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218506 | Electromagnetic to optics transducer | Modern communication and sensing is done with radio- and microwaves on the one hand, and with optical fiber links, on the other. Radio- and microwaves are widely used in commercial and personal communication, as well as in sensing in, for example, medical diagnostics. Optical communication dominates long distance, point-to-point connections, such as internet. This action aims at the development of a miniature device for efficient conversion between these technological platforms. Within the AdG INTERFACE we have developed a novel principle for the opto-electromechnical transducer (Nature, 2014) and filed a US patent. We have further made progress in developing an integrated version of the transducer with enhanced sensitivity. Preliminary market analysis has shown high potential of our device in diverse areas, such as industrial internet of things, airborne intracommunication systems, scientific sensors, measurement instrumentation, radio astronomy, and nuclear magnetic spectroscopy. This action will include the first tests of the device in a flagship application relevant to NMR spectroscopy—a real life MRI scanner—and an extensive effort towards producing a packaged, fiber-coupled, ultralow-noise transducer ready for field demonstrations. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1002/biot.201100357 | Stochastic processes in the development of pluripotency in vivo | The divergence of the pluripotent inner cell mass and extraembryonic trophectoderm from an apparently homogenous population of cells is a decisive event in mammalian preimplantation development. While three models have been proposed to explain early cellular differentiation in the mouse embryo, the initial cue generating asymmetry within the embryo remains elusive. Recently, unexpected heterogeneity in the expression of crucial transcription factors within the blastocyst has raised the intriguing possibility that a stochastic component is involved in lineage divergence. Unraveling the molecular dynamics and developmental function of the observed heterogeneity awaits further investigations at the single-cell level using quantitative live-imaging with appropriate reporter lines. The possible involvement of dynamic heterogeneity in the establishment, maintenance and resolution of pluripotency makes this topic highly relevant not only to developmental biology, but also to stem cell research and regenerative medicine. In this review, we discuss the possible involvement of stochastic processes in lineage divergence and the establishment of pluripotency in vivo, based on recent data from mouse embryology and stem cell research. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1038/s41467-019-10726-8 | Intrinsic enzymatic properties modulate the self-propulsion of micromotors | Bio-catalytic micro- and nanomotors self-propel by the enzymatic conversion of substrates into products. Despite the advances in the field, the fundamental aspects underlying enzyme-powered self-propulsion have rarely been studied. In this work, we select four enzymes (urease, acetylcholinesterase, glucose oxidase, and aldolase) to be attached on silica microcapsules and study how their turnover number and conformational dynamics affect the self-propulsion, combining both an experimental and molecular dynamics simulations approach. Urease and acetylcholinesterase, the enzymes with higher catalytic rates, are the only enzymes capable of producing active motion. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that urease and acetylcholinesterase display the highest degree of flexibility near the active site, which could play a role on the catalytic process. We experimentally assess this hypothesis for urease micromotors through competitive inhibition (acetohydroxamic acid) and increasing enzyme rigidity (β-mercaptoethanol). We conclude that the conformational changes are a precondition of urease catalysis, which is essential to generate self-propulsion. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
W1922038413 | Referential processing in the human brain: An Event-Related Potential (ERP) study | A substantial body of ERP research investigating the processing of syntactic long-distance dependencies has shown that, across languages and construction types, the second element in such configurations typically elicits phasic left anterior negativity (LAN). We hypothesized that these effects are not specific to syntactic dependencies, but rather index a more general cognitive operation in which the second (dependent) element in sentence-level linguistic long-distance relationships triggers a process of association with the first element. We tested this hypothesis with straightforward referential dependencies, comparing pronouns with proper name antecedents to those without, and proper names with and without preceding co-referring pronouns. We predicted phasic LAN effects in response to the second referential element in both comparisons, but observed them only in response to pronouns with antecedents; no differences were observed between responses to proper names with and without preceding co-referring pronouns. We argue that LAN effects observed at the pronoun index the cognitive operations necessary for the association of a pronoun with its antecedent, on which it depends for its reference. Similar but non-identical responses were elicited by the main clause verb following the gap position in object relative clause constructions compared to coordinate clause controls in an orthogonal manipulation. LAN effects were thus elicited by the second dependent element in both construction types, suggesting that long-distance syntactic and referential dependencies pose similar processing challenges. These findings help to clarify the cognitive processes indexed by anterior negative responses to associated dependent elements in a variety of language contexts. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
10.1016/j.clnu.2019.03.018 | Nutrient adequacy and diet quality in a Mediterranean population with metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional study | Background & aims: Few studies have compared micronutrient intake and fulfilment of average requirements (EAR) in non-diabetic, pre-diabetic and diabetic adults at high cardiovascular risk. We assessed these variables in a large sample of participants in the PREDIMED-PLUS randomized trial of primary cardiovascular prevention with diet and physical activity. Design: Baseline assessment of nutritional adequacy in n = 5792 men and women, aged 55–75 years, with overweight/obesity and some metabolic syndrome features. Methods: Participants were categorised as non-diabetic (n = 2390), pre-diabetic (n = 1322) or diabetic (n = 2080) by standard criteria. Food and nutrient intake were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Micronutrients examined were vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, A, C, D, E and folic acid; Ca, K, P, Mg, Fe, Se, Cr, Zn, and iodine. The proportion of micronutrient inadequacy was evaluated using the EAR or adequate intake (AI) cut-offs. Diet quality was also determined using a 17-item energy-restricted Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) questionnaire. Results: Compared to non-diabetic participants, those with pre-diabetes had lower intakes of total carbohydrates (CHO) and higher intakes of total fat and saturated fatty acids (SFA) and were more likely to be below EAR for folic, while diabetic participants had lower intakes of total CHO and higher intakes of protein, total fat, monounsaturated fatty acids, SFA and cholesterol and were less likely to be below EAR for vitamins B2, and B6, Ca, Zn and iodine. Diabetic participants disclosed higher adherence to the MedDiet than the other two groups. Conclusions: Older Mediterranean individuals with metabolic syndrome and diabetes had better nutrient adequacy and adherence to the MedDiet than those with pre-diabetes or no diabetes. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1002/2014GC005253 | Plate Rotation During Continental Collision And Its Relationship With The Exhumation Of Uhp Metamorphic Terranes Application To The Norwegian Caledonides | Lateral variation and asynchronous onset of collision during the convergence of continents can significantly affect the burial and exhumation of subducted continental crust. Here we use 3-D numerical models for continental collision to discuss how deep burial and exhumation of high and ultrahigh pressure metamorphic (HP/UHP) rocks are enhanced by diachronous collision and the resulting rotation of the colliding plates. Rotation during collision locally favors eduction, the inversion of the subduction, and may explain the discontinuous distribution of ultra-high pressure (UHP) terranes along collision zones. For example, the terminal (Scandian) collision of Baltica and Laurentia, which formed the Scandinavian Caledonides, resulted in the exhumation of only one large HP/UHP terrane, the Western Gneiss Complex (WGC), near the southern end of the collision zone. Rotation of the subducting Baltica plate during collision may provide an explanation for this distribution. We explore this hypothesis by comparing orthogonal and diachronous collision models and conclude that a diachronous collision can transport continental material up to 60 km deeper, and heat material up to 300°C hotter, than an orthogonal collision. Our diachronous collision model predicts that subducted continental margin material returns to the surface only in the region where collision initiated. The diachronous collision model is consistent with petrological and geochonological observations from the WGC and makes predictions for the general evolution of the Scandinavian Caledonides. We propose the collision between Laurentia and Baltica started at the southern end of the collisional zone, and propagated northward. This asymmetric geometry resulted in the counter clockwise rotation of Baltica with respect to Laurentia, consistent with paleomagnetic data from other studies. Our model may have applications to other orogens with regional UHP terranes, such as the Dabie Shan and Papua New Guinea cases, where block rotation during exhumation has also been recorded. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
10.1038/cmi.2015.87 | Langerin-mediated internalization of a modified peptide routes antigens to early endosomes and enhances cross-presentation by human Langerhans cells | The potential of the skin immune system to generate immune responses is well established, and the skin is actively exploited as a vaccination site. Human skin contains several antigen-presenting cell subsets with specialized functions. In particular, the capacity to cross-present exogenous antigens to CD8+ T cells is of interest for the design of effective immunotherapies against viruses or cancer. Here, we show that primary human Langerhans cells (LCs) were able to cross-present a synthetic long peptide (SLP) to CD8+ T cells. In addition, modification of this SLP using antibodies against the receptor langerin, but not dectin-1, further enhanced the cross-presenting capacity of LCs through routing of internalized antigens to less proteolytic early endosome antigen 1+ early endosomes. The potency of LCs to enhance CD8+ T-cell responses could be further increased through activation of LCs with the toll-like receptor 3 ligand polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (pI:C). Altogether, the data provide evidence that human LCs are able to cross-present antigens after langerin-mediated internalization. Furthermore, the potential for antigen modification to target LCs specifically provides a rationale for generating effective anti-tumor or anti-viral cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1186/1556-276X-6-421 | Mechanics Of Lipid Bilayer Junctions Affecting The Size Of A Connecting Lipid Nanotube | In this study we report a physical analysis of the membrane mechanics affecting the size of the highly curved region of a lipid nanotube (LNT) that is either connected between a lipid bilayer vesicle and the tip of a glass microinjection pipette (tube-only) or between a lipid bilayer vesicle and a vesicle that is attached to the tip of a glass microinjection pipette (two-vesicle). For the tube-only configuration (TOC), a micropipette is used to pull a LNT into the interior of a surface-immobilized vesicle, where the length of the tube L is determined by the distance of the micropipette to the vesicle wall. For the two-vesicle configuration (TVC), a small vesicle is inflated at the tip of the micropipette tip and the length of the tube L is in this case determined by the distance between the two interconnected vesicles. An electrochemical method monitoring diffusion of electroactive molecules through the nanotube has been used to determine the radius of the nanotube R as a function of nanotube length L for the two configurations. The data show that the LNT connected in the TVC constricts to a smaller radius in comparison to the tube-only mode and that tube radius shrinks at shorter tube lengths. To explain these electrochemical data, we developed a theoretical model taking into account the free energy of the membrane regions of the vesicles, the LNT and the high curvature junctions. In particular, this model allows us to estimate the surface tension coefficients from R(L) measurements. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
10.1016/j.compstruct.2013.04.040 | Analysis of composite plates by a unified formulation-cell based smoothed finite element method and field consistent elements | In this article, we combine Carrera's Unified Formulation (CUF) [13,7] and cell based smoothed finite element method [28] for studying the static bending and the free vibration of thin and thick laminated plates. A 4-noded quadrilateral element based on the field consistency requirement is used for this study to suppress the shear locking phenomenon. The combination of cell based smoothed finite element method and field consistent approach with CUF allows a very accurate prediction of field variables. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach are demonstrated through numerical experiments. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1039/C8PY00571K | Thermal And Photo Raft Polymerization Of 2 2 2 Trifluoroethyl Α Fluoroacrylate | The RAFT polymerization of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate (FATRIFE) was investigated under thermal conditions and light irradiation. The performances of 4 different chain transfer agents (3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-1-carbodithioate (CTA1), 4-cyano-4-(2-phenylethanesulfanylthiocarbonyl)sulfanylpentanoic acid (CTA2), dibenzyl trithiocarbonate (CTA3), and ethyl 2-(phenylcarbonothioylthio) propionate (CTA4)) were compared under thermal conditions. CTA2 afforded relatively good control of the polymerization with relatively low dispersities (apparent molar mass Mn,SEC ∼ 37. 8 kg mol−1vs. PMMA, Đ < 1. 10). Pseudo-first-order polymerization kinetics and a linear increase of the molar masses versus monomer conversions were observed. The RAFT polymerization of FATRIFE was further explored under photoirradiation using CTA2 as the chain transfer agent and white LED lamps (14 W × 2). In the absence of exogenous radical sources or catalysts, controlled polymerization was observed at room temperature. A linear increase of molar masses (up to 25. 3 kg mol−1) with monomer conversions and low dispersities (Đ < 1. 10) were successfully obtained. Temporal control of the polymerization was also observed using light ON/OFF experiments. Poly(FATRIFE) based macroCTA synthesized by photoRAFT was also extended with 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl 2-fluoroacrylate and tert-butyl-2-trifluoromethacrylate/FATRIFE. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1063/5.0004038 | An Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna For Improved Far Field Properties And Polarization Manipulation Of Broadband Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers | We present an antipodal Vivaldi antenna for broadband double metal waveguide terahertz quantum cascade lasers and frequency combs. Its exponentially curved flare profile results in an adiabatic in-plane mode expansion, producing an improved far-field with a single-lobed beam of (23 ° × 19 °) full width half maximum with an octave-spanning bandwidth. The antenna also acts as a wave retarder, rotating the polarization from vertical toward horizontal polarization by a frequency-dependent angle. The laser's emission spectrum and current–voltage characteristics are not affected, as well as frequency comb operation. Measurements agree well with numerical simulations, and the proposed antenna covers a broad spectral range (1. 5–4. 5 THz). | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
10.1084/jem.20141432 | ICOS maintains the T follicular helper cell phenotype by down-regulating Krüppel-like factor 2 | The co-stimulators ICOS (inducible T cell co-stimulator) and CD28 are both important for T follicular helper (TFH) cells, yet their individual contributions are unclear. Here, we show that each molecule plays an exclusive role at different stages of TFH cell development. While CD28 regulated early expression of the master transcription factor Bcl-6, ICOS co-stimulation was essential to maintain the phenotype by regulating the novel TFH transcription factor Klf2 via Foxo1. Klf2 directly binds to Cxcr5, Ccr7, Psgl-1, and S1pr1, and low levels of Klf2 were essential to maintain this typical TFH homing receptor pattern. Blocking ICOS resulted in relocation of fully developed TFH cells back to the T cell zone and reversion of their phenotype to non-TFH effector cells, which ultimately resulted in breakdown of the germinal center response. Our study describes for the first time the exclusive role of ICOS and its downstream signaling in the maintenance of TFH cells by controlling their anatomical localization in the B cell follicle. | [
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
W2912599803 | Studying crash avoidance maneuvers prior to an impact considering different types of driver’s distractions | Abstract Performing maneuvers such as braking and lane changing can hinder the occurrence of a crash. The driver tends to escape from the crash occurrence or reduce its severity by doing the maneuver, so finding the factors affecting this type of maneuver can help the driver to react better. This work aims to discover the effect of distraction-related factors on the performance of a crash avoidance maneuver. In order to pave the way for a more thorough comprehension of this matter, variables related to the characteristics of the driver, road, crash, vehicle, and environmental properties are also considered in the analysis. The used data is based on General Estimate System 2010 dataset, a dataset related to crashes which have occurred in the USA in 2010, to develop a Mixed Logit Model for crashes. Also, performing a maneuver is modeled by using a binary dependent variable. Then, the significant variables are found, and factors affecting driver reaction are analyzed. Afterwards, the pseudo-elasticity is measured, which demonstrates the effect of each variable in performing the maneuver. The results show the effect of each category (characteristics of driver, vehicle, crash, road, and the environmental properties) on performing a maneuver. For instance, when there is more than one car engaged in a crash, the probability of performing a maneuver reduces. Also, it is more probable that younger drivers perform a maneuver before the impact; however, older drivers do not usually conduct any maneuver. Additionally, using older vehicles, driving during weekends and on the road with curvature, on two-way paths, and on multi-lane paths can increase the probability of performing a maneuver. Among distraction-related factors, the result shows that cognitive distraction, in-vehicle activities, outside events, and using cellphone have significant negative effects on performing a maneuver. The results of pseudo-analysis show that using cellphones diminish the probability of conducting a maneuver by 66.4 %. Also, lack of consciousness and fatigue have the most negative impact on conducting a maneuver. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
W2237968559 | Plan de gestión de residuos provenientes de la faena de mariscos y residuos comunes del Puerto Artesanal Pesquero de Esmeraldas (PAPES) | This project was made to propose a waste management system to Esmeraldas Fish
Port, it started analyzing the current port situation, this study took economical,
technological and logistical factors and some bibliographic sources which help to
determine the physical, biotic and socioeconomic components in the area.
Then, the technical visits allowed to identify the main generating source, also the
amount and composition waste, it was found that 2261,23 Kg slaughtering fish waste
(53,07%), 1708,86 Kg food waste (40,10%) and plastic, paper, glass and other
(6,83%).
Finally, based on the work done, there was establish some segregation mechanisms,
store, transportation and waste disposal that allowed an appropriate management
waste system. Furthermore some recyclable waste can be sold in order to produces
an economic income to the port. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
W4228999992 | Islam y Musulmanes (y no solo) vistos por peregrinos en los diarios del siglo XV | La movilidad de peregrinos, cruzados y comerciantes de la "Edad Media" ayudó a recopilar y difundir informaciones sobre contextos ambientales y humanos, pero, al mismo tiempo, contribuyó a la construcción de un estereotipo predominante en el pensamiento occidental y en la percepción del "otro" musulmán. Los lugares de las regiones atravesadas eran para los peregrinos áreas inseparables de la sacralidad del país y representaban la frontera con el contexto humano que pertenecía al mundo profano e infiel. Las peregrinationes que nos han llegado parecen moverse en dos niveles paralelos: tradición e innovación. A partir de los diarios de peregrinación a Tierra Santa a finales del Medioevo, se presentan las representaciones de los musulmanes y del Islam, identificando las persistencias de la cultura milenaria y los cambios producidos a partir de la verdadera curiosidad por conocer y comprender al “otro”. Se prestará atención al diario de viaje de Anselmo Adorno (1470-1471). | [
"Texts and Concepts",
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Studies of Cultures and Arts"
]
|
10.2337/db18-0900 | Glucolipotoxicity alters insulin secretion via epigenetic changes in human islets | Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by insufficient insulin secretion and elevated glucose levels, often in combination with high levels of circulating fatty acids. Long-term exposure to high levels of glucose or fatty acids impair insulin secretion in pancreatic islets, which could partly be due to epigenetic alterations. We studied the effects of high concentrations of glucose and palmitate combined for 48 h (glucolipotoxicity) on the transcriptome, the epigenome, and cell function in human islets. Glucolipotoxicity impaired insulin secretion, increased apoptosis, and significantly (false discovery rate <5%) altered the expression of 1,855 genes, including 35 genes previously implicated in T2D by genomewide association studies (e. g. , TCF7L2 and CDKN2B). Additionally, metabolic pathways were enriched for downregulated genes. Of the differentially expressed genes, 1,469 also exhibited altered DNA methylation (e. g. , CDK1, FICD, TPX2, and TYMS). A luciferase assay showed that increased methylation of CDK1 directly reduces its transcription in pancreatic β-cells, supporting the idea that DNA methylation underlies altered expression after glucolipotoxicity. Follow-up experiments in clonal β-cells showed that knockdown of FICD and TPX2 alters insulin secretion. Together, our novel data demonstrate that glucolipotoxicity changes the epigenome in human islets, thereby altering gene expression and possibly exacerbating the secretory defect in T2D. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
771777 | FUNctionalized POLYmer electrolytes for energy STORagE | Besides the need for large-scale implementation of renewable energy sources, there is an equivalent need for new energy storage solutions. This is not least true for the transport sector, where electric vehicles are expanding rapidly. The rich flora of battery chemistries – today crowned by the Li-ion battery – is likewise expected to expand in upcoming years. Novel types of batteries, “post-lithium ion”, will challenge the Li-ion chemistries by advantages in cost, sustainability, elemental abundance or energy density. This requires significant improvements of the materials, not least regarding the electrolyte. The conventional liquid battery electrolytes pose a problem already for the mature Li-ion chemistries due to safety and cost, but are particularly destructive for future battery types such as Li-metal, organic electrodes, Li-S, Li-O2, Na- or Mg-batteries, where rapid degradation and loss of material are associated with incompatibilities with the electrolytes. In this context, solid state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) could provide a considerable improvement.
The field of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) is dominated by polyethers, particularly poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). This application regards moving out of the established PEO-paradigm and exploring alternative polymer hosts for SPEs, primarily polycarbonates and polyesters. These ‘alternative’ polymers are comparatively easy to work with synthetically, and their possible functionalization is straightforward. The work aims at exploring functionalized alternative polymer host for mechanically robust block-copolymer systems, for alternative cation chemistries (Na, Mg, etc.), for extremely high and low electrochemical potentials, and for unstable and easily dissolved electrode materials (sulfur, organic). Moreover, since the ion transport processes in the host materials are fundamentally different from polyethers, there is a need for investigating the conduction mechanisms using simulations. | [
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Materials Engineering",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
Q4245547 | APOYO A LA LIQUIDEZ PARA LAS MICROEMPRESAS AFECTADAS POR LA EMERGENCIA DE LA COVID | APOYO A LA LIQUIDEZ DE LAS MICROEMPRESAS Y LAS PEQUEÑAS EMPRESAS DE LOS SECTORES MINORISTA, DE SUMINISTRO Y DE SERVICIOS PERSONALES CUYA ACTIVIDAD HA SIDO SUSPENDIDA COMO CONSECUENCIA DEL DECRETO DEL PRIMER MINISTRO DE 11 DE MARZO DE 2020 | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
]
|
10.1007/978-3-319-78381-9_1 | On The Bit Security Of Cryptographic Primitives | We introduce a formal quantitative notion of “bit security” for a general type of cryptographic games (capturing both decision and search problems), aimed at capturing the intuition that a cryptographic primitive with k-bit security is as hard to break as an ideal cryptographic function requiring a brute force attack on a k-bit key space. Our new definition matches the notion of bit security commonly used by cryptographers and cryptanalysts when studying search (e. g. , key recovery) problems, where the use of the traditional definition is well established. However, it produces a quantitatively different metric in the case of decision (indistinguishability) problems, where the use of (a straightforward generalization of) the traditional definition is more problematic and leads to a number of paradoxical situations or mismatches between theoretical/provable security and practical/common sense intuition. Key to our new definition is to consider adversaries that may explicitly declare failure of the attack. We support and justify the new definition by proving a number of technical results, including tight reductions between several standard cryptographic problems, a new hybrid theorem that preserves bit security, and an application to the security analysis of indistinguishability primitives making use of (approximate) floating point numbers. This is the first result showing that (standard precision) 53-bit floating point numbers can be used to achieve 100-bit security in the context of cryptographic primitives with general indistinguishability-based security definitions. Previous results of this type applied only to search problems, or special types of decision problems. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1109/ALLERTON.2015.7446999 | The Feedback Capacity Of The Binary Symmetric Channel With A No Consecutive Ones Input Constraint | The binary symmetric channel (BSC) with feedback is considered, where the input sequence contains no consecutive ones, i. e. , satisfies the (1,∞)-RLL constraint. In [1], the capacity of this setting was formulated as dynamic programming (DP); however, analytic expressions for capacity and optimal input distribution were left as an open problem. In this paper, we derive explicit expressions for both feedback capacity and optimal input distribution. The solution was obtained by using an equivalent DP and solving its corresponding Bellman equation. The feedback capacity also serves as an upper bound on the capacity of the input-constrained BSC channel without feedback, a problem that is still open. | [
"Mathematics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
W4317036746 | ENSEÑAR A ARGUMENTAR EN CONTEXTOS RURALES A TRAVÉS DE SECUENCIAS DIDÁCTICAS: EXPERIMENTACIÓN DEL DISPOSITIVO DIDÁCTICO EN ESPAÑOL | Investigaciones previas muestran las repercusiones de la enseñanza temprana de la argumentación en, al menos, dos ámbitos: formación de ciudadanía y éxito académico. No obstante, el derecho a la enseñanza temprana de capacidades de lectura y escritura críticas se convierte en una desventaja para poblaciones que habitan en contextos rurales. El objetivo del artículo es mostrar el efecto de una secuencia didáctica basada en un género textual argumentativo en las producciones textuales de alumnos de telesecundaria. Como herramienta metodológica retomamos la secuencia didáctica basada en el género textual. Ésta ha sido utilizada en diferentes partes del mundo para la enseñanza de las lenguas. En lo que respecta al español, en México, se ha explorado su efectividad con géneros textuales que implican argumentar. Este trabajo muestra que los alumnos mejoraron la organización global y la cohesión textual en las producciones finales, así como el conocimiento del tema de discusión. | [
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Texts and Concepts"
]
|
10.1007/JHEP04(2018)047 | Subleading Regge Limit From A Soft Anomalous Dimension | Wilson lines capture important features of scattering amplitudes, for example soft effects relevant for infrared divergences, and the Regge limit. Beyond the leading power approximation, corrections to the eikonal picture have to be taken into account. In this paper, we study such corrections in a model of massive scattering amplitudes in $$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$
super Yang-Mills, in the planar limit, where the mass is generated through a Higgs mechanism. Using known three-loop analytic expressions for the scattering amplitude, we find that the first power suppressed term has a very simple form, equal to a single power law. We propose that its exponent is governed by the anomalous dimension of a Wilson loop with a scalar inserted at the cusp, and we provide perturbative evidence for this proposal. We also analyze other limits of the amplitude and conjecture an exact formula for a total cross-section at high energies. | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1021/ct1006407 | New interaction parameters for oxygen compounds in the GROMOS force field: Improved pure-liquid and solvation properties for alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters | A new parameter set (53A6OXY) is developed for the GROMOS force field, that combines reoptimized parameters for the oxygen-containing chemical functions (alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters) with the current biomolecular force field version (53A6) for all other functions. In the context of oxygen-containing functions, the 53A6OXY parameter set is obtained by optimization of simulated pure-liquid properties, namely the density ρliq and enthalpy of vaporization ΔHvap, as well as solvation properties, namely the free energies of solvation in water ΔGwat and in cyclohexane ΔGche, against experimental data for 10 selected organic compounds, and further tested for 25 other compounds. The simultaneous refinement of atomic charges and Lennard-Jones interaction parameters against the four mentioned types of properties provides a single parameter set for the simulation of both liquid and biomolecular systems. Small changes in the covalent parameters controlling the geometry of the oxygen-containing chemical functions are also undertaken. The new 53A6OXY force-field parameters reproduce the mentioned experimental data within root-mean-square deviations of 22. 4 kg m-3 (ρliq), 3. 1 kJ mol-1 (ΔHvap), 3. 0 kJ mol-1 (ΔGwat), and 1. 7 kJ mol-1 (ΔGche) for the 35 compounds considered. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
678302 | Shaping of axonal complexity by a dynamic regulation of local metabolic pathways in the developing cortex | The proper function of neuronal circuits in the adult brain relies heavily on glucose metabolism to ensure energy-demanding neuronal functions such as synaptic activity or long distance axonal transport. Deregulation of the energetic metabolism is strongly associated to many neurodegenerative diseases and has been linked to some neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia. However our current understanding of metabolic regulation in the developing brain and in particular in rapidly growing neurons is still fragmental.
I recently identified a novel function for the kinase LKB1 in the control of axon outgrowth and terminal branching in the mouse cortex (Courchet et al. Cell 2013). This novel function of LKB1 involves the kinase NUAK1/ARK5, a poorly studied kinase related to the metabolic regulator AMPK. Furthermore our work uncovered a completely novel mechanism by which LKB1 and NUAK1 control terminal axon branching through the capture of mitochondria at nascent presynaptic sites. However the roles of presynaptic mitochondria in developing neurons and how they contribute to axon morphogenesis remain an open question.
In this project I will to study how the regulation of glucose metabolism and mitochondria function by LKB1 and NUAK1 underlie neuron development and circuit formation in the neocortex. We will develop techniques combining live imaging of fluorescent metabolic reporters, functional metabolomics and in vivo manipulation of gene expression in mouse models to identify the relationship between glucose metabolism and axon development. My experimental plan will revolve around three independent aims that will tackle this question from a subcellular scale to circuits in vivo.
Overall, this project will provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the neocortex and will point out some of the consequences of metabolic imbalance on the development of the brain, a question that has many important implications for public health. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
10.1051/0004-6361/201630329 | Different Dust And Gas Radial Extents In Protoplanetary Disks Consistent Models Of Grain Growth And Co Emission | Context. ALMA observations of protoplanetary disks confirm earlier indications that there is a clear difference between the dust and gas radial extents. The origin of this difference is still debated, with both radial drift of the dust and optical depth effects suggested in the literature. Aims. In thermo-chemical models, the dust properties are usually prescribed by simple parametrisations. In this work, the feedback of more realistic dust particle distributions onto the gas chemistry and molecular emissivity is investigated, with a particular focus on CO isotopologues. Methods. The radial dust grain size distribution is determined using dust evolution models that include growth, fragmentation, and radial drift for a given static gas density structure. The vertical settling of dust particles is computed in steady-state. A new version of the code DALI is used to take into account how dust surface area and density influence the disk thermal structure, molecular abundances, and excitation. Synthetic images of both continuum thermal emission and low J CO isotopologues lines are produced. Results. The difference of dust and gas radial sizes is largely due to differences in the optical depth of CO lines and millimeter continuum, without the need to invoke radial drift. The effect of radial drift is primarily visible in the sharp outer edge of the continuum intensity profile. The gas outer radius probed by (CO)-C-12 emission can easily differ by a factor of similar to two between the models for a turbulent alpha ranging between 10(-4) and 10(-2), with the ratio of the CO and mm radius R-CO(out)/R-mm(out) increasing with turbulence. Grain growth and settling concur in thermally decoupling the gas and dust components, due to the low collision rate with large grains. As a result, the gas can be much colder than the dust at intermediate heights, reducing the CO excitation and emission, especially for low turbulence values. Also, due to disk mid-plane shadowing, a second CO thermal desorption (rather than photodesorption) front can occur in the warmer outer mid-plane disk. The models are compared to ALMA observations of HD 163296 as a test case. In order to reproduce the observed CO snowline of the system, a binding energy for CO typical of ice mixtures, with E-b >= 1100 K, needs to be used rather than the lower pure CO value. Conclusions. The difference between observed gas and dust extent is largely due to optical depth effects, but radial drift and grain size evolution also affect the gas and dust emission in subtle ways. In order to properly infer fundamental quantities of the gaseous component of disks, such as disk outer radii and gas surface density profiles, simultaneous modelling of both dust and gas observations including dust evolution is needed. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Universe Sciences"
]
|
10.1111/j.1467-8659.2011.01848.x | Scale space meshing of raw data point sets | This paper develops a scale space strategy for orienting and meshing exactly and completely a raw point set. The scale space is based on the intrinsic heat equation, also called mean curvature motion (MCM). A simple iterative scheme implementing MCM directly on the raw point set is described, and a mathematical proof of its consistency with MCM is given. Points evolved by this MCM implementation can be trivially backtracked to their initial raw position. Therefore, both the orientation and mesh of the data point set obtained at a smooth scale can be transported back on the original. The gain in visual accuracy is demonstrated on archaeological objects by comparison with several state of the art meshing methods. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Mathematics"
]
|
W1972627468 | Topological shape optimization of microstructural metamaterials using a level set method | Abstract Metamaterials usually refer to artificial composite materials consisting of an array of periodically arranged microstructures, engineered to provide unusual material properties that may not be easily found in nature. This paper proposes a new topological shape optimization method for systematic computational design of a type of mechanical metamaterials with negative Poisson’s ratios (auxetic materials), which integrates the numerical homogenization approach into a powerful parametric level set method (PLSM). The homogenization method is used to obtain the effective properties of the periodic microstructure, while the PLSM is applied to achieve shape evolutions and topological changes of the microstructure, until the desired material properties are achieved. The key concept of the PLSM is the interpolation of the implicit level set surface by using a given set of compactly supported radial basis functions (CSRBF), which are positioned at a number of given and fixed knots inside the design domain. Several typical numerical examples are used to demonstrate the favorable characteristics of the proposed method in the design of micro-structured metamaterials. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
W3047408414 | Vector dynamics of pulsating solitons in an ultrafast fiber laser | We experimentally investigate the vector nature of various pulsating solitons in an ultrafast fiber laser with single-wall carbon nanotubes. By virtue of the dispersive Fourier transform technique, the polarization-resolved spectral evolution of pulsating vector solitons is measured in real time. In the case of single-periodic pulsation, pulsating behaviors of the two orthogonal polarization components can be either synchronous or asynchronous. We also observe double-periodic pulsation in the cavity for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. It is shown that the shot-to-shot spectra oscillate with two combined modulation periods involved in this process. Our results would be beneficial for further understanding of the vector dynamics of pulsating solitons in dissipative systems. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
W2370418579 | Overpressure characteristics and classification of the tight gas reservoirs in upper Triassic Xujiahe formation in the middle section of west Sichuan Depression,China | The upper Triassic Xujiahe formation is the main gas production interval in west Sichuan Depression,has two main characteristics of ultra-tight and overpressure.Most of the gas reservoirs are found in the positive tectonic units in the middle section of west Sichuan Depression.Pressure tests result and drilling and logging data have shown that the overpressure character differs in different intervals of Xujiahe formation;the pressure coefficient is higher in the cap rock than in the reservoirs,and higher in the upper Xujiahe formation than in the lower.Different gas reservoirs have different vertical overpressure characteristics.The Xujiahe gas reservoirs in the middle section of west Sichuan Depression are classified into 4 pressure associations according to typical pressure development characteristics,i.e.Xinchang type,Hexingchang type,Yazihe type and Dayi type,which respectively represent different levels of pressure and hydrocarbon preservation conditions,and have different implications in gas exploration. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
10.1038/s41598-019-41461-1 | The pentaglycine bridges of Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan are essential for cell integrity | Bacterial cells are surrounded by cell wall, whose main component is peptidoglycan (PG), a macromolecule that withstands the internal turgor of the cell. PG composition can vary considerably between species. The Gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus possesses highly crosslinked PG due to the presence of cross bridges containing five glycines, which are synthesised by the FemXAB protein family. FemX adds the first glycine of the cross bridge, while FemA and FemB add the second and the third, and the fourth and the fifth glycines, respectively. Of these, FemX was reported to be essential. To investigate the essentiality of FemAB, we constructed a conditional S. aureus mutant of the femAB operon. Depletion of femAB was lethal, with cells appearing as pseudomulticellular forms that eventually lyse due to extensive membrane rupture. This deleterious effect was mitigated by drastically increasing the osmolarity of the medium, indicating that pentaglycine crosslinks are required for S. aureus cells to withstand internal turgor. Despite the absence of canonical membrane targeting domains, FemA has been shown to localise at the membrane. To study its mechanism of localisation, we constructed mutants in key residues present in the putative transferase pocket and the α6 helix of FemA, possibly involved in tRNA binding. Mutations in the α6 helix led to a sharp decrease in protein activity in vivo and in vitro but did not impair correct membrane localisation, indicating that FemA activity is not required for localisation. Our data indicates that, contrarily to what was previously thought, S. aureus cells do not survive in the absence of a pentaglycine cross bridge. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
336376 | Carbohydrate Mimesis using Fluorinated Sugars for Chemical Biology: From Reaction Design to Applications in Molecular Imaging | The principle objective of this proposal is to validate fluorinated glyco-structures as effective carbohydrate mimics for the next frontier in pharmaceutical research. Herein we propose to capitalise on the major advances in statistical data analysis which are unravelling the complexity of mammalian and bacterial “glycospace”. Molecular mimicry is a powerful drug design approach. It is therefore envisaged to develop a focussed programme of research to validate fluorinated glycostructures, and in particular 2-fluoro sugars, as carbohydrate mimics for chemical biology, exploiting the ubiquitous role of carbohydrates in molecular recognition. Salient features of the 2-fluoro substituent include (i) enhanced hydrolytic stability to enzymatic degradation, (ii) the presence of a NMR active reporter nucleus (19F) for facile analysis, and (iii) the possibility for molecular imaging application when using 18F labelled glycostructures. Phase one of this project will aim to develop synthetic routes to the target fluoro-glycostructures. This will involve a substantial component of physical organic chemistry including conformational analysis, advanced 19F NMR spectroscopy and the possible isolation of oxo-carbenium analogues by exploiting advances in the development of large, weakly co-ordinating anions. From first principle reaction design and development, through a basic understanding of conformation and reactivity, phase 2 will focus on the application of these materials for chemical biology applications. Phase 2 will then heavily focus on the application of complex oligosaccharides containing the PET active 18F moiety. It is envisaged that by exploiting the ubiquitous role of carbohydrates in molecular recognition that this would conceivably lead to the development of selective imaging agents, thus bypassing the current problem of relying on the metabolically controlled distribution of the commonly used PET tracer 2-fluorodeoxy glucose (18F-FDG). | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1103/PhysRevB.99.085107 | Metric wave approach to flexoelectricity within density functional perturbation theory | Within the framework of density functional perturbation theory, we implement and test a "metric wave" response-function approach. It consists in the reformulation of an acoustic phonon perturbation in the curvilinear frame that is comoving with the atoms. This means that all the perturbation effects are encoded in the first-order variation of the real-space metric, while the atomic positions remain fixed. This approach can be regarded as the generalization of the uniform strain perturbation of Hamann et al. [D. R. Hamann, X. Wu, K. M. Rabe, and D. Vanderbilt, Phys. Rev. B 71, 035117 (2005)PRBMDO1098-012110. 1103/PhysRevB. 71. 035117] to the case of inhomogeneous deformations, and greatly facilitates the calculation of advanced electromechanical couplings such as the flexoelectric tensor. We demonstrate the accuracy of our approach with extensive tests on model systems and on bulk crystals of Si and SrTiO3. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
W2038426248 | Patterns of Change in Uterine Artery Doppler Studies Between 20 and 24 Weeks of Gestation and Pregnancy Outcomes | OBJECTIVES: To describe changes in mean uterine artery resistance index and bilateral notches between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation in healthy nulliparous women and to relate these changes to pregnancy outcome. METHODS: A total of 2,189 nulliparous participants in the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints study had pregnancy outcomes compared between four uterine artery Doppler groups: normal at 20 and 24 weeks of gestation (group 1), normal at 20 weeks and abnormal at 24 weeks (group 2), abnormal at 20 weeks and normal at 24 weeks (group 3), and abnormal at both 20 and 24 weeks (group 4). Abnormal uterine Doppler was defined as 1) mean resistance index greater than the 90th centile; 2) bilateral notches; and 3) a combination of 1, 2, or both. The main outcomes were preeclampsia and small for gestational age (SGA) neonates (less than the 10th customized centile). RESULTS: Preeclampsia developed in 116 (5.3%) women, and 223 (10.2%) delivered SGA neonates. With abnormal Doppler defined as mean resistance index greater than the 90th centile, the rate of SGA increased across Doppler groups: group 1, 156 (8.4%); group 2, 13 (11%); group 3, 25 (19.5%); and group 4, 29 (35.4%) (P<.001). The rate of SGA was higher in group 3 compared with group 1. Preeclampsia differed among groups 1 (85 [4.6%]), 2 (9 [7.6%], 3 (7 [5.5%]), and 4 (15 [18.3%]) (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Pregnancy outcomes in women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler results at either 20 or 24 weeks were intermediate between those with normal or abnormal results at both time points. If overall test performance could be enhanced by the addition of clinical data, biomarkers, or both, we would recommend that 20 weeks is the most appropriate gestation in the second trimester to perform uterine artery Doppler studies. | [
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1007/s00216-015-9201-5 | Can we use high precision metal isotope analysis to improve our understanding of cancer? | High precision natural isotope analyses are widely used in geosciences to trace elemental transport pathways. The use of this analytical tool is increasing in nutritional and disease-related research. In recent months, a number of groups have shown the potential this technique has in providing new observations for various cancers when applied to trace metal metabolism. The deconvolution of isotopic signatures, however, relies on mathematical models and geochemical data, which are not representative of the system under investigation. In addition to relevant biochemical studies of protein-metal isotopic interactions, technological development both in terms of sample throughput and detection sensitivity of these elements is now needed to translate this novel approach into a mainstream analytical tool. Following this, essential background healthy population studies must be performed, alongside observational, cross-sectional disease-based studies. Only then can the sensitivity and specificity of isotopic analyses be tested alongside currently employed methods, and important questions such as the influence of cancer heterogeneity and disease stage on isotopic signatures be addressed. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
EP 10002258 A | Drink cooling and tap device | The appliance (1) to cool and tap e.g. party beer cans (20) has a housing for at least two cans. The can puncture has at least two tubular puncture units (2,2.1), linked to a common cooling system (10) and the tap (4). Pressure is supplied by at least two compressed gas cartridges (5.1). | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1016/j.cpc.2017.08.012 | DFTBaby: A software package for non-adiabatic molecular dynamics simulations based on long-range corrected tight-binding TD-DFT(B) | A software package, called DFTBaby, is published, which provides the electronic structure needed for running non-adiabatic molecular dynamics simulations at the level of tight-binding DFT. A long-range correction is incorporated to avoid spurious charge transfer states. Excited state energies, their analytic gradients and scalar non-adiabatic couplings are computed using tight-binding TD-DFT. These quantities are fed into a molecular dynamics code, which integrates Newton's equations of motion for the nuclei together with the electronic Schrödinger equation. Non-adiabatic effects are included by surface hopping. As an example, the program is applied to the optimization of excited states and non-adiabatic dynamics of polyfluorene. The python and Fortran source code is available at http://www. dftbaby. chemie. uni-wuerzburg. de. Program summary Program title: DFTBaby Licensing provisions: MIT license Programming language: python and Fortran 90 Journal Reference: J. Chem. Phys. 143, 134120 (2015) Nature of problem: Trajectory-based non-adiabatic molecular dynamics simulations in excited singlet states for closed-shell molecular systems. Solution method: The electronic structure is solved using charge-consistent tight-binding DFT with a long-range correction to avoid spurious charge transfer states. Excited state energies, their analytic gradients and scalar non-adiabatic couplings are computed using tight-binding TD-DFT. These quantities are fed in a molecular dynamics code, which integrates Newton's equations of motion for the nuclei together with the electronic Schrödinger equation. Non-adiabatic effects are included by surface hopping. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
10.1039/C6CP03564G | Identifying Short Surface Ligands On Metal Phosphide Quantum Dots | The control and understanding of the chemical and physical properties of quantum dots (QDs) demands detailed surface characterization. However, probing the immediate interface between the inorganic core and the ligands is still a major challenge. Here we show that using cross-polarization magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR, unprecedented information can be obtained on the surface ligands of Cd3P2 and InP QDs. The resonances of fragments which are usually challenging to detect like methylene or methyl near the surface, can be observed with our approach. Moreover, ligands such as hydroxyl and ethoxide which have so far never been detected at the surface can be unambiguously identified. This NMR approach is versatile, applicable to any phosphides and highly sensitive since it remains effective for identifying quantities as low as a few percent of surface atoms. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
10.1088/2041-8205/812/2/L36 | Playing With Positive Feedback External Pressure Triggering Of A Star Forming Disk Galaxy | In massive galaxies, the currently favored method for quenching star formation is via active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback, which ejects gas from the galaxy using a central supermassive black hole. At high redshifts however, explanation of the huge rates of star formation often found in galaxies containing AGNs may require a more vigorous mode of star formation than is attainable by simply enriching the gas content of galaxies in the usual gravitationally driven mode that is associated with the nearby universe. Using idealized hydrodynamical simulations, we show that AGN-pressure-driven star formation potentially provides the positive feedback that may be required to generate the accelerated star formation rates observed in the distant universe. | [
"Universe Sciences",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
W4297983174 | National education plan in Brazil (2014-2024): approach on the influence of economic policies of international organizations | Em junho de 2014 foi aprovado o Plano Nacional da Educação (PNE, Lei nº 13.005), que prevê as diretrizes e metas para a educação nacional para os próximos dez anos. Por outro lado, o Grupo do Banco Mundial (GBM), o Fundo Monetário Internacional (FMI) e a Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico (OCDE) preveem projetos e orientações para os países de economia emergente a título de políticas educacionais enquanto ferramentas propulsoras do desenvolvimento econômico. O objetivo desse artigo é identificar em que medida e em quais aspectos o PNE foi orientado por políticas educacionais emanadas desses organismos internacionais. Nas metas do PNE é possível observar forte influência das políticas educacionais fundamentadas na privatização, no fomento à aprendizagem, no desenvolvimento de capacidades e em avaliações pautadas em resultados, bem como das orientações impostas por aqueles organismos internacionais de fomento ao desenvolvimento econômico. | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
]
|
10.1016/j.devcel.2015.01.002 | Weaning Triggers a Maturation Step of Pancreatic β Cells | Because tissue regeneration deteriorates with age, it is generally assumed that the younger the animal, the better it compensates for tissue damage. We have examined the effect of young age on compensatory proliferation of pancreatic β cells invivo. Surprisingly, β cells in suckling mice fail to enter the cell division cycle in response to a diabetogenic injury or increased glycolysis. The potential of β cells for compensatory proliferation is acquired following premature weaning to normal chow, but not to a diet mimicking maternal milk. In addition, weaning coincides with enhanced glucose-stimulated oxidative phosphorylation and insulin secretion from islets. Transcriptome analysis reveals that weaning increases the expression of genes involved in replication licensing, suggesting a mechanism for increased responsiveness to the mitogenic activity of high glucose. We propose that weaning triggers a discrete maturation step of β cells, elevating both the mitogenic and secretory response to glucose. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
W2120642111 | Retirement pensions in Lithuania: 25 years and still in transit? | Adequate social security system is one of key elements of any modern society. Retirement pensions are usually attributed to the area of social security and � as such � pension system has multiple objectives, for example, to smooth income during lifetime of individual, to address poverty issues and similar. Due to ageing population and other circumstances many countries face difficulties when providing retirement pensions solely as part of social security system. Lithuania is not an exception, so � as in many other European countries � pension reform was implemented during the period of 2003 � 2004. Design of retirement pensions before and after reform is presented in this paper. Impact of reform for estimated amount of pensions and public finances as well as main areas of uncertainty are discussed. | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
]
|
10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.03.028 | Climate regulates the erosional carbon export from the terrestrial biosphere | Erosion drives the export of particulate organic carbon from the terrestrial biosphere (POCbiosphere) and its delivery to rivers. The carbon transfer is globally significant and can result in drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) if the eroded POCbiosphere escapes degradation during river transfer and sedimentary deposition. Despite this recognition, we lack a global perspective on how the tectonic and climatic factors which govern physical erosion regulate POCbiosphere discharge, obscuring linkages between mountain building, climate, and CO2 drawdown. To fill this deficit, geochemical (δ13C, 14C and C/N), hydrometric (water discharge, suspended sediment concentration) and geomorphic (slope) measurements are combined from 33 globally-distributed forested mountain catchments. Radiocarbon activity is used to account for rock-derived organic carbon and reveals that POCbiosphere eroded from mountain forests is mostly < 1300 14C years old. Annual POCbiosphere yields are positively correlated with suspended sediment yields, confirming results from Taiwan and a recent global analysis, and are high in catchments with the steepest slopes. Based on these relationships and the global distribution of slope angles (3-arc-second), it is suggested that topography steeper than 10° (16% of the continental area) may contribute ~ 40% of global POCbiosphere erosional flux. Climate is shown to regulate POCbiosphere discharge by mountain rivers, by controlling hydrologically-driven erosion processes. In catchments where discharge measurements are available (8 of the 33) a significant relationship exists between daily runoff (mm day− 1) and POCbiosphere concentration (mg L− 1) (r = 0. 53, P < 0. 0001). The relationship can be described by a single power law and suggests a high connectivity between forested hillslopes and mountain river channels. As a result, annual POCbiosphere yields are significantly correlated with mean annual runoff (r = 0. 64, P < 0. 0001). A shear-stress POCbiosphere erosion model is proposed which can explain the patterns in the data. The model allows the climate sensitivity of this carbon flux to be assessed for the first time. For a 1% increase in annual runoff, POCbiosphere discharge is predicted to increase by ~ 4%. In steeper catchments, POCbiosphere discharge increases more rapidly with an increase in annual runoff. For comparison, a 1% increase in annual runoff is predicted to increase carbon transfers by silicate weathering solute fluxes in mountains by 0. 4–0. 7%. Depending on the fate of the eroded POCbiosphere, river export of POCbiosphere from mountains may act as an important negative feedback on rising atmospheric CO2 and increased global temperature. Erosion of carbon from the terrestrial biosphere links mountain building and climate to the geological evolution of atmospheric CO2, while the carbon fluxes are sensitive to predicted changes in runoff over the coming century. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
324148 | An empire of 2000 cities: urban networks and economic integration in the Roman empire | The central aims of this project are to establish the shapes of the various urban hierarchies existing in the provinces of the Roman empire and (especially) to use the quantitative properties of these hierarchies to shed new light on levels of economic integration. Should we conceptualize the urban system of the Roman world as a collection of cellular ‘modules’ which were only loosely connected by the imposition of a rudimentary administrative superstructure and by resource flows of limited significance? Or did the creation of an overarching empire favour the emergence of an economically well-integrated urban network or at least the growth of certain ‘nodal points’ which helped to tie the empire together by mediating resource flows between regions? Key topics to be explored include the physical size of cities, the overall shape of regional urban hierarchies, the role of harbour cities in connecting various parts of the empire, and the economic implications of the emergence and existence of large provincial capitals and other ‘primate cities’.
Building on spatial and economic theories from various disciplines, the project starts from the working hypothesis that the urban system of the Roman empire possessed a number of unique features which set it apart from that of the various urban system existing in the same geographical area during the early-modern period. While some of these features (such as the size of Rome) can plausibly be attributed to the fact that the Roman empire was much larger than the empires and emerging nation states of early-modern times, the project aims to demonstrate that the specific configuration of regional urban hierarchies in the Roman world also reflects levels of economic integration which fell dramatically short of those achieved in various parts of early-modern Europe. | [
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
]
|
10.1103/PhysRevA.93.022305 | Quantum bounds on multiplayer linear games and device-independent witness of genuine tripartite entanglement | Here we study multiplayer linear games, a natural generalization of XOR games to multiple outcomes. We generalize a recently proposed efficiently computable bound, in terms of the norm of a game matrix, on the quantum value of two-player games to linear games with n players. As an example, we bound the quantum value of a generalization of the well-known CHSH game to n players and d outcomes. We also apply the bound to show in a simple manner that any nontrivial functional box, that could lead to trivialization of communication complexity in a multiparty scenario, cannot be realized in quantum mechanics. We then present a systematic method to derive device-independent witnesses of genuine tripartite entanglement. | [
"Mathematics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
]
|
interreg_2073 | Low Carbon South East Europe | Combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one of the biggest challenges of the European Union which is addressed also in the Europe 2020 Strategy with the objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by year 2020 compared to year 1990. Because of its diversity and extreme weather events it is expected that South East Europe region will be impacted by climate change more than other regions. The countries in the region already have various experiences with the preparation of low carbon policies, transferring EU climate legislation, introduction of low carbon technologies and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but they are at different levels. The main challenge in the SEE region is lack of systematic approach for creation of low carbon policies which would contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and lack of knowledge and capacities of public authorities and other institutions dealing with climate change for development and implementation of low carbon policies. Public authorities have different levels of capacity and are partially addressing the field of climate change without cross-sectoral cooperation which is crucial for development of low carbon policies and without capitalising enough upon existing experience and know-how in the region. Furthermore, they are lacking the capacity for coordinated transfer of EU legislation in the field of climate change, especially in candidate and potential candidate countries. The main objective of the LOCSEE project is to strengthen the capacity and knowledge of public authorities and other institutions dealing with the climate change in the SEE countries and to develop a systematic cross-sectoral approach for creation of low carbon policies which will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on the way to low carbon South East Europe. The project aims at increasing know-how of public authorities and other institutions dealing with the climate change for coordinated transfer of EU climate legislation and to enhance the involvement of stakeholders in policy development. In order to increase the capacity of public authorities and other institutions dealing with climate change to develop cross-sectoral low carbon policies a common systematic approach for creation of low carbon policies will be developed. On the basis of involvement and experiences of the main target groups (national or regional public authorities in charge for climate change, expert support level and stakeholders from different sectors) a common cross-sectoral Step by step manual for creation of low carbon policies will be prepared. LOCSEE project will contribute to faster transfer of EU climate legislation with the development of common guidelines for coordinated cross-sectoral transfer of EU guidelines and directives in the field of climate change. To encourage pooling, transfer and exchange of innovative and efficient good practices from and to SEE region and to capitalise the results of other projects a good practice platform will be established on the project website. To ensure political support, transferability and sustainability of project results after the project conclusion and beyond the partnership a Regional Policy Network of high level representatives will be established. Project results will be disseminated throughout the entire project through the different communication means and at different project events. The added value of the LOCSEE project is the implementation of integrative and participatory cross-sectoral approaches and involvement of key organisations in charge for climate change which have the power to transfer the know-how into their organisations and to develop policies. This project will combine a process toward EU integration and a progress of all countries in the framework of international negotiations in the field of climate change. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
]
|
W3036170698 | Hyperloop System Implementation using Magnetic Levitation Principle | The conceptualization about Hyperloop was brought in the 20th century, which completely transfers the archetype of transport. The hyperloop system will have a design of a vacuum tube through which capsule will travel with significantly less resistance by air or friction which will pass on the capsule or pod at a very high speed. It will be propelled at a speed which will be over and above the speed of airlines. It will race at the speed of 760mph which is 1200km per hr. The positioning of the commuter would be done inside this capsule. Hyperloop tubes will be low pressured. Linear induction motor placed through the tube would hasten and slow down the speed of the capsule. The notion of Hyperloop was first initiated in 2013, which proposed and routes were examined from Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay region. Hyperloop is considered to be resourceful transport. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
320764 | MEMS made Electron Emission Membranes | We propose a radically new and generic type of detector for photons, electrons and energetic charged particles: a stacked set of curved miniature dynodes in vacuum, created through MicroMechanical Electronic Systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques on top of a state-of-the-art CMOS pixel chip. This combination in itself is an extremely efficient electron detector. By capping the system with a traditional photocathode, a highly sensitive timed photon counter can be realized, outperforming all existing photon detectors. By capping it with an Electron Emission Membrane, a timed particle tracking detector is realized with a time resolution far superior to current particle counters.
The core innovation, i.e., the stacked curved dynodes on top of a pixel chip, will revolutionize electron detection in solid-state, atomic and molecular physics experiments. As a photon detector, it will have pico-second time resolution, much better than classical photomultipliers, at low noise. This will have impact on the field of medical imaging, optical communication, night-vision equipment and even 3D image recording by measuring the time-of flight of photons from a flashlight. As a particle detector, it will allow faster and higher-resolution measurements of the trajectories of fast charged particles, essential in modern particle physics experiments. Its time resolution is three orders of magnitude better than state-of-the-art Si planar detectors, opening new horizons for (vertex) tracking, time-of-flight spectrometers, track pattern recognition and trigger detectors.
The realization of this detector concept requires high-risk/high-impact developments in the area of (1) fundamental understanding of electron emission, (2) the MEMS-based fabrication of novel curved transmission dynodes and (3) high-efficiency Electron Emission Membranes. To achieve these objectives, the PI will lead a concerted effort of technical physicists and theoreticians. | [
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
W1588578345 | The Politics of Protest in Hybrid Regimes: Managing Dissent in Post-Communist Russia | Since the end of the Cold War, more and more countries feature political regimes that are neither liberal democracies nor closed authoritarian systems. Most research on these hybrid regimes focuses on how elites manipulate elections to stay in office, but in places as diverse as Bolivia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela, protest in the streets has been at least as important as elections in bringing about political change. The Politics of Protest in Hybrid Regimes builds on previously unpublished data and extensive fieldwork in Russia to show how one high-profile hybrid regime manages political competition in the workplace and in the streets. More generally, the book develops a theory of how the nature of organizations in society, state strategies for mobilizing supporters, and elite competition shape political protest in hybrid regimes. | [
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
]
|
W1820329401 | Why some fish don’t tan | Although Homo sapiens bask for hours in the sun slathered with sunscreen to block the injurious effects of ultraviolet (UV) light, the zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) and other vertebrates species have evolved a more resourceful way to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays. In a recent paper, Osborn et al . describe the discovery of an endogenous biosynthetic pathway in vertebrates that produces UV-specific protective compounds mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and the related gadusols.
Bacteria and algae were shown previously to produce such protective compounds, which had also been detected in fish but were believed to be acquired by the consumption of MAA- and gadusol-producing unicellular organisms. However, the team identified—in zebrafish, several other types of fish, amphibians, and birds—two genes that encode enzymes known to catalyze the synthesis of these compounds. They cloned the genes, expressed them in Escherichia coli , and incubated the recombinant proteins with the substrate sedoheptulose 7-phosphate. Subsequent identification of a catalytic product (2-epi-5-epi-valiolone) that contained a cyclohexane ring confirmed that the bacterially expressed zebrafish protein was a functioning sugar phosphate cyclase, a key enzyme in the production of gadusol. The authors then extracted gadusol directly from zebrafish, demonstrating the species’ capacity to fully synthesize the compound. Last, the authors inserted the cloned zebrafish genes into yeast expression vectors and detected and isolated gadusol from the yeast culture medium.
The new work sheds light on a biosynthetic mechanism of sun protection found in multiple species and also might present an enlightened opportunity to develop a small-molecule sunscreen.
A. R. Osborn et al ., De novo synthesis of a sunscreen compound in vertebrates. eLife 4 , e05919 (2015). [[Full Text]][1]
[1]: http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e05919 | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
2719783 | Material solution for sustainable and affordable housing | Construction is reliant on cement-based concrete which is the most used synthetic material and the most environmentally unfriendly material. Globally concrete uses 40bn tons of sand and 40% of global energy annually. Population growth has resulted in increased demand for housing, currently around 1bn people live in slums and are in need of decent and affordable housing. Statistics on the affordability of housing showed that 11.4 % share of the EU population live in households that spent 40% or more of their “equivalised disposable income” on housing, which cannot be ignored in the EU's fight against poverty. In 2008, the EU identified Construction and demolition waste as a priority waste stream as it constituted 49% of Europe’s solid waste producing 887 million tons of waste of which less than 50% is being recycled with the rest frequently not used and landfilled because its use is time consuming, labour intensive, cost intensive and requiring important machinery.
Oxa is a solution for construction and housing markets that targets to deliver safe and affordable housing worldwide while reducing CO2 from construction industry and introducing circular economy. Oxa uses materials such as Construction and demolition waste or excavation materials blended with novel Oxa, non-toxic and safe mineral-based additives to produce cement free concrete, bricks and flooring solutions.
In 2017, global market for residential building construction was €3.75 trillion and is estimated to reach €6.12trillion by 2022.
Our Phase 1 project seeks to validate the technical, commercial and financial viability of Oxa, while our Phase 2 project we will optimise our manufacturing process, get our product certified and licenced in target markets and conduct exploitation and dissemination activities.
With this project we forecast a payback period of 4 years, to make revenues of €28M by our 5th year of commercialization and ROI in 436% in 5 years and also create about 100 new jobs in the EU. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
W2152520668 | Measurement of Particle Mass Concentrations and Size Distributions in an Underground Station | The Taipei main station is a major transfer station in the Taipei Rapid Transit System and is located at the center of Taipei metropolitan areas. This study investigates particle mass concentrations and size distributions at the concourse in this underground station using an optical particle counter. On-site measurements were taken during January-February 2008. Experimental results show that PM10 and PM2.5 levels in the Taipei main station were 9.83-104.26 μg/m3 and 3.84- 59.74 μg/m^3, respectively. The lognormal mass size distribution in the Taipei main station had two modes; one near 0.27 μm and the other at about 12.5 μm. Additionally, the mean mass concentrations were governed by particles with coarse PM. Measurement results also suggest that average PM10 and PM2.5 levels in the indoor station were about 0.70 and 0.53 times those outdoors, respectively. The PM levels in the indoor station and outdoors were positively correlated, indicating that PM levels at the concourse in the Taipei main station are significantly influenced by outdoor ambient PM levels. Moreover, the low PM2.5-to-PM10 ratio at the concourse in the Taipei main station was likely the result of coarse PM being re-suspended in the station concourse due to passenger movement. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
W2073912755 | A Critical Review of Research on the Economic Valuation of Libraries | The value of the library has always been recognized positively. Economic valuation of libraries and their services uses a concrete methodology that enables the quantification of library value and communication of said value among library stakeholders. This paper presents a comprehensive review of literature on economic valuation of the library based on a total of 89 studies conducted over the last quarter-century. Research on library valuation began in the mid-1990`s with the formal exploration of the value of public libraries from a theoretical point of view. In the 2000`s, various theories and methodologies were reviewed and put into actual measurement studies. The comprehensive review and analysis point to the need for the development of consistent and reliable set of methods, which will facilitate further application of methods and comparison of results. | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
]
|
682393 | Accretion, Winds, and Evolution of Spins and Magnetism of Stars | This project focuses on Sun-like stars, which possess convective envelopes and universally exhibit magnetic activity (in the mass range 0.1 to 1.3 MSun). The rotation of these stars influences their internal structure, energy and chemical transport, and magnetic field generation, as well as their external magnetic activity and environmental interactions. Due to the huge range of timescales, spatial scales, and physics involved, understanding how each of these processes relate to each other and to the long-term evolution remains an enormous challenge in astrophysics. To face this challenge, the AWESoMeStars project will develop a comprehensive, physical picture of the evolution of stellar rotation, magnetic activity, mass loss, and accretion.
In doing so, we will
(1) Discover how stars lose the vast majority of their angular momentum, which happens in the accretion phase
(2) Explain the observed rotation-activity relationship and saturation in terms of the evolution of magnetic properties & coronal physics
(3) Characterize coronal heating and mass loss across the full range of mass & age
(4) Explain the Skumanich (1972) relationship and distributions of spin rates observed in young clusters & old field stars
(5) Develop physics-based gyrochronology as a tool for using rotation rates to constrain stellar ages.
We will accomplish these goals using a fundamentally new and multi-faceted approach, which combines the power of multi-dimensional MHD simulations with long-timescale rotational-evolution models. Specifically, we will develop a next generation of MHD simulations of both star-disk interactions and stellar winds, to model stars over the full range of mass & age, and to characterize how magnetically active stars impact their environments. Simultaneously, we will create a new class of rotational-evolution models that include external torques derived from our simulations, compute the evolution of spin rates of entire star clusters, & compare with observations. | [
"Universe Sciences"
]
|
10.1088/0953-8984/23/9/094208 | Chemical Pressure Dilution And Disorder In The Heavy Fermion Compounds Ce3 Xlaxpd20Si6 X Frac 1 3 Frac 2 3 | The heavy fermion compound Ce3Pd20Si6 is one of the rare examples of a cubic system with a readily accessible quantum critical point. Ce atoms at the two different sites 4a and 8c of the crystal structure have recently been shown to have different crystal field ground states (� 7 and � 8, respectively) and are assumed to be responsible for the two different low-temperature phase transitions at TL and TU, which have been tentatively attributed to antiferromagnetic and antiferroquadrupolar order, respectively. Here we present electrical resistivity measurements in a wide temperature range (50 mK-300 K) on two new representatives of the La substitution series Ce3−x Lax Pd20Si6, x = 1 and 2 . Put in the context of previously published data our results indicate that La preferentially occupies the 4a site and that Ce ions at the 8c site have a sizably larger Kondo temperature. Low-temperature resistivity measurements in applied magnetic fields suggest that (disorder smeared) quantum critical points exist in the x = 1 and 2 samples at fields below 1 T. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version) | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
]
|
222103 | Network representations of contextual memory in a neocortical circuit | How are memories formed and how do we remember them? Despite decades of memory research, these are still unanswered questions. There is consensus that the hippocampus is a key circuit for forming new memories. According to the classical model, memories that initially depend on the hippocampus, mature over time, and become increasingly dependent on distributed networks in the neocortex. While there has been great progress in understanding the molecular and genetic substrates of memory, how memories are represented by neuronal ensembles is still poorly understood. This is in part due to the lack of tools to monitor neural populations densely and repeatedly during memory formation and memory recall. The advent of two-photon microscopy and activity indicators that allow to measure the activity of nearly all neurons in a circuit, has created new opportunities to address these questions. To study how the neocortex supports memories, I will study a circuit called the retrosplenial cortex (RSC). This structure receives dense and direct input from the hippocampus and is therefore a key network to study memory. There is also substantial support for a role of RSC in memory recall, but the network mechanisms remain unknown. To study this, I will establish a novel head-fixed contextual fear conditioning task for mice that enables monitoring the activity of thousands of neurons in the RSC while conditioning under the microscope. The high spatial resolution of this method also enables measuring the activity changes of hippocampal axons projecting to RSC, thus allowing me to also measure the synaptic input to RSC. Finally, I will establish a novel technique to monitor hippocampal oscillations related to memory consolidation (so-called sharp wave ripples) and neural activity changes in RSC simultaneously. The results will address how memories are formed and recalled, and will provide important insights in what goes wrong during age- and disease related impairments of memory. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
W2162095409 | Distribución, densidad y estructura de talla de Oreaster reticulatus y Luidia senegalensis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) en isla de Cubagua, Venezuela | Distribution, density an size structure of Oreaster reticulatus and Luidia senegalensis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in Cubagua Island, Venezuela. There is limited biological information about the starfish Oreaster reticulatus and the nine-armed starfish Luidia senegalensis in Venezuelan waters. These species are currently considered threatened in many localities of the Caribbean, Brazil and Colombia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe their population density, size distribution and population structure in Cubagua Island. During 2008, 52 stations located around the island were evaluated using band transects of 50m2. Each organism was counted and measured (maximum radius), and its size was compared to the maturity length reported in the literature. The results for O. reticulatus include: 167.3ind./ha; 33% juveniles and 67% adults; average size of 10.7±5cm (range: 2.2-21cm); a wide distribution around the island, with higher densities in the Eastern and Southwest areas. The 50% of the specimens were found in seagrass beds, 25% in sand, 16% in areas covered by decomposed seaweeds, 9% in oyster beds and 1% coralline patches. The densities of O. reticulatus were higher than those reported in the Caribbean, Panama and Puerto Rico, but lower than Venezuelan National Parks: Mochima and Morrocoy; as well as in the Virgin Islands and Belize. For L. senegalensis we found an average density of 40ind./ha; 95% exceeded the reported size at maturity, with mean length of 12cm±3.5cm (range: 3.5-22.3cm); they were found only in 15% of the stations of which 92.5% were sandy bottoms and the other 7.5% oyster beds. The degree of aggregation of L. senegalensis was greater than O. reticulatus, with an estimated k of 0.06. However, it was not possible to compare the densities of L. senegalensis with any other study. For both species is recommended to carry out reproductive studies and to monitor their population densities to infer temporal variations. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
]
|
10.1038/nature12586 | Reprogramming in vivo produces teratomas and iPS cells with totipotency features | Reprogramming of adult cells to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) has opened new therapeutic opportunities; however, little is known about the possibility of in vivo reprogramming within tissues. Here we show that transitory induction of the four factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc in mice results in teratomas emerging from multiple organs, implying that full reprogramming can occur in vivo. Analyses of the stomach, intestine, pancreas and kidney reveal groups of dedifferentiated cells that express the pluripotency marker NANOG, indicative of in situ reprogramming. By bone marrow transplantation, we demonstrate that haematopoietic cells can also be reprogrammed in vivo. Notably, reprogrammable mice present circulating iPS cells in the blood and, at the transcriptome level, these in vivo generated iPS cells are closer to embryonic stem cells (ES cells) than standard in vitro generated iPS cells. Moreover, in vivo iPS cells efficiently contribute to the trophectoderm lineage, suggesting that they achieve a more plastic or primitive state than ES cells. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of in vivo iPS cells generates embryo-like structures that express embryonic and extraembryonic markers. We conclude that reprogramming in vivo is feasible and confers totipotency features absent in standard iPS or ES cells. These discoveries could be relevant for future applications of reprogramming in regenerative medicine. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
]
|
10.1090/S0002-9939-2014-12466-X | A Lévy-Khinchin formula for free groups | We find a Lévy-Khinchin formula for radial functions on free groups. As a corollary we obtain a linear bound on the growth of radial, conditionally negative definite functions on free groups of two or more generators. | [
"Mathematics"
]
|
W2940530788 | Ground Pressure Damage Evolution Mechanism of Extraction Level Excavations Induced by Poor Undercutting in Block Caving Method | Under the condition of bad undercutting, ore pillars are easily left in undercut level in block caving method. In order to reveal the evolution mechanism of ground pressure damage induced by bad undercutting, according to the actual engineering and physical parameters of the mine, a numerical simulation model was established by finite difference software FLAC3D. In the simulation process, the extraction level excavations were excavated first according to the post-undercutting method, and the process of the undercutting were divided into three steps. In the first step, a pillar of 15 m × 5 m was formed. The stress state of extraction level excavations and overlying ore body after each step was monitored and analyzed separately, and it was compared with the actual situation of ground pressure disaster on site. The results show that: Under the influence of high horizontal in situ stress, with the development of undercutting, the special stress state in the extraction level excavations are gradually formed, which is that the compressive stress concentrates on the upper part and the tensile stress concentrates on the lower part. With the development of undercutting, the remaining ore pillar form a certain range of tension stress release area above the undercut level, which makes it difficult for overlying ore and rock to cave in, thus causing the phenomenon of “less ore and no ore” in the draw bells. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
340176 | A genome editing-based approach to study the stem cell hierarchy of human colorectal cancers | A hallmark of cancer is tumor cell heterogeneity, which results from combinations of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations within an individual tumor. In contrast, we have recently discovered that most human colorectal cancers (CRCs) are composed of mixtures of phenotypically distinct tumor cells organized into a stem cell hierarchy that displays a striking resemblance to the healthy colonic epithelium. We showed that long-term regeneration potential of tumor cells is largely influenced by the position that they occupy within the tumor's hierarchy. To analyze the organization of CRCs without the constraints imposed by tumor cell transplantation experiments, we have developed a method that allows for the first time tracking and manipulating the fate of specific cell populations in whole human tumors. This technology is based on editing the genomes of primary human CRCs cultured in the form of tumor organoids using Zinc-Finger Nucleases to knock-in either lineage tracing or cell ablation alleles in genes that define colorectal cancer stem cells (CRC-SCs) or differentiated-like tumor cells. Edited tumor organoids generate CRCs in mice that reproduce the tumor of origin while carrying the desired genetic modifications. This technological advance opens the gate to perform classical genetic and developmental analysis in human tumors. We will exploit this advantage to address fundamental questions about the cell heterogeneity and organization of human CRCs that cannot be tackled through currently existing experimental approaches such as: Are CRC-SCs the only tumor cell population with long term regenerating potential? Can we cure CRC with anti-CRC-SC specific therapies? Will tumor cell plasticity contribute to the regeneration of the CRC-SC pool after therapy? Do quiescent-SCs regenerate CRC tumors after standard chemotherapy? Can we identify these cells? How do common genetic alterations in CRC influence the CRC hierarchy? Do they affect the stem cell phenotype? | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
10.1002/adma.201201949 | Advances in supramolecular electronics - From randomly self-assembled nanostructures to addressable self-organized interconnects | Supramolecular organic electronics rests on the use of bottom-up chemical self-assembly processes in order to design conducting components on the 5-100 nm scale. The challenges in this field are both the construction of 1D-nanostructures displaying optimized transport properties and their precise connections to electrodes. The present Research News highlights important advances in such materials regarding their electrical performances, from semiconductors to organic metals, but also regarding their processability. In particular, by externally controlling light-responsive supramolecular polymerization processes, and by using appropriate methods of casting with an applied electric field, it becomes possible to pre-determine the accurate positioning of organic interconnects within patterned nano-circuitry. These strategies using external stimuli to obtain addressability, thus hold promising alternatives to other conducting materials such as carbon nanotubes for further technological applications in nanosciences. Recent advances in supramolecular electronics show that self-assembled nanowires made of π-stacked molecules can achieve electrical properties competing with those encountered in the other categories of conducting materials, including carbon nanotubes. In addition, by externally controlling the supramolecular polymerization processes with light and electric field, it becomes possible to accurately position these electroactive wires at nanoscale. The graphical abstract represents triarylamine-based supramolecular interconnects of 80 nm length specifically linking two gold electrodes in a pre-determined position. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1140/epje/i2016-16034-5 | Phase and precession evolution in the Burgers equation | Abstract. : We present a phenomenological study of the phase dynamics of the one-dimensional stochastically forced Burgers equation, and of the same equation under a Fourier mode reduction on a fractal set. We study the connection between coherent structures in real space and the evolution of triads in Fourier space. Concerning the one-dimensional case, we find that triad phases show alignments and synchronisations that favour energy fluxes towards small scales --a direct cascade. In addition, strongly dissipative real-space structures are associated with entangled correlations amongst the phase precession frequencies and the amplitude evolution of Fourier triads. As a result, triad precession frequencies show a non-Gaussian distribution with multiple peaks and fat tails, and there is a significant correlation between triad precession frequencies and amplitude growth. Links with dynamical systems approach are briefly discussed, such as the role of unstable critical points in state space. On the other hand, by reducing the fractal dimension D of the underlying Fourier set, we observe: i) a tendency toward a more Gaussian statistics, ii) a loss of alignment of triad phases leading to a depletion of the energy flux, and iii) the simultaneous reduction of the correlation between the growth of Fourier mode amplitudes and the precession frequencies of triad phases. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext. ] | [
"Mathematics",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
10.1039/C6GC00385K | Heterogeneous Catalytic Approaches In C H Activation Reactions | Despite the undisputed advances and progress in metal-catalyzed C–H functionalizations, this atom-economical approach had thus far largely been developed with the aid of various metal catalysts that were operative in a homogeneous fashion. While thereby major progress was accomplished, these catalytic systems featured notable disadvantages, such as low catalyst recyclability. This review summarizes the development of user-friendly, recyclable and easily separable heterogeneous catalysts for C–H activation. This strategy was characterized by a remarkably broad substrate scope, considerable levels of chemo- and site-selectivities and proved applicable to C–C as well as C–heteroatom formation processes. Thus, recyclable catalysts were established for arylations, hydroarylations, alkenylations, acylations, nitrogenations, oxygenations, or halogenations, among others. The rapid recent progress in selective heterogeneous C–H functionalizations during the last decade until December 2015 is reviewed. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
887024 | Breaking and rebuilding the genome: mechanistic rules for the dangerous game of sex. | Sexual reproduction depends on the programmed induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and their ensuing repair by homologous recombination. This complex process is essential for sexual reproduction because it ultimately allows the pairing and separation of homologous chromosomes during formation of haploid gametes. Although meiotic recombination has been investigated for decades, many of the underlying molecular processes remain unclear, largely due to the lack of biochemical studies. I have recently made important progress by, for the first time, successfully purifying proteins involved in two aspects of meiotic recombination: DSB formation and the final stage of formation of the crossovers that are a central raison-d’être of meiotic recombination. This has opened new avenues for future research that I intend to pursue in my own laboratory. Here, I propose a set of biochemical approaches, complemented by molecular genetics methods, to gain insights into four central problems: (i) How meiotic proteins collaborate to induce DSBs; (ii) How DSB proteins interact with components that form the axes of meiotic chromosomes; (iii) How proteins involved at later stages of recombination form crossovers; and (iv) How crossover proteins interact with components of synapsed chromosomes. For each problem, I will set up in vitro systems to probe the activities of the players involved, their interactions with DNA, and their assembly into macromolecular complexes. In addition, I propose to develop new methodology for identifying proteins that are associated with DNA that has undergone recombination-related DNA synthesis. My goal is to gain insights into the mechanisms that govern meiotic recombination. Importantly, these mechanisms are intimately linked not only to gamete formation, but also to the general recombination pathways that all cells use to maintain genome stability. In both contexts, our findings will be relevant to the development and avoidance of disease states. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
GB 2018050750 W | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING A SUBSTRATE WITH SOLID PARTICLES IN A ROTATABLY MOUNTED DRUM | Apparatus for use in the treatment of substrates with a solid particulate material comprising a housing having mounted therein a rotatably mounted drum having an inner surface and an end wall and access means for introducing said substrates into said drum, wherein a partition (1) is disposed within the drum to divide the interior thereof into a storage compartment (15) for storing said solid particulate material and a treatment compartment (14) for said treatment of substrates, wherein the storage compartment (15) is adjacent the end wall and the treatment compartment (14) is adjacent the access means, wherein said partition (1) comprises one or more apertures (3,6) to allow flow of solid particulate material between the storage compartment (15) and the treatment compartment (14), wherein the flow of solid particulate material from the storage compartment towards the treatment compartment is facilitated by the rotation of said drum in a dispensing direction and the flow of solid particulate material from the treatment compartment towards the storage compartment is facilitated by the rotation of said drum in a collecting direction opposite to the dispensing direction, and wherein said partition (1) comprises a front panel (2) facing the treatment compartment and a back panel (5) facing the storage compartment, whereby the front panel (2) comprises at least one front panel aperture (3, 4) and the back panel (5) comprises at least one back panel aperture (6,7) which allows flow of solid particulate material between the storage compartment (15) and the treatment compartment (14) and at least one cavity, at least one collecting deflector surface (17a,17b,17c,27a,27b,27c), and at least one dispensing deflector surface (16a,16b,16c,23a,23b,23c) are disposed between the front and rear panels,wherein said at least one collecting deflector surface (17a,17b,17c,27a,27b,27c) is configured to deflect solid particulate material in said at least one cavity (9,10) towards the storage compartment (15) and said at least one dispensing deflector surface (16a,16b,16c,23a,23b,23c) is configured to deflect solid particulate material in said at least one cavity (9,10) towards the treatment compartment (14). | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1145/3269206.3274270 | From Big Data To Big Information And Big Knowledge The Case Of Earth Observation Data | Some particularly important rich sources of open and free big geospatial data are the Earth observation (EO) programs of various countries such as the Landsat program of the US and the Copernicus programme of the European Union. EO data is a paradigmatic case of big data and the same is true for the big information and big knowledge extracted from it. EO data (satellite images and in-situ data), and the information and knowledge extracted from it, can be utilized in many applications with financial and environmental impact in areas such as emergency management, climate change, agriculture and security. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
10.1111/1365-2745.13006 | Aridity Preferences Alter The Relative Importance Of Abiotic And Biotic Drivers On Plant Species Abundance In Global Drylands | 1. Disentangling the interplay between species-specific environmental preferences and micro- and macroscale determinants of species abundance within plant com-munities remains challenging. Most existing studies addressing this issue either lack empirical data regarding species interactions and local abundances or cover a narrow range of environmental conditions. 2. We merged species distribution models and local spatial patterns to investigate the relative importance of key macro- (aridity) and micro(facilitation and competi-tion)scale determinants of plant species abundance along aridity gradients in dry-lands world-wide. We used information derived from the environmental niches of species to evaluate how species-specific aridity preferences modulate the impor-tance of such factors to drive species relative abundance. 3. Facilitation and aridity preferences were more important than competition to ex-plain species local abundances in global drylands. The specialization of communi-ties (i. e. their compositional shifts from species with a large range of aridity preferences towards only aridity specialists) also modulated the effect of aridity and plant–plant interactions on species abundances. The importance of facilita-tion to drive species abundances decreased with aridity, as species preferred arid conditions and did not need neighbours to thrive. Instead, competition showed stronger relationships with species abundances under high levels of aridity. As composition became dominated by aridity specialists, the importance of aridity in shaping dryland plant communities did not increase further from moderate to high aridity levels. 4. Synthesis. Our results showed that: (a) the degree of community specialization to aridity mediates the relative importance of plant–plant interactions in determining species abundances and (b) facilitation and competition were more strongly re-lated to species abundance in communities dominated by generalists and special-ists, respectively. We observed a shift from facilitation to competition as drivers of species abundances as aridity increases in global drylands. Our findings also pave the way to develop more robust predictions about the consequences of on-going climate change on the assemblage of plant communities in drylands, the largest terrestrial biome. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
10.1145/2577080.2577082 | Jescala Modular Coordination With Declarative Events And Joins | Advanced concurrency abstractions overcome the drawbacks of low-level techniques such as locks and monitors, freeing programmers that implement concurrent applications from the burden of concentrating on low-level details. However, with current approaches the coordination logic involved in complex coordination schemas is fragmented into several pieces including join patterns, data emissions triggered in different places of the application, and the application logic that implicitly creates dependencies among communication channels, hence indirectly among join patterns. We present JEScala, a language that captures coordination schemas in a more expressive and modular way by leveraging a seamless integration of an advanced event system with join abstractions. We validate our approach with case studies and provide a first performance assessment. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.31235/osf.io/wbrjc | Sibship Size and Educational Attainment: Evidence of Cohort Trends from 26 Low-Fertility Countries | Children with many siblings have lower average educational attainment compared to children raised in smaller families. This disadvantage by sibship size has been observed across many different countries. We know remarkable little, however, about how sibship size disadvantage has changed over time within countries and how such trends vary between countries. Using comparative data from 114 surveys from 26 low-fertility countries, we find an increase of the sibsize disadvantage over time in the majority of countries: between the 1931-40 birth cohort and the 1971-80 birth cohort, 16 out of 26 countries showed a statistically significant increase in the sibship size disadvantage in education, while only two countries – Australia and the UK – showed a statistically measurable reduction in the sibship size disadvantage. In many countries, growing differential fertility by parental education played a substantial role in the increasing disadvantage. We discuss possible explanations and implications of the increased disadvantages and the variation in trends and levels between regions and specific countries. | [
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
]
|
3727650 | On-Surface synthesis, transfer and device fabrication of novel carbon-based nanomaterials | The study of on-surface chemical reactions has attracted recently an enormous interest demonstrating to be a versatile tool for the fabrication of atomically precise covalently bonded carbon nanomaterials that cannot be synthesized in conventional solution-based chemistry. However, despite of the extraordinary advances realized in the field of on-surface synthesis in the last years, a gap between ideal nanomaterials and the accessible synthetic pathways to reach them still persists. Contemporarily to the recent progress achieved in on-surface synthesis, the fabrication of high-performance tunneling field-effect transistors (FETs) based on the bottom-up chemical synthesis of specific carbon-based nanomaterials, such as low-bandgap GNRs, has supposed an enormous progress for the fabrication of next-generation electronic devices, opening the field of flexible and low-consumption electronics. A general feature of the bottom-up assembly approaches realized so far is the need of a metallic substrate to trigger and promote the assembly of precursor monomers into the desired final nanomaterial. As a result, the final product is supported on metal substrates, which is not adequate for the device development. Therefore, efficient transfer procedures for bringing the targeted nanomaterial onto technologically relevant semiconducting or insulating substrates are necessary. In this context, the goal of the OssCaNa project presents two steps. First, it aims at the study of carbon-based nanomaterials combining a broad variety of surface science techniques such as low temperature scanning probe microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS), non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Second, it focusses on the efficient transfer of the targeted nanomaterials fabricated and characterized on a metallic substrate in the previous step, to appropriate substrates for further electrical transport characterization and high-performance device fabrication. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
W1990660886 | Temperament, character traits, and alexithymia in patients with panic disorder | The primary aim of the present study was to compare temperament and character traits and levels of alexithymia between patients with panic disorder and healthy controls.Sixty patients with panic disorder admitted to the psychiatry clinic at Fırat University Hospital were enrolled in the study, along with 62 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis I (SCID-I), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and Panic Agoraphobia Scale (PAS) were administered to all subjects.Within the temperament dimension, the mean subscale score for harm avoidance was significantly higher in patients with panic disorder than in controls. With respect to character traits, mean scores for self-directedness and cooperativeness were significantly lower than in healthy controls. Rates of alexithymia were 35% (n=21) and 11.3% (n=7) in patients with panic disorder and healthy controls, respectively. The difficulty identifying feelings subscale score was significantly higher in patients with panic disorder (P=0.03). A moderate positive correlation was identified between PAS and TAS scores (r=0.447, P<0.01). Moderately significant positive correlations were also noted for PAS and TCI subscale scores and scores for novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and self-transcendence.In our study sample, patients with panic disorder and healthy controls differed in TCI parameters and rate of alexithymia. Larger prospective studies are required to assess for causal associations. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
]
|
W4226366916 | Breaks and continuities in intensive mothering on Facebook. the case of <i>Malasmadres</i> and <i>Pequefelicidad</i> | Motherhood as the key to femininity did not appear until the eighteenth century, and it was not until the beginning of the twentieth century, together with the appearance of mass media, that the ideal of the “perfect mother” began to spread through the model of intensive mothering. The main objective of this work is to analyse, from a gender perspective, the messages and discourses on how to be a mother that are transmitted through Facebook. For this, two Spanish Facebook pages that discuss motherhood, Pequefelicidad and Malasmadres, have been selected. A total of 30 publications on these pages between the months of January and March 2019 have been analysed, and the results reveal that the intensive mothering model continues to be reproduced, despite progress in gender equality. | [
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Texts and Concepts"
]
|
10.1002/term.482 | Aggregation promotes cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation in an in vitro model of injection cell therapy | Many cell therapy approaches aim to deliver high-density single-cell suspensions to diseased or injured sites in the body. Long term clinical success will in part be dependent on the cells that remain viable and that assume correct functionality post-administration. The research presented in this paper focuses on the potential of cell aggregate delivery to generate a more supportive environment for cells than single cell suspensions. An in vitro model of injection delivery of C2C12 myoblast cells showed a significant difference in cell function and phenotype between adhesive collagen and non-adhesive alginate, indicating that in vitro assays based on this approach can discriminate between cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions and could be valuable when assessing cell therapy systems. Contrary to single cells, aggregates maintain viability, cellular activity, and phenotype beyond that of single cells, even in non-adhesive matrices, enabling delivery of higher cell densities with enhanced proliferative and differentiation capacity. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Materials Engineering",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
]
|
US 2019/0054041 W | SYSTEM FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING | A system (10) is disclosed for additive manufacturing of a composite structure (12). The system may include a support (14), and a print head (16) connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may include an outlet (24) configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in a matrix. The outlet may be moveable relative to the support. The print head may also include at least one actuator (30) configured to cause movement of the outlet relative to the support. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.1016/j.cell.2014.11.015 | High-resolution sequencing and modeling identifies distinct dynamic RNA regulatory strategies | Cells control dynamic transitions in transcript levels by regulating transcription, processing, and/or degradation through an integrated regulatory strategy. Here, we combine RNA metabolic labeling, rRNA-depleted RNA-seq, and DRiLL, a novel computational framework, to quantify the level; editing sites; and transcription, processing, and degradation rates of each transcript at a splice junction resolution during the LPS response of mouse dendritic cells. Four key regulatory strategies, dominated by RNA transcription changes, generate most temporal gene expression patterns. Noncanonical strategies that also employ dynamic posttranscriptional regulation control only a minority of genes, but provide unique signal processing features. We validate Tristetraprolin (TTP) as a major regulator of RNA degradation in one noncanonical strategy. Applying DRiLL to the regulation of noncoding RNAs and to zebrafish embryogenesis demonstrates its broad utility. Our study provides a new quantitative approach to discover transcriptional and posttranscriptional events that control dynamic changes in transcript levels using RNA sequencing data. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
10.1002/smll.201901224 | 3D Interdigitated Microsupercapacitors with Record Areal Cell Capacitance | Due to their high-power density and long lifetime, microsupercapacitors have been considered as an efficient energy supply/storage solution for the operation of small electronic devices. However, their fabrication remains confined to 2D thin-film microdevices with limited areal energy. In this study, the integration of all-solid-state 3D interdigitated microsupercapacitors on 4 in. silicon wafers with record energy density is demonstrated. The device electrodes are composed of a pseudocapacitive hydrated ruthenium dioxide RuO2 deposited onto highly porous current collectors. The encapsulated devices exhibit cell capacitance of 812 mF cm−2 per footprint area at an energy density of 329 mJ cm−2, which is the highest value ever reported for planar configuration. These components achieve one of the highest surface energy/power density trade-offs and address the issue of electrical energy storage of modern electronics. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.1051/0004-6361/201629874 | Ptf11Mnb First Analog Of Supernova 2005Bf Long Rising Double Peaked Supernova Ic From A Massive Progenitor | Aims. We study PTF11mnb, a He-poor supernova (SN) whose light curves resemble those of SN 2005bf, a peculiar double-peaked stripped-envelope (SE) SN, until the declining phase after the main peak. We investigate the mechanism powering its light curve and the nature of its progenitor star. Methods. Optical photometry and spectroscopy of PTF11mnb are presented. We compared light curves, colors and spectral properties to those of SN 2005bf and normal SE SNe. We built a bolometric light curve and modeled this light curve with the SuperNova Explosion Code (SNEC) hydrodynamical code explosion of a MESA progenitor star and semi-analytic models. Results. The light curve of PTF11mnb turns out to be similar to that of SN 2005bf until ~50 d when the main (secondary) peaks occur at −18. 5 mag. The early peak occurs at ~20 d and is about 1. 0 mag fainter. After the main peak, the decline rate of PTF11mnb is remarkably slower than what was observed in SN 2005bf, and it traces well the ^(56)Co decay rate. The spectra of PTF11mnb reveal a SN Ic and have no traces of He unlike in the case of SN Ib 2005bf, although they have velocities comparable to those of SN 2005bf. The whole evolution of the bolometric light curve is well reproduced by the explosion of a massive (M_(ej) = 7. 8 M_⊙), He-poor star characterized by a double-peaked ^(56)Ni distribution, a total ^(56)Ni mass of 0. 59 M_⊙, and an explosion energy of 2. 2 × 10^(51) erg. Alternatively, a normal SN Ib/c explosion (M(^(56)Ni) = 0. 11 M_⊙, EK = 0. 2 × 10^(51) erg, M_(ej) = 1 M_⊙) can power the first peak while a magnetar, with a magnetic field characterized by B = 5. 0 × 10^(14) G, and a rotation period of P = 18. 1 ms, provides energy for the main peak. The early g-band light curve can be fit with a shock-breakout cooling tail or an extended envelope model from which a radius of at least 30 R_⊙ is obtained. Conclusions. We presented a scenario where PTF11mnb was the explosion of a massive, He-poor star, characterized by a double-peaked ^(56)Ni distribution. In this case, the ejecta mass and the absence of He imply a large ZAMS mass (~85 M_⊙) for the progenitor, which most likely was a Wolf-Rayet star, surrounded by an extended envelope formed either by a pre-SN eruption or due to a binary configuration. Alternatively, PTF11mnb could be powered by a SE SN with a less massive progenitor during the first peak and by a magnetar afterward. | [
"Universe Sciences"
]
|
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.6178-09.2010 | The Germinal Zones Of The Basal Ganglia But Not The Septum Generate Gabaergic Interneurons For The Cortex | Cortical interneurons originate from subpallial precursors and migrate into the cortex during development. Using genetic lineage tracing in transgenic mice we examine the contribution of two germinal zones, the septum and the lateral ganglionic eminence/caudal ganglionic eminence (LGE/CGE) to interneurons of the cortex. We find that the septal neuroepithelium does not generate interneurons for the neocortex. There is, however, clear migration of cells from the LGE/CGE to the cortex. Comparison of the dynamics of cortical colonization by the two major cohorts of interneurons originating in the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) and the LGE/CGE has shown differences in the timing of migration and initial route of entry into the cortex. LGE/CGE-derived interneurons enter the cortex later than the MGE-derived ones. They invade the cortex through the subventricular/intermediate zone route and only later disperse within the cortical plate and the marginal zone. During the first postnatal week MGE interneurons move extensively to acquire their laminar position within the cortical plate whereas LGE/CGE-derived cells remain largely within the upper layers of the cortex. The two populations intermingle in the adult cortex but have distinct neurochemical properties and different overall distributions. LGE/CGE-derived interneurons account for one third of the total GABAergic interneuron population in the adult cortex. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
225717 | The digital ludeme project: modelling the evolution of traditional games | The development of games goes hand in hand with the development of human culture. Games offer a rich window of insight into our cultural past, but early examples were rarely documented and our understanding of them is incomplete. While there has been considerable historical research into games and their use as tools of cultural analysis, much is based on the interpretation of partial evidence with little mathematical analysis. This project will use modern computational techniques to help fill these gaps in our knowledge empirically.
I will represent games as structured sets of ludemes (units of game-related information), which will allow the full range of traditional strategy games to be modelled in a single software system for the first time. This system will not only model and play games, but will evaluate reconstructions for quality and authenticity, and automatically improve them where possible. This will lay the foundations for a new field of study called digital archaeoludology, which will involve addressing technical challenges that could yield significant benefits in their own right, particularly in artificial intelligence.
The ludemic model reveals innate mathematical relationships between games, allowing phylogenetic analysis. This provides a mechanism for creating a family tree/network of traditional games, which could reveal missing links and allow ancestral state reconstruction to shed light on the gaps in our partial knowledge. Locating ludemes culturally provides a mechanism for creating interactive maps that chart the transmission of mathematical ideas across cultures through play. This project seeks to bridge the gap between historical and computational studies of games, to provide greater insight into our understanding of them as cultural artefacts, and to pioneer new tools and techniques for their continued analysis. The aim is to restore and preserve our intangible cultural heritage (of game playing) through the tangible evidence available. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Mathematics"
]
|
10.1021/jacs.8b06777 | Anion-Initiated Trifluoromethylation by TMSCF<inf>3</inf>: Deconvolution of the Siliconate-Carbanion Dichotomy by Stopped-Flow NMR/IR | The mechanism of CF3 transfer from R3SiCF3 (R = Me, Et, iPr) to ketones and aldehydes, initiated by M+X- (<0. 004 to 10 mol %), has been investigated by analysis of kinetics (variable-ratio stopped-flow NMR and IR), 13C/2H KIEs, LFER, addition of ligands (18-c-6, crypt-222), and density functional theory calculations. The kinetics, reaction orders, and selectivity vary substantially with reagent (R3SiCF3) and initiator (M+X-). Traces of exogenous inhibitors present in the R3SiCF3 reagents, which vary substantially in proportion and identity between batches and suppliers, also affect the kinetics. Some reactions are complete in milliseconds, others take hours, and others stall before completion. Despite these differences, a general mechanism has been elucidated in which the product alkoxide and CF3- anion act as chain carriers in an anionic chain reaction. Silyl enol ether generation competes with 1,2-addition and involves protonation of CF3- by the α-C-H of the ketone and the OH of the enol. The overarching mechanism for trifluoromethylation by R3SiCF3, in which pentacoordinate siliconate intermediates are unable to directly transfer CF3- as a nucleophile or base, rationalizes why the turnover rate (per M+X- initiator) depends on the initial concentration (but not identity) of X-, the identity (but not concentration) of M+, the identity of the R3SiCF3 reagent, and the carbonyl/R3SiCF3 ratio. It also rationalizes which R3SiCF3 reagent effects the most rapid trifluoromethylation, for a specific M+X- initiator. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
]
|
10.7554/elife.52665 | Pathway-, layer- and cell-type-specific thalamic input to mouse barrel cortex | Mouse primary somatosensory barrel cortex (wS1) processes whisker sensory information, receiving input from two distinct thalamic nuclei. The first-order ventral posterior medial (VPM) somatosensory thalamic nucleus most densely innervates layer 4 (L4) barrels, whereas the higher-order posterior thalamic nucleus (medial part, POm) most densely innervates L1 and L5A. We optogenetically stimulated VPM or POm axons, and recorded evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in different cell-types across cortical layers in wS1. We found that excitatory neurons and parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory neurons received the largest EPSPs, dominated by VPM input to L4 and POm input to L5A. In contrast, somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neurons received very little input from either pathway in any layer. Vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing inhibitory neurons received an intermediate level of excitatory input with less apparent layer-specificity. Our data help understand how wS1 neocortical microcircuits might process and integrate sensory and higher-order inputs. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.10.002 | Organogenesis of adult lung in a dish: Differentiation, disease and therapy | The remarkable regenerative capacity of the lung suggests that stem cells could be of therapeutic importance in diverse lung diseases; however, the successful exploitation of lung stem cell biology has long been hampered by our inability to maintain and expand adult lung stem cells while retaining their multi-lineage potential in vitro. Recently, advances in our understanding of stem cell niches and the role of key signalling modulators in controlling stem cell maintenance and differentiation have fuelled the development of new in vitro three-dimensional (3D) culture technologies that sustain the stem cell-driven formation of near-physiological, self-organizing structures called organoids. Here we review basic approaches to organoid model systems and highlight recent achievements in the generation of organoids from adult stem and progenitor cells of both the murine and human lungs. We evaluate current applications in studying cellular changes in proliferation, differentiation, plasticity, and cell polarity, and cellular and molecular crosstalk of epithelial cells with stroma. Advantages and limitations of organoids for clinical use are also discussed. | [
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
W2127360109 | The Exploration of a Sense of Belonging: An Explanation of Naipaul’s Novel Half a Life & Magic Seeds | V. S. Naipaul is a Trinidad-born Nobel Prize-winning British writer known for his comic early novels set in Trinidad. This famous post-colonial writer, V. S. Naipaul, has been paying close attention to the social reality and life in post-colonial society. In 2001, his novel Half a Life won the booker prize; It tells the story about Willie Chandran’s first 18 years’ life. However, it is not a complete story; it is a precursor to Naipaul’s novel Magic Seeds. In 2004, Naipaul completed the story by his novel Magic Seeds. Seeking for a sense of belonging is the theme throughout the whole process in this two books. In his last novel Magic Seeds, this theme has got a full explanation. Through an interpretation of these two books about Willie’s life, this paper aims to explore the protagonist---Willie’s life process in seeking his sense of belonging and the reason for its missing. Willie is only one of the representatives among the diasporas who try their best to claim for their identity and a sense of belonging. So at the same time, it aims to reveal the theme and relate to the contemporary situation to interpret the realistic significance of the importance of a sense of belonging. Literature is the reflection of our society, its development and change, however subtle it is, this is also true of Naipaul’s two famous novels. They shed lots of light on our daily life and heart. | [
"Texts and Concepts",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
]
|
10.1007/978-3-319-70407-4_3 | Unsupervised Open Relation Extraction | We explore methods to extract relations between named entities from free text in an unsupervised setting. In addition to standard feature extraction, we develop a novel method to re-weight word embeddings. We alleviate the problem of features sparsity using an individual feature reduction. Our approach exhibits a significant improvement by \(5. 8\%\) over the state-of-the-art relation clustering scoring a F1-score of 0. 416 on the NYT-FB dataset. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1016/j.conb.2016.03.002 | Efficiency turns the table on neural encoding, decoding and noise | Sensory neurons are usually described with an encoding model, for example, a function that predicts their response from the sensory stimulus using a receptive field (RF) or a tuning curve. However, central to theories of sensory processing is the notion of 'efficient coding'. We argue here that efficient coding implies a completely different neural coding strategy. Instead of a fixed encoding model, neural populations would be described by a fixed decoding model (i. e. a model reconstructing the stimulus from the neural responses). Because the population solves a global optimization problem, individual neurons are variable, but not noisy, and have no truly invariant tuning curve or receptive field. We review recent experimental evidence and implications for neural noise correlations, robustness and adaptation. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b01348 | Microsecond Blinking Events in the Fluorescence of Colloidal Quantum Dots Revealed by Correlation Analysis on Preselected Photons | Nearly all colloidal quantum dots, when measured at the single-emitter level, exhibit fluorescence "blinking". However, despite over 20 years of research on this phenomenon, its microscopic origins are still debated. One reason is a gap in available experimental information, specifically for dynamics at short (submillisecond) time scales. Here, we use photon-correlation analysis to investigate microsecond blinking events in individual quantum dots. While the strongly distributed kinetics of blinking normally makes such events difficult to study, we show that they can be analyzed by excluding photons emitted during long bright or dark periods. Moreover, we find that submillisecond blinking events are more common than one might expect from extrapolating the power-law blinking statistics observed on longer (millisecond) time scales. This result provides important experimental data for developing a microscopic understanding of blinking. More generally, our method offers a simple strategy for analyzing microsecond switching dynamics in the fluorescence of quantum emitters. | [
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
]
|
725253 | Perceptual encoding of high fidelity light fields | One of the grand challenges of computer graphics has been to generate images indistinguishable from photographs for a naïve observer. As this challenge is mostly completed and computer generated imagery starts to replace photographs (product catalogues, special effects in cinema), the next grand challenge is to produce imagery that is indistinguishable from the real-world.
Tremendous progress in capture, manipulation and display technologies opens the potential to achieve this new challenge (at the research stage) in the next 5-10 years. Electronic displays offer sufficient resolution, frame rate, dynamic range, colour gamut and, in some configurations, can produce binocular and focal depth cues. However, most of the work done in this area ignores or does not sufficiently address one of the key aspects of this problem - the performance and limitations of the human visual system.
The objective of this project is to characterise and model the performance and limitations of the human visual system when observing complex dynamic 3D scenes. The scene will span a high dynamic range (HDR) of luminance and provide binocular and focal depth cues. In technical terms, the project aims to create a visual model and difference metric for high dynamic range light fields (HDR-LFs). The visual metric will replace tedious subjective testing and provide the first automated method that can optimize encoding and processing of HDR-LF data.
Perceptually realistic video will impose enormous storage and processing requirements compared to traditional video. The bandwidth of such rich visual content will be the main bottleneck for new imaging and display technologies. Therefore, the final objective of this project is to use the new visual metric to derive an efficient and approximately perceptually uniform encoding of HDR-LFs. Such encoding will radically reduce storage and bandwidth requirements and will pave the way for future highly realistic image and video content. | [
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
10.1038/cddis.2011.129 | Adaptation of cancer cells from different entities to the MDM2 inhibitor nutlin-3 results in the emergence of p53-mutated multi-drug-resistant cancer cells | Six p53 wild-type cancer cell lines from infrequently p53-mutated entities (neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and melanoma) were continuously exposed to increasing concentrations of the murine double minute 2 inhibitor nutlin-3, resulting in the emergence of nutlin-3-resistant, p53-mutated sublines displaying a multi-drug resistance phenotype. Only 2 out of 28 sublines adapted to various cytotoxic drugs harboured p53 mutations. Nutlin-3-adapted UKF-NB-3 cells (UKF-NB-3rNutlin 10 μM, harbouring a G245C mutation) were also radiation resistant. Analysis of UKF-NB-3 and UKF-NB-3rNutlin 10 μM cells by RNA interference experiments and lentiviral transduction of wild-type p53 into p53-mutated UKF-NB-3rNutlin 10 μM cells revealed that the loss of p53 function contributes to the multi-drug resistance of UKF-NB-3rNutlin 10 μM cells. Bioinformatics PANTHER pathway analysis based on microarray measurements of mRNA abundance indicated a substantial overlap in the signalling pathways differentially regulated between UKF-NB-3rNutlin 10 μM and UKF-NB-3 and between UKF-NB-3 and its cisplatin-, doxorubicin-, or vincristineresistant sublines. Repeated nutlin-3 adaptation of neuroblastoma cells resulted in sublines harbouring various p53 mutations with high frequency. A p53 wild-type single cell-derived UKF-NB-3 clone was adapted to nutlin-3 in independent experiments. Eight out of ten resulting sublines were p53-mutated harbouring six different p53 mutations. This indicates that nutlin-3 induces de novo p53 mutations not initially present in the original cell population. Therefore, nutlin-3-treated cancer patients should be carefully monitored for the emergence of p53-mutated, multi-drug-resistant cells. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
]
|
W2028570818 | A systems approach to examining disaster response: Using Accimap to describe the factors influencing bushfire response | • Disaster response system performance is typically found to be sub-optimal. • We use Accimap to describe a recent large-scale bushfire response. • The Accimap is used to test a risk management framework in this context. • The study shows that these methods are suited to the analysis of disaster response. • This holistic approach is more appropriate than the current reductionist approach. This article argues that systems theory-based human factors methods have a key role to play in examining and enhancing systems of disaster response. This argument is supported by a first-of-its-kind test application of a popular risk management framework to describe bushfire response activities. Specifically, an Accimap of the response to a recent major Australian bushfire was constructed. The case study is used to test a series of predictions made by the risk management framework in order to test the applicability of this approach in a bushfire response context and to determine whether systems theory-based frameworks are compatible with the analysis of disaster response activities. In conclusion, the output demonstrates that such approaches are suited to the analysis of disaster response efforts. Moreover, it is argued that, compared to the existing individual component failures approach, this holistic systems approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of response performance and better promotes improvements to the overall disaster response system. | [
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
]
|
10.1074/mcp.M112.017756 | Dicer-dependent and -independent argonaute2 protein interaction networks in mammalian cells | Argonaute (Ago) proteins interact with small regulatory RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and facilitate gene-silencing processes. miRNAs guide Ago proteins to specific mRNAs leading to translational silencing or mRNA decay. In order to understand the mechanistic details of miRNA function, it is important to characterize Ago protein interactors. Although several proteomic studies have been performed, it is not clear how the Ago interactome changes on miRNA or mRNA binding. Here, we report the analysis of Ago protein interactions in miRNA-containing and miRNA-depleted cells. Using stable isotope labeling in cell culture in conjunction with Dicer knock out mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we identify proteins that interact with Ago2 in the presence or the absence of Dicer. In contrast to our current view, we find that Ago-mRNA interactions can also take place in the absence of miRNAs. Our proteomics approach provides a rich resource for further functional studies on the cellular roles of Ago proteins. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
]
|
10.1105/tpc.110.081018 | Regulation and Flexibility of Genomic Imprinting during Seed Development | Abstract
Genomic imprinting results in monoallelic gene expression in a parent-of-origin–dependent manner. It is achieved by the differential epigenetic marking of parental alleles. Over the past decade, studies in the model systems Arabidopsis thaliana and maize (Zea mays) have shown a strong correlation between silent or active states with epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, but the nature of the primary imprint has not been clearly established for all imprinted genes. Phenotypes and expression patterns of imprinted genes have fueled the perception that genomic imprinting is specific to the endosperm, a seed tissue that does not contribute to the next generation. However, several lines of evidence suggest a potential role for imprinting in the embryo, raising questions as to how imprints are erased and reset from one generation to the next. Imprinting regulation in flowering plants shows striking similarities, but also some important differences, compared with the mechanisms of imprinting described in mammals. For example, some imprinted genes are involved in seed growth and viability in plants, which is similar in mammals, where imprinted gene regulation is essential for embryonic development. However, it seems to be more flexible in plants, as imprinting requirements can be bypassed to allow the development of clonal offspring in apomicts. | [
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
US 0145724 W | LATCHING DEVICE | The present invention relates to a latching device (10) for securing two panels together such as those of storage structures in which an enclosure is secured by a door or panel which will remain in a closed position until released. The present latching system is usually used in connection with automobile glove boxes or other compartments which are to be secured for storage of items therein. The latching device has a housing (12) actuation member (1102) and a pawl (14) in communication with a moveable retention member (28). The latching device can be electrically or manually operated. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
]
|
W2073313614 | Case study methodology: causal explanation, contextualization, and theorizing | Abstract Arguing that the theorizing potential of case studies has not been fully realized in the field of international business research, Welch, Piekkari, Plakoyiannaki, and Paavilainen-Mantymaki (2011) construct a typology of theorizing from case studies based on the trade-off between causal explanation and contextualization. The typology distinguishes four methods of theorizing — interpretive sensemaking, contextualized explanation, inductive theory-building, and natural experiment. While Welch et al.'s work is laudable, their argument regarding the trade-off between causal explanation and contextualization is flawed and they mischaracterize the methods of inductive theory-building and natural experiment. To improve their typology, I propose an alternative one by replacing the dimension of contextualization with that of theory development. The four methods of theorizing become interpretive sensemaking, contextualized explanation, empirical regularity, and theory building and testing. While the first two are from Welch et al.'s typology, the other two are new. The alternative typology is a significant improvement over Welch et al.'s, and will raise case study researchers' attention to a more pluralistic methodological approach. | [
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
]
|
10.1666/13-107 | Developmental Paleobiology Of The Vertebrate Skeleton | Studies of the development of organisms can reveal crucial information on homology of structures. Developmental data are not peculiar to living organisms, and they are routinely preserved in the mineralized tissues that comprise the vertebrate skeleton, allowing us to obtain direct insight into the developmental evolution of this most formative of vertebrate innovations. The pattern of developmental processes is recorded in fossils as successive stages inferred from the gross morphology of multiple specimens and, more reliably and routinely, through the ontogenetic stages of development seen in the skeletal histology of individuals. Traditional techniques are destructive and restricted to a 2-D plane with the third dimension inferred. Effective non-invasive methods of visualizing paleohistology to reconstruct developmental stages of the skeleton are necessary. In a brief survey of paleohistological techniques we discuss the pros and cons of these methods. The use of tomographic methods to reconstruct development of organs is exemplified by the study of the placoderm dentition. Testing evidence for the presence of teeth in placoderms, the first jawed vertebrates, we compare the methods that have been used. These include inferring development from morphology, and using serial sectioning, microCT or synchrotron X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM), to reconstruct growth stages and directions of growth. The ensuing developmental interpretations are biased by the methods and degree of inference. The most direct and reliable method is using SRXTM data to trace sclerochronology. The resulting developmental data can be used to resolve homology and test hypotheses on the origin of evolutionary novelties. | [
"Earth System Science",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
]
|
772395 | Hypothalamic mechanisms of thermal homeostasis and adaptation | Mammalian organisms possess the remarkable ability to maintain internal body temperature (Tcore) within a narrow range close to 37°C despite wide environmental temperature variations. The brain’s neural “thermostat” is made up by central circuits in the hypothalamic preoptic area (POA), which orchestrate peripheral thermoregulatory responses to maintain Tcore. Thermogenesis requires metabolic fuel, suggesting intricate connections between the thermoregulatory centre and hypothalamic circuits controlling energy balance. How the POA detects and integrates temperature and metabolic information to achieve thermal balance is largely unknown. A major question is whether this circuitry could be harnessed therapeutically to treat obesity.
We have recently identified the first known molecular temperature sensor in thermoregulatory neurons of the POA, transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2), a thermo-sensitive ion channel. I aim to use TRPM2 as a molecular marker to gain access to and probe the function of thermoregulatory neurons in vivo. I propose a multidisciplinary approach, combining local, in vivo POA temperature stimulation with optogenetic circuit-mapping to uncover the molecular and cellular logic of the hypothalamic thermoregulatory centre and to assess its medical potential to counteract metabolic syndrome.
Acclimation is a beneficial adaptive process that fortifies thermal responses upon environmental temperature challenges. Thermoregulatory neuron plasticity is thought to mediate acclimation. Conversely, maladaptive thermoregulatory changes affect obesity. The cell-type-specific neuronal plasticity mechanisms underlying these changes within the POA, however, are unknown.
Using ex-vivo slice electrophysiology and in vivo imaging, I propose to characterize acclimation- and obesity-induced plasticity of thermoregulatory neurons. Ultimately, I aim to manipulate thermoregulatory neuron plasticity to test its potential counter-balancing effect on obesity. | [
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
]
|
US 47976809 A | Rotating Identification Container Band (RICB) | The Rotating Identification Container Band (RICB) comprises a circular band with an opening in its wall that fits within a containers indentation and rotates around a container (i.e. cup). This invention offers a repeatable, dynamic way to identify the user of a cup within a small group of people (i.e. the family, daycare group, etc). This is accomplished by a rotating the band that is intrinsic to a cup. As the band rotates around the cup it displays one of the defined set of colour/name indicia in bands window opening. All cups within a set are identical, which allows each and every cup to be dynamically identified by a user. | [
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
10.3934/ipi.2015.9.1093 | Locally sparse reconstruction using the l<sup>1,∞</sup>-norm | This paper discusses the incorporation of local sparsity information, e. g. in each pixel of an image, via minimization of the l1,∞-norm. We discuss the basic properties of this norm when used as a regularization functional and associated optimization problems, for which we derive equivalent reformulations either more amenable to theory or to numerical computation. Further focus of the analysis is put on the locally 1-sparse case, which is well motivated by some biomedical imaging applications. Our computational approaches are based on alternating direction methods of multipliers (ADMM) and appropriate splittings with augmented Lagrangians. Those are tested for a model scenario related to dynamic positron emission tomography (PET), which is a functional imaging technique in nuclear medicine. The results of this paper provide insight into the potential impact of regularization with the l1,∞-norm for local sparsity in appropriate settings. However, it also indicates several shortcomings, possibly related to the non-tightness of the functional as a relaxation of the l0,∞-norm. | [
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
]
|
W2114568818 | Indoor metallic pollution related to mining activity in the Bolivian Altiplano | The environmental pollution associated with mining and metallurgical activities reaches its greatest extent in several Andean cities and villages. Many locations in this area have accumulated through centuries a large amount of mining wastes, often disregarding the magnitude of this situation. However, in these naturally mineralized regions, there is little information available stating the exact role of mining and metallurgical industries in urban pollution. In this study, we demonstrated that the various metallic elements present in indoor dust (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn) had a common origin and this contamination was increased by the proximity to the mines. Lead dust concentration was found at concerning levels for public health. In addition, wrong behaviors such as carrying mining workwear home contributed to this indoor dust pollution. Consequently, the constant exposure of the population could represent a potential health hazard for vulnerable groups, especially children. | [
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Earth System Science"
]
|
10.1038/s41467-020-17104-9 | Impact of dual-layer solid-electrolyte interphase inhomogeneities on early-stage defect formation in Si electrodes | While intensive efforts have been devoted to studying the nature of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), little attention has been paid to understanding its role in the mechanical failures of electrodes. Here we unveil the impact of SEI inhomogeneities on early-stage defect formation in Si electrodes. Buried under the SEI, these early-stage defects are inaccessible by most surface-probing techniques. With operando full field diffraction X-ray microscopy, we observe the formation of these defects in real time and connect their origin to a heterogeneous degree of lithiation. This heterogeneous lithiation is further correlated to inhomogeneities in topography and lithium-ion mobility in both the inner- and outer-SEI, thanks to a combination of operando atomic force microscopy, electrochemical strain microscopy and sputter-etched X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Our multi-modal study bridges observations across the multi-level interfaces (Si/LixSi/inner-SEI/outer-SEI), thus offering novel insights into the impact of SEI homogeneities on the structural stability of Si-based lithium-ion batteries. | [
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering"
]
|
W2153034999 | Death-squads contemplating queers as citizens: what Colombian paramilitaries are saying | Colombian right-wing paramilitary forces aligned with the state and leftist guerrilla groups are associated with homophobic and transphobic attacks. However, the most extreme accounts of violence are attributed to the former group. Sexual and gender minorities are victimized in the ongoing internal conflict in which armed actors use attacks as a form of communicative violence meant to discipline the civilian population. At the same time, Colombian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities are making significant advances in gaining recognition of their human rights. This article explores the space where the advance of LGBT rights confounds reactionary homophobic beliefs of illegal right-wing armed groups. I consider how concepts such as ‘nation’ and ‘citizen’ shape the discourse of paramilitary forces in their account of their group's homophobic violence. Special attention is paid to the logic provided by two informants, former paramilitary members themselves, regarding the conditions under... | [
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
]
|
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