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EP 22189130 A
|
LOCK ASSEMBLY, SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING APPARATUS, AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
|
Provided are a lock assembly, a solar panel mounting apparatus, and a recreational vehicle. The lock assembly includes a driving member (1), a locking member (2), and a latch (110). The driving member (1) includes a connection end (11), and a driving end (12) movable with respect to the connection end (11). The connection end (11) is arranged on a fastener (100). The locking member (2) is rotatably arranged on a carrier (200) through a first rotation shaft (21). The driving end (12) is rotatably connected to the locking member (2) through a second rotation shaft (22). The locking member (2) includes a hook (23). The latch (110) is arranged on the fastener (100). The hook (23) is capable of hooking the latch (110).
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1146/annurev-neuro-070815-013824
|
Ten Years of Grid Cells
|
The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) creates a neural representation of space through a set of functionally dedicated cell types: grid cells, border cells, head direction cells, and speed cells. Grid cells, the most abundant functional cell type in the MEC, have hexagonally arranged firing fields that tile the surface of the environment. These cells were discovered only in 2005, but after 10 years of investigation, we are beginning to understand how they are organized in the MEC network, how their periodic firing fields might be generated, how they are shaped by properties of the environment, and how they interact with the rest of the MEC network. The aim of this review is to summarize what we know about grid cells and point out where our knowledge is still incomplete.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
] |
10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.10.009
|
Interoceptive awareness in patients with functional neurological symptoms
|
Historically, emotional factors, such as trauma or psychological conflict, have been suggested as causal factors of functional motor disorders (FMD). More recent approaches have instead stressed potential neural and cognitive abnormalities in the allocation and maintenance of attention. Yet these studies have mostly focused on how attention is allocated to exteroceptive signals about the state of the body. Given the proposed important role of interoception for emotion, the study of FMD patients' ability to monitor their interoceptive signals may serve as a useful, mechanistic link between studies that aim to identify key emotional factors in FMD, and those that examine specific sensorimotor or cognitive abnormalities. In the current study, we compared the interoceptive awareness of a group of individuals with FMD (N= 16) with a group of healthy controls (N= 17). We employed a commonly used heartbeat detection task which tracks the level of concordance between one's heart rate and its subjective perception, as a proxy for interoceptive awareness more generally. We found that FMD patients have lower interoceptive accuracy than healthy subjects, and such reduced interoceptive accuracy was predictive of their depressive symptoms, as well as their tendency to focus on the external features of their body (self-objectification). Contary to our predictions, interoceptive accuracy was not predictive of alexithymia. These results suggest a potental trade-off between the allocation of attention to internal versus external aspects of the body in FMD. More generally, they warrant further investigation of interoceptive awareness in this population, as a means to understand their emotional abnormalities at a more mechanistic level than studies concentrating on traumatic life events and related risk factors.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
interreg_188
|
Sustainable Sediment Management of Alpine Reservoirs considering ecological and economical aspects
|
The Alpine Region is regarded as the most valuable source of clean drinking water in Europe and of great importance for hydro power use. Management of water as an extremely valuable resource is guaranteed by numerous reservoirs enabling a third essential task: flood protection. Sediments are transported in rivers originated from natural geomorphological processes in alpine regions accumulating material in reservoirs. Thus storage capacity is reduced interfering with the needs of water supply, flood protection and hydro power. However, the lack of transported material in downstream sections heavily affects ecological variety, river bed stability and groundwater. The project aims on a wise management of sediments on basis of experiences gained on national level to establish trans-national guidelines taking into account the EU Water Framework Directive and spatial development needs to preserve existing reservoirs and to avoid uncontrolled exploitation by constructing new storage capacity.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Earth System Science"
] |
W1976462028
|
Speeding up of genetic algorithm for network topology optimization with use of cumulative updating of network reliability
|
Network optimization problems in conditions of constraints are NP-hard problems mostly. Genetic Algorithms are applicable solution for network structure optimization and for obtaining good results within acceptable periods of time. In this study we consider the problem of network topology optimization with unreliable communication channels and perfectly reliable nodes in order to obtain the most reliable structure. The problem of reliability computing for such networks is NP-hard so exact algorithm demands enormous computational effort. However, the method based on cumulative updating of lower and upper bounds of network reliability allows to decide the feasibility of a given network without performing exhaustive calculation of reliability. Relying on this technique we propose a new method which speed up network optimization process by the genetic algorithm.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
interreg_628
|
Sustainable MED Cities
|
Energy efficiency improvement is a key strategy to reduce the environmental impact of public buildings. But usually energy efficiency plans do not fully exploit the potential for synergies that groups of buildings might offer. Energy efficient measures and their implementation at neighbourhood level (i.e. district heating, PV installations, etc) are showing clearly that a building scale approach is not optimal in reaching significant and cost-effective improvements. However at neighbourhood scale, decision making processes and the design of the intervention are more complex. Many EU projects addressed this issue proposing different methodologies, tools and indicators. CESBA MED intends to test 10 of them and to select the most affordable and operational solutions. On the base of the test results' evaluation, a common sustainability assessment framework at urban scale, a set of 8 regional assessment tools (CESBA MED SNTool) and an innovative decision making process will be defined to support the development of energy efficiency plans for public buildings in the context of their surrounding neighbourhoods. CESBA SNTool will allow to produce the MED Passport to compare the performances of buildings and neighbourhoods, in line with the EC COM 2014 445. A CESBA MED network of cities will be set up to maximise results' transferability. Training courses and workshops will be organized in the MED area. The project will be part of the European CESBA initiative.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
] |
10.3390/rs9070735
|
Large-scale, multi-temporal remote sensing of palaeo-river networks: A case study from Northwest India and its implications for the indus civilisation
|
Remote sensing has considerable potential to contribute to the identification and reconstruction of lost hydrological systems and networks. Remote sensing-based reconstructions of palaeo-river networks have commonly employed single or limited time-span imagery, which limits their capacity to identify features in complex and varied landscape contexts. This paper presents a seasonal multi-temporal approach to the detection of palaeo-rivers over large areas based on long-term vegetation dynamics and spectral decomposition techniques. Twenty-eight years of Landsat 5 data, a total of 1711 multi-spectral images, have been bulk processed using Google Earth Engine. The use of multi-temporal data has allowed us to overcome seasonal cultivation patterns and long-term visibility issues related to recent crop selection, extensive irrigation and land-use patterns. The application of this approach on the Sutlej-Yamuna interfluve (northwest India), a core area for the Bronze Age Indus Civilisation, has enabled the reconstruction of an unsuspectedly complex palaeo-river network comprising more than 8000 km of palaeo-channels. It has also enabled the definition of the morphology of these relict courses, which provides insights into the environmental conditions in which they operated. These new data will contribute to a better understanding of the settlement distribution and environmental settings in which this, often considered riverine, civilisation operated.
|
[
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.1039/C6CE00193A
|
From Benzodithiophene To Diethoxy Benzodithiophene Covalent Organic Frameworks Structural Investigations
|
The incorporation of side groups into a covalent organic framework (COF) backbone can be of significant importance for developing new frameworks with enhanced properties. Here we present a novel π-stacked thiophene-based COF containing a benzodithiophene building unit modified with ethoxy side chains. The resulting BDT-OEt COF is a crystalline mesoporous material featuring high surface area and accessible hexagonal pores. We further synthesized a series of COFs containing both BDT and BDT-OEt building units at different ratios. The impact of the gradual incorporation of the BDT-OEt building units into the COF backbone on the crystallinity and porosity was investigated. Furthermore, molecular dynamic simulations shed light on the possible processes governing the COF assembly from molecular building blocks.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
981175
|
Microgel-Based high-performance smart filtration membranes for liquid nuclear waste treatment
|
The release of radioactive isotopes, with caesium (e.g. 137Cs+) being the most abundant species, are polluting a large quantity of water, substantially threatening human health, while the remediation remains challenging. Membrane separation is a good technology for water treatment thanks to its flexibility and easy up-scalability. However, the use of conventional membranes in nuclear industry is greatly limited due to their low adsorption capacity/selectivity to Cs+ and the fixed pore size that allows only retention of solid wastes but with the contaminated water remained untreated. Hexacyanoferrates (HCFs) nanoparticles(NPs) are among the most superior adsorbents of Cs+, but haven’t been combined with filtration membranes for nuclear water waste remediation due to the difficulty of NPs immobilization onto membrane and their relatively slower adsorption kinetics compared to water permeation rate. This proposed action aims to develop a new generation of smart membrane technology that can recover Cs+ straightforwardly and efficiently from aqueous nuclear wastes, by effectively integrating HCF into filtration membranes to enhance its Cs+ adsorption capacity/selectivity and by introducing a smart water gating function modulated by Cs+ adsorption to automatically control membrane water permeation. Microgel, being assembled in membrane pores, enables achieving the objectives with HCF NPs in situ grown in the microgel and with a Cs+ responsiveness designed for its size deformation. The action involves an experienced researcher, Dr Huagui Zhang, from Newcastle University in UK visiting the Institute of Physical Chemistry at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Walter Richtering for 24 months to work on the project “Microgel-based high-performance smart filtration membranes for liquid nuclear waste treatment” (M4WASTE). The action will provide a leap forward in the area of water treatment with membrane technology in nuclear industry and beyond.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b00268
|
Coexistence of Elastic Modulations in the Charge Density Wave State of 2 H-NbSe <inf>2</inf>
|
Bulk and single-layer 2H-NbSe 2 exhibit identical charge density wave order (CDW) with a quasi-commensurate 3 × 3 superlattice periodicity. Here we combine scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) imaging at T = 1 K of 2H-NbSe 2 with first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the structural atomic rearrangement of this CDW phase. Our calculations for single-layers reveal that six different atomic structures are compatible with the 3 × 3 CDW distortion, although all of them lie on a very narrow energy range of at most 3 meV per formula unit, suggesting the coexistence of such structures. Our atomically resolved STM images of bulk 2H-NbSe 2 unambiguously confirm this by identifying two of these structures. Remarkably, these structures differ from the X-ray crystal structure reported for the bulk 3 × 3 CDW which in fact is also one of the six DFT structures located for the single-layer. Our calculations also show that due to the minute energy difference between the different phases, the ground state of the 3 × 3 CDW could be extremely sensitive to doping, external strain or internal pressure within the crystal. The presence of multiphase CDW order in 2H-NbSe 2 may provide further understanding of its low temperature state and the competition between different instabilities.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
W298899029
|
Reliability of the VDO Clip-based Goniometry Method for Measuring Range of Motion of the Elbow
|
Purpose: Telemedicine is an adaptation of internet-based communication for remote patients. The video (VDO) clip-based goniometry method is a type of telemedicine that would be useful for patients who need periodic assessment. A previous report showed the validation of this technique but it did not verify the generalizability or reproducibility of the technique. The purpose of this study was to determine the generalizability and reproducibility of the VDO clip-based goniometry method for measuring the range of motion of the elbow. Methods: Both elbow flexion and extension, and forearm pronation and supination were measured by the specialist in elbow surgery using standard goniometer. On the same day, VDO records of 30 subjects were performed. One week later, the VDO clips were displayed and their range of motion (ROM) was measured using free download software (PicPick, 3.1.0) by an orthopaedic resident (to determine inter-rater/intra-method reliability). One month later, measurements were taken again by the same specialist (to determine intra-rater/intra-method reliability). Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman analysis showed the capability of VDO-clip based goniometry and clinical goniometry by the specialist in elbow surgery and orthopaedic resident especially in elbow extension and forearm supination. For elbow flexion and forearm pronation, the data showed that there was some degree of correlation but not as strong as flexion and extension. The results were reproducible by the specialist in elbow surgery even when the measurements were taken again 1 month later. Conclusion: The VDO clip-based goniometry method for measuring the range of motion of the elbow was reproducible by a specialist in elbow surgery. It was also shown to be possible even if the measurement was obtained by an orthopaedic resident. This offers a great opportunity to follow the outcome assessment of patients for whom transportation to a tertiary care center is a significant barrier. Keywords: Elbow range of motion, measurement, telemedicine, VDO clip-based goniometry
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1167/12.2.10
|
Visual Motion Distorts Visual And Motor Space
|
Much evidence suggests that visual motion can cause severe distortions in the perception of spatial position. In this study, we show that visual motion also distorts saccadic eye movements. Landing positions of saccades performed to objects presented in the vicinity of visual motion were biased in the direction of motion. The targeting errors for both saccades and perceptual reports were maximum during motion onset and were of very similar magnitude under the two conditions. These results suggest that visual motion affects a representation of spatial position, or spatial map, in a similar fashion for visuomotor action as for perception.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
W2299086563
|
Error assessment of satellite-derived lead fraction in the Arctic
|
Abstract. Leads within consolidated sea ice control heat exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere during winter, thus constituting an important climate parameter. These narrow elongated features occur when sea ice is fracturing under the action of wind and currents, reducing the local mechanical strength of the ice cover, which in turn impact the sea ice drift pattern. This creates a high demand for a high-quality lead fraction (LF) data set for sea ice model evaluation, initialization, and for the assimilation of such data in regional models. In this context, an available LF data set retrieved from satellite passive microwave observations (Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer – Earth Observing System, AMSR-E) is of great value, which has been providing pan-Arctic light- and cloud-independent daily coverage since 2002. In this study errors in this data set are quantified using accurate LF estimates retrieved from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images employing a threshold technique. A consistent overestimation of LF by a factor of 2–4 is found in the AMSR-E LF product. It is shown that a simple adjustment of the upper tie point used in the method to estimate the LF can reduce the pixel-wise error by a factor of 2 on average. Applying such an adjustment to the full data set may thus significantly increase the quality and value of the original data set.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1002/anie.201705932
|
Anaerobic Origin of Ergothioneine
|
Ergothioneine is a sulfur metabolite that occurs in microorganisms, fungi, plants, and animals. The physiological function of ergothioneine is not clear. In recent years broad scientific consensus has formed around the idea that cellular ergothioneine primarily protects against reactive oxygen species. Herein we provide evidence that this focus on oxygen chemistry may be too narrow. We describe two enzymes from the strictly anaerobic green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium limicola that mediate oxygen-independent biosynthesis of ergothioneine. This anoxic origin suggests that ergothioneine is also important for oxygen-independent life. Furthermore, one of the discovered ergothioneine biosynthetic enzymes provides the first example of a rhodanese-like enzyme that transfers sulfur to non-activated carbon.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.1137/17M1125388
|
The Effect On Fisher Kpp Propagation In A Cylinder With Fast Diffusion On The Boundary
|
In this paper we consider a reaction-diffusion equation of Fisher-KPP type inside an infinite cylindrical domain in $\mathbb{R}^{N+1}$, coupled with a reaction-diffusion equation on the boundary of the domain, where potentially fast diffusion is allowed. We will study the existence of an asymptotic speed of propagation for solutions of the Cauchy problem associated with such a system, as well as the dependence of this speed on the diffusivity at the boundary and the amplitude of the cylinder. When $N=1$ the domain reduces to a strip between two straight lines. This models the effect of two roads with fast diffusion on a strip-shaped field bounded by them.
|
[
"Mathematics"
] |
US 2007/0081980 W
|
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING A COMMUNICATIONS SESSION WITH AN END-USER BASED ON THE STATE OF A NETWORK CONNECTION
|
A method for establishing a communications session includes receiving a request to initiate a communications session. The request is associated with an end-user and the end-user is associated with at least two identifiers. The method also includes selecting one of the at least two identifiers in response to performance information associated with the selected one of the at least two identifiers. The method also includes establishing a communications session with the end-user in response to selecting the one of the at least two identifiers.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
W815257151
|
Molecular modus operandi of ligand-gated ion channels : Studies of trimeric P2X receptors and pentameric GABA A receptors
|
This thesis, by using various chemical and biological tools, focuses on the molecular modus operandi of two different superfamilies of ligand-gated ion channels: P2XRs and GABAARs. P2XR is a cation-selective ion channel gated by extracellular ATP (and is implicated in diverse physiological processes, from synaptic transmission to inflammation to the sensing of taste and pain. Here I studied the molecular mechanism underlying ATP binding and channel opening of the P2X receptors. In the ATP-binding site study, we definitely localized the ATP-binding sites in P2X2 receptor through affnity labeling. Our results thus define a large and dynamic inter-subunit ATP-binding pocket. In the “gating”†part, an inter-subunit salt bridge located at the “body” domain that regulates channel gating movement was identified by using charge reversal and charge swapping combined with double mutant cycle analysisPentameric GABAARs form chloride permeable ion channels and mediate inhibitory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. The modulation of their action is critical for brain normal function and for various pathophysiological conditions. In the GABAARs part, using patch-clamp electrophysiology, we described the allosteric modulation of GABAARs by a series of synthetic compounds that are trans-retrochalcones belonging to the flavonoids family. We characterized their subunit-dependent positive modulations at both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAARs. Our data reveal an original mode of action and provide a rational basis for hypothesis-driven drug discovery efforts with emphasis on the retrochalcone scaffold for treating GABAA-related central nervous system disorders.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
W2036399578
|
Development and characterisation of soluble polymeric particles for pulmonary peptide delivery
|
Pulmonary administration of protein and peptide drugs using inhaled dry powder particles is an interesting alternative to parenteral delivery. The stabilisation of these molecules is essential to the maintenance of biological activity in such inhalation formulations. Here salmon calcitonin (sCT) was co-spray dried with linear or branched PEG (L-PEG and B-PEG) and PVP in order to formulate aerosolisable particles of the bioactive peptide. Co-spray drying L-PEG and PVP resulted in porous particles, with minimal D(50) (median volume diameter) and MMAD (mass median aerodynamic diameter) values obtained for a PEG/PVP w/w ratio of 1. For particles based on both L-PEG and B-PEG, an increase in acetone, a poor solvent for the PVP, up to 70wt% of the spray dried solution led to a decrease in D(50) and MMAD. Crystallinity of PEG in the particles ranged between 90 and 97% when the PVP content varied between 15 and 70wt%, indicating a low degree of interaction between PVP and PEG. Additionally, dynamic vapour sorption analysis showed that an increase in PVP content increased the particle surface hygroscopicity. Hence, particle properties were adjusted by altering the water/acetone and PEG/PVP ratio in the spray dried solutions. PVP present at the particles surface protects them from melting during the spray drying process but also increases their hygroscopicity, adversely affecting their aerodynamic properties. Targeting a 5wt% of sCT loading resulted in a loading efficiency of 77.9 and 83.6% with L-PEG and B-PEG-based particles, respectively. Loading of sCT in L-PEG or B-PEG-based particles modified particle roughness and D(50), leading to an increase in MMAD of the L-PEG-based particles. However, particles were still considered to be suitable for aerosolisation as their FPFs (fine particle fractions) were higher than 30%. These particles formulated with PVP and PEG allowed sCT biological activity to be maintained when evaluated by measuring cAMP production by T47D cells.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1038/nature13043
|
Disclinations provide the missing mechanism for deforming olivine-rich rocks in the mantle
|
Mantle flow involves large strains of polymineral aggregates. The strongly anisotropic plastic response of each individual grain in the aggregate results from the interactions between neighbouring grains and the continuity of material displacement across the grain boundaries. Orthorhombic olivine, which is the dominant mineral phase of the Earth's upper mantle, does not exhibit enough slip systems to accommodate a general deformation state by intracrystalline slip without inducing damage. Here we show that a more general description of the deformation process that includes the motion of rotational defects referred to as disclinations can solve the olivine deformation paradox. We use high-resolution electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) maps of deformed olivine aggregates to resolve the disclinations. The disclinations are found to decorate grain boundaries in olivine samples deformed experimentally and in nature. We present a disclination-based model of a high-angle tilt boundary in olivine, which demonstrates that an applied shear induces grain-boundary migration through disclination motion. This new approach clarifies grain-boundary-mediated plasticity in polycrystalline aggregates. By providing the missing mechanism for describing plastic flow in olivine, this work will permit multiscale modelling of the rheology of the upper mantle, from the atomic scale to the scale of the flow.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.1021/acschembio.8b00270
|
Detection of Chemical Engagement of Solute Carrier Proteins by a Cellular Thermal Shift Assay
|
Solute carriers (SLCs) are transmembrane proteins that transport various nutrients, metabolites, and drugs across cellular membranes. Despite the relevance of SLCs to cell homeostasis, metabolism, and disease states, for the majority of SLCs we lack experimental evidence regarding the nature of the cognate ligands, whether endobiotic or xenobiotic. Moreover, even for the roughly 20 SLCs for which inhibitors have been characterized, engagement assays in cells are limited to the accessibility of radiolabeled or fluorescent probes. The cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) has been introduced as a powerful method to assess target engagement by monitoring ligand-induced changes in the thermal stability of cellular proteins. We addressed the question of whether CETSA could be modified to become routinely applicable to membrane transporters such as SLCs. We used SLC16A1 (MCT1) and SLC1A2 (EAAT2) as targets to establish robust conditions by which chemical engagement of SLCs can be detected. Using immunoblotting, we demonstrate that treatment with the SLC16A1 inhibitors AZD3965 and AR-C155858 stabilized endogenous SLC16A1 in HEK293 cell lysates as well as intact cells. In addition, the high-affinity ligand of SLC16A1, l-lactate, and the low-affinity ligand, formate, resulted in strong and weak stabilization of SLC16A1, respectively. Moreover, we observed stabilization of SLC1A2 upon treatment with the selective inhibitor WAY-213613. We propose that the experimental approach presented here should be generally and easily applicable for monitoring the engagement of chemical ligands by SLCs in cellular settings and thus assisting in their deorphanization.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
] |
W1990946951
|
Determination of melamine concentrations in dairy samples
|
Abstract Melamine, a basic organic chemical intermediate, can cause renal failure because of the formation of insoluble melamine cyanurate crystals in the kidneys. This study examined a novel fluorescence spectrometry for the determination of trace melamine in dairy. The method was based on the inhibitory effect of melamine on the decolorizing reaction of the uncatalytic oxidation of acridine red by potassium permanganate in a sulfuric acid medium. The calibration graph was linear for melamine concentrations of 2.1 × 10−4–1.6 mg/L, and a detection limit of 61.5 ng/L was obtained. The melamine was determined in dairy samples by the proposed method after liquid–liquid and solid phase extraction. The results correlated with the high-performance liquid chromatography. The recoveries were within the range of 99.6–103.3% for liquid milk and 98.5–111.1% for milk powder. The possible mechanism of the reaction was also investigated by ultraviolet spectra.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
Q4574666
|
Research and development of the new MEDIMONITOR system for intelligent diagnostic forecasting
|
The subject of the proposed project is to create a software platform with elements of knowledge management and artificial intelligence. Its output will be a new MEDIMONITOR system using artificial intelligence, which will significantly affect treatments, especially where there is a diagnosis with a long-term impact, with an impact on quality of life and also with an impact on the quality of the workforce. The output of the project will be software.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
GB 2009001857 W
|
PUMP
|
A progressive cavity pump is provided, having a stator section and a rotor section axially aligned with and surrounded by the stator section, a drive shaft connection section and a suction chamber, arranged between the stator section and the drive shaft connection section; wherein the suction chamber is configured such that it can be disassembled without moving the stator section or the drive shaft connection section, thereby facilitating the performance of maintenance operations.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
10.1007/978-3-662-48971-0_48
|
Effectiveness Of Structural Restrictions For Hybrid Csps
|
Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP) is a fundamental algorithmic problem that appears in many areas of Computer Science. It can be equivalently stated as computing a homomorphism \({\mathbf {R}\rightarrow \varvec{\Gamma }}\) between two relational structures, e. g. between two directed graphs. Analyzing its complexity has been a prominent research direction, especially for the fixed template CSPs where the right side \(\varvec{\Gamma }\) is fixed and the left side \(\mathbf {R}\) is unconstrained.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1038/s41467-018-04865-7
|
LINC complex-Lis1 interplay controls MT1-MMP matrix digest-on-demand response for confined tumor cell migration
|
Cancer cells' ability to migrate through constricting pores in the tissue matrix is limited by nuclear stiffness. MT1-MMP contributes to metastasis by widening matrix pores, facilitating confined migration. Here, we show that modulation of matrix pore size or of lamin A expression known to modulate nuclear stiffness directly impinges on levels of MT1-MMP-mediated pericellular collagenolysis by cancer cells. A component of this adaptive response is the centrosome-centered distribution of MT1-MMP intracellular storage compartments ahead of the nucleus. We further show that this response, including invadopodia formation in association with confining matrix fibrils, requires an intact connection between the nucleus and the centrosome via the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex protein nesprin-2 and dynein adaptor Lis1. Our results uncover a digest-on-demand strategy for nuclear translocation through constricted spaces whereby confined migration triggers polarization of MT1-MMP storage compartments and matrix proteolysis in front of the nucleus depending on nucleus-microtubule linkage.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
10.1002/dvg.20656
|
Hoxb8-Cre mice: A tool for brain-sparing conditional gene deletion
|
The spinal cord is the first site of temporal and spatial integration of nociceptive signals in the pain pathway. Neuroplastic changes occurring at this site contribute critically to various chronic pain syndromes. Gene targeting in mice has generated important insights into these processes. However, the analysis of constitutive (global) gene-deficient mice is often hampered by confounding effects arising from supraspinal sites. Here, we describe a novel Cre mouse line that expresses the Cre recombinase under the transcriptional control of the Hoxb8 gene. Within the neural axis of these mice, Hoxb8-Cre expression is found in spinal cord neurons and glial cells, and in virtually all neurons of the dorsal root ganglia, but spares the brain apart from a few cells in the spinal trigeminal nucleus. The Hoxb8-Cre mouse line should be a valuable new tool for the in vivo analysis of peripheral and spinal gene functions in pain pathways.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
] |
US 59780284 A
|
Rotary multiposition valve
|
The disclosure is directed to a rotary multiposition valve for selectively directing the flow of a fluid through a plurality of paths. The valve comprises an inner member and a hollow housing with a row of ducts on its outer surface. The ducts are in fluid communication with the housing. An engaging section of the inner member is received in the housing. A seal divides the engaging section into a hollow inlet segment and a hollow outlet segment. A plurality of inlet apertures are disposed in the inlet segment and a plurality of outlet apertures are disposed in the outlet segment. The inlet apertures are disposed in a longitudinally and radially spaced-apart pattern that can be a helix. The outlet apertures are disposed in a corresponding pattern. As the inner member is rotated, whenever an inlet aperture overlaps one of the ducts, the corresponding outlet aperture overlaps a different duct, thus forming a fluid pathway.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1109/ISBI.2016.7493375
|
Optimized In Vivo Conductivity Estimation Using Bem
|
One of the most important factors limiting the accuracy of source localization with EEG is the ignorance of the conductivity of brain, skull and skin. Because these parameters are highly subject dependent, it has been proposed to estimate them in vivo using an electrical impedance tomographic approach. Here the associated conductivity parameter estimation problem is analyzed in the context of different boundary element approaches. The numerical accuracies of the following combinations are compared: double layer and monolayer, linear and constant interpolation. Contrary to the superior behavior of the monolayer approach to predict potentials generated by dipolar sources, for potentials generated by injected currents hardly any improvement was found when comparing the double and monolayer BEM combined with constant potential interpolation. For linear potential interpolation, the numerical accuracy of the double layer approach was found much better than the monolayer approach.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System"
] |
10.1007/jhep12(2019)177
|
Four-particle scattering amplitudes in QCD at NNLO to higher orders in the dimensional regulator
|
Abstract
We compute all helicity amplitudes for four particle scattering in massless QCD with n
f
fermion flavours to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in perturbation theory. In particular, we consider all possible configurations of external quarks and gluons. We evaluate the amplitudes in terms of a Laurent series in the dimensional regulator to the order required for future next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N3LO) calculations. The coefficients of the Laurent series are given in terms of harmonic polylogarithms that can readily be evaluated numerically. We present our findings in the conventional dimensional regularisation and in the t’Hooft-Veltman schemes.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1021/acsnano.5b01636
|
Fabrication of Self-Cleaning, Reusable Titania Templates for Nanometer and Micrometer Scale Protein Patterning
|
The photocatalytic self-cleaning characteristics of titania facilitate the fabrication of reuseable templates for protein nanopatterning. Titania nanostructures were fabricated over square centimeter areas by interferometric lithography (IL) and nanoimprint lithography (NIL). With the use of a Lloyd's mirror two-beam interferometer, self-assembled monolayers of alkylphosphonates adsorbed on the native oxide of a Ti film were patterned by photocatalytic nanolithography. In regions exposed to a maximum in the interferogram, the monolayer was removed by photocatalytic oxidation. In regions exposed to an intensity minimum, the monolayer remained intact. After exposure, the sample was etched in piranha solution to yield Ti nanostructures with widths as small as 30 nm. NIL was performed by using a silicon stamp to imprint a spin-cast film of titanium dioxide resin; after calcination and reactive ion etching, TiO<inf>2</inf> nanopillars were formed. For both fabrication techniques, subsequent adsorption of an oligo(ethylene glycol) functionalized trichlorosilane yielded an entirely passive, protein-resistant surface. Near-UV exposure caused removal of this protein-resistant film from the titania regions by photocatalytic degradation, leaving the passivating silane film intact on the silicon dioxide regions. Proteins labeled with fluorescent dyes were adsorbed to the titanium dioxide regions, yielding nanopatterns with bright fluorescence. Subsequent near-UV irradiation of the samples removed the protein from the titanium dioxide nanostructures by photocatalytic degradation facilitating the adsorption of a different protein. The process was repeated multiple times. These simple methods appear to yield durable, reuseable samples that may be of value to laboratories that require nanostructured biological interfaces but do not have access to the infrastructure required for nanofabrication.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1007/JHEP01(2020)004
|
Metastable Vacua In Large N Qcd3
|
We reexamine the vacuum structure of three-dimensional quantum chromodynamics (QCD3) with gauge group SU(N), Nf fundamental quark flavors, and a level-k Chern-Simons term. This analysis can be reliably carried out in the large-N, fixed Nf, k limit of the theory, up to certain assumptions that we spell out explicitly. At leading order in the large-N expansion we find Nf + 1 distinct, exactly degenerate vacuum superselection sectors with different patterns of flavor-symmetry breaking. The associated massless Nambu-Goldstone bosons are generically accompanied by topological Chern-Simons theories. This set of vacua explicitly realizes many candidate phases previously proposed for QCD3. At subleading order in the large-N expansion, the exact degeneracy between the different superselection sectors is lifted, leading to a multitude of metastable vacua. If we dial the quark masses, different metastable vacua can become the true vacuum of the theory, leading to a sequence of first-order phase transitions. We show that this intricate large-N dynamics can be captured by the previously proposed bosonic dual theories for QCD3, provided these bosonic duals are furnished with a suitable scalar potential. Interestingly, this potential must include terms beyond quartic order in the scalar fields.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Mathematics"
] |
interreg_1581
|
Development of ecosystem-based risk governance concepts with respect to natural hazards and climate impacts – from ecosystem-based solutions to integrated risk assessment
|
In natural hazard and risk reduction worldwide, but especially in the Alpine Space (AS), forests and mountain ecosystems are outstandingly important, and are increasingly considered on-par with technical measures or other prevention concepts. Forests efficiently protect against avalanches, torrents, landslides or rock-fall. However, so far, few strategies or policy concepts have been developed, on how to integrate forests and ecosystem services in risk governance and balance the numerous interests, demands and costs. Upcoming challenges in the AS are dramatic: Limitation of settlement space, increasing costs for the protection of settlements, more conflicts by increasing demands and expectations or critical development of economies like ‘monoculture tourism’. Without an adequate, territorially specific implementation of mountain ecosystems services (incl. forests) in a risk mitigation strategy, sustainable development in the AS will be hard to achieve. Thus, the overarching goal of GreenRisk4ALPs (GR4A) is the DEVELOPMENT OF ECOSYSTEM-BASED CONCEPTS TO SUPPORT RISK GOVERNANCE WITH RESPECT TO NATURAL HAZARDS AND CLIMATE IMPACTS. GR4A brings the forest into affordable and long-term-oriented risk mgmt. by balancing green, technical and preventive risk strategies. However, GR4A also helps to overcome conflicts and resistances: all relevant actors are involved and provided with science-based communication support.GR4A also offers transalpine solutions – for municipalities as well as governance institutions, by delivering new tools for practitioners and new recommendations for ecosystem-based risk mgmt. The GR4A consortium integrates researchers, practitioners and managers from the AS. The project’s foundation are five pilot action regions (PAR) from SLO/ITA/FRA/GER/AUT, which are fully involved. GR4A directly supports sustainability and life quality of the AS, by balanced long-term solutions.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
] |
10.1021/acs.cgd.8b01134
|
Tuning the particle sizes in spherical agglomeration
|
This paper presents an experimental technique for tuning the size of spherical agglomerates together with a simple model that provides qualitative information on the agglomerate size. Spherical agglomerates of benzoic acid of varying sizes using toluene as the bridging liquid were obtained with a very good reproducibility. The bridging liquid was injected into the crystal suspension via a capillary to control the initial size of the bridging liquid droplets. Experimental results obtained at different operating conditions show a clear correlation between the initial droplet size and the agglomerate size. Agglomerate size noticeably decreases with reducing the capillary size. Horizontal injection of the bridging liquid produces smaller agglomerates as compared to those produced with a vertical injection, while the size of agglomerates is insensitive to the different injection positions used in this study. Agglomerate size decreases along with the increasing stirring rate. The presented model adequately captures the behavior of the system and gives a qualitative agreement with the experimental results.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
3727215
|
Governing resource urbanisation (grout): multi-stakeholder governance of extractive industries in the era of planetary urbanisation
|
GROUT will address the governance challenges posed by mining projects advancing close to urban areas. Europe is making a concerted effort to increase a sustainable supply of minerals from European sources, This project will improve knowledge and expertise on the governance of these urbanising frontiers. This fellowship will be carried out in the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM) at University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, under the supervision of Dr. Jo-Anne Everingham, expert in governance studies. After two years I will return to the Institute of Science and Environmental Technology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (ICTA-UAB), Spain, under the supervision of Prof. Isabelle Anguelovski, head of the Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability. Through the study of a Coal Seam Gas extraction project in the outskirts of Sydney I will innovatively combine qualitative (in-depth interviews and participant observation) and participative (World Cafe) methodologies to analyse the transformations of subjects and institutions through the analysis of power relations and environmental justice. By bringing together the inter-disciplinary fields of political ecology of extractive industries (my own expertise) with resource governance and critical urban studies (training plan) I will advance theory and analysis in the new theoretical field of Resource Urbanisation Governance (RUG). I will place special emphasis in understanding the transformations affecting women (narratives and demands, power imbalances and consequences). My training plan will include training on resource governance (at CSRM), critical urban-studies (at ICTA-UAB and UQ), Environmental Justice (ICTA-UAB and University of Sydney) and transferable skills such as gender research, facilitation, communication, project management. These will be of extreme importance for the communication and dissemination of project results and to achieve the goals of my Career Development Plan.
|
[
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
10.1038/ngeo3009
|
Fluid-driven metamorphism of the continental crust governed by nanoscale fluid flow
|
The transport of fluids through the Earth's crust controls the redistribution of elements to form mineral and hydrocarbon deposits, the release and sequestration of greenhouse gases, and facilitates metamorphic reactions that influence lithospheric rheology. In permeable systems with a well-connected porosity, fluid transport is largely driven by fluid pressure gradients. In less permeable rocks, deformation may induce permeability by creating interconnected heterogeneities, but without these perturbations, mass transport is limited along grain boundaries or relies on transformation processes that self-generate transient fluid pathways. The latter can facilitate large-scale fluid and mass transport in nominally impermeable rocks without large-scale fluid transport pathways. Here, we show that pervasive, fluid-driven metamorphism of crustal igneous rocks is directly coupled to the production of nanoscale porosity. Using multi-dimensional nano-imaging and molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that in feldspar, the most abundant mineral family in the Earth's crust, electrokinetic transport through reaction-induced nanopores (<100 nm) can potentially be significant. This suggests that metamorphic fluid flow and fluid-mediated mineral transformation reactions can be considerably influenced by nanofluidic transport phenomena.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.1073/pnas.1414293111
|
Intrinsically organized resting state networks in the human spinal cord
|
Spontaneous fluctuations in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals of the brain have repeatedly been observed when no task or external stimulation is present. These fluctuations likely reflect baseline neuronal activity of the brain and correspond to functionally relevant resting-state networks (RSN). It is not known however, whether intrinsically organized and spatially circumscribed RSNs also exist in the spinal cord, the brain's principal sensorimotor interface with the body. Here, we use recent advances in spinal fMRI methodology and independent component analysis to answer this question in healthy human volunteers. We identified spatially distinct RSNs in the human spinal cord that were clearly separated into dorsal and ventral components, mirroring the functional neuroanatomy of the spinal cord and likely reflecting sensory and motor processing. Interestingly, dorsal (sensory) RSNs were separated into right and left components, presumably related to ongoing hemibody processing of somatosensory information, whereas ventral (motor) RSNs were bilateral, possibly related to commissural interneuronal networks involved in central pattern generation. Importantly, all of these RSNs showed a restricted spatial extent along the spinal cord and likely conform to the spinal cord's functionally relevant segmental organization. Although the spatial and temporal properties of the dorsal and ventral RSNs were found to be significantly different, these networks showed significant interactions with each other at the segmental level. Together, our data demonstrate that intrinsically highly organized resting-state fluctuations exist in the human spinal cord and are thus a hallmark of the entire central nervous system.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
W2019732914
|
Development of a Standard Checklist for Protection to Electrical Accidents of Laboratory
|
대학 연구기관 등의 연구실에서 감전, 전기화재 등 전기사고방지를 위해 수행하는 전기분야 정기점검에 대한 문제점을 파악하고 명확한 기준이 없는 점검항목에 대해 실제 효율적으로 적용 가능하도록 구체적인 기준을 제시한다. 그래서 연구실 전기안전취약요인을 개선하도록 체계적이고 능률적인 정기점검 실시를 위한 표준모델을 마련하고자 한다. 또한, 모든 연구실의 전기안전환경을 중심으로 객관적인 평가가 가능하도록 공통으로 적용될 수 있는 점검항목을 도출하여 연구실 전기안전관리에 부합하도록 연구실 정기점검 전기분야 체크리스트를 개발 한다. 본 연구에서 개발된 전기분야 체크리스트는 실제 필요한 점검 항목에 대한 명확한 기준을 설정하여 모든 연구실에 공통으로 적용할 수 있도록 개발하여 정기점검 수행시 바로 실행 가능하도록 하였다. 이는 연구실의 전기사고 방지를 위한 효율적인 점검뿐만 아니라, 연구실안전수준을 전반적으로 상승시킬 것이다. This paper informs the standard guideline of electrical inspection for the University laboratories and R&D institutes. A routine electrical inspection is there to prevent an electric shock and electrical fire accident in the Lab. The main issue of this paper is to check the problem of a routine electrical inspection and this paper provides a detailed guideline of a checklist for the Lab which do not have detailed instruction. It mentions the standard model of an effective routine inspection to upgrade the weak electrical environment in the Lab. One of the main purposes of this paper is to develop a routine checklist to control the electrical environment in the Lab. The evaluation checklist we develop will then be applied to every Lab. Introducing an electrical safety checklist builds a clear standard guideline for a real safety check. This will be used as a regular routine check-up for every Lab. The goal of this paper is to enforce safety from electrical accidents in the lab and it will provide safety guidelines for every Lab.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
2719547
|
Software parallelisation with emmtrix parallel studio
|
The introduction of multicore processors in 2005 enabled a wide range of computation-intensive real-time applications, in the
PC and embedded sector. Especially high-performance embedded systems, as used in today’s automotive technologies
(like driver assistance systems), in avionics but also in industrial automation, led to the rapid technological progress in the
last 12 years. However, while hardware development is progressing rapidly, software development is facing a major
challenge: to make full use of the potential of multi-core processors, the software has to be programmed for parallel
computational units and the required effort to do this manually is exponentially increasing with the number of cores available.
As a result and in view of the current development to increase the cores available, manual software development for such
systems increasingly becomes technically and economically unviable. emmtrix Technologies GmbH has the solution: with
the emmtrix Parallel Studio (ePS), software parallelisation can be automated, and the parallelisation effort can be reduced
from several months to a few weeks or days. ePS is automatically realising the error-free implementation of parallelisation
and rewrites the code. The tool supports the most common programming languages as well as model-based languages,
such as those already established in the automotive industry. Both, the automotive industry (e.g. Bosch, Continental, BMW,
ETAS) and the aviation industry (e.g. DLR, Airbus, GE Aviation) are already directly involved in the development of ePS via
a number of R&D projects. emmtrix plans the market entry with these industries. With market reports projecting for the
embedded software market a CAGR of over 7% and a volume of €16.73 billion by 2024, the potential growth for emmtrix is
enormous. With the help of a grant from the SME instrument, emmtrix expects an accelerated market entry and, mainly
through license sales, a potential turnover of €8.82 million by 2024.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1093/mnras/sty859
|
KiDS-i-800: Comparing weak gravitational lensing measurements from same-sky surveys
|
We present a weak gravitational lensing analysis of 815 deg2 of i-band imaging from the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS-i-800). In contrast to the deep r-band observations, which take priority during excellent seeing conditions and form the primary KiDS data set (KiDS-r-450), the complementary yet shallower KiDS-i-800 spans a wide range of observing conditions. The overlapping KiDS-i-800 and KiDS-r-450 imaging therefore provides a unique opportunity to assess the robustness of weak lensing measurements. In our analysis we introduce two new 'null' tests. The 'nulled' two-point shear correlation function uses a matched catalogue to show that the calibrated KiDS-i-800 and KiDS-r-450 shear measurements agree at the level of 1 ± 4 per cent. We use five galaxy lens samples to determine a 'nulled' galaxy-galaxy lensing signal from the full KiDS-i-800 and KiDS-r-450 surveys and find that the measurements agree to 7 ± 5 per cent when the KiDS-i-800 source redshift distribution is calibrated using either spectroscopic redshifts, or the 30-band photometric redshifts from the COSMOS survey.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.1080/20414005.2017.1329268
|
Dimensions Of Justice And Justification In Eu And Transnational Contexts
|
ABSTRACTThe introduction to this special issue presents and explains the main idea behind each contribution to this collection of papers. Specifically, this special issue explores a grammar of justice and justification through political theory, legal and sociological perspectives, and discusses their relevance in EU and transnational contexts. The introduction also links the papers together and supplies some concluding thoughts.
|
[
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
Q4213694
|
POR LABBIO CRISTINA
|
PEDIDO DE CONCESSÃO PREVISTA NO ANÚNCIO PÚBLICO DE PEQUENAS SUBVENÇÕES A PME SUSPENSAS OU COM UMA GRAVE DIMINUIÇÃO DO VOLUME DE NEGÓCIOS
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
W1989602875
|
Full-term development of rats from oocytes fertilized in vitro using cryopreserved ejaculated sperm
|
For preservation of rat spermatozoa, the general-purpose method requires that the male be sacrificed for collection of spermatozoa from the epididymides. However, it would be highly useful if the ejaculated spermatozoa could be successfully cryopreserved and the frozen-thawed spermatozoa used for in vitro fertilization, since this would allow the genetically valuable rats to be maintained alive rather than sacrificed. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether ejaculated rat spermatozoa could be successfully cryopreserved and fertilized in vitro. The motility and viability of frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa were similar to those of frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa (around 10%). The percentage of acrosomal integrity in epididymal spermatozoa was significantly higher than that in ejaculated spermatozoa after freezing/thawing. The level of capacitation-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation in frozen-thawed ejaculated sperm was slightly increased at 5h. When the frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa were used for in vitro fertilization, the percentages of fertilization, pronuclear formation, and development to the 2-cell stage (26.5%, 23.0%, and 91.0%, respectively) were similar to those of frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa (19.4%, 15.0%, and 84.1%, respectively). However, the rate of blastocyst formation in the ejaculated group was significantly lower than that in the epididymal group (12.0% vs 43.2%). Results from the embryo transfer experiment showed that the proportions of embryos developed to term were similar between the ejaculated (47.7%) and epididymal groups (53.7%). We showed here for the first time that ejaculated spermatozoa can be cryopreserved and the frozen-thawed sperm could be developed to term via in vitro fertilization in rats.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
] |
10.1021/acs.biochem.8b01150
|
Tuning Protein Diffusivity with Membrane Tethers
|
Diffusion is essential for biochemical processes because it dominates molecular movement on small scales. Enzymatic reactions, for example, require fast exchange of substrate and product molecules in the local environment of the enzyme to ensure efficient turnover. On larger spatial scales, diffusion of secreted signaling proteins is thought to limit the spatial extent of tissue differentiation during embryonic development. While it is possible to measure diffusion in vivo, specifically interfering with diffusion processes and testing diffusion models directly remains challenging. The development of genetically encoded nanobodies that bind specific proteins has provided the opportunity to alter protein localization and reduce protein mobility. Here, we extend the nanobody toolbox with a membrane-tethered low-affinity diffusion regulator that can be used to tune the effective diffusivity of extracellular molecules over an order of magnitude in living embryos. This opens new avenues for future applications to functionally interfere with diffusion-dependent processes.
|
[
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
2723733
|
Support to the vice-presidents of the erc scientific council 2019
|
The European Research Council (ERC) provides a competitive platform for investigator-driven frontier research at the European level. It is led by a Scientific Council (ScC) consisting of 21 eminent scientists and their President, and it is this council that independently establishes and oversees theERC's scientific management and the implementation of its Work Programme. This project aims to support the ERCVice-Presidents, who act on an honorary basis, in the efficient and timely achievement of the ScC's goals in 2019.
This project will provide local administrative and advisory support to the three ERC Vice-Presidents.The staff supported by this project will provide analysis of the output of the ERCand the ScC to the Vice-Presidents, preparatory work for the meetings of the ScC, support with scientific outreach and representation, as well as maintaining a clear and efficient channel of communication between the Vice-Presidents and the ERC's Executive Agency. A key duty of the Vice-Presidents is maintaining the integrity of the ERC's evaluation panels, and the staff supported by this grant will facilitate this by providing detail information and analysis of potential panel members to the Vice-Presidents to allow them to take informed decisions on recruitment.The staff will also coordinate the invitation of new panel members and communicate with them during the recruitment process.
The impact of the project will be to ensure the efficient and well-managed operation of the ScC. This support is required, as the duties of the Vice-Presidents demand a considerable portion of their time. By allowing the Vice-Presidents to effectively and efficiently perform their duties, this project will contribute significantly to the continued implementation of the ERC under Horizon 2020.
|
[
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
] |
10.1021/ja508213d
|
Rational design of pH-controlled DNA strand displacement
|
Achieving strategies to finely regulate with biological inputs the formation and functionality of DNA-based nanoarchitectures and nanomachines is essential toward a full realization of the potential of DNA nanotechnology. Here we demonstrate an unprecedented, rational approach to achieve control, through a simple change of the solution's pH, over an important class of DNA association-based reactions. To do so we took advantage of the pH dependence of parallel Hoogsteen interactions and rationally designed two triplex-based DNA strand displacement strategies that can be triggered and finely regulated at either basic or acidic pHs. Because pH change represents an important input both in healthy and pathological biological pathways, our findings can have implication for the development of DNA nanostructures whose assembly and functionality can be triggered in the presence of specific biological targets.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
Q98025
|
Implementazione di un processo tecnologico innovativo al fine di ampliare l'offerta dell'azienda "MAL-PAK".
|
Questo progetto riguarda l'implementazione di una nuova tecnologia di stampa industriale che utilizza inchiostri ecologici rispettosi dell'acqua. Il richiedente implementerà il nuovo processo e amplierà l'offerta del prodotto. Il livello di innovazione del progetto è stato definito come un'innovazione a livello nazionale. Il richiedente dispone dell'infrastruttura appropriata per realizzare il progetto — la sala di produzione è adattata per attuare l'oggetto del progetto, ossia l'acquisto di una macchina da stampa flessografica cilindrica con cilindro centrale. Uno degli aspetti più importanti della tecnologia da implementare è quello di eliminare la necessità di solventi nel processo di stampa a favore delle vernici ad acqua. Il risultato del progetto sarà un'estensione del ciclo di vita del prodotto — imballaggio con stampe. Grazie all'implementazione della nuova tecnologia, il richiedente sarà in grado di introdurre vernici concettuali nel processo tecnologico, la cui struttura e il cui metodo di utilizzo sono stati sviluppati in collaborazione con CHESPA. La nuova tecnologia sarà utilizzata nella stampa flessografica di pellicole PE e polipropilene PP.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1093/cercor/bht201
|
High-expanding cortical regions in human development and evolution are related to higher intellectual abilities
|
Cortical surface area has tremendously expanded during human evolution, and similar patterns of cortical expansion have been observed during childhood development. An intriguing hypothesis is that the high-expanding cortical regions also show the strongest correlations with intellectual function in humans. However, we do not know how the regional distribution of correlations between intellectual function and cortical area maps onto expansion in development and evolution. Here, in a sample of 1048 participants, we show that regions in which cortical area correlates with visuospatial reasoning abilities are generally high expanding in both development and evolution. Several regions in the frontal cortex, especially the anterior cingulate, showed high expansion in both development and evolution. The area of these regions was related to intellectual functions in humans. Low-expanding areas were not related to cognitive scores. These findings suggest that cortical regions involved in higher intellectual functions have expanded the most during development and evolution. The radial unit hypothesis provides a common framework for interpretation of the findings in the context of evolution and prenatal development, while additional cellular mechanisms, such as synaptogenesis, gliogenesis, dendritic arborization, and intracortical myelination, likely impact area expansion in later childhood.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
] |
W2087149761
|
Postoperative Orgasmic Function Increases over Time in Patients Undergoing Nerve-Sparing Radical Prostatectomy
|
Postprostatectomy orgasmic function (OF) remains poorly defined.To assess OF over time in patients who underwent bilateral nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (BNSRRP) for organ-confined prostate cancer (PCa).Baseline data were obtained from 334 consecutive preoperatively sexually active PCa patients at hospital admission; data included a medical and sexual history, IIEF domain scores, and ICIQ-SF. Questionnaire were then completed every 12 months postoperatively, and patients participated in a semistructured interview at the 12-month (191/334 [57.2%] patients), 24-month (95/334 [28.4%] patients), 36-month (42/334 [12.6%] patients), and 48-month (19/334 [5.7%] patients) follow-up (FU).IIEF-OF domain values throughout the FU. Multivariate linear regression analysis (MVA) of the association between predictors (patient's age, IIEF-erectile function [EF], ICIQ-SF, and the use of postoperative proerectile pharmacological treatments) and the IIEF-OF at 12-month, 24-month, and 36-month FU.Preoperative mean (median) IIEF-OF was 7.6 (10). The anova analysis showed an increase of the IIEF-OF values (P = 0.008; F = 4.009) throughout the FU (namely, IIEF-OF 12-month: 6.1 [6]; 24-month: 7.2 [8]; 36-month: 7.3 [8]; and 48-month: 7.7 [9.50]). The 12-month MVA showed that while proerectile oral therapy did not affect postoperative OF (P = 0.150; Beta 0.081), IIEF-OF linearly increased with IIEF-EF (P < 0.001; Beta 0.425). Conversely, IIEF-OF linearly decreased with patient's age (P < 0.001; Beta -0.135) and with ICQ-SF scores (P < 0.001; Beta -0.438). The 24-month and 36-month analyses showed that IIEF-OF still linearly increased with IIEF-EF (P < 0.001; Beta 0.540, and P < 0.001; Beta 0.536 respectively at the 24- and 36-month FU), whereas pharmacological therapy, rate of urinary continence, and patient's age did not significantly affect postoperative OF.Postoperative OF significantly ameliorates over time in patients undergoing BNSRRP. The higher the postoperative EF score, the higher the OF throughout the FU time frame.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
758885
|
4-Colours/2-Junctions of III-V semiconductors on Si to use in electronics devices and solar cells
|
It was early predicted by M. Green and coeval colleagues that dividing the solar spectrum into narrow ranges of colours is the most efficient manner to convert solar energy into electrical power. Multijunction solar cells are the current solution to this challenge, which have reached over 30% conversion efficiencies by stacking 3 junctions together. However, the large fabrication costs and time hinders their use in everyday life. It has been shown that highly mismatched alloy (HMA) materials provide a powerful playground to achieve at least 3 different colour absorption regions that enable optimised energy conversion with just one junction. Combining HMA-based junctions with standard Silicon solar cells will rocket solar conversion efficiency at a reduced price. To turn this ambition into marketable devices, several efforts are still needed and few challenges must be overcome.
4SUNS is a revolutionary approach for the development of HMA materials on Silicon technology, which will bring highly efficient multi-colour solar cells costs below current multijunction devices. The project will develop the technology of HMA materials on Silicon via material synthesis opening a new technology for the future. The understanding and optimization of highly mismatched alloy materials-using GaAsNP alloy- will provide building blocks for the fabrication of laboratory-size 4-colours/2-junctions solar cells.
Using a molecular beam epitaxy system, 4SUNS will grow 4-colours/2-junctions structure as well as it will manufacture the final devices. Structural and optoelectronic characterizations will carry out to determine the quality of the materials and the solar cells characteristic to obtain a competitive product. These new solar cells are competitive products to breakthrough on the solar energy sector solar cells and allowing Europe to take leadership on high efficiency solar cells.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Materials Engineering",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
10.1534/genetics.118.301019
|
Rapid Phenotypic and Genotypic Diversification After Exposure to the Oral Host Niche in Candida albicans
|
Abstract
In vitro studies suggest that stress may generate random standing variation and that different cellular and ploidy states may evolve more rapidly under stress. Yet this idea has not been tested with pathogenic fungi growing within their host niche in vivo. Here, we analyzed the generation of both genotypic and phenotypic diversity during exposure of Candida albicans to the mouse oral cavity. Ploidy, aneuploidy, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and recombination were determined using flow cytometry and double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing. Colony phenotypic changes in size and filamentous growth were evident without selection and were enriched among colonies selected for LOH of the GAL1 marker. Aneuploidy and LOH occurred on all chromosomes (Chrs), with aneuploidy more frequent for smaller Chrs and whole Chr LOH more frequent for larger Chrs. Large genome shifts in ploidy to haploidy often maintained one or more heterozygous disomic Chrs, consistent with random Chr missegregation events. Most isolates displayed several different types of genomic changes, suggesting that the oral environment rapidly generates diversity de novo. In sharp contrast, following in vitro propagation, isolates were not enriched for multiple LOH events, except in those that underwent haploidization and/or had high levels of Chr loss. The frequency of events was overall 100 times higher for C. albicans populations following in vivo passage compared with in vitro. These hyper-diverse in vivo isolates likely provide C. albicans with the ability to adapt rapidly to the diversity of stress environments it encounters inside the host.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.12.008
|
Is ventromedial prefrontal cortex critical for behavior change without external reinforcement?
|
Cue-approach training (CAT) is a novel paradigm that has been shown to induce preference changes towards items without external reinforcements. In the task, the mere association of a neutral cue and a speeded button response has been shown to induce a behavioral choice preference change lasting for months. This paradigm includes several phases: after the training of individual items, behavior change is manifested in binary choices of items with similar initial values. Neuroimaging data have implicated the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in the choice phase of this task. However, the neural mechanisms underlying the preference changes induced by training remain unclear. Here, we asked whether the ventromedial frontal lobe (VMF) is critical for the non-reinforced preference change induced by CAT. For this purpose, 11 participants with focal lesions involving the VMF and 30 healthy age-matched controls performed the CAT. The VMF group was similar to the healthy age-matched control group in the ranking and training phases. As a group, the healthy age-matched controls exhibited a training-induced behavior change, while the VMF group did not. However, on an individual level analysis we found that some of the VMF participants showed a significant preference shift. Thus, we find mixed evidence for the role of VMF in this paradigm. This is another step towards defining the mechanisms underlying the novel form of behavioral change that occurs with CAT.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
10.1364/OL.43.000022
|
Kilohertz Binary Phase Modulator For Pulsed Laser Sources Using A Digital Micromirror Device
|
The controlled modulation of an optical wavefront is required for aberration correction, digital phase conjugation or patterned photostimulation. For most of these applications it is desirable to control the wavefront modulation at the highest rates possible. The digital micromirror device (DMD) presents a cost-effective solution to achieve high-speed modulation and often exceeds the speed of the more conventional liquid crystal spatial light modulator, but is inherently an amplitude modulator. Furthermore, spatial dispersion caused by DMD diffraction complicates its use with pulsed laser sources, such as those used in nonlinear microscopy. Here we introduce a DMD-based optical design that overcomes these limitations and achieves dispersion-free high-speed binary phase modulation. We show that this phase modulation can be used to switch through binary phase patterns at the rate of 20 kHz in two-photon excitation fluorescence applications.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
W2046643148
|
A systematic review of short courses for nonspecialist education in intensive care
|
The availability of reliable and accessible educational material for the training of nonspecialist intensive care physicians is potentially advantageous. We assessed the availability, cost, and content of generic short courses designed to teach basic critical care skills to junior physicians or nonspecialist intensive care physicians taking up duties in intensive care units.A PubMed and Internet searches were conducted to identify and compare short courses that provide a curriculum similar to that proposed by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists for resident training purposes. Course material available should allow the short course to be conducted independently by third parties.Two courses, Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care and Fundamental Critical Care Support, met most of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists curriculum requirements and can be independently conducted by third parties.Both identified courses use a mixture self-learning, didactic lectures, and experiential learning using manikins and "minisimulations." Organizing bodies provide administrative support and can readily be located and contacted online. Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care charges no license fee, whereas Fundamental Critical Care Support offers fees at a reduced rate for developing countries. Both courses are recognized and conducted internationally.
|
[
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
10.1084/jem.20131274
|
SIRPα polymorphisms, but not the prion protein, control phagocytosis of apoptotic cells
|
Prnp−/− mice lack the prion protein PrPC and are resistant to prion infections, but variable phenotypes have been reported in Prnp−/− mice and the physiological function of PrPC remains poorly understood. Here we examined a cell-autonomous phenotype, inhibition of macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, previously reported in Prnp−/− mice. Using formal genetic, genomic, and immunological analyses, we found that the regulation of phagocytosis previously ascribed to PrPC is instead controlled by a linked locus encoding the signal regulatory protein α (Sirpa). These findings indicate that control of phagocytosis was previously misattributed to the prion protein and illustrate the requirement for stringent approaches to eliminate confounding effects of flanking genes in studies modeling human disease in gene-targeted mice. The plethora of seemingly unrelated functions attributed to PrPC suggests that additional phenotypes reported in Prnp−/− mice may actually relate to Sirpa or other genetic confounders.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy"
] |
10.1126/science.1256917
|
Closing the cohesin ring: Structure and function of its Smc3-kleisin interface
|
Through their association with a kleisin subunit (Scc1), cohesin's Smc1 and Smc3 subunits are thought to form tripartite rings that mediate sister chromatid cohesion. Unlike the structure of Smc1/Smc3 and Smc1/Scc1 interfaces, that of Smc3/Scc1 is not known. Disconnection of this interface is thought to release cohesin from chromosomes in a process regulated by acetylation. We show here that the N-terminal domain of yeast Scc1 contains two α helices, forming a four-helix bundle with the coiled coil emerging from Smc3's adenosine triphosphatase head. Mutations affecting this interaction compromise cohesin's association with chromosomes. The interface is far from Smc3 residues, whose acetylation prevents cohesin's dissociation from chromosomes. Cohesin complexes holding chromatids together in vivo do indeed have the configuration of hetero-trimeric rings, and sister DNAs are entrapped within these.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
] |
W193148205
|
Improving thermal comfort in apparel
|
Abstract: Comfort is a key factor to be considered in clothing design. Among all the comfort factors, thermal comfort is the primary one, as an important function of clothing is to provide aids in maintaining the thermal balance of the human body and ensure that the heat loss, skin temperature, air movement and humidity at the body surface produce a sensation of comfort. There are three main approaches in the development of clothing for improved comfort, i.e. the appropriate use of textile materials, garment design and attachment of special wearable devices into the garment system. In this chapter, different design approaches to enhance the thermal comfort, particularly in terms of body cooling, are discussed.
|
[
"Materials Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
W2070389405
|
Men and women exhibit a similar time to task failure for a sustained, submaximal elbow extensor contraction
|
Sex differences in muscle fatigue-resistance have been observed in a variety of muscles and under several conditions. This study compared the time to task failure (TTF) of a sustained isometric elbow extensor (intensity 15% of maximal strength) contraction in young men (n = 12) and women (n = 11), and examined if their neurophysiologic adjustments to fatigue differed. Motor-evoked potential amplitude (MEP), silent period duration, interference electromyogram (EMG) amplitude, maximal muscle action potential (M (max)), heart rate, and mean arterial pressure were measured at baseline, during the task, and during a 2-min ischemia period. Men and women did not differ in TTF (478.2 +/- 31.9 vs. 500.4 +/- 41.3 s; P = 0.67). We also performed an exploratory post hoc cluster analysis, and classified subjects as low (n = 15) or high endurance (n = 8) based on TTF (415.3 +/- 16.0 vs. 626.7 +/- 25.8 s, respectively). The high-endurance group exhibited a lower MEP and EMG at baseline (MEP 16.3 +/- 4.1 vs. 37.2 +/- 3.0% M (max), P < 0.01; EMG 0.98 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.85 +/- 0.26% M (max), P = 0.03). These findings suggest no sex differences in elbow extensor fatigability, in contrast to observations from other muscle groups. The cluster analyses results indicated that high- and low-endurance groups displayed neurophysiologic differences at baseline (before performing the fatigue task), but that they did not differ in fatigue-induced changes in their neurophysiologic adjustments to the task.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
997208
|
A synergistic approach toward understanding receptor signaling in the cell at very high resolution
|
Members of the Epidermal Growth Factors Receptor family (EGFRs) influence cell growth and proliferation, and are pivotal in all phases of tumor progression. We will use this receptor family as an example with which to develop a ground-breaking new technology to study cellular signaling towards atomic resolution, in situ. Therefore, we propose to employ an interdisciplinary approach for studying EGFR family of receptors, where we follow their conformational and oligomeric states as well as bound ligands and signal transduction molecules during different activation states at atomic resolution in situ. We will progress from engineered to native receptor forms, and from defined membrane vesicles to whole cells, and employ 3D structure analysis by cryo-electron tomography, greatly enhanced by novel image processing approaches, mass spectroscopy definitions of receptor modifications and interaction partners, as well as advanced protein engineering to identify, orient and freeze receptors for this method development. This collaborative project addresses the properties of the EGFR family across a wide range of complexity and dimensions, in the cellular environment, through their high-resolution structures and changes during receptor recycling. This collaborative network, addressing EGFR from complementary angles, is most likely to generate substantial new information on these assemblies and to yield a deep understanding of the mechanisms underlying their structure and function. The EGFR family has been the focus of many tumor therapies, with the aim of intercepting their signaling, and this project will contribute to a more detailed understanding of their mode of action and thus the more rational development of such therapies in the future. However, the technology that will be developed will be generally applicable and may thus help to contribute to a paradigm change for structural biology, enabling atomic resolution description of receptors in their cellular environment.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1038/nsmb.2937
|
CtIP tetramer assembly is required for DNA-end resection and repair
|
Mammalian CtIP protein has major roles in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. Although it is well established that CtIP promotes DNA-end resection in preparation for homology-dependent DSB repair, the molecular basis for this function has remained unknown. Here we show by biophysical and X-ray crystallographic analyses that the N-terminal domain of human CtIP exists as a stable homotetramer. Tetramerization results from interlocking interactions between the N-terminal extensions of CtIP's coiled-coil region, which lead to a 'dimer-of-dimers' architecture. Through interrogation of the CtIP structure, we identify a point mutation that abolishes tetramerization of the N-terminal domain while preserving dimerization in vitro. Notably, we establish that this mutation abrogates CtIP oligomer assembly in cells, thus leading to strong defects in DNA-end resection and gene conversion. These findings indicate that the CtIP tetramer architecture described here is essential for effective DSB repair by homologous recombination.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.3389/fmicb.2016.01619
|
Distinct patterns in human milk microbiota and fatty acid profiles across specific geographic locations
|
Breast feeding results in long term health benefits in the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases at both individual and population levels. Geographical location directly impacts the composition of breast milk including microbiota and lipids. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of geographical location, i. e. , Europe (Spain and Finland), Africa (South Africa), and Asia (China), on breast milk microbiota and lipid composition in samples obtained from healthy mothers after the 1 month of lactation. Altogether, 80 women (20 from each country) participated in the study, with equal number of women who delivered by vaginal or cesarean section from each country. Lipid composition particularly that of polyunsaturated fatty acids differed between the countries, with the highest amount of n-6 PUFA (25. 6%) observed in the milk of Chinese women. Milk microbiota composition also differed significantly between the countries (p = 0. 002). Among vaginally delivered women, Spanish women had highest amount of Bacteroidetes (mean relative abundance of 3. 75) whereas Chinese women had highest amount of Actinobacteria (mean relative abundance 5. 7). Women who had had a cesarean section had higher amount of Proteobacteria as observed in the milk of the Spanish and South African women. Interestingly, the Spanish and South African women had significantly higher bacterial genes mapped to lipid, amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism (p < 0. 05). Association of the lipid profile with the microbiota revealed that monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were negatively associated with Proteobacteria (r = -0. 43, p < 0. 05), while Lactobacillus genus was associated with MUFA (r = -0. 23, p = 0. 04). These findings reveal that the milk microbiota and lipid composition exhibit differences based on geographical locations in addition to the differences observed due to the mode of delivery.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
10.1109/VLSIC.2015.7231302
|
A Tdd Fdd Saw Less Superheterodyne Receiver With Blocker Resilient Band Pass Filter And Multi Stage Hr In 28Nm Cmos
|
A SAW-less discrete-time superheterodyne receiver (RX) with multi-stage harmonic rejection in 28nm CMOS, featuring highly linear LNTA, employs a novel blocker-resilient octal charge-sharing band-pass filter to achieve low power consumption. The RX features NF of 2. 1 to 2. 6 dB, and IIP3 of 8 to 14 dBm, while drawing only 24 to 37 mW in different operating modes.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.15184/aqy.2019.109
|
The archaeology and ethnoarchaeology of rain-fed cultivation in arid and hyper-arid North Africa
|
Abstract
|
[
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
US 2007/0078020 W
|
FOOTREST
|
A footrest comprising a sling having two ends and a strap connected to each end of the sling. A user in a seat rests a foot in the sling where the straps of the sling are attached around an object in front of the seat.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
10.1038/s41598-017-11039-w
|
On the consistency of seismically imaged lower mantle slabs
|
The geoscience community is increasingly utilizing seismic tomography to interpret mantle heterogeneity and its links to past tectonic and geodynamic processes. To assess the robustness and distribution of positive seismic anomalies, inferred as subducted slabs, we create a set of vote maps for the lower mantle with 14 global P-wave or S-wave tomography models. Based on a depth-dependent threshold metric, an average of 20% of any given tomography model depth is identified as a potential slab. However, upon combining the 14 models, the most consistent positive wavespeed features are identified by an increasing vote count. An overall peak in the most robust anomalies is found between 1000-1400 km depth, followed by a decline to a minimum around 2000 km. While this trend could reflect reduced tomographic resolution in the middle mantle, we show that it may alternatively relate to real changes in the time-dependent subduction flux and/or a mid-lower mantle viscosity increase. An apparent secondary peak in agreement below 2500 km depth may reflect the degree-Two lower mantle slow seismic structures. Vote maps illustrate the potential shortcomings of using a limited number or type of tomography models and slab threshold criteria.
|
[
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.1016/j.bpj.2014.07.023
|
Carbohydrate conformation and lipid condensation in monolayers containing glycosphingolipid Gb3: Influence of acyl chain structure
|
Globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), a glycosphingolipid found in the plasma membrane of animal cells, is the endocytic receptor of the bacterial Shiga toxin. Using x-ray reflectivity (XR) and grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXD), lipid monolayers containing Gb3 were investigated at the air-water interface. XR probed Gb3 carbohydrate conformation normal to the interface, whereas GIXD precisely characterized Gb3's influence on acyl chain in-plane packing and area per molecule (APM). Two phospholipids, 1,2-distearoyl-sn- glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphoethanolamine (DPPE), were used to study Gb3 packing in different lipid environments. Furthermore, the impact on monolayer structure of a naturally extracted Gb3 mixture was compared to synthetic Gb3 species with uniquely defined acyl chain structures. XR results showed that lipid environment and Gb3 acyl chain structure impact carbohydrate conformation with greater solvent accessibility observed for smaller phospholipid headgroups and long Gb3 acyl chains. In general, GIXD showed that Gb3 condensed phospholipid packing resulting in smaller APM than predicted by ideal mixing. Gb3's capacity to condense APM was larger for DSPC monolayers and exhibited different dependencies on acyl chain structure depending on the lipid environment. The interplay between Gb3-induced changes in lipid packing and the lipid environment's impact on carbohydrate conformation has broad implications for glycosphingolipid macromolecule recognition and ligand binding.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.1038/ncomms5815
|
Topological excitations in a kagome magnet
|
Chirality - that is, left or right handedness - is present in many scientific areas, and particularly in condensed matter physics. Inversion symmetry breaking relates chirality with skyrmions, which are protected field configurations with particle-like and topological properties. Here we show that a kagome magnet, with Heisenberg and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions, causes non-trivial topological and chiral magnetic properties. We also find that under special circumstances, skyrmions emerge as excitations, having stability even at room temperature. Chiral magnonic edge states of a kagome magnet offer, in addition, a promising way to create, control and manipulate skyrmions. This has potential for applications in spintronics, that is, for information storage or as logic devices. Collisions between these particle-like excitations are found to be elastic at very low temperature in the skyrmion-skyrmion channel, albeit without mass-conservation. Skyrmion-antiskyrmion collisions are found to be more complex, where annihilation and creation of these objects have a distinct non-local nature.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1007/JHEP09(2016)034
|
On Triviality Of S Matrix In Conformal Higher Spin Theory
|
We consider the conformal higher spin (CHS) theory in d = 4 that contains the s = 1 Maxwell vector, s = 2 Weyl graviton and their higher spin s = 3,4,… counterparts with higher-derivative □
s
kinetic terms. The interacting action for such theory can be found as the coefficient of the logarithmically divergent part in the induced action for sources coupled to higher spin currents in a free complex scalar field model. We explicitly determine some cubic and quartic interaction vertices in the CHS action from scalar loop integrals. We then compute the simplest tree-level 4-particle scattering amplitudes 11→11, 22→22 and 11→22 and find that after summing up all the intermediate CHS exchanges they vanish. This generalises the vanishing of the scattering amplitude for external conformal scalars interacting via the exchange of all CHS fields found earlier in arXiv:1512. 08896
. This vanishing should generalise to all scattering amplitudes in the CHS theory and as in the conformal scalar scattering case should be a consequence of the underlying infinite dimensional higher spin symmetry that extends the standard conformal symmetry.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Mathematics"
] |
643863
|
Laboratory experiments, numerical modelling and field observations of basaltic magma fragmentation
|
For low viscosity magmas such as basalts, rapid and unpredictable transitions between effusive and explosive activity may occur. These transitions dramatically alter the impact of an eruption and pose a real challenge to policymakers tasked with mitigating the risks associated with basaltic eruptions. Mechanisms controlling these transitions, however, are not well understood, mainly due to the lack of a clear understanding of basaltic magma fragmentation.
The ENDGAME project proposes to investigate transitions in eruptive styles at basaltic volcanoes by studying fragmentation of basaltic magmas through a combination of targeted cutting-edge fluid dynamics experiments, new holistic numerical modelling of magma ascent and brand new field observations collected during a basaltic eruption.
ENDGAME will aim to:
1) define new constitutive equations for basaltic magma fragmentation by implementing and performing jet flow and shock-tube experiments with a bubble- and particle-bearing analogue material in combination with high-speed Schlieren shadow photography;
2) extend a state-of-the-art 3D transient model of magma ascent to model the evolution of the particle-size distribution resulting from fragmentation through time by using a numerical technique which has been recently applied in volcanology, the “Method of Moments”;
3) use the new 3D magma ascent model to investigate the transitions in eruptive style by comparing numerical results with laboratory experiments and field observations that will be collected during an eruption at Piton de la Fournaise.
The interdisciplinary approach that characterizes ENDGAME, e.g. linking cutting-edge fluid-dynamics experiments with state-of-the-art 3D magma ascent modelling and field observations of an active eruption, will allow us to shed light on one of the biggest challenges in volcanic hazard assessment: what parameters and how they control the transition in eruptive style at basaltic volcanoes?
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Earth System Science"
] |
306576
|
Quantum Interfaces and Open Systems
|
Researchers have strived to obtain control of a variety of different quantum systems, each characterized by their own distinct advantages: quantum optical systems offer excellent isolation from the environment while solid state systems allow for integrated micro-fabricated devices. At the same time nuclear spins in molecules can remain decoupled from the environment even under rather harsh conditions, and this is the basis of NMR experiments. Given these distinct advantages it is very fruitful to investigate hybrid devices merging the advantages of each of the systems. To do this it is essential to develop quantum interfaces to connect the different systems. By their very nature such quantum interfaces exchange information with their environment and are therefore open quantum systems.
In this project I wish to establish a strong theoretical quantum optics group which can guide and inspire the experiments towards breaking new grounds for open quantum systems and making quantum interfaces between distinct physical systems. The objective is to develop concrete proposals for how to experimentally control and exploit the interaction of quantum systems with their surroundings and for how this can be used for quantum interfaces.
The work in this project is particularly relevant for applications in quantum information processing, where the current challenge is to take the field from proof-of-principle demonstrations to truly scalable devices. Such challenge demands new interdisciplinary theoretical ideas for hybrid devices. This proposal addresses several key challenges for quantum information processing: scalable multimode quantum repeaters based on hybrid approaches, entanglement enabled quantum metrology, photonic engineering based on surface plasmons, dissipative preparation of entangled states, and phonon engineering for quantum dots. In addition applications towards nuclear spin cooling to improve NMR experiments as well as ultra cold atoms will be explored.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1016/j.algal.2017.01.015
|
Enhanced NADPH production in the pentose phosphate pathway accelerates lipid accumulation in the oleaginous diatom Fistulifera solaris
|
As a consequence of the environmental concerns linked with the exploitation of fossil fuel reserves, biofuel production using microalgae has been widely considered because of their higher productive capacity compared with land plants. However, genetic modifications will likely be required to further improve the lipid productivity of native microalgae and to tailor it to the compositions required for different fuel types. In this study, genes encoding two NADPH-producing enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD), were overexpressed in the oleaginous diatom Fistulifera solaris. The native expression levels of the PGD and G6PD selected in this study were not up-regulated but constant and down-regulated, respectively. By overexpression of the genes encoding these enzymes, NADPH enhancement was confirmed in the transformant cells as compared to wild type cells, as was the acceleration of lipid accumulation. The promotion effect of G6PD (oil content: 37. 2 ± 5. 6%) on neutral lipid accumulation was higher than that of PGD (26. 1 ± 3. 32%) at early stages (24 h after nutrient depletion, 20. 5 ± 4. 3% for wild type), although the final lipid content at 60 h was not significantly different between wild type and transformant cells (47. 5 ± 2. 9%, 48. 6 ± 3. 8%, 52. 2 ± 2. 9% for wild type, PGD, and G6PD, respectively). Overexpression of G6PD elevated lipid productivity by 1. 5-fold. We therefore propose that NADPH-producing enzymes in PPP can contribute to lipid synthesis in F. solaris, indicating that their further manipulation may provide breakthroughs for an even more effective biodiesel fuel production with this diatom.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
] |
W1538993818
|
Movement and the Paradox of Resistance
|
In his Progressive Dichotomy Paradox, Zeno argued that a runner will never reach a fixed goal along the racetrack. The reason is that the runner must first reach half the distance to the goal, but when there he must then cross half the remaining distance, then half of the new remainder, and so on. If the goal is one meter away, the runner must cover a distance of 1/2 meter, then 1/4 meter, then 1/8 meter, and so on ad infinitum. Because there is no final member of this sequence, the runner will never reach the goal. Bradley Dowden Resistance: Opposition of one material thing to another material thing, force, etc. Esp. in the physical sciences: the opposition offered by one body to the pressure or movement of another. Oxford English Dictionary While the concept of revolution implies a change from one status quo to another that takes place subsequently in time, resistance refers to a disjuncture that is not external to the time-space frame inhabited by the system under critique. In The Dispossessed, U.S. writer Ursula K. Le Guin explores a similar tension. She deploys the notions of sequentiality and simultaneity to address the ideologies associated with these different conceptions of time, as well as the possibility of bringing them together. In this article, I analyze her fictional narrative in order to explore the degree to which it may throw light on the question of the marked displacement that has taken place in the academy from the concept of revolution to that of resistance. The Dispossessed was first published in 1974. As often occurs in the genre, the novel employs extrapolation and analogy to comment on its own historical context. The fiction unravels on two planets, Urras and Anarres. Urras resembles the Earth during the Cold War period. While in the anarchistic Anarres there are no internal frontiers, Urras is divided into two blocks: the Communist Thu and the Capitalist AI-o. There is also the equivalent of a Third World in Urras: a set of poor countries in which Thu and AI-o fight out their battles. Yet, throughout the narrative, we only get to visit one country in Urras, AI-o, as we follow the voyage there of the protagonist Shevek. In AI-o, Shevek, an Anarresti physicist, discovers an unjust society, governed by the laws of the free market and its corresponding Manichean conceptions of class, race and gender. Anarres had been colonized two-hundred years before the start of the novel by dissidents from Urras. Founded according to the ideals of an anarchistic revolutionary woman, Odo, Anarrest. (1) society has neither private property nor any form of government. Despite its imperfections, Anarres functions to a large extent as a utopia, especially when compared to Urras. (1) Like all other Anarresti, Shevek has never been to another planet. Yet, his scientific curiosity has led him to establish radio contact with the Urrasti and, through that medium, he receives an invitation to the planet. In Anarres, the idea of his trip is met with severe resistance. But because of the anarchistic system of Anarres, nobody can actually forbid his departure. Shevek, who questions Anarresti reality due to its insufficient congruence with the ideals of its founding revolution, hopes to find new answers on Urras, which stands for the historical origins of his own people. Although he is conscious of the injustice that reigns in Urrasti society, he distrusts the intentions behind negative propaganda about Urras on his home planet. As a newcomer to Urras, Shevek acts candidly, without noticing that he is being utilized as a political instrument. The AI-o government seeks to appropriate his theories because their technological application would guarantee AI-o's power over other nations and planets. Gradually, Shevek becomes aware of the interests to which he is subject and of the danger of his situation. He becomes involved in an organized resistance group in AI-o that is violently repressed by government forces. …
|
[
"Texts and Concepts",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
10.1080/17437199.2016.1138871
|
What Is The Psychological Impact Of Self Weighing A Meta Analysis
|
Many people self-weigh and many interventions addressing weight-related problems such as obesity promote self-weighing. However, while self-weighing has been associated with weight loss, there is mixed evidence regarding the psychological impact of this behaviour. The present review aimed to quantify the relationship between self-weighing and: (i) affect (e. g. , anxiety, depression); (ii) psychological functioning (e. g. , self-esteem); (iii) body-related attitudes and (iv) disordered eating. A computerized search of scientific databases in September 2014 and subsequent ancestry and citation searches identified 29 independent tests of the relationship between self-weighing on psychological outcomes. Meta-analysis was used to quantify the size of the association across the tests. Results indicated that there was no association between self-weighing and affect, body-related attitudes or disordered eating. There was, however, a small-sized negative association between self-weighing and psychological functioning. The age of participants, obesity status, the extent of weight loss, duration of self-weighing and study design (RCT versus correlational) were found to influence at least some of the psychological outcomes of self-weighing. The findings suggest that, for the most part, self-weighing is not associated with adverse psychological outcomes. However, in some cases the association between self-weighing and psychological outcomes may be more negative than in others.
|
[
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
10.1029/2010JB007704
|
Structure Of North American Mantle Constrained By Simultaneous Inversion Of Multiple Frequency Sh Ss And Love Waves
|
[1] We simultaneously invert for the velocity and attenuation structure of the North American mantle from a mixed data set: SH wave traveltime and amplitude anomalies, SS wave differential traveltime anomalies, and Love wave fundamental mode phase delays. All data are measured for multiple frequency bands, and finite frequency sensitivity kernels are used to explain the observations. In the resulting SH velocity model, a lower mantle plume is observed to originate at about 1500 km depth beneath the Yellowstone area, tilting about 40° from vertical. The plume rises up through a gap in the subducting Farallon slab. The SH velocity model confirms high‐level segmentation of the Farallon slab, which was observed in the recent P velocity model. Attenuation structure is resolvable in the upper mantle and transition zone; in estimating it, we correct for focusing. High‐correlation coefficients between dlnVS and dlnQS under the central and eastern United States suggest one main physical source, most likely temperature. The smaller correlation coefficients and larger slopes of the dlnQS − dlnVS relationship under the western United States suggest an influence of nonthermal factors such as the existence of water and partial melt. Finally, we analyze the influence of the different components of our data set. The addition of Love wave phase delays helps to improve the resolution of both velocity and attenuation, and the effect is noticeable even in the lower mantle.
|
[
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.2217/epi.10.8
|
In junk we trust: repetitive DNA, epigenetics and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
|
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant myopathy with a peculiar etiology. Unlike most genetic disorders, FSHD is not caused by mutations in a protein-coding gene. Instead, it is associated with contraction of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat array located at 4q35. Interestingly, D4Z4 deletion is not sufficient per se to cause FSHD. Moreover, the disease severity, its rate of progression and the distribution of muscle weakness display great variability even among close family relatives. Hence, additional genetic and epigenetic events appear to be required for FSHD pathogenesis. Indeed, recent findings suggest that virtually all levels of epigenetic regulation, from DNA methylation to higher order chromosomal architecture, exhibit alterations in the disease locus causing deregulation of 4q35 gene expression, ultimately leading to FSHD.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
10.1364/OL.36.002587
|
Terahertz Imaging Through Self Mixing In A Quantum Cascade Laser
|
We demonstrate terahertz (THz) frequency imaging using a single quantum cascade laser (QCL) device for both generation and sensing of THz radiation. Detection is achieved by utilizing the effect of self-mixing in the THz QCL, and, specifically, by monitoring perturbations to the voltage across the QCL, induced by light reflected from an external object back into the laser cavity. Self-mixing imaging offers high sensitivity, a potentially fast response, and a simple, compact optical design, and we show that it can be used to obtain high-resolution reflection images of exemplar structures.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
984598
|
Mussila ms (mussila music school) - an innovative solution in music education
|
Learning music has shown to have relevant benefits for the cognitive development of children, leading to better academic results, work opportunities, higher career goals and more civic engagement. However, traditional methods in music education leave this enormous potential untapped; due to the difficulty of dealing with music theory, the accessibility to music learning resources (exclusive to only some parts of the population) and the lack of guiding on how to progress (which frustrates students). Rosamosi game studio was founded in 2015 with the mission of creating digital solutions that make music learning more engaging while keeping the highest standards. We have created Mussila: a unique method for music learning that bridges the gap between music theory and the joy of playing, by combining research-based music learning approaches with the opportunities brought by gamification and mobile devices. Mussila involves a mobile app, theory books, teacher courses, merchandising, interactive installations for educational activities, and a TV series, intended to add value to the music learning process. Preliminary studies of Mussila have shown substantially better learning results compared to traditional approaches in real experiences in schools and the current game is highly rated by critics and users alike (200,000 downloads, and recognition and awards received from experts). After having launched to market a highly acclaimed first version of the Mussila Game and established a solid commercial network with global reach, we now want to further develop the solution to complete the Mussila educational environment with the rest of Mussila products. With this project we aim to confirm our draft business plan and prepare the international commercial exploitation of Mussila. Mussila brings a promising business opportunity for us and is supposed to boost our company’s growth to €14M revenues by 2023, while expanding our team of 8 to 32 people.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
10.1145/3308558.3313693
|
The Few Get Richer A Surprising Consequence Of Popularity Based Rankings
|
Ranking algorithms play a crucial role in online platforms ranging from search engines to recommender systems. In this paper, we identify a surprising consequence of popularity-based rankings: the fewer the items reporting a given signal, the higher the share of the overall traffic they collectively attract. This few-get-richer effect emerges in settings where there are few distinct classes of items (e. g. , left-leaning news sources versus right-leaning news sources), and items are ranked based on their popularity. We demonstrate analytically that the few-get-richer effect emerges when people tend to click on top-ranked items and have heterogeneous preferences for the classes of items. Using simulations, we analyze how the strength of the effect changes with assumptions about the setting and human behavior. We also test our predictions experimentally in an online experiment with human participants. Our findings have important implications to understand the spread of misinformation.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
10.1016/j.cam.2013.07.048
|
Software for weighted structured low-rank approximation
|
A software package is presented that computes locally optimal solutions to low-rank approximation problems with the following features: mosaic Hankel structure constraint on the approximating matrix,weighted 2-norm approximation criterion,fixed elements in the approximating matrix,missing elements in the data matrix, andlinear constraints on an approximating matrix's left kernel basis. It implements a variable projection type algorithm and allows the user to choose standard local optimization methods for the solution of the parameter optimization problem. For an m×n data matrix, with n>m, the computational complexity of the cost function and derivative evaluation is O(m2n). The package is suitable for applications with n ≫ m. In statistical estimation and data modeling-the main application areas of the package-n ≫ m corresponds to modeling of large amount of data by a low-complexity model. Performance results on benchmark system identification problems from the database DAISY and approximate common divisor problems are presented.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1117/12.2208948
|
Optimizing The Mode Instability Threshold Of High Power Fiber Laser Systems
|
In this work we present guidelines to increase the transverse mode instability threshold of high power fiber amplifiers and also, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, of fiber oscillators. These guidelines do not involve changes in the composition of the active material (except for its doping concentration), but they can still lead to a significant increase of the transverse mode instability threshold. The dependence of this parameter on the active ion concentration, the core conformation, the pump configuration and the mirror reflectivities in a fiber oscillator will be studied and discussed.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
W4281785800
|
Terapia Ocupacional en educación inclusiva
|
El artículo presenta un panorama de los trabajos de inclusión realizados en Cali y busca agradecer a muchas terapeutas ocupacionales por la trocha que abrieron en este sector en la ciudad. Inicia con un recorrido histórico por las prácticas de terapeutas ocupacionales en educación en Cali, desde la década de 1970, y enmarca dichas prácticas en tres aspectos: las transformaciones a partir del campo normativo, la incursión en la educación formal y la relación comunidad-educación. La Terapia Ocupacional en educación requiere del trabajo conjunto con profesoras y profesores para afianzar el saber pedagógico que permita la libertad del ser; reflexionar y actuar sobre las condiciones sociales, políticas y económicas que excluyen, de manera que se vuelva costumbre educar reconociendo y valorando la diferencia; así como fortalecer la relación escuela-comunidad, a partir de pedagogías de los pueblos negros e indígenas.
|
[
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
10.1088/1751-8113/43/22/225303
|
Classical Statistical Mechanics Approach To Multipartite Entanglement
|
We characterize the multipartite entanglement of a system of n qubits in terms of the distribution function of the bipartite purity over balanced bipartitions. We search for maximally multipartite entangled states, whose average purity is minimal, and recast this optimization problem into a problem of statistical mechanics, by introducing a cost function, a fictitious temperature and a partition function. By investigating the high-temperature expansion, we obtain the first three moments of the distribution. We find that the problem exhibits frustration.
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
758494
|
Refiguring Conservation in/for 'the Anthropocene': The Global Lives of the Orangutan
|
In recent years, conservationists have engaged in heated debates about whether and how conservation should respond to the challenges posed by ‘the Anthropocene’—a term increasingly used to encapsulate the overwhelming, transformative impact of human activity on the Earth system. How are these debates—and the wider ‘Anthropocenic’ awareness they embody—reshaping conservation philosophy, strategy and practice? How are they manifested in and across diverse contexts? How, conversely, are global conservation developments and ‘Anthropocenic’ phenomena apprehended and reshaped on the ground? This project explores such urgent questions through an unprecedented study of the global nexus of orangutan conservation at a unique historical juncture marked by flux and uncertainty. Combining in-depth ethnography and multiply-scaled cross-cultural comparison, it approaches orangutan conservation as a sprawling, uneven terrain across which the rapidly-evolving relationship between conservation and ‘the Anthropocene’ is being played out. Its objectives are 1) to examine if and how contemporary conservation is being ‘scaled up’ and re(con)figured in and for ‘the Anthropocene’; and 2) to cut ‘the Anthropocene’ down to size by exploring how it is experienced, conceptualized, contested or indeed refused across multiple conservation settings. Comprising four interlinked studies to be carried out simultaneously at the main nodes of orangutan conservation, this project seeks to pioneer a new synchronic, multi-sited approach to the analysis of global conservation and lay the groundwork for an empirically-driven, theoretically ambitious new field of scholarship on conservation in/for ‘the Anthropocene’—one that will revitalize social scientific understandings of conservation while adding much-needed empirical depth and nuance to emerging cross-disciplinary discussions about ‘the Anthropocene’.
|
[
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
] |
221189
|
Discovering new catalysts in the cluster-nanoparticle transition regime
|
The purpose of this proposal is to establish new fundamental insight of the reactivity and thereby the catalytic activity of oxides, nitrides, phosphides and sulfides (O-, N-, P-, S- ides) in the Cluster-Nanoparticle transition regime. We will use this insight to develop new catalysts through an interactive loop involving DFT simulations, synthesis, characterization and activity testing. The overarching objective is to make new catalysts that are efficient for production of solar fuels and chemicals to facilitate the implementation of sustainable energy, e.g. electrochemical hydrogen production and reduction of CO2 and N2 through both electrochemical and thermally activated processes.
Recent research has identified why there is a lack of significant progress in developing new more active catalysts. Chemical scaling-relations exist among the intermediates, making it difficult to find a reaction pathway, which provides a flat potential energy landscape - a necessity for making the reaction proceed without large losses. My hypothesis is that going away from the conventional size regime, > 2 nm, one may break such chemical scaling-relations. Non-scalable behavior means that adding an atom results in a completely different reactivity. This drastic change could be even further enhanced if the added atom is a different element than the recipient particle, providing new freedom to control the reaction pathway. The methodology will be based on setting up a specifically optimized instrument for synthesizing such mass-selected clusters/nanoparticles. Thus far, researchers have barely explored this size regime. Only a limited amount of studies has been devoted to inorganic entities of oxides and sulfides; nitrides and phosphides are completely unexplored. We will employ atomic level simulations, synthesis, characterization, and subsequently test for specific reactions. This interdisciplinary loop will result in new breakthroughs in the area of catalyst material discovery.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
W2183659053
|
Improving Adherence to Screening Colonoscopy Preparation and Appointments
|
Colorectal screening for cancer by colonoscopy is recommended for adults 50 years and older. Scheduling patients for sedated endoscopic procedures involves balancing physician schedules, room availability and equipment, proper patient preparedness, and necessary personnel. Both nonattendance and poor preparations contribute to inefficiency, wasted resources, and increased costs. We noted nonattendance rates ranging from 21% to 29%. As a first step, we examined patient factors associated with nonattendance using a retrospective case control study. Younger patients (<60 years), screening appointment, and insurance type were associated with nonattendance. On the basis of these findings, initial efforts focused on additional nurse strategies of follow-up contact and education for screening colonoscopies. As we improved attendance rate, concomitantly we discovered cancellation rates increasing. Subsequently, an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental quality improvement program has been ongoing to target a number of system-, nurse-, and patient-specific factors contributing to nonattendance and cancellations due to poor preparations. Rates have improved but require ongoing monitoring and surveillance. We describe the ongoing efforts and challenges aimed at both nonattendance and cancellations.
|
[
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1093/aje/kwv015
|
Social Participation and Depression in Old Age: A Fixed-Effects Analysis in 10 European Countries
|
We examined whether changes in different forms of social participation were associated with changes in depressive symptoms in older Europeans. We used lagged individual fixed-effects models based on data from 9,068 persons aged ≥50 years in wave 1 (2004/2005), wave 2 (2006/2007), and wave 4 (2010/2011) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). After we controlled for a wide set of confounders, increased participation in religious organizations predicted a decline in depressive symptoms (EURO-D Scale; possible range, 0-12) 4 years later (β = -0. 190 units, 95% confidence interval: -0. 365, -0. 016), while participation in political/community organizations was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms (β = 0. 222 units, 95% confidence interval: 0. 018, 0. 428). There were no significant differences between European regions in these associations. Our findings suggest that social participation is associated with depressive symptoms, but the direction and strength of the association depend on the type of social activity. Participation in religious organizations may offer mental health benefits beyond those offered by other forms of social participation.
|
[
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
10.1007/978-3-642-32147-4_16
|
Minimum Ratio Cover Of Matrix Columns By Extreme Rays Of Its Induced Cone
|
Given a matrix S∈ℝm ×n and a subset of columns R, we study the problem of finding a cover of R with extreme rays of the cone $\mathcal{F}=\{v \in \mathbb{R}^n \mid Sv=\mathbf{0}, v\geq \mathbf{0}\}$, where an extreme ray v covers a column k if vk>0. In order to measure how proportional a cover is, we introduce two different minimization problems, namely the minimum global ratio cover (MGRC) and the minimum local ratio cover (MLRC) problems. In both cases, we apply the notion of the ratio of a vector v, which is given by $\frac{\max_i v_i}{\min_{j\mid v_j > 0} v_j}$. We show that these two problems are NP-hard, even in the case in which |R|=1. We introduce a mixed integer programming formulation for the MGRC problem, which is solvable in polynomial time if all columns should be covered, and introduce a branch-and-cut algorithm for the MLRC problem. Finally, we present computational experiments on data obtained from real metabolic networks.
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b02631
|
Effects of Ca<sup>2+</sup> Ion Condensation on the Molecular Structure of Polystyrene Sulfonate at Air-Water Interfaces
|
The structure of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (NaPSS) polyelectrolytes at air-water interfaces was investigated with tensiometry, ellipsometry, and vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG) in the presence of low and high CaCl2 concentrations. In addition, we have studied the foaming behavior of 20 mM NaPSS solutions to relate the PSS molecular structure at air-water interfaces to foam properties. PSS polyelectrolytes without additional salt exhibited significant surface activity, which can be tuned further by additions of CaCl2. The hydrophobicity of the backbone due to incomplete sulfonation during synthesis is one origin, whereas the effective charge of the polyelectrolyte chain is shown to play another major role. At low salt concentrations, we propose that the polyelectrolyte is forming a layered structure. The hydrophobic parts are likely to be located directly at the interface in loops, whereas the hydrophilic parts are at low concentrations stretched out into near-interface regions in tails. Increasing the Ca2+ concentration leads to ion condensation, a collapse of the tails, and likely to Ca2+ intra- and intermolecular bridges between polyelectrolytes at the interface. The increase in both surface excess and foam stability originates from changes in the polyelectrolyte's hydrophobicity due to Ca2+ condensation onto the PSS polyanions. Consequently, charge screening at the interface is enhanced and repulsive electrostatic interactions are reduced. Furthermore, SFG spectra of O-H stretching bands reveal a decrease in intensity of the low-frequency branch when c(Ca2+) is increased whereas the high-frequency branch of O-H stretching modes persists even for 1 M CaCl2. This originates from the remaining net charge of the PSS polyanions at the air-water interface that is not fully compensated by condensation of Ca2+ ions and leads to electric-field-induced contributions to the SFG spectra of interfacial H2O. A charge reversal of the PSS net charge at the air-water interface is not observed and is consistent with bulk electrophoretic mobility measurements.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
283605
|
THE ORIGIN AND IMPACT OF COLOUR CATEGORIES IN THOUGHT AND LANGUAGE
|
This proposal outlines a cutting-edge five year project which will push the frontiers of colour category research, and will resonate throughout the cognitive and social sciences. Humans can discriminate millions of colours (Zeki, 1993), yet language refers to colour using a number of discrete categories (e.g., red, green, blue). These colour categories are also present in ‘thought’ (e.g., in colour judgements / memory). There has been considerable multidisciplinary research into the origin of colour categories and how colour categories in thought and language relate. However, major theoretical challenges remain. The ‘CATEGORIES’ project, led by Franklin, will tackle these crucial challenges with the aim of establishing a new theoretical framework for the field. So far, Franklin has made a major contribution to the field by providing converging evidence that infants categorise colour. The ‘CATEGORIES’ project will investigate new ground-breaking questions on the relationship of these ‘pre-linguistic’ colour categories to the world’s colour lexicons, using a diverse range of methods (e.g., infant testing, computational simulations, psychophysics). The project also aims to resolve the long standing debate about the impact of colour terms on perception (e.g., Whorf, 1956), pioneering a ‘Neuro-Whorfian’ approach to the debate. This approach will use neuro-physiological methods to firmly establish the extent to which speakers of different languages ‘see’ colour differently. The new questions, approaches, data and theory provided by the ‘CATEGORIES’ project, will lead to major advances in colour category research. The project will also lead to major advances on issues that are fundamental to understanding the complexity of the human mind (e.g., the interaction of language and thought; how the brain categorises the visual world), having impact across multiple disciplines (e.g., cognitive neuroscience, linguistics, psychology), as well as practical application.
|
[
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System"
] |
10.1051/0004-6361/201833292
|
A Tale Of Two Periods Determination Of The Orbital Ephemeris Of The Super Eddington Pulsar Ngc 7793 P13
|
We present a timing analysis of multiple XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations of the ultra-luminous pulsar NGC 7793 P13 spread over its 65d variability period. We use the measured pulse periods to determine the orbital ephemeris, confirm a long orbital period with P_orb = 63. 9 (+0. 5,-0. 6) d, and find an eccentricity of e <= 0. 15. The orbital signature is imprinted on top of a secular spin-up, which seems to get faster as the source becomes brighter. We also analyse data from dense monitoring of the source with Swift and find an optical photometric period of 63. 9 +/- 0. 5 d and an X-ray flux period of 66. 8 +/- 0. 4 d. The optical period is consistent with the orbital period, while the X-ray flux period is significantly longer. We discuss possible reasons for this discrepancy, which could be due to a super-orbital period caused by a precessing accretion disk or an orbital resonance. We put the orbital period of P13 into context with the orbital periods implied for two other ultra-luminous pulsars, M82 X-2 and NGC 5907 ULX and discuss possible implications for the system parameters.
|
[
"Universe Sciences"
] |
10.1161/circresaha.119.315730
|
The Noonan Syndrome Gene
Lztr1
Controls Cardiovascular Function by Regulating Vesicular Trafficking
|
Rationale: Noonan syndrome (NS) is one of the most frequent genetic disorders. Bleeding problems are among the most common, yet poorly defined complications associated with NS. A lack of consensus on the management of bleeding complications in patients with NS indicates an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. Objective: Bleeding disorders have recently been described in patients with NS harboring mutations of LZTR1 (leucine zipper-like transcription regulator 1), an adaptor for CUL3 (CULLIN3) ubiquitin ligase complex. Here, we assessed the pathobiology of LZTR1-mediated bleeding disorders. Methods and Results: Whole-body and vascular specific knockout of Lztr1 results in perinatal lethality due to cardiovascular dysfunction. Lztr1 deletion in blood vessels of adult mice leads to abnormal vascular leakage. We found that defective adherent and tight junctions in Lztr1 -depleted endothelial cells are caused by dysregulation of vesicular trafficking. LZTR1 affects the dynamics of fusion and fission of recycling endosomes by controlling ubiquitination of the ESCRT-III (endosomal sorting complex required for transport III) component CHMP1B (charged multivesicular protein 1B), whereas NS-associated LZTR1 mutations diminish CHMP1B ubiquitination. LZTR1-mediated dysregulation of CHMP1B ubiquitination triggers endosomal accumulation and subsequent activation of VEGFR2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2) and decreases blood levels of soluble VEGFR2 in Lztr1 haploinsufficient mice. Inhibition of VEGFR2 activity by cediranib rescues vascular abnormalities observed in Lztr1 knockout mice Conclusions: Lztr1 deletion phenotypically overlaps with bleeding diathesis observed in patients with NS. ELISA screening of soluble VEGFR2 in the blood of LZTR1 -mutated patients with NS may predict both the severity of NS phenotypes and potential responders to anti-VEGF therapy. VEGFR inhibitors could be beneficial for the treatment of bleeding disorders in patients with NS.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1016/j.cell.2017.03.002
|
A Viral Immunoevasin Controls Innate Immunity by Targeting the Prototypical Natural Killer Cell Receptor Family
|
Natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in innate immunity by detecting alterations in self and non-self ligands via paired NK cell receptors (NKRs). Despite identification of numerous NKR-ligand interactions, physiological ligands for the prototypical NK1. 1 orphan receptor remain elusive. Here, we identify a viral ligand for the inhibitory and activating NKR-P1 (NK1. 1) receptors. This murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV)-encoded protein, m12, restrains NK cell effector function by directly engaging the inhibitory NKR-P1B receptor. However, m12 also interacts with the activating NKR-P1A/C receptors to counterbalance m12 decoy function. Structural analyses reveal that m12 sequesters a large NKR-P1 surface area via a “polar claw” mechanism. Polymorphisms in, and ablation of, the viral m12 protein and host NKR-P1B/C alleles impact NK cell responses in vivo. Thus, we identify the long-sought foreign ligand for this key immunoregulatory NKR family and reveal how it controls the evolutionary balance of immune recognition during host-pathogen interplay.
|
[
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
W2900385822
|
Adoption Constraints for Small-scale Agroforestry-based Biofuel Systems in India
|
Abstract Small-scale agroforestry-based biofuel production has recently been proposed as a strategy for rural poverty alleviation, but few empirical evidence is available on farmer adoption of such novel systems. This study describes adoption of oilseed tree mixtures on smallholdings in Hassan district, South India, and examines the impact of a biofuel extension program and farmer characteristics on adoption. Cross-sectional survey data and regression analyses addressing various forms of selection bias, are used. The findings reveal that tree cultivation is much more prevalent than oilseed collection, and that various activities of the biofuel extension program only stimulate the former. Low seed prices and high opportunity costs of labour are major factors impeding households to collect seeds from planted or wild oilseed species. The paper concludes that the program succeeds as an agroforestry program but not as a biofuel program. Similar challenges pertain to small-scale agroforestry systems as to jatropha-based plantation systems, although the former are a Low-Risk High-Diversity approach to build feedstock for the future.
|
[
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
217521
|
Firm-To-Firm trade networks
|
This project analyzes the propagation of shocks through international trade. The microeconomic structure of trade networks is argued to favor the propagation and amplification of shocks with an end-effect on the dynamics and volatility of aggregate trade. The exploitation of highly disaggregated firm-to-firm trade data offers a unique opportunity to analyze these questions into details.
The first part of the proposal studies the determinants of trade networks. I build a search-and-matching framework to explain the formation of bilateral trade relationships as a matching process between individual exporters in one country and individual buyers located in another country. This framework allows explaining the structure of trade networks observed in the data, both in the cross-section and over time. The model is also used to revisit several puzzles of the international economic literature, including the question of welfare gains from trade and the convergence to the law of one price.
The second part of the proposal studies the consequences of the structure of trade networks for the volatility of trade and its resilience to relative price shocks. I study how the observed connections between individual firms help propagate individual and aggregate shocks, with an end-effect on the volatility of aggregate trade and the comovement of GDPs across countries. The high concentration of trade networks and the strength of production linkages, within and across countries, help amplify the aggregate effect of individual shocks. I also analyze how the structure of trade networks shapes the response of aggregate trade to relative price shocks. The nature and history of firm-to-firm relationships is argued to have implications for the aggregate elasticity of trade.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
W903422662
|
Pressurization method for controllable impulsion of liquids in microfluidic platforms
|
In this paper, a pressurization method for manufacturing an independent impulsion system is proposed. The method consists in inserting a deformable material filling a microchamber, leading to its pressurization, which will be on charge of the movement of fluid. The reached pressure involves a wide range of positive values which match well for its application in microfluidic systems, such as Lab on a Chip. It has to be highlighted that the portability of microfluidic platforms is improved due to the fact that the use of external pumps to impulse the fluids can be avoided. So, the paper is focused on the displacement of fluid from one part of the microfluidic circuit to another, with the minimum error, in steady state. The control on the impulsion of liquids only depends on the volume of material which has been inserted. This method is intended to be used with an actuation system, in order to perform the impulsion of fluids in a controllable manner. The permeability of the system has been also studied. The experiments have shown good impermeability during 1h, time enough to perform the subsequent activation after pressurization. A microfluidic circuit, including the pressurized system, has been implemented for testing and as an example of a certain application. Display Omitted We propose a novel impulsion system based on PCB and SU-8.The system is intended to be integrated on microfluidic platforms.We design, fabricate and integrate the impulsion system in the circuit.The experimental results show good agreement with the theory.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
260678
|
Molecular studies of synaptic vesicle recycling in health and disease
|
Synaptic transmission is of paramount importance for neuronal circuit integrity; if synapses fail, circuits fail. Transmission of electrical pulses in our brain is critical for normal but also higher brain functions such as learning, memory formation and thought, and understanding the regulatory processes of synaptic transmission may provide insight into neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as Parkinson‟s disease, bipolar disorder and drug addiction that arise from defects in specific neuronal circuits in the brain.
Here, we propose to study novel regulatory mechanisms that operate at the synapse and have the capacity to be major regulators of synaptic plasticity. Our work will include studies of novel synaptic organelles and alternative pathways of synaptic vesicle endocytosis (e.g. clathrin-dependent or kiss-and-run), with a clear link to human disease (e.g. Parkinson‟s Disease). We will use innovative genetic screen approaches in flies and bacteria and study processes that regulate synaptic vesicle trafficking employing imaging, electrophysiology and electron microscopy with the ultimate hope of elucidating mechanisms of normal but also diseased brain function
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
10.1007/s00125-019-4888-z
|
Novel therapeutic potential of angiotensin receptor 1 blockade in a rat model of diabetes-associated depression parallels altered BDNF signalling
|
Aims/hypothesis: Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic linked with diverse diseases of the nervous system, including depression. A few studies suggested a connection between renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockers and reduced depressive symptoms, although underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here we investigated the antidepressant effect and the mechanisms of action of the angiotensin receptor 1 blocker (ARB) losartan in an experiential model of diabetes-associated depression. Methods: Experimental diabetes was induced by streptozotocin in adult male Wistar rats. After 5 weeks of diabetes, rats were treated for 2 weeks with a non-pressor oral dose of losartan (20 mg/kg). In protocol 1, cerebrovascular perfusion and glial activation were evaluated by single-photon emission computed tomography–MRI and immunohistochemistry. In protocol 2, behaviour studies were performed (forced swim test and open field test). Hippocampal proinflammatory response and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling were also assessed. Results: Here, we show that diabetic rats exhibit depression-like behaviour, which can be therapeutically reversed by losartan. This action of losartan occurs via changes in diabetes-induced neuroinflammatory responses rather than altered cerebral perfusion. We also show that as a part of its protective effect losartan restores BDNF production in astrocytes and facilitates BDNF–tropomyosin receptor kinase B–cAMP response element-binding protein signalling in the diabetic brain. Conclusions/interpretation: We identified a novel effect of losartan in the nervous system that may be implemented to alleviate symptoms of diabetes-associated depression. These findings explore a new therapeutic horizon for ARBs as possible antidepressants and suggest that BDNF could be a target of future drug development in diabetes-induced complications.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.1007/s11121-018-0941-2
|
What Affects Attendance and Engagement in a Parenting Program in South Africa?
|
Parenting programs are a promising approach to improving family well-being. For families to benefit, programs need to be able to engage families actively in the interventions. Studies in high-income countries show varying results regarding whether more disadvantaged families are equally engaged in parenting interventions. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), almost nothing is known about the patterns of participation in parent training. This paper examines group session attendance and engagement data from 270 high-risk families enrolled in the intervention arm of a cluster-randomized controlled trial in South Africa. The trial evaluated a 14-week parenting intervention aiming to improve parenting and reduce maltreatment by caregivers. The intervention was delivered in 20 groups, one per study cluster, with 8 to 16 families each. Overall, caregivers attended 50% of group sessions and children, 64%. Using linear multilevel models with Kenward-Roger correction, we examined child and caregiver baseline characteristics as predictors of their attendance and engagement in the group sessions. Variables examined as predictors included measures of economic, educational, and social and health barriers and resources, as well as family problems and sociodemographic characteristics. Overall, the study yielded no evidence that the level of stressors, such as poverty, was related to attendance and engagement. Notably, children from overcrowded households attended on average 1. 2 more sessions than their peers. Our findings suggest it is possible to engage highly disadvantaged families that face multiple challenges in parenting interventions in LMICs. However, some barriers such as scheduling, and alcohol and substance use, remain relevant.
|
[
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
interreg_3514
|
Promoting Silver tourism through valorization of MED-diet and wellbeing routes in the CBC area
|
Silver Wellbeing project aims to create and promote a touristic offer mainly addressed to “silver” public (over 65), that brings together territorial valorization and promotion with the Mediterranean diet and a correct and healthy lifestyle.
By adopting the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle (an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as recognized by UNESCO), the Silver Wellbeing project will exploit the silver tourism as an asset of growth for the cross-border region, and will promote the benefits of healthy and sustainable life to silver tourists. The latter will have the opportunity to experience unique moments of vacations, combining cultural and artistic interests with those of their wellbeing.
Polyclinic of Bari is the lead beneficiary of this project in cooperation with the University of Bari Aldo Moro, University of Ioannina, IMBBR-BR Foundation for Research and Technology and Innopolis Centre for innovation and culture. Partners will be supported by two associated partners, Puglia Region, Economical Department of Culture, Tourism and Territory, and the General Hospital of Filiates.
|
[
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Studies of Cultures and Arts",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1163/23519924-00601002
|
The Special Issue ‘Forced Migration and Refugeedom in the Modern Middle East’ Towards Connected Histories of Refugeedom in the Middle East
|
This special issue approaches the study of refugees and forcibly displaced persons in the Middle East beyond the analytic bounds dictated by states, nations and regions. Each author is interested in showing connections, influences, and far-reaching consequences that cut across analytic boundaries. By challenging state-centred accounts and instead placing refugees, institutions, and states in a mutually interactive framework, each contributor frames refugees as the driving force behind various historical processes. By providing a range of case studies drawn from the Middle East, the volume also marks a step away from the Euro-centrism that so often defines the study of refugees and shows the centrality of the developments in Europe for the Middle East and the developments in the Middle East for Europe. We therefore propose the connected histories of refugeedom as the historiographical way forward in the study of refugees.
|
[
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
] |
10.1007/s10963-013-9067-4
|
East Africa and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean world
|
The Indian Ocean has long been a forum for contact, trade and the transfer of goods, technologies and ideas between geographically distant groups of people. Another, less studied, outcome of expanding maritime connectivity in the region is the translocation of a range of species of plants and animals, both domestic and wild. A significant number of these translocations can now be seen to involve Africa, either providing or receiving species, suggesting that Africa's role in the emergence of an increasingly connected Indian Ocean world deserves more systematic consideration. While the earliest international contacts with the East African coast remain poorly understood, in part due to a paucity of archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological studies, some evidence for early African coastal activity is provided by the discovery of early hunter-gatherer sites on offshore islands, and, possibly, by the translocation of wild animals among these islands, and between them and the mainland. From the seventh century, however, clear evidence for participation in the Indian Ocean world emerges, in the form of a range of introduced species, including commensal and domestic animals, and agricultural crops. New genetic studies demonstrate that the flow of species to the coast is complex, with more than one source frequently indicated. The East African coast and Madagascar appear to have been significant centres of genetic admixture, drawing upon Southeast Asian, South Asian and Middle Eastern genetic varieties, and sometimes yielding unique hybrid species. The biological patterns reflect a deeply networked trade and contact situation, and support East Africa's key role in the events and transformations of the early Indian Ocean world.
|
[
"The Study of the Human Past",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
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