pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Near threshold proton–proton fusion in effective field theory

AbstractThe astrophysical S-factor for proton–proton fusion, S11(E), is obtained with the nuclear matrix element analytically calculated in pionless effective field theory. To the third order, the zero-energy result S11(0) and the first energy derivative S11′(0) are found to be (3.99±0.14)×10−25 MeV b and S11(0)(11.3±0.1) MeV−1, respectively; both consistent with the current adopted values. The second energy derivative is also calculated for the first time, and the result S11″(0)=S11(0)(170±2) MeV−2 contributes at the level of 0.5% to the fusion rate at the solar center, which is smaller than 1% as previously estimated
The hydroxypyridinone iron chelator CP94 increases methyl-aminolevulinate-based photodynamic cell killing by increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species

AbstractMethyl-aminolevulinate-based photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) is utilised clinically for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers and pre-cancers and the hydroxypyridinone iron chelator, CP94, has successfully been demonstrated to increase MAL-PDT efficacy in an initial clinical pilot study. However, the biochemical and photochemical processes leading to CP94-enhanced photodynamic cell death, beyond the well-documented increases in accumulation of the photosensitiser protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), have not yet been fully elucidated. This investigation demonstrated that MAL-based photodynamic cell killing of cultured human squamous carcinoma cells (A431) occurred in a predominantly necrotic manner following the generation of singlet oxygen and ROS. Augmenting MAL-based photodynamic cell killing with CP94 co-treatment resulted in increased PpIX accumulation, MitoSOX-detectable ROS generation (probably of mitochondrial origin) and necrotic cell death, but did not affect singlet oxygen generation. We also report (to our knowledge, for the first time) the detection of intracellular PpIX-generated singlet oxygen in whole cells via electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in conjunction with a spin trap
An affected core drives network integration deficits of the structural connectome in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

AbstractChromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a genetic disease known to lead to cerebral structural alterations, which we study using the framework of the macroscopic white-matter connectome. We create weighted connectomes of 44 patients with 22q11DS and 44 healthy controls using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging, and perform a weighted graph theoretical analysis. After confirming global network integration deficits in 22q11DS (previously identified using binary connectomes), we identify the spatial distribution of regions responsible for global deficits. Next, we further characterize the dysconnectivity of the deficient regions in terms of sub-network properties, and investigate their relevance with respect to clinical profiles. We define the subset of regions with decreased nodal integration (evaluated using the closeness centrality measure) as the affected core (A-core) of the 22q11DS structural connectome. A-core regions are broadly bilaterally symmetric and consist of numerous network hubs — chiefly parietal and frontal cortical, as well as subcortical regions. Using a simulated lesion approach, we demonstrate that these core regions and their connections are particularly important to efficient network communication. Moreover, these regions are generally densely connected, but less so in 22q11DS. These specific disturbances are associated to a rerouting of shortest network paths that circumvent the A-core in 22q11DS, “de-centralizing” the network. Finally, the efficiency and mean connectivity strength of an orbito-frontal/cingulate circuit, included in the affected regions, correlate negatively with the extent of negative symptoms in 22q11DS patients, revealing the clinical relevance of present findings. The identified A-core overlaps numerous regions previously identified as affected in 22q11DS as well as in schizophrenia, which approximately 30–40% of 22q11DS patients develop
Baryon stability on the Higgs dissolution edge: threshold corrections and suppression of baryon violation in the NMSGUT

AbstractSuperheavy threshold corrections to the matching condition between matter Yukawa couplings of the effective Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) and the New Minimal Supersymmetric (SO(10)) GUT (NMSGUT) provide a novel and generic mechanism for reducing the long standing and generically problematic operator dimension 5 baryon decay rates. In suitable regions of the parameter space strong wave function renormalization of the effective MSSM Higgs doublets due to the large number of heavy fields can take the wave function renormalization of the MSSM Higgs field close to the dissolution value (ZH,H¯=0). Rescaling to canonical kinetic terms lowers the SO(10) Yukawas required to match the MSSM fermion data. Since the same Yukawas determine the dimension 5 B violation operator coefficients, the associated rates can be suppressed to levels compatible with current limits. Including these threshold effects also relaxes the constraint yb−yτ≃ys−yμ operative between 10–120-plet generated tree level MSSM matter fermion Yukawas yf. We exhibit accurate fits of the MSSM fermion mass-mixing data in terms of NMSGUT superpotential couplings and 5 independent soft Susy breaking parameters specified at 1016.25 GeV with the claimed suppression of baryon decay rates. As before, our s-spectra are of the mini split supersymmetry type with large |A0|,μ,mH,H¯>100 TeV, light gauginos and normal s-hierarchy. Large A0,μ and soft masses allow significant deviation from the canonical GUT gaugino mass ratios and ensure vacuum safety. Even without optimization, prominent candidates for BSM discovery such as the muon magnetic anomaly, b→sγ and leptogenesis CP violation emerge in the preferred ball park
Casimir effect in spacetime with extra dimensions – from Kaluza–Klein to Randall–Sundrum models

AbstractIn this Letter, we derive the finite temperature Casimir force acting on a pair of parallel plates due to a massless scalar field propagating in the bulk of a higher dimensional brane model. In contrast to previous works which used approximations for the effective masses in deriving the Casimir force, the formulas of the Casimir force we derive are exact formulas. Our results disprove the speculations that existence of the warped extra dimension can change the sign of the Casimir force, be it at zero or any finite temperature
Teaching Disciplines “History of Russia” and “Country Studies” to Foreign Students: Problems and Solutions

AbstractThe present paper is focused on the problem of teaching foreign students such disciplines as “Country studies” and “History of Russia”, which appear to be compulsory for the international students, getting higher education in Russia. Studying these disciplines, students meet some difficulties due to various reasons, beginning with poor knowledge of Russian language and ending with ethical problems. A lecturer needs to cross this socio-cultural and linguistic barrier and find solutions in order to give the full information in accordance with the educational working program. The research has an applied character. It is based on the sociological survey conducted among the foreign students of National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate real difficulties of students and lecturers at studying and teaching disciplines “Country studies” and “History of Russia” and to offer solutions for overcoming these problems
Differential Inhibition of Human Atherosclerotic Plaque–Induced Platelet Activation by Dimeric GPVI-Fc and Anti-GPVI Antibodies Functional and Imaging Studies

AbstractBackgroundGlycoprotein VI (GPVI) is the essential platelet collagen receptor in atherothrombosis, but its inhibition causes only a mild bleeding tendency. Thus, targeting this receptor has selective antithrombotic potential.ObjectivesThis study sought to compare compounds interfering with platelet GPVI–atherosclerotic plaque interaction to improve current antiatherothrombotic therapy.MethodsHuman atherosclerotic plaque–induced platelet aggregation was measured in anticoagulated blood under static and arterial flow conditions (550/s, 1,100/s, and 1,500/s). Inhibition by dimeric GPVI fragment crystallizable region of IgG (Fc) masking GPVI binding sites on collagen was compared with that of 3 anti-GPVI antibodies: BLO8-1, a human domain antibody; 5C4, a fragment antigen-binding (Fab fragment) of monoclonal rat immunoglobulin G; and m-Fab-F, a human recombinant sFab against GPVI dimers.ResultsGPVI-Fc reduced plaque-triggered platelet aggregation in static blood by 51%, BLO8-1 by 88%, and 5C4 by 93%. Under arterial flow conditions, BLO8-1 and 5C4 almost completely inhibited platelet aggregation while preserving platelet adhesion on plaque. Inhibition by GPVI-Fc, even at high concentrations, was less marked but increased with shear rate. Advanced optical imaging revealed rapid persistent GPVI-Fc binding to collagen under low and high shear flow, upstream and downstream of plaque fragments. At low shear particularly, platelets adhered in plaque flow niches to GPVI-Fc–free segments of collagen fibers and recruited other platelets onto aggregates via ADP and TxA2 release.ConclusionsAnti-GPVI antibodies inhibit atherosclerotic plaque-induced platelet aggregation under static and flow conditions more effectively than GPVI-Fc. However, potent platelet inhibition by GPVI-Fc at a higher shear rate (1,500/s) suggests localized antithrombotic efficacy at denuded or fissured stenotic high-risk lesions without systemic bleeding. The compound-specific differences have relevance for clinical trials targeting GPVI-collagen interaction combined with established antiplatelet therapies in patients with spontaneous plaque rupture or intervention-associated plaque injury
Influence of fibre architecture on the tensile, compressive and flexural behaviour of 3D woven composites

AbstractThis paper presents a comprehensive study on the tensile, compressive, and flexural performance of six types of 3D woven carbon-fibre/epoxy composites which were manufactured using a traditional narrow fabric weaving loom and resin transfer moulding. Four orthogonal and two angle-interlock weaves were tested with the primary loading direction parallel to the warp direction. The mechanical performance was found to be affected by the distribution of resin rich regions and the waviness of the load-carrying fibres, which were determined by the fibre architectures. The binding points within the resin rich regions were found to be the damage initiation sites in all weave types under all loading conditions, which were confirmed with both visual observation and digital image correlation strain maps. Among all weave types, the angle interlock weave W-3 exhibited the highest properties under all loading conditions
NDRG2 promotes myoblast proliferation and caspase 3/7 activities during differentiation, and attenuates hydrogen peroxide – But not palmitate-induced toxicity

AbstractThe function of the stress-responsive N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) in the control of myoblast growth, and the amino acids contributing to its function, are not well characterized. Here, we investigated the effect of increased NDRG2 levels on the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in skeletal muscle cells under basal and stress conditions. NDRG2 overexpression increased C2C12 myoblast proliferation and the expression of positive cell cycle regulators, cdk2, cyclin B and cyclin D, and phosphorylation of Rb, while the serine/threonine-deficient NDRG2, 3A-NDRG2, had less effect. The onset of differentiation was enhanced by NDRG2 as determined through the myogenic regulatory factor expression profiles and myocyte fusion index. However, the overall level of differentiation in myotubes was not different. While NDRG2 up-regulated caspase 3/7 activities during differentiation, no increase in apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay or through cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP proteins. During H2O2 treatment to induce oxidative stress, NDRG2 helped protect against the loss of proliferation and ER stress as measured by GRP78 expression with 3A-NDRG2 displaying less protection. NDRG2 also attenuated apoptosis by reducing cleavage of PARP and caspase 3 and expression of pro-apoptotic Bax while enhancing the pro-survival Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL levels. In contrast, Mcl-1 was not altered, and NDRG2 did not protect against palmitate-induced lipotoxicity. Our findings show that NDRG2 overexpression increases myoblast proliferation and caspase 3/7 activities without increasing overall differentiation. Furthermore, NDRG2 attenuates H2O2-induced oxidative stress and specific serine and threonine amino acid residues appear to contribute to its function in muscle cells
Stress, strain and mass changes at Mt. Etna during the period between the 1991–93 and 2001 flank eruptions

AbstractDuring the ~8-year period between the 1991–93 and 2001 flank eruptions, the eruptive activity of Mt. Etna was confined to the summit craters. Deformation and tomography studies indicate that this activity was fed by a magma accumulation zone centered NE of the summit, at a depth of 5 to 9km below sea level. The most significant gravity changes measured during the same period were induced by mass redistributions at shallower depth below the southeastern flank of the volcano, where minor ground deformation was observed (i.e., vertical displacements within 2cm).The mismatch between the position of pressure and mass sources is difficult to explain under the assumption that both are directly related to magma dynamics. Past studies have suggested that the gravity changes observed during 1994–2001 may primarily reflect changes in the rate of microfracturing along the NNW–SSE fracture/weakness zone (FWZ) that crosses the SE slope of Etna.We use the finite element method to shed new light on the complex relations between stress, strain and mass changes that occurred at Etna during the studied period. In particular, following previous results on the degradation of the mechanical properties of rocks, we perform a set of simulations assuming that the part of the medium containing the FWZ is characterized by a lower Young's modulus than would be expected from interpolation of tomographic data. We find that the presence of the FWZ creates a distortion of the displacement field induced by the deeper pressure source, locally resulting in a weak extensional regime. This finding supports the hypothesis of a cause–effect relationship between pressurization beneath the NW flank and tensile extension beneath the SE slope of the volcano. We propose that this extensional regime enhanced the propagation of pressurized gas, that, in turn, amplified the tensile strain across the FWZ.We also find that decreasing the value of Young's modulus in the FWZ allows for a larger amount of extension at depth, with no change in the magnitude of surface displacements. This result provides an indication of how the changes in the rate of microfracturing at depth, which are needed to induce the observed gravity changes, might have occurred without large ground deformation
Interpreting the time-dependent CP asymmetry in B0→π0KS

AbstractFlavor SU(3) is used for studying the time-dependent CP asymmetry in B0→π0KS by relating this process to B0→π0π0 and B0→K+K−. We calculate correlated bounds on SπK−sin2β and CπK, with maximal magnitudes of 0.2 and 0.3, where SπK and CπK are coefficients of sinΔmt and cosΔmt in the asymmetry. Stronger upper limits on B0→K+K− are expected to reduce these bounds and to imply nonzero lower limits on these observables. The asymmetry is studied as a function of a strong phase and the weak phase γ
Effective photon mass by Super and Lorentz symmetry breaking

AbstractIn the context of Standard Model Extensions (SMEs), we analyse four general classes of Super Symmetry (SuSy) and Lorentz Symmetry (LoSy) breaking, leading to observable imprints at our energy scales. The photon dispersion relations show a non-Maxwellian behaviour for the CPT (Charge-Parity-Time reversal symmetry) odd and even sectors. The group velocities exhibit also a directional dependence with respect to the breaking background vector (odd CPT) or tensor (even CPT). In the former sector, the group velocity may decay following an inverse squared frequency behaviour. Thus, we extract a massive Carroll–Field–Jackiw photon term in the Lagrangian and show that the effective mass is proportional to the breaking vector and moderately dependent on the direction of observation. The breaking vector absolute value is estimated by ground measurements and leads to a photon mass upper limit of 10−19 eV or 2×10−55 kg, and thereby to a potentially measurable delay at low radio frequencies
Is smaller always stiffer? On size effects in supposedly generalised continua

AbstractHeterogeneous materials having constitutive behaviour described by more generalised continuum theories incorporating additional degrees of freedom such as couple stress, micropolar or micromorphic elasticity are expected to exhibit size effects in which there is an apparent increase in stiffness as the size scale reduces. Here we briefly demonstrate that for a simple heterogeneous material the size effect predicted when loaded in bending depends on the nature of the sample surface. Diverse size effects may thus be exhibited by the same material. We then show by detailed finite element analysis of a more representative material with regular heterogeneity that this diversity of size effects might actually be observed in practice thereby providing an explanation for the contradictory size effects that have sometimes been reported for real materials
Search for a standard model Higgs boson in the H→ZZ→ℓ+ℓ−νν¯ decay channel using 4.7 fb−1 of s=7 TeV data with the ATLAS detector

AbstractA search for a Standard Model Higgs boson decaying via H→ZZ→ℓ+ℓ−νν¯, where ℓ represents electrons or muons, is presented. It is based on proton–proton collision data at s=7 TeV, collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC during 2011 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb−1. The data agree with the expected Standard Model backgrounds. Upper limits on the Higgs boson production cross section are derived for Higgs boson masses between 200 GeV and 600 GeV and the production of a Standard Model Higgs boson with a mass in the range 319–558 GeV is excluded at the 95% confidence level
Decision-centric adaptation appraisal for water management across Colorado’s Continental Divide

AbstractA multi-step decision support process was developed and applied to the physically and legally complex case of water diversions from the Upper Colorado River across the Continental Divide to serve cities and farms along Colorado’s Front Range. We illustrate our approach by simulating the performance of an existing drought-response measure, the Shoshone Call Relaxation Agreement (SCRA) [the adaptation measure], using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) tool [the hydrologic cycle and water systems model]; and the Statistical DownScaling Model (SDSM-DC) [the stochastic climate scenario generator]. Scenarios relevant to the decision community were analyzed and results indicate that this drought management measure would provide only a small storage benefit in offsetting the impacts of a shift to a warmer and drier future climate coupled with related environmental changes. The analysis demonstrates the importance of engaging water managers in the development of credible and computationally efficient decision support tools that accurately capture the physical, legal and contractual dimensions of their climate risk management problems
Empowering interventions to promote sustainable lifestyles: Testing the habit discontinuity hypothesis in a field experiment

AbstractThis study tested the habit discontinuity hypothesis, which states that behaviour change interventions are more effective when delivered in the context of life course changes. The assumption was that when habits are (temporarily) disturbed, people are more sensitive to new information and adopt a mind-set that is conducive to behaviour change. A field experiment was conducted among 800 participants, who received either an intervention promoting sustainable behaviours, or were in a no-intervention control condition. In both conditions half of the households had recently relocated, and were matched with households that had not relocated. Self-reported frequencies of twenty-five environment-related behaviours were assessed at baseline and eight weeks later. While controlling for past behaviour, habit strength, intentions, perceived control, biospheric values, personal norms, and personal involvement, the intervention was more effective among recently relocated participants. The results suggested that the duration of the ‘window of opportunity’ was three months after relocation
Massive stars formed in atomic hydrogen reservoirs :
                    HI observations of gamma-ray burst host galaxies

M. J. Micha??owski, et al., ???Massive stars formed in atomic hydrogen reservoirs: H???I??observations of gamma-ray burst host galaxies???, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Vol. 582, October 2015. This version of record is available online at: https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/abs/2015/10/aa26542-15/aa26542-15.html Reproduced with Permission from Astronomy and Astrophysics, ?? ESO, 2015Long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), among the most energetic events in the Universe, are explosions of massive and short-lived stars, so they pinpoint locations of recent star formation. However, several GRB host galaxies have recently been found to be deficient in molecular gas (H2), believed to be the fuel of star formation. Moreover, optical spectroscopy of GRB afterglows implies that the molecular phase constitutes only a small fraction of the gas along the GRB line-of-sight. Here we report the first ever 21 cm line observations of GRB host galaxies, using the Australia Telescope Compact Array, implying high levels of atomic hydrogen (HI), which suggests that the connection between atomic gas and star formation is stronger than previously thought, with star formation being potentially directly fuelled by atomic gas (or with very efficient HI-to-H2 conversion and rapid exhaustion of molecular gas), as has been theoretically shown to be possible. This can happen in low metallicity gas near the onset of star formation, because cooling of gas (necessary for star formation) is faster than the HI-to-H2 conversion. Indeed, large atomic gas reservoirs, together with low molecular gas masses, stellar and dust masses are consistent with GRB hosts being preferentially galaxies which have very recently started a star formation episode after accreting metal-poor gas from the intergalactic medium. This provides a natural route for forming GRBs in low-metallicity environments. The gas inflow scenario is also consistent with the existence of the companion HI object with no optical counterpart ~19 kpc from the GRB 060505 host, and with the fact that the HI centroids of the GRB 980425 and 060505 hosts do not coincide with optical centres of these galaxies, but are located close to the GRB positions
Measurements of charge and CP asymmetries in b-hadron decays using top-quark events collected by the ATLAS detector in pp collisions at s√=8 TeV

Same- and opposite-sign charge asymmetries are measured in lepton+jets tt¯ events in which a b-hadron decays semileptonically to a soft muon, using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb−1 from proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of s√=8 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The charge asymmetries are based on the charge of the lepton from the top-quark decay and the charge of the soft muon from the semileptonic decay of a b-hadron and are measured in a fiducial region corresponding to the experimental acceptance. Four CP asymmetries (one mixing and three direct) are measured and are found to be compatible with zero and consistent with the Standard Model