id
stringlengths 6
42
| title
stringlengths 3
499
| abstract
stringlengths 0
6.24k
| label
listlengths 0
6
|
|---|---|---|---|
W2085334379
|
Construction and demolition waste recycling: an application for road construction
|
One of the applications of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition processes is the construction of embankments, subbases and foundations for roads where unbound materials are used in replacement for natural aggregates. This work focuses on studying the development of the stiffness of recycled materials during construction, as well as how it modifies over time. The study assessed also the correlation between testing systems. A purpose-built experimental embankment with four sections of different recycled materials was built and tested. Fields were made from two structural layers, forming a homogenous thickness of about 80 cm. The compaction and testing took place using the Continuous Compaction Control technique, obtaining bearing capacity records during the embankment construction phases. The structural performance of the embankment was also determined using different types of light-weight deflectometers. The results show that recycled aggregates perform well when properly compacted and may ...
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1038/s41567-019-0542-4
|
Lattice defects induce microtubule self-renewal
|
Microtubules are dynamic polymers, which grow and shrink by addition and removal of tubulin dimers at their extremities. Within the microtubule shaft, dimers adopt a densely packed and highly ordered crystal-like lattice structure, which is generally not considered to be dynamic. Here, we report that thermal forces are sufficient to remodel the microtubule shaft, despite its apparent stability. Our combined experimental data and numerical simulations on lattice dynamics and structure suggest that dimers can spontaneously leave and be incorporated into the lattice at structural defects. We propose a model mechanism, where the lattice dynamics is initiated via a passive breathing mechanism at dislocations, which are frequent in rapidly growing microtubules. These results show that we may need to extend the concept of dissipative dynamics, previously established for microtubule extremities, to the entire shaft, instead of considering it as a passive material.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.4064/sm171126-18-7
|
On complements of Kazhdan projections in semisimple groups
|
We prove that for an isometric representation of some groups on certain Banach spaces, the complement of the subspace of invariant vectors is 1-complemented.
|
[
"Mathematics"
] |
W25836882
|
A power function profile of a ski jumping in-run hill.
|
The aim of the research was to find a function of the curvilinear segment profile which could make possible to avoid an instantaneous increasing of a curvature and to replace a circle arc segment on the in-run of a ski jump without any correction of the angles of inclination and the length of the straight-line segments. The methods of analytical geometry and trigonometry were used to calculate an optimal in-run hill profile. There were two fundamental conditions of the model: smooth borders between a curvilinear segment and straight-line segments of an in-run hill and concave of the curvilinear segment. Within the framework of this model, the problem has been solved with a reasonable precision. Four functions of a curvilinear segment profile of the in-run hill were investigated: circle arc, inclined quadratic parabola, inclined cubic parabola, and power function. The application of a power function to the in-run profile satisfies equal conditions for replacing a circle arc segment. Geometrical parameters of 38 modern ski jumps were investigated using the methods proposed.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Mathematics"
] |
W3121471603
|
The Predictive Power of Political Pundits: Prescient or Pitiful?
|
Although Australian political pundits frequently make predictions about the future, little systematic evidence exists about the accuracy of these predictions. To assess the predictive power of experts, we survey the transcripts of two well-known political programs – Insiders and Meet the Press – and record all falsifiable forecasts. Looking at the three months prior to both the 2007 and 2010 federal elections, we are struck by the paucity of falsifiable predictions, with most pundits heavily qualifying their predictions (so that they can never be said to be wrong). In 32 hours of television, we identify 20 falsifiable forecasts in our sample, of which we judge thirteen to be correct. We conclude with some suggestions for political talk shows, and for political scientists seeking to better analyse expert predictions.
|
[
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
10.1016/j.nicl.2016.08.017
|
Aberrant prefrontal beta oscillations predict episodic memory encoding deficits in schizophrenia
|
Verbal episodic memory is one of the core cognitive functions affected in patients with schizophrenia (SZ). Although this verbal memory impairment in SZ is a well-known finding, our understanding about its underlying neurophysiological mechanisms is rather scarce. Here we address this issue by recording brain oscillations during a memory task in a sample of healthy controls and patients with SZ. Brain oscillations represent spectral fingerprints of specific neurocognitive operations and are therefore a promising tool to identify neurocognitive mechanisms that are affected by SZ. Healthy controls showed a prominent suppression of left prefrontal beta oscillatory activity during successful memory formation, which replicates several previous oscillatory memory studies. In contrast, patients failed to exhibit such a left prefrontal beta power suppression. Utilizing a new topographical pattern similarity approach, we further demonstrate that the degree of similarity between a patient's beta power decrease to that of the controls reliably predicted memory performance. This relationship between beta power decreases and memory was such that the patients’ memory performance improved as they showed a more similar topographical beta desynchronization pattern compared to that of healthy controls. Together, these findings support left prefrontal beta desynchronization as the spectral fingerprint of verbal episodic memory formation, likely indicating deep semantic processing of verbal material. These findings also demonstrate that left prefrontal beta power suppression (or lack thereof) during memory encoding are a reliable biomarker for the observed encoding impairments in SZ in verbal memory.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
W1985579290
|
Embryonic miRNA Profiles of Normal and Ectopic Pregnancies
|
Our objective was to investigate the miRNA profile of embryonic tissues in ectopic pregnancies (EPs) and controlled abortions (voluntary termination of pregnancy; VTOP). Twenty-three patients suffering from tubal EP and twenty-nine patients with a normal ongoing pregnancy scheduled for a VTOP were recruited. Embryonic tissue samples were analyzed by miRNA microarray and further validated by real time PCR. Microarray studies showed that four miRNAs were differentially downregulated (hsa-mir-196b, hsa-mir-30a, hsa-mir-873, and hsa-mir-337-3p) and three upregulated (hsa-mir-1288, hsa-mir-451, and hsa-mir-223) in EP compared to control tissue samples. Hsa-miR-196, hsa-miR-223, and hsa-miR-451 were further validated by real time PCR in a wider population of EP and control samples. We also performed a computational analysis to identify the gene targets and pathways which might be modulated by these three differentially expressed miRNAs. The most significant pathways found were the mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis and the ECM-receptor-interaction pathways. We also checked that the dysregulation of these three miRNAs was able to alter the expression of the gene targets in the embryonic tissues included in these pathways such as GALNT13 and ITGA2 genes. In conclusion, analysis of miRNAs in ectopic and eutopic embryonic tissues shows different expression patterns that could modify pathways which are critical for correct implantation, providing new insights into the understanding of ectopic implantation in humans.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
884086
|
Propeeler: enhanced shrimp peeling machine with full control and optimisation of the process to enable full automation of the shrimp peeling industry
|
ProPeeler is an optimised peeling machine that will disrupt the current paradigm of the shrimp industry, one of the most popular seafood traded worldwide (20% of all seafood). Shrimp suppliers need solutions to increase their yields all while they reduce environmental footprint, improve the working conditions of their facilities, and ensure careful food safety and hygiene production while meeting growing demands. Automation has been one of the trends to respond to these growing pressures, evidenced by the fact that the processing equipment market is projected to surpass the €70 billion by 2022.
Hand-peeling continues to dominate shrimp production since a stable electricity and water supply, high costs of upfront investment and fluctuating global market prices of shrimp continue to be barriers for the switch to automation. With 30 years of experience in the sector, Martak has led the development of innovative products for the cold-water shrimp segment, securing 60% of the market. ProPeeler, the most innovative edition of our peeling technology incorporates automated features of the machinery (direct drive mechanisms, unique water control system, improved uplift system and angle control mechanism) with real-time monitoring via a revolutionary vision control system that facilitates immediate intervention of the operator. ProPeeler allows shrimp producers to increase their yields, saves up to 70% of electricity and 20% of water usage. In addition, the return of investment can be expected within 6-7 months.
Since ProPeeler is 20 years ahead of the current technology in the warm-water shrimp segment, it presents a real opportunity to enter a new market. Five years after ProPeeler market launch we plan to have penetrated the EU-Mediterranean countries, the US, South America and Asia. We have forecasted an accumulated revenue of €25 million in the five-year period after market launch and the creation of up to 10 new job positions
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
W2037504805
|
The Financial Crisis: Causes and Lessons*
|
The author argues that the root cause of the recent crisis was a housing bubble whose origins can be traced to loose monetary policy and a government housing policy that continually pushed for lower lending standards to increase home ownership. The negative consequences of such policies were amplified when transmitted throughout the financial system by financial institutions through the process of securitization. In attempting to assess culpability for the crisis and identify possible reforms, the author focuses on three categories: 1 Defects in Financial Products: Without criticizing derivatives and the process of securitization, the author identifies the sheer complexity of the securities as a major source of the problem—for which the solution is a simpler security design combined with greater disclosure about the underlying assets being securitized. 2 Defects in Risk Management: Thanks in large part to agency and other incentive problems, there was universal underestimation of risks by mortgage originators and financial institutions throughout the securitization chain. Changing incentive pay structures is part of the solution, and so are better accounting rules for SPEs. But more effective regulatory oversight and ending “too big to fail” may well be the only way to curb excessive private risk-taking. 3 Defects in Government Policy and Regulation: While acknowledging the need for more effective oversight, the author argues that there was ample existing authority for U.S. regulators to have addressed these issues. Lack of power and authority to regulate was not at the heart of the problem—the real problem was lack of foresight and judgment about the unexpected. After expressing doubt that regulators can prevent major financial failures, the author recommends greater attention to devising better methods of resolving such failures when they occur. One of the main goals is to ensure that losses are borne not by taxpayers but by private investors in a way that maintains incentives for market discipline while limiting spillover costs to the entire system.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
] |
10.1145/3322205.3311080
|
Crystal Gazer
|
Non-volatile memories (NVM) offer greater capacity than DRAM but suffer from high latency and low write endurance. Hybrid memories combine DRAM and NVM to form scalable memory systems with the promise of high capacity, low energy consumption, and high endurance. Automatically managing hybrid NVM-DRAM memories to achieve their promise without changing user applications or their programming models remains an open question. This paper uses garbage collection in managed languages to exploit NVM capacity while preventing NVM wear out in hybrid memories with no changes to the programming model. We introduce profile-driven write-rationing garbage collection. Allocation sites that produce frequently written objects are predicted based on previous program executions. Objects are initially allocated in a DRAM nursery space. The collector copies surviving nursery objects from highly written sites to a mature DRAM space and read-mostly objects to a mature NVM space. Write-intensity prediction for 15 Java benchmarks accurately places objects in the correct space, eliminating expensive object monitoring from prior write-rationing garbage collectors. Furthermore, our technique exposes a Pareto tradeoff between DRAM usage and NVM lifetime, unlike prior work. Experimental results on NUMA hardware that emulates hybrid NVM-DRAM memory demonstrates that profile-driven write-rationing garbage collection reduces the number of writes to NVM compared to prior work to extend its lifetime, maximizes the use of NVM for its capacity, and achieves good performance.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.4049/jimmunol.1201815
|
Developmentally regulated availability of RANKL and CD40 ligand reveals distinct mechanisms of fetal and adult cross-talk in the thymus medulla
|
T cell tolerance in the thymus is a key step in shaping the developing T cell repertoire. Thymic medullary epithelial cells play multiple roles in this process, including negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes, influencing thymic dendritic cell positioning, and the generation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Previous studies show that medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) development involves hemopoietic cross-talk, and numerous TNFR superfamily members have been implicated in this process. Whereas CD40 and RANK represent key examples, interplay between these receptors, and the individual cell types providing their ligands at both fetal and adult stages of thymus development, remain unclear. In this study, by analysis of the cellular sources of receptor activator for NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and CD40L during fetal and adult cross-talk in the mouse, we show that the innate immune cell system drives initial fetal mTEC development via expression of RANKL, but not CD40L. In contrast, cross-talk involving the adaptive immune system involves both RANKL and CD40L, with analysis of distinct subsets of intrathymic CD4+ T cells revealing a differential contribution of CD40L by conventional, but not Foxp3+ regulatory, T cells. We also provide evidence for a stepwise involvement of TNFRs in mTEC development, with CD40 upregulation induced by initial RANK signaling subsequently controlling proliferation within the mTEC compartment. Collectively, our findings show how multiple hemopoietic cell types regulate mTEC development through differential provision of RANKL/CD40L during ontogeny, revealing molecular differences in fetal and adult hemopoietic cross-talk. They also suggest a stepwise process of mTEC development, in which RANK is a master player in controlling the availability of other TNFR family members.
|
[
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
] |
10.1016/j.tins.2014.12.007
|
Amygdala-prefrontal interactions in (mal)adaptive learning
|
The study of neurobiological mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders has been shaped by learning models that frame anxiety as maladaptive learning. Pavlovian conditioning and extinction are particularly influential in defining learning stages that can account for symptoms of anxiety disorders. Recently, dynamic and task related communication between the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has emerged as a crucial aspect of successful evaluation of threat and safety. Ongoing patterns of neural signaling within the mPFC-BLA circuit during encoding, expression and extinction of adaptive learning are reviewed. The mechanisms whereby deficient mPFC-BLA interactions can lead to generalized fear and anxiety are discussed in learned and innate anxiety. Findings with cross-species validity are emphasized.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System"
] |
10.1038/s41467-019-11322-6
|
MerMAIDs: a family of metagenomically discovered marine anion-conducting and intensely desensitizing channelrhodopsins
|
Channelrhodopsins (ChRs) are algal light-gated ion channels widely used as optogenetic tools for manipulating neuronal activity. ChRs desensitize under continuous bright-light illumination, resulting in a significant decline of photocurrents. Here we describe a metagenomically identified family of phylogenetically distinct anion-conducting ChRs (designated MerMAIDs). MerMAIDs almost completely desensitize during continuous illumination due to accumulation of a late non-conducting photointermediate that disrupts the ion permeation pathway. MerMAID desensitization can be fully explained by a single photocycle in which a long-lived desensitized state follows the short-lived conducting state. A conserved cysteine is the critical factor in desensitization, as its mutation results in recovery of large stationary photocurrents. The rapid desensitization of MerMAIDs enables their use as optogenetic silencers for transient suppression of individual action potentials without affecting subsequent spiking during continuous illumination. Our results could facilitate the development of optogenetic tools from metagenomic databases and enhance general understanding of ChR function.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.1088/0953-8984/29/2/025004
|
Structural And Electronic Properties Of Ultrathin Fese Films Grown On Bi2Se3 0 0 0 1 Studied By Stm Sts
|
We report scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS) studies on one and two unit cell (UC) high FeSe thin films grown on Bi2Se3(0 0 0 1). In our thin films, we find the tetragonal phase of FeSe and dumb-bell shaped defects oriented along Se–Se bond directions. In addition, we observe striped moire patterns with a periodicity of (7. 3 ± 0. 1) nm generated by the mismatch between the FeSe lattice and the Bi2Se3 lattice. We could not find any signature of a superconducting gap in the tunneling spectra measured on the surface of one and two UC thick islands of FeSe down to 6. 5 K. The spectra rather show an asymmetric behavior across and a finite density of states at the Fermi level (E F) resembling those taken in the normal state of bulk FeSe.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
W2805735626
|
High oleic peanut breeding: Achievements, perspectives, and prospects
|
Abstract Background The nutritional quality, flavor, and shelf-life of both peanut products and its seeds are dependent on relative quantity of various fatty acids (FAs) like saturated, mono unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) present in its oil. High oleic (HO) peanut oils are extremely valued due to its superior nutritional composition for human health and augmented thermo-oxidative stability for industrial purposes. Scope and approach From the research perspective, noteworthy progress has been made during last three decades for the development of peanut lines having HO trait in its oil. In this review, the research achievements, perspectives, and prospects of peanut genetic improvement for HO trait is thoroughly discussed. Key findings and conclusions The research has helped not only understanding the genetics of HO traits and its genotype (G) by environment (E) interaction but also produced an enormous number of HO line throughout the world. Although, as of now, most of the high O/L cultivars developed are the outcome of traditional breeding efforts. But, with the advent of novel molecular techniques like CAPS and AS-PCR assay for HO peanut breeding program, it is extremely easy to achieve the traits through marker assisted selection (MAS) rather than through either conventional or genetic engineering approaches. The availability of peanut genome sequence and identification of different ahFAD2 gene families is also expediting the research for the breeding of HO peanut genotypes.
|
[
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
W2367039200
|
Simulation and Analysis of Two Kinds of System Level Fault-Tolerance Methods for SEU
|
The space information processing systems based VLSI are easily suffered by SEU (Single Event Upset).TMR (Three Module Redundancy) based structure redundancy and EDAC (Error Detection and Correction) based information redundancy are two kinds of system level fault-tolerance methods for SEU.These methods are widely used in space aircraft electronic system.Simulation and analysis are implemented from four aspects:reliability,storage resource,hardware implement spending and time delay.The results show that EDAC is efficient when the data is long,the storage resource is limited and the demand of real-time performance is not high,however the TMR is efficient when the data is short,the storage resource is enough and the desire of real-time performance is high.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.1080/13555502.2015.1058089
|
Mapping Wordsworthshire A Gis Study Of Literary Tourism In Victorian Lakeland
|
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Victorian Culture on 14/08/2015, available online: doi: 10. 1080/13555502. 2015. 1058089
|
[
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Texts and Concepts"
] |
W1522316004
|
Synchronous diagnosis of colorectal malignancy and lymphoma
|
To perform case series from one centre over 9 years, and review of the literature. The synchronous diagnosis of colorectal malignancy and lymphoma is rare.Case note review of patients identified from clinical databases.Five patients were identified and findings discussed. In two patients colorectal malignancy staging CT scans identified pathological lymphadenopathy consistent with lymphoma. A further two patients had an incidental lymphoma on histological examination of the colorectal malignancy specimen. The fifth patient was found to have suspicious superior mesenteric lymph nodes at laparotomy. Histology confirmed two nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphomas, a lymphocytic-rich classical Hodgkin's lymphoma, a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and a B-cell follicular lymphoma.There is a need for vigilance for the possibility of dual pathologies in all specialties.
|
[
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
] |
EP 2007053744 W
|
HYDRAULIC PILOT CONTROL UNIT WITH OSCILLATION DAMPING SYSTEM
|
The present invention relates to the field of units for hydraulic pilot control of directional-control valves used in the fabrication of mobile vehicles and particularly relates to a hydraulic pilot control with an oscillation damping system. Connections are provided among the chambers in the pilot control unit to provide a damping effect in the actuation stroke, thereby preventing any oscillation: the provision of such connections among the chambers has the function of preventing air stagnation; this arrangement prevents any undamped behavior due to incomplete filling upon installation or to air transported in the hydraulic fluid.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
W910190185
|
Antioxidative Potency and UV–Vis spectra features of the compounds resulting from the chelation of Fe2+ by Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester and two of its derivatives
|
Abstract Chelation of the solvated iron (II) cation (Fe(H2O)62+ and Fe(CH3OH)62+) by Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE), 3-Methyl-2-Butenyl Caffeate (MBC) and Benzoic Caffeate (BC) has been investigated through the ONIOM(B3LYP/6-31G(d,p):UFF) calculation and 6-31+G(d) set for Fe2+. The chelates (Fe(CAPE)2+, Fe(MBC)2+ and Fe(BC)2+) were treated by the density functional theory (DFT) calculation and the four ligands (H2O or CH3OH) around the iron were treated by UFF calculation. Time dependent (TD-DFT) calculations were used to reproduce the electronic UV–Vis spectra of chelates. In the thermodynamic point of view, the results indicated that the chelation of Fe2+ by the three molecules was spontaneous and that MBC got the best capacity to chelate Fe2+. The complexes are more antioxidant than the free molecules (CAPE, MBC and BC). The CH3OH molecules appear as the good ligands to enhance the antioxidant efficiency of chelates. Elsewhere the homolytic H-atom transfer (HAT) mechanism was the likely HO2 radical scavenging process compared to the sequential ones. Therefrom the chelates without ligands were the best antioxidant. Considering the ligands, the chelates of CH3OH were the best antioxidant, mostly Fe(MBC)(CH3OH)42+. However the scavenging of the ionic radical O2 − foresaw that the proton transfer followed by electron transfer (PT–ET) mechanism was the preferred process. This kept the antioxidant potency analyses of HAT mechanism. Moreover, the chelates absorbed the red and the infrared radiations confirming the quality of the antioxidative potency of chelates.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
694539
|
In situ analysis of single channel subunit composition in neurons: physiological implication in synaptic plasticity and behavior
|
Ligand-gated and voltage-gated channels are key molecules in transforming chemical signals into electrical ones and electrical signals into chemical ones, respectively. At excitatory synaptic connections in the brain, activation of AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors elicits inward currents at the postsynaptic sites, and activation of voltage-gated calcium channels triggers vesicle release of glutamate in the presynaptic sites. Plastic changes in their number, location and property can lead to potentiation or depression of synaptic efficacy, alteration in time course, and coupling to effectors at both postsynaptic and presynaptic sites. These channels are all composed of distinct subunits and their compositions affect channel properties, trafficking to the synaptic sites, and interaction with associated molecules, creating a large diversity of synaptic functions. Although channels with different subunit compositions have been investigated using biochemical and electrophysiological detection methods, very little is known about single channel subunit composition in situ because of the lack of high resolution methods for analysis of protein complex in intact tissues. In this project, I will develop novel technologies to visualize subunit composition at the single channel level in individual synapses by electron microscopy, combining new EM tags, freeze-fracture replica labelling, and electron tomography. Synaptic plasticity will be induced by optogenetic stimulation of identified neurons or behavioural paradigms to examine the dynamic changes of subunit composition. Finally, physiological implications of such regulation of subunit composition will be investigated by genetic manipulation of mice combined with electrophysiological and behavioural analyses. This work will demonstrate unprecedented views of the subunit composition in situ and provide new insights into how regulation of subunit composition contributes to synaptic plasticity and animal behaviour.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.1038/nature14338
|
Climate change and the permafrost carbon feedback
|
Large quantities of organic carbon are stored in frozen soils (permafrost) within Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. A warming climate can induce environmental changes that accelerate the microbial breakdown of organic carbon and the release of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane. This feedback can accelerate climate change, but the magnitude and timing of greenhouse gas emission from these regions and their impact on climate change remain uncertain. Here we find that current evidence suggests a gradual and prolonged release of greenhouse gas emissions in a warming climate and present a research strategy with which to target poorly understood aspects of permafrost carbon dynamics.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b02916
|
Mapping Surface Hydrophobicity of α-Synuclein Oligomers at the Nanoscale
|
Proteins fold into a single structural ensemble but can also misfold into many diverse structures including small aggregates and fibrils, which differ in their toxicity. The aggregate surface properties play an important role in how they interact with the plasma membrane and cellular organelles, potentially inducing cellular toxicity, however, these properties have not been measured to date due to the lack of suitable methods. Here, we used a spectrally resolved, super-resolution imaging method combined with an environmentally sensitive fluorescent dye to measure the surface hydrophobicity of individual aggregates formed by the protein α-synuclein (αS), whose aggregation is associated with Parkinson's disease. We show that the surface of soluble oligomers is more hydrophobic than fibrils and populates a diverse range of coexisting states. Overall, our data show that the conversion of oligomers to fibril-like aggregates and ultimately to fibrils results in a reduction in both hydrophobicity and the variation in hydrophobicity. This funneling characteristic of the energy landscape explains many of the observed properties of αS aggregates and may be a common feature of aggregating proteins.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
10.1145/3123514.3123538
|
Handwaving Gesture Recognition For Participatory Mobile Music
|
This paper describes handwaving, a system for participatory mobile music based on accelerometer gesture recognition. The core of the system is a library that can be used to recognize and map arbitrary gestures to sound synthesizers. Such gestures can be quickly learnt by mobile phone users in order to produce sounds in a musical context. The system is implemented using web standards, so it can be used with most current smartphones without the need of installing specific software.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
804110
|
Chemistry and Interface Control of Novel 2D-Pnictogen Nanomaterials
|
2D-PnictoChem aims at exploring the Chemistry of a novel class of graphene-like 2D layered
elemental materials of group 15, the pnictogens: P, As, Sb, and Bi. In the last few years, these materials
have taken the field of Materials Science by storm since they can outperform and/or complement graphene
properties. Their strongly layer-dependent unique properties range from semiconducting to metallic,
including high carrier mobilities, tunable bandgaps, strong spin-orbit coupling or transparency. However,
the Chemistry of pnictogens is still in its infancy, remaining largely unexplored. This is the niche that
2D-PnictoChem aims to fill. By mastering the interface chemistry, we will develop the assembly of 2Dpnictogens
in complex hybrid heterostructures for the first time. Success will rely on a cross-disciplinary
approach combining both Inorganic- and Organic Chemistry with Solid-state Physics, including: 1)
Synthetizing and exfoliating high quality ultra-thin layer pnictogens, providing reliable access down to
the monolayer limit. 2) Achieving their chemical functionalization via both non-covalent and covalent
approaches in order to tailor at will their properties, decipher reactivity patterns and enable controlled
doping avenues. 3) Developing hybrid architectures through a precise chemical control of the interface,
in order to promote unprecedented access to novel heterostructures. 4) Exploring novel applications
concepts achieving outstanding performances. These are all priorities in the European Union agenda
aimed at securing an affordable, clean energy future by developing more efficient hybrid systems for
batteries, electronic devices or applications in catalysis. The opportunity is unique to reduce Europe’s
dependence on external technology and the PI’s background is ideally suited to tackle these objectives,
counting as well on a multidisciplinary team of international collaborators.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.017401
|
Optical amplification using Raman transitions between spin-singlet and spin-triplet states of a pair of coupled in-GaAs quantum dots
|
We report the observation of steady-state optical amplification in Raman transitions between the lowest-energy spin states of a single quantum-dot molecule. Absorption and resonance fluorescence experiments demonstrate that the entangled two-electron singlet and triplet states have electric-dipole coupling to a common optically excited state. Fast spin relaxation ensures optical gain on the triplet transition when the singlet transition is driven resonantly. By embedding the quantum-dot molecule in a cavity of modest quality factor, a solid-state single-emitter laser can be realized.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
W4223514034
|
EDUCAÇÃO ESPECIAL EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA
|
O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a forma com que os alunos acometidos pelo Transtorno do Aspectro Autista (TEA), oriundos da educação infantil das escolas públicas regulares de Lucas do Rio Verde/MT, foram incluídos nas aulas online no ano de 2020 com o advento da pandemia da Covid 19 no ano referido, em virtude que as aulas ministradas até esse momento, eram totalmente presenciais, sendo certo que toda comunidade escolar necessitou em um curto espaço de tempo se reinventar, haja vista a necessidade de previsibilidade na rotina desses alunos. Sendo assim, pretendeu-se, de modo geral, investigar como escolas e professores da Educação Infantil estruturaram seu trabalho na perspectiva de fornecer condições adequadas para inclusão destes alunos nas aulas não presenciais. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram 09 (nove) professoras pedagogas que responderam um questionário previamente elaborado e enviado via formulário no google, durante o mês de maio de 2021. Os dados catalogados demonstraram que as professoras, cada qual ao seu modo, logicamente com auxílio da gestão escolar e familiares, trabalharam dedicando-se honrosamente, com isso conseguiram incluir essas crianças em suas aulas não presenciais, com participações e aproveitamentos distintos, porém, todos incluídos no processo de ensino aprendizagem
|
[
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
10.1007/978-3-030-39905-4_12
|
Identifying Classifying And Searching Graphic Symbols In The Notae System
|
The use of graphic symbols in documentary records from the 5th to the 9th century has so far received scant attention. What we mean by graphic symbols are graphic signs (including alphabetical ones) drawn as a visual unit in a written text and representing something other or something more than a word of that text. The Project NOTAE represents the first attempt to investigate these graphic entities as a historical phenomenon from Late Antiquity to early medieval Europe in any written sources containing texts generated for pragmatic purposes (contracts, petitions, official and private letters, lists etc. ). Identifying and classifying graphic symbols on such documents is a task that requires experience and knowledge of the field, but software applications may come in help by learning to recognize symbols from previously annotated documents and suggesting experts potential symbols and likely classification in newly acquired documents to be validated, thus easing the task. This contribution introduces the NOTAE system that, in addition to the aforementioned task, provides non expert users with tools to explore the documents annotated by experts.
|
[
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.1186/s13059-015-0632-2
|
The Fasciola hepatica genome: Gene duplication and polymorphism reveals adaptation to the host environment and the capacity for rapid evolution
|
Background: The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is a major pathogen of livestock worldwide, causing huge economic losses to agriculture, as well as 2. 4 million human infections annually. Results: Here we provide a draft genome for F. hepatica, which we find to be among the largest known pathogen genomes at 1. 3 Gb. This size cannot be explained by genome duplication or expansion of a single repeat element, and remains a paradox given the burden it may impose on egg production necessary to transmit infection. Despite the potential for inbreeding by facultative self-fertilisation, substantial levels of polymorphism were found, which highlights the evolutionary potential for rapid adaptation to changes in host availability, climate change or to drug or vaccine interventions. Non-synonymous polymorphisms were elevated in genes shared with parasitic taxa, which may be particularly relevant for the ability of the parasite to adapt to a broad range of definitive mammalian and intermediate molluscan hosts. Large-scale transcriptional changes, particularly within expanded protease and tubulin families, were found as the parasite migrated from the gut, across the peritoneum and through the liver to mature in the bile ducts. We identify novel members of anti-oxidant and detoxification pathways and defined their differential expression through infection, which may explain the stage-specific efficacy of different anthelmintic drugs. Conclusions: The genome analysis described here provides new insights into the evolution of this important pathogen, its adaptation to the host environment and external selection pressures. This analysis also provides a platform for research into novel drugs and vaccines.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
] |
W2079216243
|
Ab initio study of low-temperature phase transformations in ternary solid solution TiCcN1−c
|
Abstract Complete set of totally ordered structures in TiC c N 1− c that are stable with respect to formation of anti-phase domains is considered. The calculations of the formation energies are carried out in the framework of the linearized augmented plane wave (LAPW) method as implemented in Wien2k code. The energetically preferable phases are determined for the stoichiometric compositions, c st = 1/8, 7/8, 1/4, 3/4, and 1/2. Using the concentration wave approach the Fourier transforms of the mixing potential are extracted for these phases from ab initio calculations. The obtained data is applied to analyze temperature dependencies of long range order parameters for the phases where the ordering is described by one or two order parameters. Low-temperatures for the order–disorder phase transformations are obtained. This explains the difficulties in experimental study of the low-temperature phase diagram due to frozen kinetics: the time scales on which equilibration to the thermodynamically stable phase takes place exceed the time available for the experiment.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
217936
|
Art / culture / economy to democratize society. research in placemaking for alternative narratives
|
The project trans-making aims to establish a multilateral network of research and innovation staff active in the fields of placemaking/place-based art activities as a space to create alternative narratives for social, economic and democratic renewal.
It will investigate and experiment with placemaking to contribute actively to the democratization/well-being of society, educating and empowering individuals and disadvantaged minorities through research and production in the connection between art and new technologies.
The objective is to strengthen research capacities, through exchange of knowledge and expertise between academic and non-academic partners from Europe and Third Countries in a shared research programme focused on: collecting, documenting / Exploring, experimenting / Performing / Designing. Trough those work programme of Research and Innovation, the consortium, academic and non-academics partners, aims to foster links between art and culture, economy, democracy and innovation at EU level and beyond. To foster entrepreneurial skills, risk taking adaptability, innovation capacity (economic, social and democratic). And it will contribute actively to education and empowerment of individuals and disadvantaged minorities trough research and production between art and new technologies.
The project through its consortium will be to foster a better understanding and knowledge sharing between scientific community, stakeholders and policy-makers. Which will be achieved with the respective networks of the involved partners. The final aim of trans-making will be to establish a long term collaboration among the partners in order to have a scientific and innovative worldwide community devoted to the research, (including art-based research), innovation, education activity in the matters concerned by the project. Moreover, the proposed measures of the project will be conceived in order to have the widest possible impact of the society.
|
[
"Studies of Cultures and Arts",
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
] |
10.1073/pnas.1103627108
|
RAS-converting enzyme 1-mediated endoproteolysis is required for trafficking of rod phosphodiesterase 6 to photoreceptor outer segments
|
Prenylation is the posttranslational modification of a carboxylterminal cysteine residue of proteins that terminate with a CAAX motif. Following prenylation, the last three amino acids are cleaved off by the endoprotease, RAS-converting enzyme 1 (RCE1), and the prenylcysteine residue is methylated. Although it is clear that prenylation increases membrane affinity of CAAX proteins, less is known about the importance of the postprenylation processing steps. RCE1 function has been studied in a variety of tissues but not in neuronal cells. To approach this issue, we generated mice lacking Rce1 in the retina. Retinal development proceeded normally in the absence of Rce1, but photoreceptor cells failed to respond to light and subsequently degenerated in a rapid fashion. In contrast, the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers were unaffected. We found that the multimeric rod phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6), a prenylated protein and RCE1 substrate, was unable to be transported to the outer segments in Rce1-deficient photoreceptor cells. PDE6 present in the inner segment of Rce1-deficient photoreceptor cells was assembled and functional. Synthesis and transport of transducin, and rhodopsin kinase 1 (GRK1), also prenylated substrates of RCE1, was unaffected by Rce1 deficiency. We conclude that RCE1 is essential for the intracellular trafficking of PDE6 and survival of photoreceptor cells.
|
[
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.1103/PhysRevA.91.043408
|
Nuclear-motion effects in attosecond transient-absorption spectroscopy of molecules
|
We investigate the characteristic effects of nuclear motion on attosecond transient-absorption spectra in molecules by calculating the spectrum for different model systems. Two models of the hydrogen molecular ion are considered: one where the internuclear separation is fixed, and one where the nuclei are free to vibrate. The spectra for the fixed nuclei model are similar to atomic spectra reported elsewhere, while the spectra obtained in the model including nuclear motion are very different and dominated by extremely broad absorption features. These broad absorption features are analyzed and their relation to molecular dissociation investigated. The study of the hydrogen molecular ion validates an approach based on the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and a finite electronic basis. This latter approach is then used to study the three-dimensional hydrogen molecule including nuclear vibration. The spectrum obtained from H<inf>2</inf> is compared to the result of a fixed-nuclei calculation. In the attosecond transient-absorption spectra of H<inf>2</inf> including nuclear motion we find a rich absorption structure corresponding to population of different vibrational states in the molecule, while the fixed-nuclei spectra again are very similar to atomic spectra. We find that light-induced structures at well-defined energies reported in atomic systems are also present in our fixed nuclei molecular spectra, but suppressed in the H<inf>2</inf><sup>+</sup> and H<inf>2</inf> spectra with moving nuclei. We show that the signatures of light-induced structures are closely related to the nuclear dynamics of the system through the shapes and relative arrangement of the Born-Oppenheimer potential-energy curves.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
10.1007/978-3-642-54268-8_25
|
Direct Myocardial Strain Assessment From Frequency Estimation In Tagging Mri
|
We propose a new method to analyse deformation of the cardiac left ventricular wall from tagging magnetic resonance images. The method exploits the fact that the time-dependent frequency covector field representing the tag pattern is tightly coupled to the myocardial deformation and not affected by tag fading. Deformation and strain tensor fields can be retrieved from local frequency estimates given at least n independent tagging sequences, where n denotes spatial dimension. Our method does not require knowledge of material motion or tag line extraction. We consider the conventional case of two tag directions, as well as the overdetermined case of four tag directions, which improves robustness. Additional scan time can be prevented by using one or two grid patterns consisting of multiple, simultaneously acquired tag directions. This concept is demonstrated on patient data. Tracking errors obtained for phantom data are smaller than those obtained by HARP, 0. 32±0. 14 px versus 0. 53±0. 07 px. Strain results for volunteers are compared with corresponding linearised strain fields derived from HARP.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
209704
|
Neurosemantics: the human brain as a meaning processor
|
This research programme aims at understanding the neural mechanisms underlying the manipulation of meaning in the human brain. Throughout this interdisciplinary research programme four complementary research streams will run in parallel: (a) a developmental stream investigating the characteristics of semantic memory development in infants aged 12 to 36 months; (b) a bilingual stream addressing subtle differences in semantic conceptualisation resulting from the handling of different languages by one brain; (c) a nonverbal stream exploring the capacity of the human brain to process complex meaningful information that is not coded in words; and (d) an unconscious stream targeting the processing of meaning triggered by perceptually distorted stimuli processed outside of awareness. As the research programme unfolds, aspects of verbal and nonverbal semantic development in the infant will be compared to second language semantics and to nonverbal processing in the adult. Similarly, differences found between conscious and unconscious aspects of semantic processing will provide an interpretational basis for results obtained in the other three streams. At the end of this research programme an overall synthesis of data collected in the different streams will make it possible to characterize cognitive factors affecting semantic development in early and later life, which can be expected to lead to a completely novel conception of the human semantic system. The series of experiments planned and those generated in the course of this project will enable the research team to establish international leadership in the emerging field of neurosemantics.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
10.1103/PhysRevX.8.021071
|
Key Features of Turing Systems are Determined Purely by Network Topology
|
Turing's theory of pattern formation is a universal model for self-organization, applicable to many systems in physics, chemistry, and biology. Essential properties of a Turing system, such as the conditions for the existence of patterns and the mechanisms of pattern selection, are well understood in small networks. However, a general set of rules explaining how network topology determines fundamental system properties and constraints has not been found. Here we provide a first general theory of Turing network topology, which proves why three key features of a Turing system are directly determined by the topology: the type of restrictions that apply to the diffusion rates, the robustness of the system, and the phase relations of the molecular species.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1038/NCHEM.2425
|
Self Assembled Nanospheres With Multiple Endohedral Binding Sites Pre Organize Catalysts And Substrates For Highly Efficient Reactions
|
Tuning reagent and catalyst concentrations is crucial in the development of efficient catalytic transformations. In enzyme-catalysed reactions the substrate is bound-often by multiple non-covalent interactions-in a well-defined pocket close to the active site of the enzyme; this pre-organization facilitates highly efficient transformations. Here we report an artificial system that co-encapsulates multiple catalysts and substrates within the confined space defined by an M12L24 nanosphere that contains 24 endohedral guanidinium-binding sites. Cooperative binding means that sulfonate guests are bound much more strongly than carboxylates. This difference has been used to fix gold-based catalysts firmly, with the remaining binding sites left to pre-organize substrates. This strategy was applied to a Au(I)-catalysed cyclization of acetylenic acid to enol lactone in which the pre-organization resulted in much higher reaction rates. We also found that the encapsulated sulfonate-containing Au(I) catalysts did not convert neutral (acid) substrates, and so could have potential in the development of substrate-selective catalysis and base-triggered on/off switching of catalysis.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
W2037423448
|
An effective preprocessing Scheme for WLAN-based fingerprint positioning systems
|
In WLAN-based fingerprint positioning systems, the data preprocessing before applying the matching algorithm is important for improving the accuracy. In this paper, an effective preprocessing scheme is proposed to improve selection methods of reference point (RP) and access point (AP). The spatial filter is used to select RPs, and APs are decided in the principle of minimal redundancy. The experiment is carried out on campus, whose results show that the proposed scheme could improve the accuracy of both the Kernel-based and KNN matching algorithm, especially the former, by about 25%. Moreover, the denser is the AP distribution, the better the proposed scheme performs.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
US 2007/0085308 W
|
WIRELESS NETWORK CAMERA SYSTEMS
|
Apparatus, systems and techniques associated with battery powered wireless camera systems. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a battery powered wireless camera including an internal battery to provide energy and a burst transmission unit to transmit information during burst periods. The system includes a base station, separated from the battery powered wireless camera, in wireless communication with the battery powered wireless camera to receive information from the battery powered wireless camera. The base station is configured to process the received information and includes a web server to transmit the processed information to a client. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W4313363253
|
Violencias, imágenes y memoria en el Nuevo Coronavirus y buen gobierno. Memorias de la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú de Edilberto Jiménez
|
Este artículo analiza un grupo de imágenes y testimonios recopilados en el Nuevo coronavirus y buen gobierno. Memorias de la pandemia de COVID-19 en Perú del artista y antropólogo ayacuchano Edilberto Jiménez a partir de tres ejes: las representaciones del virus en el imaginario popular, las violencias subjetiva y objetiva del virus plasmadas en los dibujos y la construcción de agencia de la sociedad civil frente a estas violencias. Sostenemos que este libro encarna una justicia restaurativa a la vez que un testimonio polifónico de cómo la pandemia visibilizó y acentuó las diferencias como desigualdades en los ciudadanos más vulnerables: mujeres, niños, ancianos de las familias más humildes de San Juan de Lurigancho, uno de los distritos con pobreza extrema más alta de Lima. En esta línea, subrayamos que la función político-testimonial del libro apunta a la creación de una memoria sobre la crisis sanitaria. Con todo esto, concluimos que este libro es un aporte necesario para reentender los efectos de la pandemia en las zonas de extrema pobreza del Perú, para reflexionar sobre el rol de las imágenes y para construir una memoria en la que los protagonistas sean los más afectados.
|
[
"Studies of Cultures and Arts",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
10.1016/j.cmet.2015.01.015
|
Adipose tissue: ILC2 crank up the heat
|
White-to-beige conversion of adipocytes is one of the most promising approaches to therapeutically target obesity; however, the signals driving this process had largely remained unclear. Recently, two publications, Brestoff et al. (2014) in Nature and Lee et al. (2015) in Cell, showed that group 2 innate lymphoid cells directly regulate adipocyte differentiation and drive the growth of beige fat.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
101001288
|
From the understanding of KRAS-RAF membrane dynamics to new therapeutic strategies in cancer
|
Cellular homeostasis is controlled by the RAS-MAPK pathway. This pathway is dysregulated in human diseases, especially cancer, in which more than 50% of cases carry aberrations that hyperactivate RAS-MAPK signaling. In this context, KRAS mutations are the most frequent oncogenic drivers. Therapeutic suppression of pathogenic KRAS-RAF-MAPK signaling to achieve disease control in cancer patients still represents a challenging target. KRAS dimers and multimers at the membrane (collectively referred, together with adaptors and effectors, as to “KRAS signalosome”) influence the activation of KRAS signaling. I provided the first biological evidence that dimerization is required for the function of oncogenic KRAS (Ambrogio et al, Cell, 2018). Indeed, one fascinating and still largely unexplored aspect of KRAS biology is the functional impact of KRAS complexes at the membrane for signaling and drug sensitivity. No inhibitors of oncogenic KRAS clustering have been identified so far. Interestingly, wild-type KRAS antagonizes oncogenic KRAS, resulting in reduced oncogenic signaling. The overarching goal of this proposal is the characterization in vitro and in vivo of the “KRAS signalosome” in terms of functional dynamics and related actionable vulnerabilities. My strong background in KRAS biology provides me with the expertise to propose an ambitious, yet feasible plan to understand the tumor suppressor effect of wild-type KRAS protomers in mutant KRAS-driven complexes by identifying and validating membrane interactors differentially recruited by wild-type and mutant KRAS (Work package 1). In parallel, I will study the relevance of RAF kinases localization at the membrane as key feature to sustain oncogenic MAPK activity in vivo (Work package 2). Finally, I will screen new compounds to interfere with RAFs function at the cell membrane and will determine the therapeutic impact of disrupting mutant KRAS signalosome using mouse models in vivo (Work package 3).
|
[
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1007/978-3-662-48000-7_36
|
Large Scale Secure Computation Multi Party Computation For Parallel Ram Programs
|
We present the first efficient (i. e. , polylogarithmic overhead) method for securely and privately processing large data sets over multiple parties with parallel, distributed algorithms. More specifically, we demonstrate load-balanced, statistically secure computation protocols for computing Parallel RAM (PRAM) programs, handling \((1/3 - \epsilon )\) fraction malicious players, while preserving up to polylogarithmic factors the computation, parallel time, and memory complexities of the PRAM program, aside from a one-time execution of a broadcast protocol per party. Additionally, our protocol has \(\mathsf{polylog}\) communication locality—that is, each of the n parties speaks only with \(\mathsf{polylog}(n)\) other parties.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1103/PhysRevD.96.104044
|
Black hole horizons at the extremal limit in Lorentz-violating gravity
|
Lorentz-violating gravity theories with a preferred foliation can have instantaneous propagation. Nonetheless, it has been shown that black holes can still exist in such theories and the relevant notion of an event horizon has been dubbed "universal horizon. " In stationary spacetimes the universal horizon has to reside in a region of spacetime where the Killing vector associated with stationarity is spacelike. This raises the question of what happens to the universal horizon in the extremal limit, where no such region exists anymore. We use a decoupling limit approximation to study this problem. Our results suggest that at the extremal limit, the extremal Killing horizon appears to play the role of a degenerate universal horizon, despite being a null and not a spacelike surface, and hence not a leaf of the preferred foliation.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
] |
10.1038/ncomms1751
|
Enhanced electromechanical response of ferroelectrics due to charged domain walls
|
While commonly used piezoelectric materials contain lead, non-hazardous, high-performance piezoelectrics are yet to be discovered. Charged domain walls in ferroelectrics are considered inactive with regards to the piezoelectric response and, therefore, are largely ignored in this search. Here we demonstrate a mechanism that leads to a strong enhancement of the dielectric and piezoelectric properties in ferroelectrics with increasing density of charged domain walls. We show that an incomplete compensation of bound polarization charge at these walls creates a stable built-in depolarizing field across each domain leading to increased electromechanical response. Our model clarifies a long-standing unexplained effect of domain wall density on macroscopic properties of domain-engineered ferroelectrics. We show that non-toxic ferroelectrics like BaTiO 3 with dense patterns of charged domain walls are expected to have strongly enhanced piezoelectric properties, thus suggesting a new route to high-performance, lead-free ferroelectrics.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
268548
|
Nanophysiology of fast-spiking, parvalbumin-expressing GABAergic interneurons
|
In the present proposal, we plan to examine the dendrites, axons, and presynaptic terminals of fast-spiking, parvalbumin-expressing GABAergic interneurons using subcellular patch-clamp methods pioneered by the PI, imaging techniques, and computational approaches.
The goal is to obtain a quantitative nanophysiological picture of signaling in this key type of interneuron. By incorporating realistic BC models into dentate gyrus network models, we will be able to test the contribution of this important type of GABAergic interneuron to complex functions of the dentate gyrus, such as pattern separation, temporal deconvolution, and conversion from grid to place codes. The results may lay the basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies for treatment of diseases of the nervous system, targeting interneurons at subcellularly defined locations.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W1815320137
|
LSC 2011 Abstract: Bronchoalveolar lavage in radiation pneumonitis after radiotherapy for breast cancer
|
Radiation pneumonitis is a complication of radiotherapy which limits its application in cancer therapy. Aim: To compare the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings in patients with symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) versus asymptomatic RP. Material and method: We evaluated 65 female patients with RP after radiotherapy for breast cancer. Results: Forty-nine patients were symptomatic (fever, cough and/or dyspnea) and 16 were asymptomatic. All patients had a newly discovered infiltrate or consolidation on chest radiography, corresponding to the radiation field. BAL in symptomatic patients had an increased number of cells. Lymphocytosis was present in all patients with RP, but it was higher in symptomatic (34.9±18.81% vs. 26.14±14.3%). Macrophages were decreased in all patients. Neutrophils were slightly increased (8.88% in symptomatic and 3.34% in asymptomatic) and eosinophils were normal in both groups (2.56% and 1.22, respectively). Almost all lymphocytes were T type (CD3+). CD4+ lymphocytes were increased in both groups with normal CD4/CD8 ratio (2.72 in symptomatic and 1.5 in asymptomatic group). Conclusion: Lymphocytic alveolitis with T lymphocytes was present in all patients with RP with a higher proportion in symptomatic patients.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
] |
172276
|
Intelligent and cost-efficient wind turbine power production using optical sensors
|
Sensors are widely used for optimization of technical systems. In most cases they are electrical, hence not safe to operate e.g. on wind turbines blades due to lightning risk, on fuel tanks, in strong magnetic fields or close to generators due to the risk of electrical short circuits. Furthermore cabling is costly, can be cumbersome to handle and signals are difficult to transmit reliably over long distances.
CEKO Sensors (CEKO), a spin-out from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Nanotechnology, will disrupt the sensor market by providing sensors that are 100% optical, frequency modulated, have very high sensitivity and are metal-free. The force sensitivity of the sensors has shown to be 1200 times larger than what can be obtained using comparable technologies. At the same time the physical size is 100 times smaller and the weight 3000 times less than other sensors on the market today. These unique features make them crucial for applications where sensitivity, size and weight are critical parameters.
The initial proof-of-market application for the CEKO sensor is wind turbines. Wind turbines have been selected as CEKO sensors addresses several significant challenges for wind turbines owners: Monitoring of blade damages for reduced maintenance and repair costs, optimization of blade loads for efficient production and detection of icing on the blades, which has a high impact on the power production and the safety on ground.
The CEKO sensors will initially be marketed through Brüel & Kjær, a world leading sensor manufacturer, who has estimated the direct achievable market for the CEKO sensors in the wind power segment to be 36.000 sensors/ year worth €22 million. The objectives of the over all innovation projects are to 1) finalise the development of the optical sensor for wind turbines 2) Complete a full scale field test in collaboration with H&L Wind A/S (owner of several wind parks in Germany) 3) Obtain the required industry certifications.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b01155
|
Can Ice-Like Structures Form on Non-Ice-Like Substrates? The Example of the K-feldspar Microcline
|
Feldspar minerals are the most common rock formers in Earth's crust. As such they play an important role in subjects ranging from geology to climate science. An atomistic understanding of the feldspar structure and its interaction with water is therefore desirable, not least because feldspar has been shown to dominate ice nucleation by mineral dusts in Earth's atmosphere. The complexity of the ice/feldspar interface arising from the numerous chemical motifs expressed on the surface makes it a challenging system. Here we report a comprehensive study of this challenging system with ab initio density functional theory calculations. We show that the distribution of Al atoms, which is crucial for the dissolution kinetics of tectosilicate minerals, differs significantly between the bulk environment and on the surface. Furthermore, we demonstrate that water does not form ice-like overlayers in the contact layer on the most easily cleaved (001) surface of K-feldspar. We do, however, identify contact layer structures of water that induce ice-like ordering in the second overlayer. This suggests that even substrates without an apparent match with the ice structure may still act as excellent ice nucleating agents. (Figure Presented).
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.1073/pnas.1702188114
|
Quantitative assessment of passive electrical properties of the cardiac T-tubular system by FRAP microscopy
|
Well-coordinated activation of all cardiomyocytes must occur on every heartbeat. At the cell level, a complex network of sarcolemmal invaginations, called the transverse-axial tubular system (TATS), propagates membrane potential changes to the cell core, ensuring synchronous and uniform excitation–contraction coupling. Although myocardial conduction of excitation has been widely described, the electrical properties of the TATS remain mostly unknown. Here, we exploit the formal analogy between diffusion and electrical conductivity to link the latter with the diffusional properties of TATS. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) microscopy is used to probe the diffusion properties of TATS in isolated rat cardiomyocytes: A fluorescent dextran inside TATS lumen is photobleached, and signal recovery by diffusion of unbleached dextran from the extracellular space is monitored. We designed a mathematical model to correlate the time constant of fluorescence recovery with the apparent diffusion coefficient of the fluorescent molecules. Then, apparent diffusion is linked to electrical conductivity and used to evaluate the efficiency of the passive spread of membrane depolarization along TATS. The method is first validated in cells where most TATS elements are acutely detached by osmotic shock and then applied to probe TATS electrical conductivity in failing heart cells. We find that acute and pathological tubular remodeling significantly affect TATS electrical conductivity. This may explain the occurrence of defects in action potential propagation at the level of single T-tubules, recently observed in diseased cardiomyocytes.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
216153
|
Interactive music science collaborative activities
|
iMuSciCA will – through engagement in music activities – support mastery of core academic content on STEM subjects (Physics, Geometry, Mathematics, and Technology) for secondary school students (aged 12-16) alongside with the development of their creativity and deeper learning skills. To reach this goal, iMuSciCA introduces new methodologies and innovative technologies supporting active, discovery-based, collaborative, personalised, and more engaging learning. These technologies provide students and teachers with opportunities for collaboration, co-creation, and collective knowledge building. In particular, iMuSciCA will deliver a suite of software tools and services on top of market-ready new enabling technologies integrated on a web-based platform. These include: a 3D design environment for personalized virtual musical instruments; advanced music generation and processing technologies to apply and interpret related physics and mathematics principles; gesture and pen-enabled multimodal interaction functionality for music co-creation and performance; and 3D printing for realizing the actual/tangible physical instrument. The platform will be complemented with a suite of interdisciplinary project/problem based educational scenarios for STEAM integrating innovative and stimulating methods in teaching and learning. The iMuSciCA framework will be pilot-tested and evaluated in real learning contexts by a substantial number of students and teachers in three European countries (Belgium, Greece, and France). The project will be implemented in close collaboration of academic and industrial partners, bringing together existing technologies and promoting ground-breaking research in STEAM pedagogy and the involved core enabling technology. As such, iMuSciCA will be a pioneering approach using music for fostering creativity and deeper learning, thereby setting new grounds in the European curricula of STEAM.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Mathematics"
] |
2720367
|
Rise of the 3rd dimension in nanotemperature mapping
|
The last decades witnessed a quest for devices responding to temperature at a distance with unprecedented space resolution, approaching the nanoscale. Such devices are valuable in both fundamental and applied science, from overheat in micromachines to hyperthermia applied to cells. Despite great advances, the response is still collected in 2D. In real systems, heat flows in 3 dimensions such that 2D nanothermometers give just a plane view of a 3D reality. The restriction to 2D emerges because space resolution is bound to time and temperature resolutions, leading to a trilemma: scanning into the 3rd dimension is time consuming and cannot be achieve without losing temperature and time resolutions. While incremental improvements have been achieved in recent years, adding the 3rd dimension to nanothermometry is crucial for further impact and requires an innovative approach. Herein, I propose the development of nano local probes with tailored magnetic properties recording critical information about local temperature in 3D. These thermometric local probes avoid the resolution trilemma by recording the most relevant temperature information instead of reading the present temperature value. In many applications, including cellular hyperthermia, most part of the current temperature reading is of minor relevance and can be dropped. The key temperature information includes the maximum temperature achieved, the surpass of a given temperature threshold, and the time elapsed after this surpass. Once recorded, this key information can be read in 3D by standard devices (such as confocal microscopes and magnetic resonance imaging scanners) without time constrains and thus keeping a high space and temperature resolution. Moreover, the reading step can be performed in-situ and/or ex-situ, decoupling probes and reading devices if needed. This widens the range of applications of nanothermometers, allowing detection in confined environments and in non-transparent media.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
FI 9900119 W
|
METHOD AND DEVICE IN TAIL THREADING
|
The invention relates to a method in tail threading, in which a lead-in strip, tail (T) separated from the edge of a paper web is guided between two elongated mobile means in a paper web conveying machine and transferred forward between these two means along a given portion in the machine direction of the machine. The mobile means are belts (1, 2) between which the tail is transported. The neutral axes (N) of the belts (1, 2) are substantially on the same level.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
10.1016/j.cellimm.2017.12.009
|
Muscularis macrophages: Key players in intestinal homeostasis and disease
|
Macrophages residing in the muscularis externa of the gastrointestinal tract are highly specialized cells that are essential for tissue homeostasis during steady-state conditions as well as during disease. They are characterized by their unique protective functional phenotype that is undoubtedly a consequence of the reciprocal interaction with their environment, including the enteric nervous system. This muscularis macrophage-neuron interaction dictates intestinal motility and promotes tissue-protection during injury and infection, but can also contribute to tissue damage in gastrointestinal disorders such as post-operative ileus and gastroparesis. Although the importance of muscularis macrophages is clearly recognized, different aspects of these cells remain largely unexplored such their origin, longevity and instructive signals that determine their function and phenotype. In this review, we will discuss the phenotype, functions and origin of muscularis macrophages during steady-state and disease conditions. We will highlight the bidirectional crosstalk with neurons and potential therapeutic strategies that target and manipulate muscularis macrophages to restore their protective signature as a treatment for disease.
|
[
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System"
] |
10.1016/j.quascirev.2014.05.021
|
Palaeoclimate records 60-8 ka in the Austrian and Swiss Alps and their forelands
|
The European Alps and their forelands provide a range of different archives and climate proxies for developing climate records in the time interval 60-8 thousand years (ka) ago. We review quantitative and semi-quantitative approaches for reconstructing climatic variables in the Austrian and Swiss sector of the Alpine region within this time interval. Available quantitative to semi-quantitative climate records in this region are mainly based on fossil assemblages of biota such as chironomids, cladocerans, coleopterans, diatoms and pollen preserved in lake sediments and peat, the analysis of oxygen isotopes in speleothems and lake sediment records, the reconstruction of past variations in treeline altitude, the reconstruction of past equilibrium line altitude and extent of glaciers based on geomorphological evidence, and the interpretation of past soil formation processes, dust deposition and permafrost as apparent in loess-palaeosol sequences. Palaeoclimate reconstructions in the Alpine region are affected by dating uncertainties increasing with age, the fragmentary nature of most of the available records, which typically only incorporate a fraction of the time interval of interest, and the limited replication of records within and between regions. Furthermore, there have been few attempts to cross-validate different approaches across this time interval to confirm reconstructed patterns of climatic change by several independent lines of evidence. Based on our review we identify a number of developments that would provide major advances for palaeoclimate reconstruction for the period 60-8 ka in the Alps and their forelands. These include (1) the compilation of individual, fragmentary records to longer and continuous reconstructions, (2) replication of climate records and the development of regional reconstructions for different parts of the Alps, (3) the cross-validation of different proxy-types and approaches, and (4) the reconstruction of past variations in climate gradients across the Alps and their forelands. Furthermore, the development of downscaled climate model runs for the Alpine region 60-8 ka, and of forward modelling approaches for climate proxies would expand the opportunities for quantitative assessments of climatic conditions in Europe within this time-interval.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"The Study of the Human Past"
] |
10.1063/1.5022879
|
Deciphering The Relative Contribution Of Vascular Inflammation And Blood Rheology In Metastatic Spreading
|
Vascular adhesion of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is a key step in cancer spreading. If inflammation is recognized to favor the formation of vascular metastatic niches, little is known about the contribution of blood rheology to CTC deposition. Herein, a microfluidic chip, covered by a confluent monolayer of endothelial cells, is used for analyzing the adhesion and rolling of colorectal (HCT 15) and breast (MDA MB 231) cancer cells under different biophysical conditions. These include the analysis of cell transport in a physiological solution and whole blood; over a healthy and a TNF alpha inflamed endothelium; with a flow rate of 50 and 100 nL/min. Upon stimulation of the endothelial monolayer with TNF alpha (25 ng/mL), CTC adhesion increases by 2 to 4 times whilst cell rolling velocity only slightly reduces. Notably, whole blood also enhances cancer cell deposition by 2 to 3 times, but only on the unstimulated vasculature. For all tested conditions, no statistically significant difference is observed between the two cancer cell types. Finally, a computational model for CTC transport demonstrates that a rigid cell approximation reasonably predicts rolling velocities while cell deformability is needed to model adhesion. These results would suggest that, within microvascular networks, blood rheology and inflammation contribute similarly to CTC deposition thereby facilitating the formation of metastatic niches along the entire network, including the healthy endothelium. In microfluidic based assays, neglecting blood rheology would significantly underestimate the metastatic potential of cancer cells.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1186/s13059-015-0828-5
|
Lifetime stress accelerates epigenetic aging in an urban, African American cohort: Relevance of glucocorticoid signaling
|
Background: Chronic psychological stress is associated with accelerated aging and increased risk for aging-related diseases, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. Results: We examined the effect of lifetime stressors on a DNA methylation-based age predictor, epigenetic clock. After controlling for blood cell-type composition and lifestyle parameters, cumulative lifetime stress, but not childhood maltreatment or current stress alone, predicted accelerated epigenetic aging in an urban, African American cohort (n = 392). This effect was primarily driven by personal life stressors, was more pronounced with advancing age, and was blunted in individuals with higher childhood abuse exposure. Hypothesizing that these epigenetic effects could be mediated by glucocorticoid signaling, we found that a high number (n = 85) of epigenetic clock CpG sites were located within glucocorticoid response elements. We further examined the functional effects of glucocorticoids on epigenetic clock CpGs in an independent sample with genome-wide DNA methylation (n = 124) and gene expression data (n = 297) before and after exposure to the glucocorticoid receptor agonist dexamethasone. Dexamethasone induced dynamic changes in methylation in 31. 2 % (110/353) of these CpGs and transcription in 81. 7 % (139/170) of genes neighboring epigenetic clock CpGs. Disease enrichment analysis of these dexamethasone-regulated genes showed enriched association for aging-related diseases, including coronary artery disease, arteriosclerosis, and leukemias. Conclusions: Cumulative lifetime stress may accelerate epigenetic aging, an effect that could be driven by glucocorticoid-induced epigenetic changes. These findings contribute to our understanding of mechanisms linking chronic stress with accelerated aging and heightened disease risk.
|
[
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.1112/plms.12196
|
Moments of zeta and correlations of divisor-sums: V
|
In this series of papers we examine the calculation of the 2kth moment and shifted moments of the Riemann zeta-function on the critical line using long Dirichlet polynomials and divisor correlations. The present paper completes the general study of what we call Type II sums which utilize a circle method framework and a convolution of shifted convolution sums to obtain all of the lower order terms in the asymptotic formula for the mean square along [T, 2T] of a Dirichlet polynomial of arbitrary length with divisor functions as coefficients.
|
[
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1109/CVPR.2017.747
|
A Study Of Lagrangean Decompositions And Dual Ascent Solvers For Graph Matching
|
We study the quadratic assignment problem, in computer vision also known as graph matching. Two leading solvers for this problem optimize the Lagrange decomposition duals with sub-gradient and dual ascent (also known as message passing) updates. We explore this direction further and propose several additional Lagrangean relaxations of the graph matching problem along with corresponding algorithms, which are all based on a common dual ascent framework. Our extensive empirical evaluation gives several theoretical insights and suggests a new state-of-the-art anytime solver for the considered problem. Our improvement over state-of-the-art is particularly visible on a new dataset with large-scale sparse problem instances containing more than 500 graph nodes each.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Mathematics"
] |
W1557021804
|
Red Scare in the Red State: The Attack on Mexican-American Studies in Arizona and Opportunities for Building National Solidarity
|
The attack on ethnic studies in Tucson is a local struggle with broad implications. This essay poses that Arizona is a testing ground for neoliberal laws, policies and practices, including HB2281, an anti-Latin@ law banning ethnic studies courses in public schools. Given that many such political “experiments” have been successfully exported from Arizona, we raise concerns about the implications of this legislation. HB2281 represents contradictions inherent to a wide ranging anti-Latino@ political strategy that deploys an ethic of color-blindness to legitimize attacks on anti-racist projects and produces a rhetoric of new and recycled “enemies” to garner public support for increasingly anti-democratic public policy. We examine some of the stakes of building transformative educational projects in local settings, and pose questions about possibilities for building national networks of likely allies with the capacity to defend and support rigorous, critical public education in the United States.
|
[
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
] |
W4206460288
|
“Insegne” femminili tra Etruria e Roma
|
A partire dalla radice mun-, il contributo ne esplora le differenti traiettorie semantiche in latino e in etrusco che potrebbero portare ad approfondirne il risvolto concreto nelle due culture nel campo delle “insegne” concepite per le donne nelle loro rispettive società. Da un lato le “insegne” morali destinate alle donne latine, tra cui la munditia, e dall’altro quelle concrete etrusche, come gli specchi in funzione catoptromantica. Su uno di questi compare infatti munθuχ, una figura femminile i cui compiti ricadono nella dimensione dell’ordine fisico, naturale e soprannaturale, mantenendosi così il significato più completo della radice mun-.
|
[
"Texts and Concepts",
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Studies of Cultures and Arts"
] |
10.1080/09540121.2016.1146396
|
Developing Family Interventions For Adolescent Hiv Prevention In South Africa
|
ABSTRACTAdolescents and young people account for 40% of all new HIV infections each year, with South Africa one of the hardest hit countries, and having the largest population of people living with HIV. Although adolescent HIV prevention has been delivered through diverse modalities in South Africa, and although family-based approaches for adolescent HIV prevention have great potential for highly affected settings such as South Africa, there is a scarcity of empirically tested family-based adolescent HIV preventive interventions in this setting. We therefore conducted focus groups and in-depth interviews with key informants including clinicians, researchers, and other individuals representing organizations providing HIV and related health services to adolescents and parents (N = 82). We explored family perspectives and interactions around topics such as communication about sex, HIV, and relationships. Participants described aspects of family interactions that presented both challenges and opportunities fo. . .
|
[
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1002/env.2221
|
Bayesian stable isotope mixing models
|
In this paper, we review recent advances in stable isotope mixing models (SIMMs) and place them into an overarching Bayesian statistical framework, which allows for several useful extensions. SIMMs are used to quantify the proportional contributions of various sources to a mixture. The most widely used application is quantifying the diet of organisms based on the food sources they have been observed to consume. At the centre of the multivariate statistical model we propose is a compositional mixture of the food sources corrected for various metabolic factors. The compositional component of our model is based on the isometric log-ratio transform. Through this transform, we can apply a range of time series and non-parametric smoothing relationships. We illustrate our models with three case studies based on real animal dietary behaviour.
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
10.3982/QE545
|
The identification power of smoothness assumptions in models with counterfactual outcomes
|
In this paper, we investigate what can be learned about average counterfactual outcomes as well as average treatment effects when it is assumed that treatment response functions are smooth. We obtain a set of new partial identification results for both the average treatment response and the average treatment effect. In particular, we find that the monotone treatment response and monotone treatment selection bound of Manski and Pepper, 2000 can be further tightened if we impose the smoothness conditions on the treatment response. Since it is unknown in practice whether the imposed smoothness restriction is met, it is desirable to conduct a sensitivity analysis with respect to the smoothness assumption. We demonstrate how one can carry out a sensitivity analysis for the average treatment effect by varying the degrees of smoothness assumption. We illustrate our findings by reanalyzing the return to schooling example of Manski and Pepper, 2000 and also by measuring the effect of the length of job training on the labor market outcomes.
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1002/chem.201301403
|
On the "tertiary structure" of poly-carbenes; Self-assembly of sp<sup>3</sup>-carbon-based polymers into liquid-crystalline aggregates
|
The self-assembly of poly(ethylidene acetate) (st-PEA) into van der Waals-stabilized liquid-crystalline (LC) aggregates is reported. The LC behavior of these materials is unexpected, and unusual for flexible sp 3-carbon backbone polymers. Although the dense packing of polar ester functionalities along the carbon backbone of st-PEA could perhaps be expected to lead directly to rigid-rod behavior, molecular modeling reveals that individual st-PEA chains are actually highly flexible and should not reveal rigid-rod induced LC behavior. Nonetheless, st-PEA clearly reveals LC behavior, both in solution and in the melt over a broad elevated temperature range. A combined set of experimental measurements, supported by MM/MD studies, suggests that the observed LC behavior is due to self-aggregation of st-PEA into higher-order aggregates. According to MM/MD modeling st-PEA single helices adopt a flexible helical structure with a preferred trans-gauche syn-syn-anti-anti orientation. Unexpectedly, similar modeling experiments suggest that three of these helices can self-assemble into triple-helical aggregates. Higher-order assemblies were not observed in the MM/MD simulations, suggesting that the triple helix is the most stable aggregate configuration. DLS data confirmed the aggregation of st-PEA into higher-order structures, and suggest the formation of rod-like particles. The dimensions derived from these light-scattering experiments correspond with st-PEA triple-helix formation. Langmuir-Blodgett surface pressure-area isotherms also point to the formation of rod-like st-PEA aggregates with similar dimensions as st-PEA triple helixes. Upon increasing the st-PEA concentration, the viscosity of the polymer solution increases strongly, and at concentrations above 20 wt % st-PEA forms an organogel. STM on this gel reveals the formation of helical aggregates on the graphite surface-solution interface with shapes and dimensions matching st-PEA triple helices, in good agreement with the structures proposed by molecular modeling. X-ray diffraction, WAXS, SAXS and solid state NMR spectroscopy studies suggest that st-PEA triple helices are also present in the solid state, up to temperatures well above the melting point of st-PEA. Formation of higher-order aggregates explains the observed LC behavior of st-PEA, emphasizing the importance of the "tertiary structure" of synthetic polymers on their material properties. Coming around again: The self-assembly of "polycarbenes" into van der Waals stabilized liquid-crystalline (LC) aggregates is described. The LC behavior of these materials is unexpected for flexible sp3-carbon backbone polymers. The experimental measurements, supported by molecular mechanics-based molecular dynamic studies, suggest that the LC behavior is due to self-aggregation of st-PEA into triple-helix aggregates (st-PEA=syndiotactic poly(ethylidene acetate).
|
[
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
interreg_3513
|
Innovative urban strategies and action plans to increase the social and economic role of seniors
|
BACKGROUND: Ageing poses a serious challenge to metropolitan areas of SEE: Increasing number of seniors coupled with low employment rate increases costs for the society (pensions, social services & health care) whichis especially problematic in light of constrained public budgets and economic downturn. Growing sustainable communities addressing the needs of seniors require good governance and leadership, realistic and attractive goals, innovative, integrative approaches, a bottom-up involvement and financial resources. OBJECTIVES: Long term goal: Silver City contributes to developing sustainable communities and growth areas characterized by strong public leadership and human capital, social inclusion and sound urban planning for the benefit of all & in particular senior citizens. Silver City supports priorities in EU Sustainable Development Strategy and EU2020 Strategy linked to balanced local development, social innovation, improved social cohesion through significant increase in senior employment resulting in improved economic performance and more solidarity between generations at local community level. Main objective: Contribute to socio-economic development of partner cities by creating better conditions for seniors to remain active in the society focusing on financial & institutional aspects, social services and quality of the urban living and working environment. Specific objectives: 1.Revisiting the competences, functions and potentials for municipalities to become main drivers of involving seniors in local socio-economic activities thus contributing to inclusive growth areas 2.Tackle the socio-economic and urban development aspects and other framework conditions 3. Change the mindset of local employers, policy makers and seniors regarding the potential role and value of seniors in contributing to sustainable communities and growth. This involves specific supply/demand matching initiatives and cooperation platforms. MAIN ACTIVITIES: 1. Establish innovative local/transnat. stakeholder platforms with municipalities, employment services, senior representation groups, training providers and local employers, strengthening local/transnational networks, leading to sustainable cooperation models/agreements. 2. Map out legislative/policy framework, strategies, financial incentives, employability and training programmes leading to identification of practices/models to be transferred/tested (City Surveys, Solution Engineering Sessions) 3. Address gaps/needs at transnational/local level and define action/models/approaches maximising synergies to and capitalisation of existing initiatives/projects (Transnational Silver City Action Plan, Local Implementation Plans, EU Policy Recommendations) 4. Test innovative approaches/tools in wide cooperation between through local pilot actions 5. Ensure long-term implementation though exchange, endorsement and follow-up actions (e.g. Local Implementation Plans, Transfer Sessions, guide on cooperation agreements) OUTPUTS: - City Surveys, transfer sessions and Synthesis Report - Local Implementation Plans with endorsement and guide for cooperation agreements - Transnational Silver City Action Plan - EU Policy Recommendations - Local pilot actions - Thematic workshops/reports - Local Quadruple Helix Forums
|
[
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
US 201013505191 A
|
Positioning tool
|
A positioning tool for determining the position of the tool in a case downhole. The positioning tool utilizes a detecting unit which includes at least a first magnet and a first sensor in a first plane as well as a second sensor also arranged in the first plane. The first and second sensors are configured to detect changes in a magnetic field generated by the first magnet. The first sensor is arranged at a first distance from the first magnet and the second sensor is arranged at a second distance from the first sensor in the first plane.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
758817
|
Mechanisms of neuronal network remodeling in the adult mammalian brain
|
Traumatic events such as strokes or lesions to the adult brain can trigger large-scale reorganization of neuronal activity thought to be critical for functional recovery. The anatomical and molecular events underlying such reorganization remain an enigma. While rapid and short term changes of connections at the synaptic scale are widely studied, little is known about the principles and mechanisms of long-term and large-scale reorganization of axonal branches in mature circuits. I hypothesize that long-range axonal branching events in a minority of neurons contribute significantly to the plasticity and reorganization of adult neuronal circuits via unknown intrinsic mechanisms of axons survival and extrinsic environmental cues. A major reason why so little is known about axon dynamics in the adult brain has been the immense technical challenge of imaging rare axonal events in the dense meshwork of the adult brain. To solve this problem, I will apply new 3D imaging and genetic tools I developed to help visualize and quantify axons and synapses in the whole brain in an unbiased way. First, I will study the brain-wide neurite and synaptic dynamics after lesion and their effect on circuit function and homeostasis to shed light on the scale of brain plasticity. Second, I will characterize the intrinsic molecular pathways controlling activity-driven branch dynamics with viral approaches. I will make extensive use of tissue clearing, 3D imaging, and state-of-the-art image analysis pipelines to streamline the analysis of neuronal network properties. Third, I will investigate the extrinsic molecular and environmental factors promoting axonal dynamics in the context of adult brain structural plasticity. By generating a conceptual and mechanistic framework for the properties and mechanisms of injury induced brain reorganization, this study may contribute to the future design of new strategies to promote brain repair and curb the progress of neurodegenerative diseases.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1111/dpr.12465
|
Disaggregated determinants of aid: Development aid projects in the Philippines
|
Motivation: Across the world, rapid-onset disasters caused by natural hazards such as storms and floods return with seemingly greater force every year. Many disaster hot spots are particularly vulnerable because of already fragile humanitarian and political situations, some having been affected by armed conflict for decades. These phenomena augment the need for long-term aid, but do they influence the distribution of aid projects?. Purpose: This article revisits the long-standing debate over whether donor interests or recipient needs best predict the distribution of development aid. It disaggregates the analysis down to province level in the Philippines, and includes local hazards when assessing an area’s need for aid. Approach and methods: Making use of geocoded data on aid projects, rapid-onset disasters caused by natural hazards and armed conflict in Philippine provinces between 1996 and 2012, this article provides an exhaustive assessment of the within-country determinants of World Bank development aid projects. Findings: The article finds that need to some extent influences the distribution of aid projects across Philippine provinces but that, in general, domestic political alliances bias projects in favour of the politically dominant group. Previous exposure to conflict is associated with increased likelihood of new projects, but only in dominant group-majority provinces. While previous disaster exposure is a weak predictor of aid in all provinces, low Human Development Index (HDI) levels significantly predict aid inflow in excluded group-majority provinces. Policy implications: In sum, the article challenges the idea that (international) donors’ priorities override the interests of the recipient/local governmesnt in the distribution of aid projects. It also shows that even if the donor’s explicit policy is disaster mitigation and relief, there is still some way to go before these considerations are effectively incorporated into development aid efforts.
|
[
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1039/c5lc00140d
|
Generation of stable orthogonal gradients of chemical concentration and substrate stiffness in a microfluidic device
|
A microfluidic device that generates a stable, linear and diffusive chemical gradient over a biocompatible hydrogel with a stiffness gradient.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1016/j.ympev.2019.01.026
|
Mitogenomic evidence of close relationships between New Zealand's extinct giant raptors and small-sized Australian sister-taxa
|
Prior to human arrival in the 13th century, two large birds of prey were the top predators in New Zealand. In the absence of non-volant mammals, the extinct Haast's eagle (Hieraaetus moorei), the largest eagle in the world, and the extinct Eyles' harrier (Circus teauteensis) the largest harrier in the world, had filled ecological niches that are on other landmasses occupied by animals such as large cats or canines. The evolutionary and biogeographic history of these island giants has long been a mystery. Here we reconstruct the origin and evolution of New Zealand's giant raptors using complete mitochondrial genome data. We show that both Eyles’ harrier and Haast's eagle diverged from much smaller, open land adapted Australasian relatives in the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene. These events coincided with the development of open habitat in the previously densely forested islands of New Zealand. Our study provides evidence of rapid evolution of island gigantism in New Zealand's extinct birds of prey. Early Pleistocene climate and environmental changes were likely to have triggered the establishment of Australian raptors into New Zealand. Our results shed light on the evolution of two of the most impressive cases of island gigantism in the world.
|
[
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.1017/S0031182014000559
|
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Conditional Systems For Characterization Of Essential Genes In Toxoplasma Gondii
|
The dissection of apicomplexan biology has been highly influenced by the genetic tools available for manipulation of parasite DNA. Here, we describe different techniques available for the generation of conditional mutants. Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the three most commonly used regulation systems: the tetracycline inducible system, the regulation of protein stability and site-specific recombination are discussed. Using some previously described examples we explore some of the pitfalls involved in gene-function analysis using these systems that can lead to wrong or over-interpretation of phenotypes. We will also mention different options to standardize the application of these techniques for the characterization of gene function in high-throughput.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
] |
W1979822579
|
Network Analysis of Inflammatory Genes and Their Transcriptional Regulators in Coronary Artery Disease
|
Network analysis is a novel method to understand the complex pathogenesis of inflammation-driven atherosclerosis. Using this approach, we attempted to identify key inflammatory genes and their core transcriptional regulators in coronary artery disease (CAD). Initially, we obtained 124 candidate genes associated with inflammation and CAD using Polysearch and CADgene database for which protein-protein interaction network was generated using STRING 9.0 (Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes) and visualized using Cytoscape v 2.8.3. Based on betweenness centrality (BC) and node degree as key topological parameters, we identified interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1B), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) as hub nodes. The backbone network constructed with these five hub genes showed 111 nodes connected via 348 edges, with IL-6 having the largest degree and highest BC. Nuclear factor kappa B1 (NFKB1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and JUN were identified as the three core transcription factors from the regulatory network derived using MatInspector. For the purpose of validation of the hub genes, 97 test networks were constructed, which revealed the accuracy of the backbone network to be 0.7763 while the frequency of the hub nodes remained largely unaltered. Pathway enrichment analysis with ClueGO, KEGG and REACTOME showed significant enrichment of six validated CAD pathways - smooth muscle cell proliferation, acute-phase response, calcidiol 1-monooxygenase activity, toll-like receptor signaling, NOD-like receptor signaling and adipocytokine signaling pathways. Experimental verification of the above findings in 64 cases and 64 controls showed increased expression of the five candidate genes and the three transcription factors in the cases relative to the controls (p<0.05). Thus, analysis of complex networks aid in the prioritization of genes and their transcriptional regulators in complex diseases.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
] |
173166
|
Feasibility study for the cbt academy
|
- Several market trends have resulted in a decreasing availability of workers fit for and/or interested in positions which require medium-to-high skills in the ICT sector (as code programming). All the while, ICT companies grow exponentially and increasingly other sectors need programming for their daily activities (Big Data). This has caused a “Skills Gap”, which by 2020 will result in the shortage of 85 million medium-to-high skilled workers and a surplus of 90+ million low skilled workers.
- The identification of this market failure, which has tremendous impact on the performance and growth of companies (lost revenue and higher costs) throughout the EU, motivated CBT to develop an innovative business model to commercially explore this opportunity with the “CBT Academy” project.
- Its’ business model and concept are based on organizing training courses to up-skill capable low-skilled workers into medium-to-high skills code programmers. The courses’ content will be defined by the effective needs of CBT Group’s ICT clients thus increasing the employment potential of the Academy’s trainees. This concept can be summarized as “Just-in-Time Skills”, where potential candidates enter a course knowing that a job opportunity will be waiting for them if they finish it successfully.
- More than 15 years of experience in the recruitment sector, in various countries, have validated the need and willingness-to-pay of companies for the results the CBT Academy wants to achieve (regular groups of motivated, capable and mobile workers to fill the growing positions with programming tasks). Although the concept is considered promising, the company feels the need to further explore, detail and quantify the business model. For this, it will develop a Feasibility Study focusing on defining and studying critical variables of the business, the deliverable to the Phase 1 of the SME Instrument.
- Thus, this proposal inserts itself in the INSO-10-2015-1 call: “SME Business model innovation”.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1063/1.4916089
|
Polarization And Time Resolved Photoluminescence Spectroscopy Of Excitons In Mose2 Monolayers
|
We investigate valley exciton dynamics in MoSe2 monolayers in polarization- and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy at 4K. Following circularly polarized laser excitation, we record a low circular polarization degree of the PL of typically $\leq5\%$. This is about 10 times lower than the polarization induced under comparable conditions in MoS2 and WSe2 monolayers. The evolution of the exciton polarization as a function of excitation laser energy and power is monitored in PL excitation (PLE) experiments. Fast PL emission times are recorded for both the neutral exciton of $\leq3$ ps and for the charged exciton (trion) of 12 ps.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
10.3389/fnsyn.2019.00015
|
Multiple Two-Photon Targeted Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Recordings from Monosynaptically Connected Neurons in vivo
|
Although we know a great deal about monosynaptic connectivity, transmission and integration in the mammalian nervous system from in vitro studies, very little is known in vivo. This is partly because it is technically difficult to evoke action potentials and simultaneously record small amplitude subthreshold responses in closely (<150 μm) located pairs of neurons. To address this, we have developed in vivo two-photon targeted multiple (2-4) whole-cell patch clamp recordings of nearby neurons in superficial cortical layers 1-3. Here, we describe a step-by-step guide to this approach in the anesthetized mouse primary somatosensory cortex, including: the design of the setup, surgery, preparation of pipettes, targeting and acquisition of multiple whole-cell recordings, as well as in vivo and post hoc histology. The procedure takes ~4 h from start of surgery to end of recording and allows examinations both into the electrophysiological features of unitary excitatory and inhibitory monosynaptic inputs during different brain states as well as the synaptic mechanisms of correlated neuronal activity.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
W2034496184
|
Economic Impacts of Timber Product Outputs in Ohio across Timber Market Regions
|
Input-output models were constructed to describe the economic impacts of timber product outputs in Ohio and its three timber market regions - the Northeast, West, and Southeast - for 2012. Impact Analysis for PLANning was used to describe these impacts in terms of employment, output, and value added based on 1) the total value of outputs delivered to market by each region’s logging sector and 2) a per-unit change in the regionalized delivered value of one million board feet (MMBF) of hardwood sawtimber. Direct impacts of timber products were greatest in the Northeast (for output and value added) and Southeast (for employment). The total economic impacts of timber products in Ohio were 2,880 employees, $287 million in output, and $147 million in value added. The per-unit impact results were more varied due to regional differences in economies and timber price determinants. Employment and output economic impacts per MMBF were both highest in the Southeast. The employment levels directly and indirectly associated with each MMBF in the West were higher than the Northeast. Value added per MMBF was highest in the Northeast across impacts.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
W2348712242
|
Hawthorne's Feminism Consciousness in the Scarlet LetterViewed from the Perspective of the Monopoly of Education Resources
|
There are two male protagonists in The Scarlet Letter.One is Arthur Dimmesdale,a knowledgeable and respectable pastor,who,actually has committed adultery and is not brave enough to admit it in public.The other is Roger Chillingworth,a well-informed and skillful doctor,who in fact is cattish and wicked.By satirizing these two well-learned male protagonists,Hawthorne intends to express his dissatisfaction with the monopoly of education resources in the patriarchal society.Meanwhile,by depicting the female protagonist,Hester,who has not received much education but is brave,independent,honest and kind-hearted,Hawthorne attempts to criticize the monopoly of education resources and expresses his sympathy with female's marginalized status in education.In this way,Hawthorne's strong feminism consciousness is well revealed.
|
[
"Texts and Concepts",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
724715
|
Resolving the molecular mechanisms of intracellular coral-algal symbiosis
|
Many cells stably integrate microbes to gain ecological advantages for the organism. A remarkable example is the symbiosis between corals and algae, whose provision of photosynthetically fixed nutrients enables coral survival in nutrient-poor habitats. To establish symbiosis, coral cells acquire symbionts via phagocytosis, a process often used for pathogen clearance in other animals. Symbionts reside in phagosomes, and the prevailing view is that, similar to some pathogens, symbionts avoid destruction via phagolysosomal manipulation. Yet, unlike pathogens, symbionts provide nutrients to their host, and this may be key for intracellular persistence. Most research on nutrient translocation has focused on sugars, but surprisingly, sterols may be significant because cnidarians cannot synthesize cholesterol. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms of symbiosis establishment. Because corals are intractable cell biological models, I will leverage our unique resources and expertise to uncover fundamental aspects of symbiont acquisition and metabolic dependence using the emerging model anemone Aiptasia. To investigate symbiont acquisition (Objective 1), I will distinguish symbiont-phagocytosing cells, test candidate symbiont receptors by gain- and loss-of-function, record symbiont/cell interactions by live-imaging, and generate a symbiosis cell culture system. To understand the significance of symbiont-derived sterols (Objective 2), I will map cellular sterol utilization and identify the sterol transport machinery, test whether symbiont sterols can functionally substitute cholesterol, identify novel sterol-interacting proteins by pull-down assays, and explore symbiont persistence mechanisms using comparative phagosome proteomics. This proposal will for the first time provide a mechanistic understanding of coral-algal symbiosis establishment, a crucial process underpinning coral reefs, economically and ecologically important ecosystems.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-0074
|
Measurement Of Plasma Cell Free Mitochondrial Tumor Dna Improves Detection Of Glioblastoma In Patient Derived Orthotopic Xenograft Models
|
The factors responsible for the low detection rate of cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the plasma of glioblastoma (GB) patients are currently unknown. In this study, we measured circulating nucleic acids in patient-derived orthotopically implanted xenograft (PDOX) models of GB (n=64) and show that tumor size and cell proliferation, but not the integrity of the blood-brain barrier or cell death, affect the release of ctDNA in treatment naive GB PDOX. Analysis of fragment length profiles by shallow genome-wide sequencing (<0. 2x coverage) of host (rat) and tumor (human) circulating DNA identified a peak at 145 bp in the human DNA fragments, indicating a difference in the origin or processing of the ctDNA. The concentration of ctDNA correlated with cell death only after treatment with Temozolomide and radiotherapy. Digital PCR detection of plasma tumor mitochondrial DNA (tmtDNA), an alternative to detection of nuclear ctDNA, improved plasma DNA detection rate (82% versus 24%) and allowed detection in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine. Mitochondrial mutations are prevalent across all cancers and can be detected with high sensitivity, at low cost and without prior knowledge of tumor mutations via capture-panel sequencing. Coupled with the observation that mitochondrial copy number increases in glioma, these data suggest analyzing tmtDNA as a more sensitive method to detect and monitor tumor burden in cancer, specifically in GB where current methods have largely failed.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
10.1016/j.jecp.2020.104924
|
Effects of stress on 6- and 7-year-old children's emotional memory differs by gender
|
Understanding effects of emotional valence and stress on children's memory is important for educational and legal contexts. This study disentangled the effects of emotional content of to-be-remembered information (i. e. , items differing in emotional valence and arousal), stress exposure, and associated cortisol secretion on children's memory. We also examined whether girls’ memory is more affected by stress induction. A total of 143 6- and 7-year-old children were randomly allocated to the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (n = 103) or a control condition (n = 40). At 25 min after stressor onset, children incidentally encoded 75 objects varying in emotional valence (crossed with arousal) together with neutral scene backgrounds. We found that response bias corrected memory was worse for low-arousing negative items than for neutral and positive items, with the latter two categories not being different from each other. Whereas boys’ memory was largely unaffected by stress, girls in the stress condition showed worse memory for negative items, especially the low-arousing ones, than girls in the control condition. Girls, compared with boys, reported higher subjective stress increases following stress exposure and had higher cortisol stress responses. Whereas a higher cortisol stress response was associated with better emotional memory in girls in the stress condition, boys’ memory was not associated with their cortisol secretion. Taken together, our study suggests that 6- and 7-year-old children, more so girls, show memory suppression for negative information. Girls’ memory for negative information, compared with that of boys, is also more strongly modulated by stress experience and the associated cortisol response.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
W2602884245
|
Computational laser intensity stabilisation for organic molecule concentration estimation in low-resource settings
|
An ideal laser is a useful tool for the analysis of biological systems. In particular, the polarization property of lasers can allow for the concentration of important organic molecules in the human body, such as proteins, amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, to be estimated. However, lasers do not always work as intended and there can be effects such as mode hopping and thermal drift that can cause time-varying intensity fluctuations. The causes of these effects can be from the surrounding environment, where either an unstable current source is used or the temperature of the surrounding environment is not temporally stable. This intensity fluctuation can cause bias and error in typical organic molecule concentration estimation techniques. In a low-resource setting where cost must be limited and where environmental factors, like unregulated power supplies and temperature, cannot be controlled, the hardware required to correct for these intensity fluctuations can be prohibitive. We propose a method for computational laser intensity stabilisation that uses Bayesian state estimation to correct for the time-varying intensity fluctuations from electrical and thermal instabilities without the use of additional hardware. This method will allow for consistent intensities across all polarization measurements for accurate estimates of organic molecule concentrations.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
787386
|
The Unity of the Bodily Self
|
How do we come to experience ourselves as single physical entities? Under normal healthy conditions, we humans always experience a single body as our own physical self, and this bodily self is undivided and perceived as a single whole. But what cognitive processes and brain mechanisms mediate this unity of the bodily self? This fundamental question has long been beyond the reach of experimental studies because of the lack of behavioral paradigms that allow controlled manipulation of basic components of the self-unity. To address this issue, we here propose the use of novel full-body illusion paradigms to “fragment”, “duplicate” or “split” the sense of bodily self during well-controlled behavioral and neuroimaging experiments. By studying the behavioral and neural principles that determine specific illusory changes in perceived self-unity, we can elucidate much about the neurocognitive mechanisms that support the sense of having a single unitary bodily self under normal conditions. Our pioneering behavioral paradigms utilize the newest virtual reality technologies, and these are combined with multimodal neuroimaging using the most advanced analysis methods, such as multivariate pattern recognition. The aims of the project are to unravel (i) how we come to experience a single bodily self as opposed to multiple ones; (ii) how we perceive a coherent bodily self instead of fragmented parts; and (iii) how information from different sensory modalities – including vestibular and interoceptive signals – are integrated to achieve this coherent sense of a singular bodily self. The new basic knowledge generated by this project will be important for future clinical neuroscience research into major psychiatric and neurological disorders with disturbances in self-unity, such as schizophrenia, dissociative disorders and stroke with body neglect, by providing novel ideas for hypotheses about the involved neurocognitive pathophysiology.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.1016/j.cogpsych.2016.01.003
|
Contrasting single and multi-component working-memory systems in dual tasking
|
Working memory can be a major source of interference in dual tasking. However, there is no consensus on whether this interference is the result of a single working memory bottleneck, or of interactions between different working memory components that together form a complete working-memory system. We report a behavioral and an fMRI dataset in which working memory requirements are manipulated during multitasking. We show that a computational cognitive model that assumes a distributed version of working memory accounts for both behavioral and neuroimaging data better than a model that takes a more centralized approach. The model's working memory consists of an attentional focus, declarative memory, and a subvocalized rehearsal mechanism. Thus, the data and model favor an account where working memory interference in dual tasking is the result of interactions between different resources that together form a working-memory system.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W2029378458
|
Numerical simulation of atmospheric general circulation under different obliquity of Earth
|
By using the second version of the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM2) of NCAR, the general circulations of the Earth's atmosphere were simulated under different obliquity condition. The results imply that three-cell circulation turn weak when the obliquity turn large except that the three-cell circulation in Northern Hemisphere in winter, Hadley circulation in Southern Hemisphere in spring and Hadley circulation in Southern Hemisphere in summer turn strong with the obliquity turns large. For annual mean three-cell circulation, its intensity turns weak with the obliquity turn large. The extension of Hadley circulation in Southern Hemisphere turn large when the obliquity turns large, while the extension of Hadley circulation in Northern Hemisphere and Ferrel circulation in Southern Hemisphere turn small with the obliquity turns large. The ascending branch of Hadley circulation in the Southern Hemisphere turn strong significantly under the 60° obliquity condition then normal obliquity of Earth. Furthermore, for annual mean the extension and the velocity of easterly wind in stratosphere over the equator turn large when the obliquity turns large. While the extension of the westerly wind turn small with the obliquity turns large. With the obliquity turns large, the strength of jet stream in Northern Hemisphere turn weak, the strength of jet stream in Southern Hemisphere turn strong. The same characteristics for the four seasons are that with the obliquity turns large, the easterly in the troposphere and westerly in the Northern Hemisphere turn weak, the strength of jet stream at mid-latitude in Northern Hemisphere turn weak. The difference are that with the obliquity turns large, the strength of jet stream at mid-latitude in Southern Hemisphere in spring turn strong, the westerly wind at middle and high latitude have opposite change trends in summer and autumn in Southern Hemisphere, the global westerly wind in winter turn weak.
|
[
"Earth System Science"
] |
202994
|
Mechanisms of Transcription Proofreading
|
Transcription, the copying of DNA into RNA, is the first step in the realisation of genetic information. RNA is either directly used by the cell or decoded into proteins during translation. The accuracy of transcription is thus essential for proper functioning of the cell. In all living organisms transcription is performed by multisubunit RNA polymerases, enzymes that are highly conserved in evolution from bacteria to humans. Surprisingly, the mechanisms that ensure accuracy of transcription remain largely unknown. Recently I discovered a novel mechanism of transcriptional proofreading used by bacterial RNA polymerase. I showed that the RNA transcript itself assists RNA polymerase in identifying and correcting mistakes. This discovery led to the hypothesis that this transcript-assisted proofreading is the universal mechanism of transcriptional error correction in all three domains of life. In this proposal we will investigate this hypothesis and search for other mechanisms of transcriptional proofreading used by bacterial, archaeal, and three eukaryotic RNA polymerases. For the first time experimental systems will be built for the simultaneous investigation of transcription elongation complexes formed by bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic RNA polymerases I, II and III, which will be used to elucidate the mechanisms of error correction used by these RNA polymerases. Using molecular modelling, directed mutagenesis and in vivo screenings we will investigate the impact of these proofreading mechanisms on the total fidelity of transcription in vitro and in vivo. Experimental systems built in this research may be of use for screening of potential antibacterial and antifungal drugs taking advantage of the simultaneous investigation of RNA polymerases from all domains of Life. This research may also have potential applications in drug design by providing new targets for antibiotics.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
176663
|
Transformation and the management of historical forest. landscapes of the eugaean hill (padua, italy). fresh perspectives through spatial analyses and dendro-anthracology
|
To better anticipate global changes (environmental, climate and social changes), research over the past twenty years has focused on understanding and measuring the interactions between societies and their environment. Knowledge of past environments and their evolution in relation to society can help contribute to better manage, protect and anticipate present and future environments.
This project adds to this dynamic research with a focus on forests. Forested landscapes represent the ecological inheritance of centuries of forest management to supply, among other products, the fuel necessary for human activities. Thus, to meet their demands for firewood past societies gradually modified and transformed the landscapes they inhabited. We focus here on the evolution of historical forests in the Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei, Padua-Italy) through wood charcoal production. Charcoal production is extremely polymorphic and fully understanding it requires the use of different approaches and disciplines (including history, ethnography, archaeology, geography, archaeobotany etc.) The aim of this project is to develop an integrated approach combining all disciplines to reconstruct forest landscapes on the Euganean Hills at different temporal and spatial scales.
The choice of the Euganean Hills has been guided by its interesting biodiversity, by the numerous diachronic archaeological surveys previously undertaken, by the wealth of written and cartographic documentation concerning the uncultivated lands and also by the willingness of local actors to promote their region thanks to the richness of the landscape and its history. The project THISTLE aims to reconstitue the history of cultural landscapes, and more precisely of forest landscape of the Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei, Padua-Italie) with a pluridisciplinary approch in order to protect and promote them at different geographical scales (from local to global).
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
W1684699171
|
Novel aspects of pathogenesis and regeneration mechanisms in COPD
|
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a major cause of death and morbidity worldwide, is characterized by expiratory airflow limitation that is not fully reversible, deregulated chronic inflammation, and emphysematous destruction of the lungs. Despite the fact that COPD is a steadily growing global healthcare problem, the conventional therapies remain palliative, and regenerative approaches for disease management are not available yet. We aim to provide an overview of key reviews, experimental, and clinical studies addressing lung emphysema development and repair mechanisms published in the past decade. Novel aspects discussed herein include integral revision of the literature focused on lung microflora changes in COPD, autoimmune component of the disease, and environmental risk factors other than cigarette smoke. The time span of studies on COPD, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthmatic bronchitis, covers almost 200 years, and several crucial mechanisms of COPD pathogenesis are described and studied. However, we still lack the holistic understanding of COPD development and the exact picture of the time-course and interplay of the events during stable, exacerbated, corticosteroid-treated COPD states, and transitions in-between. Several generally recognized mechanisms will be discussed shortly herein, ie, unregulated inflammation, proteolysis/antiproteolysis imbalance, and destroyed repair mechanisms, while novel topics such as deviated microbiota, air pollutants-related damage, and autoimmune process within the lung tissue will be discussed more extensively. Considerable influx of new data from the clinic, in vivo and in vitro studies stimulate to search for novel concise explanation and holistic understanding of COPD nowadays.
|
[
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
10.1101/783837
|
Cortical Anchoring Of The Microtubule Cytoskeleton Is Essential For Neuron Polarity And Functioning
|
SUMMARY Neurons are among the most highly polarized cell types. They possess structurally and functionally different processes, axon and dendrites, to mediate information flow through the nervous system. Although it is well known that the microtubule cytoskeleton has a central role in establishing neuronal polarity, how its specific organization is established and maintained is little understood. Using the in vivo model system Caenorhabditis elegans, we found that the highly conserved UNC-119 protein provides a link between the membrane-associated Ankyrin (UNC-44) and the microtubule-associated CRMP (UNC-33). Together they form a periodic membrane-associated complex that anchors axonal and dendritic microtubule bundles to the cell cortex. This anchoring is critical to maintain microtubule organization by opposing kinesin-1 powered microtubule sliding. Disturbing this molecular complex alters neuronal polarity and causes strong developmental defects of the nervous system leading to severely paralyzed animals.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
] |
10.1080/2162402X.2017.1398876
|
A Safe And Highly Efficient Tumor Targeted Type I Interferon Immunotherapy Depends On The Tumor Microenvironment
|
Despite approval for the treatment of various malignancies, clinical application of cytokines such as type I interferon (IFN) is severely impeded by their systemic toxicity. AcTakines (Activity-on-. . .
|
[
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.18352/hcm.576
|
Noisy Modernization? On the History and Historicization of Sound
|
Sound ‘does’ things to places, to people and to time: it can affect change. This collection focuses specifically on the role sound has played as an agent of modernity. How were sound and music used as the material of modernization, how did they help create group identities, how were they mobilized in asserting power? In order to study this active quality of sound and music in the formation of the modern world, the contributors to this collection propose an interdisciplinary approach, including methods from sound studies and cultural musicology, and data from archives as well as record collections and catalogues.
|
[
"Texts and Concepts",
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Studies of Cultures and Arts"
] |
GB 1314860 A
|
Improvements in or relating to fans
|
908,586. Axial flow fans. WILMOTBREEDEN Ltd. April 12, 1961 [April 13, 1960], No. 13148/60. Class 110 (1). A fan has a hub portion formed with a hollow boss which receives the end of a shaft on which the fan is mounted and blades each having an integrally formed rib extending at least partway along the length of the blade and into the hub. The interior of the boss provides a location for a spigot on the fan shaft and fixing holes 14 are provided in the hub. The fan may be formed from one piece of sheet metal or from two or more pieces 15, 16 as shown in Fig. 3. Hollow bosses 17 on each member may nest together or the base of one boss may be removed as in Fig. 4. In a further embodiment, Fig. 5 (not shown), one piece has three blades and the other piece two blades, the blades being unequally spaced on assembly. Alternatively, the fan is again formed in two pieces, one piece having all the blades extending ' from a central portion and the other having tongues, which are spot welded to the blades, extending from a central portion. The former piece is formed with the hollow boss.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1093/nar/gkz697
|
The MLL1 trimeric catalytic complex is a dynamic conformational ensemble stabilized by multiple weak interactions
|
Histone H3K4 methylation is an epigenetic mark associated with actively transcribed genes. This modification is catalyzed by the mixed lineage leukaemia (MLL) family of histone methyltransferases including MLL1, MLL2, MLL3, MLL4, SET1A and SET1B. The catalytic activity of this family is dependent on interactions with additional conserved proteins, but the structural basis for subunit assembly and the mechanism of regulation is not well understood. We used a hybrid methods approach to study the assembly and biochemical function of the minimally active MLL1 complex (MLL1, WDR5 and RbBP5). A combination of small angle X-ray scattering, cross-linking mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and computational modeling were used to generate a dynamic ensemble model in which subunits are assembled via multiple weak interaction sites. We identified a new interaction site between the MLL1 SET domain and the WD40 β-propeller domain of RbBP5, and demonstrate the susceptibility of the catalytic function of the complex to disruption of individual interaction sites.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
W1952132003
|
Shareholder Heterogeneity and Conflicting Goals: Strategic Investments in the Japanese Electronics Industry
|
This article investigates the effects of the changing institutional environment on strategic orientations of Japanese electronics firms during the 1990s. We examine the effects of three different types of shareholders on strategic directions of their invested firms. The first one, foreign portfolio investors, characterizes the emerging influence that pressed for change in corporate strategies. The two domestic shareholders, corporate investors and financial institutions, represent the conventional forces for continuity. Between the two domestic forces, though, while corporate investors attempted to maintain status quo, financial institutions have shifted towards market-oriented behaviour of investment. Specifically, we explore: (1) the influence of each type of shareholder on a firm's diversification strategy and capital commitment; and (2) the moderating effects of firm performance on the relationships between ownership structure and strategic choices. The results suggest that foreign investors prefer the focused product portfolio and conservative capital commitment. They also prefer the reduction of capital investment when the financial performance of their invested firms is poor. Domestic financial institutions are now similarly sensitive to the performance of their invested firms when those firms make strategic investments. By contrast, domestic corporate shareholders remain indifferent to performance, while they aim to maintain relational business ties with invested firms.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
] |
10.1142/S0129055X14500044
|
Convexity Of Momentum Map Morse Index And Quantum Entanglement
|
We analyze from the topological perspective the space of all SLOCC (Stochastic Local Operations with Classical Communication) classes of pure states for composite quantum systems. We do it for both distinguishable and indistinguishable particles. In general, the topology of this space is rather complicated as it is a non-Hausdorff space. Using geometric invariant theory (GIT) and momentum map geometry, we propose a way to divide the space of all SLOCC classes into mathematically and physically meaningful families. Each family consists of possibly many "asymptotically" equivalent SLOCC classes. Moreover, each contains exactly one distinguished SLOCC class on which the total variance (a well-defined measure of entanglement) of the state Var[v] attains maximum. We provide an algorithm for finding critical sets of Var[v], which makes use of the convexity of the momentum map and allows classification of such defined families of SLOCC classes. The number of families is in general infinite. We introduce an additional refinement into finitely many groups of families using some developments in the momentum map geometry known as the Kirwan–Ness stratification. We also discuss how to define it equivalently using the convexity of the momentum map applied to SLOCC classes. Moreover, we note that the Morse index at the critical set of the total variance of state has an interpretation of number of non-SLOCC directions in which entanglement increases and calculate it for several exemplary systems. Finally, we introduce the SLOCC-invariant measure of entanglement as a square root of the total variance of state at the critical point and explain its geometric meaning.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1111/j.1600-0471.2011.00330.x
|
South Arabian inscriptions from domestic buildings from Tamna and the archaeological evidence
|
In this work we analyse the so-called 'construction inscriptions' from domestic buildings. In particular we deal with the inscriptions from domestic buildings from Tamna, the ancient capital of the Qatabān Kingdom, dated between the fourth century BC and the first century AD, a building located in the site of Darb as{dot below}-S{dot below}ābi, near Barāqish, dated around the second century BC and a private house in Qaniya dated around the third-second centuries BC. We offer explanations of the lexical differences in the nouns used to indicate parts of buildings, not in terms of chronology, dialect or linguistic variations and influences, but on the basis of the architectonic and structural data available. Starting from the architectonic features (typologies of domestic buildings, different construction techniques, different uses of materials, etc. ) we try to explain the differences in terminology concerning the inscriptions found in buildings known to us.
|
[
"The Study of the Human Past"
] |
630999
|
New mobility data and solutions toolkit
|
The mobility ecosystem is rapidly evolving, whereby we see the rise of new stakeholders and services. Examples of these are the presence of connected and automated vehicles, a large group of organisations that rally to establish various forms of share mobility, with the pinnacle being all of these incorporated into a large Maas ecosystem. As these new forms of mobility offerings start to appear within cities, so do the new ways in which data are being generated, collected, and stored. Analysing this (Big) data with suitable (artificial intelligence) techniques becomes more paramount, as it leads to insights in the performance of certain mobility solutions, and is able to highlight (mobility) needs of citizens in a broader context, in addition to a rise in new risks and various socio-economic impacts.
Successfully integrating all these disruptive technologies and solutions with the designs of policy makers remains a challenge at current. let alone being able to analyse, monitor and, assess mobility solutions and their potential socio-economic impacts.
nuMIDAS bridges this (knowledge) gap, by providing insights into what methodological tools, databases, and models are required, and how existing ones need to be adapted or augmented with new data. To this end, it starts from insights obtained through (market) research and stakeholders, as well as quantitative modelling. A wider applicability of the project’s results across the whole EU is guaranteed as all the research is validated within a selection of case studies in pilot cities, with varying characteristics, thereby giving more credibility to these results. Finally, through an iterative approach, nuMIDAS creates a tangible and readily available toolkit that can be deployed elsewhere, including a set of transferability guidelines, thus thereby contributing to the further adoption and exploitation of the project’s results.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1007/s11856-017-1614-8
|
The Hölder property for the spectrum of translation flows in genus two
|
The paper is devoted to generic translation flows corresponding to Abelian differentials with one zero of order two on flat surfaces of genus two. These flows are weakly mixing by the Avila–Forni theorem. Our main result gives first quantitative estimates on their spectrum, establishing the Hölder property for the spectral measures of Lipschitz functions. The proof proceeds via uniform estimates of twisted Birkhoff integrals in the symbolic framework of random Markov compacta and arguments of Diophantine nature in the spirit of Salem, Erdős and Kahane.
|
[
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1111/ddi.12299
|
Vegetation resurvey is robust to plot location uncertainty
|
Aim: Resurveys of historical vegetation plots are increasingly used for the assessment of decadal changes in plant species diversity and composition. However, historical plots are usually relocated only approximately. This potentially inflates temporal changes and undermines results. Location: Temperate deciduous forests in Central Europe. Methods: To explore whether robust conclusions can be drawn from resurvey studies despite location uncertainty, we compared temporal changes in species richness, frequency, composition and compositional heterogeneity between exactly and approximately relocated plots. We hypothesized that compositional changes should be lower and changes in species richness should be less variable on exactly relocated plots, because pseudoturnover inflates temporal changes on approximately relocated plots. Results: Temporal changes in species richness were not more variable, and temporal changes in species composition and compositional heterogeneity were not higher on approximately relocated plots. Moreover, the frequency of individual species changed similarly on both plot types. Main conclusions: The resurvey of historical vegetation plots is robust to uncertainty in original plot location and, when done properly, provides reliable evidence of decadal changes in plant communities. This provides important background for other resurvey studies and opens up the possibility for large-scale assessments of plant community change.
|
[
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.1063/1.4906273
|
Theory Of Long Lived Nuclear Spin States In Methyl Groups And Quantum Rotor Induced Polarisation
|
Long-lived nuclear spin states have a relaxation time much longer than the longitudinal relaxation time T1. Long-lived states extend significantly the time scales that may be probed with magnetic resonance, with possible applications to transport and binding studies, and to hyperpolarised imaging. Rapidly rotating methyl groups in solution may support a long-lived state, consisting of a population imbalance between states of different spin exchange symmetries. Here, we expand the formalism for describing the behaviour of long-lived nuclear spin states in methyl groups, with special attention to the hyperpolarisation effects observed in 13CH3 groups upon rapidly converting a material with low-barrier methyl rotation from the cryogenic solid state to a room-temperature solution [M. Icker and S. Berger, J. Magn. Reson. 219, 1 (2012)]. We analyse the relaxation properties of methyl long-lived states using semi-classical relaxation theory. Numerical simulations are supplemented with a spherical-tensor analysis. . .
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.