pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
d- and l-amino acids in Antarctic lakes: assessment of a very sensitive HPLC-MS method

Amino acids represent a fraction of organic matter in marine and freshwater ecosystems, and a source of carbon, nitrogen and energy. l-Amino acids are the most common enantiomers in nature because these chiral forms are used during the biosynthesis of proteins and peptide. To the contrary, the occurrence of d-amino acids is usually linked to the presence of bacteria. We investigated the distribution of l- and d-amino acids in the lacustrine environment of Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica, in order to define their natural composition in this area and to individuate a possible relationship with primary production. A simultaneous chromatographic separation of 40 l- and d-amino acids was performed using a chiral stationary phase based on teicoplainin aglycone (chirobiotic tag). The chromatographic separation was coupled to two different mass spectrometers-an LTQ-Orbitrap XL (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and an API 4000 (ABSciex)-in order to investigate their quantitative performance. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry methods were evaluated through the estimation of their linear ranges, repeatability, accuracy and detection and quantification limits. The high-resolution mass spectrometer LTQ-Orbitrap XL presented detection limits between 0.4 and 7 mu g l (-1), while the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer API 4000 achieved the best detection limits reported in the literature for the quantification of amino acids (between 4 and 200 ng l (-1)). The most sensitive method, HPLC-API 4000, was applied to lake water samples
Cooling paths during the Mesozoic Extensional Tectonics of NE China: example from the South Liaodong Peninsula Metamorphic Core Complex

International audienceThe South Liaodong Peninsula massif is the easternmost Mesozoic Metamorphic Core Complex, recognized in Eastern China. It provides a good example of the combination of ductile shearing, synkinematic plutonism and polyphase exhumation. The Jurassic granodioritic plutons, located at the footwall of the detachment normal fault, and dated here at ca 160 Ma, recorded two different phases of cooling. A slow cooling regime of about 3-10°C/my prevailing before 122 Ma, was followed by a significant increase in cooling rate of about 40-55°C/my after that time. By contrast, a single fast cooling path was recorded by the Cretaceous monzogranite situated in the footwall of the detachment normal fault. This result indicates that the Jurassic and Cretaceous plutons recorded different exhumation processes: a Jurassic slow or negligible exhumation and a Cretaceous fast one assisted by normal faulting. These two cooling stages correspond to distinct geodynamic processes during the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Extensional tectonics seems not significant before Early Cretaceous. The second stage, dominated by an extensional regime which develops after ca 120 Ma, is tentatively correlated to the lithosphere removal of the North China Craton
The INPOP10a planetary ephemeris and its applications in fundamental physics

International audienceCompared to the previous INPOP versions, the INPOP10a planetary and lunar ephemeris has several improvements. For the planets of our solar system, no big change was brought in the dynamics but improvements were implemented in the fitting process, the data sets used in the fit and in the selection of fitted parameters. We report here the main characteristics of the planetary part of INPOP10a like the fit of the product of the Solar mass with the gravitational constant (GM$_{\odot}$) instead of the astronomical unit. Determinations of PPN parameters as well as adjustments of the Sun J2 and of asteroid masses are also presented. New advances of nodes and perihelia of planets were also estimated and are given here. As for INPOP08, INPOP10a provides to the user, positions and velocities of the planets, the moon, the rotation angles of the Earth and the Moon as well as TT-TDB chebychev polynomials at http://www.imcce.fr/inpo
Development of a Novel High Power Sub-THz Second Harmonic Gyrotron

Record-breaking high power coherent radiation at a subterahertz frequency region from a gyrotron
utilizing second harmonic resonance modes was attained with a simple cavity. In order to aim at high
power and high frequency simultaneously, the oscillation mode was selected carefully enough to realize
stable radiation free from mode competition. The cavity radius was determined from the viewpoints of the
oscillation frequency, the coupling coefficient between the electron beam, and the rf-electric field. The
cavity length was also optimized for the highest perpendicular efficiency. In addition, a new electron gun
which is capable of generating a thin laminar beam for a large current was introduced. Consequently,
single mode second harmonic radiation with powers of 52 and 37 kW at frequencies of about 349 and
390 GHz, respectively, was achieved
Analysis of an efficient integrator for a size-structured population model with a dynamical resource

Producción CientíficaIn this paper, an efficient numerical method for the approximation of a nonlinear size-structured population model is presented. The nonlinearity of the model is given by dependency on the environment through the consumption of a dynamical resource. We analyse the properties of the numerical scheme and optimal second-order convergence is derived. We report experiments with academical tests to demonstrate numerically the predicted accuracy of the scheme. The model is applied to solve a biological problem: the dynamics of an ectothermic population (the water flea, Daphnia magna). We analyse its long time evolution and describe the asymptotically stable steady states, both equilibria and limit cycles.Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación – Ref. VA191U13
Methane in shallow subsurface sediments at the landward limit of the gas hydrate stability zone offshore western Svalbard

Offshore western Svalbard plumes of gas bubbles rise from the seafloor at the landward limit of the gas hydrate stability zone (LLGHSZ; ∼400 m water depth). It is hypothesized that this methane may, in part, come from dissociation of gas hydrate in the underlying sediments in response to recent warming of ocean bottom waters. To evaluate the potential role of gas hydrate in the supply of methane to the shallow subsurface sediments, and the role of anaerobic oxidation in regulating methane fluxes across the sediment–seawater interface, we have characterised the chemical and isotopic compositions of the gases and sediment pore waters. The molecular and isotopic signatures of gas in the bubble plumes (C1/C2+ = 1 × 104; δ13C-CH4 = −55 to −51‰; δD-CH4 = −187 to −184‰) are similar to gas hydrate recovered from within sediments ∼30 km away from the LLGHSZ. Modelling of pore water sulphate profiles indicates that subsurface methane fluxes are largely at steady state in the vicinity of the LLGHSZ, providing no evidence for any recent change in methane supply due to gas hydrate dissociation. However, at greater water depths, within the GHSZ, there is some evidence that the supply of methane to the shallow sediments has recently increased, which is consistent with downslope retreat of the GHSZ due to bottom water warming although other explanations are possible. We estimate that the upward diffusive methane flux into shallow subsurface sediments close to the LLGHSZ is 30,550 mmol m−2 yr−1, but it is <20 mmol m−2 yr−1 in sediments further away from the seafloor bubble plumes. While anaerobic oxidation within the sediments prevents significant transport of dissolved methane into ocean bottom waters this amounts to less than 10% of the total methane flux (dissolved + gas) into the shallow subsurface sediments, most of which escapes AOM as it is transported in the gas phase
Study of the current incentive rules and mechanisms to promote biofuel use in the EU and their possible application to the civil aviation sector

This paper deals with the need of introducing biofuels for the use of the civil aviation sector, and the different possibilities of application of incentive mechanisms if the existing market conditions do not allow their direct commercialisation. After an introduction on the main features of the civil aviation impact on climate change, a historical review of the European Union regulations to promote the energy extraction from biological resources is presented. The different incentive policies around the world are revised and compared and some indications are offered on the most recommendable procedures that might be carried out in the near future
Comprehensive analysis of prebiotic propenal up to 660 GHz

Since interstellar detection of propenal is only based on two rotational transitions in the centimeter wave region, its high resolution rotational spectrum has been measured up to 660 GHz and fully characterized by assignment of more than 12,000 transitions to provide direct laboratory data to the astronomical community. Spectral assignments and analysis include transitions from the ground state of the trans and cis isomers, three trans-13C isotopologues, and ten excited vibrational states of the trans form. Combining new millimeter and submillimeter data with those from the far-infrared region has yielded the most precise set of spectroscopic constants of trans-propenal obtained to date. Newly determined rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, vibrational energies, and Coriolis and Fermi interaction constants are given with high accuracy and were used to predict transition frequencies and intensities over a wide frequency range. Results of this work should facilitate astronomers further observation of propenal in the interstellar medium
Rotational spectrum of tryptophan

The rotational spectrum of the natural amino acid tryptophan has been observed for the first time
using a combination of laser ablation, molecular beams, and Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy.
Independent analysis of the rotational spectra of individual conformers has conducted to
a definitive identification of two different conformers of tryptophan, with one of the observed conformers
never reported before. The analysis of the 14N nuclear quadrupole coupling constants is of
particular significance since it allows discrimination between structures, thus providing structural
information on the orientation of the amino group. Both observed conformers are stabilized by an
O–H · · ·N hydrogen bond in the side chain and a N–H · · · π interaction forming a chain that reinforce
the strength of hydrogen bonds through cooperative effects
Biocompatible ELR-Based Polyplexes Coated with MUC1 Specific Aptamers and Targeted for Breast Cancer Gene Therapy

Producción CientíficaThe search for new and biocompatible materials with high potential for improvement is a challenge in gene delivery applications. A cell type speciﬁc vector made of elastin- like recombinamer (ELR) and aptamers has been speciﬁcally designed for the intracellular delivery of therapeutic material for breast cancer therapy. A lysine-enriched ELR was constructed and complexed with plasmid DNA to give positively charged and stable polyplexes. Physical character- ization of these polyplexes showed a particle size of around 140 nm and a zeta potential of approximately +40 mV. The
 incorporation of MUC1-speciﬁc aptamers into the polyplexes resulted in a slight decrease in zeta potential but increased cell transfection speciﬁcity for MCF-7 breast cancer cells with respect to a MUC1-negative tumor line. After showing the transfection ability of this aptamer-ELR vector which is facilitated mainly by macropinocytosis uptake, we demonstrated its application for suicide gene therapy using a plasmid containing the gene of the toxin PAP-S. The strategy developed in this work about using ELR as polymeric vector and aptamers as supplier of speciﬁcity to deliver therapeutic material into MUC1-positive breast cancer cells shows promising potential and continues paving the way for ELRs in the biomedical ﬁeld.Este trabajo forma parte de los Proyectos de Investigación financiados por la Comisión Europea a través del Fondo Social Europeo (FSE) y de la Consejería de Educación mediante el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (ERDF), el MINECO (Proyectos MAT2013-41723-R, MAT2013-42473-R, PRI−PIBAR-2011-1403 y MAT2012-38043), la Junta de Castilla y León (Proyectos VA155A12, VA152A12, and VA244U13), el CIBER-BBN y el Instituto de Salud Carlos III mediante el Centro de Medicina Regenerativa y Terapia Celular de Castilla y León
A Large-Scale Genetic Analysis Reveals a Strong Contribution of the HLA Class II Region to Giant Cell Arteritis Susceptibility

We conducted a large-scale genetic analysis on giant cell arteritis (GCA), a polygenic immune-mediated vasculitis. A case-control cohort, comprising 1,651 case subjects with GCA and 15,306 unrelated control subjects from six different countries of European ancestry, was genotyped by the Immunochip array. We also imputed HLA data with a previously validated imputation method to perform a more comprehensive analysis of this genomic region. The strongest association signals were observed in the HLA region, with rs477515 representing the highest peak (p = 4.05 × 10−40, OR = 1.73). A multivariate model including class II amino acids of HLA-DRβ1 and HLA-DQα1 and one class I amino acid of HLA-B explained most of the HLA association with GCA, consistent with previously reported associations of classical HLA alleles like HLA-DRB1∗04. An omnibus test on polymorphic amino acid positions highlighted DRβ1 13 (p = 4.08 × 10−43) and HLA-DQα1 47 (p = 4.02 × 10−46), 56, and 76 (both p = 1.84 × 10−45) as relevant positions for disease susceptibility. Outside the HLA region, the most significant loci included PTPN22 (rs2476601, p = 1.73 × 10−6, OR = 1.38), LRRC32 (rs10160518, p = 4.39 × 10−6, OR = 1.20), and REL (rs115674477, p = 1.10 × 10−5, OR = 1.63). Our study provides evidence of a strong contribution of HLA class I and II molecules to susceptibility to GCA. In the non-HLA region, we confirmed a key role for the functional PTPN22 rs2476601 variant and proposed other putative risk loci for GCA involved in Th1, Th17, and Treg cell function
The effects and side-effects of the EU emissions trading scheme

As many countries, regions, cities, and states implement emissions trading policies to limit CO2 emissions, they turn to the European Union's experience with its emissions trading scheme since 2005. As a prominent example of a regional carbon pricing policy, it has attracted significant attention from scholars interested in evaluating the effectiveness and impacts of emissions trading. Among the key difficulties faced by researchers is isolating the effect of the EU ETS on industry operation, investment, and pricing decisions from other dominant factors such as the financial crisis, and establishing credible counterfactual scenarios against this backdrop. This article reviews the evidence, focusing on two intended effects (emissions abatement and investment in low-carbon technologies) as well as two side-effects (profits and price impacts). We find that the EU ETS cut CO2 emissions by 40-80 million t/year on average, or 2-4% of the total capped, while the evidence on innovation and investment impacts is inconclusive. There is strong empirical support for cost-pass through in electricity (20-100%), in diesel and gasoline (>50%), and some preliminary evidence of pricing power in other industrial sectors. Windfall profits have amounted to billions of Euros, and concentrated in a few large companies
Sustainability assessment of transport infrastructure projects: a review of existing tools and methods

Attempts to integrate sustainability in the decision-making process for transport infrastructure\ud
projects continue to gain momentum. A number of tools and methodological frameworks\ud
are available — such as rating systems, traditional decision-making techniques, checklists, and\ud
different evaluation frameworks and models. While these tools are highly valuable, some practical\ud
issues remain unsolved. There is also a need for more standardized tools to appraise the sustainability\ud
of transport projects. This paper is a presentation of a review on the current assessment tools of sustainability\ud
applied to transport infrastructure projects. The preliminary part of the paper is an explanatory\ud
and comparative analysis of the tools and methods in terms of their effectiveness to appraise\ud
sustainability. The analysis is a critical evaluation of the current state of the art to identify the limitations\ud
of existing approaches, point out new areas of research, and propose a sustainability appraisal\ud
agenda for the future
The effect of deuteriation on the emission lifetime of inorganic compounds

The application of deuteriation of both ligands and solvents on the photophysical properties of transition metal complexes in solution and glassy matrices is reviewed. The reduction in amplitude and frequency of vibrational modes due to deuterium's increased mass, relative to hydrogen, has a significant effect on non-radiative deactivation processes, which can occur through both intra- and inter-molecular vibrational coupling. The effect of deuteriation on excited state lifetimes has allowed for its application in probing the nature of excited state decay processes. The effects of isotopic exchange on vibrational spectroscopies such as resonance Raman and low temperature high-resolution emission spectroscopies are also addressed briefly
Managing evolution and change in web-based teaching and learning environments

The state of the art in information technology and educational technologies is evolving constantly.\ud
Courses taught are subject to constant change from organisational and subject-specific reasons. Evolution\ud
and change affect educators and developers of computer-based teaching and learning environments alike –\ud
both often being unprepared to respond effectively. A large number of educational systems are designed\ud
and developed without change and evolution in mind. We will present our approach to the design and\ud
maintenance of these systems in rapidly evolving environments and illustrate the consequences of evolution\ud
and change for these systems and for the educators and developers responsible for their implementation and\ud
deployment. We discuss various factors of change, illustrated by a Web-based virtual course, with the\ud
objective of raising an awareness of this issue of evolution and change in computer-supported teaching and\ud
learning environments. This discussion leads towards the establishment of a development and management\ud
framework for teaching and learning systems
Harnessing ISO/IEC 12207 to examine the extent of SPI activity in an organisation

The quality of the software development process directly affects the quality of the software product. To be successful, software development organisations must respond to changes in technology and business circumstances, and therefore software process improvement (SPI) is required. SPI activity relates to any modification that is performed to the software process in order to improve an aspect of the process. Although multiple process assessments could be employed to examine SPI activity, they present an inefficient tool for such an examination. This paper presents an overview of a new survey-based resource that utilises the process reference model in ISO/IEC 12207 in order to expressly and directly determine the level of SPI activity in a software development organisation. This survey instrument can be used by practitioners, auditors and researchers who are interested in determining the extent of SPI activity in an organisation
The uncertain representation ranking framework for concept-based video retrieval

Concept based video retrieval often relies on imperfect and uncertain concept detectors. We propose a general ranking framework to define effective and robust ranking functions, through explicitly addressing detector uncertainty. It can cope with multiple concept-based representations per video segment and it allows the re-use of effective text retrieval functions which are defined on similar representations. The final ranking status value is a weighted combination of two components: the expected score of the possible scores, which represents the risk-neutral choice, and the scores’ standard deviation, which represents the risk or opportunity that the score for the actual representation is higher. The framework consistently improves the search performance in the shot retrieval task and the segment retrieval task over several baselines in five TRECVid collections and two collections which use simulated detectors of varying performance
Origin of freshwater and polynya water in the Arctic Ocean halocline in summer 2007

Extremely low summer sea-ice coverage in the Arctic Ocean in 2007 allowed extensive sampling and a wide quasi-synoptic hydrographic and δ18O dataset could be collected in the Eurasian Basin and the Makarov Basin up to the Alpha Ridge and the East Siberian continental margin. With the aim of determining the origin of freshwater in the halocline, fractions of river water and sea-ice meltwater in the upper 150 m were quantified by a combination of salinity and δ18O in the Eurasian Basin. Two methods, applying the preformed phosphate concentration (PO*) and the nitrate-to-phosphate ratio (N/P), were compared to further differentiate the marine fraction into Atlantic and Pacific-derived contributions. While PO*-based assessments systematically underestimate the contribution of Pacific-derived waters, N/P-based calculations overestimate Pacific-derived waters within the Transpolar Drift due to denitrification in bottom sediments at the Laptev Sea continental margin.\ud
Within the Eurasian Basin a west to east oriented front between net melting and production of sea-ice is observed. Outside the Atlantic regime dominated by net sea-ice melting, a pronounced layer influenced by brines released during sea-ice formation is present at about 30 to 50 m water depth with a maximum over the Lomonosov Ridge. The geographically distinct definition of this maximum demonstrates the rapid release and transport of signals from the shelf regions in discrete pulses within the Transpolar Drift.\ud
The ratio of sea-ice derived brine influence and river water is roughly constant within each layer of the Arctic Ocean halocline. The correlation between brine influence and river water reveals two clusters that can be assigned to the two main mechanisms of sea-ice formation within the Arctic Ocean. Over the open ocean or in polynyas at the continental slope where relatively small amounts of river water are found, sea-ice formation results in a linear correlation between brine influence and river water at salinities of about 32 to 34. In coastal polynyas in the shallow regions of the Laptev Sea and southern Kara Sea, sea-ice formation transports river water into the shelf’s bottom layer due to the close proximity to the river \ud
mouths. This process therefore results in waters that form a second linear correlation between brine influence and river water at salinities of about 30 to 32. Our study indicates which layers of the Arctic Ocean halocline are primarily influenced by sea-ice formation in coastal polynyas and which layers are primarily influenced by sea-ice formation over the open ocean. Accordingly we use the ratio of sea-ice derived brine influence and river water to link the maximum in brine influence within the Transpolar Drift with a pulse of shelf waters from the Laptev Sea that was likely released in summer 2005