pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Demonstration of a multi-technique approach to assess glacial microbial populations in the field

The ability to perform microbial detection and characterization in-field at extreme environments, rather than on returned samples, has the potential to improve the efficiency, relevance and quantity of data from field campaigns. To date, few examples of this approach have been reported. Therefore, we demonstrate that the approach is feasible in subglacial environments by deploying four techniques for microbial detection: real-time polymerase chain reaction; microscopic fluorescence cell counts, adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assay and recombinant Factor C assay (to detect lipopolysaccharide). Each technique was applied to 12 subglacial ice samples, 12 meltwater samples and two snow samples from Engabreen, Northern Norway. Using this multi-technique approach, the detected biomarker levels were as expected, being highest in debris-rich subglacial ice, moderate in glacial meltwater and low in clean ice (debris-poor) and snow. Principal component analysis was applied to the resulting dataset and could be performed in-field to rapidly aid the allocation of resources for further sample analysis. We anticipate that in-field data collection will allow for multiple rounds of sampling, analysis, interpretation and refinement within a single field campaign, resulting in the collection of larger and more appropriate datasets, ultimately with more efficient science return
How Can Evolution Learn?

The theory of evolution links random variation and selection to incremental adaptation. In a different intellectual domain, learning theory links incremental adaptation (e.g., from positive and/or negative reinforcement) to intelligent behaviour. Specifically, learning theory explains how incremental adaptation can acquire knowledge from past experience and use it to direct future behaviours toward favourable outcomes. Until recently such cognitive learning seemed irrelevant to the ‘uninformed’ process of evolution. In our opinion, however, new results formally linking evolutionary processes to the principles of learning might provide solutions to several evolutionary puzzles – the evolution of evolvability, the evolution of ecological organisation, and evolutionary transitions in individuality. If so, the ability for evolution to learn might explain how it produces such apparently intelligent designs
Searching for chiral logs in the static-light decay constant

Using the clover fermion action in unquenched QCD with pion masses as low as 420 MeV, we look for evidence for chiral logs in the static-light decay constant. There is some evidence for a chiral log term, if the original static theory of Eichten and Hill is used. However, the more precise data from the static action of the ALPHA collaboration do not show any evidence for non-linear dependence of the static-light decay constant on the light quark mass. We make some comments on the connection between chiral perturbation theory for decay constants of the pion and static-light meson
An alternative methodology to predict aging effects on the mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced cement (GRC)

The effect of three different aging methods (immersion in hot water, freeze–thaw cycles and wet–dry cycles) on the mechanical properties of GRC were studied and compared.\ud
Test results showed that immersion in hot water may be an unreliable method for modified GRC formulations, with it being in probability a very harmful procedure.\ud
A new aging method, mixing freeze–thaw cycles and wet–dry cycles, seems to be the most accurate simulation of weather conditions that produce a noticeable change in GRC mechanical properties. Future work should be carried out to find a correlation between real weather and the proposed aging method
Microstructure observation and quantification of the liquid fraction of M2 steel grade in the semi-solid state, combining confocallaser scanning microscopy and X-ray microtomography

Microstructure is of crucial importance to the flow behavior of semi-solid slurries during the thixoforging process. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the microstructure evolution is required. In order to achieve this, high temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and high energy X-ray microtomography were used to investigate the microstructure evolution of several steel grades (M2, 100Cr6 and C38LTT) during the heating process from as-received conditions to the semi-solid state. It was found that the microstructure development of M2 can be directly studied at high temperature via these two techniques. Two types of small carbides (MC and M6C) were present in the as-received state, while totally new interconnected carbides of specific size and composition were formed from liquid zones after cooling. It was also noted using CLSM that the diffusion rate of the alloying elements during the cooling of M2 was very low. This confirms that the volume fraction of the liquid phase of M2 at high temperature can be evaluated by threedimensional X-ray microtomography in situ at high temperature and on quenched specimens. Contrary to M2, the microstructure of the steel grades 100Cr6 and C38LTT in the semi-solid state can only be revealed by CLSM at high temperature. All these observations are discussed in terms of microstructural development and liquid fraction during heating
Offshore stereo measurements of gravity waves

Stereo video techniques are effective for estimating the space-time wave dynamics over an area of the ocean. Indeed, a stereo camera view allows retrieval of both spatial and temporal data whose statistical content is richer than that of time series data retrieved from point wave probes. To prove this, we consider an application of the Wave Acquisition Stereo System (WASS) for the analysis of offshore video measurements of gravity waves in the Northern Adriatic Sea. In particular, we deployed WASS at the oceanographic platform Acqua Alta, off the Venice coast, Italy. Three experimental studies were performed, and the overlapping field of view of the acquired stereo images covered an area of approximately 1100 m2. Analysis of the WASS measurements show that the sea surface can be accurately estimated in space and time together, yielding associated directional spectra and wave statistics that agree well with theoretical models. From the observed wavenumber-frequency spectrum one can also predict the vertical profile of the current flow underneath the wave surface. Finally, future improvements of WASS and applications are discussed
A flexible symmetry-preserving Galerkin/POD reduced order model applied to a convective instability problem

A flexible Galerkin method based on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is described to construct the bifurcation diagram, as the Rayleigh number R is varied, in the Rayleigh–Bénard convection in a rectangular box for large Prandtl number. The bifurcation diagram is approximated using the POD modes resulting from unconverged snapshots for just one specific value of R, calculated in either Newton iterations or time-dependent runs converging to steady states. Moreover, the selection of the specific value of R is quite flexible. In addition, a horizontal reflection symmetry is taken into account to construct a symmetry-preserving Galerkin system. The resulting un-symmetric and symmetric low dimensional systems are combined with a basic continuation method, which provide the bifurcation diagram at a quite low computational cost
Interaction of Hydrogen with Palladium Clusters Deposited on Graphene

Producción CientíficaHydrogen adsorption on nanoporous carbon materials is a promising technology for hydrogen storage. However, pure carbon materials do not meet the technological requirements due to the week binding of hydrogen to the pore walls. Experimental work has shown that doping with Pd atoms and clusters enhances the storage capacity of porous carbons. Therefore, we have investigated the role played by the Pd dopant on the enhancement mechanisms. By performing density functional calculations, we have found that hydrogen adsorbs on Pd clusters deposited on graphene following two channels, molecular adsorption and dissociative chemisorption. However, desorption of Pd-H complexes competes with desorption of hydrogen, and consequently desorption of Pd-H complexes would spoil the beneficial effect of the dopant. As a way to overcome this difficulty, Pd atoms and clusters can be anchored to defects of the graphene layer, like graphene vacancies. The competition between molecular adsorption and dissociative chemisorption of H2 on Pd6 anchored on a graphene vacancy has been studied in detail.Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación – Ref. VA050U14
Meeting the sustainable development goals leads to lower world population growth

Here we show the extent to which the expected world population growth could be lowered by successfully implementing the recently agreed-upon Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs include specific quantitative targets on mortality, reproductive health, and education for all girls by 2030, measures that will directly and indirectly affect future demographic trends. Based on a multidimensional model of population dynamics that stratifies national populations by age, sex, and level of education with educational fertility and mortality differentials, we translate these goals into SDG population scenarios, resulting in population sizes between 8.2 and 8.7 billion in 2100. Because these results lie outside the 95% prediction range given by the 2015 United Nations probabilistic population projections, we complement the study with sensitivity analyses of these projections that suggest that those prediction intervals are too narrow because of uncertainty in baseline data, conservative assumptions on correlations, and the possibility of new policies influencing these trends. Although the analysis presented here rests on several assumptions about the implementation of the SDGs and the persistence of educational, fertility, and mortality differentials, it quantitatively illustrates the view that demography is not destiny and that policies can make a decisive difference. In particular, advances in female education and reproductive health can contribute greatly to reducing world population growth
Quantitative analysis of methane monooxygenase (MMO) explains process robustness in continuous and feast-famine bioreactors treating methane

Producción CientíficaThe ability of methanotrophs to rapidly respond to intentional or accidental stress conditions caused by operational failures or process fluctuations is of utmost importance to guarantee the robustness of CH4 abatement biotechnologies. In this study, the performance of a continuous and two feast-famine (5:5 days feast-famine cycles) stirred tank reactors treating diluted CH4 emissions (4–5% v/v) was comparatively assessed for 149 days. The robustness of the three bioreactors towards a 5 days CH4 deprivation episode was thoroughly evaluated at a molecular level (pmoA gene expression level) and correlated to macroscopic process performance. The bioreactors recovered their steady-state abatement performance (in terms of CH4 elimination capacity and CO2 production rate) within 1.5–2 h following CH4 supply resumption concomitantly with a maximum in pmoA gene expression, regardless of the previous operational mode. However, while methanotrophs from the continuous unit maintained higher basal levels of pmoA expression as a strategy for a rapid CH4 metabolism initiation, the strategy of the feast-famine adapted-methanotrophs consisted on a more accurate regulation of their pmoA transcripts levels along with a higher and/or more rapid induction of the pmoA gene by CH4 availability.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad- FEDER  (Proyect  CTM2015-70442-R and Red Novedar)Juan de la Cierva Program (IJCI-2014-19432)Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación - Ref. Project UIC71
Binding of adenosine receptor ligands to brain of adenosine receptor knock-out mice: evidence that CGS 21680 binds to A 1 receptors in hippocampus

The adenosine receptor agonist 2-[ p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenylethylamino]-5'- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680) is generally considered to be a selective adenosine A 2A receptor ligand. However, the compound has previously been shown to exhibit binding characteristics that are not compatible with adenosine A 2A receptor binding, at least in brain regions other than the striatum. We have examined binding of [ 3H]CGS 21680 and of antagonist radioligands with high selectivity for adenosine A 1 or A 2A receptors to hippocampus and striatum of mice lacking either adenosine A 1 (A1R (-/-)) or A 2A (A2AR (-/-)) receptors. Both receptor autoradiography and membrane binding techniques were used for this purpose and gave similar results. There were no significant changes in the binding of the A 1 receptor antagonist [ 3H]DPCPX in mice lacking A 2A receptors, or in the binding of the A 2A receptor antagonists [ 3H]SCH 58261 and [ 3H]ZM 241385 in mice lacking A 1 receptors. Furthermore, [ 3H]CGS 21680 binding in striatum was abolished in the A2AR (-/-), and essentially unaffected in striatum from mice lacking A 1 receptors. In hippocampus, however, binding of [ 3H]CGS 21680 remained in the A2AR (-/-), whereas binding was virtually abolished in the A1R (-/-). There were no adaptive alterations in A 2A receptor expression in this region in A1R (-/-) mice. Thus, most of the [ 3H]CGS 21680 binding in hippocampus is dependent on the presence of adenosine A 1 receptors, but not on A 2A receptors, indicating a novel binding site or novel binding mode.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00210-004-0970-
The Nature of Programmed Cell Death

In multicellular organisms, cells are frequently programmed to die. This makes good sense: cells that fail to, or are no longer playing important roles are eliminated. From the cell’s perspective, this also makes sense, since somatic cells in multicellular organisms require the cooperation of clonal relatives. In unicellular organisms, however, programmed cell death (PCD) poses a difficult and unresolved evolutionary problem. The empirical evidence for PCD in diverse microbial taxa has spurred debates about what precisely PCD means in the case of unicellular organisms (how it should be defined). In this article, we survey the concepts of PCD in the literature and the selective pressures associated with its evolution. We show that definitions of PCD have been almost entirely mechanistic and fail to separate questions concerning what PCD fundamentally is from questions about the kinds of mechanisms that realize PCD. We conclude that an evolutionary definition is best able to distinguish PCD from closely related phenomena. Specifically, we define “true” PCD as an adaptation for death triggered by abiotic or biotic environmental stresses. True PCD is thus not only an evolutionary product but must also have been a target of selection. Apparent PCD resulting from pleiotropy, genetic drift, or trade-offs is not true PCD. We call this “ersatz PCD.
Synthesis and characterization of Mn-doped ZnO nanorods grown in an ordered periodic honeycomb pattern using nanosphere lithography

We report a study of the structural, optical and magnetic properties of undoped and Mn-doped ZnO nanorods grown by chemical bath deposition in a periodic honeycomb lattice formation. Mn-doping is accomplished by a diffusion process at a constant time of 8 h for different temperatures of 500, 600 and 700 °C. Undoped and Mn-doped ZnO nanorods had a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a (002) preferred orientation. From SEM results, it was seen that Mn-doped ZnO nanorods grew vertically in the honeycomb lattice with lengths of 0.8 μm. XPS results showed that Mn3+ ions was successfully incorporated in the ZnO matrix by substituting for Zn2+ ions and that Mn-doping increased the number of oxygen vacancies in ZnO compared to undoped ZnO. This result was also supported by photoluminescence data at 10 K. Magnetic data showed that all the samples exhibited ferromagnetic character. Although the origin of undoped ZnO is related to oxygen vacancy-induced d0 ferromagnetism, bound magnetic polarons are responsible from the ferromagnetism of Mn-doped ZnO samples which have Tc values above the room temperature
Lepton parameters in the see-saw model extended by one extra Higgs
  doublet

We investigate the radiative generation of lepton masses and mixing angles in
the Standard Model extended by one right-handed neutrino and one extra Higgs
doublet. We assume approximate rank-1 Yukawa couplings at a high energy scale
and we calculate the one loop corrected charged lepton and neutrino mass
matrices at the low energy scale. We find that quantum effects generate, for
typical high energy parameters, a hierarchy between the muon and the tau mass,
a hierarchy between the solar and the atmospheric mass splittings, and a
pattern of leptonic mixing angles in qualitative agreement with experiments
One-loop Correction and the Dilaton Runaway Problem

We examine the one-loop vacuum structure of an effective theory of gaugino
condensation coupled to the dilaton for string models in which the gauge
coupling constant does not receive string threshold corrections. The new
ingredients in our treatment are that we take into account the one-loop
correction to the dilaton K\"ahler potential and we use a formulation which
includes a chiral field $H$ corresponding to the gaugino bilinear. We find
through explicit calculation that supersymmetry in the Yang-Mills sector is
broken by gaugino condensation.
  The dilaton and $H$ field have masses on the order of the gaugino
condensation scale independently of the dilaton VEV. Although the calculation
performed here is at best a model of the full gaugino condensation dynamics,
the result shows that the one-loop correction to the dilaton K\"ahler potential
as well as the detailed dynamics at the gaugino condensation scale may play an
important role in solving the dilaton runaway problem.Comment: 19 page
Advances in three-dimensional rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices for biological applications

The capability of 3D printing technologies for direct production of complex 3D structures in a single step has recently attracted an ever increasing interest within the field of microfluidics. Recently, ultrafast lasers have also allowed developing new methods for production of internal microfluidic channels within the bulk of glass and polymer materials by direct internal 3D laser writing. This review critically summarizes the latest advances in the production of microfluidic 3D structures by using 3D printing technologies and direct internal 3D laser writing fabrication methods. Current applications of these rapid prototyped microfluidic platforms in biology will be also discussed. These include imaging of cells and living organisms, electrochemical detection of viruses and neurotransmitters, and studies in drug transport and induced-release of adenosine triphosphate from erythrocytes
Seismic performance and damage evaluation of a reinforced concrete frame with hysteretic dampers through shake-table tests

Passive energy dissipation devices are increasingly implemented in frame structures to improve their performance under seismic loading. Most guidelines for designing this type of system retain the requirements applicable to frames without dampers, and this hinders taking full advantage of the benefits of implementing dampers. Further, assessing the extent of damage suffered by the frame and by the dampers for different levels of seismic hazard is of paramount importance in the framework of performance-based design. This paper presents an experimental investigation whose objectives are to provide empirical data on the response of reinforced concrete (RC) frames equipped with hysteretic dampers (dynamic response and damage) and to evaluate the need for the frame to form a strong column-weak beam mechanism and dissipate large amounts of plastic strain energy. To this end, shake-table tests were conducted on a 2/5-scale RC frame with hysteretic dampers. The frame was designed only for gravitational loads. The dampers provided lateral strength and stiffness, respectively, three and 12 times greater than those of the frame. The test structure was subjected to a sequence of seismic simulations that represented different levels of seismic hazard. The RC frame showed a performance level of "immediate occupancy", with maximum rotation demands below 20% of the ultimate capacity. The dampers dissipated most of the energy input by the earthquake. It is shown that combining hysteretic dampers with flexible reinforced concrete frames leads to structures with improved seismic performance and that requirements of conventional RC frames (without dampers) can be relieved
No unitary bootstrap for the fractal Ising model

We consider the conformal bootstrap for spacetime dimension 1 < d < 2. We determine bounds on operator dimensions and compare our results with various theoretical and numerical models, in particular with resummed ϵ -expansion and Monte Carlo simulations of the Ising model on fractal lattices. The bounds clearly rule out that these models correspond to unitary conformal field theories. We also clarify the d → 1 limit of the conformal bootstrap, showing that bounds can be — and indeed are — discontinuous in this limit. This discontinuity implies that for small ϵ = d − 1 the expected critical exponents for the Ising model are disallowed, and in particular those of the d − 1 expansion. Altogether these results strongly suggest that the Ising model universality class cannot be described by a unitary CFT below d = 2. We argue this also from a bootstrap perspective, by showing that the 2 ≤ d < 4 Ising “kink” splits into two features which grow apart below d = 2
Modeling process intensified catalytic plate reactor for synthesis gas production

This paper presents numerical study of co- and counter-flow arrangements for catalytic plate reactors (CPR). CH4 steam reforming coupled with CH4 oxidation is simulated using detailed surface reaction mechanisms. Effect of inlet velocities to the reforming channel, oxidation channel, and material properties of the plate on the resulting plate temperature and CH4 conversions is studied. The simulation results agree very well with an industrial scale reformer unit and calculations are further carried out to evaluate the number of CPRs and stacks required to replace and industrial uni
Do labour market institutions matter? Micro-level wage effects of international outsourcing in three European countries

This paper studies the impact of outsourcing on individual wages in three European countries with markedly different labour market institutions: Germany, the UK and Denmark. To do so we use individual-level data sets for the three countries and construct comparable measures of outsourcing at the industry level, distinguishing outsourcing by broad region. We discuss some possible intuitive reasons for why there may be differences in the impact of outsourcing across the three countries, based on labour market institutions