id
stringlengths 6
42
| title
stringlengths 3
499
| abstract
stringlengths 0
6.24k
| label
listlengths 0
6
|
|---|---|---|---|
interreg_217
|
Marine Protected Areas and Artisan Fishing Integrated Management through environmental awareness and education
|
The AMPPA project aims to create a new management tool for Marine Protected Areas (MPA), in consideration of the crucial role for the protection of the marine environment and for the sustainable development of coastal and marine areas, as the driving forces of the integration between resource protection needs and development needs of coastal communities. The tool proposed by the project is an integrated management of MPAs that directly involves all operators (public bodies, anglers, citizens, tourists, etc.) also through awareness-raising and environmental education actions. AMPPA proposes a correct management of the marine protected areas concerned through:
1) Raising awareness and environmental education of operators and users;
2) The implementation and adaptation of a method of Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Management that will result in the drafting of the "Implementing regulation and organization of the MPA", aimed at regulating in detail the activities allowed within the MPA
|
[
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
] |
339829
|
How citizens try to influence politics and why. International comparisons of movement and party politics
|
Protests in ‘new’ democracies about ‘stolen elections’, demonstrations in ‘old’ democracies against austerity measures, occupied squares all over the world against inequality and for better governance. Some argue that contentious politics gains importance and party politics declines. Is that so and why would that be? Why is it that some individuals engage in politics while others remain apathetic? Why is it that some citizens take the electoral route, while others engage in contentious politics? The truth is that we do not really know. Should we bother? I think we should. Citizens who are actively involved in politics are an asset to democracy. Understanding how and why people take part in politics would help to build more democratic societies.
The proposed project compares participation in contentious and non-contentious politics in various countries within a single theoretical and methodological framework. A central tenet of this research proposal is that sooner or later every citizen might get involved in politics. I seek the reason why in the interplay of dynamics at the individual, the organizational, and the societal level. What are the motives people have? What are the appeals parties and movement organizations disseminate; and what are the opportunities and constraints regimes impose?
Comparison is the core of the project. It encompasses four subproject: (1) a meta-analysis of publications on movement and party politics; (2) comparisons of political participation over time and countries in global survey data; (3) focus group discussions to understand the formation of political engagement and disengagement in four ‘old’ democracies (the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, U.S.A.), two post-communist ‘new’ democracies (Hungary, Romania) and two post-authoritarian ‘new’ democracies (Brazil, Argentina) and Greece as a country that was hit harder than any country by the financial crisis; (4) experimental focused surveys among 1000 respondents to quantify patterns of political participation in the same nine countries.
|
[
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
] |
W1952334283
|
The problematic C2H4+F2 reaction barrier
|
The C(2)H(4)+F(2) reaction is investigated through the most rigorous electronic structure methods currently feasible, using a focal point approach to converge toward the ab initio limit. Explicit computations were executed with basis sets as large as aug-cc-pV5Z and correlation treatments as extensive as coupled cluster through full triples with a perturbative inclusion of quadruple excitations [CCSDT(Q)]. Auxiliary core correlation, diagonal Born-Oppenheimer, and first-order relativistic corrections were included. All optimized geometries and vibrational frequencies were determined completely at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ level. The final C(2)H(4)+F(2) reaction barrier from theory (8.0 kcal mol(-1)) is significantly higher than the recently reported experimental barrier (5.5+/-0.5 kcal mol(-1)). Our computations also yield a new enthalpy of formation of the fluoroethyl radical, Delta(f)H(298) degrees(C(2)H(4)F)=-13.2+/-0.2 kcal mol(-1), whose uncertainty is an order of magnitude less than previous experimental values.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
] |
US 201514708419 A
|
Uniflow Centrifugal Gas-Liquid Separator
|
This invention is intended to prevent carry-over of the liquid phase and solid particles, decrease loss of head, and simplify design in centrifugal separators. The separator comprises a cylindrical body, inlet and outlet pipes aligned with the body and a swirler. The diameter of separation pipes is smaller than the internal diameter of the body; the end of the inlet pipe is expanded against the inlet pipe making a parallel-plate duct inside the cylindrical duct. The swirler is installed in the inlet pipe comprising a cone with its top positioned towards gas-liquid flow. The cylindrical pipe is fixed to the cone base. The flat plates are mounted circumferentially along the internal surface of the inlet pipes located at 25-35° to the cone guide; and between the external diameter of the outlet pipe and the external diameter of the body there is a cylindrical flow damper.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
757800
|
Quadratic dispersive resonators for optical frequency comb generation
|
Optical frequency combs are made of thousands of equally spaced spectral lines, each an ultra-stable laser in its own right. They act as “spectral rulers” against which unknown optical frequencies can be measured, and they have had a revolutionary impact on numerous fields ranging from the detection of extra-solar planets to precision metrology, winning its inventors a Nobel prize in 2005. Traditionally, frequency combs have been generated by ultrashort pulsed lasers, but in 2007 an important observation changed the research landscape: a continuous-wave laser coupled into a microscopic resonator was shown to spontaneously transform into thousands of comb lines via third-order nonlinear optical effects. I believe that yet another revolution lies at the horizon. Specifically, recent experiments have alluded to the possibility of realizing optical frequency combs purely through second order (quadratic) nonlinear effects. The intrinsic features of the second order nonlinearity hold promise to deliver access to new regions of the electro-magnetic spectrum beyond all conventional frequency comb technologies. But unfortunately, experimental investigations are scarce and the physics that underlie frequency comb formation in quadratic resonators is poorly understood. The goal of the QuadraComb project is to pursue a complete characterization of frequency comb generation in dispersive quadratically nonlinear resonators. I plan to (i) develop theoretical models to describe quadratic frequency combs, and (ii) develop novel platforms for the experimental realization of quadratic frequency combs.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
] |
W2053138999
|
Experimental study on the rigidity behavior of Prestressed Steel Reinforced Concrete beams
|
Prestressed Steel Reinforced Concrete (PSRC) Structure is a new system by combining PC technology and steel reinforced concrete (SRC) structure, and is a technical innovation to the conventional structures, such as concrete structures, PC structures and SRC structures. Because having much virtue, for instance high bearing capacity, fine serviceable performance, covering and over loading capability, it will have expansive application. The serviceable performance can be observably improved by putting PC technology on the SRC beams, such as rigidity and crack resistibility degree. Based on static loading experiments of seven PSRC beams with different designing coefficients, the experimental phenomena as loading process, failure pattern are studied, and the primarily influencing factors on flexural performance have been contrasted to educe conclusion for future design.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1371/journal.ppat.1003152
|
Cyclosporine A Impairs Nucleotide Binding Oligomerization Domain (Nod1)-Mediated Innate Antibacterial Renal Defenses in Mice and Human Transplant Recipients
|
Acute pyelonephritis (APN), which is mainly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), is the most common bacterial complication in renal transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive treatment. However, it remains unclear how immunosuppressive drugs, such as the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA), decrease renal resistance to UPEC. Here, we investigated the effects of CsA in host defense against UPEC in an experimental model of APN. We show that CsA-treated mice exhibit impaired production of the chemoattractant chemokines CXCL2 and CXCL1, decreased intrarenal recruitment of neutrophils, and greater susceptibility to UPEC than vehicle-treated mice. Strikingly, renal expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (Nod1), neutrophil migration capacity, and phagocytic killing of E. coli were significantly reduced in CsA-treated mice. CsA inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced, Tlr4-mediated production of CXCL2 by epithelial collecting duct cells. In addition, CsA markedly inhibited Nod1 expression in neutrophils, macrophages, and renal dendritic cells. CsA, acting through inhibition of the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATs), also markedly downregulated Nod1 in neutrophils and macrophages. Silencing the NFATc1 isoform mRNA, similar to CsA, downregulated Nod1 expression in macrophages, and administration of the 11R-VIVIT peptide inhibitor of NFATs to mice also reduced neutrophil bacterial phagocytosis and renal resistance to UPEC. Conversely, synthetic Nod1 stimulating agonists given to CsA-treated mice significantly increased renal resistance to UPEC. Renal transplant recipients receiving CsA exhibited similar decrease in NOD1 expression and neutrophil phagocytosis of E. coli. The findings suggest that such mechanism of NFATc1-dependent inhibition of Nod1-mediated innate immune response together with the decrease in Tlr4-mediated production of chemoattractant chemokines caused by CsA may contribute to sensitizing kidney grafts to APN.
|
[
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
EP 15155051 A
|
Shoulder ring installation tools
|
A shoulder ring, for installation in a threaded pipe coupling between the installed pin ends of two pipes being connected by the coupling, has opposing end faces and a central opening, and may be lobate or circular in shape. The shoulder ring provides enhanced axial retention within the coupling by incorporating a thread element which engages the internal threads of the coupling to prevent or deter displacement of the ring from the coupling. Alternatively, enhanced axial retention may be provided by means of an interference or interlocking fit that is plastically induced during the ring installation process. The shoulder ring may be of lobate or circular configuration, with the axial retention of lobate embodiments being further enhanced by forces acting radially outward against the coupling due to elastic deformation of the ring during installation. Also disclosed are tools for installing the shoulder rings in a threaded coupling.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1007/s00332-011-9118-x
|
Bifurcation diagrams and heteroclinic networks of octagonal H-planforms
|
This paper completes the classification of bifurcation diagrams for H-planforms in the Poincaré disc D whose fundamental domain is a regular octagon. An H-planform is a steady solution of a PDE or integro-differential equation in D, which is invariant under the action of a lattice subgroup Γ of U(1, 1), the group of isometries of D. In our case Γ generates a tiling of D with regular octagons. This problem was introduced as an example of spontaneous pattern formation in a model of image feature detection by the visual cortex where the features are assumed to be represented in the space of structure tensors. Under 'generic' assumptions the bifurcation problem reduces to an ODE which is invariant by an irreducible representation of the group of automorphisms G of the compact Riemann surface D/Γ . The irreducible representations of G have dimensions one, two, three and four. The bifurcation diagrams for the representations of dimensions less than four have already been described and correspond to well-known group actions. In the present work we compute the bifurcation diagrams for the remaining three irreducible representations of dimension four, thus completing the classification. In one of these cases, there is generic bifurcation of a heteroclinic network connecting equilibria with two different orbit types.
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.1117/12.2208670
|
Average Power Limit Of Fiber Laser Systems With Nearly Diffraction Limited Beam Quality
|
The maximum average power that can be emitted from an ytterbium-doped fiber-laser system is estimated. The analysis takes into account all the effects known so far that may limit the average power including transverse mode instabilities and photo darkening. Hereby, the recent experimental observation that transverse mode instabilities depend on the average heat load in a fiber amplifier is exploited. The results of this analysis show that there are three main limiting effects: stimulated Raman scattering, the brightness of the pump laser and transverse mode instabilities. Moreover, the analysis suggests that, disregarding possible practical constrains, the average output power of a fiber laser system can be, in principle, increased up to 70kW.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1016/j.egypro.2017.09.314
|
Effect of low-temperature annealing on defect causing copper-related light-induced degradation in p-type silicon
|
Copper is a common impurity in photovoltaic silicon. While reported to precipitate instantly in n-type Si, copper causes light-induced degradation (Cu-LID) in p-type Si. Recently, partial recovery of Cu-LID was observed after only few minutes of dark annealing at 200°C. In this contribution, we investigate the effects of the dark anneal on Cu-LID-limited minority carrier lifetime both experimentally and by simulations. Surprisingly, after initial recovery, the dark anneal results in further degradation corresponding to a many-fold increase in recombination activity compared to the degraded state after illumination. This anneal-induced degradation can potentially cause additional losses in accidentally Cu-contaminated devices when exposed to elevated temperatures, for example during recovery and regeneration treatments of solar cells. Transient ion drift measurements confirmed that the anneal-induced degradation cannot be attributed to residual interstitial Cu after illumination. After hundreds of hours of annealing, the samples showed another recovery. To analyze these experimental results, a comparison to simulations is performed at the end of the paper.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1038/srep43285
|
Applying torque to the Escherichia coli flagellar motor using magnetic tweezers
|
Abstract
The bacterial flagellar motor of Escherichia coli is a nanoscale rotary engine essential for bacterial propulsion. Studies on the power output of single motors rely on the measurement of motor torque and rotation under external load. Here, we investigate the use of magnetic tweezers, which in principle allow the application and active control of a calibrated load torque, to study single flagellar motors in Escherichia coli. We manipulate the external load on the motor by adjusting the magnetic field experienced by a magnetic bead linked to the motor, and we probe the motor’s response. A simple model describes the average motor speed over the entire range of applied fields. We extract the motor torque at stall and find it to be similar to the motor torque at drag-limited speed. In addition, use of the magnetic tweezers allows us to force motor rotation in both forward and backward directions. We monitor the motor’s performance before and after periods of forced rotation and observe no destructive effects on the motor. Our experiments show how magnetic tweezers can provide active and fast control of the external load while also exposing remaining challenges in calibration. Through their non-invasive character and straightforward parallelization, magnetic tweezers provide an attractive platform to study nanoscale rotary motors at the single-motor level.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
10.1038/srep39104
|
Perceptual learning to discriminate the intensity and spatial location of nociceptive stimuli
|
Accurate discrimination of the intensity and spatial location of nociceptive stimuli is essential to guide appropriate behaviour. The ability to discriminate the attributes of sensory stimuli is continuously refined by practice, even throughout adulthood - a phenomenon called perceptual learning. In the visual domain, perceptual learning to discriminate one of the features that define a visual stimulus (e. g. , its orientation) can transfer to a different feature of the same stimulus (e. g. , its contrast). Here, we performed two experiments on 48 volunteers to characterize perceptual learning in nociception, which has been rarely studied. We investigated whether learning to discriminate either the intensity or the location of nociceptive stimuli (1) occurs during practice and is subsequently maintained, (2) requires feedback on performance, and (3) transfers to the other, unpractised stimulus feature. First, we found clear evidence that perceptual learning in discriminating both the intensity and the location of nociceptive stimuli occurs, and is maintained for at least 3 hours after practice. Second, learning occurs only when feedback is provided during practice. Finally, learning is largely confined to the feature for which feedback was provided. We discuss these effects in a predictive coding framework, and consider implications for future studies.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
10.1098/rstb.2013.0427
|
The application of transcriptional blood signatures to enhance our understanding of the host response to infection: the example of tuberculosis
|
Despite advances in antimicrobials, vaccination and public health measures, infectious diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. With the increase in antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of new pathogens, there remains a need for new and more accurate diagnostics, the ability to monitor adequate treatment response as well as the ability to predict prognosis for an individual. Transcriptional approaches using blood signatures have enabled a better understanding of the host response to diseases, leading not only to new avenues of basic research, but also to the identification of potential biomarkers for use in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring.
|
[
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
10.1007/s11109-017-9429-1
|
It Runs in the Family: A Study of Political Candidacy Among Swedish Adoptees
|
What motivates citizens to run for office? Recent work has shown that early life parental socialization is strongly associated with a desire to run for office. However, parents not only shape their children’s political environment, they also pass along their genes to those same children. A growing area of research has shown that individual differences in a wide range of political behaviors and attitudes are linked to genetic differences. As a result, genetic factors may confound the observed political similarities among parents and their children. This study analyzes Swedish register data containing information on all nominated and elected candidates in the ten parliamentary, county council, and municipal elections from 1982 to 2014 for a large sample of adoptees and their adoptive and biological parents. By studying the similarity in political ambition within both adoptive and biological families, our research design allows us to disentangle so-called “pre-birth” factors, such as genes and pre-natal environment, and “post-birth” factors like parental socialization. We find that the likelihood of standing as a political candidate is twice as high if one’s parent has been a candidate. We also find that the effects of pre-birth and post-birth factors are approximately equal in size. In addition, we test a number of potential pre- and post-birth transmission mechanisms. First, disconfirming our expectations, the pre-birth effects do not seem to be mediated by cognitive ability or leadership skills. Second, consistent with a role modeling mechanism, we find evidence of a strong transmission in candidacy status between rearing mothers and their daughters.
|
[
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
W2045626469
|
Hypervisible Man: Techno-Performativity and Televisual Blackness in Percival Everett's I Am Not Sidney Poitier
|
In interviews and in his writing, Percival Everett has been notoriously evasive about the role of race and African American identity in his fiction. For instance, in a typical exchange from a 2005 interview, Jim Kincaid asked Everett, “What, for you, is race?” Everett responded, “It’s when two or more people, dogs, horses or cars try to get to a distant point as fast as they can.” Kincaid later asked Everett whether he is “in some way a black writer” (378); Everett gave a similarly playful but perhaps more telling answer: “I am a black writer the way you are a white professor or that man over there is a fat banker. You might point me out as a black writer when trying to betray me to the KKK or the Bush administration. If I get lost and you’re trying to tell the police what I look like, you will say, ‘He’s devastatingly handsome, tall and black’” (379). While of course Everett is in part merely engaging in some verbal parrying with Kincaid here, this statement reveals something about the way that race and racial identification are treated in Everett’s fiction. For Everett, blackness is primarily a visual descriptor, one that is much more likely to tell us something significant about the person doing the describing than the person being described. Proceeding from this point, many critics who have discussed Everett’s fiction claim that its project is defiantly to carve out space (in a uniquely curmudgeonly style) for African American writers whose writing does not fit neatly into stereotyped and popularly circulated versions of the authentic black experience. For instance, about Erasure (2001), Everett’s scathing takedown of the publishing industry’s treatment of black culture, Margaret Russett writes that “Everett unhinges ‘black’ subject matter from a lingering stereotype of ‘black’ style, while challenging the assumption that a single or consensual African-American Experience exists to be represented” (360). Brian Yost similarly argues that rather than depicting any sort of unitary form of blackness, Everett “re-evaluates expression at the individual level, offering instead a human identity composed of a non-reducible array of significant experiences and influences” (1325). A defiant individualism in Everett’s work puts him in the context of a postmodernist black
|
[
"Texts and Concepts",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
W2516645584
|
Implementing a computable general equilibrium model with heterogenous firms and endogenous productivity
|
This paper presents a computable general equilibrium model with trade-induced effects on industrial productivity and firm heterogeneity, based on Melitz (2003). Unlike the standard setting, our model considers multiple primary resources, different technologies, intermediate factors and input-output linkages. Implementation issues and calibration techniques are discussed. The inclusion of industries with heterogeneous firms in a CGE framework does not simply make the Melitz model 'operational', but allows accounting for structural effects that affect the nature, meaning and implications of the results. We illustrate the point through a numerical example, in which a standard neoclassic, a Melitz and a hybrid models are compared. The results show that the hybrid model displays the largest welfare gains from lower trade barriers, as it combines Ricardian comparative advantages with Melitz average productivity improvements. However, they also show that new effects, not present in the original Ricardo and Melitz frameworks, are at a work.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
W1969566073
|
Modeling and controlling clarifier–thickeners fed by suspensions with time-dependent properties
|
A one-dimensional model of the process of continuous sedimentation in a clarifier–thickener unit is presented. The governing model is expressed as a system of two nonlinear partial differential equations for the solids volume fraction and the varying settling velocity of the solids as functions of depth and time. This model extends the well-known model for the dynamics of a flocculated suspension in a clarifier–thickener advanced by Burger et al. (2005). Operating charts are calculated to be used for the control of steady states, in particular, to keep the sediment level and the underflow volume fraction at desired values. A numerical scheme and a simple regulator are proposed and numerical simulations are performed.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1128/mBio.01439-16
|
Eukaryotic-like virus budding in archaea
|
Similar to many eukaryotic viruses (and unlike bacteriophages), viruses infecting archaea are often encased in lipidcontaining envelopes. However, the mechanisms of their morphogenesis and egress remain unexplored. Here, we used dual-axis electron tomography (ET) to characterize the morphogenesis of Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1 (SSV1), the prototype of the family Fuselloviridae and representative of the most abundant archaea-specific group of viruses. Our results show that SSV1 assembly and egress are concomitant and occur at the cellular cytoplasmic membrane via a process highly reminiscent of the budding of enveloped viruses that infect eukaryotes. The viral nucleoprotein complexes are extruded in the form of previously unknown rod-shaped intermediate structures which have an envelope continuous with the host membrane. Further maturation into characteristic spindle-shaped virions takes place while virions remain attached to the cell surface. Our data also revealed the formation of constricted ring-like structures which resemble the budding necks observed prior to the ESCRT machinerymediated membrane scission during egress of various enveloped viruses of eukaryotes. Collectively, we provide evidence that archaeal spindle-shaped viruses contain a lipid envelope acquired upon budding of the viral nucleoprotein complex through the host cytoplasmic membrane. The proposed model bears a clear resemblance to the egress strategy employed by enveloped eukaryotic viruses and raises important questions as to how the archaeal single-layered membrane composed of tetraether lipids can undergo scission. IMPORTANCE The replication of enveloped viruses has been extensively studied in eukaryotes but has remained unexplored for enveloped viruses infecting bacteria and archaea. Here, we provide a sequential view on the assembly and egress of SSV1, a prototypic archaeal virus. The observed process is highly similar to the budding of eukaryotic enveloped viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus, influenza virus, and Ebola virus. The present study is the first to characterize such a phenomenon in archaeal cells, showing that membrane budding is not an exclusive feature of eukaryotic viruses. Our results provide significant insights into the biogenesis and architecture of unique, spindle-shaped virions that infect archaea. Furthermore, our findings open doors for future inquiries into (i) the evolution of the virus budding process, (ii) mechanistic details of virus-mediated membrane scission in Archaea, and (iii) elucidation of virus- and host-encoded molecular players responsible for archaeal membrane and surface remodeling.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration"
] |
10.1056/NEJMoa1308130
|
A dominant-negative GFI1B mutation in the gray platelet syndrome
|
The gray platelet syndrome is a hereditary, usually autosomal recessive bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency of alpha granules in platelets. We detected a non-sense mutation in the gene encoding the transcription factor GFI1B (growth factor independent 1B) that causes autosomal dominant gray platelet syndrome. Both gray platelets and megakaryocytes had abnormal marker expression. In addition, the megakaryocytes had dysplastic features, and they were abnormally distributed in the bone marrow. The GFI1B mutant protein inhibited nonmutant GFI1B transcriptional activity in a dominant-negative manner. Our studies show that GFI1B, in addition to being causally related to the gray platelet syndrome, is key to megakaryocyte and platelet development.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
10.1038/s41392-020-0136-8
|
Pleiotropic tumor suppressor functions of WWOX antagonize metastasis
|
Tumor progression and metastasis are the major causes of death among cancer associated mortality. Metastatic cells acquire features of migration and invasion and usually undergo epithelia-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Acquirement of these various hallmarks rely on different cellular pathways, including TGF-β and Wnt signaling. Recently, we reported that WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) acts as a tumor suppressor and has anti-metastatic activities involving regulation of several key microRNAs (miRNAs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, we report that WWOX restoration in highly metastatic MDA-MB435S cancer cells alters mRNA expression profiles; further, WWOX interacts with various proteins to exert its tumor suppressor function. Careful alignment and analysis of gene and miRNA expression in these cells revealed profound changes in cellular pathways mediating adhesion, invasion and motility. We further demonstrate that WWOX, through regulation of miR-146a levels, regulates SMAD3, which is a member of the TGF-β signaling pathway. Moreover, proteomic analysis of WWOX partners revealed regulation of the Wnt-signaling activation through physical interaction with Disheveled. Altogether, these findings underscore a significant role for WWOX in antagonizing metastasis, further highlighting its role and therapeutic potential in suppressing tumor progression.
|
[
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
Q2889604
|
Tourist Event of Porto and North
|
Rally de Portugal 2017 (18 to 21 May 2017) takes place in 13 Municipalities of the North of Portugal and ensures the added value of an event of great international notoriety and gives great visibility to the territory, generating 1 million viewers, 900 hours of national and international television viewing, for an audience of 67 million people, with 50 % of the viewers of the international market (Spain 40 %) remaining 3 or more nights in the region.
|
[
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
W2156120759
|
The Role of Communication of Performance Schemes: Evidence from a Field Experiment
|
In corporate practice, incentive schemes are often complicated even for simple tasks. Hence, the way they are communicated might matter. In a natural field experiment, we study a minimally invasive change in the communication of a well-established incentive scheme—a reminder regarding the piece rate at the beginning of the shift. The experiment was conducted in a large firm where experienced managers work in a team production setting and where incentives for both quantity and quality of output are provided. While the treatment conveyed no additional material information and left the incentive system unchanged, it had significant positive effects on quantity and on managers’ compensation. These effects are economically sizable and robust to alternative empirical specifications. We consider various potential mechanisms, but our preferred explanation is that the treatment raised the salience of incentives. This paper was accepted by John List, behavioral economics.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
10.1007/JHEP10(2017)158
|
T Branes Anomalies And Moduli Spaces In 6D Scfts
|
The worldvolume theory of M5-branes on an ADE singularity $\mathbb{R}^5/\Gamma_G$ can be Higgsed in various ways, corresponding to the possible nilpotent orbits of $G$. In the F-theory dual picture, this corresponds to activating T-brane data along two stacks of 7-branes and yields a tensor branch realization for a large class of 6D SCFTs. In this paper, we show that the moduli spaces and anomalies of these T-brane theories are related in a simple, universal way to data of the nilpotent orbits. This often works in surprising ways and gives a nontrivial confirmation of the conjectured properties of T-branes in F-theory. We use this result to formally engineer a class of theories where the IIA picture na\"ively breaks down. We also give a proof of the $a$-theorem for all RG flows within this class of T-brane theories.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Mathematics"
] |
W4220792180
|
Arenização: dinâmica climática atual, erosiva-deposicional e de usos e cobertura da terra no Pampa brasileiro
|
No Oeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, há manchas de areia (denominadas areais) inseridas na paisagem do Pampa brasileiro. Estes areais são associados a depósitos eólicos instáveis e/ou estáveis e representam a herança de climas mais secos do que o atual, fornecendo evidências paleoclimáticas importantes para a compreensão da evolução desta paisagem. Atualmente, os depósitos de areia, que têm sua gênese em climas secos, estão sujeitos, ao mesmo tempo, à ação eólica, nas estações secas, e às erosões superficial e subsuperficial, em estações chuvosas, o que remobiliza os sedimentos inconsolidados, dando início ao processo de arenização e à formação de areais. Propõe-se, neste estudo, identificar, classificar e mapear estas paleofeições eólicas (depósitos eólicos estáveis e areais), na sequência, busca-se compreender suas dinâmicas erosiva e deposicional e, por fim, avaliar os contextos da evolução e da pressão agrícola dos sistemas de pastoreio e das monoculturas na área de estudo, os quais caracterizam o Pampa. Pode-se afirmar que os depósitos eólicos estáveis exibem formas remodeladas pelas erosões pluvial e fluvial, apresentando, ainda, diferentes graus de preservação morfológica, em relação àquelas do passado recente, razão pela qual o relevo de colinas atuais pode ser associado aos campos de dunas longitudinais do Holoceno. Quanto à dinâmica agrícola, a conversão de uso destas colinas, sobretudo, de campo herbáceo, utilizado para o pastoreio, em áreas de monoculturas arbóreas e de grãos intensificou a pressão sobre os recursos hídricos, sobre a vegetação herbácea e sobre os solos (Neossolos Quartzarênicos), particularmente sensíveis às erosões hídrica e eólica.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution"
] |
Q4292835
|
Apoyo a las pequeñas empresas con un volumen de negocios superior a 500 000 BGN para hacer frente a las consecuencias económicas de la pandemia de COVID-19
|
Apoyo a las pequeñas empresas con un volumen de negocios superior a 500 000 BGN para hacer frente a las consecuencias económicas de la pandemia de COVID-19
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
224712
|
Gender quotas and the democratic quality of local decision-making processes in clientelistic regimes
|
Gender quotas are a widespread electoral reform aiming to tackle gender inequality in politics. A rich body of literature focuses on the impact of gender quotas on the articulation of women’s interests in national legislatures. Yet we know very little about the transformatory potential of gender quotas for local decision making. Do gender quotas challenge existing practices of local decision making and advance democratization in clientelistic regimes? This research project investigates the impact of gender quotas on the democratic quality of local decision-making processes in Albania. Do women push for transparency, accountability, and responsiveness? How does women’s engagement in local decision-making processes change over time? The project offers a unique and innovative perspective into the topic of gender quotas and democratization through the combination of theoretical and methodological approaches, original data, interdisciplinary approach, and comprehensive public engagement and dissemination of research findings. The proposal relates with a novel interdisciplinary approach that draws on studies of democratization, representation, political anthropology, and feminist institutionalism. The project will enhance the knowledge and skills of the Experienced Researcher by providing state-of-the-art training in data analysis and management – Python Programming Language and ATLAS.ti – advanced knowledge of theoretical and methodological approaches, and scientific and transferable skills. The knowledge and skills combined with networking and collaboration will place the Experienced Researcher in a competitive position among successful researchers in Europe.
|
[
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1038/nm.3391
|
Tumor metastasis: Moving new biological insights into the clinic
|
As the culprit behind most cancer-related deaths, metastasis is the ultimate challenge in our effort to fight cancer as a life-threatening disease. The explosive growth of metastasis research in the past decade has yielded an unprecedented wealth of information about the tumor-intrinsic and tumor-extrinsic mechanisms that dictate metastatic behaviors, the molecular and cellular basis underlying the distinct courses of metastatic progression in different cancers and what renders metastatic cancer refractory to available therapies. However, integration of such new knowledge into an improved, metastasis-oriented oncological drug development strategy is needed to thwart the development of metastatic disease at every stage of progression.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
W1991616759
|
Using CARR model and GARCH model to forecast volatility of the stock index: Evidence from China's Shanghai stock market
|
Generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model (henceforth GARCH model) is a successful model for modeling and forecasting the volatility of financial market. But GARCH models use the closing price data of trading days to calculate the return on assets, without considering the asset price changes during the trading day. Especially when asset prices change greatly during the trading day, the volatility estimated by GARCH model is lower than real volatility. The conditional autoregressive range model (henceforth CARR model) use the range data, which is the difference between the highest asset price and lowest asset price during the trading day to study the volatility of asset prices. WCARR model can make full use of asset price change information during the trading day. We use the daily data of China's Shanghai composite index over the period 2002 to 2012 as the sample data and employ CARR model and GARCH model to model the volatility of Shanghai stock market in this paper. The empirical results show that both WCARR model and GARCH model do a great job in fitting the volatility of stock market. We use MZ regression equation, RMSE and MAE to compare the forecasting ability of WCARR model and GARCH-t model. The empirical results show that WCARR model is better than traditional GARCH model both in in-sample forecasting and out-of-sample forecasting.
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1103/PhysRevB.95.085126
|
Spin-orbit Hamiltonian for organic crystals from first-principles electronic structure and Wannier functions
|
Spin-orbit coupling in organic crystals is responsible for many spin-relaxation phenomena, going from spin diffusion to intersystem crossing. With the goal of constructing effective spin-orbit Hamiltonians to be used in multiscale approaches to the thermodynamical properties of organic crystals, we present a method that combines density functional theory with the construction of Wannier functions. In particular we show that the spin-orbit Hamiltonian constructed over maximally localized Wannier functions can be computed by direct evaluation of the spin-orbit matrix elements over the Wannier functions constructed in absence of spin-orbit interaction. This eliminates the problem of computing the Wannier functions for almost degenerate bands, a problem always present with the spin-orbit-split bands of organic crystals. Examples of the method are presented for isolated organic molecules, for monodimensional chains of Pb and C atoms and for triarylamine-based one-dimensional single crystals.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
10.1145/3173574.3173779
|
Deepwriting Making Digital Ink Editable Via Deep Generative Modeling
|
Digital ink promises to combine the flexibility and aesthetics of handwriting and the ability to process, search and edit digital text. Character recognition converts handwritten text into a digital representation, albeit at the cost of losing personalized appearance due to the technical difficulties of separating the interwoven components of content and style. In this paper, we propose a novel generative neural network architecture that is capable of disentangling style from content and thus making digital ink editable. Our model can synthesize arbitrary text, while giving users control over the visual appearance (style). For example, allowing for style transfer without changing the content, editing of digital ink at the word level and other application scenarios such as spell-checking and correction of handwritten text. We furthermore contribute a new dataset of handwritten text with fine-grained annotations at the character level and report results from an initial user evaluation.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
648291
|
Climate Variability and Security Threats
|
Recent uprisings across the world have accentuated claims that food insecurity is an important trigger of political violence. Is the Arab Spring representative of a general climate-conflict pattern, where severe droughts and other climate anomalies are a key driving force? Research to date has failed to conclude on a robust relationship but several notable theoretical and methodological shortcomings limit inference. CLIMSEC will address these research gaps. It asks: How does climate variability affect dynamics of political violence? This overarching research question will be addressed through the accomplishment of four key objectives: (1) Investigate how food security impacts of climate variability affect political violence; (2) Investigate how economic impacts of climate variability affect political violence; (3) Conduct short-term forecasts of political violence in response to food and economic shocks; and (4) Develop a comprehensive, testable theoretical model of security implications of climate variability. To achieve these objectives, CLIMSEC will advance the research frontier on theoretical as well as analytical accounts. Central in this endeavor is conceptual and empirical disaggregation. Instead of assuming states and calendar years as unitary and fixed entities, the project proposes causal processes that act at multiple temporal and spatial scales, involve various types of actors, and lead to very different forms of outcomes depending on the context. The empirical component will make innovative use of new geo - referenced data and methods; focus on a broad range of insecurity outcomes, including non-violent resistance; and combine rigorous statistical models with out-of-sample simulations and qualitative case studies for theorizing and validation of key findings. Based at PRIO, the project will be led by Research Professor Halvard Buhaug, a leading scholar on climate change and security with strong publication record and project management experience.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
] |
10.1080/17459737.2019.1696899
|
Axiomatic Scale Theory
|
Scales are a fundamental concept of musical practice around the world. They commonly exhibit symmetry properties that are formally studied using cyclic groups in the field of mathematical scale the. . .
|
[
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.06.029
|
De Novo Mutations in SON Disrupt RNA Splicing of Genes Essential for Brain Development and Metabolism, Causing an Intellectual-Disability Syndrome
|
The overall understanding of the molecular etiologies of intellectual disability (ID) and developmental delay (DD) is increasing as next-generation sequencing technologies identify genetic variants in individuals with such disorders. However, detailed analyses conclusively confirming these variants, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms explaining the diseases, are often lacking. Here, we report on an ID syndrome caused by de novo heterozygous loss-of-function (LoF) mutations in SON. The syndrome is characterized by ID and/or DD, malformations of the cerebral cortex, epilepsy, vision problems, musculoskeletal abnormalities, and congenital malformations. Knockdown of son in zebrafish resulted in severe malformation of the spine, brain, and eyes. Importantly, analyses of RNA from affected individuals revealed that genes critical for neuronal migration and cortex organization (TUBG1, FLNA, PNKP, WDR62, PSMD3, and HDAC6) and metabolism (PCK2, PFKL, IDH2, ACY1, and ADA) are significantly downregulated because of the accumulation of mis-spliced transcripts resulting from erroneous SON-mediated RNA splicing. Our data highlight SON as a master regulator governing neurodevelopment and demonstrate the importance of SON-mediated RNA splicing in human development.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
170445
|
Build up skills to business
|
This project is directed towards establishing and upgrading large-scale qualification and training schemes in the Netherlands for craftsmen and other on-site workers, in the continuation of the BUILD Up Skills Initiative. The proposed project uses the results of the IEE-projects and is a necessary step towards closing the gap between existing and needed skills for craftsmen and building workers in the Netherlands in the respect of meeting the 2020 energy objectives.The main objective of the project is to develop and pilot missing training materials on EQF-levels 2 - 4 based on the future-ready qualification schemes developed in BUILD UP Skills Pillar II. Secondary objective is to construct short skill measurement tests which enables the prevention of mistakes made by unconsciously incompetent workers, the detection of skills gaps and supply of industry relevant upskilling advice to craftsmen and building workers.Tertiary objective is to organise regional pilots in which we focus on implementation and evaluation of the developed materials and regional capacity building. We will support regional training partnerships with train-the-trainer sessions, regional labour market intelligence and implementing the developed trainings and assessments in practice in regional building and/or renovation projects. As results of the project the following will be achieved:
• Increase the skills of 3000 craftsmen by the end of year 2018
• Increase in RES-production of 11 GWh/year
• Decrease of energy consumption of 69 GWh/year (EE)
• Increase the employability of the building workforce with 3000 of which at least 5% women
• Increase in investments in innovative sustainable energy technologies with €42.7 million
• Acquired additional funding of €1.000.000,- to sustain the action
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Earth System Science"
] |
226257
|
Fundamental groups, etale and motivic, local systems, Hodge theory and rational points
|
From the viewpoint of geometric classification, there are two extreme cases of smooth varieties X defined over an algebraically closed field: those which are hyperbolic, and those which are rationally connected. If k is no longer algebraically closed, a central question of Algebraic Arithmetic Geometry is what properties of k force X to have a rational point in those two opposed cases. It is conjectured (Lang-Manin, extended by Kollár), that rationally connected varieties have a rational point over a C1 field. It has been shown for function fields by Graber-Harris-Starr and by myself over a finite field. There is no relation between their geometric proof relying on the geometry of the moduli of punctured curves and my proof relying on motivic analogies between Hodge level and slopes in l-adic cohomology. The study of the case of the maximal unramified extension of the p-adic numbers might provide a bridge through the use of the inertia. Very little is known on Grothendieck's section conjecture, which predicts that sections of the Galois group of k, assumed to be a finite type over Q, into the arithmetic fundamental group of X, are given by rational points. Our hope goes in two directions, arithmetic and geometric on one side, motivic on the other. With Wittenberg, we hope to use Beilinson's geometric description of the nilpotent completion of the fundamental group, and with Levine, we wish to characterize sections of the motivic groups of mixed Tate motives over k and X and relate this to the section conjecture.
|
[
"Mathematics"
] |
EP 2011057042 W
|
SCREW VACUUM PUMP
|
The invention relates to a screw vacuum pump comprising screw rotors (12, 14) disposed in a suction chamber (10). The screw rotors (12, 14) are each supported by means of two bearing elements (20) in the pump housing and comprise a ratio of rotor length (I) to rotor axis spacing (d) that is greater than 3.0. The screw rotors (12, 14) further comprise a variable pitch, at least 7 turns, and an integral compression ratio of at least 4.5. The pitch after half of the turns is less than twice the pitch on the pressure side rotor outlet (24).
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
759388
|
Long-range coupling of hole spins on a silicon chip
|
With the miniaturization of electronic devices, the semiconductor industry has to deal with complex technical barriers and is forced to introduce novel and innovative concepts. The project proposal is exactly in line with this new paradigm as it proposes to divert CMOS technology to explore a new path for quantum spintronics. Concretely the project aims at using spin-orbit interaction present in the valence band of silicon to drive ultra-fast and ultra-coherent hole spin quantum bits (qubits). The proposal builds on the first demonstration by the principal investigator of a hole spin qubit electrically driven in silicon.
While spins are excellent quantum bits, their long-range coupling remains a challenge to tackle towards complex quantum computing architectures. Here I propose to take up this challenge using a microwave photon as a quantum mediator between qubits in silicon.
The LONGSPIN project presents a unique approach by leveraging a standard silicon-on-insulator CMOS process for the implementation of the qubits co-integrated with superconducting microwave resonators.
This research project will provide a CMOS quantum toolkit with optimized designs and materials for fast and coherent qubits with a profound understanding of the physical limitations to hole spin coherence and hole qubit gate fidelity in silicon. Eventually a microwave photon used as a quantum bus will allow the transfer of quantum information between distant spin qubits.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
W1996138098
|
Mechanical Analysis of Warm Extrusion Precision Forming on 42CrMo Steel Cutting Pick
|
Cutting pick is a kind of widely-used consumptive mining tool. The traditional producing technics of cutting pick body is foundry, or machining after roughly forging, or machining directly from metal bar. By former technics, the property of products is poor, and by latter, the material availability is low and the cost is high. The patent technology for cutting pick body warm extrusion introduced in this paper can overcome all the disadvantages mentioned above. In this paper, by analyzing the characteristic of cutting pick body warm extrusion, adopting the principle of power balance to solve the approximate solution of strain forces, the approximate calculating formulas of extruding power are deduced. The main factors affecting on extrusion force are determined theoretically. This research can be used as basis to design tooling and choose proper equipment for this new technology.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1039/C6SC03404G
|
Allosteric Dna Nanoswitches For Controlled Release Of A Molecular Cargo Triggered By Biological Inputs
|
Here we demonstrate the rational design of a new class of DNA-based nanoswitches which are allosterically regulated by specific biological targets, antibodies and transcription factors, and are able to load and release a molecular cargo (i. e. doxorubicin) in a controlled fashion. In our first model system we rationally designed a stem-loop DNA-nanoswitch that adopts two mutually exclusive conformations: a “Load” conformation containing a doxorubicin-intercalating domain and a “Release” conformation containing a duplex portion recognized by a specific transcription-factor (here Tata Binding Protein). The binding of the transcription factor pushes this conformational equilibrium towards the “Release” state thus leading to doxorubicin release from the nanoswitch. In our second model system we designed a similar stem-loop DNA-nanoswitch for which conformational change and subsequent doxorubicin release can be triggered by a specific antibody. Our approach augments the current tool kit of smart drug release mechanisms regulated by different biological inputs.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1038/srep03886
|
Dike intrusions during rifting episodes obey scaling relationships similar to earthquakes
|
As continental rifts evolve towards mid-ocean ridges, strain is accommodated by repeated episodes of faulting and magmatism. Discrete rifting episodes have been observed along two subaerial divergent plate boundaries, the Krafla segment of the Northern Volcanic Rift Zone in Iceland and the Manda-Hararo segment of the Red Sea Rift in Ethiopia. In both cases, the initial and largest dike intrusion was followed by a series of smaller intrusions. By performing a statistical analysis of these rifting episodes, we demonstrate that dike intrusions obey scaling relationships similar to earthquakes. We find that the dimensions of dike intrusions obey a power law analogous to the Gutenberg-Richter relation, and the long-term release of geodetic moment is governed by a relationship consistent with the Omori law. Due to the effects of magma supply, the timing of secondary dike intrusions differs from that of the aftershocks. This work provides evidence of self-similarity in the rifting process.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Mathematics"
] |
W1996198678
|
Effects of model schematisation, geometry and parameter values on urban flood modelling
|
One-dimensional (1D) hydrodynamic models have been used as a standard industry practice for urban flood modelling work for many years. More recently, however, model formulations have included a 1D representation of the main channels and a 2D representation of the floodplains. Since the physical process of describing exchanges of flows with the floodplains can be represented in different ways, the predictive capability of different modelling approaches can also vary. The present paper explores effects of some of the issues that concern urban flood modelling work. Impacts from applying different model schematisation, geometry and parameter values were investigated. The study has mainly focussed on exploring how different Digital Terrain Model (DTM) resolution, presence of different features on DTM such as roads and building structures and different friction coefficients affect the simulation results. Practical implications of these issues are analysed and illustrated in a case study from St Maarten, N.A. The results from this study aim to provide users of numerical models with information that can be used in the analyses of flooding processes in urban areas.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
W2259071470
|
Analysis of The Heat Island Phenomenon in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
|
Abstract: Urban Heat Island phenomenon (UHI) is one of the city microclimate phenomenon that mostly hit many big cities in the World, including Makassar, Indonesia. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the phenomenon of UHI and UHII in Makassar and the surrounding areas. The method used in this study is the analysis of primary data through measurements taken directly to the varied station locations. The measurements are determined by purposive sampling toward the variety of different land uses. The measurements were taken at 11:00 am until 1:00 pm Central Indonesian Time (WITA) and at night from 09.00 to 11.00 pm. The results showed that the mean temperature was 31.29°C during the day and 27.4°C at night. Spatially, the day time showed that the high temperatures (32 to 35°C) are generally located in the downtown areas which are crowded with buildings such as residential, offices and shops. Meanwhile, a lower temperature (29 to 31°C) is generally located in countrysides or outside the city in the form of green areas and open land. The results show that a fairly high temperature causes the comfort of the city the temperatures reduced. Therefore, handle UHI phenomenon needs to be done in an integrated and sustainable
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
] |
10.1007/978-3-642-36830-1_2
|
Practical Everlasting Privacy
|
Will my vote remain secret in 20 years? This is a natural question in the context of electronic voting, where encrypted votes may be published on a bulletin board for verifiability purposes, but the strength of the encryption is eroded with the passage of time. The question has been addressed through a property referred to as everlasting privacy. Perfect everlasting privacy may be difficult or even impossible to achieve, in particular in remote electronic elections. In this paper, we propose a definition of practical everlasting privacy. The key idea is that in the future, an attacker will be more powerful in terms of computation (he may be able to break the cryptography) but less powerful in terms of the data he can operate on (transactions between a vote client and the vote server may not have been stored). We formalize our definition of everlasting privacy in the applied-pi calculus. We provide the means to characterize what an attacker can break in the future in several cases. In particular, we model this for perfectly hiding and computationally binding primitives (or the converse), such as Pedersen commitments, and for symmetric and asymmetric encryption primitives. We adapt existing tools, in order to allow us to automatically prove everlasting privacy. As an illustration, we show that several variants of Helios (including Helios with Pedersen commitments) and a protocol by Moran and Naor achieve practical everlasting privacy, using the ProVerif and the AKiSs tools.
|
[
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
3733353
|
Bright, coherent and focused light to resolve neural circuits
|
The overarching goal of this project is to establish a novel technique for neuroimaging to probe large tissue volumes at the nanometre scale. Currently only electron microscopes are capable of generating data with sufficient resolving power for comprehensive exploration of the neural circuits that underlie brain function. With state of the art systems, imaging just one cubic mm of brain entails years of data collection, ultra-thin sectioning which is prone to errors and data loss, and prohibitive costs. Each circuit unit spans over large distances, thus access to millimetre sized volumes of view is essential for both fundamental and therapeutic discoveries in neurosciences. Today this is an unreachable goal. In contrast, X-ray microscopy facilitates rapid imaging of large samples but the resolving power is not sufficient to visualize neural connections. Thus, at present, resolving large neural circuits is hardly imaginable. The aim of this project is to overcome these limitations and to develop an integrative approach which will open new research perspectives. X-ray holographic nano-tomography is a 3D coherent imaging technique which is capable of generating exceptional contrast in soft tissue through phase contrast. The penetrating power of X-rays and the full-field, free space propagation setup enable rapid multiscale imaging of large samples which are opaque to visible light. By combining a highly brilliant X-ray nanoprobe, a carefully designed nanopositioning system, a cutting edge detection system and cryogenics for sample preservation, isotropic 3D spatial resolution better than 30 nm is conceivable. The objectives of this interdisciplinary project are to 1) develop a system for imaging neural circuits at synaptic level in large tissue volumes, including methods for sample preparation, image acquisition and image reconstruction 2) develop an automatic image analysis tool 3) create unprecedented maps of brain circuits with immediate impact in neurosciences.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
W1964920016
|
Radiation exposure and risk–benefit analysis in cancer screening using FDG-PET: results of a Japanese nationwide survey
|
The aim of this study was to estimate radiation exposure and evaluate the risks and benefits of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in cancer screening.A nationwide survey of FDG-PET cancer screening was conducted in 2006, and the results were analyzed with a common index, "extension/shortening of the average life expectancy."The average estimated effective dose was 4.4 mSv (male 4.7 mSv; female 4.0 mSv) for dedicated PET and 13.5 mSv (male 14.2 mSv; female 12.8 mSv) for PET/computed tomography (CT). The risk-benefit break-even age from the viewpoint of radiation exposure was in the 40s for men and 30s for women for dedicated PET and in the 50s for men and 50s (variable injection dose) or 60s (constant injection dose) for women for PET/CT.FDG-PET cancer screening is beneficial for examinees above the break-even ages. The risks and benefits should be explained to examinees because of the larger radiation used in cancer FDG-PET screening compared with other X-ray tests.
|
[
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
W4291116450
|
A Bioética global e os direitos humanos para o desenvolvimento sustentável
|
Tomar decisões criticamente fundamentadas entre o que podemos fazer e o que devemos evitar, ou o que é melhor fazer quando surgem alguns dilemas, é crucial para o discernimento ético e político. A legitimidade das decisões humanas sobre as aplicações da ciência e da tecnologia para promover a vida, a saúde e o bem-estar dos povos é possível graças à cooperação internacional e à protecção do direito como instrumento de protecção e garantia do bem comum, da dignidade e bens fundamentais da pessoa, isto é, o que chamamos de direitos humanos. A Bioética Global propõe uma articulação adequada entre as questões bioéticas e os direitos humanos como paradigma ético universal que deve ser levado em consideração nas decisões, públicas e privadas, no campo das ciências da vida e da saúde. O desafio ético e político é saber como equilibrar o interesse legítimo da indústria por lucros e o desenvolvimento econômico com inovação científica e tecnológica prudente e para o bem das pessoas e comunidades. O reconhecimento mútuo está na base da relação que nos permite dar a cada um o que é seu e promover a convivência pacífica na nossa casa comum. Se realizada de acordo com os imperativos morais de solidariedade e justiça, atentando para a minimização das distâncias entre pobres e ricos e entre as regiões Norte e Sul Global, a ciência e a tecnologia contribuirão para o desenvolvimento humano de forma eficaz e eticamente sustentável.Palavras-chave: Bioética; Direitos Humanos; Desenvolvimento Sustentável
|
[
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems",
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Texts and Concepts"
] |
W2989417199
|
Structural and electronic transitions of crystalline 2,2′-iminobis (acetamide oxime) induced by different pressure
|
In this paper, the structural, electronic and absorption properties of 2,2′-iminobis (acetamide oxime) (IBO) under pressure of 0–300[Formula: see text]GPa are calculated by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Analysis of the variation trend of lattice constant, bond length and bond angle of IBO under compression conditions, shows there are complex transformations under different pressure. In addition, it is found that the structure of IBO in the [Formula: see text]-axis is stiffer than that along the [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-axes, which indicates that the crystal has anisotropic compressibility. By analyzing the band structure and the density of states of IBO, it is seen that at 120[Formula: see text]GPa, the electronic structure of IBO changes into metallic system, and becomes more sensitive under compression conditions. The transition between metal and semiconductor occurs again at 150[Formula: see text]Gpa. Finally, at 180[Formula: see text]GPa, the crystal transforms into metal again. The three obvious phase transitions indicate that the structure of IBO becomes more unstable with the increase of pressure. The absorption spectra show that with the increase of pressure, the optical activity of IBO crystal grows higher, and three obvious structural transitions are, respectively, observed at 120, 150 and 180[Formula: see text]GPa.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
W790873595
|
Bimetallic PdCu/SPCE non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensors
|
Abstract Screen printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) were decorated with PdCu bimetallic alloys via a facile co-electrodeposition method to develop disposable non-enzymatic H2O2 sensors. The electrochemical performance of the biosensors was evaluated in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, and stability with a goal of demonstrating that employing a bimetallic PdCu non-enzymatic system can push forward the state of the art in hydrogen peroxide sensing. The physical characterization of the biosensors was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Sensors consisting of PdCu bimetals showed higher sensitivity than Pd/SPCE and Cu/SPCE electrodes toward H2O2. The fabricated PdCu/SPCE sensors showed a sensitivity of 396.7 μA mM−1 cm−2, a linear range from 0.5 mM to 11 mM, and a low limit of detection (0.7 μM) at the applied potential of −0.3 V. The use of relatively low working potential eliminated the interference effect of the common electroactive species (ascorbic acid, uric acid, and glucose) present in a real sample, which are usually a concern for non-enzymatic sensing systems. In addition, the high reproducibility (RSD = 2.5%), and excellent long term stability render PdCu/SPCEs as attractive materials for the construction of disposable enzyme-free H2O2 sensors.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
217685
|
Xtpl - a new generation of tcf layers for use in displays and thin film photovoltaic cells
|
Our nanotechnology based printing solution is dedicated for use in PV cells and in home electronics (LCD displays). We intend to increase economic attractiveness of the use of the photovoltaics (by its cost reduction), in case of home electronics, energy efficiency will be increased by reduction of energy consumption of displays (by increasing the efficiency of electric energy delivered to the light-emitting layer). It will be possible thanks to our disruptive innovation, that is a new generation of TCF layers for use in displays and thin film photovoltaic cells.
eXtra Transparent Printed Lines (XTPL) are a response to the rising market demand for new TCF layers (transparent conductive film). For many years ITO (indium-tin oxide) has been a standard and it was sufficient for the majority of applications. But now ITO is no longer adequate. Our transparent conductive layer having advantageous characteristics in relation to ITO (higher transparency, lower electrical resistance, higher flexibility).
Moreover XTPL based on the broadly available resources characterized by lower price volatility relative to indium or lower impact of this volatility on the total cost of the layer. Our preliminary plan assume sale of XTPL printers with a license (licensing) to LCD & PV cells' market leaders. In terms of market saturation of competing technologies, the competitive analysis indicates that the market of alternative to ITO conductive layers is currently at an early stage of development and the level of market saturation is low, which gives scope for the implementation of the outcome of the project.
|
[
"Materials Engineering",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Products and Processes Engineering"
] |
Q4938115
|
(16807.19102018.132000297) FORMULACOVER — COVERING FORMULATION ON GLASS
|
THE COMPANY? INTEX SYSTEM SRL INTENDS TO DEVELOP A COLORIMETRY SYSTEM ABLE TO PERFORM THE FORMULATION OF COVERING PAINTS ON GLASS OR CRYSTAL SUBSTRATES THAT MUST THEN BE OBSERVED FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE APPLICATION SURFACE. FROM A TECHNICAL POINT OF VIEW, IS IT DIFFICULT? PRINCIPALLY LIES NOT IN THE COLORIMETRIC FORMULATION OF COVERING PAINTS (A PROBLEM OVERCOME BY DECADES) BUT IN THE FACT THAT THE COLOR TO BE IMITATED, SO? HOW THE POSSIBLE QUALITY CONTROL MEASURE ARE DEFINED AND PERFORMED ON THE FACE OF THE SUBSTRATE OPPOSITE TO THAT OF APPLICATION OF THE PAINT. IT’S THERE? IT FORCES THE OBSERVER TO OBSERVE THE PAINT THROUGH A LAYER OF GLASS WITH A HIGH THICKNESS (E.G. 2 CM), A CIRCUMSTANCE THAT HEAVILY CHANGES THE APPARENT COLOR. THE DIFFICULTY? A TECHNIQUE THAT NEEDS TO BE SOLVED BY THE PROJECT IS PRECISELY IN DEVELOPING A MODEL OF PHYSICAL-MATHEMATICAL CALCULATION THAT ALLOWS TO CORRECTLY PREDICT THE COLOR OF THE PAINT SEEN THROUGH THE GLASS.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
758638
|
Type Ia supernovae: from explosions to cosmology
|
Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are the incredibly luminous deaths of white dwarfs in binaries. They play a vital role in chemical enrichment, galaxy feedback, stellar evolution, and were instrumental in the discovery of dark energy. However, what are the progenitor systems of SNe Ia, and how they explode remains a mystery. My recent work has concluded the controversial result that there may be more than one way to produce SNe Ia. As SN Ia cosmology samples reach higher precision, understanding subtle differences in their properties becomes increasingly important. A surprising diversity in white-dwarf explosions has also been uncovered, with a much wider-than-expected range in luminosities, light-curve timescales and spectral properties. A key open question is ‘What explosion mechanisms result in normal SNe Ia compared to more exotic transients?’
My team will use novel early-time observations (within hours of explosion) of 100 SNe Ia in a volume-limited search (<75 Mpc). The targets will come from the ATLAS and Pan-STARRS surveys that will provide unprecedented sky coverage and cadence (>20000 square degrees, up to four times a night). These data will be combined with key progenitor diagnostics of each SN (companion interaction, circumstellar material, central density studies). The observed zoo of transients predicted to result from white-dwarf explosions (He-shell explosions, tidal-disruption events, violent mergers) will also be investigated, with the goal of constraining the mechanisms by which white dwarfs can explode. My access to ATLAS/Pan-STARRS and my previous experience puts me in a unique position to obtain ‘day-zero’ light curves, rapid spectroscopic follow-up, and late-time observations. The data will be analysed with detailed spectral modelling to unveil the progenitors and diversity of SNe Ia. This project is timely with the potential for significant breakthroughs to be made before the start of the next-generation ‘transient machine’, LSST in ~2021.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
10.1371/journal.pmed.1002972
|
Associations of maternal quitting, reducing, and continuing smoking during pregnancy with longitudinal fetal growth: Findings from Mendelian randomization and parental negative control studies
|
Background Maternal smoking during pregnancy is an established risk factor for low infant birth weight, but evidence on critical exposure windows and timing of fetal growth restriction is limited. Here we investigate the associations of maternal quitting, reducing, and continuing smoking during pregnancy with longitudinal fetal growth by triangulating evidence from 3 analytical approaches to strengthen causal inference. Methods and findings We analysed data from 8,621 European liveborn singletons in 2 population-based pregnancy cohorts (the Generation R Study, the Netherlands 2002-2006 [n = 4,682]) and the Born in Bradford study, United Kingdom 2007-2010 [n = 3,939]) with fetal ultrasound and birth anthropometric measures, parental smoking during pregnancy, and maternal genetic data. Associations with trajectories of estimated fetal weight (EFW) and individual fetal parameters (head circumference, femur length [FL], and abdominal circumference [AC]) from 12-16 to 40 weeks' gestation were analysed using multilevel fractional polynomial models. We compared results from (1) confounder-adjusted multivariable analyses, (2) a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using maternal rs1051730 genotype as an instrument for smoking quantity and ease of quitting, and (3) a negative control analysis comparing maternal and mother's partner's smoking associations. In multivariable analyses, women who continued smoking during pregnancy had a smaller fetal size than non-smokers from early gestation (16-20 weeks) through to birth (p-value for each parameter < 0. 001). Fetal size reductions in continuing smokers followed a dose-dependent pattern (compared to non-smokers, difference in mean EFW [95% CI] at 40 weeks' gestation was -144 g [-182 to -106], -215 g [-248 to -182], and -290 g [-334 to -247] for light, moderate, and heavy smoking, respectively). Overall, fetal size reductions were most pronounced for FL. The fetal growth trajectory in women who quit smoking in early pregnancy was similar to that of non-smokers, except for a shorter FL and greater AC around 36-40 weeks' gestation. In MR analyses, each genetically determined 1-cigarette-per-day increase was associated with a smaller EFW from 20 weeks' gestation to birth in smokers (p = 0. 01, difference in mean EFW at 40 weeks = -45 g [95% CI -81 to -10]) and a greater EFW from 32 weeks' gestation onwards in non-smokers (p = 0. 03, difference in mean EFW at 40 weeks = 26 g [95% CI 5 to 47]). There was no evidence that partner smoking was associated with fetal growth. Study limitations include measurement error due to maternal self-report of smoking and the modest sample size for MR analyses resulting in unconfounded estimates being less precise. The apparent positive association of the genetic instrument with fetal growth in non-smokers suggests that genetic pleiotropy may have masked a stronger association in smokers. Conclusions A consistent linear dose-dependent association of maternal smoking with fetal growth was observed from the early second trimester onwards, while no major growth deficit was found in women who quit smoking early in pregnancy except for a shorter FL during late gestation. These findings reinforce the importance of smoking cessation advice in preconception and antenatal care and show that smoking reduction can lower the risk of impaired fetal growth in women who struggle to quit.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1088/1367-2630/15/5/053030
|
Experimental Characterization Of Universal One Way Quantum Computing
|
We report the characterization of a universal set of logic gates for one-way quantum computing using a four-photon `star' cluster state generated by fusing photons from two independent photonic crystal fibre sources. We obtain a fidelity for the cluster state of 0. 66 +/- 0. 01 with respect to the ideal case. We perform quantum process tomography to completely characterize a controlled-NOT, Hadamard and T gate all on the same compact entangled resource. Together, these operations make up a universal set of gates such that arbitrary quantum logic can be efficiently constructed from combinations of them. We find process fidelities with respect to the ideal cases of 0. 64 +/- 0. 01 for the CNOT, 0. 67 +/- 0. 03 for the Hadamard and 0. 76 +/- 0. 04 for the T gate. The characterisation of these gates enables the simulation of larger protocols and algorithms. As a basic example, we simulate a Swap gate consisting of three concatenated CNOT gates. Our work provides some pragmatic insights into the prospects for building up to a fully scalable and fault-tolerant one-way quantum computer with photons in realistic conditions.
|
[
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
W584678358
|
Trace element concentrations in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and surface sediments in Lake Preola and Gorghi Tondi natural reserve, SW Sicily
|
Concentrations of trace elements (Cd, Pb, As, V, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn) were determined in superficial sediments and in muscle and hepatopancreas tissues of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii from Lake Preola and Gorghi Tondi Natural Reserve (SW Sicily). In particular, hepatopancreas showed a decidedly higher content of all analysed trace elements with respect to muscles (two- to threefold higher for Cd, Cu, As, Zn and V; four- to fivefold higher for Pb and Cr and seven times higher for Ni). However, no statistically reliable differential accumulation pattern emerged with regard to length and weight for trace elements (except for Cd for which significant positive correlations with length were recorded). Trace element concentrations found in crayfish tissues were in the range considered harmful to human health (except for Cd and Cr). Moreover, the As and Pb concentrations, either in sediment or crayfish tissues, are clearly related to intense agricultural activities, with extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, that significantly affect the levels of these toxic metals in the study area.
|
[
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100360
|
Interplay of trade and food system resilience: Gains on supply diversity over time at the cost of trade independency
|
Rapidly increasing international food trade has drastically altered the global food system over the past decades. Using national scale indicators, we assess two of the resilience principles that directly reflect the effects of global trade on food systems – namely, maintaining diversity and redundancy, and managing connectivity. We perform our analysis for four nutritional components: dietary energy, proteins, fat, and quantity of vegetables & fruits – the key pillars of the WHO dietary recommendations. Our results indicate that, between 1987 and 2013, food supply diversity increased significantly for most of the world's population at the cost of an elevated dependency upon food imports. Food production diversity, particularly in terms of dietary energy and vegetables & fruits, increased for a large proportion of the world population, with the exception being major exporting countries, where it decreased. Of particular note is our finding that, despite a growing number of people being heavily dependent upon imports, the number of import partners decreased more often than it increased, except for the case of vegetables & fruits. This combination of increased dependency on imports and a reduced number of import partners indicates a potential vulnerability to disruptions in linked food systems. Additionally, it is alarming that we found many countries where the studied resilience aspects systematically declined, elevating their exposure to future shocks in the food system.
|
[
"Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution",
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.1051/0004-6361/201832746
|
Subsonic Islands Within A High Mass Star Forming Infrared Dark Cloud
|
High-mass star forming regions are typically thought to be dominated by supersonic motions. We present combined Very Large Array and Green Bank Telescope (VLA+GBT) observations of NH3 (1,1) and (2,2) in the infrared dark cloud (IRDC) G035. 39-00. 33, tracing cold and dense gas down to scales of 0. 07 pc. We find that, in contrast to previous, similar studies of IRDCs, more than a third of the fitted ammonia spectra show subsonic non-thermal motions (mean line width of 0. 71 km s and the sonic Mach number distribution peaks around M = 1. As possible observational and instrumental biases would only broaden the line profiles, our results provide strong upper limits to the actual value of M, further strengthening our findings of narrow line widths. This finding calls for a reevaluation of the role of turbulent dissipation and subsonic regions in massive-star and cluster formation. Based on our findings in G035. 39, we further speculate that the coarser spectral resolution used in the previous VLA NH3 studies may have inhibited the detection of subsonic turbulence in IRDCs. The reduced turbulent support suggests that dynamically important magnetic fields of the 1 mG order would be required to support against possible gravitational collapse. Our results offer valuable input into the theories and simulations that aim to recreate the initial conditions of high-mass star and cluster formation.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
894676
|
An innovative 3d free-form manufacturing technology for the construction industry
|
Freeform surfaces play a prominent role in contemporary architecture. However current methods used in the construction industry to produce free-forms involve five major problems. 1. Since they do not involve machine production, the accuracy according to the CAD model is limited and the architect has no direct control on end product. 2. Manually built structures, with two opposing wire mesh frames, with interposed plastic wool often suffer corrosion. This restricts their inclusion in buildings. 3. Due to weight and size of prefabricated free-forms, transportation is difficult and expensive. 4. High manpower demand: at least 3 persons must work on the mounting of each structure. 5. Milling of moulding causes 50% waste. Clever Contour, an Austrian company founded in 2013, is finishing the development of i-Contour, an innovative technology to design and produce large 3D free-forms at 90% lower cost and overcoming key technical barriers such as high weight and transportation difficulties. i-Contour is the first end-to-end manufacture technology for free-forms thanks to two key elements: an own-developed frontend software – a plug-in for Rhinoceros, and an innovative 3D bending machine for plastics. The most relevant Unique Selling Points of i-Contour are: *drastic costs reduction (up to 90%), *real-time control of the overall process, *weight reduction (up to 50%), *easiness of transportation and mounting, and *very fast production time (from weeks down to 2-3 days). The first prototype of the system is already working in our premises and we have successfully executed 6 projects with national and international design studios. We have also engaged several companies from different segments such as concrete manufacturers, formwork producers and architects. By the end of 2023, three years after market launch, we expect to have an accumulated revenue of €21 million and have created up to 20 new positions.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1051/0004-6361/201730582
|
The Full Spectral Radiative Properties Of Proxima Centauri
|
Context. The discovery of Proxima b, a terrestrial temperate planet, presents the opportunity of studying a potentially habitable world in optimal conditions. A key aspect in the modeling of its habitability is to understand the radiation environment of the planet in the full spectral domain. Aims. We aim to characterize the X-rays to mid-IR radiative properties of Proxima with the goal of providing the top-of-atmosphere fluxes on the planet. We also aim at constraining the fundamental properties of the star, namely its mass, radius, effective temperature and luminosity. Methods. We have employed observations from a large number of facilities and made use of different methodologies to piece together the full spectral energy distribution of Proxima. In the high-energy domain, we payed particular attention to the contributions of rotational modulation, activity cycle, and flares so that the data provided are representative of the overall radiation dose received by the atmosphere of the planet. Results. We present the full spectrum of Proxima covering 0. 7 to 30 000 nm. The integration of the data shows that the top-of-atmosphere average XUV irradiance on Proxima b is 0. 293 W m -2 , that is, nearly 60 times higher than Earth, and that the total irradiance is 877 ± 44 W m -2 , or 64 ± 3% of the solar constant but with a significantly redder spectrum. We also provide laws for the XUV evolution of Proxima corresponding to two scenarios, one with a constant XUV-to-bolometric luminosity value throughout its history and another one in which Proxima left the saturation phase at an age of about 1. 6 Gyr and is now in a power-law regime. Regarding the fundamental properties of Proxima, we find M = 0. 120 ± 0. 003 M ⊙ , R = 0. 146 ± 0. 007 R ⊙ , T eff = 2980 ± 80 K, and L = 0. 00151 ± 0. 00008 L ⊙ . In addition, our analysis reveals a ~20% excess in the 3–30 μ m flux of the star that is best interpreted as arising from warm dust in the system. Conclusions. The data provided here should be useful to further investigate the current atmospheric properties of Proxima b as well as its past history, with the overall aim of firmly establishing the habitability of the planet.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
W2046367963
|
On the accretion properties of young stellar objects in the L1615/L1616 cometary cloud
|
We present the results of FLAMES/UVES and FLAMES/GIRAFFE spectroscopic observations of 23 low-mass stars in the L1615/L1616 cometary cloud, complemented with FORS2 and VIMOS spectroscopy of 31 additional stars in the same cloud. L1615/L1616 is a cometary cloud where the star formation was triggered by the impact of the massive stars in the Orion OB association. From the measurements of the lithium abundance and radial velocity, we confirm the membership of our sample to the cloud. We use the equivalent widths of the H$\alpha$, H$\beta$, and the HeI $\lambda$5876, $\lambda$6678, $\lambda$7065 \AA$ $emission lines to calculate the accretion luminosities, $L_{\rm acc}$, and the mass accretion rates, $\dot M_{\rm acc}$. We find in L1615/L1616 a fraction of accreting objects ($\sim 30\%$), which is consistent with the typical fraction of accretors in T associations of similar age ($\sim 3$ Myr). The mass accretion rate for these stars shows a trend with the mass of the central object similar to that found for other star-forming regions, with a spread at a given mass which depends on the evolutionary model used to derive the stellar mass. Moreover, the behavior of the $2MASS/WISE$ colors with $\dot M_{\rm acc}$ indicates that strong accretors with $\log \dot M_{\rm acc} \gt -8.5$ dex show large excesses in the $JHK{\rm s}$ bands, as in previous studies. We also conclude that the accretion properties of the L1615/L1616 members are similar to those of young stellar objects in T associations, like Lupus.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
10.1093/oso/9780198797319.001.0001
|
Stochastic Processes and Random Matrices
|
The field of stochastic processes and random matrix theory (RMT) has been a rapidly evolving subject during the past fifteen years where the continuous development and discovery of new tools, connections, and ideas have led to an avalanche of new results. These breakthroughs have been made possible thanks, to a large extent, to the recent development of various new techniques in RMT. Matrix models have been playing an important role in theoretical physics for a long time and they are currently also a very active domain of research in mathematics. An emblematic example of these recent advances concerns the theory of growth phenomena in the Kardar–Parisi–Zhang (KPZ) universality class where the joint efforts of physicists and mathematicians during the past twenty years have unveiled the beautiful connections between this fundamental problem of statistical mechanics and the theory of random matrices, namely the fluctuations of the largest eigenvalue of certain ensemble of random matrices. These chapters not only cover this topic in detail but also present more recent developments that have emerged from these discoveries, for instance in the context of low-dimensional heat transport (on the physics side) or in the context of integrable probability (on the mathematical side).
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Condensed Matter Physics"
] |
10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b00070
|
Humidity-Dependent Reversible Transitions in Gold Nanoparticle Superlattices
|
The changes in interparticle spacing upon hydration and dehydration of drop-cast films of hydrophilic gold nanoparticles (GNP) have been measured in situ with nanometer resolution using WetSTEM and ESEM. These subtle variations correlate well with the corresponding changes in the optical spectra and perceived color as well as changes in the electrical conductivity of the films. AC impedance analysis allows us to differentiate between resistive and capacitive components and to evaluate how these depend on average particle spacing and the water content of the matrix, respectively. Thin films of this type are well-known structures used for development of sensors and diagnostics.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1093/mnras/stt1046
|
Simulations of supermassive black hole growth in high-redshift disc galaxies
|
Observations suggest that a large fraction of black hole growth occurs in normal star-forming disc galaxies. Here we describe simulations of black hole accretion in isolated disc galaxies with sufficient resolution (~5 pc) to track the formation of giant molecular clouds that feed the black hole. Black holes in z ~ 2 gas-rich discs (fgas ≈ 50 per cent) occasionally undergo ~10 Myr episodes of Eddington-limited accretion driven by stochastic collisions with massive, dense clouds. We predict that these gas-rich discs host weak AGNs ~1/4 of the time and moderate/strong AGNs ~10 per cent of the time. Averaged over ~100 Myr time-scales and the full distribution of accretion rates, the black holes grow at a few per cent of the Eddington limit - sufficient to match observations and keep the galaxies on the MBH-Mbulge relation. This suggests that dense cloud accretion in isolated z ≈ 2 discs could dominate cosmic black hole growth. In z ≈ 0 discs with fgas ~ 10 per cent, Eddington-limited growth is extremely rare because typical gas clouds are smaller and more susceptible to disruption by act10 per cent, Eddington-limited growth isive galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback. This results in an average black hole growth rate in high-fgas galaxies that is up to 103 times higher than that in low-fgas galaxies. In all our simulations, accretion shows variability by factors of ~104 on a variety of time-scales, with variability at ~1Myr scales driven by the structure of the interstellar medium.
|
[
"Universe Sciences"
] |
10.1093/nar/gkaa332
|
BIOMEX: an interactive workflow for (single cell) omics data interpretation and visualization
|
The amount of biological data, generated with (single cell) omics technologies, is rapidly increasing, thereby exacerbating bottlenecks in the data analysis and interpretation of omics experiments. Data mining platforms that facilitate non-bioinformatician experimental scientists to analyze a wide range of experimental designs and data types can alleviate such bottlenecks, aiding in the exploration of (newly generated or publicly available) omics datasets. Here, we present BIOMEX, a browser-based software, designed to facilitate the Biological Interpretation Of Multi-omics EXperiments by bench scientists. BIOMEX integrates state-of-the-art statistical tools and field-tested algorithms into a flexible but well-defined workflow that accommodates metabolomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, mass cytometry and single cell data from different platforms and organisms. The BIOMEX workflow is accompanied by a manual and video tutorials that provide the necessary background to navigate the interface and get acquainted with the employed methods. BIOMEX guides the user through omics-tailored analyses, such as data pretreatment and normalization, dimensionality reduction, differential and enrichment analysis, pathway mapping, clustering, marker analysis, trajectory inference, meta-analysis and others. BIOMEX is fully interactive, allowing users to easily change parameters and generate customized plots exportable as high-quality publication-ready figures. BIOMEX is open source and freely available at https://www. vibcancer. be/software-tools/biomex.
|
[
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
Q4455635
|
BLOCKILLUSION – Neue Smart Premium Padel Equipment Fabrik
|
Das Projekt zielt darauf ab, in Portugal die erste nationale Padelschlägerfabrik zu implementieren, die mit fortschrittlichen Produktionstechnologien ausgestattet wird, um den ersten automatisierten Industriepark für die Herstellung von Padelschlägern auf internationaler Ebene zu schaffen.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Materials Engineering"
] |
10.1534/genetics.109.109736
|
Coalescent Simulation of Intracodon Recombination
|
Abstract
The coalescent with recombination is a very useful tool in molecular population genetics. Under this framework, genealogies often represent the evolution of the substitution unit, and because of this, the few coalescent algorithms implemented for the simulation of coding sequences force recombination to occur only between codons. However, it is clear that recombination is expected to occur most often within codons. Here we have developed an algorithm that can evolve coding sequences under an ancestral recombination graph that represents the genealogies at each nucleotide site, thereby allowing for intracodon recombination. The algorithm is a modification of Hudson's coalescent in which, in addition to keeping track of events occurring in the ancestral material that reaches the sample, we need to keep track of events occurring in ancestral material that does not reach the sample but that is produced by intracodon recombination. We are able to show that at typical substitution rates the number of nonsynonymous changes induced by intracodon recombination is small and that intracodon recombination does not generally result in inflated estimates of the overall nonsynonymous/synonymous substitution ratio (ω). On the other hand, recombination can bias the estimation of ω at particular codons, resulting in apparent rate variation among sites and in the spurious identification of positively selected sites. Importantly, in this case, allowing for variable synonymous rates across sites greatly reduces the false-positive rate and recovers statistical power. Finally, coalescent simulations with intracodon recombination could be used to better represent the evolution of nuclear coding genes or fast-evolving pathogens such as HIV-1. We have implemented this algorithm in a computer program called NetRecodon, freely available at http://darwin. uvigo. es.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
172358
|
Unravelling mammalian mechanosensor diversity by functional genomics
|
Mechanotransduction is the signaling by which external mechanical stimuli are converted into biological signals within the cell. It helps to probe and map the rigidity and texture of external world and appeared with the first life forms some 3.8 billion years ago. In mammals, many fundamental physiological functions are regulated by mechanotransduction.
The somatosensory system is involved in the perception of touch, pain and proprioception. Molecular mechanosensors of this sensory system are mechanically-activated ion channels. These channels are expressed at the nerve endings of sensory neurons that project long axons to the skin and to deeper body structures. The identification of these channels constitutes one of the most important challenges in the field of sensory transduction. So far only one gene family has been unambiguously associated with mammalian mechanosensory function and is specifically involved in light-touch sensation. Therefore, the identity of mechanotransduction channels involved in the detection of other mechanosensory modalities including proprioception and mechanical pain remain to be determined.
We will combine patch-clamp methodology and single-cell transcriptome sequencing to generate the specific expression profile of distinct populations of mouse mechanosensitive neurons. Combination of bioinformatics, expression analysis and electrophysiological approaches will be used to identify molecular components of mechanotransduction channels. We will explore the role of identified genes in somatosensory functions.
The long-term objective is to provide a compelling view of mechanosensitive process diversity in mammalian somatosensation through molecular identification of mechanotransduction channels and characterization of their physiological functions in touch, pain and proprioception. This proposal will also provide novel channel candidates that may be involved other mechanosensory functions such as embryogenesis, bone development and hearing.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.1029/2018JA026354
|
FORESAIL-1 CubeSat Mission to Measure Radiation Belt Losses and Demonstrate Deorbiting
|
Today, the near-Earth space is facing a paradigm change as the number of new spacecraft is literally skyrocketing. Increasing numbers of small satellites threaten the sustainable use of space, as without removal, space debris will eventually make certain critical orbits unusable. A central factor affecting small spacecraft health and leading to debris is the radiation environment, which is unpredictable due to an incomplete understanding of the near-Earth radiation environment itself and its variability driven by the solar wind and outer magnetosphere. This paper presents the FORESAIL-1 nanosatellite mission, having two scientific and one technological objectives. The first scientific objective is to measure the energy and flux of energetic particle loss to the atmosphere with a representative energy and pitch angle resolution over a wide range of magnetic local times. To pave the way to novel model-in situ data comparisons, we also show preliminary results on precipitating electron fluxes obtained with the new global hybrid-Vlasov simulation Vlasiator. The second scientific objective of the FORESAIL-1 mission is to measure energetic neutral atoms of solar origin. The solar energetic neutral atom flux has the potential to contribute importantly to the knowledge of solar eruption energy budget estimations. The technological objective is to demonstrate a satellite deorbiting technology, and for the first time, make an orbit maneuver with a propellantless nanosatellite. FORESAIL-1 will demonstrate the potential for nanosatellites to make important scientific contributions as well as promote the sustainable utilization of space by using a cost-efficient deorbiting technology.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.1051/0004-6361/201730472
|
Ionizing Spectra Of Stars That Lose Their Envelope Through Interaction With A Binary Companion Role Of Metallicity
|
Understanding ionizing fluxes of stellar populations is crucial for various astrophysical problems including the epoch of reionization. Short-lived massive stars are generally considered as the main stellar sources. We examine the potential role of less massive stars that lose their envelope through interaction with a binary companion. Here, we focus on the role of metallicity ( Z ). For this purpose we used the evolutionary code MESA and created tailored atmosphere models with the radiative transfer code CMFGEN. We show that typical progenitors, with initial masses of 12 M ⊙ , produce hot and compact stars (~ 4 M ⊙ , 60–80 kK, ~1 R ⊙ ). These stripped stars copiously produce ionizing photons, emitting 60–85% and 30–60% of their energy as HI and HeI ionizing radiation, for Z = 0. 0001–0. 02, respectively. Their output is comparable to what massive stars emit during their Wolf-Rayet phase, if we account for their longer lifetimes and the favorable slope of the initial mass function. Their relative importance for reionization may be further favored since they emit their photons with a time delay (~ 20 Myr after birth in our fiducial model). This allows time for the dispersal of the birth clouds, allowing the ionizing photons to escape into the intergalactic medium. At low Z , we find that Roche stripping fails to fully remove the H-rich envelope, because of the reduced opacity in the subsurface layers. This is in sharp contrast with the assumption of complete stripping that is made in rapid population synthesis simulations, which are widely used to simulate the binary progenitors of supernovae and gravitational waves. Finally, we discuss the urgency to increase the observed sample of stripped stars to test these models and we discuss how our predictions can help to design efficient observational campaigns.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
10.1007/s13164-018-0414-3
|
Reporting in Experimental Philosophy: Current Standards and Recommendations for Future Practice
|
Recent replication crises in psychology and other fields have led to intense reflection about the validity of common research practices. Much of this reflection has focussed on reporting standards, and how they may be related to the questionable research practices that could underlie a high proportion of irreproducible findings in the published record. As a developing field, it is particularly important for Experimental Philosophy to avoid some of the pitfalls that have beset other disciplines. To this end, here we provide a detailed, comprehensive assessment of current reporting practices in Experimental Philosophy. We focus on the quality of statistical reporting and the disclosure of information about study methodology. We assess all the articles using quantitative methods (n = 134) that were published over the years 2013–2016 in 29 leading philosophy journals. We find that null hypothesis significance testing is the prevalent statistical practice in Experimental Philosophy, although relying solely on this approach has been criticised in the psychological literature. To augment this approach, various additional measures have become commonplace in other fields, but we find that Experimental Philosophy has adopted these only partially: 53% of the papers report an effect size, 28% confidence intervals, 1% examined prospective statistical power and 5% report observed statistical power. Importantly, we find no direct relation between an article’s reporting quality and its impact (numbers of citations). We conclude with recommendations for authors, reviewers and editors in Experimental Philosophy, to facilitate making research statistically-transparent and reproducible.
|
[
"Texts and Concepts"
] |
10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.042
|
Frequent occurrence of T cell-mediated late reactions revealed by atopy patch testing with hypoallergenic rBet v 1 fragments
|
Background Late allergic reactions are common in the course of allergen-specific immunotherapy and even occur with allergy vaccines with reduced IgE reactivity. Objective We sought to study atopy patch test (APT) reactions and T-cell responses to the recombinant birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and recombinant hypoallergenic T-cell epitope-containing Bet v 1 fragments in patients with birch pollen allergy with and without atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods A clinical study was conducted in 15 patients with birch pollen allergy with AD (group 1), 5 patients with birch pollen allergy without AD (group 2), 5 allergic patients without birch pollen allergy (group 3), and 5 nonallergic subjects (group 4) by performing skin prick tests and APTs with rBet v 1 and hypoallergenic rBet v 1 fragments. T-cell, cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA)+ and CCR4+ T-cell and cytokine responses were studied by thymidine uptake, carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester staining, and Luminex technology, respectively. Results rBet v 1 and hypoallergenic rBet v 1 fragments induced APT reactions in not only most of the patients with birch pollen allergy with AD (11/15) but also in most of those without AD (4/5). Patients with birch pollen allergy with AD had higher Bet v 1-specific proliferation of CLA+ and CCR4+ T cells compared with patients with birch pollen allergy without AD. There were no differences in Bet v 1-specific CLA+ and CCR4+ proliferation and cytokine secretion in patients with and without APT reactions. Conclusion Hypoallergenic rBet v 1 fragments induce T cell-dependent late reactions not only in patients with birch pollen allergy with AD but also in those without AD, which can be determined based on APT results but not based on in vitro parameters.
|
[
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
W3095255514
|
Interactions between industrial development and environmental protection dimensions of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Evidence from 40 countries with different income levels
|
Abstract This article explores the interactions between industrial development and environmental protection dimensions of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In consideration of the suitability and data availability, this article uses the SDG indicators 9.2.1 (manufacturing value-added per capita) and 12.4.1 (E-waste per capita) as the two indicators to reflect industrial development and environmental protection under the SDGs framework. Based on a cross-country data source, this article examines the correlation between manufacturing value-added per capita and E-waste per capita in forty countries across four income levels as defined by the World Bank. The results show that the manufacturing value-added per capita and E-waste per capita increase with the countries’ income levels. In addition, the positive correlation between manufacturing value-added per capita and electronic waste (E-waste_ per capita) becomes weaker with the increase of the countries’ income levels, and for high-income countries the correlation turns negative. This provides evidence to partially support the Environmental Kuznets Curve, which demonstrates the ‘inverted-U shape’ relationship between economic development and environmental protection. It also generates a number of implications on the monitoring and management of SDG indicators. In consideration of the interactions between different SDGs (including targets and indicators), a holistic, multi-disciplinary, and cross-departmental management and monitoring of SDG indicators is recommended.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space"
] |
10.1080/01431161.2019.1610985
|
Accuracy Assessment And Waveform Analysis Of Cryosat 2 Sarin Mode Data Over Antarctica
|
The new synthetic aperture radar interferometric (SARIn) measurement mode of CryoSat-2 provides better performance on the rough topography of the ice sheet margins than that of conventional radar a. . .
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences"
] |
interreg_4065
|
Trilateral EmpoweRment for Change 4.0
|
Puglia, Albania and Montenegro are connected by good economic relations, which are strengthening with the process of adjustment towards European standards that Albania and Montenegro are going through to entry the EU. The Region today faces the innovation challenge, through the smart factory model, equipped with self-check devices in the lines of production, escalation of companies’ digital processes and high cross-border connectivity.
inTERaCt
4.0 will promote the development of this growth model, through four key actions:
1. Analysis, based on research and methodological surveys, of the needs of enterprises in the handcrafted production sector;
2. Definition of the Mediterranean Innovation Hub (MIH), an instrument shared by the three countries, to promote and support broad approach to innovation. At the operational level, the MIH aims at: the construction of an environment that gathers industrial associations, research centres and enterprises around a smart model; develop an office that provides technical support on research and innovation and the economic measures to support them; development of a “Smart Showcase”, a training experiential workshop to share digital solutions for company processes.
3. Establishment of a system economically viable over time, to train and update the human capital that will support the enterprises’ upgrade, in terms of organization and production;
4. Creation of an ICT & Skills Cluster Platform and Technological Services, to share and benefit from sharing of company skills, guidelines and policy documents for the transformation of processes inside the handcrafted production sector.
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Computer Science and Informatics",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
10.3847/2041-8205/831/1/L1
|
On The Misalignment Between Chromospheric Features And The Magnetic Field On The Sun
|
Observations of the upper chromosphere show an enormous amount of intricate fine structure. Much of this comes in the form of linear features, which are most often assumed to be well aligned with the direction of the magnetic field in the low plasma β regime that is thought to dominate the upper chromosphere. We use advanced radiative magnetohydrodynamic simulations, including the effects of ion-neutral interactions (using the generalized Ohm's law) in the partially ionized chromosphere, to show that the magnetic field is often not well aligned with chromospheric features. This occurs where the ambipolar diffusion is large, i. e. , ions and neutral populations decouple as the ion-neutral collision frequency drops, allowing the field to slip through the neutral population; where currents perpendicular to the field are strong; and where thermodynamic timescales are longer than or similar to those of ambipolar diffusion. We find this often happens in dynamic spicule or fibril-like features at the top of the chromosphere. This has important consequences for field extrapolation methods, which increasingly use such upper chromospheric features to help constrain the chromospheric magnetic field: our results invalidate the underlying assumption that these features are aligned with the field. In addition, our results cast doubt on results from 1D hydrodynamic models, which assume that plasma remains on the same field lines. Finally, our simulations show that ambipolar diffusion significantly alters the amount of free energy available in the coronal part of our simulated volume, which is likely to have consequences for studies of flare initiation.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Universe Sciences"
] |
Q4937916
|
(14508.17092020.172001234) NIVEL RENEWAL
|
WE ARE PRODUCERS IN LUCCA OF DETERGENTS AND NATURAL COSMETICS MADE WITH VEGETABLE INGREDIENTS AND TYPICAL OF THE TUSCAN FLORA. THE INVESTMENT PROJECT FOR WHICH WE REQUEST THE AID TO THE TUSCANY REGION? AIMED AT THE REALISATION, AT OUR UNIT? LOCAL IN LUCCA VIA ROMAN 731, OF A NEW LOGISTICS PLATFORM FOR PREPARATION AND SHIPMENT ORDERS. THE INVESTMENT INVOLVES THE PURCHASE OF MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING, STORAGE, PREPARATION AND SHIPMENT OF GOODS IN COMPLETE OR COLLECTIVE PALLETS AND MORE? PRECISELY IT CONCERNS THE REALISATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL SHELVING OF ABOUT 600 PALLET SEATS SERVED BY NR. 2 FORKLIFTS, THE CREATION OF A LOADING AND UNLOADING AREA COVERED BY REMOVABLE STRUCTURES, A PALLET PREPARATION AREA SERVED BY A ROBOT FOR THE AUTOMATED HANDLING OF PACKAGES WITH PLC INTERFACED WITH THE COMPANY MANAGEMENT (INDUSTRA 4.0), A MEZZANINE AND OTHER VARIOUS EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE FOR THE PREPARATION OF SHIPMENTS
|
[
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Systems and Communication Engineering"
] |
307179
|
Geometric function theory, inverse problems and fluid dinamics
|
The project will strike for conquering frontier results in three capital areas in partial differential equations and mathematical analysis: Elliptic equations and systems, fluid dynamics and inverse problems.
I propose to tackle the central problems in these areas with a new perspective based on the theory of differential inclusions. A thorough study of oscillating div-curl couples in this framework will lead us to the long expected higher dimensional version of the Tartar conjecture. The corresponding analysis of differential inclusions for gradient fields will lead to new results respect to the existence, uniqueness and regularity theory on the so far intractable theory of higher dimensional Beltrami systems. Next we will concentrate in weak solutions to the classical non linear equations governing fluid dynamics. A reformulation of these equations as differential inclusions enables a much more rich theory of weak solutions than the classical one. With this new tool at hand,we will close several long standing questions about existence, uniqueness and contour dynamics. The third part of the project is devoted to inverse problems in p.d.e. The most famous inverse problem is Calderón conductivity problem which asks whether the Dirichlet to Neumann map of an elliptic equation determines the coefficients. The problem is still open in three or more dimensions but a new formulation as a differential inclusion will allow us to close the 1980 Calderón conjecture by constructing new invisible materials. In dimension n=2 the recent approach based on quasiconformal theory will lead to the first regularization scheme valid for discontinuous conductivities and first results for non linear equations. For the stationary Schrödinger equation I propose to exploit a fascinating connection with the convergence to initial data of the non elliptic time dependent Schrödinger equation.
|
[
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1073/pnas.1009690108
|
The genome of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta
|
Ants have evolved very complex societies and are key ecosystem members. Some ants, such as the fire ant Solenopsis invicta, are also major pests. Here, we present a draft genome of S. invicta, assembled from Roche 454 and Illumina sequencing reads obtained from a focal haploidmale and his brothers. Weused comparative genomic methods to obtain insight into the unique features of the S. invicta genome. For example, we found that this genome harbors four adjacent copies of vitellogenin. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that an ancestral vitellogenin gene first underwent a duplication that was followed by possibly independent duplications of each of the daughter vitellogenins. The vitellogenin genes have undergone subfunctionalization with queen- and worker-specific expression, possibly reflecting differential selection acting on the queen andworker castes. Additionally, we identified more than 400 putative olfactory receptors of which at least 297 are intact. This represents the largest repertoire reported so far in insects. S. invicta also harbors an expansion of a specific family of lipid-processing genes, two putative orthologs to the transformer/feminizer sex differentiation gene, a functional DNA methylation system, and a single putative telomerase ortholog. EST data indicate that this S. invicta telomerase ortholog has at least four spliceforms that differ in their use of two sets ofmutually exclusive exons. Someof these and other unique aspects of the fire ant genome are likely linked to the complex social behavior of this species.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems"
] |
W1870959666
|
Ceratopsia increase: history and trends
|
The taxonomic history of the Ceratopsia began in 1876 with the description of Monoclonius crassus Cope followed in 1889 by Triceratops horridus Marsh. After a peak of discovery and description in the 1910s and 1920s resulting from the Canadian dinosaur rush in the province of Alberta and the Central Asiatic Expeditions to Mongolia of the American Museum of Natural History, the study of ceratopsians declined to a low level until the 1990s, when discoveries in China, Montana, Utah, Alberta, and elsewhere, abetted by increased biostratigraphic and phylogenetic precision, led to an unprecedented resurgence of activity. Even Richard C. Fox, along with colleagues from Peking University, joined in the activity, by naming Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis. To place the activity in historical perspective, half of all known ceratopsians have been described since 2003. Despite important finds of basal ceratopsians in China, Mongolia, and Korea, North America continues to dominate ceratopsian, especially ceratopsid, diversity.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"The Study of the Human Past"
] |
W2078291843
|
Franchise bidding, regulation and investment costs
|
This paper analyzes the design of an optimal monopoly franchise policy when firms incur investment costs. We show how this policy depends on the timing of entry. When the investment cost is a fixed cost or a sunk cost paid after knowing the marginal cost parameter, the optimal policy consists of a Baron-Myerson type pricing rule and a lowest cost awarding rule. When the investment cost is a sunk cost paid before knowing the marginal cost parameter, auctioning the right to serve the market eliminates the need for an incentive regulation: the price is given by the complete information Ramsey formula and the subsidy is a Loeb-Magat type subsidy, while an entry fee yields first best entry.
|
[
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.7554/elife.52168
|
Single cell analysis reveals human cytomegalovirus drives latently infected cells towards an anergic-like monocyte state
|
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes a lifelong infection through establishment of latency. Although reactivation from latency can cause life-threatening disease, our molecular understanding of HCMV latency is incomplete. Here we use single cell RNA-seq analysis to characterize latency in monocytes and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). In monocytes, we identify host cell surface markers that enable enrichment of latent cells harboring higher viral transcript levels, which can reactivate more efficiently, and are characterized by reduced intrinsic immune response that is important for viral gene expression. Significantly, in latent HSPCs, viral transcripts could be detected only in monocyte progenitors and were also associated with reduced immune-response. Overall, our work indicates that regardless of the developmental stage in which HCMV infects, HCMV drives hematopoietic cells towards a weaker immune-responsive monocyte state and that this anergic-like state is crucial for the virus ability to express its transcripts and to eventually reactivate.
|
[
"Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy",
"Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.3847/0004-637X/817/2/125
|
Non Equilibrium Helium Ionization In An Mhd Simulation Of The Solar Atmosphere
|
The ionization state of the gas in the dynamic solar chromosphere can depart strongly from the instantaneous statistical equilibrium commonly assumed in numerical modeling. We improve on earlier simulations of the solar atmosphere that only included non-equilibrium hydrogen ionization by performing a 2D radiation-magnetohydrodynamics simulation featuring non-equilibrium ionization of both hydrogen and helium. The simulation includes the effect of hydrogen Lya and the EUV radiation from the corona on the ionization and heating of the atmosphere. Details on code implementation are given. We obtain helium ion fractions that are far from their equilibrium values. Comparison with models with local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) ionization shows that non-equilibrium helium ionization leads to higher temperatures in wavefronts and lower temperatures in the gas between shocks. Assuming LTE ionization results in a thermostat-like behavior with matter accumulating around the temperatures where the LTE ionization fractions change rapidly. Comparison of DEM curves computed from our models shows that non-equilibrium ionization leads to more radiating material in the temperature range 11-18 kK, compared to models with LTE helium ionization. We conclude that non-equilibrium helium ionization is important for the dynamics and thermal structure of the upper chromosphere and transition region. It might also help resolve the problem that intensities of chromospheric lines computed from current models are smaller than those observed.
|
[
"Universe Sciences",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter"
] |
W2153473919
|
Radiative transfer of elastic waves in two-dimensional isotropic scattering media: Semi-analytical approach for isotropic source radiation
|
We formulate the radiative transfer of P- and S-wave energy from an isotropically radiating source in a two-dimensional infinite isotropic scattering medium. For a stable numerical calculation of seismogram envelopes, we take a semi-analytical approach: Energy densities of P and S waves are divided into three parts of the direct-wave terms, the single-scattering terms, and the multiple-scattering terms, and the first two terms and the last term are evaluated analytically and numerically, respectively. Concerning the single-scattering terms, the P- to-S and S-to-P single conversion scattering terms are expressed analytically with a complete elliptic integral of the first kind. The multiple-scattering terms are represented by a double integral with respect to frequency and wavenumber, and can be numerically evaluated by a discrete wavenumber summation and a Fast Fourier Transform. The results based on the numerical implementation are confirmed with an independent numerical calculation using the Monte Carlo method. Our formulation is also applied to consider the equilibration between P and S waves at larger lapse times. The equilibrated S-to-P energy ratio is reproduced and the equilibration time is first derived for two-dimensional cases. Our formulation will be a reference for the understanding of more complex cases.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Earth System Science",
"Mathematics"
] |
10.1111/pbi.12407
|
High-yield production of a human monoclonal IgG by rhizosecretion in hydroponic tobacco cultures
|
Rhizosecretion of recombinant pharmaceuticals from in vitro hydroponic transgenic plant cultures is a simple, low cost, reproducible and controllable production method. Here, we demonstrate the application and adaptation of this manufacturing platform to a human antivitronectin IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) called M12. The rationale for specific growth medium additives was established by phenotypic analysis of root structure and by LC-ESI-MS/MS profiling of the total protein content profile of the hydroponic medium. Through a combination of optimization approaches, mAb yields in hydroponic medium reached 46 μg/mL in 1 week, the highest figure reported for a recombinant mAb in a plant secretion-based system to date. The rhizosecretome was determined to contain 104 proteins, with the mAb heavy and light chains the most abundant. This enabled evaluation of a simple, scalable extraction and purification protocol and demonstration that only minimal processing was necessary prior to protein A affinity chromatography. MALDI-TOF MS revealed that purified mAb contained predominantly complex-type plant N-glycans, in three major glycoforms. The binding of M12 purified from hydroponic medium to vitronectin was comparable to its Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-derived counterpart. This study demonstrates that in vitro hydroponic cultivation coupled with recombinant protein rhizosecretion can be a practical, low-cost production platform for monoclonal antibodies.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering"
] |
10.1002/anie.201909228
|
Photoswitchable Phase Separation and Oligonucleotide Trafficking in DNA Coacervate Microdroplets
|
Coacervate microdroplets produced by liquid–liquid phase separation have been used as synthetic protocells that mimic the dynamical organization of membrane-free organelles in living systems. Achieving spatiotemporal control over droplet condensation and disassembly remains challenging. Herein, we describe the formation and photoswitchable behavior of light-responsive coacervate droplets prepared from mixtures of double-stranded DNA and an azobenzene cation. The droplets disassemble and reassemble under UV and blue light, respectively, due to azobenzene trans/cis photoisomerisation. Sequestration and release of captured oligonucleotides follow the dynamics of phase separation such that light-activated transfer, mixing, hybridization, and trafficking of the oligonucleotides can be controlled in binary populations of the droplets. Our results open perspectives for the spatiotemporal control of DNA coacervates and provide a step towards the dynamic regulation of synthetic protocells.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
W2012924032
|
Novel electric power-driven hydrodynamic injection system for gene delivery: safety and efficacy of human factor IX delivery in rats
|
The development of a safe and reproducible gene delivery system is an essential step toward the clinical application of the hydrodynamic gene delivery (HGD) method. For this purpose, we have developed a novel electric power-driven injection system called the HydroJector-EM, which can replicate various time-pressure curves preloaded into the computer program before injection. The assessment of the reproducibility and safety of gene delivery system in vitro and in vivo demonstrated the precise replication of intravascular time-pressure curves and the reproducibility of gene delivery efficiency. The highest level of luciferase expression (272 pg luciferase per mg of proteins) was achieved safely using the time-pressure curve, which reaches 30 mm Hg in 10 s among various curves tested. Using this curve, the sustained expression of a therapeutic level of human factor IX protein (>500 ng ml(-1)) was maintained for 2 months after the HGD of the pBS-HCRHP-FIXIA plasmid. Other than a transient increase in liver enzymes that recovered in a few days, no adverse events were seen in rats. These results confirm the effectiveness of the HydroJector-EM for reproducible gene delivery and demonstrate that long-term therapeutic gene expression can be achieved by automatic computer-controlled hydrodynamic injection that can be performed by anyone.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
10.1038/s41598-019-54119-9
|
NV center based nano-NMR enhanced by deep learning
|
AbstractThe growing field of nano nuclear magnetic resonance (nano-NMR) seeks to estimate spectra or discriminate between spectra of minuscule amounts of complex molecules. While this field holds great promise, nano-NMR experiments suffer from detrimental inherent noise. This strong noise masks to the weak signal and results in a very low signal-to-noise ratio. Moreover, the noise model is usually complex and unknown, which renders the data processing of the measurement results very complicated. Hence, spectra discrimination is hard to achieve and in particular, it is difficult to reach the optimal discrimination. In this work we present strong indications that this difficulty can be overcome by deep learning (DL) algorithms. The DL algorithms can mitigate the adversarial effects of the noise efficiently by effectively learning the noise model. We show that in the case of frequency discrimination DL algorithms reach the optimal discrimination without having any pre-knowledge of the physical model. Moreover, the DL discrimination scheme outperform Bayesian methods when verified on noisy experimental data obtained by a single Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) center. In the case of frequency resolution we show that this approach outperforms Bayesian methods even when the latter have full pre-knowledge of the noise model and the former has none. These DL algorithms also emerge as much more efficient in terms of computational resources and run times. Since in many real-world scenarios the noise is complex and difficult to model, we argue that DL is likely to become a dominant tool in the field.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.3389/fmicb.2018.01376
|
Preterm gut microbiome depending on feeding type: Significance of donor human milk
|
Preterm microbial colonization is affected by gestational age, antibiotic treatment, type of birth, but also by type of feeding. Breast milk has been acknowledged as the gold standard for human nutrition. In preterm infants breast milk has been associated with improved growth and cognitive development and a reduced risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and late onset sepsis. In the absence of their mother's own milk (MOM), pasteurized donor human milk (DHM) could be the best available alternative due to its similarity to the former. However, little is known about the effect of DHM upon preterm microbiota and potential biological implications. Our objective was to determine the impact of DHM upon preterm gut microbiota admitted in a referral neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A prospective observational cohort study in NICU of 69 neonates < 32 weeks of gestation and with a birth weight ≤ 1,500 g was conducted. Neonates were classified in three groups according to feeding practices consisting in their MOM, DHM, or formula. Fecal samples were collected when full enteral feeding (defined as ≥ 150 cc/kg/day) was achieved. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Despite the higher variability, no differences in microbial diversity and richness were found, although feeding type significantly influenced the preterm microbiota composition and predictive functional profiles. Preterm infants fed MOM showed a significant greater presence of Bifidobacteriaceae and lower of Staphylococcaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Pasteurellaceae compared to preterm fed DHM. Formula fed microbial profile was different to those observed in preterm fed MOM. Remarkably, preterm infants fed DHM showed closer microbial profiles to preterm fed their MOM. Inferred metagenomic analyses showed higher presence of Bifidobacterium genus in mother's milk group was related to enrichment in the Glycan biosynthesis and metabolism pathway that was not identified in the DHM or in the formula fed groups. In conclusion, DHM favors an intestinal microbiome more similar to MOM than formula despite the differences between MOM and DHM. This may have potential beneficial long-term effects on intestinal functionality, immune system, and metabolic activities.
|
[
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions",
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing"
] |
10.1038/s41598-017-12995-z
|
Autism is associated with reduced ability to interpret grasping actions of others
|
We investigated the ability of children with ASD to discriminate a small cylinder from a large cube by observing a point-light movie of an actor grasping the object, either from an allocentric or egocentric viewpoint (observing action of others or self). Compared with typically developing controls, high functioning autistic children showed a strong selective impairment in this task, but only with the allocentric viewpoint, where thresholds were twice as high: egocentric thresholds were similar to age- and ability-matched controls. The magnitude of the impairment correlated strongly with the degree of symptomology (R2 = 0. 5). The results suggest that children with ASD might be impaired in their ability to predict and infer the consequences of others' movements, which could be related to the social-communicative deficits often reported in autism.
|
[
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
10.5804/LHIJ.2013.4.1.001
|
Housing And Welfare In Western Europe Transformations And Challenges For The Social Rented Sector
|
In the post-war period, the mass provision of social rental housing units represented the primary means for resolving housing welfare issues across much of Western Europe. In contrast to North America, large swathes of state subsidized rental housing where built and let-out at submarket rents, both to needy as well as regular working households. By the 1980s social housing accounted for as many as four in ten homes in some contexts. Since then however, these important welfare sectors have been under attack. On the one hand, privatization policies have continued to undermine the basis of social renting with home ownership and private rental sectors advanced by policy as preferable alternatives. On the other hand, social housing providers have been restructured in order to play a more residual role in the housing market and serve more targeted groups of socially vulnerable people. This paper assesses key differences in the development of West European social housing sectors as well as recent transformations in their status that represent a challenge their sustainability. It also looks to what insights this provides for the South Korean housing context where public housing has proliferated and been increasingly diversified in recent years.
|
[
"The Social World and Its Interactions",
"Individuals, Markets and Organisations"
] |
10.1002/ieam.1755
|
Database support for adaptation to climate change: An assessment of web-based portals across scales
|
The widely recognized increase in greenhouse gas emissions is necessitating adaptation to a changing climate, and policies are being developed and implemented worldwide, across sectors, and between government scales globally. The aim of this article is to reflect on one of the major challenges: facilitating and sharing information on the next adaptation practices. Web portals (i. e. , web sites) for disseminating information are important tools in meeting this challenge, and therefore, we assessed the characteristics of select major portals across multiple scales. We found that there is a rather limited number of case studies available in the portals-between 900 and 1000 in total-with 95 that include cost information and 195 that include the participation of stakeholders globally. Portals are rarely cited by researchers, suggesting a suboptimal connection between the practical, policy-related, and scientific development of adaptation. The government portals often lack links on search results between US and European Union (EU) web sites, for example. With significant investments and policy development emerging in both the United States and the European Union, there is great potential to share information via portals. Moreover, there is the possibility of better connecting the practical adaptation experience from bottom-up projects to the science of adaptation. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:627-631.
|
[
"Earth System Science",
"Human Mobility, Environment, and Space",
"Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems"
] |
W2022544077
|
Children’s appraisals of conflict, beliefs about aggression, and externalizing problems in families characterized by severe intimate partner violence.
|
This research examined whether children's threat and self-blame appraisals regarding interparental conflict and their beliefs about the justifiability of aggression predicted children's externalizing problems in families in which there had been recent severe intimate partner violence (IPV). Participants were 106 children (62 boys, 44 girls) aged 7 to 10 and their mothers. Families in which there had been recent severe IPV were recruited during their stay at a domestic violence shelter. Children completed measures of threat, self-blame, beliefs about the justifiability of aggression, and externalizing problems. Mothers completed a measure of children's externalizing problems. Measures were completed at 3 time points, spaced 6 months apart. In multilevel modeling analyses, threat appraisals and beliefs about the justifiability of aggression were positively associated with children's reports of externalizing problems concurrently, and self-blame appraisals were positively associated with mothers' reports of externalizing problems concurrently. In prospective analyses, beliefs about the justifiability of aggression at 1 time point were positively associated with children's reports of externalizing problems 6 months later. The results provide partial support for the modified cognitive-contextual framework.
|
[
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity",
"The Social World and Its Interactions"
] |
10.1038/srep16643
|
Akkermansia muciniphila inversely correlates with the onset of inflammation, altered adipose tissue metabolism and metabolic disorders during obesity in mice
|
Recent evidence indicates that the gut microbiota plays a key role in the pathophysiology of obesity. Indeed, diet-induced obesity (DIO) has been associated to substantial changes in gut microbiota composition in rodent models. In the context of obesity, enhanced adiposity is accompanied by low-grade inflammation of this tissue but the exact link with gut microbial community remains unknown. In this report, we studied the consequences of high-fat diet (HFD) administration on metabolic parameters and gut microbiota composition over different periods of time. We found that Akkermansia muciniphila abundance was strongly and negatively affected by age and HFD feeding and to a lower extend Bilophila wadsworthia was the only taxa following an opposite trend. Different approaches, including multifactorial analysis, showed that these changes in Akkermansia muciniphila were robustly correlated with the expression of lipid metabolism and inflammation markers in adipose tissue, as well as several circulating parameters (i. e. , glucose, insulin, triglycerides, leptin) from DIO mice. Thus, our data shows the existence of a link between gut Akkermansia muciniphila abundance and adipose tissue homeostasis on the onset of obesity, thus reinforcing the beneficial role of this bacterium on metabolism.
|
[
"Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing",
"Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions"
] |
10.1021/acsnano.8b06536
|
Electronic Structure Tunability by Periodic meta-Ligand Spacing in One-Dimensional Organic Semiconductors
|
Designing molecular organic semiconductors with distinct frontier orbitals is key for the development of devices with desirable properties. Generating defined organic nanostructures with atomic precision can be accomplished by on-surface synthesis. We use this "dry" chemistry to introduce topological variations in a conjugated poly(para-phenylene) chain in the form of meta-junctions. As evidenced by STM and LEED, we produce a macroscopically ordered, monolayer thin zigzag chain film on a vicinal silver crystal. These cross-conjugated nanostructures are expected to display altered electronic properties, which are now unraveled by highly complementary experimental techniques (ARPES and STS) and theoretical calculations (DFT and EPWE). We find that meta-junctions dominate the weakly dispersive band structure, while the band gap is tunable by altering the linear segment's length. These periodic topology effects induce significant loss of the electronic coupling between neighboring linear segments leading to partial electron confinement in the form of weakly coupled quantum dots. Such periodic quantum interference effects determine the overall semiconducting character and functionality of the chains.
|
[
"Condensed Matter Physics",
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Synthetic Chemistry and Materials"
] |
10.1175/JAS-D-15-0294.1
|
The Response Of The Lower Stratosphere To Zonally Symmetric Thermal And Mechanical Forcing
|
The authors thank Amanda Maycock for help with the radiation code and for helpful discussions. AM and PHi acknowledge funding support from the European Research Council through the ACCI project (grant number 267760) lead by John Pyle. PHi also acknowledges support from an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship. The authors are grateful to Stephan Fueglistaler and Tom Flannaghan for conversations that stimulated some of this work. We also thank Robin Hogan, Alessio Bozzo and Irina Sandu from ECMWF for their help with reproducing the longwave heating rates as well as Ulrike Langematz and Markus Kunze for the ozone climatology. We received detailed and helpful comments from three anonymous reviewers that improved this manuscript.
|
[
"Earth System Science"
] |
10.1103/PhysRevA.90.052323
|
Elemental and tight monogamy relations in nonsignaling theories
|
Physical principles constrain the way nonlocal correlations can be distributed among distant parties. These constraints are usually expressed by monogamy relations that bound the amount of Bell inequality violation observed among a set of parties by the violation observed by a different set of parties. We prove here that much stronger monogamy relations are possible for nonsignaling correlations by showing how nonlocal correlations among a set of parties limit any form of correlations, not necessarily nonlocal, shared among other parties. In particular, we provide tight bounds between the violation of a family of Bell inequalities among an arbitrary number of parties and the knowledge an external observer can gain about outcomes of any single measurement performed by the parties. Finally, we show how the obtained monogamy relations offer an improvement over the existing protocols for device-independent quantum key distribution and randomness amplification.
|
[
"Mathematics",
"Fundamental Constituents of Matter",
"Computer Science and Informatics"
] |
10.1039/c8em00345a
|
Cloud droplet activation of organic–salt mixtures predicted from two model treatments of the droplet surface
|
A new monolayer model predicts the bulk-surface partitioning, surface composition, and thickness of droplets comprising chemically unresolved, atmospherically relevant organic aerosols.
|
[
"Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences",
"Earth System Science"
] |
3740939
|
Gestural meanings: typology and interface constraints
|
The proposed project 'Gestural Meanings: Typology and Interface Constraints' (GeMeTIC) will investigate how gestures, i.e., hand/body movements and facial expressions, contribute to the meaning of spoken utterances. This question has recently gained substantial traction in formal semantics and pragmatics, but to fully address it, however, one needs to understand how the general potential of gestures to encode meaning is further constrained at various levels of linguistic representation (pragmatics, compositional semantics, syntax, linearization, prosody, articulation) and interfaces between those levels---an issue that still lacks a comprehensive investigation. GeMeTIC will address this gap by comparing the behavior of gestures that contribute ""not-at-issue"" content, i.e., secondary content added on top of the main message of the utterance, to spoken expressions with similar semantics along a range of dimensions: (i) behavior of not-at-issue gestures and spoken expressions under ellipsis and in attitude reports; (ii) behavior of indexicals (i.e., context-sensitive expressions such as 'I', 'here', and 'now') in the scope of quotative gestures and spoken expressions; (iii) non-compositional interpretations (i.e., interpretations that don't match the syntactic structure of the utterance) of expressive gestures and spoken expressions. The ultimate goal of GeMeTIC will be to build a cross-modal typology of not-at-issue meanings that specifies interface constraints on how different meaning types can be encoded in speech and gesture. To accomplish its empirical goals, GeMeTIC will rely on introspective judgements from individual speakers, corpus data, and quantitative data from experiments conducted online. The theoretical component of the project will bring together two major lines of research in formal linguistics: semantics of gestures and semantics of not-at-issue expressions.
|
[
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
10.1002/da.22249
|
What is the threshold for a clinically relevant effect? the case of major depressive disorders
|
Background Randomized trials can show whether a treatment effect is statistically significant and can describe the size of the effect. There are, however, no validated methods available for establishing the clinical relevance of these outcomes. Recently, it was proposed that a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0. 50 be used as cutoff for clinical relevance in the treatment of depression. Methods We explore what the effect size means and why the size of an effect has little bearing on its clinical relevance. We will also examine how the "minimally important difference," as seen from the patient perspective, may be helpful in deciding where the cutoff for clinical relevance should be placed for a given condition. Results Effect sizes in itself cannot give an indication of the clinical relevance of an intervention because the outcome itself determines the clinical relevance and not only the size of the effects. The "minimal important difference" (MID) could be used as a starting point for pinpointing the cutoff for clinical relevance. A first, rough attempt to implement this approach for depression resulted in a tentative clinical relevance cutoff of SMD = 0. 24. Using this cutoff, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and combined treatment have effect sizes above this cutoff. Discussion Statistical outcomes cannot be equated with clinical relevance. The "MID" may be used for pinpointing the cutoff for clinical relevance, but more work in this area is needed.
|
[
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases",
"Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System",
"The Human Mind and Its Complexity"
] |
W2123522803
|
A matrix transducer for 3D Transesophageal Echocardiography with a separate transmit and receive subarray
|
With 3D Transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) the 3D anatomy and function of the heart is visualized. For 3D imaging an ultrasound matrix of several thousands of piezoelectric elements is required. The gastroscopic tube of a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe can accommodate a limited number of cables, since it should remain thin and flexible. Therefore, the number of channels from the transducer should be reduced by using smart signal processing with integrated circuitry in the tip of the probe. The integrated receive circuits require low voltages. To ensure separation from the high voltages required for transmission, the proposed design features a separate transmit and receive subarray. An additional advantage of the two subarray design is that each subarray can be optimized for its specific role. A drawback of separate subarrays is that the axes of the transmit and receive beams do not coincide, making beamforming less straightforward. To reduce the sensitivity to grating lobe artifacts, the transducer is designed for second harmonic imaging. To ensure sufficient frame rate to visualize the movement of the heart valves, wide beam are transmitted (at 3MHz) and in receive (6MHz) microbeamforming is done in the transducer head and parallel beam forming in the mainframe. In this paper we investigate the beamforming using the separate transmit and receive subarray configuration. We focus on the overlap of the transmit and receive beams with parallel beamforming in reception.
|
[
"Systems and Communication Engineering",
"Products and Processes Engineering",
"Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases"
] |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.