails were conducted using a static vacuum casting machine on sterling silver and 18 kt. Gold alloys, referring to traditional investment casting process | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
interreg_2711 | Park of literary travels in Greece and Magna Graecia | Polysemi will create an innovative model of sustainable literary tourism through the creation of a Park of literary travels in Greece and Magna Graecia. Bari, Taranto and the islands of the Ionian archipelago will become the stages of fascinating itineraries on the steps of travelers-writers that those places have traveled and described. Nature, history, art, folklore and literature will be the ingredients of these tourist proposals, aimed at enhancing and promoting good practices of economic and territorial development.
An internet portal dedicated to the Park will give space to a section dedicated to tourist-cultural itineraries and will also host a digital library with travel literature texts to promote the historical-cultural heritage shared by Italy and Greece.
Finally, there will be specific sections for cultural and tourist promotion of places. Through an app-mobile for the traveler, but also for the local populations, will be possible to have, in real time, cultural, naturalistic and tourist information on the places of POLYSEMI.
A network of stakeholders will be created, composed of cultural and tourist operators in synergy with local enterprices (hospitality, crafts, food and wine, agriculture, cultural associations, art galleries, museums, guides, etc.) that can freely join the Park Network . International study conferences, art exhibitions, theater workshops, tourist-literary training courses are others of the many activities that will animate the project area.
Thanks to these initiatives, the places in the area will be promoted and valorized by exploiting the sustainable tourism economy and thanks to the rediscovering of history and culture. | [
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Texts and Concepts"
]
|
10.1364/OE.25.029778 | Digitally Controlled Multiplexed Silicon Photonics Phase Shifter Using Heaters With Integrated Diodes | We present a silicon side heater with integrated diode to provide multiplexed control of different elements in a photonic circuit based on the polarity of the driving signal. The diode introduces an asymmetric electrical response where the heater is only active under forward bias. This can be used to address multiple heaters through the same electrical electrical contacts. We demonstrate push-pull operation on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with heaters in both arms, as well as time-multiplexed operation of multiple heaters by modulating the driving signal. We extend this work by demonstrating how pulse width modulation (PWM) and duobinary-PWM can be used to improve the linearity of the response of the phase shifters. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1039/c9nr08118f | Broadband SERS detection with disordered plasmonic hybrid aggregates | Plasmonic nanostructures possessing broadband intense field enhancement over a large area are highly desirable for nanophotonic and plasmonic device applications. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
W18541936 | All-trans-retinoic acid-induced scrotal ulcers in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia. | Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) accounts for 10% of acute myelocytic leukemias and is characterized by t(15;17) that produces the PML-RARα (promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor α) fusion oncoprotein. The discovery and implementation of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) therapy for APL has led to complete remission rates greater than 90% when coupled with chemotherapy. We report a novel case of ATRA-induced scrotal ulcers in a black man with APL. The differential diagnosis of scrotal ulcerations in immunocompromised patients is lengthy, and misdiagnosis can lead to substantial morbidity and mortality. It is important for dermatologists to be aware of this potential complication of ATRA therapy. | [
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.21468/scipostphys.9.1.003 | Rigorous bounds on dynamical response functions and time-translation symmetry breaking | Dynamical response functions are standard tools for probing local physics near the equilibrium. They provide information about relaxation properties after the equilibrium state is weakly perturbed. In this paper we focus on systems which break the assumption of thermalization by exhibiting persistent temporal oscillations. We provide rigorous bounds on the Fourier components of dynamical response functions in terms of extensive or local dynamical symmetries, i. e. , extensive or local operators with periodic time dependence. Additionally, we discuss the effects of spatially inhomogeneous dynamical symmetries. The bounds are explicitly implemented on the example of an interacting Floquet system, specifically in the integrable Trotterization of the Heisenberg XXZ model. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Mathematics"
]
|
W2125648129 | Parameterized algorithm for eternal vertex cover | In this paper we initiate the study of a ''dynamic'' variant of the classical Vertex Cover problem, the Eternal Vertex Cover problem introduced by Klostermeyer and Mynhardt, from the perspective of parameterized algorithms. This problem consists in placing a minimum number of guards on the vertices of a graph such that these guards can protect the graph from any sequence of attacks on its edges. In response to an attack, each guard is allowed either to stay in his vertex, or to move to a neighboring vertex. However, at least one guard has to fix the attacked edge by moving along it. The other guards may move to reconfigure and prepare for the next attack. Thus at every step the vertices occupied by guards form a vertex cover. We show that the problem admits a kernel of size 4^k(k+1)+2k, which shows that the problem is fixed parameter tractable when parameterized by the number of available guards k. Finally, we also provide an algorithm with running time O(2^O^(^k^^^2^)+nm) for Eternal Vertex Cover, where n is the number of vertices and m the number of edges of the input graph. In passing we also observe that Eternal Vertex Cover is NP-hard, yet it has a polynomial time 2-approximation algorithm. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1371/journal.pone.0102103 | Exploring shamanic journeying: Repetitive drumming with shamanic instructions induces specific subjective experiences but no larger cortisol decrease than instrumental meditation music | Exposure to repetitive drumming combined with instructions for shamanic journeying has been associated with physiological and therapeutic effects, such as an increase in salivary immunoglobulin A. In order to assess whether the combination of repetitive drumming and shamanic instructions is specifically associated with these effects, we compared the effect of listening to either repetitive drumming or instrumental meditation music for 15 minutes on salivary cortisol concentration and on self-reported physiological and psychological states. For each musical style, two groups of participants were exposed to two conditions: instructions for shamanic journeying or relaxation instructions. A total of 39 participants (24 females) inexperienced in shamanic journeying completed the experiment. Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured before and after exposure to music. In addition, participants filled out a mood questionnaire before and after the experiment and completed a post experiment questionnaire on their experiences. A significant decrease in the concentration in salivary cortisol was observed across all musical styles and instructions, indicating that exposure to 15 minutes of either repetitive drumming or instrumental meditation music, while lying down, was sufficient to induce a decrease in cortisol levels. However, no differences were observed across conditions. Significant differences in reported emotional states and subjective experiences were observed between the groups. Notably, participants exposed to repetitive drumming combined with shamanic instructions reported experiencing heaviness, decreased heart rate, and dreamlike experiences significantly more often than participants exposed to repetitive drumming combined with relaxation instructions. Our findings suggest that the subjective effects specifically attributed to repetitive drumming and shamanic journeying may not be reflected in differential endocrine responses. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
TW 110136671 A | Indium precursors for vapor depositions | Disclosed are indium (In)-containing film forming compositions comprising In(III)-containing precursors that contain halogens, methods of synthesizing them and methods of using them to deposit the indium-containing films and/or indium-containing alloy film. The disclosed In(III)-containing precursors contain chlorine with nitrogen based ligands. In particular, the disclosed In(III)-containing precursors contains 1 or 2 amidinate ligands, 1 or 2 iminopyrrolidinate ligands, 1 or 2 amido amino alkane ligands, 1 or 2 [mu]-diketiminate ligands or a silyl amine ligand. The disclosed In(III)-containing precursors are suitable for vapor phase depositions (e.g., ALD, CVD) of the indium-containing films and/or indium-containing alloy films. | [
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
W1917305088 | Molecular markers in bladder cancer: Novel research frontiers | Bladder cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease encompassing distinct biologic features that lead to extremely different clinical behaviors. In the last 20 years, great efforts have been made to predict disease outcome and response to treatment by developing risk assessment calculators based on multiple standard clinical-pathological factors, as well as by testing several molecular markers. Unfortunately, risk assessment calculators alone fail to accurately assess a single patient's prognosis and response to different treatment options. Several molecular markers easily assessable by routine immunohistochemical techniques hold promise for becoming widely available and cost-effective tools for a more reliable risk assessment, but none have yet entered routine clinical practice. Current research is therefore moving towards (i) identifying novel molecular markers; (ii) testing old and new markers in homogeneous patients' populations receiving homogeneous treatments; (iii) generating a multimarker panel that could be easily, and thus routinely, used in clinical practice; (iv) developing novel risk assessment tools, possibly combining standard clinical-pathological factors with molecular markers. This review analyses the emerging body of literature concerning novel biomarkers, ranging from genetic changes to altered expression of a huge variety of molecules, potentially involved in BC outcome and response to treatment. Findings suggest that some of these indicators, such as serum circulating tumor cells and tissue mitochondrial DNA, seem to be easily assessable and provide reliable information. Other markers, such as the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT (serine-threonine kinase)/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway and epigenetic changes in DNA methylation seem to not only have prognostic/predictive value but also, most importantly, represent valuable therapeutic targets. Finally, there is increasing evidence that the development of novel risk assessment tools combining standard clinical-pathological factors with molecular markers represents a major quest in managing this poorly predictable disease. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1152/jn.00229.2017 | Memory-guided saccades show effect of a perceptual illusion whereas visually guided saccades do not | The double-drift stimulus (a drifting Gabor with orthogonal internal motion) generates a large discrepancy between its physical and perceived path. Surprisingly, saccades directed to the double-drift stimulus land along the physical, and not perceived, path (Lisi M, Cavanagh P. Curr Biol 25: 2535−2540, 2015). We asked whether memory-guided saccades exhibited the same dissociation from perception. Participants were asked to keep their gaze centered on a fixation dot while the double-drift stimulus moved back and forth on a linear path in the periphery. The offset of the fixation was the go signal to make a saccade to the target. In the visually guided saccade condition, the Gabor kept moving on its trajectory after the go signal but was removed once the saccade began. In the memory conditions, the Gabor disappeared before or at the same time as the go-signal (0- to 1,000-ms delay) and participants made a saccade to its remembered location. The results showed that visually guided saccades again targeted the physical rather than the perceived location. However, memory saccades, even with 0-ms delay, had landing positions shifted toward the perceived location. Our result shows that memory- and visually guided saccades are based on different spatial information. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We compared the effect of a perceptual illusion on two types of saccades, visually guided vs. memory-guided saccades, and found that whereas visually guided saccades were almost unaffected by the perceptual illusion, memory-guided saccades exhibited a strong effect of the illusion. Our result is the first evidence in the literature to show that visually and memory-guided saccades use different spatial representations. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
636268 | Interdisciplinary synthesis of tools for understanding land governance | InSiTe-LandGov combines big data with qualitative approaches to generate new open access datasets and methods on natural resource governance—a critical data gap in sustainability science. It will test these using existing data from a unique network of >5000 research plots across the world’s biggest savannah woodland, spanning 12 countries in southern Africa. This biome is key to European and global climate change, biodiversity and poverty alleviation goals: it supports the livelihoods of 150 million people, stores as much carbon as the Congo Basin, and is home to iconic megafauna, yet it suffers some of the highest rates of deforestation and poverty on Earth. Improved understandings of resource governance will be crucial to meeting these challenges, but empirical methods for assessing governance remain opaque, costly and spread across several disciplines. First, I will produce a typology of current methods for observing resource governance that bridges the divide between positivist and constructivist approaches. I will do this through a systematic review and workshops with experts from Europe, North America and southern Africa. Second, I will generate a new open access dataset on governance for the entire southern African woodland biome. I will use machine learning, open access ‘big’ satellite and census data, the >5000 research plots, and a field visit to Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Finally, I will produce a world-first analysis on how aspects of resource governance affect environmental degradation and poverty across the region. I will use a novel approach combining qualitative and big data methods. In this fellowship I aim to build on my existing skills to define myself as a global expert in interdisciplinary governance research, and to secure a long term job at a European university. I will draw on the expertise of supervisors at three world-class hubs of sustainability research: McGill University, University of Edinburgh and the Stockholm Resilience Centre. | [
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1086/696855 | The Consequences Of Polyandry For Sibship Structures Distributions Of Relationships And Relatedness And Potential For Inbreeding In A Wild Population | AbstractThe evolutionary benefits of simultaneous polyandry (female multiple mating within a single reproductive event) remain elusive. One potential benefit could arise if polyandry alters sibship. . . | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
]
|
10.1126/scitranslmed.3003886 | Engineering a prostate-specific membrane antigen-activated tumor endothelial cell prodrug for cancer therapy | Heterogeneous expression of drug target proteins within tumor sites is a major mechanism of resistance to anticancer therapies. We describe a strategy to selectively inhibit, within tumor sites, the function of a critical intracellular protein, the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA) pump, whose proper function is required by all cell types for viability. To achieve targeted inhibition, we took advantage of the unique expression of the carboxypeptidase prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) by tumor endothelial cells within the microenvironment of solid tumors. We generated a prodrug, G202, consisting of a PSMA-specific peptide coupled to an analog of the potent SERCA pump inhibitor thapsigargin. G202 produced substantial tumor regression against a panel of human cancer xenografts in vivo at doses that were minimally toxic to the host. On the basis of these data, a phase 1 dose-escalation clinical trial has been initiated with G202 in patients with advanced cancer. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
10.1051/0004-6361/201526902 | A Supernova Distance To The Anchor Galaxy Ngc 4258 | The fortuitous occurrence of a type II-Plateau (IIP) supernova, SN 2014bc, in a galaxy for which distance estimates from a number of primary distance indicators are available provides a means with which to cross-calibrate the standardised candle method (SCM) for type IIP SNe. By applying calibrations from the literature we find distance estimates in line with the most precise measurement to NGC 4258 based on the Keplerian motion of masers (7:6 0:23 Mpc), albeit with significant scatter. We provide an alternative local SCM calibration by only considering type IIP SNe that have occurred in galaxies for which a Cepheid distance estimate is available. We find a considerable reduction in scatter ( I = 0:16 mag), but note that the current sample size is limited. Applying this calibration, we estimate a distance to NGC 4258 of 7:08 0:86 Mpc. | [
"Universe Sciences"
]
|
10.1016/j.pragma.2018.02.007 | Perspectival expressives | Expressives, i. e. words such as “damn” or “bastard” are perspective-dependent: their content is always evaluated from a certain perspective. Because expressive content projects out of all environments, this perspective is normally the speaker's. Perspective-dependence of expressives can be investigated by focusing on exceptions to this rule. Potts (2005) presents an influential theory of expressive content as a kind of conventional implicature. It is a definitional feature of expressive content on this account that it is always speaker-oriented. This claim has quickly come under criticism, and a variety of counter-examples have been offered (cf. Amaral et al. (2007), Lasersohn (2007), Potts (2007), among others). Harris and Potts (2009) consider examples of non-speaker-oriented expressives given in the literature, as well as experimental data, and argue for an explanation based on a mechanism of pragmatic perspective shift (as opposed to an approach based on semantic binding, as in, e. g. , Schlenker (2007), Sauerland (2007)). The objective of this paper is to develop a theoretical understanding of such a mechanism. The approach suggested is based on a model of discourse pragmatics which focuses on commitment attribution as an element of hearers’ interpretation (based on Morency et al. (2008) and Lewis (1979)). At-issue commitments are distinguished from commitments de lingua (cf. Harris (2014, 2016)). It is a characteristic property of expressives as a lexical class that they are pragmatically “opaque” and always raise the issue of de lingua commitment. The orientation of expressive content cannot be strictly predicted, and thus a fully formal treatment is implausible, but the theory offered here accounts for all factors that influence non-speaker-oriented readings, as well as for the very strong bias towards speaker-oriented ones. A limited, testable prediction of the account is presented. | [
"Texts and Concepts",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
W271249500 | Taxifolin mitigates oxidative DNA damage in vitro and protects zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos against cadmium toxicity | Taxifolin (TAX) is a natural source of bioflavonoid found in various conifers. In this study, initially we investigated the antioxidant potential of TAX under in vitro assays such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric-ion reducing power (FRAP) and hydroxyl radical (OH). The activities of DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and OH radical levels were significantly inhibited by TAX with an IC50 values of 16.48, 66.34, 18.17 and 11.42μg/ml, respectively. Secondly, TAX exhibited a strong protection against OH mediated DNA damage on pUC19 plasmid DNA at 1.0μg/ml. Finally, we evaluated the protective mechanism of TAX against cadmium intoxicated zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio). We found that embryos exposed to 100μM Cd exhibited significantly reduced survival, delayed hatching and phenotypic abnormalities at 24, 48, 72 and 96hours post fertilization (hpf). Similarly, Cd intoxicated embryos showed significantly increased cardiac function (131beats/min) at 60hpf. Conversely, treatment with TAX (0.1, 1.0 and 10μM) significantly enhanced the antioxidant enzyme levels (SOD, CAT, GPx and GR) by reducing the lipid peroxidation (MDA) in zebrafish embryos. Collectively, our results concluded that TAX could act as a potent redox scavenger against oxidative DNA damage and also functions as a crucial suppressor of Cd toxicity in zebrafish embryos. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
10.1140/epjst/e2011-01456-5 | Critical assessment of effective interfacial potentials based on a density functional theory for wetting phenomena on curved substrates | In this Letter we examine an effective interfacial Hamiltonian approach for wetting phenomena based on two different density approximations in the framework of a density functional theory. The system under consideration is an attractive spherical wall subject to adsorption by a metastable liquid. We argue that, contrary to a planar geometry, in the spherical case the popular sharp-kink approximation leads to a considerable disagreement for the film thickness with numerical results obtained from density functional theory. We show that the deviation originates from the inaccuracy of the predicted liquid-gas surface tension. We further demonstrate that the prediction can be substantially improved when a soft-interface approximation is adopted, such that the liquid-gas interface is approximated by a smooth monotonic function. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
307529 | Kähler-Einstein metrics, random point processes and variational principles | In broad terms the aim of this proposal is to introduce a new probabilistic approach to the study of Kähler-Einstein (K-E) metrics on complex manifolds. A precise procedure, based on a blend of Statistical Mechanics, Pluripotential theory and Kähler Geometry. will be used to show that
• when a K-E metric exists on a complex manifold X it can be obtained from the “large
N limit” of certain canonical random point processes on X with N particles.
The canonical point processes are directly defined in terms of algebro-geometric data and the thrust of this approach is thus that it gives a new link between algebraic geometry on one and hand and complex differential (Kähler) geometry on the other. A major motivation for this project comes from the fundamental Yau-Tian-Donaldson conjecture in Kähler geometry, which aims at characterizing the obstructions to the existence of a K-E metric on a Fano manifold in terms of a suitable notion of algebro-geometric “stability”, notably K-Stability. In this project a new “probabilistic/statistical mechanical” version of stability will be introduced referred to as Gibbs stability, which also has an interesting purely algebro-geometric definition in the spirit of the Minimal Model Program in current algebraic geometry and another specific aim of this project is to prove or at least make substantial progress towards proving,
• There is a (unique) K-E metric on a Fano manifold X precisely when X is asymptotically Gibbs stable
The canonical random point processes will be defined as certain “beta-deformations” of determinantal point processes and share certain properties with the ones appearing in Random Matrix Theory and in the study of quantum chaos and zeroes of random polynomials (and random holomorphic sections) But a crucial new feature here is that the processes are independent of any back-ground data, such as a potential or a metric. | [
"Mathematics"
]
|
W4297906715 | Le modèle italien de l’hospitalité intégrée : Le village de Riace dans l’Italie du sud | Cet article tente de montrer non seulement la crise de l’hospitalité dans nos sociétés contemporaines, mais surtout l’exemple d’un village de l’Italie du Sud, qui a accueilli des réfugiés et instauré ce qu’ils ont appelé « l’hospitalité intégrée ». Nous montrons dans cet article, comment dans un monde mondialisé où les migrants sont devenus des parias, grâce à la volonté d’un homme Mimmo Lucano, maire de Riace, ce projet fou a pu avoir lieu. Au moment où dans les États européens, notamment en France et en Italie, on instaure « le délit de solidarité », quelques femmes et hommes de bonne volonté continuent de lutter pour faire reconnaître le droit de migrer et d’accueillir. | [
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
]
|
10.1007/978-3-319-24741-0_15 | Safety Of Psychotropic Drugs In Pregnancy And Breastfeeding | Pharmacovigilance studies are vital to our understanding of the safety of medications in pregnancy, but great care must be taken in the analysis and interpretation of observational data to avoid problems with confounding and bias. Data on drug excretion in breast milk and possible effects of the breastfed infant often stem from case reports or small case series, making the generalization of the results a challenge. This chapter reviews the safety of psychotropic drugs in pregnant and breastfeeding women and discusses methodological issues that have to be dealt with in the interpretation of published data. | [
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
10.1161/JAHA.116.005432 | Novel Urinary Peptidomic Classifier Predicts Incident Heart Failure | Background Detection of preclinical cardiac dysfunction and prognosis of left ventricular heart failure (HF) would allow targeted intervention, and appears to be the most promising approach in its management. Novel biomarker panels may support this approach and provide new insights into the pathophysiology. Methods and Results A retrospective comparison of urinary proteomic profiles generated by mass spectrometric analysis from 49 HF patients, 36 patients who progressed to HF within 2. 6±1. 6 years, and 192 sex‐ and age‐matched controls who did not progress to HF enabled identification of 96 potentially HF‐specific peptide biomarkers. Based on these 96 peptides, the classifier called Heart Failure Predictor (HFP) was established by support vector machine modeling. The incremental prognostic value of HFP was subsequently evaluated in urine samples from 175 individuals with asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction from an independent population cohort. Within 4. 8 years, 17 of these individuals progressed to overt HF. The area under receiver‐operating characteristic curve was 0. 70 (95% CI, 0. 56–0. 82); P =0. 0047 for HFP and 0. 57 (0. 42–0. 72; P =0. 62) for N‐terminal pro b‐type natriuretic peptide. Hazard ratios were 1. 63 (CI, 1. 04–2. 55; P =0. 032) per 1‐SD increment in HFP and 0. 70 (CI, 0. 35–1. 41; P =0. 32) for a doubling of the logarithmically transformed N‐terminal pro b‐type natriuretic peptide. Conclusions HFP is a novel biomarker derived from the urinary proteome and might serve as a sensitive tool to improve risk stratification, patient management, and understanding of the pathophysiology of HF. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
W2002965334 | Study the Adsorption of Mold/Bentonite Composite Adsorbent on Acid Purplish Red in Wastewater | This study intends to explore the application of treating Acid Purplish Red dyeing wastewater with an inexpensive adsorbent compounded with Mold/Bentonite. It discussed the adsorption conditions and mechanism of Acid Purplish Red through single factor experiments (including dosage, initial concentration, and pH, stirring time and standing time). It also studied the adsorption kinetics and adsorption thermodynamics of this system. The results showed that the removing rate was above 94%, when the dosage of composite absorbent was 10 g/L, pH was nature (5.8), stirring time was 20min and standing time was 1h.The Acid Purplish Red system accorded with Langmuir and Freundlich absorption model, and it fitted Langmuir thermostatic adsorption equation better. And the saturated adsorption capacity can be obtained as 17.63mg/g. The sorption parameters showed that the adsorption of composite absorbent on Acid Purplish Red was easy, the system was monolayer adsorption. While the adsorption kinetic of Acid Purplish Red system fitted second-order kinetics with 78.15mg/g saturated adsorption capacity of Acid Purplish Red, and the adsorption was chemic-sorption. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
10.1111/ejn.12932 | Methods for studying the zebrafish brain: Past, present and future | The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the most promising new model organisms. The increasing popularity of this amazing small vertebrate is evident from the exponentially growing numbers of research articles, funded projects and new discoveries associated with the use of zebrafish for studying development, brain function, human diseases and screening for new drugs. Thanks to the development of novel technologies, the range of zebrafish research is constantly expanding with new tools synergistically enhancing traditional techniques. In this review we will highlight the past and present techniques which have made, and continue to make, zebrafish an attractive model organism for various fields of biology, with a specific focus on neuroscience. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the most promising new model organisms. The increasing popularity of this amazing small vertebrate is evident from the exponentially growing numbers of research articles, funded projects and new discoveries associated with the use of zebrafish for studying development, brain function, human diseases and screening for new drugs. Thanks to the development of novel technologies, the range of zebrafish research is constantly expanding with new tools synergistically enhancing traditional techniques. In this review we will highlight the past and present techniques which have made, and continue to make, zebrafish an attractive model organism for various fields of biology, with a specific focus on neuroscience. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
10.1016/j.cell.2011.12.031 | Immune surveillance and therapy of lymphomas driven by Epstein-Barr virus protein LMP1 in a mouse model | B cells infected by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a transforming virus endemic in humans, are rapidly cleared by the immune system, but some cells harboring the virus persist for life. Under conditions of immunosuppression, EBV can spread from these cells and cause life-threatening pathologies. We have generated mice expressing the transforming EBV latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), mimicking a constitutively active CD40 coreceptor, specifically in B cells. Like human EBV-infected cells, LMP1+ B cells were efficiently eliminated by T cells, and breaking immune surveillance resulted in rapid, fatal lymphoproliferation and lymphomagenesis. The lymphoma cells expressed ligands for a natural killer (NK) cell receptor, NKG2D, and could be targeted by an NKG2D-Fc fusion protein. These experiments indicate a central role for LMP1 in the surveillance and transformation of EBV-infected B cells in vivo, establish a preclinical model for B cell lymphomagenesis in immunosuppressed patients, and validate a new therapeutic approach. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
W2091625668 | Making sense of irrealis in the Global Financial Crisis | This article analyses the discourse of financial media reports and commentary during the Global Financial Crisis from 2007 to 2009 using an inductive methodology. Contemporary finance capitalism is understood as being founded on irrealis (unreal) products. The analysis reveals how irrealis is construed as realis. Crucial to this is the infusion of macro-level Schumpeterian ideological discourses within the meso-discourse of organizational practice. Also fundamental to finance capitalism were the black-box models of economic behavior and mimetic practices that normalized unrealistic financial performance ontologically, and socially irresponsible and unjust outcomes axiologically. For a little time, the financial press recognized this moral and social disconnectedness. However, although finance capitalism catastrophically failed, there is no sense of a new epistemological or moral foundation having been created. | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Texts and Concepts"
]
|
10.1111/nph.13920 | The abiotic and biotic drivers of rapid diversification in Andean bellflowers (Campanulaceae) | The tropical Andes of South America, the world's richest biodiversity hotspot, are home to many rapid radiations. While geological, climatic, and ecological processes collectively explain such radiations, their relative contributions are seldom examined within a single clade. We explore the contribution of these factors by applying a series of diversification models that incorporate mountain building, climate change, and trait evolution to the first dated phylogeny of Andean bellflowers (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae). Our framework is novel for its direct incorporation of geological data on Andean uplift into a macroevolutionary model. We show that speciation and extinction are differentially influenced by abiotic factors: speciation rates rose concurrently with Andean elevation, while extinction rates decreased during global cooling. Pollination syndrome and fruit type, both biotic traits known to facilitate mutualisms, played an additional role in driving diversification. These abiotic and biotic factors resulted in one of the fastest radiations reported to date: the centropogonids, whose 550 species arose in the last 5 million yr. Our study represents a significant advance in our understanding of plant evolution in Andean cloud forests. It further highlights the power of combining phylogenetic and Earth science models to explore the interplay of geology, climate, and ecology in generating the world's biodiversity. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
10.1109/TSP.2017.2736512 | Multidimensional Esprit For Damped And Undamped Signals Algorithm Computations And Perturbation Analysis | In this paper, we present and analyze the performance of multidimensional ESPRIT ( $N$ -D ESPRIT) method for estimating parameters of $N$ -D superimposed damped and/or undamped exponentials. $N$ -D ESPRIT algorithm is based on low-rank decomposition of multilevel Hankel matrices formed by the $N$ -D data. In order to reduce the computational complexity for large signals, we propose a fast $N$ -D ESPRIT using truncated singular value decomposition (SVD). Then, through a first-order perturbation analysis, we derive simple expressions of the variance of the estimates in $N$ -D multiple-tones case. These expressions do not involve the factors of the SVD. We also derive closed-form expressions of the variances of the complex modes, frequencies, and damping factors estimates in the $N$ -D single-tone case. Computer results are presented to show effectiveness of the fast version of $N$ -D ESPRIT and verify theoretical expressions. | [
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1002/adhm.201700629 | Multifunctional Nanotube–Mucoadhesive Poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid)@Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Acetate Succinate Composite for Site-Specific Oral Drug Delivery | An advanced oral drug delivery system that can effectively deliver drugs with poor oral bioavailability is strongly desirable. Herein, a multifunctional nano-in-micro structured composite is developed by encapsulation of the mucoadhesive poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) modified halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) with the pH-responsive hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate by the microfluidics to control the drug release, increase cell–particle interaction, and improve drug absorption. The microparticles show spherical shape, homogeneous particle size distribution (58 ± 1 µm), and pH-responsive dissolution behavior at pH > 6, and they prevent the premature release of curcumin in simulated pH conditions of the stomach and immediately release the curcumin in simulated pH conditions of the small intestine. The surface modification of HNT with mucoadhesive poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) significantly enhances its interactions with the intestinal Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells and the mouse small intestines, and increases the permeability of curcumin across the co-cultured Caco-2/HT29-MTX cell monolayers by about 13 times compared to the free curcumin. Therefore, the developed multifunctional nanotube–mucoadhesive poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid)@hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate composite is a promising oral drug delivery system for drugs with poor oral bioavailability. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1021/acs.chemmater.0c03066 | Colloidal Synthesis of Laterally Confined Blue-Emitting 3.5 Monolayer CdSe Nanoplatelets | The typical synthesis protocol for blue-emitting CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs) yields particles with extended lateral dimensions and large surface areas, resulting in NPLs with poor photoluminescence quantum efficiency. We have developed a synthesis protocol that achieves an improved control over the lateral size, by exploiting a series of long-chained carboxylate precursors that vary from cadmium octanoate (C8) to cadmium stearate (C18). The length of this metallic precursor is key to tune the width and aspect ratio of the final NPLs, and for the shorter chain lengths, the synthesis yield is improved. NPLs prepared with our procedure possess significantly enhanced photoluminescence quantum efficiencies, up to 30%. This is likely due to their reduced lateral dimensions, which also grant them good colloidal stability. As the NPL width can be tuned below the bulk exciton Bohr radius, the band edge blue-shifts, and we constructed a sizing curve relating the NPL absorption position and width. Further adjusting the synthesis protocol, we were able to obtain even thinner NPLs, emitting in the near-UV region, with a band-edge quantum efficiency of up to 11%. Results pave the way to stable and efficient light sources for applications such as blue and UV light-emitting devices and lasers. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
US 81946410 A | Multifunction device | A multifunction device to be situated within a central console of a motor vehicle has an instrument panel for receiving one or more elements (e.g., display and/or operating elements), the instrument panel being designed as movable and being transferable from a closed position into an open position, the instrument panel being situated within an opening of the central console in the closed position. Furthermore the central console has a storage element, which is situated outside the field of vision of the vehicle occupants in the closed position of the instrument panel and which is freely accessible to the vehicle occupants in the open position of the instrument pane. It is thus possible to provide a multifunction device to be situated within a central console of a motor vehicle, which is particularly easily reachable for the driver of the motor vehicle and simultaneously can increase the possible useful space within a motor vehicle. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
10.1002/hbm.23975 | The neural correlates of morphological complexity processing: Detecting structure in pseudowords | Morphological complexity is a highly debated issue in visual word recognition. Previous neuroimaging studies have shown that speakers are sensitive to degrees of morphological complexity. Two-step derived complex words (bridging through bridge N > bridge V > bridging) led to more enhanced activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus than their 1-step derived counterparts (running through run V > running). However, it remains unclear whether sensitivity to degrees of morphological complexity extends to pseudowords. If this were the case, it would indicate that abstract knowledge of morphological structure is independent of lexicality. We addressed this question by investigating the processing of two sets of pseudowords in German. Both sets contained morphologically viable two-step derived pseudowords differing in the number of derivational steps required to access an existing lexical representation and therefore the degree of structural analysis expected during processing. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, we found lexicality effects to be distinct from processing signatures relating to structural analysis in pseudowords. Semantically-driven processes such as lexical search showed a more frontal distribution while combinatorial processes related to structural analysis engaged more parietal parts of the network. Specifically, more complex pseudowords showed increased activation in parietal regions (right superior parietal lobe and left precuneus) relative to pseudowords that required less structural analysis to arrive at an existing lexical representation. As the two sets were matched on cohort size and surface form, these results highlight the role of internal levels of morphological structure even in forms that do not possess a lexical representation. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
10.1051/epjconf/201611202001 | CGC beyond eikonal accuracy: Finite width target effects | We present a method to systematically include the corrections to the eikonal approximation that are associated with the finite width of the target. The retarded gluon propagator in background field is calculated at next-to-next-to-eikonal (NNE) accuracy by using this method. The corrections to the strict eikonal limit of the gluon propagator are found to be Wilson lines decorated by gradients of the background field of the target. The result is then applied to single inclusive gluon production and to single transverse spin asymmetry for a polarized target in pA collisions. | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
10.1007/978-3-662-44845-8_18 | On Learning Matrices With Orthogonal Columns Or Disjoint Supports | We investigate new matrix penalties to jointly learn linear models with orthogonality constraints, generalizing the work of Xiao et al. [24] who proposed a strictly convex matrix norm for orthogonal transfer. We show that this norm converges to a particular atomic norm when its convexity parameter decreases, leading to new algorithmic solutions to minimize it. We also investigate concave formulations of this norm, corresponding to more aggressive strategies to induce orthogonality, and show how these penalties can also be used to learn sparse models with disjoint supports. | [
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1038/ncomms7419 | Insulating state in tetralayers reveals an even-odd interaction effect in multilayer graphene | Close to charge neutrality, the electronic properties of graphene and its multilayers are sensitive to electron-electron interactions. In bilayers, for instance, interactions are predicted to open a gap between valence and conduction bands, turning the system into an insulator. In mono and (Bernal-stacked) trilayers, which remain conducting at low temperature, interactions do not have equally drastic consequences. It is expected that interaction effects become weaker for thicker multilayers, whose behaviour should converge to that of graphite. Here we show that this expectation does not correspond to reality by revealing the occurrence of an insulating state close to charge neutrality in Bernal-stacked tetralayer graphene. The phenomenology - incompatible with the behaviour expected from the single-particle band structure - resembles that observed in bilayers, but the insulating state in tetralayers is visible at higher temperature. We explain our findings, and the systematic even-odd effect of interactions in Bernal-stacked layers of different thickness that emerges from experiments, in terms of a generalization of the interaction-driven, symmetry-broken states proposed for bilayers. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
W2088868199 | Shorter Leukocyte Telomere Length in Midlife Women with Poor Sleep Quality | Background. Accumulating evidence supports leukocyte telomere length (LTL) as a biological marker of cellular aging. Poor sleep is a risk factor for age-related disease; however, the extent to which sleep accounts for variation in LTL is unknown. Methods. The present study examined associations of self-reported sleep duration, onset latency, and subjective quality with LTL in a community-dwelling sample of 245 healthy women in midlife (aged 49-66 years). Results. While sleep duration and onset latency were unrelated to LTL, women reporting poorer sleep quality displayed shorter LTL (r = 0.14, P = 0.03), independent of age, BMI, race, and income (b = 55.48, SE = 27.43, P = 0.04). When analyses were restricted to participants for whom sleep patterns were chronic, poorer sleep quality predicted shorter LTL independent of covariates and perceived psychological stress. Conclusions. This study provides the first evidence that poor sleep quality explains significant variation in LTL, a marker of cellular aging. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
W2333824759 | A Strong Stability-Preserving Predictor-Corrector Method for the Simulation of Elastic Wave Propagation in Anisotropic Media | Abstract In this paper, we propose a strong stability-preserving predictor-corrector (SSPC) method based on an implicit Runge-Kutta method to solve the acoustic- and elastic-wave equations. We first transform the wave equations into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and apply the local extrapolation method to discretize the spatial high-order derivatives, resulting in a system of semi-discrete ODEs. Then we use the SSPC method based on an implicit Runge-Kutta method to solve the semi-discrete ODEs and introduce a weighting parameter into the SSPC method. On top of such a structure, we develop a robust numerical algorithm to effectively suppress the numerical dispersion, which is usually caused by the discretization of wave equations when coarse grids are used or geological models have large velocity contrasts between adjacent layers. Meanwhile, we investigate the performance of the SSPC method including numerical errors and convergence rate, numerical dispersion, and stability criteria with different choices of the weighting parameter to solve 1-D and 2-D acoustic- and elastic-wave equations. When the SSPC is applied to seismic simulations, the computational efficiency is also investigated by comparing the SSPC, the fourth-order Lax-Wendroff correction (LWC) method, and the staggered-grid (SG) finite difference method. Comparisons of synthetic waveforms computed by the SSPC and analytic solutions for acoustic and elastic models are given to illustrate the accuracy and the validity of the SSPC method. Furthermore, several numerical experiments are conducted for the geological models including a 2-D homogeneous transversely isotropic (TI) medium, a two-layer elastic model, and the 2-D SEG/EAGE salt model. The results show that the SSPC can be used as a practical tool for large-scale seismic simulation because of its effectiveness in suppressing numerical dispersion even in the situations such as coarse grids, strong interfaces, or high frequencies. | [
"Mathematics",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
10.1039/c3lc50542a | Vapour processed self-rolled poly(dimethylsiloxane) microcapillaries form microfluidic devices with engineered inner surface | We propose a microfluidics device whose main functional part consists of a microcapillary produced by the self-rolling of a thin poly(dimethylsiloxane) film. Rolling is caused by inhomogeneous swelling of the film, pre-treated by oxygen plasma, in the vapour of chloroform. The capillaries are integrated with external electrical circuits by co-rolling electrodes and micro-resistors. The local control of temperature in the tubes by Joule heating is illustrated via the rate of an intra-tubular chemiluminescent reaction. The novel tubes with engineered inner structure can find numerous advanced applications such as functional elements of integrated microfluidics circuits. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
W2312383093 | Higher Order Classical Density Functional Theory for Branched Chains and Rings | We develop a general density functional theory for polyatomic molecules by taking the complete association limit of Wertheim's thermodynamic perturbation theory in a general way. By enforcing the complete association limit at an early point in the derivation and introducing the concept of molecular graphs, a general form for the free energy functional and segment densities are developed for both rigid and semiflexible molecules. The theory is applicable to branched chains, rings, or any other molecular structure. As an example the theory is applied as a second order perturbation theory to the case of molecules with a rigid three segment head and a fully flexible tail in a slit pore where bond angle of the rigid portion is an independent variable. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
10.3389/fped.2017.00262 | Using the drosophila nephrocyte to model podocyte function and disease | Glomerular disorders are a major cause of end-stage renal disease and effective therapies are often lacking. Nephrocytes are considered to be part of the Drosophila excretory system and form slit diaphragms across cellular membrane invaginations. Nehphrocytes have been shown to share functional, morphological, and molecular features with podocytes, which form the glomerular filter in vertebrates. Here, we report the progress and the evolving tool-set of this model system. Combining a functional, accessible slit diaphragm with the power of the genetic tool-kit in Drosophila, the nephrocyte has the potential to greatly advance our understanding of the glomerular filtration barrier in health and disease. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
10.1103/PhysRevB.95.041408 | Persistence of a surface state arc in the topologically trivial phase of MoTe2 | The prediction of Weyl fermions in the low-temperature noncentrosymmetric 1T′ phase of MoTe2 still awaits clear experimental confirmation. Here, we report angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) data and ab initio calculations that reveal a surface state arc dispersing between the valence and the conduction band, as expected for a Weyl semimetal. However, we find that the arc survives in the high-temperature centrosymmetric 1T′′ phase. Therefore, a surface Fermi arc is not an unambiguous fingerprint of a topologically nontrivial phase. We have also investigated the surface state spin texture of the 1T′ phase by spin-resolved ARPES, and identified additional topologically trivial spin-split states within the projected band gap at higher binding energies. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
10.1038/s41586-018-0839-y | Mobile PEAR transcription factors integrate positional cues to prime cambial growth | Apical growth in plants initiates upon seed germination, whereas radial growth is primed only during early ontogenesis in procambium cells and activated later by the vascular cambium1. Although it is not known how radial growth is organized and regulated in plants, this system resembles the developmental competence observed in some animal systems, in which pre-existing patterns of developmental potential are established early on2,3. Here we show that in Arabidopsis the initiation of radial growth occurs around early protophloem-sieve-element cell files of the root procambial tissue. In this domain, cytokinin signalling promotes the expression of a pair of mobile transcription factors—PHLOEM EARLY DOF 1 (PEAR1) and PHLOEM EARLY DOF 2 (PEAR2)—and their four homologues (DOF6, TMO6, OBP2 and HCA2), which we collectively name PEAR proteins. The PEAR proteins form a short-range concentration gradient that peaks at protophloem sieve elements, and activates gene expression that promotes radial growth. The expression and function of PEAR proteins are antagonized by the HD-ZIP III proteins, well-known polarity transcription factors4—the expression of which is concentrated in the more-internal domain of radially non-dividing procambial cells by the function of auxin, and mobile miR165 and miR166 microRNAs. The PEAR proteins locally promote transcription of their inhibitory HD-ZIP III genes, and thereby establish a negative-feedback loop that forms a robust boundary that demarks the zone of cell division. Taken together, our data establish that during root procambial development there exists a network in which a module that links PEAR and HD-ZIP III transcription factors integrates spatial information of the hormonal domains and miRNA gradients to provide adjacent zones of dividing and more-quiescent cells, which forms a foundation for further radial growth. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1109/AINA.2013.102 | Implementing Adaptation And Reconfiguration Strategies In Heterogeneous Wsn | Wireless Sensor Networks are becoming one of the most successful choices for the development and deployment of applications in a range of scenarios, from intelligent homes to environment monitoring. Nowadays, there is a growing demand for programming large-scale wireless sensor networks. New programming paradigms should ease the task of building WSN applications that adapt at run-time to changes in the context, in the available resources, and also in user requirements. In this paper we describe PROTEUS, a platform to manage adaptation and reconfiguration, with the aim of supporting the development of WSN applications. After introducing PROTEUS, we show how it can be used to program a dynamic clustering algorithm, where clusters are created and destroyed at runtime, and nodes need to adapt and reconfigure accordingly. We provide a prototype implementation using TinyOS. Some remarks on the work are also presented. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
294438 | Designer Cellulosomes by Single Molecule Cut & Paste | Biofuel from wood and waste will be a substantial share of our future energy mix. The conversion of lignocellulose to fermentable polysaccharides is the current bottleneck. We propose to use single molecule cut and paste technology to assemble designer cellulosoms and combine enzymes from different species with nanocatalysts. | [
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering",
"Materials Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
10.1039/C6CC01614F | A Mechano And Thermoresponsive Luminescent Cyclophane | The first fluorescent cyclophane with mechano- and thermoresponsive solid-state fluorescence characteristics is reported. The new cyclophane comprises two 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene moieties that are bridged by tetraethylene glycol spacers. The stimuli-responsiveness is based on molecular assembly changes. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
3729490 | Strategic and targeted support to incentivise talented newcomers to nmp projects under horizon europe | FIT-4-NMP’s overall objective is to increase the participation of talented newcomers from underrepresented regions in NMP projects in Horizon Europe, as compared to Horizon 2020. Talented newcomers are promising innovation organisations – especially SMEs – that have not participated in H2020 NMP. Meanwhile, underrepresented regions are regions in EU-13, EU-15 and Associated Countries with a low participation in H2020 NMBP. The increase in participation of the talented newcomers will be brought about by connecting them with NMP hotspots, where important NMP innovations are demonstrated, as well as networking them with NMP Top Innovators.
FIT-4-NMP will take strategic and targeted approaches to achieve this overall objective.
From a strategic perspective, FIT-4-NMP will survey talented newcomers and experts responsible for regional and national R&I policy, in order to understand the precise reasons for non-participation of newcomers in NMP projects. In turn, best practices will be identified and policy measures formulated and communicated to relevant stakeholders: talented newcomers; regional/national authorities responsible for R&I policy; local innovation and technology transfer nodes; and the EC.
From a targeted perspective, the FIT-4-NMP will:
• Organise innovation workshops between talented newcomers and NMP Top Innovators;
• Provide hands-on support to talented newcomers to prepare NMP proposals for Horizon Europe;
• Facilitate networking for talented newcomers at major European conferences and regional brokerage events;
• Provide training to talented newcomers on technology-transfer, proposal writing, and use of European networking portals.
FIT-4-NMP will be undertaken by a strong consortium with partners located among many of the EU member states with the lowest participation in H2020 NMBP. Also, these partners represent “umbrella” organisations with extensive networks to innovative NMP organisations and talented newcomers in their regions. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
]
|
10.1103/PhysRevE.97.062604 | Motile bacteria in a critical fluid mixture | We studied the swimming of Escherichia coli bacteria in the vicinity of the critical point in a solution of the nonionic surfactant C12E5 in buffer solution. In phase-contrast microscopy, each swimming cell produces a transient trail behind itself lasting several seconds. Comparing quantitative image analysis with simulations show that these trails are due to local phase reorganization triggered by differential adsorption. This contrasts with similar trails seen in bacteria swimming in liquid crystals, which are due to shear effects. We show how our trails are controlled, and use them to probe the structure and dynamics of critical fluctuations in the fluid medium. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
681839 | New paradigms for latent factor estimation | Data is often available in matrix form, in which columns are samples, and processing of such data often entails finding an approximate factorisation of the matrix in two factors. The first factor yields recurring patterns characteristic of the data. The second factor describes in which proportions each data sample is made of these patterns. Latent factor estimation (LFE) is the problem of finding such a factorisation, usually under given constraints. LFE appears under other domain-specific names such as dictionary learning, low-rank approximation, factor analysis or latent semantic analysis. It is used for tasks such as dimensionality reduction, unmixing, soft clustering, coding or matrix completion in very diverse fields.
In this project, I propose to explore three new paradigms that push the frontiers of traditional LFE. First, I want to break beyond the ubiquitous Gaussian assumption, a practical choice that too rarely complies with the nature and geometry of the data. Estimation in non-Gaussian models is more difficult, but recent work in audio and text processing has shown that it pays off in practice. Second, in traditional settings the data matrix is often a collection of features computed from raw data. These features are computed with generic off-the-shelf transforms that loosely preprocess the data, setting a limit to performance. I propose a new paradigm in which an optimal low-rank inducing transform is learnt together with the factors in a single step. Thirdly, I show that the dominant deterministic approach to LFE should be reconsidered and I propose a novel statistical estimation paradigm, based on the marginal likelihood, with enhanced capabilities. The new methodology is applied to real-world problems with societal impact in audio signal processing (speech enhancement, music remastering), remote sensing (Earth observation, cosmic object discovery) and data mining (multimodal information retrieval, user recommendation). | [
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
10.1177/1465116516658135 | Explaining The Allocation Of Regional Structural Funds The Conditional Effect Of Governance And Self Rule | What regional factors can explain the heterogeneity in Structural Funds distribution to European Union regions? Past studies have shown that aside from the level of economic development and rates o. . . | [
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
]
|
W1494085100 | Future Clinical Trials in DIPG: Bringing Epigenetics to the Clinic | In spite of major recent advances in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) molecular characterization, this body of knowledge has not yet translated into better treatments. To date, more than 250 clinical trials evaluating radiotherapy along with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy as well as newer biologic agents have failed to improve the dismal outcome when compared to palliative radiation alone. The biology of DIPG remained unknown until recently when the neurosurgical expertise along with the recognition by the scientific and clinical community of the importance of tissue sampling at diagnosis; ideally, in the context of a clinical trial and by trained neurosurgical teams to maximize patient safety. These pre-treatment tumor samples, and others coming from tissue obtained post-mortem, have yielded new insights into DIPG molecular pathogenesis. We now know that DIPG comprises a heterogeneous disease with variable molecular phenotypes, different from adult high-grade glioma, other non-pontine pediatric high-grade gliomas, and even between pontine gliomas. The discovery of histone H3.3 or H3.1 mutations has been an important step forward in understanding tumor formation, maintenance, and progression. Pharmacologic reversal of DIPG histone demethylation therefore offers an important potential intervention strategy for the treatment of DIPG. To date, clinical trials of newly diagnosed or progressive DIPG with epigenetic (histone) modifiers have been unsuccessful. Whether this failure represents limited activity of the agents used, their CNS penetration, redundant pathways within the tumor, or the possibility that histone mutations are necessary only to initiate DIPGs but not maintain their growth, suggest that a great deal still needs to be elucidated in both the underlying biology of these pathways and the drugs designed to target them. In this review, we will discuss the role of both epigenetic and genetic mutations within DIPG and the development of treatment strategies directed against the unique abnormalities present in this disease. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1002/dneu.22075 | Two specific populations of GABAergic neurons originating from the medial and the caudal ganglionic eminences aid in proper navigation of callosal axons | The corpus callosum (CC) plays a crucial role in interhemispheric communication. It has been shown that CC formation relies on the guidepost cells located in the midline region that include glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons as well as glial cells. However, the origin of these guidepost GABAergic neurons and their precise function in callosal axon pathfinding remain to be investigated. Here, we show that two distinct GABAergic neuronal subpopulations converge toward the midline prior to the arrival of callosal axons. Using in vivo and ex vivo fate mapping we show that CC GABAergic neurons originate in the caudal and medial ganglionic eminences (CGE and MGE) but not in the lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE). Time lapse imaging on organotypic slices and in vivo analyses further revealed that CC GABAergic neurons contribute to the normal navigation of callosal axons. The use of Nkx2. 1 knockout (KO) mice confirmed a role of these neurons in the maintenance of proper behavior of callosal axons while growing through the CC. Indeed, using in vitro transplantation assays, we demonstrated that both MGE- and CGE-derived GABAergic neurons exert an attractive activity on callosal axons. Furthermore, by combining a sensitive RT-PCR technique with in situ hybridization, we demonstrate that CC neurons express multiple short and long range guidance cues. This study strongly suggests that MGE- and CGE-derived interneurons may guide CC axons by multiple guidance mechanisms and signaling pathways. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
10.1038/ncomms10554 | NLRC5 shields T lymphocytes from NK-cell-mediated elimination under inflammatory conditions | NLRC5 is a transcriptional regulator of MHC class I (MHCI), which maintains high MHCI expression particularly in T cells. Recent evidence highlights an important NK-T-cell crosstalk, raising the question on whether NLRC5 specifically modulates this interaction. Here we show that NK cells from Nlrc5-deficient mice exhibit moderate alterations in inhibitory receptor expression and responsiveness. Interestingly, NLRC5 expression in T cells is required to protect them from NK-cell-mediated elimination upon inflammation. Using T-cell-specific Nlrc5-deficient mice, we show that NK cells surprisingly break tolerance even towards self" Nlrc5-deficient T cells under inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, during chronic LCMV infection, the total CD8 + T-cell population is severely decreased in these mice, a phenotype reverted by NK-cell depletion. These findings strongly suggest that endogenous T cells with low MHCI expression become NK-cell targets, having thus important implications for T-cell responses in naturally or therapeutically induced inflammatory conditions. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1242/jcs.231340 | A clearer picture of the ER translocon complex | ABSTRACT The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) translocon complex is the main gate into the secretory pathway, facilitating the translocation of nascent peptides into the ER lumen or their integration into the lipid membrane. Protein biogenesis in the ER involves additional processes, many of them occurring co-translationally while the nascent protein resides at the translocon complex, including recruitment of ER-targeted ribosome–nascent-chain complexes, glycosylation, signal peptide cleavage, membrane protein topogenesis and folding. To perform such varied functions on a broad range of substrates, the ER translocon complex has different accessory components that associate with it either stably or transiently. Here, we review recent structural and functional insights into this dynamically constituted central hub in the ER and its components. Recent cryo-electron microscopy (EM) studies have dissected the molecular organization of the co-translational ER translocon complex, comprising the Sec61 protein-conducting channel, the translocon-associated protein complex and the oligosaccharyl transferase complex. Complemented by structural characterization of the post-translational import machinery, key molecular principles emerge that distinguish co- and post-translational protein import and biogenesis. Further cryo-EM structures promise to expand our mechanistic understanding of the various biochemical functions involving protein biogenesis and quality control in the ER. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
10.1145/3209889.3209896 | Ac Dc In Database Learning Thunderstruck | We report on the design and implementation of the AC/DC gradient descent solver for a class of optimization problems over normalized databases. AC/DC decomposes an optimization problem into a set of aggregates over the join of the database relations. It then uses the answers to these aggregates to iteratively improve the solution to the problem until it converges. The challenges faced by AC/DC are the large database size, the mixture of continuous and categorical features, and the large number of aggregates to compute. AC/DC addresses these challenges by employing a sparse data representation, factorized computation, problem reparameterization under functional dependencies, and a data structure that supports shared computation of aggregates. To train polynomial regression models and factorization machines of up to 154K features over the natural join of all relations from a real-world dataset of up to 86M tuples, AC/DC needs up to 30 minutes on one core of a commodity machine. This is up to three orders of magnitude faster than its competitors R, MadLib, libFM, and TensorFlow whenever they finish and thus do not exceed memory limitation, 24-hour timeout, or internal design limitations. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
W2339969208 | Synthesis and comparative analysis of physiological tolerance and life-history growth traits of marine aquaculture species | Abstract Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, and marine-based farming in particular is growing the fastest. With the ever-increasing demand for seafood, marine aquaculture (mariculture) has great potential to help meet this demand. Due to the highly diverse and variable nature of marine environments, it is critical to understand species-level trade-offs that can influence the suitability of a species or species groups for certain ocean conditions. Particularly for mariculture, physiological tolerance of a species to temperature fluctuations and low dissolved oxygen (DO) and its capacity to grow quickly are important attributes. Although there has been extensive research pertaining to the respective fields of tolerance and growth of marine organisms, there has been little overlap between the seemingly separate, yet related fields. More specifically, a relationship between traits of tolerance and growth is not well understood – especially across multiple taxonomic groups. In order to explore and compare possible tolerance and life-history relationships of mariculture species, we complied information on temperature tolerance range, minimum dissolved oxygen observations, growth parameters (asymptotic size and rate), trophic level (TL), taxon, region, and market value for 178 distinct marine farmed species, which included finfish ( n = 101), crustaceans ( n = 20), molluscs ( n = 52), and other aquatic invertebrates ( n = 5), including a cephalopod, a cordate, and three echinoderms. Using descriptive statistics and regression modelling, we found a significant inverse relationship between temperature tolerance range and minimum DO observations (i.e., a positive trend between thermal and hypoxia tolerance, as defined). We also found evidence of a possible trade-off between overall tolerance ability and growth. Specifically, larger, slower growing species tend to have wider temperature ranges and lower minimum DO levels, but potentially at the cost of being less ecologically sustainable (as measured by TL). In addition, tropical species appear less resilient when accounting for both thermal extremes and lower observed DO levels compared to subtropical and temperate species. These patterns highlight associations and uncertainties of traits important for mariculture practices, including species and trait selection, as well as adaptive capacity of regional ventures relative to climate change. Statement of relevance Potential trade-offs of adaptive tolerance and growth. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
W2030163162 | Outcome Study of Real-time MR-guided Cervical Periradicular Injection Therapy in an Open 1.0 Tesla MRI System | To evaluate the accuracy, safety, and efficacy of cervical nerve root injection therapy using magnetic resonance guidance in an open 1.0 T MRI system.Between September 2009 and April 2012, a total of 21 patients (9 men, 12 women; mean age 47.1 ± 11.1 years) underwent MR-guided cervical periradicular injection for cervical radicular pain in an open 1.0 T system. An interactive proton density-weighted turbo spin echo (PDw TSE) sequence was used for real-time guidance of the MR-compatible 20-gauge injection needle. Clinical outcome was evaluated on a verbal numeric rating scale (VNRS) before injection therapy (baseline) and at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months during follow-up.All procedures were technically successful and there were no major complications. The mean preinterventional VNRS score was 7.42 and exhibited a statistically significant decrease (P < 0.001) at all follow-up time points: 3.86 ± 1.53 at 1 week, 3.21 ± 2.19 at 1 month, 2.58 ± 2.54 at 3 months, and 2.76 ± 2.63 at 6 months. At 6 months, 14.3 % of the patients reported complete resolution of radicular pain and 38.1 % each had either significant (4-8 VNRS score points) or mild (1-3 VNRS score points) relief of pain; 9.5 % experienced no pain relief.Magnetic resonance fluoroscopy-guided periradicular cervical spine injection is an accurate, safe, and efficacious treatment option for patients with cervical radicular pain. The technique may be a promising alternative to fluoroscopy- or CT-guided injections of the cervical spine, especially in young patients and in patients requiring repeat injections. | [
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
10.1109/TSE.2014.2364844 | Automated Synthesis Of Mediators To Support Component Interoperability | Interoperability is a major concern for the software engineering field, given the increasing need to compose components dynamically and seamlessly. This dynamic composition is often hampered by differences in the interfaces and behaviours of independently-developed components. To address these differences without changing the components, mediators that systematically enforce interoperability between functionally-compatible components by mapping their interfaces and coordinating their behaviours are required. Existing approaches to mediator synthesis assume that an interface mapping is provided which specifies the correspondence between the operations and data of the components at hand. In this paper, we present an approach based on ontology reasoning and constraint programming in order to infer mappings between components’ interfaces automatically. These mappings guarantee semantic compatibility between the operations and data of the interfaces. Then, we analyse the behaviours of components in order to synthesise, if possible, a mediator that coordinates the computed mappings so as to make the components interact properly. Our approach is formally-grounded to ensure the correctness of the synthesised mediator. We demonstrate the validity of our approach by implementing the MICS (Mediator synthesIs to Connect Components) tool and experimenting it with various real-world case studies. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
10.1073/pnas.1002178107 | NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) is a major source of oxidative stress in the failing heart | NAD(P)H oxidases (Noxs) produce O2- and play an important role in cardiovascular pathophysiology. The Nox4 isoform is expressed primarily in the mitochondria in cardiac myocytes. To elucidate the function of endogenous Nox4 in the heart, we generated cardiac-specific Nox4-/- (c-Nox4-/-) mice. Nox4 expression was inhibited in c-Nox4 -/- mice in a heart-specific manner, and there was no compensatory up-regulationin other Nox enzymes. These mice exhibited reducedlevels of O 2- in the heart, indicating that Nox4 is a significant source of O2- in cardiac myocytes. The baseline cardiac phenotype was normal in young c-Nox4-/- mice. In response to pressure overload (PO), however, increases in Nox4 expression and O2- production in mitochondria were abolished in c-Nox4-/- mice, and c-Nox4-/- mice exhibited significantly attenuated cardiac hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis and apoptosis, and better cardiac function compared with WT mice. Mitochondrial swelling, cytochrome c release, and decreases in both mitochondrial DNA and aconitase activity in response to PO were attenuated in c-Nox4-/- mice. On the other hand, overexpression of Nox4 in mouse hearts exacerbated cardiac dysfunction, fibrosis, and apoptosis in response to PO. These results suggest that Nox4 in cardiac myocytes is a major source of mitochondrial oxidative stress, thereby mediating mitochondrial and cardiac dysfunction during PO. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1063/1.4992477 | Strong Dopant Dependence Of Electric Transport In Ion Gated Mos2 | We report modifications of the temperature-dependent transport properties of $\mathrm{MoS_2}$ thin flakes via field-driven ion intercalation in an electric double layer transistor. We find that intercalation with $\mathrm{Li^+}$ ions induces the onset of an inhomogeneous superconducting state. Intercalation with $\mathrm{K^+}$ leads instead to a disorder-induced incipient metal-to-insulator transition. These findings suggest that similar ionic species can provide access to different electronic phases in the same material. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1080/02757206.2018.1524759 | 1968 And Its Other Worlds Global Events And Anti State Dynamics In France Mozambique And Vanuatu | This article de-centres the moment, event and impact of 1968 and expands it temporally and spatially. Taking a longue duree approach charting a trajectory from the 1960s into the 1980s, we analyse . . . | [
"The Study of the Human Past",
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
]
|
10.1038/ncomms12656 | A strategy to discover new organizers identifies a putative heart organizer | Organizers are regions of the embryo that can both induce new fates and impart pattern on other regions. So far, surprisingly few organizers have been discovered, considering the number of patterned tissue types generated during development. This may be because their discovery has relied on transplantation and ablation experiments. Here we describe a new approach, using chick embryos, to discover organizers based on a common gene expression signature, and use it to uncover the anterior intestinal portal (AIP) endoderm as a putative heart organizer. We show that the AIP can induce cardiac identity from non-cardiac mesoderm and that it can pattern this by specifying ventricular and suppressing atrial regional identity. We also uncover some of the signals responsible. The method holds promise as a tool to discover other novel organizers acting during development. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
615739 | Mechanical signals in plants: from cellular mechanisms to growth coordination and patterning | Development relies on a complex network of molecular effectors that ultimately modify the mechanical properties of cells and control shape changes. In turn, mechanical forces can also feedback on the molecular network to govern development. Several mechanosensitive proteins have been identified in animals but their role in multicellular development remains poorly documented. Plants are ideal systems to study mechanotransduction in development because their mechanics is mainly mediated by the cell wall. Here we propose to identify the plant mechanotransduction pathways and investigate their role in development, using Arabidopsis cell culture, cotyledons and shoot apical meristems as experimental systems.
We will conduct a multiscale investigation into mechanotransduction, at the level of a cell, of a small group of cells, and of the tissue. We have already characterized the response of microtubules to mechanical stress using a set of micromechanical tools in these three systems, and we have identified a mechanosensing protein, which, when impaired, causes growth coordination defects in the epidermis and altered morphogenesis. We will identify and characterize other elements of the plant mechanotransduction pathways, including mechanosensitive genes and proteins, based on preliminary results and on a well-designed screen. Scaling up, we will generate transgenic lines in which patches of cells with altered mechanical properties can be induced, and we will test whether mechanical heterogeneities are used to coordinate cell wall remodeling and cell division in neighboring cells. Last, we will investigate whether these biophysical coordinating mechanisms contribute to patterning and cell fate in organs, focusing on the epidermis, the boundaries between expression domains, and stem cell identity. We will investigate whether mutants exhibiting identity defects can be rescued with applied mechanical forces or locally modified mechanical properties. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
10.1183/13993003.00457-2018 | The Mucus Bundles Responsible For Airway Cleaning Are Retained In Cystic Fibrosis And By Cholinergic Stimulation | The beneficial effect of anticholinergic therapy for chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is well documented, although cholinergic stimulation paradoxically inhibits liquid absorption, increases ciliary beat frequency and increases airway surface liquid transport. Using pig tracheobronchial explants, we quantified basal mucus transport before as well as after incubation with the clinically used antimuscarinic compound ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) and stimulation with acetylcholine. As expected, surface liquid transport was increased by acetylcholine and carbachol. In contrast, the mucus bundles secreted from the submucosal glands normally transported on the cilia were stopped from moving by acetylcholine, an effect inhibited by ipratropium bromide. Interestingly, in pigs lacking a functional cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel, the mucus bundles were almost immobile. As in wild-type pigs, CF surface liquid transport increased after carbachol stimulation. The stagnant CF mucus bundles were trapped on the tracheal surface attached to the surface goblet cells. Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria were moved by the mucus bundles in wild-type but not CF pigs. Acetylcholine thus uncouples airway surface liquid transport from transport of the surface mucus bundles as the bundles are dynamically inhibited by acetylcholine and the CFTR channel, explaining initiation of CF and COPD, and opening novel therapeutic windows. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1088/0031-8949/2015/T164/014002 | Phase Sensitive Squids Based On The 3D Topological Insulator Hgte | Three-dimensional (3D) topological insulators represent a new class of materials in which transport is governed by Dirac surface states while the bulk remains insulating. Due to helical spin polarization of the surface states, the coupling of a 3D topological insulator to a nearby superconductor is expected to generate unconventional proximity induced p-wave superconductivity. We report here on the development and measurements of superconducting quantum interference devices on the surface of strained HgTe, a 3D topological insulator, as a potential tool to investigate this effect. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
EP 81107144 A | ELEMENT FOR ADJUSTING THE TRANSFER OF LIGHT BETWEEN LIGHT GUIDES | Es wird ein optisches Steuerelement beschrieben zum Steuern einer Lichtübertragung zwischen einem zu- und einem fortführenden Lichtwellenleiter, bei dem die Lichtübertragung über eine Mehrkernfaser gesteuert wird. Die Mehrkernfaser wird zum Steuern bewegt. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
10.3847/0004-637X/819/1/60 | Sgr A And Its Environment Low Mass Star Formation The Origin Of X Ray Gas And Collimated Outflow | We present high-resolution multiwavelength radio continuum images of the region within 150$"$ of Sgr A*, revealing a number of new extended features and stellar sources in this region. First, we detect a continuous 2" east-west ridge of radio emission, linking Sgr A* and a cluster of stars associated with IRS 13N and IRS 13E. The ridge suggests that an outflow of east-west blob-like structures is emerging from Sgr A*. We also find arc-like features within the ridge with morphologies suggestive of photoevaporative protoplanetary disks. We use near-IR fluxes to show that the emission has similar characteristics to those of a protoplanetary disk irradiated by the intense radiation field at the Galactic center. This suggests that star formation has taken place within the S cluster 2$"$ from Sgr A*. We suggest that the diffuse X-ray emission associated with Sgr A* is due to an expanding hot wind produced by the mass loss from B-type main sequence stars, and/or the disks of photoevaporation of low mass YSOs at a rate ~10^{-6} solar mass per year. The proposed model naturally reduces the inferred accretion rate and is an alternative to the inflow-outflow style models to explain the underluminous nature of Sgr A*. Second, we detect new cometary radio and nea-IR sources and a striking tower of radio emission suggesting that they are tracing interaction sites of a mildly relativistic jet from Sgr A* with the atmosphere of stars and the nonthermal Sgr A East shell at a PA$\sim50-60^\circ$ with ~10^{-7} solar mass per year, and opening angle 10 degrees. | [
"Universe Sciences",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
219034 | All-Weather snow machine driven by renewable energy sources | The ski business and mountain economy depend on the randomness of snowfalls. Climate change is shortening the ski season because of less snow precipitation and of higher average winter temperature. Ski resorts have to counteract the lack of natural snow, and to guarantee the opening of ski district in the most touristic periods. Current snowmaking techniques (fans and cannons) require an air temperature below 0°C and low humidity, thus are not applicable for large part of the season. NeveXN developed a technology able to produce high quality snow at temperatures above 0°, in all weather condition and without any chemical additives. SnowRESolution is a clean-tech snowmaker that works also when traditional snowmakers cannot be operated. The technology is based on the refrigeration cycle and exploits the triple point of water, a condition that occurs at 0°C and almost in vacuum (6mbar) at which the three phases of ice, liquid, and vapour are in equilibrium. The compressor is driven by thermal energy that is provided by renewable energy sources, which may be either a solar thermal collector or a biomass steam boiler. Winter tourism is very important in all mountain regions, and risk to undergo to huge losses if slopes are bare. SnowRESolution address the market of ski resorts that want to guarantee the production of snow also when ambient temperature is above 0°C, enabling an early opening of the ski season. Interest savings opportunities are offered to ski domes that do no need any additional cooling to produce snow and can chose the solar power supply solution. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
]
|
W1966097128 | Regulation of tissue factor gene expression in monocytes and endothelial cells: Thromboxane A2 as a new player | Tissue factor (TF) is the primary activator of the coagulation cascade. Under normal conditions, endothelial cells (ECs) and blood cells, such as monocytes, do not express TF. However, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces TF expression in monocytes and this leads to disseminated intravascular coagulation during endotoxemia and sepsis. A variety of stimuli induce TF expression in ECs in vitro, although it is unclear how much TF is expressed by the endothelium in vivo. LPS induction of TF gene expression in monocytic cells and ECs is mediated by various intracellular signaling pathways and the transcription factors NF-ĸB, AP-1 and Egr-1. In contrast, vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) induces TF gene expression in ECs via the transcription factors NFAT and Egr-1. Similarly, oxidized phospholipids (such as 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) induce TF expression in ECs and possibly monocytes via NFAT and Egr-1. Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) can now be added to the list of stimuli that induce TF gene expression in both monocytes and ECs. Interestingly, inhibition of the TX-prostanoid (TP) receptor also reduces TF expression in with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulated ECs and LPS stimulated monocytes, which suggests that TP receptor antagonist may be useful in reducing pathologic TF expression in the vasculature and blood. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1002/9781118762707.ch02 | Analytical sociology and rational-choice theory | Analytical sociology shares an historical lineage with the sociological rational-choice tradition. However, there are fundamental differences as well. The chapter articulates these differences so that the relation between analytical sociology and rational-choice sociology becomes clearer. It begins by examining what people mean when they talk about rational-choice theory (RCT), especially in the context of sociology. Then, the basic ideas of analytical sociology are presented. The chapter concludes with some more general reflections about the nature of analytical sociology and the future of rational-choice sociology, and an itemized summary of the most crucial differences between analytical sociology and rational-choice theory. There are good reasons to reconsider meta-theory that motivates sociological RCT (SRCT), and this is precisely what analytical sociology attempts to do. | [
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
]
|
US 2016/0066951 W | INTEGRATED MODELING AND SIMULATION OF FORMATION AND WELL PERFORMANCE | A method of performing aspects of an energy industry operation includes receiving input data at a processing system, the input data describing an assembly for performing the energy industry operation and properties of the formation, the assembly including a downhole component, the processing system configured to estimate production properties based on mathematical models including at least a model of the downhole component and one or more models for simulating fluid flow in the formation. The method also includes, based on the input data, generating a workflow that includes steps for estimating production properties using the models, receiving a selection from a user specifying a type of analysis to be performed and/or a level of complexity of analysis to be performed, customizing the workflow based on the user selection, estimating the production properties based on the models, where estimating is performed according to a procedure specified by the workflow. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1039/c4lc00325j | Physics and technological aspects of nanofluidics | Cartoon representing the main mechanisms that operate in the nano-, micro- and millifluidic realms. The mechanisms are illustrated by characters whose positions in the spectrum of scales are fixed by the characteristic lengths they are associated with. The fundamental questions of nanofluidics are the following: How do the characteristic scales pertaining to the 1–100 nm range interfere with the system size? Can they combine together to produce new physical effects? | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
10.1002/jgm.1453 | Human adenovirus replication in immunocompetent Syrian hamsters can be attenuated with chlorpromazine or cidofovir | Background: Adenoviruses can cause severe toxicity in children and in immunocompromised adults, and therefore a means to abrogate replication would be useful. With regard to cancer treatment, replication competent oncolytic adenoviruses have been safe in humans, although their efficacy has been variable. Therefore, more effective agents are now entering clinical testing and, consequently, replication-associated side effects remain a concern. Preclinical analysis of replication related toxicity has been hampered by a lack of permissive models. Therefore, it has been difficult to study modulation of human adenovirus replication in immune competent animals. Methods: We investigated four different hamster carcinoma cell lines for transduction and cell killing potency in vitro and in vivo. Gene transfer was assessed using replication-deficient adenoviruses expressing luciferase. Cell killing was studied in vitro and in vivo using an oncolytic adenovirus that kills tumor cells by viral replication. After the most promising animal model had been selected, abrogation of virus replication was assessed in vitro and in vivo using a TCID50 assay. Results: The results obtained suggest wild-type adenovirus replication in all four tested Syrian hamster cell lines and also normal organs. Virus replication could be abrogated with chlorpromazine, cidofovir and cytosine arabinoside, and the effect occurred subsequent to nuclear delivery of the viral genome. Attenuation of virus replication also was seen in vivo both in tumors and the liver. Conclusions: Syrian hamsters may comprise a valuable immune competent model for evaluating anti-adenoviral drugs. Furthermore, chlorpromazine or cidofovir might be useful in case of adenovirus replication-associated symptoms in humans. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
W2186358952 | Do infants' gaze sequences predict their looking time? Testing the sequential-learnability model | We recently demonstrated that the gaze sequences produced by infants during an habituation event predict their looking times to both the habituation and (one of two) posthabituation test events [1]. Specifically, we trained a simple recurrent network (SRN) to predict infants' habituation gaze sequences. Sequences that were easier for the SRN to learn were associated with shorter looking times at the end of habituation, as well as longer looking times to one of two posthabituation test events. In the current study, we extended these findings by applying the sequential-learnability model to a new set of looking-time data, in which an important visual cue was removed from the habituation and test events. Following our previous work, we predicted that “learnability” of infants' habituation gaze sequences would predict their habituation looking time. However, unlike the previous study, we also predicted that habituation gaze sequences would not predict looking time to either of the posthabituation test events. The results were consistent with both of these predictions. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
10.1117/12.2081152 | Gamut Extension For Cinema Psychophysical Evaluation Of The State Of The Art And A New Algorithm | Wide gamut digital display technology, in order to show its full potential in terms of colors, is creating an opportunity to develop gamut extension algorithms (GEAs). To this end, in this work we present two contributions. First we report a psychophysical evaluation of GEAs specifically for cinema using a digital cinema projector under cinematic (low ambient light) conditions; to the best of our knowledge this is the first evaluation of this kind reported in the literature. Second, we propose a new GEA by introducing simple but key modifications to the algorithm of Zamir et al. This new algorithm performs well in terms of skin tones and memory colors, with results that look natural and which are free from artifacts. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
10.1007/JHEP04(2015)022 | The Higgs Mass And The Scale Of New Physics | In view of the measured Higgs mass of 125 GeV, the perturbative renormalization group evolution of the Standard Model suggests that our Higgs vacuum might not be stable. We connect the usual perturbative approach and the functional renormalization group which allows for a straightforward inclusion of higher-dimensional operators in the presence of an ultraviolet cutoff. In the latter framework we study vacuum stability in the presence of higher-dimensional operators. We find that their presence can have a sizable influence on the maximum ultraviolet scale of the Standard Model and the existence of instabilities. Finally, we discuss how such operators can be generated in specific models and study the relation between the instability scale of the potential and the scale of new physics required to avoid instabilities. | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1109/MCOM.2013.6525594 | When Cellular Meets Wifi In Wireless Small Cell Networks | The deployment of small cell base stations, SCBSs, overlaid on existing macrocellular systems is seen as a key solution for offloading traffic, optimizing coverage, and boosting the capacity of future cellular wireless systems. The next generation of SCBSs is envisioned to be multimode (i. e. , capable of transmitting simultaneously on both licensed and unlicensed bands). This constitutes a cost-effective integration of both WiFi and cellular radio access technologies that can efficiently cope with peak wireless data traffic and heterogeneous quality of service requirements. To leverage the advantage of such multimode SCBSs, we discuss the novel proposed paradigm of cross-system learning by means of which SCBSs self-organize and autonomously steer their traffic flows across different RATs. Cross-system learning allows the SCBSs to leverage the advantage of both the WiFi and cellular worlds. For example, the SCBSs can offload delay-tolerant data traffic to WiFi, while simultaneously learning the probability distribution function of their transmission strategy over the licensed cellular band. This article first introduces the basic building blocks of cross-system learning and then provides preliminary performance evaluation in a Long-Term Evolution simulator overlaid with WiFi hotspots. Remarkably, it is shown that the proposed cross-system learning approach significantly outperforms a number of benchmark traffic steering policies. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.15252/embj.201695335 | PRC2 is dispensable for HOTAIR-mediated transcriptional repression | Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play diverse roles in physiological and pathological processes. Several lncRNAs have been suggested to modulate gene expression by guiding chromatin-modifying complexes to specific sites in the genome. However, besides the example of Xist, clear-cut evidence demonstrating this novel mode of regulation remains sparse. Here, we focus on HOTAIR, a lncRNA that is overexpressed in several tumor types and previously proposed to play a key role in gene silencing through direct recruitment of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) to defined genomic loci. Using genetic tools and a novel RNA-tethering system, we investigated the interplay between HOTAIR and PRC2 in gene silencing. Surprisingly, we observed that forced overexpression of HOTAIR in breast cancer cells leads to subtle transcriptomic changes that appear to be independent of PRC2. Mechanistically, we found that artificial tethering of HOTAIR to chromatin causes transcriptional repression, but that this effect does not require PRC2. Instead, PRC2 recruitment appears to be a consequence of gene silencing. We propose that PRC2 binding to RNA might serve functions other than chromatin targeting. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
EP 2014060016 W | AUXILIARY NOZZLE FOR A WEAVING MACHINE | Weaving machine with an auxiliary nozzle (8) and auxiliary nozzle (8) for supporting a weft thread in a weaving machine, which auxiliary nozzle (8) comprises a hollow needle (11), wherein the hollow needle (11) comprises an elliptical outflow aperture (25) close to the tip (12) of the auxiliary nozzle (8), wherein the height of the outflow aperture (25) along the length axis (27) of the auxiliary nozzle (8) is smaller than the width of the outflow aperture (25) transversely to the length axis (27) of the auxiliary nozzle (8). | [
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
10.1080/19491034.2017.1421825 | Extrusion Without A Motor A New Take On The Loop Extrusion Model Of Genome Organization | Chromatin loop extrusion is a popular model for the formation of CTCF loops and topological domains. Recent HiC data have revealed a strong bias in favour of a particular arrangement of the CTCF bi. . . | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
W2895302239 | Free-electron laser data for multiple-particle fluctuation scattering analysis | Fluctuation X-ray scattering (FXS) is an emerging experimental technique in which solution scattering data are collected using X-ray exposures below rotational diffusion times, resulting in angularly anisotropic X-ray snapshots that provide several orders of magnitude more information than traditional solution scattering data. Such experiments can be performed using the ultrashort X-ray pulses provided by a free-electron laser source, allowing one to collect a large number of diffraction patterns in a relatively short time. Here, we describe a test data set for FXS, obtained at the Linac Coherent Light Source, consisting of close to 100 000 multi-particle diffraction patterns originating from approximately 50 to 200 Paramecium Bursaria Chlorella virus particles per snapshot. In addition to the raw data, a selection of high-quality pre-processed diffraction patterns and a reference SAXS profile are provided. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
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