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EP 2015051960 W
|
FLOW DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR GUIDING A FLUID FLOW
|
The invention relates to a flow device (50) comprising a first line system (60) through which a first fluid flow (100) is conducted, said first line system (60) having a guide tube (21) and at least one guide means (20, 22) that influences a flow direction of said fluid flow (100) such that, between an inflow region (61b) and an outflow region (62b) of said first line system (60), the fluid flow (100) circulates in a radially circumferential manner around an in and/or outflow axis (102, 103), in a circulating-flow region (105) at a circumferential angle UW. The invention also relates to a method for conducting a fluid flow (10), which comprises an inflow and an outflow section (12, 13) that have a substantially parallel, preferably coaxial, in and outflow axis (14, 15). It is suggested that the fluid flow (10) is deflected by at least one guide means (20) arranged between the inflow section (12) and outflow section (13), in a circulating-flow section (17) and at a circumferential angle UW, so as to radially circulate around said in and outflow axes (14, 15), this circumferential angle UW being greater than 0°.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1038/nrmicro2973
|
The microbiome explored: Recent insights and future challenges
|
One of the most exciting scientific advances in recent years has been the realization that commensal microorganisms are not simple 'passengers' in our bodies, but instead have key roles in our physiology, including our immune responses and metabolism, as well as in disease. These insights have been obtained, in part, through the work of large-scale, consortium-driven metagenomic projects. Here, five experts in the field of microbiome research discuss the most surprising and exciting new findings, and outline the future steps that will be necessary to elucidate the numerous roles of the microbiota in human health and disease and to develop viable therapeutic strategies.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
] |
10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003200
|
Predicting Disease Risk Using Bootstrap Ranking and Classification Algorithms
|
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are widely used to search for genetic loci that underlie human disease. Another goal is to predict disease risk for different individuals given their genetic sequence. Such predictions could either be used as a "black box" in order to promote changes in life-style and screening for early diagnosis, or as a model that can be studied to better understand the mechanism of the disease. Current methods for risk prediction typically rank single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by the p-value of their association with the disease, and use the top-associated SNPs as input to a classification algorithm. However, the predictive power of such methods is relatively poor. To improve the predictive power, we devised BootRank, which uses bootstrapping in order to obtain a robust prioritization of SNPs for use in predictive models. We show that BootRank improves the ability to predict disease risk of unseen individuals in the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) data and results in a more robust set of SNPs and a larger number of enriched pathways being associated with the different diseases. Finally, we show that combining BootRank with seven different classification algorithms improves performance compared to previous studies that used the WTCCC data. Notably, diseases for which BootRank results in the largest improvements were recently shown to have more heritability than previously thought, likely due to contributions from variants with low minimum allele frequency (MAF), suggesting that BootRank can be beneficial in cases where SNPs affecting the disease are poorly tagged or have low MAF. Overall, our results show that improving disease risk prediction from genotypic information may be a tangible goal, with potential implications for personalized disease screening and treatment.
|
[
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
268893
|
Programmed and unprogrammed genomic rearrangements during the evolution of yeast species
|
By detailed evolutionary comparisons among multiple sequenced yeast genomes, we have identified several unusual regions where our preliminary evidence suggests that previously unknown molecular biology phenomena, involving rearrangement of genomic DNA, are occurring. I now propose to use a combination of dry-lab and wet-lab experimental approaches to characterize these regions and phenomena further. One region is a 24-kb section of chromosome XIV that appears to undergo recurrent 'flip/flop' inversion between two isomers at a fairly high rate in five species as diverse as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Naumovia castellii, leading to a 1:1 ratio of the two isomers in each species. We hypothesize that this region is the site of a programmed DNA rearrangement analogous to mating-type switching. We have also identified two new genes related to the mating-type switching endonuclease HO, but different from it, that are potentially involved in rearrangement processes though not necessarily the inversion described above. We will determine the sites of action of these endonucleases. Separately, we have found evidence for a process of recurrent deletion of DNA from regions flanking the mating-type (MAT) locus in all yeast species that are descended from the whole-genome duplication (WGD) event, causing continual transpositions of genes from beside MAT to other locations in the genome. In related computational work, we propose to investigate an hypothesis that evolutionary loss of the MATa2 transcriptional activator may have been the cause of the WGD event.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
10.1116/1.5003334
|
Tuning Of Material Properties Of Zno Thin Films Grown By Plasma Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition At Room Temperature
|
The ability to grow inorganic thin films with highly controllable structural and optical properties at low substrate temperature enables the manufacturing of functional devices on thermo-sensitive substrates without the need of material postprocessing. In this study, the authors report on the growth of zinc oxide films by direct plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition at near room temperature. Diethyl zinc and oxygen plasma were used as the precursor and coreactant, respectively. The process was optimized with respect to the precursor and coreactant dosing as well as to the purging times, which ultimately resulted in saturated atomic layer deposition growth. The so-obtained films exhibit a polycrystalline pattern with a (100) texture and low amount of incorporated carbon. Furthermore, the possibility to tune crystallite size, refractive index, and bandgap of the films by adapting the plasma radio-frequency power is demonstrated.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1016/j.cell.2017.12.012
|
Drug-Driven Phenotypic Convergence Supports Rational Treatment Strategies of Chronic Infections
|
Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections evade antibiotic therapy and are associated with mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We find that in vitro resistance evolution of P. aeruginosa toward clinically relevant antibiotics leads to phenotypic convergence toward distinct states. These states are associated with collateral sensitivity toward several antibiotic classes and encoded by mutations in antibiotic resistance genes, including transcriptional regulator nfxB. Longitudinal analysis of isolates from CF patients reveals similar and defined phenotypic states, which are associated with extinction of specific sub-lineages in patients. In-depth investigation of chronic P. aeruginosa populations in a CF patient during antibiotic therapy revealed dramatic genotypic and phenotypic convergence. Notably, fluoroquinolone-resistant subpopulations harboring nfxB mutations were eradicated by antibiotic therapy as predicted by our in vitro data. This study supports the hypothesis that antibiotic treatment of chronic infections can be optimized by targeting phenotypic states associated with specific mutations to improve treatment success in chronic infections. The evolution of antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas infection in cystic fibrosis patients confers predictable sensitivities to other classes of antibiotics, suggesting new ways to optimize treatments for chronic infection.
|
[
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
EP 02019588 A
|
Joint detection of two signals
|
Incoming signals (u) are split into two channels. There are first (1) and second (2) circuits sending signals to a trellis- configuration circuit (9) and sending signals (h1,h2) to filter coefficient calculation circuits (5,6). The filter coefficient calculation circuits are connected to filters (7,8) which send signals (w11,z2,w21) and (w12,z2,w22) to a single processor circuit (10) which receives an input from the trellis-configuration circuit and produces two outputs (C1,C2).
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W4281851459
|
COBERTURA VACINAL POR INFLUENZA VÍRUS NOS ESTADOS BRASILEIROS ANTES E APÓS O COVID-19
|
Objetivo: comparar cobertura vacinal nos Estados brasileiros por Influenza Vírus no período de 2019 a 2020.
 Metodologia: estudo observacional em que foram utilizados dados do DATASUS. Realizadas análises de séries temporais para a cobertura vacinal no período de 2000 a 2019. Foram ainda realizados teste t de Student comparando a cobertura vacinal contra o Influenza vírus nos anos de 2019 e 2020.
 Resultados: foram verificadas as variações percentuais anuais (VPA) nos Estados brasileiros dos anos de 2000 a 2019, sendo verificado um percentual estacionário em relação a cobertura vacinal na maioria dos Estados. Em relação a cobertura vacinal contra o Influenza vírus, no período de 2019 e 2020 (campanhas vacinais), verifica-se diferença estatisticamente significativa para os grupos avaliados, exceto indígenas (p=0,97) e total (p=0,19), teste t de Student.
 Conclusão: A pandemia do COVID 19 prejudicou grupos populacionais quanto a vacinação contra o Influenza vírus, como gestantes, crianças e puérperas.
|
[
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
EP 2019069486 W
|
OPTICAL SYSTEMS, SPECTACLE LENS AND EYEWEAR INCLUDING THE SAME
|
A system is provided, which is adapted for an eyewear and/or a spectacle lens. The system may be configured to actively control an amount of light at a point at a predetermined distance of the system, for example to switch between a first light intensity and a second light intensity. A spectacle lens is provided comprising system. An eyewear is provided comprising system. The system may be an illumination system which may comprise a light source configured to emit a first light and a second light, and further configured to emit pulses of light with a pre- determined time function. The pre-determined time function may include a plurality of packets. Each packet may comprise a pulse alternation between first light and second light. The system may be an optical filter system, which may include a band-cut filter. The band-cut filter may be configured to be in a band-cut filter state under a low light condition and not in the band- cut filter state under a high light condition.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1111/jpet.12023
|
Market Games in Successive Oligopolies
|
This paper introduces a new approach to successive oligopolies. We draw on market games à la Shapley-Shubik to examine how successive oligopolies operate between downstream and upstream markets when the input price is determined by the action of all firms, downstream and upstream both. This approach differs from the classical one as it allows us to consider downstream firms that exercise market power both in both downstream and upstream markets. We perform a comparison of the market outcome with each scenarios as well as a welfare analysis.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
818806
|
Therapeutic Allele Engineering: A novel technology for cell therapy
|
We are currently witnessing a revolution in cell therapies that are routed in decades of basic research in genetics, cell biology and immunology. A deep understanding of mammalian, and in particular immune, cells is currently being translated into highly efficient cell-based therapeutics. Technologic breakthroughs in genetic and genome engineering are further fueling the generation of customized, high precision therapies that are based on cells as “smart drugs”. For instance, reprogramming immune killer cells to recognize B cell leukemias resulted in unprecedented clinical responses in treatment-resistant and relapsed patients. However, currently only very few, highly selected patients benefit from these developments. A fundamental problem of today’s cell therapies is that transferred cells cannot be distinguished from host cells. We have developed “allele engineering”, a new technology that solves this challenge. Here, we outline how allele engineering will improve the safety and efficacy of cell therapies. We will 1) generate a non-viral, DNA-free safety/shielding switch 2) develop a radically new curative approach to acute myeloid leukemia 3) rationally design a safe allele engineering solution for human therapy and 4) use allele engineering as a curative therapy of scurfy syndrome, a lethal monogenic autoimmune disease. Allele engineering enables completely new treatment strategies and can be applied to any surface protein. Therefore, I anticipate that the results will have a major impact on the field.
|
[
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1007/s00205-017-1195-z
|
An Obstacle Problem for Conical Deformations of Thin Elastic Sheets
|
A developable cone (“d-cone”) is the shape made by an elastic sheet when it is pressed at its center into a hollow cylinder by a distance ε. Starting from a nonlinear model depending on the thickness h > 0 of the sheet, we prove a Γ -convergence result as h→ 0 to a fourth-order obstacle problem for curves in S2. We then describe the exact shape of minimizers of the limit problem when ε is small. In particular, we rigorously justify previous results in the physics literature.
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
W2249034523
|
Influence of Operating Conditions on the Persulfate Oxidation of Textile Waste Water at Ambient Temperature
|
At the ambient temperatures, the influence of operating conditions on persulfate (S 2 O 8 ) oxidation of real textile wastewater was investigated for the removal of color, suspended solids (SS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The effects of oxidant dosage, initial solution pH and contact time were studied in a series of batch experiments using persulfate (PS) oxidant as sodium persulfate. Oxidant dose was defined by an oxidant/contaminant (PS/COD) molar ratio, varied from 1/1-10/1. Although parameter removals increased with the oxidant dose, especially for color and SS, a PS/COD molar ratio of 4/1 (6720mg/L) was adopted in a bid to use fewer chemicals. The pH was varied from 2-11, with pH of between 2 and 3 being the optimum. At 360minutes contact time, the removals of color, SS and COD were 84%; 71% and 32% respectively. Although relatively effective, especially for color removal, results show that the reactions might have been inhibited at ambient temperatures as shown by the particularly low removal of COD.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
10.1016/j.jelechem.2017.04.051
|
Effect of charge of quaternary ammonium cations on lipophilicity and electroanalytical parameters: Task for ion transfer voltammetry
|
The electrochemical behavior of three differently charged drug molecules (zwitter-ionic acetylcarnitine, bi-cationic succinylcholine and tri-cationic gallamine) was studied at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions. Tetramethylammonium was used as a model mono cationic molecule and internal reference. The charge and molecular structure were found to play an important role in the drug lipophilicity. The studied drugs gave a linear correlation between the water – octanol (logPoctanol) partition coefficients and the electrochemically measured water – 1,2-dichloroethane (logPDCE) partition coefficients. Comparison with tetraalkylammonium cations indicating that the correlation between logPoctanol and logPDCE is molecular structure dependent. The highest measured sensitivity and lowest limit of detection were found to be 0. 543 mA·dm3·mol− 1 and 6. 25 μM, respectively, for the tri-cationic gallamine. The sensitivity for all studied ions was found to be a linear function of molecular charge. The dissociation constant of the carboxylic group of zwiter-ionic acetylcarnitine was calculated based on voltammetric parameters and was found to be 4. 3. This study demonstrates that electrochemistry at the liquid – liquid interface is powerful technique when it comes to electroanalytical or pharmacokinetic drug assessment.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
EP 2019077101 W
|
OPENABLE SUNSCREEN DEVICE WITH ADJUSTABLE SLATS
|
An openable sunscreen device with adjustable slats comprises a plurality of slat elements (3) moved by at least one distance adjustment member (21) between opened (O) and closed (C) conditions. Each of the slat elements (3) has a respective longitudinal axle (9) whose ends (11) longitudinally slide along respective first site for sliding (15) of side guide element (17). Each slat element (3) has at least one respective inclined arm element (23) provided with a slider element (25). Said device (1) comprises at least one rotation member (27) for the rotation, in the closed condition (C), of each slat element (3), around its own axle (9). Such rotation member (27) comprises a longitudinal track element (31) parallel to said first lateral site for sliding (15) and, for each slat element (3), a corresponding transversal track element (33). The transversal track elements (33) are mutually parallel and inclined with respect to the longitudinal track elements (31) and placed at mutual distances equal to the maximum distance value in the closed condition (C) between said axes (9). Each transversal track element (33) intersects the longitudinal track element (31) at a respective switch element (35) provided with a corresponding swivelling track element (37) rotatable between a rotating condition in which it (37) is aligned with the respective transversal track element (33) and a sliding condition in which it (37) is aligned with the longitudinal track element (31). The device further comprises translation actuator members (41) of the rotation member (27) for moving it parallel to the longitudinal track element (31) and swivel actuator members (43) to rotate the swivelling track elements (37) in synchrony between the rotating and sliding conditions.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1088/1742-6596/1522/1/012019
|
Effect Of Limited Near Wall Inlet Data On The Direct Numerical Simulation Of Turbulent Channel Flow
|
Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulent flows require a large computational domain and a long simulation time to capture and evolve the large-scale structures and attain a statistically stationary state. In contrast, experimental measurements can relatively easily capture the large-scale structures, but struggle to resolve the dissipative flow scales. This study investigates the spatial extent required for the DNS of a turbulent channel flow to recover turbulent fluctuations and energy when using experimental inlet data which is typically unable to capture fluctuations down to the viscous sub-layer. Synthetic experimental fields from streamwise periodic channel flow DNS at Reτ = 180 are used as an inlet for a channel flow DNS with inlet-outlet boundary conditions. The effect of limited near-wall data at the inlet is examined by removing the near-wall energy and fluctuations in all but the zeroth Fourier mode. The influence of limited near-wall data on the convergence of mean and streamwise fluctuating velocity profiles is less significant when the fluctuations are removed at the inlet up to y+ = 5. However, the spanwise fluctuations are slightly weakened. The spanwise energy spectra suggest that at 1/16 of the domain length (x/h π/4) the flow scales are recovered. When the fluctuations are removed up to y+ = 17 or greater, recovery of full range of flow scales requires a domain larger than x/h = 4π.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
EP 2022054705 W
|
CONNECTION ASSEMBLY, VEHICLE LAMP AND VEHICLE
|
The present invention relates to a connection assembly, a vehicle lamp and a vehicle. Specifically, the connection assembly (1) has a first component (2) and a second component (3) which are connectable together in an assembly direction (M), the first component (2) having a first base body (10) and a hook (11) protruding from the first base body (10), and the second component (3) having a second base body (20), wherein the second base body (20) is provided with a U-shaped cut-out (22), an elastic piece (21) is formed in the second component (3) by means of the U-shaped cut-out (22), and the hook (11) can pass through the bottom of the U-shaped cut-out (22) and hook onto the elastic piece (23).
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
GB 0002613 W
|
PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 3,5-DICHLOROPYRIDINE
|
A process for the preparation of 3,5-dichloropyridine comprising reacting a trichloropyridine, a tetrachloropyridine or pentachloropyridine with zinc metal, in the presence of an acidic compound and at a temperature in the range 50-120 DEG C.
|
[
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
interreg_4056
|
Investing in sustainable blue growth and competitiveness through 3-Pillar Business Model (3-PBM)
|
I@blue will contribute to the sustainable relaunch of yachting sector (shipbuilding, nautical services, tourism) creating a Med transnational network to help the economic upturn by sharing business models (BM) which integrate the 3 pillars of sustainability (environmental, social, economic), developing the “3-PBM” methodology.The sector is now facing crisis and unemployment challenges, but a focus only on economic aspect would represent a threat for the Med ecosystem balance, from an environmental and a social viewpoint.“3-PBM” application and the systematic data collection will create a database providing: a critical mass of knowledge about Med yachting in terms of economic impact, employment, strengths, weaknesses and sustainability, exploitable by several users (SMEs, policy makers, researchers); an indicator system about the sustainability of the yachting enterprises, useful to the policy makers for a better resource allocation and for impact evaluation; a collection of best practices, innovation patterns and policies exploitable by Med yachting sector actors for performance improvement; training material for the realization of sustainable BM in yachting, going towards circular economy principles, and for the maritime tourists for improving awareness about rules for Med safeguard.A transnational action will allow a sustainable development of the whole yachting sector of the Med, protecting at the same time nature, beauty and culture of its territories and its people.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.03.006
|
Seeing myself through my heart: Cortical processing of a single heartbeat speeds up self-face recognition
|
Recent research has highlighted the contribution of interoceptive signals to different aspects of bodily self-consciousness (BSC) by means of the cardio-visual stimulation - i. e. perceiving a pulsing stimulus in synchrony with one's own heart. Here, for the first time, we investigate the effects of individual heartbeats on a critical feature of BSC, namely the recognition of one's own face. Across two studies, we explored the cardiac-timing effects on a classic self-face recognition task. In Study 1, participants saw morphed faces that contained different percentages of the self-face and that of another unfamiliar individual. Study 2 used a similar design, albeit participants saw morphed faces of the self-face and that of a familiar other to provide a better control of self-familiarity. Results from both studies consistently revealed that the cortical processing of cardiac afferent signals conveyed by the firing of arterial baroreceptors affects the speed, but not the accuracy, of self-face recognition, when a single picture is presented during cardiac systole, as compared to diastole. This effect is stronger and more stable for stimuli with more self-cues than other-cues and for ‘ambiguous’ stimuli – i. e. at the individual point of subjective equality. Results from Study 2 also revealed that cardiac effects on the speed of self-face recognition cannot be explained simply on the basis of the imbalanced familiarity between the self's and other's faces used. The present findings highlight the interoceptive contributions to self-recognition and may be expand our understanding of pathological disturbances of self-experience.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
10.1137/16M1072991
|
Distinguishability Revisited Depth Dependent Bounds On Reconstruction Quality In Electrical Impedance Tomography
|
The reconstruction problem in electrical impedance tomography is highly ill-posed, and it is often observed numerically that reconstructions have poor resolution far away from the measurement boundary but better resolution near the measurement boundary. The observation can be quantified by the concept of distinguishability of inclusions. This paper provides mathematically rigorous results supporting the intuition. Indeed, for a model problem lower and upper bounds on the distinguishability of an inclusion are derived in terms of the boundary data. These bounds depend explicitly on the distance of the inclusion to the boundary, i. e. the depth of the inclusion. The results are obtained for disk inclusions in a homogeneous background in the unit disk. The theoretical bounds are verified numerically using a novel, exact characterization of the forward map as a tridiagonal matrix.
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
W2008561111
|
The influence of manganese–cobalt oxide/graphene on reducing fire hazards of poly(butylene terephthalate)
|
By means of direct nucleation and growth on the surface of graphene and element doping of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nano-particles, manganese-cobalt oxide/graphene hybrids (MnCo2O4-GNS) were synthesized to reduce fire hazards of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). The structure, elemental composition and morphology of the obtained hybrids were surveyed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis was applied to simulate and study the influence of MnCo2O4-GNS hybrids on thermal degradation of PBT during combustion. The fire hazards of PBT and its composites were assessed by the cone calorimeter. The cone test results had showed that peak HRR and SPR values of MnCo2O4-GNS/PBT composites were lower than that of pure PBT and Co3O4-GNS/PBT composites. Furthermore, the incorporation of MnCo2O4-GNS hybrids gave rise to apparent decrease of pyrolysis products containing aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, attributed to combined impact of physical barrier for graphene and cat O4 for organic volatiles and carbon monoxide.
|
[
"Materials Engineering",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
10.1126/science.aaf1490
|
Clonal neoantigens elicit T cell immunoreactivity and sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade
|
As tumors grow, they acquire mutations, some of which create neoantigens that influence the response of patients to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We explored the impact of neoantigen intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) on antitumor immunity. Through integrated analysis of ITH and neoantigen burden, we demonstrate a relationship between clonal neoantigen burden and overall survival in primary lung adenocarcinomas. CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes reactive to clonal neoantigens were identified in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer and expressed high levels of PD-1. Sensitivity to PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade in patients with advanced NSCLC and melanoma was enhanced in tumors enriched for clonal neoantigens. T cells recognizing clonal neoantigens were detectable in patients with durable clinical benefit. Cytotoxic chemotherapy-induced subclonal neoantigens, contributing to an increased mutational load, were enriched in certain poor responders. These data suggest that neoantigen heterogeneity may influence immune surveillance and support therapeutic developments targeting clonal neoantigens.
|
[
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
222539
|
Inverse boundary problems: toward a unified theory
|
This proposal is concerned with the mathematical theory of inverse problems. This is a vibrant research field at the intersection of pure and applied mathematics, drawing techniques from PDE, geometry, and harmonic analysis as well as generating new research questions inspired by applications. Prominent questions include the Calderón problem related to electrical imaging, the Gel'fand problem related to seismic imaging, and geometric inverse problems such as inversion of the geodesic X-ray transform.
Recently, exciting new connections between these different topics have begun to emerge in the work of the PI and others, such as:
- The explicit appearance of the geodesic X-ray transform in the Calderón problem.
- An unexpected connection between the Calderón and Gel’fand problems involving control theory.
- Pseudo-linearization as a potential unifying principle for reducing nonlinear problems to linear ones.
- The introduction of microlocal normal forms in inverse problems for PDE.
These examples strongly suggest that there is a larger picture behind various different inverse problems, which remains to be fully revealed.
This project will explore the possibility of a unified theory for several inverse boundary problems. Particular objectives include:
1. The use of normal forms and pseudo-linearization as a unified point of view, including reductions to questions in integral geometry and control theory.
2. The solution of integral geometry problems, including the analysis of convex foliations, invertibility of ray transforms, and a systematic Carleman estimate approach to uniqueness results.
3. A theory of inverse problems for nonlocal models based on control theory arguments.
Such a unified theory could have remarkable consequences even in other fields of mathematics, including controllability methods in transport theory, a solution of the boundary rigidity problem in geometry, or a general pseudo-linearization approach for solving nonlinear operator equations.
|
[
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1080/02666030.2014.892372
|
Colonial Discourse Indian Ocean Trade And The Urbanisation Of The Western Deccan
|
A plethora of data attest to the importance of connections across the Indian Ocean during the first millennium BC. Literary and archaeological evidence indicate that an Indian Ocean trade network had been established that facilitated the exchange of diverse goods between East Africa, Egypt, Arabia, South East Asia and South Asia. 1 The same period witnessed the development of urban centres and empires in South Asia. In the Western Deccan the emergence of the Satavahana Empire and the growth of settlements like Paithan, Junnar and Sopara occurred at roughly the same time as long distance trade intensified. This article seeks to determine whether there was a causal relationship between these processes.
|
[
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
] |
W1875845057
|
A European Core Curriculum in Cariology: the knowledge base
|
This paper is part of a series of papers towards a European Core Curriculum in Cariology for undergraduate dental students. The European Core Curriculum in Cariology is the outcome of a joint workshop of the European Organization for Caries Research (ORCA) together with the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE), which was held in Berlin from 27 to 30 June 2010. This paper presents a closer look at the knowledge base as presented in the European Core Curriculum in Cariology. It comprises not only traditional basic sciences, such as anatomy and histology, but also emerging sciences such as molecular biology and nanotechnology and also fields such as behavioural sciences and research methodology. The different supporting competences are elaborated and explained. The problems of implementing a curriculum that truly integrates this foundation knowledge into the clinical teaching are discussed.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1089/ars.2015.6516
|
Methionine Metabolism Alters Oxidative Stress Resistance via the Pentose Phosphate Pathway
|
Nutrient uptake and metabolism have a significant impact on the way cells respond to stress. The amino acid methionine is, in particular, a key player in the oxidative stress response, and acting as a reactive oxygen species scavenger, methionine is implicated in caloric restriction phenotypes and aging. We here provide evidence that some effects of methionine in stress situations are indirect and caused by altered activity of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) producing oxidative part of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, both methionine prototrophic (MET15) and auxotrophic (met15Δ) cells supplemented with methionine showed an increase in PPP metabolite concentrations downstream of the NADPH producing enzyme, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. Proteomics revealed this enzyme to also increase in expression compared to methionine self-synthesizing cells. Oxidant tolerance was increased in cells preincubated with methionine; however, this effect was abolished when flux through the oxidative PPP was prevented by deletion of its rate limiting enzyme, ZWF1. Stress resistance phenotypes that follow methionine supplementation hence involve the oxidative PPP. Effects of methionine on oxidative metabolism, stress signaling, and aging have thus to be seen in the context of an altered activity of this NADP reducing pathway. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 24, 543-547.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.23919/ACC.2017.7963469
|
Real Time Distributed Algorithms For Nonconvex Optimal Power Flow
|
The optimal power flow (OPF) problem, a fundamental problem in power systems, is generally nonconvex and computationally challenging for networks with an increasing number of smart devices and real-time control requirements. In this paper, we first investigate a fully distributed approach by means of the augmented Lagrangian and proximal alternating minimization method to solve the nonconvex OPF problem with a convergence guarantee. Given time-critical requirements, we then extend the algorithm to a distributed parametric tracking scheme with practical warm-starting and termination strategies, which aims to provide a closed-loop sub-optimal control policy while taking into account the grid information updated at the time of decision making. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for real-time nonconvex OPF problems is demonstrated in numerical simulations.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W2094313796
|
Lamotrigine rechallenge after a skin rash. A combined study of open cases and a meta-analysis
|
Abstract Objective To determine the safety of lamotrigine rechallenge after a first episode of skin rash in bipolar patients. Method An open cases prospective study was conducted with patients, who developed a skin rash when first treated with lamotrigine, were refractory to other treatments, and were offered lamotrigine rechallenge using a different dose titration. Additionally a review was performed on previous skin rash management strategies and lamotrigine rechallenge reports. Results Every 3 out of 10 lamotrigine rechallenge patients required drug interruption due to persistent rash. One of them was potentially serious and resolved by stopping the lamotrigine. The review of available literature identified several lamotrigine rechallenge studies with rates of positive results varying between 70% and 87% depending on the study. No patient developed Stevens–Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis after rechallenge. The rate of rash was higher when rechallenge began between 4 weeks from initial rash (19% vs 7%, P = .001) and decreased when first rash showed no potentially serious signs (0% vs 19%, P = .01). Conclusions Rechallenge is a viable option after a benign lamotrigine-induced rash, and can even be rechallenged after rash with greater precautions when there exists one or two potentially serious signs. In cases of more serious rash there are no reliable data available on rechallenge safety and it may pose a significant risk. In those cases rechallenge should better be avoided between 4 weeks from first rash.
|
[
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System"
] |
10.1017/S0003598X00067934
|
Across The Indian Ocean The Prehistoric Movement Of Plants And Animals
|
Here is a major research project that is peopling the Indian Ocean with prehistoric seafarers exchanging native crops and stock between Africa and India. Not the least exciting part of the work is the authors' contention that the prime movers of this maritime adventure were not the great empires but a multitude of small-scale entrepreneurs.
|
[
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
] |
222936
|
European robotic framework for bipedal locomotion benchmarking
|
The EUROBENCH project aims at creating the first benchmarking framework for robotic systems in Europe. The framework will allow companies and researchers to test the performance of robots at any stage of development. The project will primarily focus on bipedal machines, i.e. exoskeletons, prosthetics and humanoids, but will be designed to be easily extended to other robotic domains.
The EUROBENCH framework will be composed of:
- A methodological component, which will include methods and metrics to calculate the System Ability Levels of a robotic system. These methods will be integrated in a professional software tool to permit its wide use across domains and laboratory conditions. The main goal of this unified software is to facilitate the use of benchmarking methodology at all levels from research to pre-commercial prototyping.
- An experimental component, which will concentrate the state-of-the-art test benches in two facilities, one for wearable robots (including exoskeletons and prostheses), and one for humanoid robots. These facilities will allow companies and researchers to perform standardized tests on advanced robotic prototypes in a unique location, saving resources and time, and preparing for certification processes.
During the project, the Consortium will provide Financial Support to Third Parties interested in:
- Designing and developing specific test benches or benchmarking methods. These solutions will be integrated into the framework, and made available to the industrial and academic community.
- Using the framework, at zero-costs, to test the performance of different kinds of robots. This will allow to validate the EUROBENCH outputs and prepare for the exploitation of results.
The successful achievement of these goals will put Europe in the lead on providing the groundwork for the evaluation of robotic systems, facilitating the process of bringing innovative robotic technologies forward to market.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W2793353513
|
Semiconductor innovation: Is the party over, or just getting started?
|
Semiconductor Innovation Trends: The hardware paradigm underpinning the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry has experienced three major shifts over the past 60 years — the mainframe era, the personal computing era, and the Internet of Things era (Figure 1.1.1). During this period, the user-to-device ratio inverted; the mainframe era's many-to-one ratio has become a one-to-many ratio. Today, users are outnumbered by the devices they access, and even more significantly outnumbered by the instrumented nodes on which they rely. This exponential growth in devices and nodes has created a virtuous cycle of pervasive digitization and automation that is driving an even greater need for devices and nodes.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W1988560949
|
799 Serum Transaminase Elevations in Infants with Acute Gastroenteritis:Is it Hepatic Hypoferfusion or Rota Virus Associated Hepatitis?
|
Objective:: to examine the frequency of hepatic transaminase elevations in infants with acute gastroenteritis. Methods: Over a 8- weeks period, 35 of 130 infants admitted with acute gastroenteritis were found to have human rotavirus (HRV) gastroenteritis using stool antigen testing. Sera 130 infants were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total and direct bilirubin, and creatinine. Results: Thirty four infants (26%) had elevated ALT and AST. ALT elevations were 1-3 times the normal in 24(∽18%) and 6-20 times the normal in 10(∽8%) infants; the latter group showed the clinical and biochemical criteria of ischemic hepatopathy. In all infants transaminases normalized within 3-10 days. Transaminase elevations were not significantly associated with age, sex, duration of gastroenteritis or with any of the following symptoms; fever (>38), vomiting or blood in the stools. A border line significant association was detected between HRV stool positivity and elevated ALT&AST levels (40% HRV positive VS. 21% HRV negative odd ratio=2.5 95%CI 1-3.2 p=0.05). Infant with severe dehydration had an estimated 31.5 fold higher odds of having elevated ALT & AST compared with those no dehydration(57,4% respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis, showed that severe dehydration is still significantly associated with elevated Transaminase levels. Conclusion: our data suggest that liver injury during gastroenteritis in infants is quit frequent but always self limiting if the underlying perfusion disturbance caused by severe dehydration is corrected. Rotavirus positivity was marginally associated with elevated transaminase levels.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
] |
10.1098/rspa.2017.0745
|
Determination of macro-scale soil properties from pore scale structures: image-based modelling of poroelastic structures
|
We show how a combination of X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) and image-based modelling can be used to calculate the effect of moisture content and compaction on the macroscopic structural properties of soil. Our method is based on the equations derived in Daly & Roose (2018
Proc. R. Soc. A
474
, 20170141. (
doi:10. 1098/rspa. 2017. 0141
)), which we have extended so they can be directly applied to the segmented images obtained from X-CT. We assume that the soils are composed of air-filled pore space, solid mineral grains and a mixed phase composed of both clay particles and water. We considered three different initial soil treatments, composed of two different compaction levels and two different moisture contents. We found that the effective properties of the soils were unaffected by compaction over the range tested in this paper. However, changing the moisture content significantly altered the hydraulic and mechanical properties of the soils. A key strength of this method is that it enables the optimization or even design of soils composed from different constituents, with specific mechanical and hydraulic properties.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Materials Engineering",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
10.1007/978-3-319-39555-5_16
|
Offline Witness Encryption
|
Witness encryption (WE) was introduced by Garg et al. [GGSW13]. A WE scheme is defined for some NP language L and lets a sender encrypt messages relative to instances x. A ciphertext for x can be decrypted using w witnessing \(x\in L\), but hides the message if \(x\notin L\). Garg et al. construct WE from multilinear maps and give another construction [GGH+13b] using indistinguishability obfuscation (iO) for circuits. Due to the reliance on such heavy tools, WE can currently hardly be implemented on powerful hardware and will unlikely be realizable on constrained devices like smart cards any time soon.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
FR 9107948 A
|
FEUILLE DE PLASTIQUE RENFORCEE PAR FIBRES ET PROCEDE D'APPLICATION DE FINI DE SURFACE POUR BETON.
|
<P>Feuille de plastique (11) renforcée par fibres à encastrer dans une couche de mortier (8) formée sur une surface d'un élément en béton (7), se présentant sous la forme d'un non-tissé réalisé en entrelaçant de courtes fibres de renforcement (2) de manière tridimensionnelle et en les fixant les unes aux autres à leurs points de contact avec une résine de cuisson, et la feuille comportant une pluralité de trous (6). La feuille de plastique renforcée par fibres est utilisée conjointement à des matériaux de construction et devient fermement intégrée au mortier (8) afin de réduire considérablement les tensions dues à des mouvements différentiels qui sont provoqués par un changement de température et un tremblement de terre, et d'empêcher le matériau (70) et l'élément de finissage de surface de se détacher et de tomber de la surface extérieure de l'élément en béton (7) du bâtiment.</P>
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1039/c6cc03745c
|
Highly fluorescent extended 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzazole dyes: Synthesis, optical properties and first-principle calculations
|
The investigation of the optical properties of extended 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzazole dyes showed a complete frustration of the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process leading to a novel family of highly fluorescent fluorophores. In the case of a benzothiazole ring, restoration of ESIPT can be observed in acidic medium leading to ratiometric sensing. These experimental results have been rationalised by first-principle calculations.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
interreg_522
|
Brenner Lower Emissions Corridor
|
BrennerLEC is the contraction of Brenner Lower Emissions Corridor. BrennerLEC aims at making traffic along the Brenner axis more respectful of the local population's health and more compatible with the geographical features of the land, in order to protect the particular Alpine environment crossed.
It is a demonstrative and innovative project aiming at defining how, where and when speed limits and other traffic management measures can be applied to achieve the maximum environmental and transport benefit with the minimum inconvenience for road users.
The three pillars of the projects are:
1. dynamic speed limits management;
2. dynamic lane usage;
3. "intelligent" on-road information.
The efficiency of these measures will be evaluated in terms of environmental impact reduction as well as their socio-economic impact and in traffic fluency terms.
The BrennerLEC project is carried out in the context of a sensible area like the Alps with the objective of creating a holistic concept of "Lower Emission Corridor" (LEC) for the A22 highway. The project aims to implement and validate a set of different dynamic policies that have the goal to provide a clear environmental benefit in terms of air quality, climate protection and noise abatement.
The reduction of polluting emissions is pursued by means of the following strategies:
1. Traffic flows management during heavy traffic situations by combining dynamic speed limit reduction and dynamic lane activation strategies.
2. Dynamic management of the maximum speed limits allowed according to air quality.
3. Traffic flows management near the biggest urban areas by means of "intelligent" on-road information.
BrennerLEC aims at being a "win-win" project as it follows environmental objectives (better air quality and reduction of greenhouse gases and noise) by trying at the same time to achieve a more efficient transport system (more transport capacity and safety).
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
978867
|
Functional electrical contacts to two-dimensional materials with tunable interfacial oxides
|
Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) materials are promising for future nanoelectronic devices. However, their performance is often hampered by the presence of a large number of defects at metal/2D material interfaces. The project ProTOC will extend the applications of atomic layer deposition (ALD) to engineer functional electrical contacts in 2D nanoelectronic devices using interfacial transition metal oxides (TMOs) of controlled stoichiometry and electronic properties. ALD-grown TMOs, vanadium and titanium oxides, are explored as interfacial layers that are vdW-bonded to 2D material MoS2 on one side and chemically bonded to the metal electrode one the other side. ALD allows for precise control of the oxide composition in order to tune electronic properties, such as work function, dielectric constant, and defect concentrations. The electronic properties of ultrathin ALD-oxides of different compositions and their complex interactions with 2D materials, which in turn affect transport, will be investigated in a combined effort using 2D field-effect transistor (FET) transport measurements, spectroscopic methods, and scanning probe microscopy techniques. The band alignment at the contacts can be adjusted by changing the composition of the ALD-grown layers, which may provide a new route to engineering desired contact behaviour over a broad range from rectifying or low resistance ohmic, depending on the end application. This contacting scheme will be exploited to achieve both p- and n-type conductance in MoS2 FETs, which is key for logic applications and difficult to achieve with 2D materials. This project will benefit from the complimentary knowledge and experience of researcher, who is an expert in device design, fabrication, and advanced scanning probe methods, as well as host, who provides unique capabilities and expertise in materials growth by ALD and the spectroscopic characterization of complex oxide films in the context of devices.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
W1987381349
|
A study of electrochemical biosensor for analysis of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture
|
Cell culture has a fundamental role not only in regenerative medicine but also in biotechnology, pharmacology, impacting both drug discovery and manufacturing. Although cell culture has been generally developed for only two-dimensional (2D) culture systems, three-dimensional (3D) culture is being spotlighted as the means to mimic in vivo cellular conditions. In this study, a method for cytotoxicity assay using an electrochemical biosensor applying 3D cell culture is presented. In order to strengthen the advantage of a 3D cell culture, the experimental condition of gelation between several types of sol-gels (alginate, collagen, matrigel) and cancer cells can be optimized to make a 3D cell structure on the electrode, which will show the reproducibility of electrical measurement for long-term monitoring. Moreover, cytotoxicity test results applying this method showed IC(50) value of A549 lung cancer cells to erlotinib. Thus, this study evaluates the feasibility of application of the electrochemical biosensor for 3D cell culture to cytotoxicity assay for investigation of 3D cell response to drug compounds.
|
[
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
172578
|
Breakthrough solutions for the sustainable harvesting and processing of deep sea polymetallic nodules
|
A key EU policy aims to reduce the Union dependency on raw materials imports, in particular (candidate) Critical Raw Materials that are vital for the EU innovative technologies. Topic SC5-11c-2015 scope focuses on “developing new highly-automated technological sustainable solutions for deep mining … in the sea bed combined with in-situ processing of minerals”. An existing but challenging raw material resource concerns polymetallic nodules. These round to elongated concretions of 1–15 cm diameter form on sediment-covered deep-sea plains in all oceans between 4-6000m water depth. The challenge to harvest and transport the nodules to the EU shore is taken on by Blue Nodules. The governing project principle is: industrial viability within the context of a realistic and technical, economic and environmentally balanced business case for the complete Polymetallic Nodules value chain of mining, processing and valorisation. Blue Nodules will develop and test to TRL6 maturity a new highly-automated and technologically sustainable deep sea mining system. Key features are: an annual production capability of 2 Million Tons nodules in water depths up to 6000m, in-situ processing of the nodules and intrinsic safe working conditions. Technical WPs are dedicated to subsea harvesting equipment & control technology, in-situ seafloor processing of polymetallic nodules and sea surface, land operations & processes. A dedicated WP focuses on environmental issues and on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). A WP setting requirements and assessing the developed technology controls the entire work plan structure. High credibility is obtained by linking the project work to a nodule field licence owned by a project partner and located in the most promising known nodule deposit: the Clarion Clipperton Zone. The project consortium contains 14 leading industry and research partners from 9 EU member states. The project duration is 48 months, the required funding amounts to 8 Million.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Earth System Science",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
Q2891170
|
O LVbV? Vista de Luz por VAVA
|
Lançamento da nova linha de produtos óticos num material distinto, o titânio, considerado o material mais luxuoso do mercado (é forte e ultraleve), o que irá permitir à empresa criar uma oferta caraterizada pela durabilidade, flexibilidade e leveza, com foco em novos mercados internacionais.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.3847/2041-8213/835/1/L12
|
Hst Pancet Program A Cloudy Atmosphere For The Promising Jwst Target Wasp 101B
|
We present results from the first observations of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Panchromatic Comparative Exoplanet Treasury (PanCET) program for WASP-101b, a highly inflated hot Jupiter and one of the community targets proposed for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Early Release Science (ERS) program. From a single HST Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) observation, we find that the near-infrared transmission spectrum of WASP-101b contains no significant H$_2$O absorption features and we rule out a clear atmosphere at 13{\sigma}. Therefore, WASP-101b is not an optimum target for a JWST ERS program aimed at observing strong molecular transmission features. We compare WASP-101b to the well studied and nearly identical hot Jupiter WASP-31b. These twin planets show similar temperature-pressure profiles and atmospheric features in the near-infrared. We suggest exoplanets in the same parameter space as WASP-101b and WASP-31b will also exhibit cloudy transmission spectral features. For future HST exoplanet studies, our analysis also suggests that a lower count limit needs to be exceeded per pixel on the detector in order to avoid unwanted instrumental systematics.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
10.1088/1742-6596/522/1/012062
|
Hydrothermal Synthesis Off Axis Electron Holography And Magnetic Properties Of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles
|
The hydrothermal synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) (< 50 nm) from mixed FeCl3 / FeCl2 precursor solution at pH ~ 12 has been confirmed using complementary characterisation techniques of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Off- axis electron holography allowed for visualisation of their single domain (SD) nature, as well as inter-particle interactions, with the latter attributed to explain the pseudo-SD/multi-domain behaviour demonstrated by bulk magnetic measurements.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1504/IJNT.2015.067215
|
Modelling Of Multipurpose Spintronic Devices
|
Modelling of spin transport and spin dynamics, as a prerequisite for designing spintronic devices, is considered. Spin injection into a semiconductor under charge depletion, charge neutrality, and charge accumulation is investigated. The existence of a maximum spin current density in the bulk at a large spin current density at the interface in charge accumulation is related to the spin current at the charge neutrality condition. Then, a novel multipurpose spintronic device is proposed and its structure as well as its working principle is explained. Two important applications for this structure, a flip flop and a nano–scale oscillator, are further elucidated and the properties related to these applications are investigated.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1088/0957-4484/25/27/275603
|
Observation Of Defect State In Highly Ordered Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Arrays
|
For the first time, a conductive-substrate induced electro-deposition approach is employed to achieve highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays based on an anodic aluminum oxide template. Different from other methods, the morphology and parameters of arrays can be adjusted easily through changing the exposure area of a conductive layer. All these arrays are used as matrixes to explore the defect state emission by photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Interestingly, we find that the emission from blue edge to red edge (∼450 nm–600 nm) are apparently quenched in the ordered nanotube arrays, especially when compared to the PL spectra of nanowire arrays, single nanotube and nanoparticles. This distinct result originates from passivation of oxygen vacancies residing along the tube walls when the tubes are interconnected, which is further evidenced by the observation of PL spectra with crystalline phase and sintering. The passivation of defects suggests valuable charge transport perpendicular to the long axis of the tubes in the ordered arrays. This point is particularly significant to the design of highly efficient devices and the applications in various energy-related fields.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.05038
|
Strategies For Classifying Patients Based On Office Home And Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement
|
Hypertension guidelines propose home or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring as indispensable after office measurement. However, whether preference should be given to home or ambulatory monitoring remains undetermined. In 831 untreated outpatients (mean age, 50. 6 years; 49. 8% women), we measured office (3 visits), home (7 days), and 24-h ambulatory blood pressures. We applied hypertension guidelines for cross-classification of patients into normotension or white-coat, masked, or sustained hypertension. Based on office and home blood pressures, the prevalence of white-coat, masked, and sustained hypertension was 61 (10. 3%), 166 (20. 0%), and 162 (19. 5%), respectively. Using daytime (from 8 am to 6 pm) instead of home blood pressure confirmed the cross-classification in 575 patients (69. 2%), downgraded risk from masked hypertension to normotension (n=24) or from sustained to white-coat hypertension (n=9) in 33 (4. 0%), but upgraded risk from normotension to masked hypertension (n=179) or from white-coat to sustained hypertension (n=44) in 223 (26. 8%). Analyses based on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure were confirmatory. In adjusted analyses, both the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (+20. 6%; confidence interval, 4. 4-39. 3) and aortic pulse wave velocity (+0. 30 m/s; confidence interval, 0. 09-0. 51) were higher in patients who moved up to a higher risk category. Both indexes of target organ damage and central augmentation index were positively associated (P≤0. 048) with the odds of being reclassified. In conclusion, for reliably diagnosing hypertension and starting treatment, office measurement should be followed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Using home instead of ambulatory monitoring misses the high-risk diagnoses of masked or sustained hypertension in over 25% of patients.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1149/1.3570785
|
Subband Structure Engineering In Silicon On Insulator Finfets Using Confinement
|
Splitting between equivalent valleys larger than the spin splitting energy is observed in confined electron systems, e. g. Si films grown either on SiGe substrate or Si dioxide and Si/SiGe quantum dots. Understanding the contribution of different factors in the valley degeneracy lifting is of key importance for the development of spin-based devices in Si. We demonstrate that the splitting between equivalent valleys strongly depends on the confinement direction and that it is orientation dependent. To explain the effect we use a simple but accurate two-band k·p model for the conduction band in silicon. Our data is in good agreement with recent results obtained by first-principle calculations.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1121/1.5068046
|
Non Linear Acoustic Emissions From Therapeutically Driven Microbubbles
|
Acoustic detection of contrast agent microbubbles, infused to the vasculature for exposure to focused ultrasound, is now routinely undertaken to evaluate therapy and avoid irreversible tissue damage. Harmonic, subharmonic (to the frequency of the focused ultrasound, f0) and broadband emissions are often used to distinguish between stable and inertial cavitation activity, and associated bioeffects. The driven microbubble dynamic responsible for the generation of non-linear emissions, however, may not be well understood. Results from an investigation of single SonoVue microbubbles flowing through a capillary, for exposure to focused ultrasound at f0 = 692 kHz, will be presented. Dual high-speed imaging from orthogonal perspectives at circa 2 × 105, and shadowgraphically at 10 million frames per second, capture microbubble activity and shock wave generation. Acoustic emissions are simultaneously collected with a calibrated broadband needle hydrophone, and high frequency imaging array on passive receive, for cavitation mapping. The results indicate that non-linear emissions are mediated by periodic bubble collapse shock waves, with subharmonic emission occurring above a threshold driving pressure amplitude. Implications for detection and quantification of driven microbubble cavitation activity, as well as conventional classification as stable or inertial, will be discussed. [This work was supported by ERC Starting Grant TheraCav, 336189. ]
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1016/j.ceb.2012.01.008
|
Polycomb: A paradigm for genome organization from one to three dimensions
|
Polycomb group proteins are important transcriptional repressors in developmental control, both stably silencing genes out of their appropriate lineage, and conferring dynamic regulation of genes whose expression changes in response to developmental cues. Polycomb is a key organizer of the linear epigenome, forming distinct chromatin domains of associated histone modifications, and fine-tuning the activities of genetic elements. Polycomb also modulates three-dimensional genome architecture by the formation of regulatory chromatin loops and coalescing target genes at discrete nuclear foci. Recent studies suggest that the linear epigenetic domains and chromosome architecture are intimately linked and the developmental plasticity of these scales of chromosome organization is beginning to be explored.
|
[
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
2724620
|
Motionlab: data driven saas platform that made the complex video-personalization accessible and easy
|
Traditional marketing communication is losing its effectivity and companies search for new ways how to engage, win or retain their digital customers to generate better revenues and to optimize marketing costs. Personalized video as a marketing tool is a key. Motionlab is a unique complex cloud-based and GDPR compliant video platform for self-service creation of personalized videos 1. in high volume and 2. in individual mode. Our aim is to help digital and marketing agencies or productions to create better relationships with brands, to speak individually with their digital customers, to increase productivity and efficiency of sales, marketing or customer services, to improve end customer experience and to save money. Motionlab is designed for an independent use by customers on a fast-growing video advertising market, valued of US$52.0 billion by 2023. Motionlab opens the access to videopersonalization for every customer: even small video production agencies can have the powerful tool, no need to be dependent on expensive vendors or their limited solutions. With Software as a Service business model Motionlab can easily enter into new segments and markets. Our vision is to create the multilevel B2B2B business chain to support our expansion. The aim of this project that belongs to the TRL 6 is to develop marketing and deployment process and organization to support internationalization of Motionlab. The feasibility study is focused on assessment of “go-to-market” options, IPR & Regulatory Strategy validation and business plan update. Motionlab project aims at generating annual turnover of 46 million EUR by the end of 2022. The project is of strategic importance for growth and transformation of the company from an innovation-driven startup, to a market-oriented global player. The aim of the Phase 1 project is so to check the feasibility of scaling-up the Motionlab for a broad commercialization on the European and North American markets, e.g. by the EIC Accelerator funding
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
W2367394313
|
House Price Volatility,the Selection of Monetary Policy Instruments and the Stability of Macro-economy:Theory and Empirical Evidence
|
This paper applies the simulation method on the basis of Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Model with house sector and the test of spillover effect based on VAR GARCH(1,1)-ABEKK Model to analyze the relationship between monetary policy and house price.The results show that when monetary policy regulates and controls house market,the central bank should focus on quantity instrument of monetary policy.Meanwhile,the role of price instrument of monetary policy should not be ignored because quantity instrument may increase the effect of price on macro-economy.As to price instrument of monetary policy,the liberalized interest rate has bigger influence on house market than regulated interest rate,when it comes to quantity instrument of monetary policy,money supply is the same as credit scale;for asymmetry effect of monetary policy,the effect of quantity instrument on house price is bigger than that of price instrument.It is predictable that during the process of the interest rate liberalization,the effect of the liberalized interest rate will increase and the two instruments should be comprehensively employed.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
Q2692009
|
Subvención de capital de explotación para la Empresa de Producción y Comercial STOLTOM Tomasz Dobień.
|
El proyecto se refiere al apoyo del empresario a proporcionar liquidez financiera y apoyo a las actividades actuales debido a las dificultades financieras experimentadas por el empresario como consecuencia del brote de COVID-19. Ayuda financiera concedida en el marco del programa n.º SA.57015 (2020/N)
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.04.017
|
cTBS delivered to the left somatosensory cortex changes its functional connectivity during rest
|
The primary somatosensory cortex (SI) plays a critical role in somatosensation as well as in action performance and social cognition. Although the SI has been a major target of experimental and clinical research using non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to date information on the effect of TMS over the SI on its resting-state functional connectivity is very scant. Here, we explored whether continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), a repetitive TMS protocol, administered over the SI can change the functional connectivity of the brain at rest, as measured using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). In a randomized order on two different days we administered active TMS or sham TMS over the left SI. TMS was delivered off-line before scanning by means of cTBS. The target area was selected previously and individually for each subject as the part of the SI activated both when the participant executes and observes actions. Three analytical approaches, both theory driven (partial correlations and seed based whole brain regression) and more data driven (Independent Component Analysis), indicated a reduction in functional connectivity between the stimulated part of the SI and several brain regions functionally associated with the SI including the dorsal premotor cortex, the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and anterior cingulate cortex. These findings highlight the impact of cTBS delivered over the SI on its functional connectivity at rest. Our data may have implications for experimental and therapeutic applications of cTBS over the SI.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
interreg_2326
|
MO.DE.LE - MOdèle de DEveloppement des systèmes Locaux pour le soutien des Entreprises
|
The insufficient competitiveness of SMEs and micro-enterprises is the cause of the delay in developing the territories involved in the RFO. There are different reasons for this competitive insufficiency: • peripherality • reduced dimensions • weak market orientation • dependence on major industrial groups • difficulty to obtain credits • insufficient capital • inability to undertake innovative investments. The growing reduction of public financial resources destined to combat these factors decrease the intervention potential of regional public administrations and a worrying scenario is defined: obstacles to developments are increased and the range and quality of regional policies is diminished. Overall objective / Objectif général The general objective of the Operation is to reinforce the competitiveness of SMEs and micro-enterprises in the regions involved. This objective is to be achieved through three specific actions: • favour credit access for SMEs by innovative means; • increase the ability to attract investments that are compatible with local production systems; • improve the efficiency of Public Administration in the programming and management of local development policies and instruments. Since these problems are transnational in nature and are widespread throughout the European Union, it is necessary to confront them on a wider scale than the regional level. By facing these different realities, the Interreg IIIC allows for: • the positive and negative particularities of the territories to be highlighted; • new solutions to be developed as the result of the experiences of the different partners. Expected results / Résultats attendus The main results that are expected are: • Preparation of fund guarantee and venture capital models for SMEs that are compatible with European law. • Preparation of investment attraction instrument models such as financial aid for investments that can be supported and integrated by the areas. • Preparation of programming and Public Administration management instrument models such as procedures, new forms of organisation, aid systems in favour of SMEs in order to facilitate material and or non-material investment projects.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
] |
W2060956346
|
Determination of muon attenuation lengths in depth profiles from in situ produced cosmogenic nuclides
|
Abstract Cosmogenic nuclides are important tools to understand and quantify the processes that control the development and evolution of landscapes during the quaternary. Among all published studies, few are related to the accurate and precise determination of the physical parameters governing their production in the Earth’s crust surface (in situ produced cosmogenic nuclides) and its evolution as a function of depth below the Earth’s surface. Currently, it is nearly impossible to advocate global parameters that could be used worldwide. Indeed, at each sampling site, not only the geometry and the mineralogy will differ but also their evolution as a function of depth. In this paper, a new approach based on the measurement of the evolution of cosmogenic nuclide concentrations along depth profiles to determine the muon attenuation lengths is proposed. Contrarily to previous studies that used to describe both slow and fast muons, only one type of muons will be considered in this paper and nuclide accumulation at depth will be described by a single exponential. The determined attenuation length integrates the potential effect of the chemical composition of the overlying matrix and takes into account the entire energy range of the incident particles. Additionally, when denudational steady state is reached, muon contributions can be determined. When scaled to sea level, these contributions appear to be comparable for a given nuclide whatever the site where they have been determined. The average weighted muon contributions are 0.028 ± 0.004 atoms g−1 a−1 for 10Be, 0.233 ± 0.045 atoms g−1 a−1 for 26Al and 1.063 ± 0.329 atoms g−1 a−1 for 36Cl and are valid within the depth range 0–6500 g cm−2.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
10.1145/3243734.3243868
|
Compressing Vector Ole
|
Oblivious linear-function evaluation (OLE) is a secure two-party protocol allowing a receiver to learn any linear combination of a pair of field elements held by a sender. OLE serves as a common building block for secure computation of arithmetic circuits, analogously to the role of oblivious transfer (OT) for boolean circuits. A useful extension of OLE is vector OLE (VOLE), allowing the receiver to learn any linear combination of two vectors held by the sender. In several applications of OLE, one can replace a large number of instances of OLE by a smaller number of instances of VOLE. This motivates the goal of amortizing the cost of generating long instances of VOLE. We suggest a new approach for fast generation of pseudo-random instances of VOLE via a deterministic local expansion of a pair of short correlated seeds and no interaction. This provides the first example of compressing a non-trivial and cryptographically useful correlation with good concrete efficiency. Our VOLE generators can be used to enhance the efficiency of a host of cryptographic applications. These include secure arithmetic computation and non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs with reusable preprocessing. Our VOLE generators are based on a novel combination of function secret sharing (FSS) for multi-point functions and linear codes in which decoding is intractable. Their security can be based on variants of the learning parity with noise (LPN) assumption over large fields that resist known attacks. We provide several constructions that offer tradeoffs between different efficiency measures and the underlying intractability assumptions.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
EP 2007057141 W
|
METHOD FOR PRODUCING WATER-ABSORBENT POLYMER PARTICLES WITH A HIGHER PERMEABILITY BY POLYMERISING DROPLETS OF A MONOMER SOLUTION
|
The invention relates to a method for producing water-absorbent polymer particles with a higher permeability by polymerising droplets of a monomer solution in a gas phase surrounding the droplets. A water-insoluble inorganic salt is suspended in the monomer solution and the polymer particles have an average particle diameter of at least 150 µm.
|
[
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.3390/photonics6010001
|
Bow-Tie Cavity for Terahertz Radiation
|
We report on the development, testing, and performance analysis of a bow-tie resonant cavity for terahertz (THz) radiation, injected with a continuous-wave 2. 55 THz quantum cascade laser. The bow-tie cavity employs a wire-grid polarizer as input/output coupler and a pair of copper spherical mirrors coated with an unprotected 500 nm thick gold layer. The improvements with respect to previous setups have led to a measured finesse value F = 123, and a quality factor Q = 5. 1·105. The resonator performances and the relevant parameters are theoretically predicted and discussed, and a comparison among simulated and experimental spectra is given.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1088/1475-7516/2015/03/055
|
A Realistic Assessment Of The Cta Sensitivity To Dark Matter Annihilation
|
We estimate the sensitivity of the upcoming CTA gamma-ray observatory to DM annihilation at the Galactic centre, improving on previous analyses in a number of significant ways. First, we perform a detailed analyses of all backgrounds, including diffuse astrophysical emission for the first time in a study of this type. Second, we present a statistical framework for including systematic errors and estimate the consequent degradation in sensitivity. These errors may come from e. g. event reconstruction, Monte Carlo determination of the effective area or uncertainty in atmospheric conditions. Third, we show that performing the analysis on a set of suitably optimised regions of interest makes it possible to partially compensate for the degradation in sensitivity caused by systematics and diffuse emission. To probe dark matter with the canonical thermal annihilation cross-section, CTA systematics like non-uniform variations in acceptance over a single field of view must be kept below the 0. 3% level, unless the dark matter density rises more steeply in the centre of the Galaxy than predicted by a typical Navarro-Frenk-White or Einasto profile. For a contracted r(-1. 3) profile, and systematics at the 1% level, CTA can probe annihilation to b (b) over bar at the canonical thermal level for dark matter masses between 100 GeV and 10 TeV.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
] |
170293
|
Nature-Inspired control of turbulent flows
|
Many aspects of the animal flight still remain unexplored, despite the enormous possibilities they offer to improve the current aerospace technology. One such aspect that received least attention of the scientists is the following: the wing surfaces of the flying animals are coated with hairs, feathers and other filamentous structures. These self-adaptive hairy layers strongly influence the flow field characteristics, and it has been reported that such coatings may be used to control the laminar-turbulent transition as well as turbulence in order to achieve energy efficient flight. The objectives of the NiCoFlow project are: (1) to devise the essential mathematical and computational framework to study the flow around objects with surface-mounted self-adaptive hairs, and (2) to elucidate the fundamental fluid dynamic mechanisms through which the surface coatings can enable new flow control strategies. In this work, a homogenized poro-elastic continuum models will be used to describe the flow through the hairy layers. Moreover, a computational approach to simulate two-way coupling between such homogenized continuum models and the surrounding fluid flow will be developed.. This approach will be thoroughly validated by simulating fluid flow over a flat plate attached with surface-mounted flexible hairs and comparing the numerical results against existing experimental data. The validated model will be used to perform direct numerical simulations of transitional and turbulent flows to reveal the detailed flow characteristics, and shed light on how these self-adaptive hairy features may delay the transition to turbulence and reduce the turbulent skin-friction. A potential passive control technique, relying on these nature-inspired hairy coatings, will have a large industrial impact, including applications in aeronautics, energy harvesting and the transport sector.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
W2268604949
|
Noise tailoring for scalable quantum computation via randomized compiling
|
Quantum computers are poised to radically outperform their classical counterparts by manipulating coherent quantum systems. A realistic quantum computer will experience errors due to the environment and imperfect control. When these errors are even partially coherent, they present a major obstacle to achieving robust computation. Here, we propose a method for introducing independent random single-qubit gates into the logical circuit in such a way that the effective logical circuit remains unchanged. We prove that this randomization tailors the noise into stochastic Pauli errors, leading to dramatic reductions in worst-case and cumulative error rates, while introducing little or no experimental overhead. Moreover we prove that our technique is robust to variation in the errors over the gate sets and numerically illustrate the dramatic reductions in worst-case error that are achievable. Given such tailored noise, gates with significantly lower fidelity are sufficient to achieve fault-tolerant quantum computation, and, importantly, the worst case error rate of the tailored noise can be directly and efficiently measured through randomized benchmarking experiments. Remarkably, our method enables the realization of fault-tolerant quantum computation under the error rates observed in recent experiments.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W2586753374
|
We walk around in a cloud of our own microbes
|
Everyone walks around enveloped in an airborne cloud of bacteria, a bit like the Peanuts character Pig-Pen, and some of the bugs come from our most intimate nooks and crannies. People are standing in another person's microbial cloud the moment they shake hands, says James Meadow of the University of Oregon in Eugene. Bodies are home to an estimated 100 trillion bacteria, viruses and fungi and people leave traces of their microbial communities on surfaces like their phones, and Meadow's team wondered if the air around also carries such signatures. Analyzing the bacterial DNA, they found many species that usually live on the skin and in the mouth, nose and gut, and in the case of women, the vagina.
|
[
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
W1983372796
|
Optimized operation and maintenance costs to improve system reliability by decreasing the failure rate of distribution lines
|
Improving distribution system reliability has received a great deal of attention in recent years. Because of the limitation in expected budgets, it is desirable to determine the most efficient strategy to improve system reliability. This paper proposes a novel method to determine the optimized operation and maintenance costs in order to decrease the failure of system components. The proposed objective function includes the average system frequency interruption index (ASIFI) value. To achieve the best strategy to decrease failures of system components, it is necessary to find the minimum value of the objective function, considering the constraints of operation and maintenance costs. A genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimization problem. Moreover, a new mathematical model to calculate system reliability indices, including the ASIFI, is introduced. The proposed method is applied to a realistic distribution system. The results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in order to increase the system reliability in an optimal manner.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
2725596
|
New bio-based fertilisers from organic waste upcycling
|
The world food supply needs to increase by 70 % to feed the 9 billion global population by 2050, increasing pressure on agriculture and necessitating further intensification. Currently, EU is heavily import dependent for more than 90% of nonrenewable phosphorus and synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, at large economic cost (€15 billion/y) and with negative environmental impacts from fertiliser production and use. Furthermore, phosphate has been identified as a critical raw material for the EU. We therefore need a new European effort to address ‘The Nutrient Nexus’, where reduced nutrient losses and improved nutrient use efficiency across all sectors simultaneously provide the foundation for a greener and more circular economy to produce more food and energy while reducing environmental pollution. European farmers and fertiliser industry thus urgently need techniques for increasing substitution of synthetic with waste-derived nutrients formulated into high-quality, bio-based fertilisers. However, this requires research into new processing, application and assessment and more innovative and entrepreneurial scientists capable of meeting these future needs - FertiCycle aims to to fill this gap. The objective of FertiCycle is to train 15 early stage researchers (ESR) to develop new processes for production of bio-based fertilisers, recycling wasted resources and to estimate the market potential and sustainability challenges of their production and use. The training program aims to enable the ESR to generate, integrate and apply inter-disciplinary knowledge for developing new technical solutions for bio-based fertiliser production, management and marketing, and will give them competences for inter-sectoral work and international collaboration in industry and academia. FertiCycle outcomes will be 15 trained scientists; required technologies, knowhow and market concepts from which innovative new bio-based fertiliser products can develop to proof-of-concept level with industry.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
] |
184446
|
Enhancing expectancy formation in healthy aging through statistical and sensorimotor learning
|
My research examines how humans form new expectancies, or states of anticipation for future events, and how expectancy formation changes over the lifespan. Humans constantly anticipate upcoming events in order to understand those events, prepare actions, and adapt to changes. Although the neural and behavioral signatures of expectancies have been well-characterized, we do not know how they arise and how they change over the lifespan. I aim to reveal the following: 1) How new expectancies are formed during the course of learning novel information. 2) How expectancy formation differs between younger and older adults. 3) How the combination of regularities in event structure and sensorimotor integration, a phenomenon that has not been investigated, potentiates expectancy formation. 4) The role of interacting subcortical-cortical neural networks in expectancy formation. I will monitor the dynamic changes in electrophysiological brain responses, as well as overt anticipatory behaviour, over the course of learning in order to capture the changes of anticipatory responses online, and I will apply Bayesian neural network modelling to infer the neural and cognitive state changes underlying these response changes. I will also measure changes in subcortical-cortical networks that result from learning, including structural integrity, functional connectivity, and the ability to decode the learned information. This multi-methods approach will utilize my expertise in behavioural and MRI methods combined with my research group's expertise in EEG and computational modelling, as well as the state-of-the-art EEG, MRI, and laboratory facilities, on-site expertise, and support staff available at Maastricht University. This research is urgently needed so that we can finally understand the origin of expectancies, their consequences on the aging brain, and how we can enhance their formation to improve lifelong learning.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
W56665821
|
Etiology and Management of Pyoderma Gangrenosum
|
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by painful, necrotic ulceration. It typically affects patients in the third to sixth decades of life, with almost equal incidence in men and women. PG occurs most frequently on the lower extremities. Five clinical variants are currently recognized: classic, bullous, pustular, vegetative, and peristomal types. Half of PG cases are seen in association with systemic disease. Mimickers include infection, vascular insufficiency ulcers, systemic vasculitides, autoimmune disease, cancer, and exogenous tissue injury, among others. PG is often a diagnosis of exclusion, as there are no specific laboratory or histopathologic findings to confirm the diagnosis. PG thus presents many clinical challenges: it is difficult to diagnose, is frequently misdiagnosed, and often requires a work-up for underlying systemic disease. Successful management of PG typically requires multiple modalities to reduce inflammation and optimize wound healing, in addition to treatment of any underlying diseases. Prednisone and cyclosporine have been mainstays of systemic treatment for PG, although increasing evidence supports the use of biologic therapies, such as tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, for refractory cases of PG. Here, we review the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of PG, as well as its associated conditions, diagnostic work-up, and management.
|
[
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1002/bies.200900172
|
Clathrin-mediated endocytosis: What works for small, also works for big
|
The clathrin-mediated endocytosis machinery has recently been described as being required in mammalian cells for the internalization of large particles including pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and large viruses. These apparently unexpected observations within the framework of the classical mechanisms for the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles, are now considered as examples of a new non-classical function of clathrin, which can promote the internalization of membrane domains associated to planar clathrin lattices. The role of actin downstream of clathrin seems to be critical for this still poorly characterized process. The historical frontier between endocytosis and phagocytosis is vanishing in the light of this new role for clathrin.
|
[
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.3390/antibiotics5030024
|
Ribosomal antibiotics: Contemporary challenges
|
Most ribosomal antibiotics obstruct distinct ribosomal functions. In selected cases, in addition to paralyzing vital ribosomal tasks, some ribosomal antibiotics are involved in cellular regulation. Owing to the global rapid increase in the appearance of multi-drug resistance in pathogenic bacterial strains, and to the extremely slow progress in developing new antibiotics worldwide, it seems that, in addition to the traditional attempts at improving current antibiotics and the intensive screening for additional natural compounds, this field should undergo substantial conceptual revision. Here, we highlight several contemporary issues, including challenging the common preference of broad-range antibiotics; the marginal attention to alterations in the microbiome population resulting from antibiotics usage, and the insufficient awareness of ecological and environmental aspects of antibiotics usage. We also highlight recent advances in the identification of species-specific structural motifs that may be exploited for the design and the creation of novel, environmental friendly, degradable, antibiotic types, with a better distinction between pathogens and useful bacterial species in the microbiome. Thus, these studies are leading towards the design of "pathogen-specific antibiotics," in contrast to the current preference of broad range antibiotics, partially because it requires significant efforts in speeding up the discovery of the unique species motifs as well as the clinical pathogen identification.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
EP 2021065310 W
|
RETINOL-BASED COMPOSITION
|
The present invention relates to a composition, notably a cosmetic composition, in particular for making up and/or caring for keratin materials, comprising at least retinol, di-t-butyl pentaerythrityl tetrahydroxycinnamate, an ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid salt, and at least one compound chosen from ascorbic acid or an analog thereof, and/or tocopherol or a derivative thereof.
|
[
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
990023
|
Morphologically-Informed representations for natural language processing
|
The morphological structure of a word plays an important role in determining its function and meaning, yet it is often disregarded by current machine learning models aimed at natural language processing (NLP). State-of-the-art NLP models typically rely on word-level or character-level representations. This arguably works well for English, the dominant language in NLP research, since it is morphologically simple, but poses a challenge for morphologically-rich languages like Basque, Estonian, or Kurdish. As a consequence, the current state of the art is biased against these languages, preventing us from building better NLP technology for them.
The MorphIRe project aims to learn morphologically-informed representations for NLP. It proposes to explore the fine-grained morphological analysis of word forms in order to learn representations that are grounded in morphemes, the smallest grammatical unit of language. Using these representations as input to NLP models is expected to improve their performance particularly for morphologically-rich languages. To this end, MorphIRe will make use of deep learning with neural network architectures both to learn the representations and to apply them to state-of-the-art models for a variety of NLP tasks, such as language modelling and dependency parsing.
The impact of MorphIRe is twofold: 1) Learning input representations that can be used in a variety of models encourages reusability of the results and promises that improvements will carry over to future NLP research. 2) Through improving the state of the art on morphologically-rich languages, speakers of these languages will ultimately benefit from better NLP technology. This way, MorphIRe has the potential for making both a scientific and a societal impact.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
10.1038/s42003-019-0451-1
|
Biopesticides improve efficiency of the sterile insect technique for controlling mosquito-driven dengue epidemics
|
Various mosquito control methods use factory raised males to suppress vector densities. But the efficiency of these methods is currently insufficient to prevent epidemics of arbovirus diseases such as dengue, chikungunya or Zika. Suggestions that the sterile insect technique (SIT) could be “boosted” by applying biopesticides to sterile males remain unquantified. Here, we assess mathematically the gains to SIT for Aedes control of either: boosting with the pupicide pyriproxifen (BSIT); or, contaminating mosquitoes at auto-dissemination stations. Thresholds in sterile male release rate and competitiveness are identified, above which mosquitoes are eliminated asymptotically. Boosting reduces these thresholds and aids population destabilisation, even at sub-threshold release rates. No equivalent bifurcation exists in the auto-dissemination sub-model. Analysis suggests that BSIT can reduce by over 95% the total release required to circumvent dengue epidemics compared to SIT. We conclude, BSIT provides a powerful new tool for the integrated management of mosquito borne diseases.
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1039/d0sc03115a
|
Neuraldecipher – reverse-engineering extended-connectivity fingerprints (ECFPs) to their molecular structures
|
Protecting molecular structures from disclosure against external parties is of great relevance for industrial and private associations, such as pharmaceutical companies.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W1988475634
|
Synthesis, crystal structure and anaerobic DNA photocleavage of ruthenium complexes [Ru(tpy)(dpoq)Cl]+ and [Ru(tpy)(dpoq)CH3CN]2+
|
Two new Ru(II) complexes [Ru(tpy)(dpoq)Cl](+)1 and [Ru(tpy)(dpoq)CH3CN](2+)2 (tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine; dpoq = dipyrido[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, (1)H NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS) and X-ray crystallographic study. The experimental results of spectra titration, thermal denaturation and viscosity measurements suggest that the two complexes intercalatively bind to DNA. When irradiated under light, the two complexes could efficiently photocleave DNA both under aerobic and anaerobic condition. The mechanism studies reveal that the photocleavage reaction functions through both oxygen-independent (photoinduced electron transfer, type III reaction) and oxygen-dependent (singlet oxygen generation, type II reaction) pathways and the oxygen-independent pathway is the major process. These complexes will be more promising photodynamic therapy (PDT) candidates used for treating hypoxic tumors.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
175805
|
Interfacing spin waves with superconducting quantum circuits for single magnon creation and detection
|
The proposed project will experimentally interface ferromagnets with superconducting quantum circuits to study dynamics within the magnet. To this end, magnonic elements made up by thin, structured magnetic films will be strongly coupled to the qubit. Superconducting qubits are ideal detectors due to their quantum limited back-action on the measured object and energy resolution.
Spectroscopy and coherence measurements on the hybrid system will be made in order to address fundamental aspects such as spin wave generation, detection, coherence, or wave propagation down to mK temperatures and at ultra-low power (atto-watts). Amplitude and phase noise of spin wave resonators will be determined. At the final stage of the project, the quantum limited resolution of qubits will facilitate single magnon creation and detection. Quantum states are swapped between qubit and magnon, and superpositioned and entangled states will be explored. Monitoring the qubit response to its magnetic environment the low and high-frequency flux noise spectrum of spin waves will be inferred.
The research methodology employs junctions, resonators, and qubits as research objects and detectors. The samples will be characterized at cryogenic temperatures by transport, magnetometry, resonator and qubit setups. Magnetic materials will be deposited and structured beneath or ontop the superconducting quantum circuits.
Exploring spin wave dynamics in thin films by coupling to a superconducting qubit complements conventional measurement techniques based on photon, electron or neutron scattering methods, which require highly populated excitations. The project connects to and extends research objects of ground-breaking nature to open up new horizons for quantum, magnon and spin electronics. Magnetic material physics is enhanced by new research concepts such as quantum resolved spectroscopy and coherence measurements on intrinsic dynamic states.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
10.1137/140967209
|
A Nonlocal Variational Formulation For The Improvement Of Tone Mapped Images
|
Due to technical limitations, common display devices can only reproduce images having a low range of intensity values (dynamic range). As a consequence, the dynamic range of images encoding real world scenes, which is large, has to be compressed in order for them to be reproduced on a common display, and this technique is called tone mapping. Because there is no ground truth to compare with, evaluation of a tone mapped image has to be done by comparing with the original high dynamic range image. As standard metrics based on pixelwise comparisons are not suitable for comparing images of different dynamic range, nonlocal perceptual based metrics are commonly used. We propose a general method for optimizing tone mapped images with respect to a given nonlocal metric. In particular, if the metric is perceptual, i. e. , it involves perceptual concepts, we provide an adequate minimization strategy. Experiments on a particular perceptual metric tested with different tone mapped images provided by several tone mappi. . .
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1063/1.5027484
|
Faster Ground State Preparation And High Precision Ground Energy Estimation With Fewer Qubits
|
We propose a general-purpose quantum algorithm for preparing ground states of quantum Hamiltonians from a given trial state. The algorithm is based on techniques recently developed in the context of solving the quantum linear system problem. We show that, compared to algorithms based on phase estimation, the runtime of our algorithm is exponentially better as a function of the allowed error, and at least quadratically better as a function of the overlap with the trial state. We also show that our algorithm requires fewer ancilla qubits than existing algorithms, making it attractive for early applications of small quantum computers. Additionally, it can be used to determine an unknown ground energy faster than with phase estimation if a very high precision is required.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Mathematics"
] |
10.3390/rs10101551
|
Compensation of Oxygen Transmittance Effects for Proximal Sensing Retrieval of Canopy–Leaving Sun–Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence
|
Estimates of Sun–Induced vegetation chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) using remote sensing techniques are commonly determined by exploiting solar and/or telluric absorption features. When SIF is retrieved in the strong oxygen (O 2 ) absorption features, atmospheric effects must always be compensated. Whereas correction of atmospheric effects is a standard airborne or satellite data processing step, there is no consensus regarding whether it is required for SIF proximal–sensing measurements nor what is the best strategy to be followed. Thus, by using simulated data, this work provides a comprehensive analysis about how atmospheric effects impact SIF estimations on proximal sensing, regarding: (1) the sensor height above the vegetated canopy; (2) the SIF retrieval technique used, e. g. , Fraunhofer Line Discriminator (FLD) family or Spectral Fitting Methods (SFM); and (3) the instrument’s spectral resolution. We demonstrate that for proximal–sensing scenarios compensating for atmospheric effects by simply introducing the O 2 transmittance function into the FLD or SFM formulations improves SIF estimations. However, these simplistic corrections still lead to inaccurate SIF estimations due to the multiplication of spectrally convolved atmospheric transfer functions with absorption features. Consequently, a more rigorous oxygen compensation strategy is proposed and assessed by following a classic airborne atmospheric correction scheme adapted to proximal sensing. This approach allows compensating for the O 2 absorption effects and, at the same time, convolving the high spectral resolution data according to the corresponding Instrumental Spectral Response Function (ISRF) through the use of an atmospheric radiative transfer model. Finally, due to the key role of O 2 absorption on the evaluated proximal–sensing SIF retrieval strategies, its dependency on surface pressure (p) and air temperature (T) was also assessed. As an example, we combined simulated spectral data with p and T measurements obtained for a one–year period in the Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station in Finland. Of importance hereby is that seasonal dynamics in terms of T and p, if not appropriately considered as part of the retrieval strategy, can result in erroneous SIF seasonal trends that mimic those of known dynamics for temperature–dependent physiological responses of vegetation.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Earth System Science"
] |
W1989180654
|
Identification of Specific Determinants of Human APOBEC3F, APOBEC3C, and APOBEC3DE and African Green Monkey APOBEC3F That Interact with HIV-1 Vif
|
ABSTRACT Human APOBEC3F (hA3F) and human APOBEC3G (hA3G) are potent anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) host factors that suppress viral replication by hypermutating the viral genome, inhibiting reverse transcription, and hindering integration. To overcome hA3F and hA3G, HIV-1 encodes Vif, which binds and targets these host proteins for proteasomal degradation. Previously, we reported that the hA3F-Vif interactions that lead to hA3F degradation are located in the region comprising amino acids 283 to 300. We have now performed mutational analysis of this region and found that the 289 EFLARH 294 amino acids contribute to hA3F-Vif binding and are critical for A3F's sensitivity to Vif. Mutants in which E289 is mutated significantly increase hA3F's ability to inhibit viral infectivity in the presence of Vif, and coimmunoprecipitation assays show that binding of Vif to the E289K mutant is decreased. We examined the role of the EFLARH sequence in other A3 proteins, including human A3C (hA3C), human A3DE (hA3DE), African green monkey A3F (agmA3F), and rhesus macaque A3F (rhA3F). hA3C, hA3DE, and agmA3F were all susceptible to degradation induced by HIV-1 Vif, while rhA3F was not. Mutagenesis of the glutamate in the EFLARH sites of hA3C, hA3DE, and agmA3F decreases the susceptibilities of these proteins to Vif-induced degradation. Together, these results indicate that the EFLARH region in hA3F, hA3C, hA3DE, and agmA3F interacts with HIV-1 Vif and that this interaction plays a role in the Vif-mediated proteasomal degradation of these A3 proteins. These studies identify a conserved region in 3 of 7 human A3 proteins that is critical for degradation mediated by HIV-1 Vif and provide structural insights into the hA3F-Vif interactions that could facilitate the development of a novel class of anti-HIV agents.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
] |
10.1117/12.2080952
|
Automated detection of periventricular veins on 7 T brain MRI
|
Cerebral small vessel disease is common in elderly persons and a leading cause of cognitive decline, dementia, and acute stroke. With the introduction of ultra-high field strength 7. 0T MRI, it is possible to visualize small vessels in the brain. In this work, a proof-of-principle study is conducted to assess the feasibility of automatically detecting periventricular veins. Periventricular veins are organized in a fan-pattern and drain venous blood from the brain towards the caudate vein of Schlesinger, which is situated along the lateral ventricles. Just outside this vein, a region-of-interest (ROI) through which all periventricular veins must cross is defined. Within this ROI, a combination of the vesselness filter, tubular tracking, and hysteresis thresholding is applied to locate periventricular veins. All detected locations were evaluated by an expert human observer. The results showed a positive predictive value of 88% and a sensitivity of 95% for detecting periventricular veins. The proposed method shows good results in detecting periventricular veins in the brain on 7. 0T MR images. Compared to previous works, that only use a 1D or 2D ROI and limited image processing, our work presents a more comprehensive definition of the ROI, advanced image processing techniques to detect periventricular veins, and a quantitative analysis of the performance. The results of this proof-of-principle study are promising and will be used to assess periventricular veins on 7. 0T brain MRI.
|
[
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System"
] |
10.1137/130929928
|
Quasi Linear Compressed Sensing
|
Inspired by significant real-life applications, particularly sparse phase retrieval and sparse pulsation frequency detection in asteroseismology, we investigate a general framework for compressed sensing, where the measurements are quasi-linear. We formulate natural generalizations of the well-known restricted isometry property (RIP) toward nonlinear measurements, which allow us to prove both unique identifiability of sparse signals as well as the convergence of recovery algorithms to compute them efficiently. We show that for certain randomized quasi-linear measurements, including Lipschitz perturbations of classical RIP matrices and phase retrieval from random projections, the proposed restricted isometry properties hold with high probability. We analyze a generalized orthogonal least squares (OLS) under the assumption that magnitudes of signal entries to be recovered decay quickly. Greed is good again, as we show that this algorithm performs efficiently in phase retrieval and asteroseismology. For situ. . .
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.1002/ajpa.23303
|
Comparison of hand use and forelimb posture during vertical climbing in mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
|
Objectives: Studies on grasping and limb posture during arboreal locomotion in great apes in their natural environment are scarce and thus, attempts to correlate behavioral and habitat differences with variation in morphology are limited. The aim of this study is to compare hand use and forelimb posture during vertical climbing in wild, habituated mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) and semi-free-ranging chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) to assess differences in the climbing styles that may relate to variation in hand or forelimb morphology and body size. Materials and methods: We investigated hand use and forelimb posture during both ascent and descent vertical climbing in 15 wild mountain gorillas and eight semi-free-ranging chimpanzees, using video records obtained ad libitum. Results: In both apes, forelimb posture was correlated with substrate size during both ascent and descent climbing. While climbing, both apes used power grips and diagonal power grips, including three different thumb postures. Mountain gorillas showed greater ulnar deviation of the wrist during vertical descent than chimpanzees, and the thumb played an important supportive role when gorillas vertically descended lianas. Discussion: We found that both apes generally had the same grip preferences and used similar forelimb postures on supports of a similar size, which is consistent with their overall similarity in hard and soft tissue morphology of the hand and forelimb. However, some species-specific differences in morphology appear to elicit slightly different grasping strategies during vertical climbing between mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
|
[
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
10.1080/00268976.2015.1024182
|
Molecular Properties In The Tamm Dancoff Approximation Indirect Nuclear Spin Spin Coupling Constants
|
The Tamm–Dancoff approximation (TDA) can be applied to the computation of excitation energies using time-dependent Hartree–Fock (TD-HF) and time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT). In addition to simplifying the resulting response equations, the TDA has been shown to significantly improve the calculation of triplet excitation energies in these theories, largely overcoming issues associated with triplet instabilities of the underlying reference wave functions. Here, we examine the application of the TDA to the calculation of another response property involving triplet perturbations, namely the indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constant. Particular attention is paid to the accuracy of the triplet spin–dipole and Fermi-contact components. The application of the TDA in HF calculations leads to vastly improved results. For DFT calculations, the TDA delivers improved stability with respect to geometrical variations but does not deliver higher accuracy close to equilibrium geometries. These observations are rationalised in terms of the ground- and excited-state potential energy surfaces and, in particular, the severity of the triplet instabilities associated with each method. A notable feature of the DFT results within the TDA is their similarity across a wide range of different functionals. The uniformity of the TDA results suggests that some conventional evaluations may exploit error cancellations between approximations in the functional forms and those arising from triplet instabilities. The importance of an accurate treatment of correlation for evaluating spin–spin coupling constants is highlighted by this comparison.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
] |
10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b00823
|
Observation of Cooperative Electronic Quantum Tunneling: Increasing Accessible Nuclear States in a Molecular Qudit
|
As an extension of two-level quantum bits (qubits), multilevel systems, so-called qudits, where d represents the Hilbert space dimension, have been predicted to reduce the number of iterations in quantum-computation algorithms. This has been tested in the well-known [TbPc2]0 single-molecule magnet (SMM), which allowed implementation of the Grover algorithm in a single molecular unit. In the quest for molecular systems possessing an increased number of accessible nuclear spin states, we explore herein a dimeric Tb2-SMM via single-crystal μ-SQUID measurements at sub-Kelvin temperatures. We observe ferromagnetic interactions between the TbIII ions and cooperative quantum tunneling of the electronic spins with spin ground state |Jz = ±6?. Strong hyperfine coupling with the TbIII nuclear spins leads to a multitude of spin-reversal paths, leading to seven strong hyperfine-driven tunneling steps in the hysteresis loops. Our results show the possibility of reading out the TbIII nuclear spin states via cooperative tunneling of the electronic spins, making the dimeric Tb2-SMM an excellent nuclear spin qudit candidate with d = 16.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
W2130235146
|
An object storage model for the truffle language implementation framework
|
Truffle is a Java-based framework for developing high-performance language runtimes. Language implementers aiming at developing new runtimes have to design all the runtime mechanisms for managing dynamically typed objects from scratch. This not only leads to potential code duplication, but also impacts the actual time needed to develop a fully-fledged runtime.In this paper we address this issue by introducing a common object storage model (OSM) for Truffle that can be used by language implementers to develop new runtimes. The OSM is generic, language-agnostic, and portable, as it can be used to implement a great variety of dynamic languages. It is extensible, featuring built-in support for custom extension mechanisms. It is also high-performance, as it is designed to benefit from the optimizing compiler in the Truffle framework. Our initial evaluation indicates that the Truffle OSM can be used to implement high-performance language runtimes, with no performance overhead when compared to language-specific solutions.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W2599261311
|
The Competitiveness of Central and Eastern European (CEE) Financial Markets
|
Although there has been vivid academic debate as to what extent Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) are motivated by political reasons, it is rather clear that countries can use state-owned investment funds as a tool of their foreign policy. Even Barack Obama, during his initial presidential campaign in 2008 commented: “I am obviously concerned if these… sovereign wealth funds are motivated by more than just market consideration and that’s obviously a possibility”.
This book looks at SWF activities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to determine the main motives for SWF presence in CEE. Are the potential financial gains the only reason behind their investments? Are SWF activities in the region dangerous for the stability and security of the CEE countries?
The book is pioneering analyses of SWFs behaviour in the region, based on empirical data collected from the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Transaction Database, arguably the most comprehensive and authoritative resource tracking SWF investment behaviour globally.
|
[
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1088/1475-7516/2017/03/055
|
Black Hole Formation From Axion Stars
|
The classical equations of motion for an axion with potential V()=ma2fa2 [1−cos (/fa)] possess quasi-stable, localized, oscillating solutions, which we refer to as ``axion stars''. We study, for the first time, collapse of axion stars numerically using the full non-linear Einstein equations of general relativity and the full non-perturbative cosine potential. We map regions on an ``axion star stability diagram", parameterized by the initial ADM mass, MADM, and axion decay constant, fa. We identify three regions of the parameter space: i) long-lived oscillating axion star solutions, with a base frequency, ma, modulated by self-interactions, ii) collapse to a BH and iii) complete dispersal due to gravitational cooling and interactions. We locate the boundaries of these three regions and an approximate ``triple point" (MTP,fTP) ~ (2. 4 Mpl2/ma,0. 3 Mpl). For fa below the triple point BH formation proceeds during winding (in the complex U(1) picture) of the axion field near the dispersal phase. This could prevent astrophysical BH formation from axion stars with fa Mpl. For larger fa fTP, BH formation occurs through the stable branch and we estimate the mass ratio of the BH to the stable state at the phase boundary to be (1) within numerical uncertainty. We discuss the observational relevance of our findings for axion stars as BH seeds, which are supermassive in the case of ultralight axions. For the QCD axion, the typical BH mass formed from axion star collapse is MBH ~ 3. 4 (fa/0. 6 Mpl)1. 2 M⊙.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Universe Sciences"
] |
interreg_2490
|
Network of the local agricultural production for the valorisation and the knowledge of the Alpine Area
|
The project aims at developing a network involving public institutions and farmers of Alpine Space at a transnational level, to enhance social and economical conditions of local populations, to preserve environment in the marginal mountain lands and to valorise Alpine cultural heritage and traditions with sustainable models. Main activities foreseen: enhancement of organic livestock production considering the increasing market demand of such products, valorisation of territories through the knowledge of typical Alpine agricultural products, identifying for each area a number of local activities to be developed, promotion of typical Alpine areas through development of welcoming facilities for students/groups of interest (didactic farms) and for disadvantaged people (social farms).Results expected: increase of farmers income, creation of new job opportunities, application and diffusion of sustainable models for Alpine traditions, dissemination of rural and environmental culture especially to young people. New operators involvment.
|
[
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1109/TCSI.2016.2625199
|
Tuning Range Extension Of A Transformer Based Oscillator Through Common Mode Colpitts Resonance
|
In this paper, we propose a method to broaden a tuning range of a CMOS LC -tank oscillator without sacrificing its area. The extra tuning range is achieved by forcing a strongly coupled transformer-based tank into a common-mode resonance at a much higher frequency than in its main differential-mode oscillation. The oscillator employs separate active circuits to excite each mode but it shares the same tank, which largely dominates the core area but is on par with similar single-core designs. The tank is forced in common-mode oscillation by two injection locked Colpitts oscillators at the transformer’s primary winding, while a two-port structure provides differential-mode oscillation. An analysis is also presented to compare the phase noise performance of the dual-core oscillator in common-mode and differential-mode excitations. A prototype implemented in digital 40-nm CMOS verifies the dual-mode oscillation and occupies only 0. 12 mm2 and measures 56% tuning range.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
10.1088/0264-9381/33/12/125031
|
A Micromechanical Proof Of Principle Experiment For Measuring The Gravitational Force Of Milligram Masses
|
This paper addresses a simple question: how small can one make a gravitational source mass and still detect its gravitational coupling to a nearby test mass? We describe an experimental scheme based on micromechanical sensing to observe gravity between milligram-scale source masses, thereby improving the current smallest source mass values by three orders of magnitude and possibly even more. We also discuss the implications of such measurements both for improved precision measurements of Newton's constant and for a new generation of experiments at the interface between quantum physics and gravity.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
10.1364/OL.34.001030
|
Generation Of Bessel Beams Using A Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser
|
We report the generation of Bessel beams using polytetrafluoroethene conical lenses and a quantum cascade laser emitting at 2. 8 THz. The formation of a central beam spot that retains its size over distances exceeding the characteristic Rayleigh range is demonstrated, and the power transport properties of these beams are compared with those obtained using parabolic reflectors. These lenses could provide an attractive alternative to parabolic reflectors for terahertz imaging applications where a large depth of focus and/or efficient and controllable coupling of radiation onto a small target are desirable.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1088/2040-8978/18/7/073004
|
Roadmap On Optical Energy Conversion
|
For decades, progress in the field of optical (including solar) energy conversion was dominated by advances in the conventional concentrating optics and materials design. In recent years, however, conceptual and technological breakthroughs in the fields of nanophotonics and plasmonics combined with a better understanding of the thermodynamics of the photon energy-conversion processes reshaped the landscape of energy-conversion schemes and devices. Nanostructured devices and materials that make use of size quantization effects to manipulate photon density of states offer a way to overcome the conventional light absorption limits. Novel optical spectrum splitting and photon-recycling schemes reduce the entropy production in the optical energy-conversion platforms and boost their efficiencies. Optical design concepts are rapidly expanding into the infrared energy band, offering new approaches to harvest waste heat, to reduce the thermal emission losses, and to achieve noncontact radiative cooling of solar cells as well as of optical and electronic circuitries. Light–matter interaction enabled by nanophotonics and plasmonics underlie the performance of the third- and fourth-generation energy-conversion devices, including up- and down-conversion of photon energy, near-field radiative energy transfer, and hot electron generation and harvesting. Finally, the increased market penetration of alternative solar energy-conversion technologies amplifies the role of cost-driven and environmental considerations. This roadmap on optical energy conversion provides a snapshot of the state of the art in optical energy conversion, remaining challenges, and most promising approaches to address these challenges. Leading experts authored 19 focused short sections of the roadmap where they share their vision on a specific aspect of this burgeoning research field. The roadmap opens up with a tutorial section, which introduces major concepts and terminology. It is our hope that the roadmap will serve as an important resource for the scientific community, new generations of researchers, funding agencies, industry experts, and investors.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1145/2935334.2935360
|
Invisiboard Maximizing Display And Input Space With A Full Screen Text Entry Method For Smartwatches
|
The small displays of smartwatches make text entry difficult and time consuming. While text entry rates can be increased, this continues to occur at the expense of available screen display space. Soft keyboards can easily use half the display space of tiny-screened devices. To combat this problem, we present Invisiboard: an invisible text entry method using the entire display for both text entry and display simultaneously. Invisiboard combines a numberpad-like layout with swipe gestures. This maximizes input target size, provides a familiar layout, and maximizes display space. Through this, Invisiboard achieves entry rates comparable or even faster than an existing research baseline. A user study with 12 participants writing 3264 words revealed an entry rate of 10. 6 Words Per Minute (WPM) after 30 minutes, 7% faster than ZoomBoard. Furthermore, with nominal training, some participants demonstrated entry rates of over 30 WPM.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1038/nnano.2015.163
|
Real-time imaging of microparticles and living cells with CMOS nanocapacitor arrays
|
Platforms that offer massively parallel, label-free biosensing can, in principle, be created by combining all-electrical detection with low-cost integrated circuits. Examples include field-effect transistor arrays, which are used for mapping neuronal signals and sequencing DNA. Despite these successes, however, bioelectronics has so far failed to deliver a broadly applicable biosensing platform. This is due, in part, to the fact that d. c. or low-frequency signals cannot be used to probe beyond the electrical double layer formed by screening salt ions, which means that under physiological conditions the sensing of a target analyte located even a short distance from the sensor (∼1 nm) is severely hampered. Here, we show that high-frequency impedance spectroscopy can be used to detect and image microparticles and living cells under physiological salt conditions. Our assay employs a large-scale, high-density array of nanoelectrodes integrated with CMOS electronics on a single chip and the sensor response depends on the electrical properties of the analyte, allowing impedance-based fingerprinting. With our platform, we image the dynamic attachment and micromotion of BEAS, THP1 and MCF7 cancer cell lines in real time at submicrometre resolution in growth medium, demonstrating the potential of the platform for label/tracer-free high-throughput screening of anti-tumour drug candidates.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
EP 2012063732 W
|
SHOCK ABSORBER HAVING AN IMPROVED FRICTION ELEMENT
|
A shock absorber comprising a tubular first portion in the form of a shock absorber casing telescopically receiving a tubular second portion in the form of a piston is disclosed. The first portion has an alignment member which encapsulates a friction element wrapped around said second portion. The alignment member is longitudinally movable in between a first stop bearing and a second stop bearing. The novel friction element has a plurality of tips or protrusions which extend, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the piston, towards the two stop bearings and which hit either of said bearings during the oscillatory back and forth movement of the alignment member during operation.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1007/s00220-018-3242-5
|
The Lagrangian Structure of the Vlasov–Poisson System in Domains with Specular Reflection
|
In this work, we deal with the Vlasov–Poisson system in smooth physical domains with specular boundary condition, under mild integrability assumptions, and d≥ 3. We show that the Lagrangian and Eulerian descriptions of the system are also equivalent in this context by extending the recent developments by Ambrosio, Colombo, and Figalli to our setting. In particular, assuming that the total energy is bounded, we prove the existence of renormalized solutions and we also show that they are transported by a weak notion of flow that allows velocity jumps at the boundary. Finally, we show that flows can be globally defined for d = 3, 4.
|
[
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1098/rsif.2014.0693
|
How structurally stable are global socioeconomic systems?
|
The stability analysis of socioeconomic systems has been centred on answering whether small perturbations when a system is in a given quantitative state will push the system permanently to a different quantitative state. However, typically the quantitative state of socioeconomic systems is subject to constant change. Therefore, a key stability question that has been under-investigated is how strongly the conditions of a system itself can change before the system moves to a qualitatively different behaviour, i. e. how structurally stable the systems is. Here, we introduce a framework to investigate the structural stability of socioeconomic systems formed by a network of interactions among agents competing for resources. We measure the structural stability of the system as the range of conditions in the distribution and availability of resources compatible with the qualitative behaviour in which all the constituent agents can be self-sustained across time. To illustrate our framework, we study an empirical representation of the global socioeconomic system formed by countries sharing and competing for multinational companies used as proxy for resources. We demonstrate that the structural stability of the system is inversely associated with the level of competition and the level of heterogeneity in the distribution of resources. Importantly, we show that the qualitative behaviour of the observed global socioeconomic system is highly sensitive to changes in the distribution of resources. We believe that this work provides a methodological basis to develop sustainable strategies for socioeconomic systems subject to constantly changing conditions.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Earth System Science",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.1371/journal.pone.0016591
|
Human mobility networks, travel restrictions, and the global spread of 2009 H1N1 pandemic
|
After the emergence of the H1N1 influenza in 2009, some countries responded with travel-related controls during the early stage of the outbreak in an attempt to contain or slow down its international spread. These controls along with selfimposed travel limitations contributed to a decline of about 40% in international air traffic to/from Mexico following the international alert. However, no containment was achieved by such restrictions and the virus was able to reach pandemic proportions in a short time. When gauging the value and efficacy of mobility and travel restrictions it is crucial to rely on epidemic models that integrate the wide range of features characterizing human mobility and the many options available to public health organizations for responding to a pandemic. Here we present a comprehensive computational and theoretical study of the role of travel restrictions in halting and delaying pandemics by using a model that explicitly integrates air travel and short-range mobility data with high-resolution demographic data across the world and that is validated by the accumulation of data from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. We explore alternative scenarios for the 2009 H1N1 pandemic by assessing the potential impact of mobility restrictions that vary with respect to their magnitude and their position in the pandemic timeline. We provide a quantitative discussion of the delay obtained by different mobility restrictions and the likelihood of containing outbreaks of infectious diseases at their source, confirming the limited value and feasibility of international travel restrictions. These results are rationalized in the theoretical framework characterizing the invasion dynamics of the epidemics at the metapopulation level.
|
[
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
210385
|
A Theory of Religious Organizations
|
In this research project I am proposing a novel theoretical framework to explain religious organizations. I incorporate the notion of religious beliefs in a rational framework of social interaction. This will allow me to distinguish this theory of religious organizations from both existing work on religion and from theories of other social organizations. Moreover, it will allow me to analyze the dynamic evolution of religious organizations. The analysis of religion from an economic agent point of view will create new horizons by adding to the rich literature stemming from other social science disciplines and evolutionary biology. The objectives of this research project are: (i) To provide an applicable model of religion that will link the individual and social aspects of religion; (ii) To provide a theoretical framework to understand the relations between different religious groups and between religious and secular groups; (iii) To understand the dynamic evolution of religious beliefs and religious organizations; (iv) To understand the connection between religious leadership and political power; (v) To provide a basis for future empirical work by yielding new testable predictions about the dynamics of religious organizations and religious tolerance.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Studies of Cultures and Arts"
] |
10.1016/j.nbt.2014.12.002
|
Nanoparticle-triggered release from lipid membrane vesicles
|
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are used in a rapidly expanding number of research and practical applications in biotechnology and biomedicine. We highlight how recent developments in iron oxide nanoparticle design and understanding of nanoparticle membrane interactions have led to applications in magnetically triggered, liposome delivery vehicles with controlled structure. Nanoscale vesicles actuated by incorporated nanoparticles allow for controlling location and timing of compound release, which enables e. g. use of more potent drugs in drug delivery as the interaction with the right target is ensured. This review emphasizes recent results on the connection between nanoparticle design, vesicle assembly and the stability and release properties of the vesicles. While focused on lipid vesicles magnetically actuated through iron oxide nanoparticles, these insights are of general interest for the design of capsule and cell delivery systems for biotechnology controlled by nanoparticles.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
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