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75,506,290 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James%20Karr | James R. Karr is an ecologist, ornithologist, conservation biologist, stream ecologist, academic, and author. He is a Professor Emeritus of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle.
Karr's research focuses on fisheries, ornithology, ecology, conservation biology, and water quality. He has authored and co-authored more than 250 research articles and 2 books including Entering the Watershed: A New Approach to Save America's River Ecosystems and Restoring Life in Running Waters: Better Biological Monitoring. He is the recipient of the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society Conservation Award in 2017, the 2005 Environmental Stewardship Award from the Society for Freshwater Science, and the 2004 Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award from the American Fisheries Society.
Karr is an elected Fellow of the American Ornithological Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Society for Freshwater Science.
Education and early career
Karr earned a bachelor's degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University in 1965. He went on to obtain a master's degree in Zoology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Subsequently, he received a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1970, after which he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Princeton University and at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama (1970–1972).
Career
Karr began his academic career as an Assistant Professor of Biology at Purdue University from 1972 to 1975. In 1975, he joined the University of Illinois as an Associate Professor of Ecology and was later appointed Professor of Ecology. He served as Deputy Director from 1984 to 1987, and Acting Director from 1987 to 1988 at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. Subsequently, he began serving as Harold H. Bailey Professor of Biology at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1988 and later became a Professor of Ornithology at the University of Virginia Mountain Lake Biological Station in the following year. In 1991, he assumed the position of Professor of Zoology, later appointed Professor of Fisheries in 1995 at the University of Washington. From 1991 to 1995, he held the position of Director of the Institute for Environmental Studies. Since 2006, he has been Professor Emeritus of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle. In 2017, the University of Illinois announced an annual lecture series called the "Annual James R. Karr Lecture in Aquatic Biology and Conservation."
Karr became an Elective Member of the Pan-American Section Governing Body of the International Council for Bird Preservation in 1980, He also traveled as a Smithsonian Expert Study Leader to Costa Rica, Panama, and Peru, and Lecturer on international expeditions until 2019 with the University of Washington Alumni Travel Office.
Research
Karr has contributed to the fields of ecology and conservation biology by studying stream ecology, watershed management, tropical forest ecology, ornithology, landscape ecology, and environmental policy. He is known for creating the "Index of Biotic Integrity," a multimetric index (MMI) that documents the extent to which human activity has altered living systems from their natural condition in the absence of human activity. MMIs have been developed for a broad diversity of taxonomic groups including fish, insects, plants, microbes in diverse habitat types, USEPA Scientist Wayne Davis stated, "Few events can transform the nature of a discipline as has the development and application of the original index of biotic integrity (IBI)".
Works
Karr has co-authored 2 books focusing on water management and conservation. In the 1993 book Entering the Watershed: A New Approach to Save America's River Ecosystems, he provided an assessment of the state of damage to rivers and species, examined issues in earlier policies, and presented a framework with specific policy recommendations. The Environmental Education Director at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in 1995, James K. Lewis remarked, "Perhaps one of the most important contributions made by Entering the Watershed is its detailed analysis and indictment of the failures of the current methods of river restoration."
In the book Restoring Life in Running Waters: Better Biological Monitoring, Karr and Ellen W. Chu discussed freshwater ecosystems in the United States and emphasized the necessity of employing biological perspectives to comprehend their current state. In a review published in BioScience, academic Judith Dudley wrote, "Their book makes a case for more widespread use of integrated indexes and answers critics' concerns about the use of such indexes."
Fish resources and communities
Karr has explored fish communities and ichthyology. In a highly cited paper published in Fisheries, he found that conventional chemical water quality measures were not a sufficient surrogate for biotic assessment of freshwater fish resources and introduced a more refined assessment system using fish community attributes. He proposed the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) to use the biological monitoring of fish to examine environmental degradation, and also found that the IBI is an accurate measure of watershed and stream condition when adjusted for stream size and zoogeography, with comparisons of maximum species richness lines suggesting two distinct groups of fish communities shaped by ecological rather than historical factors.
Introduced by Karr, IBI is a multimetric index (MMI). First developed for the study of fish and subsequently adapted for use with benthic invertebrates, algae, birds, and shrub-steppe insects, and many other taxa in diverse habitats and geographic areas. Two economists connected the use of IBI to improvements in economic analysis.
Karr and Gorman determined that stream habitat complexity is correlated with fish species diversity and that natural streams support more diverse and stable fish communities than modified streams. In addition, his research revealed that woody debris is important for fish habitat in small streams, especially during low-flow years.
Karr and colleagues also researched salmon and established that juvenile Chinook salmon in Puget Sound utilize the neritic environment differently based on their origin, with wild salmon exhibiting broader seasonal density distributions and smaller sizes compared to hatchery-reared salmon, indicating varying utilization and interaction patterns within the ecosystem.
Water resources management
Karr has investigated water resources management to understand how it can be managed effectively. He highlighted the negative consequences of human efforts to tame rivers, such as the loss of native species and degradation of ecosystems, and emphasized the need for policy changes to enable better river management and restoration. His work brought to light that traditional erosion control programs alone are not sufficient to ensure high-quality water resources, and biological monitoring using the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) is a useful approach when assessing water resource quality. With colleagues, he developed an IBI for stream benthic invertebrates (B-IBI) using 13 discriminating attributes that effectively assessed the biological condition of streams in the Tennessee Valley, demonstrating its potential as an assessment tool for evaluating water resources impacted by human society. Drawing on research across several geographic regions (eastern and western U.S. and Japan), he defined an integrative benthic index of biological integrity (B-IBI) for the assessment of biological systems in running waters.
Forest ecology
Karr and colleagues' work on forest ecology focused on the management and conservation of forested lands. In a joint study, they highlighted that while certain postfire practices aid forest ecosystem recovery, including the retention of large trees and fireline rehabilitation, others, such as seeding exotic species and salvage logging in burned areas, hinder ecological restoration efforts, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of their impacts on western U.S. forested lands and rivers. They demonstrated the effectiveness of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) in conserving biodiversity and suggested enhancements to address climate change and land-use threats. In other team efforts, interdisciplinary teams reviewed the ecological effects of domestic, wild, and feral ungulates on western public lands during a period of rapid climate change and outlined new directions in conservation for the national wildlife refuge system.
Ornithology
Karr documented the higher species diversity of tropical vs. temperate forest bird communities and did comparative studies of bird community ecology in temperate vs. tropical forests. He revealed variations in species richness and guild structure of avifaunas across different tropical regions, emphasizing the influence of geographic proximity and climate on guild composition, with Central American forests having the richest avifaunas and Neotropical samples containing the largest number of guilds. Additionally, he found that avian community structure in tropical regions like central Panama varies seasonally, affected by vegetation complexity, food resources, and microhabitat selection.
In 1977, Karr established a long-term monitoring program; birds are sampled twice each year with mist nets at a site in central Panama, the Limbo plot, in Parque Nacional Soberania. The leadership of the project shifted to Jeffrey Brawn and later to Corey Tarwater over the 47 years since the netting protocol was initiated. After 44 years, the project team documented widespread and severe declines in estimated bird abundance (≥50%) for 35 of 40 declining species. Only two species increased in estimated abundance and 15 were statistically stable. The evidence that tropical bird populations may be experiencing systematic declines, even in relatively intact forests suggested that many species may not be able to sustain their populations in this ≈22,000-ha national park.
In collaborative research, John G. Blake and Karr concluded that woodlot size significantly influenced bird community structure in Illinois, with smaller woodlots hosting generalist species and larger woodlots supporting more specialized ones, emphasizing the importance of maintaining larger forested habitats to protect local and regional bird diversity.
Science and public policy
Karr outlined how frenzied and uninhibited economic growth work resulted in the transformation of highly productive, self-maintaining ecosystems into barren landscapes. He also noted that despite the post-World War II boom in science and technology, headlines suggested a diminishing role of science in government policy-making, particularly in the environmental context. In addition, he believed that although the government supported the educational and research system, it frequently constrained scientists' ability to voice their concerns. He asserted that scientists should vocalize their perspectives when the government neglects scientific input, akin to how engineers would speak out against flawed bridge designs because scientists have a responsibility to speak up when human actions jeopardize the vital life-support systems on which society relies.
Karr and Chu addressed the historical evolution of human impact on Earth's environments, emphasizing the degradation caused by contemporary practices, and advocated for an integrative approach to measure, understand, and manage these impacts, stressing the urgent need for uniting ecological and economic sciences to halt the impoverishment of living systems—human and nonhuman, society's greatest challenge for the 21st century.
Awards and honors
2004 – Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award, American Fisheries Society
2005 – Environmental Stewardship Award, Society for Freshwater Science
2017 – Conservation Award, Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society
Bibliography
Books
Entering the Watershed: A New Approach to Save America’s River Ecosystems (1993) ISBN 9781559632751
Restoring Life in Running Waters: Better Biological Monitoring (2013) ISBN 9781559636742
Selected articles
Karr, J. R. (1981). Assessment of biotic integrity using fish communities. Fisheries, 6(6), 21-27.
Karr, J. R., & Dudley, D. R. (1981). Ecological perspective on water quality goals. Environmental management, 5, 55-68.
Karr, J. R. (1986). Assessing biological integrity in running waters: a method and its rationale. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication no. 05.
Karr, J. R. (1991). Biological integrity: a long‐neglected aspect of water resource management. Ecological applications, 1(1), 66-84.
Poff, N. L., Allan, J. D., Bain, M. B., Karr, J. R., Prestegaard, K. L., Richter, B. D., ... & Stromberg, J. C. (1997). The natural flow regime. BioScience, 47(11), 769-784.
Karr, J. R., Larson, E. R., & Chu, E. W. (2022). Ecological integrity is both real and valuable. Conservation Science and Practice, 4(2), e583.
References
Ecologists
Ornithologists
Conservation biologists
Fisheries scientists
Iowa State University alumni
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumni
University of Washington faculty
Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people | James Karr | [
"Environmental_science"
] | 2,552 | [
"Ecologists",
"Environmental scientists"
] |
75,506,491 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessea%20%28microsporidian%29 | Hessea is the type genus of the monotypic microsporidian family Hesseidae, described in 1973. Hessea itself is monotypic, containing only the type species Hessea squamosa. It is a parasite of the larvae of the Sciara fungus gnats, infesting the gut epithelium.
References
External links
Hessea squamosa
Microsporidia
Microsporidia genera
Taxa described in 1973
Parasitic fungi
Parasites of arthropods | Hessea (microsporidian) | [
"Biology"
] | 99 | [
"Fungus stubs",
"Fungi"
] |
75,508,317 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallylene | Gallylenes are a class of gallium species which are electronically neutral and in the +1-oxidation state. This broad definition may include many gallium species, such as oligomeric gallium compounds in which the gallium atoms are coordinated to each other, but these classes of compounds are often referred to as gallanes. In recent literature, the term gallylene has mostly been reserved for low valent gallium species which may have a lone pair, analogous to NHC's or terminal borylenes. They are compounds of academic interest because of their distinctive electronic properties which have been achieved for higher main group elements such as borylenes and carbenes.
Common gallylenes
β-diketiminate ligands
β-diketiminate ligands (commonly referred to as NacNac ligands) are commonly employed to stabilize gallylenes. These ligands have a lone pair which allows them to act as a Lewis base and form a sigma bond with the gallylene which has Lewis acid character due to its empty p orbitals. These ligands can be modified with bulky substituents which afford kinetic protection to the gallylene. For example, a monomeric Ga(I) compound coordinated to the NacNac ligand with Dipp substituents was synthesized by Power and co-workers. The resulting gallylene had remarkable stability and decomposes above 150 °C. This stability is attributed to the steric bulk of the β-diketiminate ligand and its kinetic protection. This gallylene also had a singlet lone pair and an empty p-orbital, analogous to other metallylene species. NacNacGa(I) is capable of oxidative addition reactions, C-H bond activation, and some substrates will undergo both processes. For example, this gallylene is capable of cleaving E-Et bonds and forming E-E complexes between two NacNacGa(I) complexes. Metal salts will undergo oxidative addition as well. The general form of the oxidative addition reactions is shown in the figure below, but many substrates will form more complex species in between the two NacNacGa(I) ligands. Roesky and coworkers point out that this suite of reactivity demonstrates the electrophilic and nucleophilic character of these gallylenes, since they can both accept electron density into the empty p orbital and donate their lone pair.
The β-diketiminate ligands are also capable of activating Ga-H bonds for subsequent reactivity. For example, Aldridge and coworkers demonstrated that a β-diketiminato gallane (GaH2) could react with [Cr(CO)4(COD)] and replace the COD ligand. The reaction resulted in two distinct products, one which resulted in two Ga-H-Cr bridging bonds, and one in which the hydrogen atoms were eliminated and the resulting gallylene coordinated to the Cr center with a bond length of 2.459 Angstroms. The reaction was notably slower with the Al analogue, indicating the relatively lower hydricity of Ga-H species.
Pincer ligands
The complexes formed by NacNacGa(I) and monodentate ligated gallylenes are typically incapable of downstream functionalization and further reactivity, as the metallylene will typically be lost during reactions. Pincer type ligands can be used to stabilize gallylene-derived complexes during reactivity. Iwasawa and coworkers demonstrated this by synthesizing an iridium complex with a pincer-type gallylene ligand. They note that the gallium is reduced to Ga(I) with the addition of Ir(I), and thus the ligand can be termed a gallylene. There is no lone pair on the gallylene in the resulting complex, but the formal oxidation states nonetheless suggest a complex featuring a neutral Ga(I). The reaction of this pincer Ir complex with tetrabutylammonium formate resulted in ligand exchange of the pincer complex and decarboxylation of the tetrabutylammonium formate. Iwasawa and coworkers also demonstrated other various ligand exchanges which resulted in the loss of a chloride and the addition of other ligands such as CO, PhH2Si, and GaCl3.
Transition metal ligands
Gallylenes are often used as ligands in transition metal chemistry. One early example of a Ga-M system was the reported Ga-Fe triple bond by Robinson and coworkers. This was refuted by Albert Cotton, who stated that there was a dative Ga-Fe bond, and any further bond order would be achieved with back-donation of Fe electrons into the empty orbitals on the Ga atom. Back-donation into Ga would be accompanied by less back-bonding into the CO ligands on the iron, and this would be reflected in the stretching frequency of the CO. Experimentally, this is not observed and thus the Ga-M bond was considered a single dative bond. Indeed this topic has been studied computationally since, and the lack of multibond character is mostly supported. Aldridge and Pandey conducted a DFT study on cationic metal-gallylene complexes of iron, ruthenium, and osmium and found that the bonding can be described as a single bond with high Ga 4s character, and a small degree of pi-bonding. M-GaX bonds (X = halide) are weaker than M-CO bonds, and have a considerable ionic character.
The ability of the gallylene to behave as a transition metal ligand is highly dependent on the gallylene's ligands itself. Fischer demonstrated that GaCp* (Cp* = C5Me5), could be used to prepare homoleptic octahedral molybdenum complexes, and homoleptic trigonal bipyramidal rhodium complexes. In contrast, NacNacGa(I) does not as effectively coordinate to the metal centers. The relative difference in their coordinating ability is attributed to the rigidity of the NacNac ligand, its increased steric bulk, and concave ligand shape.
Reactivity
CO and CN cleavage
Gallylenes can undergo [1+2] cycloaddition reactions with isocyanates and cleave C=O and C=N bonds. The reaction proceeds via a two-electron reduction of the isocyanate (O=C=N-R) by the gallylene to produce a digallacyclohexane in which the gallium atoms are in the +3 oxidation state and the C=N double bond has been cleaved. This reaction is sensitive to the substituents on the isocyanate. When R = p-tolyl, the reaction afforded two gallane heterocycles composed of two of the isocyanates, with an N-p-tolyl inserted in the heterocycle.
Hydride transfer
Gallylenes can be used to prepare gallane hydride species, which can act as a source of two hydrides and also a strong electron donor to stabilize resulting high-oxidation state transition metal hydride complexes. Aldridge et al. demonstrated this reactivity by preparing an Ir(IV) complex coordinated to four hydrides, a bidentate phosphorus ligand, and the NacNacGa ligand.
C-H activation
Fischer and coworkers demonstrated that a NacNacGa(I) complex could cleave the C-H bonds of an organoruthenium derivative and subsequently stabilize the resulting ruthenium species. This reaction can also be thought of as a ligand exchange between the hydrido ligands and the gallylene, in which the gallylene adopts a bridging coordination mode after hydrido elimination. Similar reactivity was demonstrated with an organoruthenium complex which had 4 chloride ligands instead of hydrido ligands: two chloride ligands were abstracted by the addition of the NacNacGa(I), resulting in an organoruthenium complex with two bridging chlorides and a NacNacGa(III) coordinated to two chlorides.
Cycloadducts
Fedushkin and coworkers have demonstrated a suite of reactivity for gallylenes that are stabilized via the 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene ligand (abbreviated as dpp-bian). This is a redox active ligand which is able to cooperatively react with the gallylene. Fedushkin and coworkers demonstrated that this gallylene could react with Ytterbium in dimethoxyethane (DME) in the presence of CO2 to afford a gallium coordinated to a methyl group and the dimethoxyethane. They reported that the resulting coordination of DME is unprecedented. The same gallylene reacted with magnesium in DME in the presence of diphenylketene to afford a cycloadduct in which the terminal carbon of the ketene bonded to the beta amine position and the oxygen bonded to the gallium. This product also featured a Ga-Me bond which is thought to arise from the solvent DME. These reactions are proposed to proceed via a mechanism where the substrate coordinates to the metal center and is reduced. This initiates homolytic cleavage of Ga-M bond, and the now activated Ga species will attack DME to extract a methyl group. The dpp-bian gallylene has been used by the Fedushkin group to prepare other cycloadducts, and dimeric species where the substrates are coordinated by two of the gallylene species.
Azides
Fedushkin and coworkers demonstrated that the dimer composed of two gallylenes with a-diimine ligands was able to react with organic azides. This gallylene's reactivity is especially dependent on the ligand which is redox-active, and can thus cooperatively react with the gallylene. The ligand may aid in bond formation on the gallylene, wherein the delocalized pi bond between the imines is able to reduce the gallium atom during an oxidative addition, thereby preserving the oxidation state of the gallylene. Alternatively, the delocalized pi bond can directly form bonds with substrates and lead to the cycloadducts mentioned above. The cooperative reactivity between the gallylene and the redox active ligand enabled this dimer to perform azide transformations and afford imido-, azoimido-, and tetrazene complexes.
Carbodiiimides
Fedushkin and coworkers demonstrated that treating the a-diimine ligated gallylene with carbodiimides resulted in guanidinate derivatives via reductive coupling. In contrast to the reactivity demonstrated with azides, the ligand system here is reported as "innocent", meaning redox inactive. Products were confirmed via NMR and crystal XRD. The proposed mechanism for this reactivity involves a [1+2] cycloaddition between the gallylene and carbodiimide, and there is computational evidence for this mechanism.
Computational studies and electronic structure
Five-membered gallylene heterocycles have been modeled computationally, and they have been found to have a singlet-triplet energy gap of ca. 52 kcal/mol. The Ga-N bonds are very polar, with electron density being concentrated on the N atom of the heterocycle. Moreover, the singlet lone pair of the gallylene is found to reside within an sp-hybridized orbital. Six-membered gallylene heterocycles, such as those prepared with NacNac ligands have a higher singlet-triplet energy separation than aluminum counterparts. This is due to the relative stabilization of the gallium metal lone pair, and gallium's relatively diminished Lewis acidity.
One common application of gallylene species is their use as transition metal ligands. Braunschweig and coworkers conducted a bonding energy analysis of terminal gallylene complexes of vanadium and niobium to investigate the nature of this bonding. The bond distances in these gallylene complexes almost resemble the single bond distances expected from an estimate of covalent radii, and are larger than those expected for a double bond. Based on these bond distances, the M-Ga bond resemble single bonds with very small pi-orbital contribution. This is confirmed by the wiberg bond index of ~0.5. The bonding overall can be attributed to sigma donation from the gallylene to the metal. These bonds are considerably more ionic than the covalent bonding of other group-13 elements such as boron in equivalent complexes.
Jeyakumar and coworkers conducted DFT calculations and NBO analysis on Group 10 metal gallylene complexes of the form [TM(CO)3(GaX)]. Their calculations confirm the idea that gallylene ligands behave as sigma donors and, to a lesser extent, pi-acceptors. Based on their calculated energies of transition state in the formation of TM(CO)3(GaX) from TM(CO)4 and GaX in THF, they suggest that GaF substituted Pt complexes are the most viable products.
Mondal and coworkers have computationally studied the aromaticity of NHC analogues, and found that gallylene NHC's are the second most aromatic among the group 13 elements. This result was consistent across a variety of methods used to assess aromaticity: 1H NMR, nucleus-independent chemical shift, aromatic ring shielding, gauge-including magnetically induced current, and Stranger's method.
References
Gallium compounds
Coordination complexes | Gallylene | [
"Chemistry"
] | 2,883 | [
"Coordination chemistry",
"Coordination complexes"
] |
75,508,326 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOFR%20Academy | SOFR Academy, Inc. is a U.S.-based economic education and market information provider. In connection with global reference rate reform and the transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the firm operationalized benchmark credit spreads US-dollar Across-the-curve credit spread indices (AXI) that can be referenced in lending products in conjunction with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) to mitigate mismatches for financial institutions between their assets and liabilities in times of market stress thereby promoting their ability to provide credit.
SOFR Academy is a member of various industry and academic associations such as the American Economic Association (AEA), the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA), the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA), the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Bankers Association (ABA), the United States Chamber of Commerce (USCC), and the Bretton Woods Committee (BWC).
Foundation
Founded in 2020, SOFR Academy was established by Marcus A. Burnett, a former interest rate trader and capital markets consultant who began his career at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA). The firm initially focused on economic education in connection with reference rate reform, and in 2021, expanded their concentration in response to a request by ten U.S. regional banks for the development of a credit spread supplement for SOFR.
The firm's panel of advisors includes academics from Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, New York University, Tsinghua University, University of Oxford, and the London Business School. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Haoxiang Zhu is a former advisor of the firm and stepped down in November 2021 prior to being appointed as the Director of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Division of Trading and Markets. Former Federal Reserve Board and United States Department of the Treasury economist, Samim Ghamami, joined the firm as a senior advisor in 2021 and currently serves as an economist at the SEC's Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA). In 2022, Alex Edmans was appointed to the firms panel of Advisors. In 2023, former J.P. Morgan Head of US Interest Rate Strategy, Alex Roever, joined the firm as a senior advisor.
SOFR Academy is backed by leading Austin-based venture firm 8VC, led by Palantir Technologies founder Joe Lonsdale, as well as people such as Robert Litterman, who spent 23 years at Goldman Sachs and developed the Black–Litterman model together with Fischer Black in 1990.
Operationalization of AXI and FXI
In 2021, SOFR Academy announced its intention to publish the Across-the-Curve Credit Spread Indices to assist the market with U.S. Dollar LIBOR transition. In 2022, Invesco Indexing LLC, an independent index provider owned by global asset manager Invesco Ltd (NYSE: IVZ), partnered with SOFR Academy to launch the first-of-their-kind US-dollar Across-the-Curve Credit Spread Indices ("AXI") and US-dollar Financial Conditions Credit Spread Indices ("FXI"). The US-dollar denominated AXI and FXI benchmark credit spreads are accessible via Bloomberg and Refinitiv / LSEG.
These indices work in conjunction with the SOFR and address a concern communicated by a group of American banks. This concern was that under a SOFR-only environment in times of economic stress, the return on banks' SOFR-linked loans would decline, while banks' unhedged costs of funds would increase, thus creating a significant mismatch between bank assets (loans) and liabilities (borrowings). AXI and FXI were discussed at the Credit Sensitivity Group Workshops hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
AXI / FXI was first conceived jointly by Darrell Duffie at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Antje Berndt and Yichao Zhu at the Australian National University. In 2014, Duffie chaired the Market Participants Group, charged by the Financial Stability Board with recommending reforms to Libor, Euribor, and other interest rate benchmarks.
SOFR Academy has commissioned AXI / FXI feasibility studies for the following countries and regions.
China under the leadership of academics from Tsinghua University
Europe under the leadership of Rama Cont, Professor of Mathematical Finance at the University of Oxford and Susanna Sarayon
Japan under the leadership of academics from Keio University and Seikei University
Additional AXI / FXI feasibility studies are in progress for Brazil, India, and Mexico.
Further reading
References
External links
American companies established in 2020
Financial services companies based in New York City
Derivatives (finance)
Market data
Reference rates | SOFR Academy | [
"Technology"
] | 984 | [
"Market data",
"Data"
] |
75,508,782 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William%20N.%20Porter | William N. Porter (March 15, 1886 – February 5, 1973) was a United States Army officer who led the Army's Chemical Warfare Service during the second World War.
Early life and education
Porter was born in Lima, Ohio on March 15, 1886. He attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in 1909. After less than a year of active naval service, he resigned as a midshipman on February 7, 1910. (Until 1912, midshipmen who graduated from the academy had to serve two years in the fleet before being commissioned as ensigns.) He then joined the Army as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps.
Chemical Warfare Service
Porter was transferred to the Army's Chemical Warfare Service in 1921 as a major. Porter graduated with distinction in 1927 from the Command and General Staff School and then attended both the Army Industrial College and the Army War College.
As a lieutenant colonel from 1934 to 1937, Porter was assigned to the faculty at the Air Corps Tactical School located at Maxwell Field.
Porter served as Director of the Chemical Warfare School, located at the time in Washington, DC, and, as a colonel, as Chemical Officer, 9th Corps Area.
After the outbreak of World War Two, Porter was appointed head of the Army Chemical Warfare Service and promoted to major general. He led the service from May 1941 until 1945, despite having had no experience as a chemical officer in the First World War. Until March 1942, he reported directly to the Army Chief of Staff, but from then on to the Service of Supply, later renamed the Army Service Forces. The Chemical Warfare Service was responsible for both offensive and defensive chemical weapons usage, including smoke. Under his command, the service fielded flamethrowers, developed and manufactured incendiary bombs and devices, worked to improve the effectiveness of DDT as an insecticide, and developed treatments for the expected effects of chemical weapons such as respiratory disease, burns, and poisoning.
In December 1943, after the Battle of Tarawa, Porter and the Chemical Warfare Service urged the use of chemical warfare in the Pacific Theater to reduce U.S. casualties against fierce Japanese resistance. However, President Franklin Roosevelt and American public opinion opposed the use of poison gas and were not persuaded.
Porter was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his wartime efforts.
Porter retired from active duty on November 13, 1945.
Publications
Porter authored articles for professional journals:
Retirement
Following his retirement from the Army, Porter was president of the Chemical Construction Corporation. The company's offices were located in New York City. In 1953, he was elected a director of Cambridge, MA electronics manufacturer Ultrasonic Corp.
Porter also served as president of the New York Chapter of the Armed Forces Chemical Association.
Porter died of a heart attack at his home in Key West, Florida in 1973 at the age of 86. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Personal life
Porter was married to Mary Porter. At the time of his death, he was survived by a son and a daughter.
References
1886 births
1973 deaths
United States Army generals of World War II
United States Naval Academy alumni
United States Army Coast Artillery Corps personnel
Chemical warfare | William N. Porter | [
"Chemistry"
] | 639 | [
"nan"
] |
75,508,973 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candeias%20Oil%20Well%20%28C-1%29 | The Candeias Oil Well (C-1), discovered on December 13, 1941, is located in the municipality of Candeias, in the interior of the state of Bahia.
Context and discovery
Drilled on June 30, 1941, the Candeias Oil Well 1 (C-1) was the first commercial exploration well and the first oil field in Brazil. Previously, on January 21, 1939, a well had been discovered in Lobato, a district of Salvador, but it was not commercially exploited. Both used the same drilling machine. Work began on April 2, 1941, but drilling only took place in June and was completed on December 31, 1941.
The exploration of oil in Brazil dates back to the government of Pedro II, when he granted permission to the Englishman Thomas Denny Sargent to extract oil and other minerals in the south of Bahia. In 1892, drilling was carried out by Eugênio Camargo, who only managed to extract clayey sand. In 1907, the Mineralogical Service of Brazil joined the research and increased the areas under analysis.
Landulpho Alves Refinery
In the 1940s, the Bahia Oil Workers' Union (Sindipetro) reported that the discovery and development of oil in Candeias sparked the creation of a refinery. In 1950, the Landulpho Alves Refinery (now Mataripe Refinary), was set up in the municipality of São Francisco do Conde, near Candeias.
The increase in oil production led to the creation of the state-owned company Petrobras in 1953 by then president Getúlio Vargas, established after a popular campaign called "O Petróleo é Nosso" (English: Oil is Ours). Until 1965, Bahia was the only state in the country to produce oil. After the discovery of the first well, others were found in and around Candeias. C-2, found two months after C-1, produced up to 80 barrels a day, an by 1951, it had produced 22,768.03 barrels of oil and 75.515 barrels of gas. On June 23, 1952, President Getúlio Vargas visited Candeias, where he made his official speech in defense of the state oil monopoly and the creation of Petrobras.
Monument
The well was listed as a historical landmark by the Artistic and Cultural Heritage Institute of Bahia (IPAC), the organization responsible for preserving Bahia's memory and culture, given its importance for the construction of Petrobras. Next to the well, Petrobras built a monument to commemorate and honor the first oil workers.
See also
Petrobras
References
Bahia
Oil wells
Oil exploration
Petroleum in Brazil
Petrobras | Candeias Oil Well (C-1) | [
"Chemistry"
] | 548 | [
"Petroleum technology",
"Oil wells"
] |
75,509,113 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin%20mesoporphyrin | Tin mesoporphyrin (SnMP), also known as stannsoporfin, is a metalloporphyrin, which inhibits heme oxygenase. It can be used in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
Structure
As the name, tin mesoporphyrin, suggests, the overall structure is very similar to the naturally occurring heme molecule. It consists of a ring structured protoporphyrin IX molecule that has tin as its central atom. As this is a synthetic molecule, the two vinyl groups at both the C2 and C4 positions on the porphyrin macrocyle are reduced to form ethyl groups that is found on tin mesoporphyrin. The molecular weight of tin mesoporphyrin is 754.3 g/mol.
Mechanism
In the heme catabolic pathway, heme oxygenase catalyzes the breakdown of heme to biliverdin and well as carbon monoxide that is exhaled. Biliverdin is then converted to bilirubin with biliverdin reductase. As high biliverdin levels are usually related to bilirubinemia, tin mesoporphyrin has been found to aid in treatment and prevention of this, primarily in newborn infants. Tin mesoporphyrin competitively inhibits the heme oxygenase enzyme, which prevents the breakdown of heme to biliverdin leading to accumulation of heme and not bilirubin.
Application
The application of stannsoporfin or tin mesoporphyrin is currently still being researched. Clinical studies have outlined its use in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia infants and also the prevention of neonatal jaundice. It has also been found to reduce edema and hematoma in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH) from patients who suffered traumatic brain injuries.
Treatment in hyperbilirubinemia
In one study, tin mesoporphyrin was administered intramuscularly to a newborn that was only 46 hours old with a low birth weight who had also suffered from severe hyperbilirubinemia. Along with blue light treatment, the newborn showed a steady decrease in its total serum biliverdin within 10 hours after administration.
Prevention of neonatal jaundice
It has also been found that tin mesoporphyrin can aid in the prevention of neonatal jaundice. When administered to pre-discharge newborns who were at risk for neonatal jaundice the results showed a decrease in total biliverdin load, the possibility of postnatal bilirubin progression, as well as the use and duration of phototherapy.
Treatment in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Tin mesoporphyrin has also been found potentially reduce intracerebral mass in intracerebral hemorrhage cases by decreasing the hematoma and edema volumes.
References
Porphyrins
Tin compounds | Tin mesoporphyrin | [
"Chemistry"
] | 611 | [
"Porphyrins",
"Biomolecules"
] |
75,509,668 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opnurasib | Opnurasib (JDQ-443) is a small-molecule covalent KRASG12C inhibitor developed for non-small-cell lung cancer.
References
Experimental cancer drugs
Indazoles
Pyrazoles
Acrylamides
Azetidines
Ketenes
Chloroarenes
Spiro compounds | Opnurasib | [
"Chemistry"
] | 66 | [
"Pharmacology",
"Functional groups",
"Medicinal chemistry stubs",
"Ketenes",
"Organic compounds",
"Pharmacology stubs",
"Spiro compounds"
] |
75,510,166 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UBXD8 | UBXD8 is a protein in the Ubiquitin regulatory X (UBX) domain-containing protein family. The UBX domain contains many eukaryotic proteins that have similarities in amino acid sequence to the tiny protein modifier ubiquitin. UBXD8 engages in a molecular interaction with p97, a protein that is essential for the degradation of membrane proteins associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through the proteasome. Ubxd8 possesses a UBA domain, alongside the UBX domain, that could interact with polyubiquitin chains. Additionally, it possesses a UAS domain of undetermined function, and this protein is used as a protein sensor that detects long chain unsaturated fatty acids (FAs), having a vital function in regulating the balance of Fatty Acids within cells to maintain cellular homeostasis.
Influence of UBXD8 on lipid droplets
The hairpin loop in cell membranes helps Ubxd8 get inside by sensing unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) and controlling the production of triglycerides (TGs). The inhibition of TG synthesis is caused by Ubxd8, which blocks the conversion of diacylglycerols (DAGs) to TGs. However, this inhibition is alleviated when there is an abundance of unsaturated fatty acids. The structure of Ubxd8 is altered by unsaturated FAs, which in turn releases the brake on the synthesis of TG. Ubxd8 contributes to maintaining cellular energy balance by attracting p97/VCP to lipid droplets (LDs) and suppressing the function of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), the enzyme that controls the rate of triacylglycerol breakdown. Moreover, VCP brings UBXD8 to mitochondria, where it participates in the regulation of mitochondrial protein quality. Disruption of UBXD8 gene hinders the breakdown of the pro-survival protein Mcl1 and excessively stimulates the process of mitophagy. To better understand how lipo-toxicity is caused by saturated fatty acids, it might be helpful to learn how Ubxd8 works with unsaturated fatty acids. The inhibitory effect of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) on the interaction between Ubxd8 and Insig-1 is due to their ability to obstruct the binding between these two proteins, hence impeding the extraction of Insig-1 from the membrane. This inhibition is independent of the ubiquitination of Insig-1 and occurs after ubiquitination. Without affecting its ubiquitination, unsaturated FAs stabilize Insig-1, and they improve the capacity of sterols to inhibit the proteolytic activation of SREBP-1. The polymerization of the UAS domain of Ubxd8 occurs when it interacts with long-chain unsaturated FAs, which is essential for this process. For the polymerization reaction to be facilitated, the surface area of the UAS domain must be positively charged. The capacity of long-chain unsaturated FAs to stimulate oligomerization of Ubxd8 is hindered by mutations that take place in this specific region.
References
Proteins | UBXD8 | [
"Chemistry"
] | 717 | [
"Biomolecules by chemical classification",
"Proteins",
"Molecular biology"
] |
75,510,297 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC%201193 | NGC 1193 is an open cluster in the Perseus constellation. It was first observed and catalogued by astronomer William Herschel in 1786. The cluster is estimated to be approximately 4.2 billion years old.
Stellar population
NGC 1193 is usually classified as a Trumpler type II3m, indicating its stellar population have a wide range of brightness, from very bright to faint stars and little star concentration in the center of the cluster. The letter 'm' on the Trumpler classification indicates a population of 50 to a 100 stars. However a study released in 2022 indicates a population of approximately 181 stars in the cluster, possibly changing the type from II3m to II3r. A photometric study of this galaxy carried out in 1988 revealed a small population of 5 blue straggler stars, a number of subgiant branch stars and red giant branch stars.
See also
Hyades (star cluster)
Trapezium Cluster
Eagle Nebula
References
Perseus (constellation)
1193
Discoveries by William Herschel
Open clusters
Astronomical objects discovered in 1786 | NGC 1193 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 214 | [
"Perseus (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
75,510,338 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apology%20video | An apology video is a video in which a celebrity or influencer apologises for, or addresses, public criticism or backlash.
Features
It is common for Internet celebrities to apologise or respond to criticism or backlash in the form of a video. Apology videos, especially from YouTubers, have been described as a genre and are an Internet meme on the platform.
Style and cinematography
Most apology videos are purposefully orchestrated to elicit sympathy from viewers; individuals filming an apology video may choose to not wear makeup, untidy their hair, or pretend to cry in order to show either relatability, authenticity or sincerity to their audience. A forced sigh, especially at the start of the video, is also common. Regarding the filming location, many may wish to avoid showing any affluence in their videos and use poor or natural lighting in order to generate a more authentic look and feel. By doing this, the person filming the apology video wishes to show vulnerability and establish a level of trust with their audience.
Titling and properties
On YouTube, apology videos greatly range in length from a single minute to almost an hour, and are titled vaguely. Bettina Makalintal, writing for Vice, cited Logan Paul's "So Sorry", PewDiePie's "My Response", the Labrant Fam's "Addressing All the Hate We've Received" and Raw Alignment's "everything i had wish i said a long time ago" as examples of this, demonstrating also that the titles can be either wordy or brief. The thumbnail of these videos usually show the YouTuber in question with a sincere, teary-eyed expression, while (especially if they are a beauty YouTuber) wearing minimal to no makeup. Despite the name, a video may be referred to as an "apology video" even if it does not feature an apology; the individual may justify or explain their actions, allege that they are a victim of cancel culture, or simply apologise insincerely for the sake of retaining a positive reputation.
References
External links
Internet memes
Internet terminology
YouTube | Apology video | [
"Technology"
] | 431 | [
"Computing terminology",
"Internet terminology"
] |
75,510,514 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chytridiopsida | Chytridiopsida is an order of microsporidians in the monotypic class Chytridiopsidea.
Taxonomy
Phylum Microsporidia Corliss & Levine, 1963
Class Chytridiopsidea Issi 1980
Order Chytridiopsida Weiser 1974
Family Buxtehudeidae Larsson 1980
Family Hesseidae Ormières & Sprague 1973
Family Chytridiopsidae Sprague, Ormières & Manier 1972
Former families
Burkeidae
Enterocytozoonidae
References
Microsporidia
Fungus orders | Chytridiopsida | [
"Biology"
] | 121 | [
"Fungus stubs",
"Fungi"
] |
75,512,019 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TurkHackTeam | TurkHackTeam is a Turkish nationalist hacker group founded in 2002. Ideologically they are Kemalists and define themselves as the "Turkish Cyber Army".
They state that their goal is to fight against all kinds of cyber threats against Turkey. They have appeared on news headlines on many international news portals.
History
The group claimed responsibility for the hacking of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party's website in 2008.
TurkHackTeam went on a spree of attacking Iranian and Russian websites in 2016 amid the Syrian civil war. During rising tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, they participated in cyberwarfare against Armenian hackers. In 2017, for unknown reasons, they hacked the official website of the UK Police. In March 2017, during a brief period of tensions between the Netherlands and Turkey, the TurkHackTeam launched their "Netherlands Operation" where they hacked and defaced over 250 Dutch websites in less than a month.
They also hacked Star Alliance. TurkHackTeam is also a platform that prepares social projects. The first of the projects was to send morale letters to the soldiers and police after the 2016 Turkish coup attempt. In the same year, they distributed food in Africa through an association. Later, some group members gathered on 10 November and went to visit Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In 2017, the group, which collected books from its members, donated these books to secondary and high schools, and created libraries.
At the beginning of February 2024, the hacker group claimed responsibility for the attack on La Poste and Crédit Agricole. According to the first elements this is a Denial-of-service attack. They also stood out in 2023 for hacking the ANSSI Telegram page.
References
Information society
Internet-based activism
Internet-related activism
Intellectual property activism
Internet culture
Internet vigilantism
Internet trolling
Hacker groups
Turkish nationalism
Organizations established in 2002 | TurkHackTeam | [
"Technology"
] | 396 | [
"Computing and society",
"Information society"
] |
66,873,717 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil%20sealing | Soil sealing or soil surface sealing is the loss of soil resources due to the covering of land for housing, roads or other construction work. Covering or replacing the topsoil with impervious materials like asphalt and cement as a result of urban development and infrastructure construction paired with compaction of the underlying soil layers results in the mostly irreversible loss of relevant soil ecosystem services. The global rise in population has heightened the need for soil sealing, which in turn leads to the degradation of land. Sealed land is a serious form of land take (use of land specifically for building settlements, roads, and businesses). Soil sealing and land take together leads to the complete loss of soil functions, including its biological, physical and chemical properties.
Negative impacts of soil sealing
Soil's regulating services
Replacing natural soil with man-made surfaces greatly affects the process of water infiltration. These artificial surfaces don't allow water to seep through as easily as soil does, leading to increased surface runoff. Additionally, sealing the soil for underground construction alters water movement, further diminishing the soil's natural ability to purify water. In cities, having lots of heat-absorbing concrete and asphalt but not enough cooling vegetation creates heat islands effect.
Soil's provisioning services
Using human-made materials to cover soil significantly affects its ability to provide essential services like food production. This occurs when fertile agricultural land is converted into buildings and houses. Countries with rapidly growing populations and economies are experiencing notable loss of agricultural land due to development.
Soil's supporting services
Soil sealing affects the soil's function as a natural habitat. By completely covering the uppermost layer of soil with man-made substances, it creates fragmented habitats for local biodiversity. Consequently, this leads to soil biodiversity loss. Further, these impacts worsen with a decrease in the soil's carbon and nitrogen content, as well as its respiration rate.
Soil's cultural services
Soil's intangible benefits such as spiritual connection, learning, and feeling like we belong to this place, are at risk because land take and soil sealing for urban projects are removing recreational spaces in city centers. The impact on cultural services becomes apparent when people worldwide are willing to invest more money in homes located in areas with natural surroundings.
Assessment of soil sealing
Various methods are employed globally to evaluate soil sealing. Some of the methods are
Wet sieving tests
Raindrop impact tests under field and laboratory conditions
Penetration resistance (PR)
Consistency Index (C5–10)
Soil stability Index (StI)
Crusting Index (CI)
Normalized Difference vegetation Index (NDVI)
Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI)
Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI)
Soil unsealing
A complete soil unsealing process involves entirely removing any human-made materials like asphalt and cement that obstruct the soil's natural functions, thereby restoring its ability to perform its natural processes. There is very limited research about the process of soil unsealing. Due to mostly irreversible losses, soil unsealing is very difficult. However, by following some steps soil unsealing is feasible.
Transforming urban, barren, or previously used dumping soils into spaces for urban parks, green roofs, and gardens. However, it's essential that the soil is thoroughly decontaminated before any such use to ensure the safety of the environment and the health of those who will be using these spaces. This technique aligns with a European research project in urban planning that emphasizes minimizing construction in green areas and reusing existing industrial sites known as brownfields.
Removing sealed surfaces or buildings to offset the environmental impact of upcoming new urban projects. This approach is employed in the Walloon Region and Germany, where the "no net land take" principle ensures that urban development plans do not result in a net increase in land usage.
References
See also
Soil compaction
Land consumption
Impervious surface
Soil erosion
Soil science
Soil degradation | Soil sealing | [
"Environmental_science"
] | 797 | [
"Soil degradation",
"Environmental soil science"
] |
66,876,349 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiridoula%20Matsika | Spiridoula Christos Matsika (born 1971) is a Greek theoretical chemist. She was elected as a fellow of the American Physical Society in 2014.
Education
Spiridoula Christos Matsika was born in 1971 in Greece; she attended the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens for her bachelor's degree in chemistry, graduating in 1994. She completed her PhD at the Ohio State University, graduating in 2000 under the advisorship of Russell M. Pitzer. Following the completion of her PhD, she was a postdoctoral researcher at Johns Hopkins University under David Yarkony for three years.
Career
In 2003 she was hired at Temple University as an assistant professor in its College of Science and Technology. She was promoted to associate professor in 2009 and full professor in 2014.
Awards and honors
In 2005 she was awarded the National Science Foundation CAREER Award. She was awarded a Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellowship in 2013.
In 2014 she was elected as a fellow of the American Physical Society "for her contributions to understanding the dynamics of excited molecules around conical intersections and method development to calculate such at the highest levels of theory".
References
Living people
1971 births
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens alumni
Ohio State University alumni
Temple University faculty
Fellows of the American Physical Society
Theoretical chemists
Greek women scientists
Greek chemists | Spiridoula Matsika | [
"Chemistry"
] | 264 | [
"Quantum chemistry",
"Theoretical chemistry",
"Theoretical chemists",
"Physical chemists"
] |
66,877,186 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan%20fighting%20season | The Afghanistan fighting season refers to the cyclical restarting of fighting every spring during the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) due to weather and economic factors. It generally ran from April to October and saw more combat deaths than the off-season. The Taliban, who were the main insurgent group during the War, would annually call their post-winter fighting restart as their spring offensive.
Factors
Afghanistan has a harsh winter and a poor transportation system, leaving many parts of the country snowbound until spring. Many routes into Pakistan, where recruits and weapons come from, are similarly impassable for months.
Opium poppies are planted beginning in October and harvest begins in April. Manpower that was tied up in the opium trade is freed up for fighting between April and October.
Madrassas in Pakistan go on recess during the spring. New recruits subjected to religious and military training often volunteer to fight in Afghanistan.
See also
Fighting Season - an Australian drama about the Australian War in Afghanistan
References
Seasons
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
21st century in Afghanistan
Taliban
Al-Qaeda | Afghanistan fighting season | [
"Physics"
] | 214 | [
"Physical phenomena",
"Earth phenomena",
"Seasons"
] |
66,877,454 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest%20%28application%29 | Forest: Stay focused, be present, or simply Forest, is a productivity application developed by ShaoKan Pi and released on March 15, 2016. Forest is available as an app on iOS, iPadOS and Android, and is also available as a browser extension on the Chrome Web Store and Firefox Add-ons.
Reception
Ashley Kemper from Common Sense Media gave Forest 4/5 stars, praising the app's "visual representation of time as a growing tree" as "creative and beautiful".
In May 2019, Nicole Gallucci from Mashable gave Forest a 4.5/5. Nicole praised the app for helping "users stay focused and unplug from their phones", but criticized the app's virtual coin awards for not being "very large unless you pay for in-app extras".
References
2016 software
IOS software
Android (operating system) software | Forest (application) | [
"Technology"
] | 180 | [
"Mobile software stubs",
"Mobile technology stubs"
] |
66,880,356 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade%20specific%20proteins | Tardigrade specific proteins are types of intrinsically disordered proteins specific to tardigrades. These proteins help tardigrades survive desiccation, one of the adaptations which contribute to tardigrade's extremotolerant nature. Tardigrade specific proteins are strongly influenced by their environment, leading to adaptive malleability across a variety of extreme abiotic environments.
History
The mechanisms of tardigrade desiccation protection were originally thought to result from high levels of the sugar trehalose. Trehalose is used by organisms like yeast to avoid desiccation in dry environments by working with heat shock proteins to keep desiccation-sensitive proteins in solution. However, while tardigrades can accumulate small levels of trehalose, the levels are insufficient to provide protection from extreme conditions. Other molecules which help certain organisms avoid cellular desiccation include late embryogenesis abundant proteins, which provide protection to embryonic cotton seeds. Certain proteins actually responsible for the tardigrade's hardiness, including the cytoplasmic and secreted abundant heat soluble proteins, were discovered when searching for late embryogenesis abundant proteins in tardigrades.
One strategy used by the tardigrade to survive in dry environments is anhydrobiosis. Anhydrobiosis is a process in which an organism can lose nearly all of its water and enter an ametabolic state.
Function
Tardigrade specific proteins are a type of intrinsically disordered proteins, which have no predetermined shape or task. These proteins use many different conformations, called an ensemble, to move through different structures. Because of this, intrinsically disordered proteins may react strongly to the environment they inhabit. There are three families of tardigrade specific proteins, each named after where the protein is localized within a cell. These proteins are similar to late embryogenesis abundant proteins but are specific to tardigrades. The three families do not resemble each other and are expressed or enriched during desiccation. Unlike traditional proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins do not precipitate out of solution or denature during high heat. Tardigrades rely on these proteins to help them survive extreme environments, where they put their bodies in a dehydrated state called a tun. In most organisms, dehydration causes problems for cells, which need a hydrated environment for their proteins to function. However, tardigrade specific proteins assist in preventing aggregation of cell contents upon dehydration, and maintain the integrity of the cell membrane upon rehydration.
Types
Cytoplasmic
Cytoplasmic abundant heat soluble (CAHS) proteins are highly expressed in response to desiccation. There are two hypotheses for their function in tardigrades. The vitrification hypothesis is the idea that, when a tardigrade becomes desiccated, the viscosity within its cells increases to the point that denaturation and membrane fusion in proteins would stop. A second hypothesis, the water replacement hypothesis, posits that CAHS proteins replace water in other desiccation-sensitive proteins, protecting the hydrogen bonds normally reliant on water. CAHS proteins are dispersed throughout the cell in normal conditions, but form a network of filaments during environmentally stressful conditions. This network transforms the cytoplasm into a gel-like matrix and prevents the cell from collapsing as water leaches out. This state is reversible and the proteins disaggregate when exposed to less stressful conditions.
When forming the filament network, CAHS proteins have long helical domains that interact in a coiled manner with each other. These interactions are possible due to the proteins' partial disorder, with two flexible tails surrounding the helical domains.
CAHS proteins have been studied to observe their interactions with trehalose, a sugar used by other species to prevent desiccation. Trehalose was found to interact at higher levels with CAHS proteins than other sugars such as sucrose. Trehalose averages only 1% in most species of tardigrades, and in no species more than 3%, indicating that tardigrades use other strategies to tolerate dehydration.
Tardigrade CAHS protein injected into mice produced no inflammatory response or hemolysis.
Secreted
Secreted abundant heat soluble (SAHS) proteins are similar to fatty acid-binding proteins, notably in their structure with an antiparallel beta-barrel and internal fatty acid binding pocket. SAHS proteins are often secreted into media and associated with special extracellular structures. Dried tardigrades have an abundance of secretory cells which are not found in hydrated individuals. The mechanism behind SAHS proteins has not yet been determined, but the presence of secretory cells only during desiccation suggests they are used to protect cells during periods of dehydration.
Mitochondrial
Mitochondrial abundant heat soluble (MAHS) proteins are localized in mitochondria and are responsible for protecting mitochondria during desiccation. Because of its role in metabolizing reactive oxygen species, the mitochondrion is an important organelle to protect in extreme environments. During dehydration, the mitochondria of tardigrades grow much smaller and lose their cristae. MAHS proteins may act to replace water in the membrane of the mitochondria, preventing uneven rehydration and membrane rupture. Mitochondria and muscle contraction due to mitochondria are essential for tardigrade to enter the "tun" state of anhydrobiosis.
Dsup (damage suppressor protein)
Dsup is a DNA-associating protein, unique to the tardigrade, that suppresses the occurrence of DNA breaks by radiation. Dsup localized to nuclear DNA reduces single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks when subjected to ionizing radiation.
LEA Proteins
Late embryogenesis abundant proteins (LEA proteins) are proteins that protect against protein aggregation due to dehydration or osmotic stress. However, no LEA proteins have been found in tardigrades.
References
Tardigrades
Xerophiles
Proteins
Molecular biology | Tardigrade specific proteins | [
"Chemistry",
"Biology"
] | 1,265 | [
"Biomolecules by chemical classification",
"Space-flown life",
"Tardigrades",
"Molecular biology",
"Biochemistry",
"Proteins"
] |
66,880,718 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler-410 | Kepler-410 is a binary star system. Its primary star, also known as Kepler-410A, is a F-type subgiant star, orbited by the orange dwarf star Kepler-410B on a wide orbit. The companion star was discovered in 2012.
The primary star's surface temperature is 6325 K. HD 175289 is similar to the Sun in its concentration of heavy elements, with a metallicity Fe/H index of 0.01, but is much younger at an age of 1.81 billion years.
Planetary system
In 2013, one planet, named Kepler-410Ab, was discovered using the transit method. It is not known if the planet is orbiting the primary or secondary star. If orbiting the secondary, the planetary radius must be doubled. Immediately, a second non-transiting planet was suspected due to transit-timing variations, and a 2019 study also found evidence for such a planet, though it has not yet been confirmed or given any designation.
References
Lyra
Planetary transit variables
F-type subgiants
K-type main-sequence stars
Planetary systems with one confirmed planet
Binary stars
J18523616+4508233
0042
175289
BD+44 3008 | Kepler-410 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 250 | [
"Lyra",
"Constellations"
] |
66,880,796 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor%20mutational%20burden | Tumour mutational burden (abbreviated as TMB) is a genetic characteristic of tumorous tissue that can be informative to cancer research and treatment. It is defined as the number of non-inherited mutations per million bases (Mb) of investigated genomic sequence, and its measurement has been enabled by next generation sequencing. High TMB and DNA damage repair mutations were discovered to be associated with superior clinical benefit from immune checkpoint blockade therapy by Timothy Chan and colleagues at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
TMB has been validated as a predictive biomarker with several applications, including associations reported between different TMB levels and patient response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in a variety of cancers. TMB is also strongly predictive of overall as well as disease-specific survival, independently of cancer type, stage or grade. Patients with both low and high TMB fare notably better than those with intermediate burden.
While both TMB and mutational signatures provide critical information about cancer behaviour, they have different definitions. TMB is defined as the number of somatic mutations/megabase whereas mutational signatures are distinct mutational patterns of single base substitutions, double base substitutions, or small insertions and deletions in tumors. For instance, COSMIC single base substitution signature 1 is characterized by the enzymatic deamination of cytosine to thymine and has been associated with age of an individual.
Scientists postulate that high TMB is associated with an increased amount of neoantigens, which are tumour specific markers displayed by cells. An increase in these antigens may then lead to increased detection of cancer cells by the immune system and more robust activation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Activation of T-cells is further regulated by immune checkpoints that can be displayed by cancer cells, thus treatment with ICIs can lead to improved patient survival.
On June 16, 2020 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the approval of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to treat any advanced solid-tumor cancers with a TMB greater than 10 mutations per Mb and continued growth following prior treatments. This marks the first time that the FDA has approved a drug with its use based on TMB measurements.
Importance
TMB as a Biomarker
One survival mechanism in tumors is to increase the expression of immune checkpoint molecules that can bind to tumor-specific T-cells and inactivate them, so that the tumor cells cannot be detected and killed. ICIs have been shown to improve patients' response and the survival rates as they help the immune system to target tumor cells. However, there is a variation in response to ICIs among patients and it is crucial to know which patients can benefit from ICI therapy. The expression of PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1; one of the immune checkpoints) has been demonstrated to be a good biomarker of PD-L1 blockade therapy in some cancers. However, there is a need for better biomarkers as there are some predictive errors with PD-L1 expression. Studies on TMB have illustrated that there is an association between patients' outcome (of ICI therapy) and the TMB value. It has been proposed that TMB can be used as a predictive marker of response in ICI therapy across many cancer types. Also, TMB can be helpful to identify individuals that can benefit from ICI therapy with cancers that generally have low TMB values. Furthermore, it has been shown that tumors with higher TMB values usually result in a higher number of neoantigens, the antigens that are presented on the tumor cells surface that are usually a result of missense mutations. So, TMB can be a good estimator of neoantigen load and can help find the patients who can benefit from ICI therapy by increasing the chance of detecting the neoantigens. However, it is important to note that different sequencing platforms and bioinformatics pipelines have been used to estimate TMB and it is important to harmonize TMB quantification protocols and procedures before it can be used as a reliable biomarker. There have been some efforts to standardize these methods.
Treatment Response
TMB has been found to correlate with patient response to therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). An analysis of a large cohort of patients receiving ICI therapy revealed that higher TMB levels (≥ 20 mutations/Mb) corresponded to a 58% response rate to ICIs while lower TMB levels (<20 mutations/Mb) reduced response to 20%. Researchers could also show a significant correlation between treatment response rate and TMB level in patients treated with anti-PD-1 or anit-PD-L1 (types of ICIs). Additionally, it has been reported that when ICIs were the only treatments used by patients, 55% of the differences in the objective response rate across cancer types were explained by TMB.
Patient Prognosis
Associations have been reported between TMB and patient outcome in a variety of cancers. In one study, scientists observed differences in survival rates, with high TMB individuals having a median progression-free survival of 12.8 months and a median overall survival not reached by the time of publication, compared to 3.3 months and 16.3 months respectively for individuals with lower TMB. Another study examining patients who had not received ICI therapy found that intermediate levels of TMB (>5 and <20 mutations/Mb) correlate with significantly decreased survival, likely as a result of the accumulation of mutations in oncogenes. This relationship does not appear to be significantly disparate across different tissues types and is only modestly affected by corrections for confounders such as smoking, sex, age, and ethnicity. This suggests that TMB is both an independent and reliable indicator of poor patient outcomes in the absence of ICI therapy. Interestingly, very high levels of TMB (≥ 50 mutations/Mb) were reported to correlate with increased survival, giving an overall parabolic shape to the trend. While this association is still under investigation, it has been hypothesized that the decreased risk of death under very high TMB could result from reduced cell viability due to genetic instability or increased production of neoantigens recognized by the immune system.
TMB in different cancers
There is a large variation in TMB values across different cancer types as the number of somatic mutations can span from 0.01 to 400 mutations per megabase of genome. It has been shown that melanoma, NSCLC and other squamous carcinomas have the highest levels of TMB in this order, while leukemias and pediatric tumors have the lowest levels of TMB and other cancers like breast, kidney, and ovary have intermediate TMB values. There is also variation in TMB across different subtypes of different cancers. Due to high variability in TMB across different cancer types and subtypes, it is important to define different cut-offs to have an improved survival prediction and a better treatment decision. For example, Fernandez et al. showed that TMB can range from 0.03 to 14.13 mutations per megabase (mean=1.23) in TCGA prostate cancer cohort while this range is from 0.04-99.68 mutations per megabase (mean=6.92) in TCGA bladder cancer cohort. A recent study illustrated that different cut-offs are needed for different cancer types to find the patients who can benefit from ICI therapy. In addition, it is crucial to understand that usually there are different clusters of cells in a tumor, known as tumor heterogeneity, that can affect TMB and consequently the response to ICIs. Another factor that can affect TMB is whether the source of the sample is primary or metastatic tissue. Most metastatic samples have been shown to be monoclonal (i.e. there is only one cluster of cells in the tumor), while primary tumors usually consist of a higher number of clusters and have higher overall genetic diversity (more heterogeneous). Scientists have shown that metastatic tumors usually have a higher TMB level compared to primary tumors and this can be due to monoclonal nature of metastatic lesions.
TMB calculation
There are disparities between how TMB is calculated in clinical and research settings. Broadly, whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, and panel based approaches can be used to help to calculate TMB. Studies of TMB from research perspectives typically incorporate whole exome sequencing, and occasionally whole genome sequencing within their workflows while clinical applications use panel sequencing to estimate TMB primarily for their comparatively quicker speed and low cost. Within panel based approaches, different strategies to calculate TMB have been adopted. For instance, consider MSK-IMPACT developed by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and F1CDx developed by Foundation Medicine. F1CDx utilizes tumor-only sequencing strategy while MSK-IMPACT requires sequencing of both the tumor and its matched normal sample. Additionally, F1CDx counts synonymous mutations while excluding hotspot driver mutations. MSK-IMPACT calculates TMB with similar filtering criteria to those used in whole exome sequencing, considering both synonymous mutations and hotspot driver mutations. Ensembles of targeted panels and whole exome sequencing panels have been recommended for optimal results. As an approach that is potentially more expedient and cost effective than sequencing, TMB can be calculated directly from H&E stained pathology images using deep learning.
Factors that Influence TMB Calculation
Overall, 5 primary factors have been identified to influence TMB calculations.
Tumor Cell Content and Sequencing Coverage
Greater tumor cell content and sequencing coverage play a key role in the quality of TMB data. For instance, targeted panels may enable deeper sequencing compared to whole exome sequencing, enabling higher sensitivity, that have been shown to perform well even when tumor cell content is low (defined as <10%). Targeted panels have shown to enable much greater coverage than in whole exome sequencing. For example, one recent study reached a mean sequencing coverage across all tumor samples of 744× when using the MSK-IMPACT panel, while the WES led to a mean target coverage of 232× in tumor sequences.
Tissue Preprocessing
Typically, tumor tissues are fixated in formalin to preserve tissue and cellular morphology in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) protocols. While FFPE offers a cost-effective method to store tissues for long durations of time, limitations must be considered as to how it will affect TMB calculations. One limitation of this method is that it induces the formation of various crosslinks, whereby strands of DNA become covalently bound to each other, which may consequently lead to deamination of cytosine bases. Cytosine deamination is the major cause of baseline noise in Next Generation Sequencing, leading to the most prevalent sequence artifacts in FFPE (C:G > T:A). This may generate artefacts that must be removed in the downstream pipeline.
Sequencing Strategy
Different sequencing strategies enable different number of genes to be included in the calculation of TMB (with WGS and WES approaches allowing a greater quantity of genes to be analyzed). While panel based approaches analyze comparatively fewer genes than other strategies, one advantage of panel based sequencing is that genes of interest can be covered in much greater sequencing depths, and rare variants can possibly be identified. The panel sizes vary across panels with 468 genes in the MSK-IMPACT panel, 315 genes in the Foundation Medicine panel, and 409 genes in the Life Technologies panel. As panel sizes are smaller, uncertainty associated with TMB estimation becomes greater, with coefficient of variance increases rapidly when the size of the targeted panels is less than 1 Mb.
Bioinformatics Pipeline
In most calculations of TMB, synonymous variants and germline variants are filtered out as they are unlikely to be directly involved in creating neoantigens. However, some pipelines maintain synonymous variants. To account for germline variants, ideally sequencing would have been performed on a matched non-tumor sample from each patient. However, in a clinical practice, the availability of this matched sample may vary across different institutions and diverse organizational factors, and data unavailability may inhibit germline variants to be filtered. The choice of variant callers and other software in the downstream analyses may also affect how TMB is ultimately calculated. TMB can be calculated directly from histopathology images using a multiscale deep learning pipeline, avoiding the need for sequencing and variant calling.
Cut-offs
Different studies have assigned different cut-offs to delineate between high and low TMB status. In the lung, the median TMB across more than 18,000 lung cancer cases was 7.2 mutations/Mb, with approximately 12% of the patients showing more than 20 mutations/Mb. The authors identified a tumor mutational burden greater than or equal to 10 mutations/Mb as the optimal cut-off to benefit from combination immunotherapy. However, in other cancer types, high TMB status has been classified as >20 mutations/Mb.
Issues and future directions
One approved biomarker of ICI therapy is PD-L1 expression, but the predictive power of this biomarker is affected by factors such as assay interpretation and lack of standard methods. TMB is also affected by these factors in addition to accessibility issues. Biological factors like specimen type and cancer type as well as technical factors like sequencing technology can affect evaluation of TMB. Thus, it is necessary to harmonize evaluation methods and there are still so many factors that can complicate this task. For example, gene fusions and post-translational changes in proteins contribute to tumor behaviour and consequently response to therapy while these factors are not considered in TMB estimation. In addition, currently all mutations have the same weight in TMB calculation, while they can have very different effects on proteins and pathways activity. Furthermore, there is still no good answer to the question of how mutations in genes that are known to influence ICI therapy should be treated in TMB evaluation. It is also important to note that TMB is highly variable across cancer types and subtypes and different studies are being conducted to find distinct TMB thresholds.
Some studies argue that to have better prediction of response to ICI therapy, TMB should be used as a complementary marker with other biomarkers such as PD-L1. Other studies have shown that a combination of TMB and neoantigen load can be used as a biomarker to predict survival in patients with melanoma who received adaptive T cell transfer therapy. Since TMB is a relatively new biomarker, there is still a need to perform more studies and many labs are being focused on different aspects of this biomarker.
References
Genetics
Mutation
DNA
Tumor
Cancer research | Tumor mutational burden | [
"Biology"
] | 3,049 | [
"Genetics"
] |
66,885,303 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center%20for%20Resilient%20Networks%20and%20Applications | Center for Resilient Networks and Applications, CRNA. is owned by Simula Research Laboratories (SRL) and Oslo Metropolitan University. The center was established in 2014 as a response to modern society's increasing dependability on applications running on top of the Internet and the serious societal consequences of outages. CRNA is a culmination of earlier research undertaken between 2006 and 2014 in projects called Resilient Networks and Resilient Networks II.
The center receives its base funding from the Norwegian government, initially from the Ministry of Transport and Communications but has from 2019 been moved under the Ministry of Digitalisation.
CRNA's mandate includes operating a country-wide infrastructure for monitoring the reliability and performance of mobile networks, the NorNet Edge. So far seven annual reports have been published tracking the evolution of Norwegian mobile operators and highlighting points with scope for improvements.
The research undertaken at CRNA is informing the Norwegian Government's policy on communications infrastructure, and the importance of the work is expressed in the Government's Digital agenda.
References
Telecommunications
Internet in Norway
Mobile technology
Computer networks | Center for Resilient Networks and Applications | [
"Technology"
] | 218 | [
"Information and communications technology",
"Telecommunications",
"nan"
] |
66,887,016 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGSI-LD | NGSI-LD is an information model and API for publishing, querying and subscribing to context information. It is meant to facilitate the open exchange and sharing of structured information between different stakeholders. It is used across application domains such as smart cities, smart industry, smart agriculture, and more generally for the Internet of things, cyber-physical systems, systems of systems and digital twins.
NGSI-LD has been standardized by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standardization Institute) through the Context Information Management Industry Specification Group, following a request from the European Commission. Its takeup and further development are spelled out in the EU's "Rolling plan for ICT standardization". NGSI-LD builds upon a decades-old corpus of research in context management frameworks and context modelling. The acronym NGSI stands for "Next Generation Service Interfaces", a suite of specifications originally issued by the OMA which included Context Interfaces. These were taken up and evolved as NGSIv2 by the European Future Internet Public-Private-Partnership (PPP), which spawned the FIWARE open source community.
The NGSI-LD information model represents Context Information as entities that have properties and relationships to other entities. It is derived from property graphs, with semantics formally defined on the basis of RDF and the semantic web framework. It can be serialized using JSON-LD. Every entity and relationship is given a unique IRI reference as identifier, making the corresponding data exportable as linked data datasets. The -LD suffix denotes this affiliation to the linked data universe.
Design
Information model
The NGSI-LD information model can be considered as the first formal specification by a de jure standards organization of the property graph model, which has emerged since the early 2000s as an informal common denominator model for graph databases.
The core concepts are:
A property graph (a.k.a. "attributed graph") is a directed multigraph, made up of nodes (vertices) connected by directed links, where nodes and arcs both may have multiple optional attached properties (i.e. attributes)
Properties (similar to attributes in object models) have the form of arbitrary key-value pairs. Keys are character strings and values are arbitrary data types. By contrast to RDF graphs, properties are not arcs of the graph.
Relationships are arcs (directed edges) of the graph, which always have an identifier, a start node and an end node
The NGSI-LD meta-model formally defines these foundational concepts (Entities, Relationships, Properties) on the basis of RDF/RDFS/OWL, and partially on the basis of JSON-LD.
An entity is the informational representative of something (a referent) that is supposed to exist in the real world, outside of the computational platform using NGSI-LD. This referent need not be something strictly physical (it could be a legal or administrative entity), nor self-contained (it may be a distributed system-level construct). Any instance of such an entity is supposed to be uniquely identified by an IRI, and characterized by reference to one or more NGSI-LD Entity Type(s). In property-graph language, it is a node.
A property is an instance that associates a characteristic, an NGSI-LD Value, to either an NGSI-LD Entity, an NGSI-LD Relationship or another NGSI-LD Property. Properties of properties are explicitly allowed and are encouraged e.g. to express the accuracy of a particular measured value.
A relationship is a directed link between a subject (starting point), that may be an NGSI-LD Entity, an NGSI-LD Property, or another NGSI-LD Relationship, and an object (end-point), that is an NGSI-LD Entity. A NGSI-LD Relationship from a Property to an Entity can for example be used to express that the Property was measured by that Entity (Provenance of the measurement).
A value is a JSON value (i.e. a string, a number, true or false, an object, an array), or a JSON-LD typed value (i.e. a string as the lexical form of the value together with a type, defined by an XSD base type or more generally an IRI), or a JSON-LD structured value (i.e. a set, a list, or a language-tagged string).
A type is an OWL class that is a subclass of either the NGSI-LD Entity, NGSI-LD Relationship, NGSI-LD Property or NGSI-LD Value classes defined in the NGSI-LD meta-model. NGSI-LD pre-defines a small number of types, but is otherwise open to any types defined by users.
Complementing this metamodel, the NGSI-LD information model specification also provides a cross-domain ontology that defines key constructs related to spatial, temporal or system-composition characteristics of entities.
The flexible information model allows the specification of any kind of entity. In order to allow interoperability between NGSI-LD users, standardized entities are collaboratively defined at Smart Data Models Program and made available at its repository with an open-source license.
Architecture
The NGSI-LD specification consists of an information model and an API. The API provides functionalities to support the architectural roles described in the following.
Context Consumer: A Context Consumer consumes NGSI-LD Entities from a Context Broker (or possibly directly from a Context Source) using the Context Information Consumption functionalities of the NGSI-LD API.It can retrieve a specific NGSI-LD Entity or query relevant NGSI-LD Entities using synchronous requests. It can also subscribe for relevant NGSI-LD Entities and receive asynchronous notifications whenever there are changes in the requested NGSI-LD Entities.
Context Producer: A Context Producer creates, updates and deletes NGSI-LD Entities, NGSI-LD Properties and NGSI-LD Relationships in the Context Broker using the Context Information Provision functionalities of the NGSI-LD API.
Context Source: A Context Source makes NGSI-LD Entities available through the Context Information Consumption functionalities of the NGSI-LD API. To make the information discoverable for a Context Broker, it registers the kind of context information it can provide with a Registry Server using the Context Source Registration functionality of the NGSI-LD API.
Context Broker: A Context Broker acts as the primary access points to context information for Context Consumers. NGSI-LD Entity information can be stored by the Context Broker itself, if it has been provided by a Context Producer using the Context Information Provision functionalities of the NGSI-LD API, or the Broker can request is from Context Sources using the Context Information Consumption functionalities of the NGSI-LD API. The Context Broker aggregates all NGSI-LD Entity information related to a request and returns the aggregated result to the Context Consumer. In the case of a subscription, it sends notifications whenever there are relevant changes, potentially as a result of receiving notifications from Context Sources. To find Context Sources that may have NGSI-LD Entities relevant to a Context Consumer request, the Context Broker uses the Context Source Discovery functionality of the NGSI-LD API implemented by the Registry Server.
Registry Server: The Registry Server stores Context Source Registrations provided by Context Sources using the Context Source Registration functionalities of the NGSI-LD API. Context Source Registrations contain information about what kind of Context Information a Context Source can provide, but not actual values. The kind of context information can be provided on different granularity levels ranging from very detailed information, e.g. certain properties or relationships of a specific NGSI-LD Entity, to any information of a specific NGSI-LD Entity, or to the level that it can provide NGSI-LD Entities that have a certain Entity Type, possibly for a given geographic area. The Context Source Discovery functionality of the NGSI-LD API allows the Context Broker (or possibly a Context Consumer) to find Context Sources that may have relevant NGSI-LD Entities.
The architectural roles allow the implementation of different deployment architectures. In a centralized architectures, there is a central Context Broker that stores the context information provided by Context Producers. In a distributed setting, all context information can be stored by Context Sources. In a federated architecture, Context Sources can again be Context Brokers that make aggregated information from a lower hierarchy level available. These architectures are not mutually exclusive, i.e. an actual deployment may combine them in different ways.
API
The NGSI-LD Context Information Management API allows users to provide, consume and subscribe to context information in multiple scenarios and involving multiple stakeholders. It enables close to real-time access to information coming from many different sources (not only IoT data sources), named Context Sources, as well as publishing that information through interoperable data publication platforms.
It provides advanced geo-temporal queries, and it includes subscription mechanisms, in order for content consumers to be notified when content matching some constraints becomes available.
The API is designed to be agnostic to the architecture (central, distributed, federated or combinations thereof), so that applications which produce and consume information do not have to be tailored to the specifics of the system that distributes/brokers context information for them.
API operations comprise:
Context Information operations, concerned with Provision (creating NGSI-LD Entities, and updating their Attributes), Consumption (querying NGSI-LD Entities) and Subscription (subscribing to specific information, under specified constraints, in order to be notified when matching Entities appear, carrying the specified information).
Context Sources operations, concerned with Registration (make a new source of context information available in the overall distributed system, by registering it) and Discovery (querying the system about what context sources have registered, which offer information of a specified type).
Uses
NGSI-LD was initiated by partners of the FIWARE programme, and is primarily used by the FIWARE open source community, supported by the FIWARE Foundation as well as a diverse range of other projects and users such as below:
The Connecting Europe Facility recommends the use of the FIWARE context broker with NGSI-LD
The Open & Agile Smart Cities & Communities (OASC) organisation references the NGSI-LD specification as the first of their Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms (MIM1).
The Living-in.eu project recommends the use of NGSI-LD in their joint declaration and their technical commitments. The declaration has been endorsed and signed by 86 cities and public administrations from the EU, and is supported by many more companies and organizations.
The GSMA "IoT Big Data Framework Architecture" is based on NGSI-LD.
The Fed4IoT EU project, where it is used as a neutral data format for translating between various IoT data representations
The Thing'in graph-based digital twin platform from Orange uses NGSI-LD as its core information model.
The City Data Hub platform has been developed as part of the Smart City Data Hub project and is now used as a basis for smart cities in Korea.
The India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX) uses the NGSI-LD API as part of their Resource Access Service Interface. It is referenced in the Bureau of Indian Standards' Unified Data Exchange IS 18003(Part2):2021 standard.
History
NGSI-LD is the result of an evolution of Context Interfaces that started as part of the "Next Generation Service Interfaces" (NGSI) suite published by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) in 2012, which is also the source of the acronym NGSI. The NGSI suite included NGSI-9 as the Context Entity Discovery Interface and NGSI-10 as the Context Information Interface. The NGSI standard from OMA and its intermediary evolutions relied on a classical Entity–attribute–value model and an XML-based representation. The NGSI Context Interfaces were adapted by the FI-WARE project, which developed the platform for the European Future Internet Public-Private-Partnership (PPP). The OMA NGSI Context Interfaces got an HTTP binding with a JSON representation, referred to as NGSIv1, which included both NGSI-9 and NGSI-10. In the course of FI-PPP the interfaces further evolved into NGSIv2, which became the key interface of the FIWARE platform. After the end of the FI-PPP in 2016, the FIWARE platform became the core of the FIWARE Open Source Community managed by the FIWARE Foundation. In 2017, the ETSI Industry Specification Group on cross-cutting Context Information Management (ETSI ISG CIM) was created to evolve the Context Information Interface, which resulted in the creation of NGSI-LD. The limitations of the original information model led to the specification of a broader model which derives from property graphs, explicitly including relationships between entities, on a par with entities themselves. ETSI ISG CIM continues to evolve the NGSI-LD Information Model and API. It publishes new versions of the specification once or twice a year.
See also
Context awareness
Graph Query Language
References
External links
ETSI CIM group home page
Implementations in open-source software projects
Orion-LD from the FIWARE Foundation
Scorpio from NEC
Stellio from EGM
Cassiopeia from Geonet
City Data Hub Data Core Module from KETI
Information science
Knowledge representation
Modeling languages
Computer standards
Telecommunications standards | NGSI-LD | [
"Technology"
] | 2,761 | [
"Computer standards"
] |
69,608,469 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirsevimab | Nirsevimab, sold under the brand name Beyfortus, is a human recombinant monoclonal antibody with activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It is a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F protein‑directed fusion inhibitor that is designed to bind to the fusion protein on the surface of the RSV virus.
The most common side effects are rash, fever and injection site reactions (such as redness, swelling and pain where the injection is given).
It was developed by AstraZeneca and Sanofi. Nirsevimab was approved for medical use in both the European Union and the United Kingdom in November 2022, in Canada in April 2023, and in the United States in July 2023. Alternatively, in October 2023 the CDC recommended maternal RSVpreF vaccination during pregnancy, though both are not needed in most infants.
Medical uses
In the European Union, nirsevimab is indicated for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus RSV lower respiratory tract disease in neonates and infants during their first RSV season.
In the United States, nirsevimab is indicated for the prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract disease in neonates and infants born during or entering their first RSV season and children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season. Alternatively, in October 2023 the CDC recommended maternal RSVpreF vaccination during pregnancy, though administration of both is not needed in most infants.
Adverse effects
No major hypersensitivity reactions have been reported, and adverse events of grade 3 or higher were only reported in 8% (77 of 968) of participants in clinical trial NCT02878330.
Pharmacology
Mechanism of action
Nirsevimab binds to the prefusion conformation of the RSV fusion (F) protein, i.e. it binds to the site at which the virus would attach to a cell; effectively rendering it useless. It has a modified Fc region, extending the half-life of the drug in order for it to last the whole RSV season.
History
The opinion by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) was based on data from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trials that investigated the efficacy and safety of nirsevimab in healthy preterm (premature) and full-term infants entering their first RSV season. These studies demonstrated that nirsevimab prevents lower respiratory tract infection caused by RSV requiring medical attention (such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia) in term and preterm infants during their first RSV season.
The safety of nirsevimab was also evaluated in a phase II/III, randomized, double‑blind, multicenter trial in infants who were born five or more weeks prematurely (less than 35 weeks gestation) at higher risk for severe RSV disease and infants with chronic lung disease of prematurity (i.e. long-term respiratory problems faced by babies born prematurely) or congenital heart disease. The results of this study showed that nirsevimab had a similar safety profile compared to palivizumab (Synagis).
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluated the safety and efficacy of nirsevimab based on three trials, two of which were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trials (Trials 03, 04 and 05). The key measure of efficacy was the incidence of medically attended RSV lower respiratory tract infection (MA RSV LRTI), evaluated during the 150 days after nirsevimab administration. MA RSV LRTI included all health care provider visits (physician office, urgent care, emergency room visits and hospitalization) for lower respiratory tract disease with worsening clinical severity and a positive RSV test.
Trial 03 included 1,453 preterm infants (born at greater than or equal to 29 weeks of gestational age up to less than 35 weeks of gestation) who were born during or entering their first RSV season. Of the 1,453 preterm infants in the trial, 969 received a single dose of nirsevimab and 484 received placebo. Among infants who were treated with nirsevimab, 25 (2.6%) experienced MA RSV LRTI compared with 46 (9.5%) infants who received placebo. nirsevimab reduced the risk of MA RSV LRTI by approximately 70% relative to placebo.
For Trial 04, the primary analysis group within the trial included 1,490 term and late preterm infants (born at greater than or equal to 35 weeks in gestational age), 994 of whom received a single dose of nirsevimab and 496 of whom received placebo. Among infants who were treated with nirsevimab, 12 (1.2%) experienced MA RSV LRTI compared with 25 (5.0%) infants who received placebo. Nirsevimab reduced the risk of MA RSV LRTI by approximately 75% relative to placebo.
Trial 05, a randomized, double-blind, active (palivizumab)-controlled, multicenter trial, supported the use of nirsevimab in children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season. The trial enrolled 925 preterm infants and infants with chronic lung disease of prematurity or congenital heart disease. The safety and pharmacokinetic data from Trial 05 provided evidence for the use of nirsevimab to prevent MA RSV LRTI in this population.
The FDA granted the application for nirsevimab a fast track designation. and granted approval of Beyfortus to AstraZeneca.
Society and culture
Legal status
On 15 September 2022, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency recommended to grant a marketing authorization for Beyfortus for the prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract disease in newborns and infants. Beyfortus was reviewed under EMA's accelerated assessment program. The applicant for this medicinal product is AstraZeneca AB. In November 2022, nirsevimab was approved for medical use in the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
It was approved in Canada in April 2023, and in the United States in July 2023.
Research
As of 2022, nirsevimab was investigated as an experimental passive immunization agent (different to active immunization agents, such as vaccines) against RSV in the general infant population. The MELODY study is an ongoing, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nirsevimab in late preterm and term infants. Initial results were promising, with nirsevimab reducing LRTI (lower respiratory tract infections) by 74.5% compared to placebo in infants born at term or late preterm.
As of April 2023, ongoing trials for nirsevimab were:
References
Antiviral drugs
Drugs developed by AstraZeneca
Monoclonal antibodies
Sanofi
Respiratory syncytial virus | Nirsevimab | [
"Biology"
] | 1,518 | [
"Antiviral drugs",
"Biocides"
] |
69,609,424 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetacean%20microbiome | The cetacean microbiome is the group of communities of microorganisms that reside within whales.
Microbiomes play an important role in individual health and ecology and in particular in the discovery of different microbiomes in gut, skin and nose permitted to analyze their conditions and the condition of the Microbiome environment in which they live.
Gut
The access of microbial samples from the gut out of marine mammals is limited because most species are rare, endangered, and deep divers. There are different techniques for sampling the cetacean's gut microbiome. The most common is collecting fecal samples from the environment and taking a probe from the center that is non-contaminated. Besides there are studies from rectal swabs and rare studies from stranded dead or living animals direct from the intestine.
The intestinal microbiome of Cetaceans is a complex ecosystem that plays an important role in the metabolism, health, and immunity of the host. The microbial communities of marine mammals are diverse and distinct from terrestrial mammals, and the community depends on different factors like kind of diet, phylogeny, health, and age.
As the microbiome is involved in the decomposition of food, diet is a predominant factor for the microbial community. Different studies have shown that members of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes are the most abundant phyla of gut microorganisms in animals that are cephalopod predators or zooplankton predators like in short-finned pilot whales and baleen whales. Especially the genus Bacteroides (phyla Bacteroidetes) seems to play a major role in the decomposition of the chitin-rich diet of these species and were also found in the gut microbiome of baleen whales.
In toothed cetacean species which food consumption is mainly piscivore the most abundant phyla are Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Proteobacteria are classified as a minor important group for marine mammals that consume cephalopods and zooplankton but are highly abundant in piscivorous predators like bottlenose dolphins, East Asian finless porpoises, and belugas. These findings could mirror the different dietary niches of these species.
Besides the dietary also the age seems to determine the differences in the microbial community between cetaceans. Maron et al. have shown that the microbial community is changing in right whale caves during their development. Interestingly the genera Bilophila, Peptococcus, and Treponema are more abundant in older calves. The higher abundance of Bilophila might be a response to the greater milk intake of the older calves.
Skin
The skin is the first barrier that protects the individual from the outside world and the epidermal microbiome on it is considered an indicator not only of the health of the animal but is also considered an ecological indicator that shows the state of the surrounding environment. Knowing the microbiome of the skin of marine mammals under ''normal'' conditions has allowed us to understand how these communities are different from the free microbial communities found in the sea and how they can change according to abiotic and biotic variations, and also ''communities vary between healthy and sick individuals''.
Different studies on migratory marine mammals in particular Megaptera novaeangliae, killer whales, Orcinus orca, and Beluga whales, which are exposed to different habitats host different communities of Bacterioplankton and in many cases diatoms growing on the backs of migrating killer whales.
Although studies on the microbiome of the skin of these marine mammals are quite limited, thanks to the amplification of SSU rRNA genes, were discovered communities belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes, in particular of the family Flavobacteriaceae, the genus Tenacibaculum dicentrarchi, and it seems that the role of these bacteria is to regulate the microbiome present on the skin of marine mammals, acting as predators and limit the exponential growth of other communities.
Another type of bacterium found on the skin of cetaceans is Phychrobacter, able to tolerate low temperatures and therefore present during migratory routes to high latitudes, it was also discovered that this bacterium is one of those controlled by T. dicentrarchi; while in skin lesions the bacterium spp. Moraxella was found, but not only also in healthy skin such as blowholes and mouths of dolphins
It is not well known whether these communities of microorganisms are transient colonizers of the skin surface or have adapted to that environment, thus subjecting themselves to variations in extrinsic and intrinsic factors that go to change the communities of the skin microbiome, such as UV rays, skin detachment, which seems to be involved in the change of the microbial communities, the change of pressure and temperature, which influences a regional and temporal variability of the skin microbiome, the sex, the age and the health status of the individual, all influence the microbiome and the change of the skin communities. In conjunction with these factors, climate change has been shown to further influence the growth and presence of certain bacterial communities as well as the health status of these cetaceans.
Respiratory system
Impact of cetacean respiratory system microbiome
The cetaceans are in danger because they are affected by multiple stress factors, especially anthropogenature, which make them more vulnerable to various diseases. These animals have been noted to show high susceptibility to airway infections, but very little is known about their respiratory microbiome. Therefore, the sampling of the exhaled breath or "blow" of the cetaceans can provide an assessment of the state of health. Blow is composed of a mixture of microorganisms and organic material, including lipids, proteins, and cellular debris derived from the linings of the airways which, when released into the relatively cooler outdoor air, condense to form a visible mass of vapor, which can be collected. There are various methods for collecting exhaled breath samples, one of the most recent is through the use of aerial drones. This method provides a safer, quieter, and less invasive alternative and often a cost-effective option for monitoring fauna and flora. The use of aerial drones has been more successful with large cetaceans due to slow swim speeds and larger blow sizes.
In all the studies carried out, in addition to exhaled breath samples, seawater and air samples were collected to more accurately identify the specific microorganisms for exhaled breath.
Through various studies carried out on different cetaceans, among which, Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Blue whale (Balænoptera musculus), Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Killer whale ( Orcinus orca) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), the respiratory microbiome has begun to be defined, i.e., a microbial community formed by a complex diversity of common microorganisms to all the specimens examined. These are very recent studies, so knowledge is very limited, only some microorganisms are known while others have not yet been identified and little is known about their functional role within these animals. Overall, the most common bacteria identified at the phylum level included Pseudomonadota, Bacillota, Actinomycetota, and Bacteroidota.
Types of bacteria found in the respiratory systems of cetaceans
Among the Pseudomonadota, bacteria belonging to the families Brucellaceae and Enterobacteriaceae and to the genera "Candidatus Pelagibacter", Acidovorax, Cardiobacterium, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Psychrobacter have been recognized.
Among the Bacillota, bacteria belonging to the Clostridia and Erysipelotrichia classes and to the genera Anoxybacillus, Paenibacillus and Leptotrichia have been recognized.
Bacteria belonging to the Acidimicrobiia class, to the Microbacteriaceae family, and to the genera Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium and Propionibacterium (Cutibacterium), have been recognized among the Actinomycetota.
Among the Bacteroidota, bacteria belonging to the genus Tenacibaculum have been recognized.
To these are added bacteria belonging to the phylum Fusobacteriota and Mycoplasmatota.
Finally, potential respiratory pathogens were also detected, such as Balneatrix (proteobacteria) and a range of Gram-positive Clostridia and Bacilli, such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus (both firmicutes).
Furthermore, one of the most common bacteria in the various cetacean species is the Haemophilus bacterium. These are opportunistic gram-negative coccobacilli, also found in the respiratory tract of humans and other animals, which tend to colonize but without causing the onset of infection. But during periods of immunosuppression these organisms can cause damage by generating meningitis and pneumonia.
In addition to bacteria, some viruses have also been identified in whale exhaled breath. Among the most abundant bacteriophages were the Siphoviridae and Myoviridae, while among the viral families there were small single-stranded DNA viruses (ss), in particular the Circoviridae, members of the Parvoviridae, and a family of RNA viruses, the Tombusviridae.
References
Microbiomes
Cetaceans | Cetacean microbiome | [
"Environmental_science"
] | 2,047 | [
"Microbiomes",
"Environmental microbiology"
] |
69,610,363 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD%2032034 | HD 32034 (or R 62) is one of seven blue hypergiants in the Large Magellanic Cloud and is suspected to be a shell star. It lies within the loose association of stars designated NGC 1747.
References
B-type hypergiants
Dorado
Large Magellanic Cloud
032034
Durchmusterung objects | HD 32034 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 69 | [
"Dorado",
"Constellations"
] |
69,610,497 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil%20Altaie | Mohammad Basil Altaie (also known as Mohammed Bassel al-Tai, born March 5, 1952) is an Iraqi physicist, philosopher and professor of theoretical physics at Yarmouk University in Jordan.
Biography
Muhammad Basil Altaie was born on March 5, 1952, in Mosul, Iraq, where he completed his primary and secondary education. In 1970, he enrolled at the University of Mosul to study physics, a subject that had captivated him since high school. During his studies in 1972, Altaie authored a book on general and special relativity, which he submitted to the rector of the University of Baghdad. The rector sent the book to a scientific reviewer, Dr. Sami Hassan al-Samarrai, who approved it without knowing that Altaie was still a student.
Following his graduation from the University of Mosul in June 1974, the Iraqi government awarded Altaie a scholarship to pursue a doctorate in theoretical physics. He enrolled at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom the same year and received his Ph.D. in theoretical physics in 1978.
After returning to his country, Iraq, Altae worked at the University of Mosul, where he remained until 1999. Since 1999, he has worked as an assistant professor of physics at Yarmouk University in Jordan, where he was promoted to the rank of professor in 2003. He has been identified as a member of a "new generation of authors" interested in the debate over Islam and science, with Mehdi Golshani, Bruno Guiderdoni, and Nidhal Guessoum, who, as natural scientists, seek a theistic interpretation of science based on Islamic concepts.
Views
Altaie argues that quantum indeterminacy provides credibility to Islamic theism. The universe, according to Altaie, is both extremely predictable and indeterministic. It is predictable, which is why "laws of nature" exist, yet it is indeterministic, indicating that these laws are not absolute. The order of nature, he believes, is evidence of Divine wisdom, and its unpredictability, he believes, is a symbol of continuous creation.
Works
The Divine Word and The Grand Design: Interpreting the Qur'an in the Light of Modern Science (2019)
God, Nature, and the Cause: Essays on Islam and Science (2016)
References
Sources
Further reading
Iraqi physicists
Academic staff of Yarmouk University
Alumni of the University of Manchester
1952 births
Living people
Theistic evolutionists
University of Mosul alumni
People from Nineveh Governorate
Muslim evolutionists | Basil Altaie | [
"Biology"
] | 508 | [
"Non-Darwinian evolution",
"Theistic evolutionists",
"Biology theories"
] |
69,611,284 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auncienty | Auncienty is a term used to describe a system of precedence, for instance through years and continuance in the Houses of the Inns of Court, or among the ranks or degrees of the Officers of Arms. In many ways equivalent to Eldership, deriving from the Norman French noun "ancien" (meaning an Elder) preserved in the French concept of , it has a meaning of ceremonial seniority. This is slightly distinct from the obsolete usage of the word simply to mean "Antiquity".
Inns of Court
Sir William Dugdale, in his Origines Juridiciales, mentioned this as follows:"...in the graund Vacation time, out of the Four Houses of Court, come two and two to every House of Chancery; and there according to their years and continuance of the House that they be of, which they call auncienty, they doe argue and reason to some doubtfull matter, that is proposed, so that the most youngest doth begyn, and the next to him in continuance doth follow; and at last he that readeth to that House of Chancery doth declare his opinion in the matter that is called into question."
Of the governance of the Inner Temple, Dugdale remarks:"...it was ordered that if any then, or thenceforth of this Society, should be called to the Bench, at that time being, or that thereafter should be a Knight, that notwithstanding such his dignity of Knighthood, he should take place at the Bench Table according to his auncienty in the House, and no otherwise."
Further (concerning the Middle Temple): "The Benchers of this Society are divided into two several ranks or Classes, viz. the upper Classis consisting of the Auncienty, and the lower of the Puisnes."
Similarly, as a mark of elder status, the Black Books of Lincoln's Inn refer to the "Double Readers or Auncient Benchers" (as opposed to the Middle Benchers or the Puisne Benchers); "from hencefourth if any chamber within this House shall fall voide, the auncientest Bencher shall make choice of it"; and the governance of Furnival's Inn and of Thavie's Inn is described (for each) as being under "the Principal and Auncients."
At Gray's Inn, the progress towards admission to the "grand company of Ancients", their prerogatives and responsibilities, are described in the published editions of their archives.
Officers of Arms
In the Orders given by Thomas Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal, to the Officers of Arms in 1568, terms of precedency are set out for arrangements for heraldic funerals. In Section 8 (Burials appropriate to Garter Principal King of Arms): "... And it is further ordered that hee the said Garter shall take to serve with him at the funerals of the aforesaid Noble and honourable personages, first Clarenceux and then Norroy Kings of Armes, and soe successively one after another the Heraulds and Pursuivants of Arms in order according to their auncienty and degree in Office and soe to beginne againe"; and in Section 9 (Burials appropriate to Clarenceux King of Arms and Norroy King of Arms): "... And the said Clarenceux and Norroy shall take to serve with them at the said funeralls as occasion shall serve and the place require, other the Heraulds and Pursuivants of Armes successively one after another in order according to their auncienty and degree in Office".
Worshipful Companies
William Camden, Clarenceux, in confirming the 1456 grant of arms to the Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers of London in 1602, wrote: "...the comunaltyes, Brotherhoods and Companyes of every faculty and Mistery in famous Townes and Cittyes, haue likewise byn distinguished the one from the other, and accordingly marshalled, and placed with their Banners, Standards and Pennons in all publike feasts, and other solempne assemblyes as their worthynes and auncienty did require." "...and that it shall be lawfull for them to use, beare, and shewe forth the same in their ensignes, Banners, Pennons and streamers, at all tymes, and in all places both by water and land, as hath byn accustomed, and to take their place, after their auncienty at all feasts and other solempne proceedings as the xvijth company of this honorable Cittye which I fynde according to the date of their Pattent to be aunciently recorded."
Titles and descent
The statute of Parliament confirming the restoration of the Earldom of Ormond to James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond in 35 Henry VIII (A.D. 1543) did so "in as ample manner and forme and with like preemynens and auncientie as any the abovenamed Erles of Ormond at any time had used or enjoyed."
The term occurs several times in the Letters Patent for the Limitation of the Crown issued in 1553, purporting to be the last will and testament of King Edward VI. Referring to the seniority of possible future heirs to the Crown of England and Ireland and of the King's title in France, it repeats the formula: "...to the heires males of the bodye of the said eldest sonne lawfully begotten, and so from sonne to sonne as he shalbe of auncientie in birth..." Here seniority is directly consequent upon age and legitimacy.
References
Orders of precedence
Hierarchy
Etiquette | Auncienty | [
"Biology"
] | 1,222 | [
"Etiquette",
"Behavior",
"Human behavior"
] |
69,611,543 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsa%20Lundanes | Elsa Lundanes (born 22 May 1953) is a Norwegian chemist.
She was born in Ålesund and took her cand.real. degree in 1978. After two years at Texas University she took the dr.scient. degree in 1986. She worked in the pharmaceutical industry for Nycomed before she was employed by the University of Oslo in 1988. Her specialty is analytical chemistry. She became professor in 1999 and a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in 2009.
References
1953 births
Living people
People from Ålesund
Norwegian chemists
Analytical chemists
Norwegian expatriates in the United States
Academic staff of the University of Oslo
Members of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters | Elsa Lundanes | [
"Chemistry"
] | 140 | [
"Analytical chemists"
] |
69,611,847 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knut%20R%C3%B8nningen | Knut Rønningen (20 July 1938 – 3 February 2020) was a Norwegian biotechnologist.
He was born in Tylldalen. He studied at the Norwegian College of Agriculture, Edinburgh and Cornell University, before finally taking his dr.agric. degree at the Norwegian College of Agriculture in 1970. He became a professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in 1972, then at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science in 1981. Here he also served as prorector from 1989 to 1995.
He was a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters from 1987. Among his board memberships, he chaired the board of Matforsk.
References
1938 births
2020 deaths
People from Tynset
Biotechnologists
Norwegian College of Agriculture alumni
Cornell University alumni
Academic staff of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Academic staff of the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science
Norwegian expatriates in Scotland
Norwegian expatriates in the United States
Norwegian expatriates in Sweden
Members of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters | Knut Rønningen | [
"Biology"
] | 206 | [
"Biotechnologists"
] |
69,612,044 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland%27s%20Churches%20Trust | Scotland's Churches Trust is a Scottish registered charity whose “aims are to advance the preservation, promotion and understanding of Scotland’s rich architectural heritage represented in its churches and places of worship of all denominations.” Its principal activities are “promoting heritage and tourism” and “giving of grants”. It primarily carries out these activities by offering financial support and practical advice for church repairs and modernisation projects, organ recitals and concerts, a church recording scheme and by promoting its fourteen Pilgrim Journeys across Scotland, that include over 500 places of current or former worship.
Formed in 2012 from two older built heritage organisations, the Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage Trust and Scotland's Churches Scheme, it currently has over 1300 churches in its membership.
History
In 1974, broadcaster and writer Magnus Magnusson created The Steeplechase fundraising scheme to help raise funds to preserve Scotland's churches. In 1978 he became the founding chairperson of the Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage Trust, a position he held until 1985. Its primary aim was to assist congregations in the preservation and upkeep of their buildings.
In 1980, the board invited noted fundraiser Florence MacKenzie (1935-2010) to become the Trust's director, in which post she remained until her retirement in 2009. MacKenzie was granted an MBE for her services to the restoration of church buildings in 1996. Other former trustees include Lady Marion Fraser and Lord Penrose.
During its first three decades SCAHT was instrumental in preserving “churches of all sizes – historic and small country kirks as well as synagogues”. These buildings include Kilarrow Parish Church in Islay, St Magnus' in Orkney, St Marnoch's in Angus, Sacred Heart in Wigton, Yester Parish Church in East Lothian and St Michael and All Angels, Inverness.
Founded in 1996, Scotland's Churches Scheme was an ecumenical membership charitable trust that assisted “living” churches work together and make their buildings the focus of their communities by regularly opening their doors and sharing their history and heritage. Among other activities, the Scheme provided a series of “how-to” guides to assist its member churches in researching and presenting their stories, secure their buildings, welcome visitors and record and interpret their graveyards. It also published a series of Regional Guides listing the history and architectural heritage of ecclesiastical buildings across Scotland.
In 2012 the Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage Trust and Scotland's Churches Scheme merged to form Scotland's Churches Trust. HRH Princess Anne, Princess Royal became its patron and Dr Brian Fraser its first Director. In 2013 the SCT launched Scotland’s Pilgrim Journeys, a collection of six trails across Scotland that encompassed the medieval tradition pilgrim visits to ecclesiastical sites with contemporary faith tourism.
In recent years the Trust has provided grants towards the costs of major fabric works and minor maintenance activities. It also offers financial support to church organists seeking to improve their skills and churches offering organ concerts. Its Scottish Pilgrim Journeys initiative has been increased from six to fourteen different trails across the country.
Governance
Patron: HRH Princess Anne, Princess Royal KG, KT, GCVO, GCStJ, QSO, CD
Hon President: Robin Blair CVO, WS
Vice Presidents:
Trustees:
Director: Dr DJ Johnston-Smith
Chairperson, Board of Trustees: Prof Adam Cumming
Chairperson, Grants Committee: Ros Taylor RIBA
References
External links
Christian charities based in the United Kingdom
Heritage organisations in the United Kingdom
Architectural history | Scotland's Churches Trust | [
"Engineering"
] | 686 | [
"Architectural history",
"Architecture"
] |
69,612,085 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young%20Leosia | Sara Leokadia Sudoł (born 13 August 1998 in Szczecin), known professionally as Young Leosia (formerly Sara) is a Polish singer, rapper, songwriter, sound engineer and DJ.
Life
Education
She was a student of The Heroes of Monte Cassino IX Lyceum in Szczecin. When Sudoł was younger, she attended hip-hop and dancehall dance lessons. She is a graduate of the Elżbeta Zapendowska Song School. Sudoł also passed the sound production exam.
Music career
She was working in a lot of Polish clubs (e.g. Prozak 2.0, Miłość Kredytowa, Mewa Towarzyska, Newonce Bar) as a DJ. She recorded her first songs since 2015 as Sara.
On 6 August 2020 she made her debut with single "Wyspy", which, however, went unnoticed, as did the next one called "Zakochałam się, ale zryłeś", which she recorded with the band B24.
On 16 October 2020, together with Polish rappers Żabson, Beteo and Borucci, she released the single "ULALA", which was included in the Polish streaming charts of Apple Music, iTunes and Spotify. Also in 2020, she sang as a guest in the song by Czech rapper Nik Tendo called "Loyal".
She gained the greatest popularity in 2021 thanks to the single "Szklanki", which reached the top of the Polish Apple Music and Spotify lists. She made a music video for the song, which by December 2021 was viewed almost 29 million times on YouTube. In June, she played the lead role in Mata's music video for the song "Kiss cam (podryw roku)". On 6 August she released the single "Jungle Girl", which she recorded in cooperation with Żabson. The song was on her debut EP entitled Hulanki, which was released on 23 September by Internaziomale label. On 24 September she published a music video for the song "Baila Ella", which exceeded over 15 million views on YouTube.
On 17 March 2022 Rybnik rapper Jacuś released the disco single "Piątek wieczór" featuring Young Leosia. On 1 April 2022 rapper Smolasty released "Boję Się Kochać" featuring her.
On 21 April 2022 Young Leosia and Mata (also known as Skute Bobo) have released a single featuring three songs in support of the "Fundacja420" which fights for the legalization of marijuana in Poland. On 25 April 2022 she released the single "Rok Tygrysa", the music video for which was criticized by the media as an advertisement for the Tiger energy drink.
On November 20, Young Leosia announced the event Baila Ella by Young Leosia: First Night Out , along with a series of parties organized by Baila Ella. On November 25, she released the single Crowd through her own label, Baila Ella Records, marking her departure from the Internaziomale label. She featured on the eponymous album Club2020, contributing to the tracks Malibu Barbie (featuring rappers Taco Hemingway, Otsochodzi, OKI, Dwa Sławy, and Gruby Mielzky) with this being released in January and February 2023.
Discography
Studio Albums
EPs
Singles
Awards and nominations
References
1998 births
Living people
21st-century women rappers
21st-century Polish women singers
21st-century Polish singers
Polish lyricists
Polish DJs
Women DJs
Polish women rappers
Musicians from Szczecin
Audio engineers
English-language singers from Poland | Young Leosia | [
"Engineering"
] | 755 | [
"Audio engineering",
"Audio engineers"
] |
69,613,833 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anecdata.org | Anecdata.org (often shortened to Anecdata) is a citizen science web portal developed by the Community Environmental Health Lab at the MDI Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. Anecdata.org supports projects in the collection of observational data, primarily in environmental science, biology, and public health. Anecdata was founded in 2014 to provide a data management system for the citizen science projects run by the Community Environmental Health Lab and has since expanded to include more than 200 projects, where more than 8,000 registered users have contributed over 30,000 images and more than 50,000 observations. In addition to the desktop site, there is a corresponding mobile app that can be used to submit observations to existing projects. Anecdata.org also acts as a data repository where data can be stored, discovered, and shared to other users.
Notable Projects
Litter-Free Digital Journal
The Litter-Free Digital Journal is a project from the South Carolina Aquarium hosted on Anecdata.org with a custom app, that encourages participants to track and remove plastics and other litter from both land and water. Users Since the start of the project in 2016, data from more than 7,000 litter cleanups have been entered into the project by more than 1,500 citizen scientists. In 2017, a total of 9,746 pieces of trash were logged and 2,333 total litter pieces in 2018. However, in 2019 the number of litter pieces recorded grew to 32,600 and in 2020, more than doubled, with 74,977 pieces of trash collected and logged. The data from this project has inspired participant activism and has been used to influence public policy in South Carolina, including plastic bag bans.
The Great Green Crab Hunt
The Great Green Crab Hunt project is a citizen science project led by the University of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Sea Grant and hosted on Anecdata.org. The project aims to support scientists and policymakers in finding solutions to the problems caused by the invasive species, European green crabs. The project uses a mobile app and participants document the number, shell hardness, sex, and size of crabs seen during one hour. Since the project's inception in 2019, more than 100 observations documenting more than 400 crabs have been added to the project.
References
Science websites
Human-based computation
Citizen science
Environmental organizations based in the United States | Anecdata.org | [
"Technology"
] | 483 | [
"Information systems",
"Human-based computation"
] |
69,614,338 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD%2032453 | HD 32453 (HR 1631) is a solitary star located in the southern constellation Caelum. With an apparent magnitude of 6.01, it's barely visible to the naked eye under ideal conditions. This star is located 407 light years away based on its parallax shift, but is drifting away at a rate of 5.73 km/s.
HD 32453 has a classification of G8 III, which states it is an evolved G-type star that exhausted hydrogen at its core and left the main sequence. At present it has 2.40 times the Sun's mass, but at an age of 700 million years, HD 32453 has expanded to 10 times the latter's girth (radius detected from an angular diameter of 0.748 mas). It radiates at 50 solar luminosities from its enlarged photosphere at an effective temperature of 5,032 K, which gives it a yellow hue. HD 32453 is slightly metal deficient, and spins slowly with a projected rotational velocity of 2 km/s, common for a giant star.
References
G-type giants
Caelum
Durchmusterung objects
Caeli, 25
032453
1631
023377 | HD 32453 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 252 | [
"Caelum",
"Constellations"
] |
69,614,416 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometric%20logic | In mathematical logic, geometric logic is an infinitary generalisation of coherent logic, a restriction of first-order logic due to Skolem that is proof-theoretically tractable. Geometric logic is capable of expressing many mathematical theories and has close connections to topos theory.
Definitions
A theory of first-order logic is geometric if it is can be axiomatised using only axioms of the form
where I and J are disjoint collections of formulae indices that each may be infinite and the formulae φ are either atoms or negations of atoms. If all the axioms are finite (i.e., for each axiom, both I and J are finite), the theory is coherent.
Theorem
Every first-order theory has a coherent conservative extension.
Significance
list eight consequences of the above theorem that explain its significance (omitting footnotes and most references):
In the context of a sequent calculus such as G3c, special coherent implications as axioms can be converted directly to inference rules without affecting the admissibility of the structural rules (Weakening, Contraction and Cut);
In similar terms, coherent theories are “the theories expressible by natural deduction rules in a certain simple form in which only atomic formulas play a critical part”;
Coherent implications form sequents that give a Glivenko class. In this case, the result, known as the first-order Barr’s Theorem, states that if each Ii: 0≤i≤n is a coherent implication and the sequent I1, . . . , In ⇒ I0 is classically provable then it is intuitionistically provable;
There are many examples of coherent/geometric theories: all algebraic theories, such as group theory and ring theory, all essentially algebraic theories, such as category theory, the theory of fields, the theory of local rings, lattice theory, projective geometry, the theory of separably closed local rings (aka “strictly Henselian local rings”) and the infinitary theory of torsion abelian groups;
Coherent/geometric theories are preserved by pullback along geometric morphisms between topoi (Maclane & Moerdijk 1992, chapter X);
Filtered colimits in Set of models of a coherent theory T are also models of T;
Special coherent implications ∀x. C ⊃ D generalise the Horn clauses from logic programming, where D is required to be an atom; in fact, they generalise the “clauses” of disjunctive logic programs, where D is allowed to be a disjunction of atoms.
Effective theorem-proving for coherent theories can, with (in relation to resolution) relative ease and clarity, be automated. As noted by Bezem et al ...the absence of Skolemisation (introduction of new function symbols) is no real hardship, and the non-conversion to clausal form allows the structure of ordinary mathematical arguments to be better retained.
Notes
Bibliography
(Two volumes, Oxford Logic Guides 43 & 44, 3rd volume in preparation)
Further reading
Geometry
Logic | Geometric logic | [
"Mathematics"
] | 626 | [
"Geometry"
] |
69,614,563 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamocaine | Diamocaine is a local anesthetic that was developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals in the 1970s. It is a 4-phenylpiperidine derivative, structurally related to opioid drugs such as piminodine and antipsychotics such as haloperidol, but in this series only local anesthetics were produced.
See also
Dimethocaine
Procaine
Tetracaine
References
Anilines
Ethers
Piperidines
Diethylamino compounds
Ethanolamines | Diamocaine | [
"Chemistry"
] | 104 | [
"Organic compounds",
"Functional groups",
"Ethers"
] |
69,614,642 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window%20%28optics%29 | In optics, a window is an optical element that is transparent to a range of wavelengths, and that has no optical power. Windows may be flat or curved. They are used to block the flow of air or other fluids while allowing light to pass into or out of an optical system.
General characteristics
In general, an optical window is a material that allows light into an optical instrument. The material has to be transparent to a wavelength range of interest but not necessarily to visible light. Usually, it is mechanically flat and sometimes it also is optically flat, depending on resolution requirements. A window of this sort is commonly parallel and is likely to be anti-reflection coated, especially if it is designed for visible light. An optical window may be built into a piece of equipment (such as a vacuum chamber) to allow optical instruments to view inside that equipment.
In spectroscopy
Optical windows used for UV/VIS spectroscopy, are usually made from glass or fused silica. In IR spectroscopy, there is a wide range of materials that transmit light into the far infrared and can be utilized for the construction of optical windows, from barium fluoride (BaF2), calcium fluoride, potassium bromide, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, germanium (Ge), zinc selenide (ZnSe) and sapphire. These windows are either built into circular, elliptical or rectangular configurations.
References
Optical components | Window (optics) | [
"Materials_science",
"Technology",
"Engineering"
] | 282 | [
"Glass engineering and science",
"Optical components",
"Components"
] |
69,614,686 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carperidine | Carperidine (carbamethidine) is an opioid analgesic drug related to meperidine. It has analgesic and antitussive effects with similar potency to codeine, though several related compounds are significantly more potent.
See also
Etoxeridine
Furethidine
Piminodine
References
Amides
Esters
Piperidines
Ethyl esters | Carperidine | [
"Chemistry"
] | 81 | [
"Organic compounds",
"Esters",
"Amides",
"Functional groups"
] |
69,614,993 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcriptome-wide%20association%20study | Transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) is a genetic methodology that can be used to compare the genetic components of gene expression and the genetic components of a trait to determine if an association is present between the two components. TWAS are useful for the identification and prioritization of candidate causal genes in candidate gene analysis following genome-wide association studies. TWAS looks at the RNA products of a specific tissue and gives researchers the abilities to look at the genes being expressed as well as gene expression levels, which varies by tissue type. TWAS are valuable and flexible bioinformatics tools that looks at the associations between the expressions of genes and complex traits and diseases. By looking at the association between gene expression and the trait expressed, genetic regulatory mechanisms can be investigated for the role that they play in the development of specific traits and diseases.
Transcriptome Analysis
A transcriptome is the sum of all RNA transcripts that are present in a given cell, tissue, or organ within an organism. Transcriptomes include both mRNA, which functions as an intermediate to the central dogma; as well as noncoding RNAs that may play other roles in protein synthesis. In the central dogma, it describes how DNA is able to make proteins through transcription and translation. RNAs are present in a cell in varied concentrations, and play various roles outside of the central dogma and are able to be identified based on length and function. It is through functional elements that the transcriptional and translational activities of genes is able to be regulated. Transcriptome analysis is beneficial for obtaining information about all RNAs present and can provide valuable insight into the genetic mechanisms that are tissue specific. The transcriptome was first investigated in the 1990s in an experiment performed to identify a partial transcriptome of the human brain. Researchers were able to identify 609 mRNA sequences. Since then, many advances in Next Generation Sequencing methods have been made. Transcriptomes are now able to be routinely developed due to advances in these methods and new technologies such as microarrays and RNA-Seq. Both methods require computed imaging as well as high reads and statistical analysis. By obtaining information about gene expression through mRNAs, many applications have been discovered. Transcriptome analysis has proven to be beneficial in identifying disease processes as well as regulatory elements in disease progressions, has aided drug development through identification of disease processes, offers insight into therapeutic strategies, and has improved identification of genes that are able to respond to both biotic and abiotic environmental factors as well as how environmental conditions play a role in gene expression.
Methods
A genome-wide association study, or GWAS, is a genetic tool that uses single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, to identify if a trait or disease is linked to a specific genetic variant. By observing if frequencies of a specific variant are more commonly associated, or higher than expected, with the given trait; an association is developed between the trait and the variant. However, many of these associations can be developed throughout an individual due to linkage disequilibrium and the large size of the genome. Although GWAS provide valuable insight into identifying markers throughout the genome, a large portion of the SNPs are present in non-coding mRNA regions, and many have unknown functions that are difficult to determine through standard methods, as no product is manufactured by these regions of the genome.
Transcription-wide association studies are able to take the information from GWAS results and are able to utilize these results as reference data, and can then help to identify and prioritize genes. In order to perform this analysis, a reference panel for gene expression should be obtained, such as an expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), which helps to show gene expression regulation. Using the reference panel, a predictive model can be generated to impute the expression variation of genes. Imputation is the process by which you can predict the expression levels of genes in other organisms through the variation that exists in their genome based on a reference panel. By predicting the levels of gene expression within a tissue, other variables such as environment and epigenetic effects are eliminated as this prediction is solely based on the variant present and the expected level of gene expression. However, this can lead to inaccuracies with gene expression predictions as both the environment and epigenetic modifications are able to alter the level of gene expression. Cis-genetic components are the primary focus of the eQTLs as these are elements that are within 1 Megabase of a gene. The predictive model can then be applied to the GWAS samples to predict gene expression of the significant SNPs from that study. After expression levels are imputated, gene-trait association tests are performed by associating levels of predicted expression and genotypes with the phenotypes of the individual. Essentially, a TWAS is able to take GWAS results and are able to predict the effects of each variant on expression levels of genes that are associated with the trait, and it is able to do this for every loci that is associated with the trait throughout the genome.
Results are able to be interpreted on a Manhattan plot, similarly to GWAS results. Any loci that are considered to have statistically significant results will have a higher P value, and this indicates that the loci is likely associated with the trait or disease being investigated. Any statistically significant P-values have a higher log P-value and show above the Bonferroni correction line. The Manhattan plot is named as such as the statistically significant genes appear to show up as "skyscrapers" on the plot, and when there are many genes that are associated with the trait, the plot resembles the Manhattan skyline. Although the Manhattan plot image is for a GWAS study, TWAS results are shown the same way. Statistically significant loci are genes that have significantly associated SNPs whose expression correlates with the trait or disease of interest.
PrediXcan and FUSION are both TWAS software that have been utilized in genetic studies to investigate the gene-trait associations. PrediXcan is a well-developed TWAS software that has the ability to estimate genetically regulated expression and determine associations with the phenotype being investigated. It uses a penalized regression model to give weight to levels of observed gene expression and cis-SNPs derived from the reference dataset. The software then uses individual genotype data to perform gene-trait association tests. FUSION is another TWAS software that utilizes a different statistical analysis to create the association tests. In this model, imputation methods from the predictive model are calculated based on a Bayesian sparse linear mixed model. The advantage of this software is that it is able to perform association tests on individual genotype data, but this software can also take information from large scale data sets using imputation.
Advantages
The advantages of this methodology are through the insight it gives researchers into the function of genes and the association between gene functions and gene expression. TWAS has the potential to take results from GWAS and extend the results to aid in the understanding of disease mechanisms. Additionally, as this method uses loci that were previously identified by GWAS analysis, there is a lower testing burden associated with a TWAS as less sites are analyzed. By lowering the number of loci being analyzed, this allows more in-depth analysis of the sites analyzed and can give further insight to the functions and associations of the significant loci.
TWAS also have the advantage of reducing the effects of confounding factors. When building a predictive model, it only looks at genetic expression, not total expression. Total expression includes factors like the environment and epigenetic modifications to levels of expression, and are not accounted for in the predictive model. By not accounting for these factors, it can reduce the accuracy of predicted levels of gene expression; however, it also reduces the effects of confounding variables in the results.
Another advantage of TWAS is that the results are tissue specific. The level of gene expression differs by the tissue that the genes are in, as each tissue has specific splicing patterns and patterns of regulation. By having tissue specific results, this furthers the information that can be derived through these studies as results have the ability to show how gene regulation differs by tissue types as well as how functions are regulated and if there are common regulatory mechanisms between tissues or if regulatory mechanisms have different functions in different tissues. TWAS cross tissue methods also have the possibility to identify potential causal genes for diseases and traits on a larger scale, however, single tissue methods have the ability to determine associations on a case specific basis.
Limitations
Many of the disadvantages of TWAS are implications of the prediction capabilities of the model used to predict gene expression levels based on genotypes. One disadvantage of TWAS is that it mainly looks at cis-genetic components for imputation and for in most studies, does not identify any trans-genetic component variants. This acts as a disadvantage for TWAS as trans-genetic component variants are any regulatory mechanisms that are outside of a 1 Megabase range of the gene, and even though they are a significant distance away from the gene of interest, many regulatory mechanisms have the potential to act long range and can still impact expression. By not taking these components into account, it lowers the accuracy of predicted genetic expression levels and can cause deviation between expected and observed expression levels. As mentioned above, another disadvantage of these studies are that environmental and epigenetic mechanisms for regulation of gene expression is not taken into account with the predictive model for gene expression, which also has the potential to lead to inaccuracies with the predicted gene expression levels and observed expression levels. Another challenge for TWAS is that it can be hard to predict accurate gene expression levels when genes have low heritability levels. eQTLs rely on a level of heritability, and when low heritability is observed, it can affect the observance of false positives and can negatively impact the prediction capabilities of the model used for TWAS.
Additionally, another challenge for TWAS, very similar to GWAS results, is that these studies can only demonstrate associations from results. Even though a statistically significant association can be seen between the gene or loci of interest and the trait or disease, no causal relationship can be derived. In order to establish a causal relationship, further studies utilizing a reverse genetics approach for knock-outs of genes or site-directed mutagenesis would need to be performed to identify causal relationships.
Another issue with TWAS results are the implications of tissue bias and coregulation. Due to the specificity of genetic regulation mechanisms within each tissue, many experiments would need to be performed to determine the tissue specific nature of each loci association and how these associations differ between tissue types. Co-regulation results from a regulatory mechanism controlling the expression of more than one loci at a time. By controlling more than one loci, associations may be drawn between the loci of interest along with other genes or loci that are solely controlled by the same mechanism and may not have any association with the trait or disease of interest, leading to false positive results.
Applications
Schizophrenia
A TWAS study was performed following a GWAS investigating loci associated with schizophrenia. From the GWAS results, over 100 risk loci were located. A TWAS was then used to identify 157 significant loci using expression data, and 35 of the identified loci from the TWAS did not align with the GWAS loci. Results were then further narrowed using regulatory target investigations. 42 of these genes were found to have a statistically significant association with chromatin phenotypes, which is a regulatory mechanism that could further be investigated. MAPK3 was one association that was observed to have a large impact on neurodevelopmental phenotypes, and was further prioritized as a candidate causal gene.
Breast Cancer
In 2018, a TWAS was used to identify candidate causal genes for breast cancer. Data was collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas to establish genetic models as well as 229,000 women of European ancestry. In this study, 8,597 genes were evaluated. Through GWAS studies, around 170 loci were associated with at least one variant of breast cancer. In this study, 179 genes were found to have an association with a variant of breast cancer. Of the 179 genes with associations, 48 were identified to be statistically significant using a Bonferroni-correction threshold (as seen on the Manhattan plot above). 14 of these had never been reported to be associated with a risk of breast cancer previously. The other 34 genes at known risk loci had 23 that do not have any associated risk SNPs. Using gene knock-downs, 13 genes with high predicted levels of expression were found to be associated with an increased risk. When knocked-down, studies showed that 11 of the genes investigated had an effect in a cell line of breast cancer, especially in 184A1 normal breast cells. These genes include the following: PIDD1, NRBF2, and ABHD8. All of the genes identified in the study, both up- and down-regulated had relatively high cis-heritability.
Parkinson's Disease
A TWAS study was completed in 2021 that utilized the most recent Parkinson's Disease (PD) GWAS that utilized 480.000 individuals. From those results, 18 genes were found to have a statistically significant association with PD. The most significant of these was LRRC37A2, which was found to be associated in all 13 brain tissues.
TWAS Atlas
TWAS Atlas is a site that has been curated to integrate the findings of many TWAS studies. This atlas exists virtually and is accessible to the public. Results and findings that are published in the TWAS Atlas are able to be integrated and combined to aid future studies and the understanding of genetic regulation mechanisms. Results are presented in a visual manner to improve the integration of results. Currently, 401,226 TWAS associations have been published from 200 publications, spanning 257 traits and 22,247 genes as of April 25, 2022.
References
Genetics | Transcriptome-wide association study | [
"Biology"
] | 2,869 | [
"Genetics"
] |
69,615,015 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USBM%20wettability%20index | The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM), developed by Donaldson et al. in 1969, is a method to measure wettability of petroleum reservoir rocks. In this method, the areas under the forced displacement Capillary pressure curves of oil and water drive processes are denoted as and to calculate the USBM index.
USBM index is positive for water-wet rocks, and negative for oil-wet systems.
Bounded USBM (or USBM*)
The USBM index is theoretically unbounded and can vary from negative infinity to positive infinity. Since other wettability indices such as Amott-Harvey, Lak wettability index and modified Lak are bounded in the range of -1 to 1, Abouzar Mirzaei-Paiaman highlighted the bounded form of USBM (called USBM*) as a replacement of the traditional USBM as
USBM* varies from -1 to 1 for strongly oil-wet and strongly water-wet rocks, respectively.
See also
Wetting
Amott test
Lak wettability index
References
Petroleum geology
Surface science
Fluid mechanics | USBM wettability index | [
"Physics",
"Chemistry",
"Materials_science",
"Engineering"
] | 224 | [
"Surface science",
"Petroleum",
"Civil engineering",
"Condensed matter physics",
"Petroleum geology",
"Fluid mechanics"
] |
69,615,333 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese%20Federation%20of%20Chemical%20Industry%20Workers%27%20Unions | The Japanese Federation of Chemical Industry Workers' Unions (, Kagaku Domei) was a trade union representing workers in various industries in Japan.
The union was established on 16 June 1951, with the merger of unions representing chemical and general workers; rubber workers; and workers in the tyre-manufacturing industry. It affiliated to the General Council of Trade Unions of Japan, and by 1958 it had 41,644 members. The affiliates representing rubber workers split away in 1965, to form the National Federation of Rubber Industry Workers' Unions, and as a result, by 1970 its membership had declined to 32,963. In 1972, it absorbed the All Japan Glass and Bottle Makers' Union. In 1978, it merged with part of the Japanese Federation of Synthetic Chemistry Workers' Unions, to form the Japanese Federation of Chemical Workers' Unions.
References
Chemical industry trade unions
Trade unions established in 1951
Trade unions disestablished in 1978
Trade unions in Japan | Japanese Federation of Chemical Industry Workers' Unions | [
"Chemistry"
] | 190 | [
"Chemical industry trade unions"
] |
69,615,924 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0indel%20sequence | In additive combinatorics, a Šindel sequence is a periodic sequence of integers with the property that its partial sums include all of the triangular numbers. For instance, the sequence that begins 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 is a Šindel sequence, with the triangular partial sums
etc. Another way of describing such a sequence is that it can be partitioned into contiguous subsequences whose sums are the consecutive integers:
This particular example is used in the gearing of the Prague astronomical clock, as part of a mechanism for chiming the clock's bells the correct number of times at each hour. The Šindel sequences are named after Jan Šindel, a Czech scientist in the 14th and 15th centuries whose calculations were used in the design of the Prague clock. The definition and name of these sequences were given by Michal Křížek, Alena Šolcová, and Lawrence Somer, in their work analyzing the mathematics of the Prague clock.
If denotes the sum of the numbers within a single period of a periodic sequence, and is odd, then only the triangular numbers up to need to be checked, to determine whether it is a Šindel sequence. If all of these triangular numbers are partial sums of the sequence, then all larger triangular numbers will be as well. For even values of , a larger set of triangular numbers needs to be checked, up to .
In the Prague clock, an auxiliary gear with slots spaced at intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, and 2 units (repeating in the example Šindel sequence in each of its rotations) is synchronized with and regulates the motion of another larger gear whose slots are spaced at intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ..., 24 units, revolving once a day with its spacing controlling the number of chimes on each hour. In order to keep these two gears synchronized, it is important that, for every revolution of the large gear, the small gear also revolves an integer number of times. Mathematically, this means that the sum of the period of the Šindel sequence must evenly divide , the sum of spacing intervals of the large gear. For this reason it is of interest to find Šindel sequences with a given period sum . In connection with this problem, a primitive Šindel sequence, is a Šindel sequence no two of whose numbers can be replaced by their sum, forming a shorter Šindel sequence. For every there exists a unique primitive Šindel sequence having period sum equal to . Note however, that this sequence may be formed by repeating a shorter Šindel sequence more than one time.
A sequence that just repeats the number 1, with any period, is a Šindel sequence, and is called the trivial Šindel sequence. If is a power of two, then the trivial Šindel sequence with period is primitive, and is the unique primitive Šindel sequence with period sum . For any other choice of , the unique primitive Šindel sequence with period sum is not trivial.
See also
Sparse ruler
Notes
References
Additive combinatorics | Šindel sequence | [
"Mathematics"
] | 619 | [
"Additive combinatorics",
"Combinatorics"
] |
69,620,515 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batkoa%20major | Batkoa major is a naturally occurring fungus that infects insects.
Little is known about the pathogen. Found in the soil and belonging to the entomopathogenic fungi, the fungus spores attach to the insects' bodies upon contact. The fungus then enters the insect's body through weak spots in the outer cuticle or exoskeleton. The fungus then forms rhizoids to anchor its dying host to a tree, as spores start to develop on the insect's outer body and short-lived infective spores are ejected. The host insect dies between 4 – 7 days after being infected.
Traces of the infective spores are hard to find in the environment.
The fungus has been studied as an environmentally-friendly insecticide to control pests such as the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in north-eastern North America. Other known targets include the pine beauty moth and the potato leafhopper.
See also
Beauveria bassiana
Bibliography
Collection of Entomopathogenic Fungal Cultures : Catalog of Strains - (Humber, Richard A. United States. Agricultural Research Service)
References
Fungi articles needing expert attention
Fungal pest control agents
Entomophthorales
Fungi described in 1888
Fungus species | Batkoa major | [
"Biology"
] | 254 | [
"Fungi",
"Fungus species",
"Fungal pest control agents"
] |
78,440,969 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-vs-2%20cycles%20problem | In the theory of parallel algorithms, the 1-vs-2 cycles problem concerns a simplified case of graph connectivity. The input to the problem is a 2-regular graph, forming either a single connected -vertex cycle or two disconnected -vertex cycles. The problem is to determine whether the input has one or two cycles.
The 1-vs-2 cycles conjecture or 2-cycle conjecture is an unproven computational hardness assumption asserting that solving the 1-vs-2 cycles problem in the massively parallel communication model requires at least a logarithmic number of rounds of communication, even for a randomized algorithm that succeeds with high probability (having a polynomially small failure probability). If so, this would be optimal, as connected components can be constructed in logarithmic rounds in this model.
This assumption implies similar communication lower bounds for several other problems in this computational model, including single-linkage clustering and geometric minimum spanning trees. However, proving the 1-vs-2 cycles conjecture may be difficult, as any non-constant lower bound for the number of rounds for this problem would imply that the parallel complexity class NC1 does not contain all problems in polynomial time, which would be a significant advance on current knowledge.
References
Graph connectivity
Computational problems in graph theory
Computational hardness assumptions | 1-vs-2 cycles problem | [
"Mathematics"
] | 262 | [
"Computational problems in graph theory",
"Graph connectivity",
"Computational mathematics",
"Graph theory",
"Computational problems",
"Mathematical relations",
"Mathematical problems"
] |
78,441,090 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cope%20Notes | Cope Notes is an American telehealth-based mental health service. The company "sends subscribers positive thoughts and affirmations to help combat depression and anxiety". Each message contains psychology facts, exercises, and journaling prompts that are "reviewed, edited and approved by a panel of mental health professionals".
History
Cope Notes was founded in 2018 by Johnny Crowder, an American musician, public speaker, and Certified Recovery Peer Specialist. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the company "sends subscribers positive thoughts and affirmations to help combat depression and anxiety". The content is sent via text message at least once per day, at random times. According to the company's FAQ, each message is "reviewed, edited and approved by a panel of mental health professionals". Users are encouraged to respond to the messages, using the text thread as a journal.
The idea for Cope Notes began as an unnamed in-person support group, which formed after Crowder graduated from college. That group transitioned into a virtual peer support group, where many attendees opted into the SMS option, influencing Crowder to create a mental health-based texting service. Crowder, a touring musician, used his time traveling between performances with his heavy metal bands, Dark Sermon and Prison, to develop the service. The development of Cope Notes was also influenced by Crowder’s interactions with fans at shows, tailoring the service to meet their needs.
As of January 2022, Cope Notes had more than 21,000 users across 96 countries.
Through the end of 2024, Cope Notes reported having sent over 4 million messages to its subscribers.
In a 2025 Tampa Bay Business Journal article, it was reported that Cope Notes' services were included in UnitedHealthcare's Florida Medicaid contract, partnering with UnitedHealthcare for a five-year statewide agreement. Cope Notes had previously signed a pilot contract with UnitedHealth Group, distributing its services through UnitedHealthcare and Optum.
Studies
In May 2022, a study was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research where researchers found a majority of participants in the study "appreciate the service for reframing their mental wellness (86%) with statistically significant correlations between personality and acceptability of the service", while some participants "prefer a more personalized experience" (14%).
In March 2023, a study was published in the Journal of Mental Health where researchers found that "participants with severe depression experienced a significant decrease in anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as perceived stress" and "showed a significant increase in emotional intelligence" after using Cope Notes for 1 month. The study's participants consisted of 64 people, a majority of whom were white women and students attending the University of South Florida.
Recognition
In 2020, Cope Notes was recognized as an honoree as part of Tampa Bay Inno’s Inno On Fire awards.
In 2022, Cope Notes won the People's Choice award at the Startup of the Year summit, a national competition featuring tech firms, venture investors, and startups across the United States. The company was also ranked within the top 15 amongst the 100 semi-finalists recognized by the competition.
In 2024, the company was recognized as an honoree at the Tampa Bay Inno Awards, under the category of Healthtech.
References
Telehealth
American companies established in 2018
Behavior therapy | Cope Notes | [
"Biology"
] | 688 | [
"Behavior",
"Behavior therapy",
"Behaviorism"
] |
78,442,020 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisunatovir | Sisunatovir is an investigational new drug that is being evaluated for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. It functions as an orally administered RSV fusion inhibitor, targeting the RSV-F protein on the viral surface to prevent viral replication. Sisunatovir has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to its potential to address serious RSV infections, which can lead to severe respiratory conditions such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
References
Antiviral drugs
Amines
Benzimidazoles
Cyclopropanes
Organofluorides
Oxindoles
Spiro compounds | Sisunatovir | [
"Chemistry",
"Biology"
] | 138 | [
"Pharmacology",
"Antiviral drugs",
"Functional groups",
"Medicinal chemistry stubs",
"Amines",
"Organic compounds",
"Pharmacology stubs",
"Biocides",
"Bases (chemistry)",
"Spiro compounds"
] |
78,442,254 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonrotoclax | Sonrotoclax is an investigational new drug that is being evaluated for the treatment of hematologic malignancies, particularly chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). It is a potent and selective BCL2 inhibitor that can overcome resistance associated with BCL2 mutations, such as the G101V variant, which limits the effectiveness of first-generation inhibitors like venetoclax.
References
Antineoplastic drugs
Acylsulfonamides
Tertiary alcohols
Anilines
Cyclobutanes
Cyclohexanes
Isopropyl compounds
Nitrobenzenes
Pyrrolopyridines
Spiro compounds
Piperidines
Pyrrolidines | Sonrotoclax | [
"Chemistry"
] | 159 | [
"Pharmacology",
"Medicinal chemistry stubs",
"Organic compounds",
"Pharmacology stubs",
"Spiro compounds"
] |
78,442,304 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasilis%20Fthenakis | Vasilis M. Fthenakis is a Greek American chemical engineer, environmental scientist, author and academic. He is an adjunct professor, and founding director of the center for Life Cycle Analysis at Columbia University.
Fthenakis is most known for his research on the environmental sustainability of photovoltaic energy technologies and for demonstrating the feasibility of solar energy as a solution to meet US energy demands while addressing climate challenges. His publications comprise journal articles and books including Electricity from Sunlight: Photovoltaics Systems Integration and Sustainability and Onshore and Offshore Wind Energy: Evolution, Grid Integration and Impact. He has received awards such as a Certificate of Appreciation from the US Department of Energy in 2006, the Brookhaven National Laboratory's Certificate of Recognition in 2015, the 2018 IEEE William Cherry Award, and the 2022 Karl Böer Solar Energy Medal of Merit from the International Solar Energy Society.
Fthenakis is an elected Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the International Energy Foundation, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Additionally, he has served as Editor-in-Chief of Green Energy and Sustainability, Section Editor-in-Chief of Energies, and associate editor for Progress in Energy.
Education and early career
Fthenakis earned a diploma in chemistry from the University of Athens in 1975 while working as a chemist at ChemiResearch in Greece from 1974 to 1976. He then completed an MS in Chemical Engineering at Columbia University in 1978 and held research roles at Columbia's Catalysis Laboratory and Fossil Energy Laboratory. In 1980, he joined Brookhaven National Laboratory, working as a research engineer and senior scientist across departments focused on sustainable energy and environmental sciences. He received a PhD in fluid dynamics and atmospheric science from New York University in 1991, with a focus on toxic gas release modeling and mitigation using water spray systems.
Career
Fthenakis continued his academic and research career at Columbia University, serving as an adjunct associate professor of earth and environmental engineering from 1995 to 2000, and has been an adjunct professor since 2006. In 2006, he became a senior research scientist and founded the Center for Life Cycle Analysis (CLCA), where he continues to serve as director. He also co-founded the Global Clean Water Desalination Alliance (GCWDA), where he served on the board of directors, leading efforts to integrate solar energy systems with desalination technologies. Concurrently, at Brookhaven National Laboratory, he served in various roles from 1980 to 2016 and has been a distinguished scientist emeritus since 2017. From 2002 to 2016, he led the National Photovoltaic Environmental Research Center and has coordinated international collaborations on life cycle assessment (LCA) under the direction of the US Department of Energy and the International Energy Agency.
Contributions
Fthenakis has led collaborations on silane safety and lead-free solder technologies, conducted foundational life-cycle studies on thin-film photovoltaics and PV recycling, and anticipated regulatory trends concerning lead and cadmium, supporting industry adaptation. In later years, the scope of his research expanded to topics at the energy-water-environment nexus and he led applied research on solar-powered water desalination with applications in the United States and Chile.
In 2004, Fthenakis began studying life cycle analysis (LCA) to address what he identified as an unbalanced portrayal of photovoltaics' environmental impacts and started an international collaboration to update LCA studies on photovoltaics. He established an ad-hoc committee and organized scoping meetings with researchers from institutions such as the University of Utrecht, the Energy Research Center of the Netherlands, Chalmers University, the University of Stuttgart, Siena University, and Ambient Italia to assess the LCA needs of the photovoltaic industry.
Through related research, Fthenakis has developed and advocated for a proactive, long-term environmental strategy for photovoltaics, including recycling processes for end-of-life photovoltaic modules. In 1999, he organized a workshop to promote lead-free solder technology. From 2002 to 2005, he established a laboratory focused on recycling spent photovoltaic modules and manufacturing scrap, employing hydrometallurgical separation technologies and resulting in a patented method for separating copper, cadmium, and tellurium, with applications in cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) technologies. He also conducted studies on optimizing the collection of end-of-life photovoltaics to reduce recycling costs. Recognizing the environmental concerns surrounding the growth of the CdTe and CIGS markets, he designed experiments simulating fire effects on photovoltaics using techniques such as NSLS-x ray diffraction analysis. In 2005, he led a European Union workshop, organized with the Joint Research Center and the German Ministry of the Environment, facilitating a US company's establishment of a manufacturing facility in Germany. In 2007, he launched and led a five-year International Energy Agency (IEA) Photovoltaic Environmental Health and Safety Task (Task 12), serving as the US Operating Agent until 2012.
Over the years, Fthenakis’ research has been highlighted by news outlets, including The New York Times, Science News, Environmental Science & Technology, IEEE Spectrum, Scientific American, Spiegel, and NRC Handelsblad.
Publications
Fthenakis' research on photovoltaics and the environment has led to approximately 300 journal and conference papers, contributing to over 450 publications on energy and environmental topics. As of November 15, 2024, his publications have been cited 18,464 times and his h-index is 66. In 2007, he co-authored the Grand Plan for Solar Energy with Ken Zweibel and James Mason, a study demonstrating the feasibility of solar energy to meet most of the US electricity needs; this was the prelude of the detailed SunShot Solar Vision studies. Earlier, in 1993, he published his first book, Prevention and Control of Accidental Releases of Hazardous Gases, which was used by the chemical and oil refinery industries as a primer on the prevention of industrial disasters. His publications have also focused on electricity generation through renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Personal life
Fthenakis is the son of Menelaos Fthenakis and Antonia Korkidis-Fthenakis, who died in the sinking of the SS Heraklion in Greece when he was 14 years old. He is married to Christina Georgakopoulos and has two children and two grandchildren.
Awards and honors
2006 – Certificate of Appreciation, US Department of Energy
2018 – William Cherry Award, IEEE
2022 – Karl Böer Solar Energy Medal of Merit, International Solar Energy Society
Bibliography
Selected books
Prevention and Control of Accidental Releases of Hazardous Gases (1993) ISBN 978–0471284086
Third Generation Photovoltaics (2012) ISBN 978–9535103042
Electricity from Sunlight: Photovoltaics Systems Integration and Sustainability (2nd edition, 2018) ISBN 978–1118963807
A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Energy Systems: With Special Focus on Photovoltaic Systems (2018) ISBN 978–0128114797
Comprehensive Renewable Energy: Photovoltaic Solar Energy (2nd edition, 2022) ISBN 978–0323990110
Onshore and Offshore Wind Energy: Evolution, Grid Integration and Impact (2nd edition, 2024) ISBN 978–1119854494
Energy and Climate Change: Our New Future (2025) ISBN 978–0443219276
Selected articles
Fthenakis, V. M., Kim, H. C., & Alsema, E. (2008). Emissions from photovoltaic life cycles. Environmental science & technology, 42(6), 2168–2174.
Fthenakis, V., & Kim, H. C. (2009). Land use and electricity generation: A life-cycle analysis. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 13(6–7), 1465–1474.
Fthenakis, V. (2009). Sustainability of photovoltaics: The case for thin-film solar cells. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 13(9), 2746–2750.
Fthenakis, V., Mason, J., & Zweibel, K. (2009). The technical, geographical and economic feasibility for solar energy to supply the energy needs of the United States. Energy Policy, 37(2), 387–399.
Turney, D., & Fthenakis, V. (2011). Environmental impacts from the installation and operation of large-scale solar power plants. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(6), 3261–3270.
Fthenakis, V. (2015). Considering the total cost of electricity from sunlight and the alternatives. Proceedings of the IEEE, 103(3), 283–286.
Fthenakis, V., & Leccisi, E. (2021). Updated sustainability status of crystalline-silicon-based photovoltaic systems – Life-cycle energy and environmental impact reduction trends. Progress in Photovoltaics, 29(10), 1068–1077.
Leccisi, E., & Fthenakis, V. (2021). Life-cycle energy demand and carbon emissions of scalable perovskite PV systems. Progress in Photovoltaics, 29(10), 1078–1092.
Fthenakis, V., Yetman, G., Zhang, Z., Squires, J., Atia, A. A., Alarcon-Padilla, D.-C., Palenzuela, P., Vicraman, V., & Zaragoza, G. (2022). A solar energy desalination analysis tool, SEDAT, with data and models for selecting technologies and regions. Nature Scientific Data, 9(223), 1-20.
Ginsberg, M., Esposito, D., & Fthenakis, V. (2023). Designing off-grid green hydrogen plants using dynamic polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers to minimize the cost of hydrogen production. Cell Reports Physical Science, 4(10), 101625.
References
Chemical engineers
Environmental scientists
Non-fiction environmental writers
Fellows of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Fellows of the IEEE
Columbia University faculty
New York University alumni
Columbia University alumni
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens alumni
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people | Vasilis Fthenakis | [
"Chemistry",
"Engineering",
"Environmental_science"
] | 2,171 | [
"Chemical engineering",
"Chemical engineers",
"Environmental scientists",
"American environmental scientists"
] |
78,442,454 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinengotinib | Tinengotinib is an investigational new drug that is being evaluated for the treatment of cancer.
It is an multi-kinase inhibitor designed to target a range of kinases involved in cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune response modulation. Specifically, it inhibits fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) 1–3, janus kinase (JAK) 1/2, vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs), and aurora kinases A/B.
References
Antineoplastic drugs
Chlorobenzene derivatives
Diazepines
Morpholines
Pyrazoles
Pyridones | Tinengotinib | [
"Chemistry"
] | 133 | [
"Pharmacology",
"Pharmacology stubs",
"Medicinal chemistry stubs"
] |
78,442,550 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aetherflux | Aetherflux is an American renewable energy company founded by Baiju Bhatt, the co-founder and former co-chief executive officer of Robinhood. The company seeks to expand upon and commercialize space-based solar power, an old concept of collecting solar power in space with solar power satellites and transmitting it to Earth.
Background
In March 2024, Bhatt stepped down from his role at Robinhood to focus on an unnamed company, eventually revealing itself as Aetherflux. His interest in space stemmed from his father’s work as a scientist at NASA’s Langley Research Center.
The company plans to build a constellation of satellites that collect solar energy in space via solar panels, distributing the energy back to ground stations on Earth through infrared lasers. The approach differs from those explored by governments and universities, and calls for transmission via infrared lasers instead of microwaves. Aetherflux’s satellites will also orbit in low-earth-orbit instead of geo-stationary. The first applications of the company's technology are designed to deliver potential power for various United States military operations, remote research stations or remote mining applications.
Space-based solar power can be traced back to science fiction writer Isaac Asimov’s 1941 short story, Reason, while the name of the company was inspired by the idea of aether theories.
History
In October 2024, Bhatt, the co-founder and former co-CEO of Robinhood, announced his new company, Aetherflux. Aetherflux shared that it employed about 10 people. The company purchased a satellite bus from Apex, a satellite company of which Bhatt is an investor, and began designing the payload. Bhatt has committed around US$10 million of his own money to fund the company, and the company plans to undertake its first mission and space demonstration in early 2026.
One day after the company's announcement of public operations, on October 10th, 2024, Aetherflux became a member of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF), an American aerospace industry group promoting the commercial space industry. Later in the month, the company announced that Daniel M. Gallagher, the former chief legal officer of Robinhood Markets, joined Aetherflux as an advisor.
References
Aerospace companies of the United States
Companies based in California
Space organizations | Aetherflux | [
"Astronomy"
] | 473 | [
"Astronomy organizations",
"Space organizations"
] |
78,442,558 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shendao%20columns | Shendao columns (Chinese: 神道柱) are stone columnar sculptures erected alongside the Sacred ways of Chinese tombs. They appeared from Eastern Han Dynasty in China.
Some of them used Hellenistic decorations, such as Ionic order (瓦棱柱) and fasces (束竹柱).
References
Columns and entablature
Traditional Chinese architecture
Hellenistic sculpture | Shendao columns | [
"Technology"
] | 74 | [
"Structural system",
"Columns and entablature"
] |
78,442,713 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magtymguly%20Pyragy%20Cultural%20Park%20Complex | Magtymguly Pyragy Cultural Park Complex () is a park complex located in the Büzmeýin District of Ashgabat, on Archabil Avenue. Opened in 2024, the park was named after a poet Magtymguly Pyragy. The cultural and park complex covers an area of more than 41 hectares.
History
The Russian construction company Vozrozhdenie served as the general contractor for the Magtymguly Pyragy Cultural Park Complex from 2022. Approximately 80,000 square meters of granite were used in the construction of the park. The main types of products include: facing tiles (approximately 31,000 m²), steps (about 6,000 units), risers (around 13,000 units), parapets (approximately 800 units), planters (17 units), pedestals (13 units), and decorative elements (88 units).
A park complex dedicated to Magtymguly Pyragy, the national poet and philosopher of Turkmenistan, was inaugurated on May 17, 2024. The park is located on the southern outskirts of Ashgabat, at the foot of the Kopetdag mountain range, near the Walk of Health.
The Magtymguly Pyragy Cultural Park Complex features 24 statues of poets and philosophers from around the world: Sayat-Nova, Yanka Kupala, Du Fu, Honoré de Balzac, Shota Rustaveli, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Rabindranath Tagore, Yasunari Kawabata, Raja Ali Haji, Mihai Eminescu, Saido Nasafi, William Shakespeare, Sándor Petőfi, Hafez Shirazi, Dante Alighieri, Kurmangazy Sagyrbayuly, Chingiz Aitmatov, Adam Mickiewicz, Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, Juan Ramón Jiménez, Yunus Emre, Hryhorii Skovoroda, Langston Hughes, and Alisher Navoi. These sculptures are made of bronze and stand 3.5 meters tall.
Magtymguly Pyragy statue
The park features a monument to Magtymguly Pyragy statue. The Magtymguly Pyragy statue in the park is 60 meters high. It was created by the honored artist and master sculptor of Turkmenistan Saragt Babayev. The height of the pedestal is 25 meters. This is one of the largest statues in Central Asia.
To immortalize the image of Magtymguly Pyragy required more than a thousand tons of bronze. The construction primarily used gray granite from the Vozrozhdenie quarry. Red granite for the base of the Magtymguly Pyragy statue was sourced from the Kalguaara quarry, while black granite was utilized from the Kamenogorsk and Ala-Noskua quarries. The project took a year and a half to complete, with Russian architects involved in its design and development. The pedestal is engraved with the Magtymguly Pyragy famous lines from the poem "The Future of Turkmenistan."
References
External links
Photos Monument to Magtymguly Pyragy in Ashgabat
Tourist attractions in Turkmenistan
2024 establishments in Turkmenistan
Parks in Turkmenistan
Buildings and structures in Ashgabat
2024 sculptures
Asian sculpture
Colossal statues
Urban public parks | Magtymguly Pyragy Cultural Park Complex | [
"Physics",
"Mathematics"
] | 687 | [
"Quantity",
"Colossal statues",
"Physical quantities",
"Size"
] |
78,442,991 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulixacaltamide | Ulixacaltamide is an investigational new drug developed by Praxis Precision Medicines, designed to treat essential tremor, a common neurological disorder characterized by involuntary rhythmic shaking. It functions as a selective inhibitor of T-type calcium channels, which are implicated in the abnormal neuronal activity associated with tremor. The drug is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials.
References
Analgesics
Benzamides
Chlorobenzene derivatives
Fluorobenzene derivatives
Piperidines
Tert-butyl compounds
Carboxamides | Ulixacaltamide | [
"Chemistry"
] | 106 | [
"Pharmacology",
"Pharmacology stubs",
"Medicinal chemistry stubs"
] |
78,443,075 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iscartrelvir | Iscartrelvir is an investigational new drug developed by the Westlake University for the treatment of COVID-19. It targets the SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease, which is crucial for the replication of the virus responsible for COVID-19.
See also
3CLpro-1
Rupintrivir
References
Amines
Anilines
Benzamides
Bromobenzene derivatives
Nitrobenzenes
Cyclohexanes
Isoquinolines | Iscartrelvir | [
"Chemistry"
] | 101 | [
"Pharmacology",
"Functional groups",
"Medicinal chemistry stubs",
"Amines",
"Pharmacology stubs",
"Bases (chemistry)"
] |
78,443,352 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zipalertinib | Zipalertinib is an investigational new drug that is being evaluated for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations, particularly exon 20 insertion mutations.
References
Antineoplastic drugs
Acrylamides
Amines
Indolizines
Pyrimidines
Quinolines | Zipalertinib | [
"Chemistry"
] | 69 | [
"Pharmacology",
"Functional groups",
"Medicinal chemistry stubs",
"Amines",
"Pharmacology stubs",
"Bases (chemistry)"
] |
78,444,717 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait%20of%20Benjamin%20Franklin | Portrait of Benjamin Franklin is a 1767 portrait painting by the Scottish artist David Martin of the American politician and inventor Benjamin Franklin. It was painted during his lengthy residence in London when he was acting as colonial agent for Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. The work was commissioned by the Edinburgh merchant Robert Alexander, a friend of Franklin. He is shown seated next to a bust of the scientist Isaac Newton.
Today it is part of the collection of the White House.
References
Bibliography
Goodwin, George. Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America's Founding Father. Yale University Press, 2016.
Keynes, Milo. The Iconography of Sir Isaac Newton to 1800. Boydell Press, 2005.
Morgan, David T. The Devious Dr. Franklin, Colonial Agent: Benjamin Franklin's Years in London. Mercer University Press, 1999.
1767 paintings
Art in the White House
Cultural depictions of Benjamin Franklin
Cultural depictions of Isaac Newton
18th-century portraits | Portrait of Benjamin Franklin | [
"Astronomy"
] | 192 | [
"Cultural depictions of Isaac Newton",
"Cultural depictions of astronomers"
] |
78,445,117 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icotrokinra | Icotrokinra is an investigational targeted oral peptide used in the treatment of plaque psoriasis.
Description
Icotrokinra is designed to selectively block the IL-23 receptor, which plays a vital role in the pathogenic T-cell activation of plaque psoriasis.
The phase 3 ICONIC-LEAD trial has been evaluating icotrokinra in adult and adolescent patients aged 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe cases of plaque psoriasis.
The Phase 3 ICONIC-TOTAL study showed once daily icotrokinra met the primary endpoint of IGA of 0/1 at week 16 compared to placebo.
Phase 3 studies ICONIC-ADVANCE 1 and ICONIC-ADVANCE 2 will evaluate the safety and efficacy of icotrokinra compared with both placebo and deucravacitinib in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
Icotrokinra was jointly discovered by Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Protagonist Therapeutics.
References
Psoriasis
Drugs developed by Johnson & Johnson
Antipsoriatics | Icotrokinra | [
"Chemistry"
] | 218 | [
"Pharmacology",
"Pharmacology stubs",
"Medicinal chemistry stubs"
] |
78,445,291 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large%20dense%20core%20vesicles | Large dense core vesicle (LDCVs) are lipid vesicles in neurons and secretory cells which may be filled with neurotransmitters, such as catecholamines or neuropeptides. LDVCs release their content through SNARE-mediated exocytosis similar to synaptic vesicles. One key difference between synaptic vesicles and LDCVs is that protein synaptophysin which is present in the membrane of synaptic vesicles is absent in LDCVs. LDCVs have an electron dense core which appear as a black circle in micrographs obtained with transmission electron microscopy.
References
Neuroscience
Neurochemistry | Large dense core vesicles | [
"Chemistry",
"Biology"
] | 146 | [
"Neuroscience",
"Neurochemistry",
"Biochemistry"
] |
78,446,415 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQIA%2B%20Architecture%20Contributions%20and%20Subversion | The contributions of LGBTQ individuals to architecture are significant, although the direct influence of their sexuality on the style, layout, and materials of their designs is still a subject of debate. Recent queer theoretical frameworks have explored how LGBTQ people shape, inhabit, and alter functions of architectural spaces, offering insights into how architectural practices reflect broader social and cultural dynamics, particularly regarding identity, visibility, and marginalization.
LGBTQ contributions to architecture span a wide spectrum of design practices, ranging from flamboyant and ostentatious styles to more restrained and conventional forms. While the works of Walpole and Beckford have often been associated with flamboyance, it is crucial to recognize that many LGBTQ architects and designers, such as Charles Robert Ashbee, contributed to more conventional movements like Arts & Crafts, without the overt markers of queerness. Focusing solely on the flamboyant aspects risks reinforcing stereotypes and overlooks the diversity of LGBTQ architectural contributions.
The lack of reliable data on LGBTQIA+ architects presents a significant challenge to achieving equity within the profession. This gap perpetuates the invisibility of queer identities and undermines efforts to address systemic exclusion. For instance, national data sources like the U.S. Census fail to offer meaningful insights into LGBTQIA+ populations, and architectural organizations such as NCARB and NAAB do not yet track these identities comprehensively. The absence of such critical metrics hinders the ability to measure progress or address the needs of LGBTQIA+ professionals.
While the concept of a distinct "queer architecture" remains a matter of scholarly debate, it is evident that architectural forms have responded to the shifting relationship between LGBTQ individuals and broader societal structures. The built environment has served as a means of negotiating identity, privacy, and visibility, providing spaces that reflect the tensions between societal pressures and personal expression. Whether through overtly dramatic designs or more subtle adaptations, architecture has offered LGBTQ individuals both refuge and resistance in the face of a hostile environment.
Influence on architecture and subverting function of form
Ancient Rome
Antinous, a youth from Bithynia, became the beloved of Roman Emperor Hadrian (r. 117-138 CE) around 123 CE. Their relationship was rooted in the Greek tradition of erastes and eromenos, where an older man (erastes) took on an educational and affectionate role toward a younger man (eromenos). Hadrian, known for his preference for male lovers, brought Antinous into his circle and educated him both socially and intellectually. The bond between them had a profound impact on Hadrian's personal life and, later, on his architectural endeavors.After Antinous' death in 130 CE, Hadrian, deeply affected, commissioned the construction of a city in his lover's honor, Antinopolis, near Hermopolis in Egypt. Modeled after Alexandria, the city's layout and the surrounding monuments reflected Hadrian's desire to immortalize Antinous. The city served not only as a tribute to his lover but also as a means of asserting his personal connection to the divine, as Antinous was deified following his death.
The cult of Antinous spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire, establishing temples, altars, and statues in his honor. This cult, associated with healing powers, also symbolized the intersection of sexuality and religion in Roman society. Antinous was venerated as a god who, having once been mortal, could empathize with human suffering. His statues were focal points of worship, often receiving daily offerings and being treated with the same reverence as other deities.
However, the rise of Christianity led to resistance against the cult of Antinous, as Christian writers condemned it as immoral. Despite this, the cult persisted until it was officially outlawed by Emperor Theodosius I in 391 CE. Through the architectural projects he initiated in Antinous' name, Hadrian's sexuality and personal relationships left a lasting imprint on the built environment, reflecting how personal affection and sexuality could shape public life in ancient Rome.
"Queer" Gothic architecture
The late 18th and early 19th-century Gothic style, particularly as exemplified by William Beckford and Horace Walpole, has been the subject of queer architectural analysis. Both Beckford and Walpole were key figures in the development of eccentric, fantastical architectural forms that blended personal identity with artistic expression. Their works, while rooted in Gothic aesthetics, reflect a broader social and cultural queerness, evident in their social circles and artistic endeavors.
"Queer" Modern architecture
LGBTQ artists and designers made pivotal contributions to 20th-century English modernism, with figures such as Enid Marx and interior designers featured in Vogue magazine playing central roles in defining a distinctive modernist aesthetic. The so-called "Amusing style," characterized by playful, whimsical, and gender-fluid design elements, challenged conventional gender norms and social expectations, reflecting broader shifts in cultural attitudes toward gender and identity during the interwar period.
The design of St Ann's Court by architect Christopher Tunnard and his partner Gerald Schlesinger exemplifies the ways in which LGBTQ individuals navigated societal homophobia during the early 20th century. Completed in 1937, the building incorporates features such as retractable screens in the master bedroom, allowing the couple to conceal their relationship from the public eye. This architectural response to social hostility highlights how design can accommodate both the desire for privacy and the need to navigate a homophobic society.
Strawberry Hill's theatrical design
Walpole's Strawberry Hill serves as an important case study in how architecture can reflect the social dynamics and personal identities of its creator. The building's whimsical Gothic Revival style, characterized by theatrical and elaborate features, provided a setting for exclusive same-sex social gatherings. The space functioned as both a public display and a private retreat, illustrating how architectural design could serve as a subtle form of resistance to prevailing societal norms.
Beckford's Fonthill Abbey
William Beckford's Fonthill Abbey, begun in 1796, represents an extravagant and highly personal interpretation of Georgian 'Gothick' architecture. Its excessive and ambitious design, particularly the 276-foot-high tower, epitomized Beckford's unique vision but also resulted in structural instability. Viewed through a modern lens, the building can be considered an example of 'camp'—intentionally exaggerated, self-aware, and theatrical architecture, marking a departure from the more scholarly Gothic Revival of the period.
Anne Lister's Shibden Hall
The remodeling of Shibden Hall by Anne Lister offers a notable example of subversive queer architecture. Lister's modifications, which included the addition of a Gothic tower and library, reflected her need to balance societal expectations of respectability with her desire for personal privacy. Inspired in part by the Ladies of Llangollen's Plas Newydd, Lister's architectural choices demonstrate how design can navigate the complex intersection of public persona and private identity, offering a space for both social engagement and seclusion.
Literature focused on LGBTQ architecture and design
Queer Space: Architecture and Same-Sex Desire by Aaron Betsky argues that queer spaces subvert traditional architectural forms, which often uphold heteronormative societal structures. This subversion manifests in the adaptive reuse of spaces, such as transforming bathhouses or dance clubs into sites of liberation and self-expression. These venues are not merely functional; they symbolize the rejection of rigid boundaries and linear designs in favor of fluidity, openness, and unpredictability—reflecting queer identities.
A central theme in Betsky's analysis is the transient and performative quality of queer spaces. He describes spaces like nightclubs and cruising grounds as "queer architectures" because they are less about permanence and more about experiences and interactions. For example, the design of gay clubs prioritizes sensory engagement—through dramatic lighting, mirrored surfaces, and flexible layouts—emphasizing movement and transformation rather than static functionality. This focus on temporality mirrors the precarious place of queer communities within broader social structures.
Betsky's work highlights how queer spaces often dissolve traditional divisions between public and private realms. Parks, alleys, and other urban landscapes become sites of intimacy and exploration, repurposed to meet the needs of queer individuals. Similarly, domestic spaces, such as the homes used for underground drag balls, take on public functions, fostering community and collective identity. This blurring of boundaries reflects a rejection of fixed spatial norms in favor of fluidity and adaptability.
Betsky also examines how gay communities have reshaped urban environments, turning marginalized neighborhoods into vibrant cultural centers. Spaces like New York's Fire Island, San Francisco's Castro District, and the underground ballroom scenes exemplify how queer individuals reimagine urban landscapes. Through both physical and symbolic transformations, these spaces serve as sites of resistance, solidarity, and visibility, challenging the invisibility imposed by mainstream architectural practices.
Betsky's notion of "queering" architecture extends beyond physical spaces to the reimagining of design principles. He critiques traditional architecture for its rigidity and argues that queer design practices emphasize fluidity, ambiguity, and subversion. This ethos is evident in spaces like the Haus of Gaga (Named in reference to contemporary artist Lady Gaga and the BauHaus ), where flamboyant design elements and playful reinterpretations of conventional forms create environments that celebrate queerness as an aesthetic and political stance.
The future of Queer architecture
The Organization of Lesbian and Gay Architects + Designers (OLGAD)
Established in 1991 in New York City, played a pivotal role in reclaiming queer architectural history and fostering discourse on "queer design." By identifying historically significant spaces and recognizing the contributions of LGBTQ architects, OLGAD connected architecture with broader movements for queer visibility. Its 1994 Guide to Lesbian & Gay New York Historical Landmarks expanded the understanding of LGBTQ place-based history beyond The Stonewall inn, influencing the recognition of sites like the Stonewall Inn on the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark. Evolving from OLGAD's efforts, the New York City LGBT Historic Sites Project, launched in 2015, continues to preserve, and highlight over 140 queer spaces across the city, showcasing the lasting impact of LGBTQ narratives on architectural and urban history.
ACSA an international association of architecture schools
The research series Where Are My People? Queer in Architecture explores the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals within the architecture profession, highlighting their contributions and the challenges they face. The findings reveal significant underrepresentation of LGBTQIA+ individuals across all major architectural organizations, such as NCARB, AIA and ACSA, with reported figures of less than 2% membership for LGBTQIA+ individuals and even fewer identifying as non-binary. These disparities underscore the marginalization of queer identities in architecture, worsened by the societal reluctance to collect or analyze comprehensive data on this population. Visibility remains limited, as many individuals may choose not to disclose their identities due to fear of discrimination or safety concerns, reflecting broader patterns of social exclusion.
The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the intersectional nature of LGBTQIA+ identities and their impact on architectural practice. These identities intersect with race, gender, class, and other social categories, shaping how individuals experience and contribute to the discipline. Survey respondents consistently cited their heightened awareness of marginalization, a perspective that influences their approach to architecture. These intersections challenge traditional narratives about who architecture serves, urging a redefinition of the profession's priorities to include broader and more inclusive responses to human needs.
A recurring theme in the study is the role of LGBTQIA+ architects in challenging traditional norms and stereotypes. Respondents highlighted their commitment to atypical space-making practices that resist the status quo and address the needs of marginalized communities. This counter-normative approach often manifests in advocating for more inclusive and diverse spaces that serve populations beyond conventional frameworks. Such efforts align with broader discussions about the potential of architecture to foster equity and justice in the built environment.
The research underscores the importance of continued advocacy and data collection to support LGBTQIA+ individuals in architecture. By keeping surveys open and updating findings, initiatives like Where Are My People? aim to track progress and adapt to evolving challenges. These efforts are not merely about representation but about transforming architectural practice to better reflect the diversity of society. Encouraging participation from LGBTQIA+ professionals and expanding the discourse on equity and inclusion will be crucial for fostering a more just and innovative architectural discipline.
References
LGBTQ culture
Architecture | LGBTQIA+ Architecture Contributions and Subversion | [
"Engineering"
] | 2,559 | [
"Construction",
"Architecture"
] |
78,446,517 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neozygitaceae | Neozygitaceae is a family of fungi in the order Entomophthorales. The family was circumscribed in 1987. Originally created to contain the genera Neozygites and Thaxterosporium, the family was distinguished from other similar Entomophthorales families by differences in its nuclear structure, and behaviour during mitosis. The genus Apterivorax was erected and added to the family in 2005. Genus Thaxterosporium has since been synonymised with Neozygites.
References
Entomophthorales
Ascomycota families
Taxa described in 1987 | Neozygitaceae | [
"Biology"
] | 127 | [
"Fungus stubs",
"Fungi"
] |
78,447,008 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC%201482 | NGC1482 is a lenticular galaxy in the constellation of Eridanus. Its velocity with respect to the cosmic microwave background is 1817 ± 40km/s, which corresponds to a Hubble distance of . In addition, one non-redshift measurement gives a distance of . It was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel on 19 December 1799.
Supernova
One supernova has been observed in NGC 1482. SN 1937E (type unknown, mag. 16.5) was discovered by Fritz Zwicky on 26 November 1937.
See also
List of NGC objects (1001–2000)
References
External links
4722
043560
-03-10-054
549-033
03524-2038
Eridanus_(constellation)
Discoveries by William Herschel
Lenticular galaxies | NGC 1482 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 168 | [
"Eridanus (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
78,448,838 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCnde%20F%C3%BCl%C3%B6p | Tünde-Maria Fülöp (born 1970) is a Swedish theoretical plasma physicist who works as a professor of subatomic, high energy and plasma physics at the Chalmers University of Technology. Her research focus is theoretical plasma physics and its applications in magnetic fusion, laser-plasma interactions, and space and astrophysical plasmas.
Life and work
Fülöp is of Hungarian ethnicity; she is originally from Transylvania in Romania, where she was born in 1970.
She completed a Ph.D. at Chalmers in 1999. She worked at Chalmers as an assistant professor in the Department of Electromagnetics from 2000 to 2003, as an associate professor in the Department of Radio and Space Science from 2004 to 2009, and in her current position as a full professor in the Department of Physics since 2009. She is also a visiting research fellow at Merton College, Oxford.
Recognition
Fülöp was a member of the Young Academy of Sweden from 2011 to 2016. She is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, elected in 2019. She became a member of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg in 2021.
Fülöp and Per Helander were the 2024 recipients of the Hannes Alfvén Prize of the European Physical Society Plasma Physics Division, given "for outstanding contributions to theoretical plasma physics, yielding groundbreaking results that significantly impact the understanding and optimization of magnetically confined fusion plasmas".
References
External links
Home page
1970 births
Living people
Romanian emigrants to Sweden
Romanian people of Hungarian descent
Swedish people of Hungarian descent
Swedish physicists
Swedish women physicists
Plasma physicists
Chalmers University of Technology alumni
Academic staff of the Chalmers University of Technology
Members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Members of the Royal Society of Sciences and Letters in Gothenburg | Tünde Fülöp | [
"Physics"
] | 346 | [
"Plasma physicists",
"Plasma physics"
] |
78,451,333 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAG933 | IAG933 is an investigational new drug that is being evaluated for the treatment of cancer.
IAG933 is a small molecule inhibitor developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals to directly disrupt the YAP/TAZ-TEAD protein-protein interaction, a critical mediator of oncogenic signaling in the Hippo pathway. This drug has demonstrated potent and selective inhibition of all four TEAD paralogs, resulting in YAP eviction from chromatin and reduced Hippo-mediated transcription. As of 2024, IAG933 is undergoing Phase I clinical trials to evaluate its safety, tolerability, and preliminary anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced mesothelioma and other solid tumors harboring specific molecular alterations in the Hippo pathway.
References
Antineoplastic drugs
Alcohols
Benzofurans
Chlorobenzene derivatives
Fluorobenzene derivatives
Nicotinamides
Pyrrolidines
Glycol ethers | IAG933 | [
"Chemistry"
] | 196 | [
"Pharmacology",
"Pharmacology stubs",
"Medicinal chemistry stubs"
] |
78,451,363 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National%20Environmental%20Management%3A%20Biodiversity%20Act%2010%20of%202004 | The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity, Act 2004 (Act 10 of 2004, abbr. ) is a supporting act to the framework set out in the National Environmental Management Act, 1998. It enforces Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa; promoting the conservation and sustainable use of South Africa's biodiversity.
Purpose
To provide for the management and conservation of South Africa's biodiversity within the framework of the National Environmental Management Act,1998; the protection of species and ecosystems that warrant national protection; the sustainable use of indigenous biological resources; the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from bioprospecting involving indigenous biological resources; the establishment and functions of a South African National Biodiversity Institute; and for matters connected therewith.
History
On 3rd April 2009, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, published a draft of the Alien and Invasive Species programme. A second draft was published in 2014. On 1st August 2014, Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa published the Alien and Invasive Species regulation.
References
Environmental law in South Africa
2004 in South African law
South African legislation
Biodiversity of South Africa | National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 | [
"Biology"
] | 232 | [
"Biodiversity",
"Biodiversity of South Africa"
] |
78,451,652 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R6890 | R6890, sometimes known as spirochlorphine, is an opioid analgesic and a member of the spiropiperidine family of agents. The first known mention of this compound was in 1977. It has been advertised online as a research chemical having a potency 2-5 times that of fentanyl. Other examples of agents from this class are Ro 64-6198 and Ro65-6570. Brorphine also has a similar structure.
A precursor chemical used in the synthesis of R6890 is 1-phenyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro(4,5)decan-4-one, which is used in the synthesis of other drugs including spirilene, fluspirilene, spiramide, spiperone, RP-23618, spioxatrine, and L008716.
Pharmacology
The pharmacology of R6890 is described as a nociceptin receptor (NOP) agonist, although R6890 retains significant activity at the mu opioid receptor. R6890 has affinities (Ki values) of 4, 75, and 10 nM for the mu, delta, and the total opioid receptor population, respectively.
References
Analgesics
Belgian inventions
Euphoriants
Mu-opioid receptor agonists
Piperidines
Synthetic opioids
4-Chlorophenyl compounds
Anilines
Spiro compounds
Imidazolidinones | R6890 | [
"Chemistry"
] | 319 | [
"Organic compounds",
"Spiro compounds"
] |
78,452,360 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maddalena%20and%20Teresa%20Manfredi | Maddalena and Teresa Manfredi (1673 – 1744 and 1679 – 1767) were Italian astronomers and translators. Their calculations contributed to the popular Ephemerides of Celestial Motion by their brother Eustachio Manfredi, and their translations of poetry and fairy-tales, in collaboration with Teresa and Angiola Zanotti, were significant in establishing conventions for the recording of the Bolognese dialect.
Family
Maddalena and Teresa were the daughters of notary Alfonso Manfredi and his wife Anna Maria Fiorini. They had four brothers: Eustachio, Gabriele, Emilio and Eraclito; and another sister, Agnese. Three of their brothers studied at the University of Bologna and entered scientific professions. Eustachio, who became the head of the family, was a professor at the University from 1699.
Astronomy
Educated in a convent of tertiary nuns, Maddalena and Teresa learned Latin, mathematics and astronomy from their family and their circle of learned friends, including the Accademia degli Inquieti ('Society of the Restless') formed by a teenage Eustachio to encourage discussions of literature and the sciences in their house.
In 1700, the family moved into the palace of Luigi Ferdinando Marsili. Maddalena and Teresa also moved with Eustachio when he became director of the Astronomical Observatory of Bologna in 1711.
The Manfredi family began making observations of the positions of astronomical objects at an astronomical dome that was prepared in their home in order to create ephemeris. The sisters carried out the computational work, which would have involved coming up with the best algorithm for the task and completing the calculations. Developments in computational techniques meant that some of the calculations could be carried out by non-specialists, meaning that their sister Agnese could also have collaborated in the work.
In 1715, Eustachio published his Ephemerides of celestial motion, which became a widely used reference for European astronomers. Eustachio credited his sisters with helping with the ephemeris since 1712, and particularly Maddalena with calculating the table of latitudes and longitudes included in the publication. She carried out the calculations 'in 1702 or 1703.'
The learning of the Manfredi sisters was acknowledged by Pope Benedict XIV and his friend Giovan Nicolò Bandiera, who praised their skill in 'suppositions of analysis, the meridian line, and ephemerides.'
Translation
Maddalena and Teresa carried out translations in Bolognese with their friends Teresa and Angiola Zanotti, another pair of learned and wealthy sisters who were the daughters of the artist Giampietro Zanotti, a member of the Accademia degli Inquieti. In 1740–1, the Manfredi and Zanotti sisters published a three-volume translation of the poem Bertoldo con Bertoldino e Cacasenno from Italian to the Bolognese dialect. This became 'the Bolognese bestseller of the century,' running to five editions. In 1742, they translated part of the Pentamerone by Giambattista Basile, publishing it anonymously as La chiaqlira dla banzola (The Gossip on the Bench), which had gone through six editions by 1883. The translation was inspired by the sisters' interest in the dialect and proverbs of their region, and contributed to fixing the spellings of the Bolognese dialect. La chiaqlira became a model for all subsequent translations into Bolognese.
References
1673 births
1679 births
1744 deaths
1767 deaths
Sister duos
18th-century Italian women scientists
18th-century Italian astronomers
Women astronomers
Human computers
18th-century Italian translators
18th-century linguists
Women linguists
People from Bologna | Maddalena and Teresa Manfredi | [
"Technology"
] | 759 | [
"Human computers",
"History of computing"
] |
78,453,696 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morchella%20mediterraneensis | Morchella mediterraneensis is a species of true morel, classified under the family Morchellaceae. First described in 2016, it belongs to the elata subclade (Morchella sect. Distantes). The species is notable for its distribution in Mediterranean regions, where it is one of the most common morel species.
Taxonomy and naming
The species was described by Taşkın, Büyükalaca, and Doğan in 2016 based on its morphological and molecular characteristics. The specific epithet mediterraneensis reflects one of its prevalence is in the Mediterranean biogeographical zone.
Description
The ascocarps are medium-sized, ranging from in height. The pileus is hollow, conical, and features a deep, narrow sulcus where it attaches to the stipe. The ridges are dark violet to black, while the pits are light gray to olive gray with bluish tinges when young, maturing to a honey-brown to golden-brown hue. The stipe is hollow and often constricted at the base, becoming cream-white to light honey-brown with age.
Spores are elliptical to oblong, measuring 20–24 × 11.2–13.8 µm, with faint wrinkling visible under scanning electron microscopy. Paraphyses are 2–4-septate, cylindrical, or clavate, while acroparaphyses are lanceolate to clavate with thickened walls.
Habitat and distribution
Morchella mediterraneensis is found primarily in Mediterranean regions but has been observed in areas extending to Spain and Greece. In Turkey, it grows under various conifers, including Pinus brutia, P. nigra, Cedrus libani, Juniperus excelsa, and Abies cilicica. It occurs at elevations ranging from .
Phylogenetics
Molecular phylogenetics studies have shown that Morchella mediterraneensis is closely related to Morchella snyderi, a species endemic to western North America. Despite their similar morphology, the two species are distinct, with the former having smaller spores and greenish-bluish tinges in young specimens.
Ecology
This species grows in symbiosis with various trees in mixed forests. It is commonly collected in Turkey and represents 83 of the 491 Morchella collections made in the country as of the study.
References
Further reading
Du X.-H., et al. (2012). "Multigene molecular phylogenetics reveals true morels are especially species-rich in China". Fungal Genetics and Biology 49: 455-469.
mediterraneensis
Fungi described in 2016
Fungus species
Biota of Turkey
Biota of Spain
Biota of Greece | Morchella mediterraneensis | [
"Biology"
] | 551 | [
"Fungi",
"Biota of Turkey",
"Fungus species",
"Biota of Greece",
"Biota by country",
"Biota of Spain"
] |
78,454,162 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montpellier%20vitalism | The vitalism of the Montpellier medical school, more succinctly called "Montpellier vitalism", is a medical and philosophical school of thought.
History
It emerged in France in the second half of the 18th century under the influence of physicians and philosophers shaped by the intellectual context of the time. Disease was interpreted in an original way as a dysfunction of the entire organism, compromising its integrity. This medical philosophy persisted for over a century and found fertile ground at the University of Montpellier, an institution renowned for its openness to philosophical ideas.
The term "vitalism" arose in the wake of the Montpellier school of medicine, in the south of France, and was notably introduced by Charles-Louis Dumas, dean of the city's Faculty of Medicine, in his Principes de Physiologie in 1800. The vitalism of this school viewed living organisms as indivisible units animated by a "vital principle" that could not be reduced to the physical activity of organs, though it was also distinct from the thinking soul. It positioned itself as an intermediate stance between the mechanistic perspective of the early 18th century and the animist vitalism attributed to Stahl, as well as between materialism and spiritualism.
By the late 18th century, the Montpellier school enjoyed significant prestige in France and entered into rivalry with the Paris school, which was more materialist and advocated an "organicist" approach to medicine, focused on the study of organs.
See also
Vitalism
University of Montpellier
Paul Joseph Barthez
Théophile de Bordeu
Xavier Bichat
References
Sources
Le Blanc, Guillaume (2004). "Le vitalisme (École de Montpellier)", in D. Lecourt (dir.), Dictionnaire de la pensée médicale. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, pp. 1208–1211 (in French).
Full text (in French).
Rey, Roselyne (2000). Naissance et développement du vitalisme en France de la fin du XVIIe siècle à la fin du XVIIIe siècle. Oxford: University of Oxford, Voltaire Foundation (in French, first ed. 1987).
External links
Philippe Huneman (2008), "Montpellier vitalism and the emergence of alienism in France (1750-1800): the case of passions".
History of biology
Obsolete scientific theories
Pseudoscience | Montpellier vitalism | [
"Biology"
] | 496 | [
"Non-Darwinian evolution",
"Vitalism",
"Biology theories"
] |
78,454,430 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easy%20Treesie | The Easy Treesie project was set up as a Climate Action initiative. It aims to plant a million trees with school children and their communities in Ireland. The Project has hosted 4 Plant-for-the-Planet Tree Academies at Baldoyle, 2017, Malahide, 2019, the Royal Irish Academy, 2020 and the first online Tree Academy in 2020. In collaboration with the Tree Council of Ireland over 500,000 tree saplings have been distributed by this initiative since its first joint large planting drive with Science Foundation Ireland during National Science Week in November 2019, when 30,000 saplings were planted in one week.
References
2. Dublin Gazette, 21st March 2019 "A Tree-mendous effort by Finglas kids to help the Planet and their Local Park.", retrieved 11th December 2024.
3. "Schoolchildren in Baldoyle join More Trees Now initiative to re-plant trees in our local parks", Burke, Sarah, (November 22, 2023), Irish Independent, Dublin, Ireland.
Environmental education
Nature conservation organisations based in Europe
Climate activists | Easy Treesie | [
"Environmental_science"
] | 219 | [
"Environmental education",
"Environmental social science"
] |
71,187,496 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aragats%20%28computer%29 | Aragats is a first-generation electronic computer developed at the Yerevan Computer Research and Development Institute (YerNIIMM). The elemental base is vacuum tubes. The work supervisor is B.E.Khaikin.
Development continued from 1958 to 1960. In total, 4 copies of the machine were produced.
The basis for the development was the M-3 computer, developed by the team of I. S. Bruk. Simultaneously with the work on "Aragats", and also on the basis of the M-3 scheme, the YerNIIMM developed the Razdan computer, based on a semiconductor element base. To assist in the creation of Razdan and Aragats, several employees of the Computing Center of the Academy of Sciences were seconded to Yerevan, the head of the group was A.P. Merenkov.
The head copy was acquired by Perm State University in 1961, although it was originally created for Leningrad State University. It was located on the basement floor of the educational building No. 2, and worked until 1973, until it was decommissioned. At the moment, the brass emblem from the computer is stored in the university museum.
Specifications
RAM – on ferrite cores
Information storage devices:
Magnetic drum
Magnetic tape
Punched tape
References
External links
Documents in the archive of Academician A. P. Ershov
A Brief History of YerNIIMM
Computer-related introductions in 1960
Soviet computer systems
Yerevan Computer Research and Development Institute | Aragats (computer) | [
"Technology"
] | 299 | [
"Computer systems",
"Soviet computer systems"
] |
71,187,636 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razdan%20%28computer%29 | Razdan is a family of general-purpose, digital electronic computers created from 1958–1965 at the Yerevan Computer Research and Development Institute (YerNIIMM). The computer has a semiconductor element base, that is, it belongs to computers of the second generation.
Razdan
The machine has been developed since 1958, based on the documentation for the M-3 machine (created under the direction of N.Ya.Matyukhin in the laboratory of I. S. Bruk). The head of the work is E. L. Brusilovsky.
In 1960, the Razdan machine was handed over to the State Commission.
Machine specifications
Command system: two-address, 17 basic commands, each of which has 8 modifications
Number system: binary, the word consists of 36 binary digits, of which 29 are the mantissa, 1 is the sign, 5 is the order, 1 is the sign of the order.
Speed: 5000 ops/sec.
Power consumption: approx. 3 kW from AC 220/380 V, 50 Hz.
Occupied area: 20 sq. m.
In parallel with the assembly and adjustment of Razdan, in the same research institute, work was underway on the creation of the "Aragats" computer, which has the same architecture. To assist in the creation of Razdan and Aragats, several employees of the Computing Center of the Academy of Sciences were seconded to Yerevan, the head of the group was A. P. Merenkov.
Razdan-2
Serially produced since 1961.
Entering and storing data and code is on perforated 35mm film.
Razdan-3
Put into operation in 1965, serial production of the machine began in 1966.
Used as a control computer for working with scientific equipment. in nuclear research.
There were several scientific programming languages compiled for it such as Fortran and Algol-60.
On the basis of this model, in 1967–1977 YerNIIMM developed a system for automating the process of selling railway tickets – the Marshrut-1 complex (chief designer – A. Kuchukyan). This complex was used for a long time at several railway stations in Moscow (and later formed the basis of the first generation Express automated control system). The developers of this system received the State Prize of the Armenian SSR in 1974.
References
External links
Razdan-2
Razdan-3
Documents in the archive of Academician A.P. Ershov
VSU Virtual Museum :: COMPUTER :: Razdan – “Razdan-2”
The main technical parameters of the universal digital machine Razdan-3
Computer-related introductions in 1960
Soviet computer systems
Yerevan Computer Research and Development Institute | Razdan (computer) | [
"Technology"
] | 557 | [
"Computer systems",
"Soviet computer systems"
] |
71,187,755 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demiplane%20%28company%29 | Demiplane is a company that creates digital toolsets for playing tabletop role-playing games which can be used as an aid to playing in person or remotely online. The Demiplane platform's main services are game matchmaking, game hosting and licensed content via the Nexus digital toolset. Nexus provides access to digital rulebooks, adventures, and other supplements; it also provides digital tools like a character builder and character sheets. The platform was launched in 2020; early access to Nexus launched in 2021. In June 2024, the company was acquired by the virtual tabletop (VTT) company Roll20.
The company has also produced and broadcast several web series on their official Twitch and YouTube channels. This includes the ongoing actual play web series Children of Éarte created and run by Deborah Ann Woll which launched in March 2022.
History
Origins
In 2019, Demiplane was founded by Peter Romenesko and Travis Frederick with the platform launching officially in 2020. Romenesko and Frederick grew up in the Lake Geneva area playing tabletop games together "and eventually re-united to build Demiplane". Demiplane acts as a platform for various tabletop role-playing game tools such as game hosting and matchmaking, shared game journals, and digital compendiums for licensed games. The company has received funding from TitletownTech and uses TitletownTech's startup incubator office space.
In March 2021, Adam Bradford – founder of D&D Beyond – joined the company as the Chief Development Officer. From October to December 2021, Demiplane announced three partnerships for their new Nexus digital toolset: Pathfinder Nexus with Paizo, World of Darkness Nexus (for games such as Vampire: The Masquerade and Werewolf: the Apocalypse) with Paradox Interactive, and Free League Nexus with Free League Publishing. An early access version of Pathfinder Nexus, titled Pathfinder Primer, was launched at the time of the announcement. Nexus has been called the "equivalent to digital toolset D&D Beyond" for other role-playing games.
In April 2022, Demiplane announced that they will host the new Marvel tabletop role-playing game titled Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game NEXUS with the digital playtest rulebook and early access given to users who pre-order the game. In June 2022, early access for Vampire: The Masquerade Nexus was launched. This is the first Demiplane toolset to include digital/physical bundles for a roleplaying game. Demiplane also announced that they are developing Nexus support for the World of Darkness game Hunter: The Reckoning. In October 2022, Magpie Games announced that early access for Avatar Legends Nexus, Demiplane's digital toolset Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game, was launching that month.
In February 2023, Demiplane announced the upcoming 5E Nexus which will support third-party Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D) publishers who use the D&D 5.1 System Reference Document; this announcement included "pre-launch" tools such as 5E group matchmaking and group creation. A rule compendium, a digital reader, and a character builder are scheduled to be released in waves over 2023. Bradford said the intent at the moment was not to partner with Wizards of the Coast on official D&D products. In September 2023, early access for 5E Nexus launched with third party sourcebooks such as Tal'Dorei Reborn by Darrington Press, Tome of Beasts 1 & 2 by Kobold Press and Grim Hollow: The Monster Grimoire by Ghostfire Games. In October 2023, digital character tools officially launched for Vampire: The Masquerade. In February 2024, full access to Alien RPG Nexus for Free League's ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game is scheduled to launch.
Acquisition by Roll20
In June 2024, it was announced that the virtual tabletop (VTT) company Roll20 had acquired Demiplane. Roll20 CEO Ankit Lal stated: "We want to make it as easy as possible for you to build your first character, to get into your first game, to try out playing TTRPGs. And we think the combination of the Roll20 VTT and the Demiplane character sheet ecosystem is going to do that". Christian Hoffer of ComicBook.com reported that this acquisition "won't have any immediate impact on users of either platform, but Demiplane CEO Peter Romenesko noted that the merged companies will look to close the difference between their two platforms very quickly". Roll20 stated that they "don’t plan on making any changes to the 5e Nexus on Demiplane".
J. R. Zambrano, for Bell of Lost Souls, commented that "it seems that an era of consolidation is on the way as players like WotC and Roll20 move to consolidate their powerbases". It was also announced that due to the merger between Roll20 and Demiplane, Adam Bradford would be leaving the company. Bradford then announced that he would join SmiteWorks, which operates the virtual tabletop Fantasy Grounds, as their new Chief Development Officer.
Toolsets
Demiplane's content and game management system is primarily browser-based, and is fully functional on both mobile and desktop browsers.
Game matchmaking
Demiplane provides a free matchmaking service for over 180 roleplaying games; it is modeled on the matchmaking services offered in online multiplayer video games. Users can select various attributes such as group size and game style/themes. These user selections go into an algorithm to match groups together which includes the option of chat discussion to review expectations with the Game Master. After games, players and Game Masters can rate each other; other users can see these ratings during future matchmaking.
Game hosting
Demiplane's free game hosting service provides text and video chats for users in a game; this feature also provides breakout rooms for Game Masters to use to "reveal secrets to specific players". The platform provides tools for hosted games such as dice rolling, "shared and searchable journals", and task/inventory tracking. Demiplane has built in roleplaying game safety tools such as a raise hand button which anonymously flags to the Game Master that a player feels the game is going outside of pre-determined boundaries. In 2021, Frederick stated that Demiplane isn't intended as a virtual tabletop (VTT) platform or to compete with VTT companies such as Fantasy Grounds and Roll20. Instead, Frederick sees Demiplane as "sideways compatible" with VTT platforms as users can launch VTTs "from within Demiplane".
Game Masters also have the option to host paid game sessions on Demiplane by setting the cost per player and players have the option to provide tips. Demiplane facilitates payment – Game Masters receive 95% of the cost per player & tips; players are charged a 5.5% fee (based on the cost per player and on tips) by Demiplane.
Nexus
Customers can use a specific game's Nexus by purchasing access to licensed content in Demiplane's marketplace. Nexus provides access to a digital reader for role-playing game rulebooks, compendium content, and character sheets for licensed games. The compendium content is a digital version of the book (as HTML, not a PDF); it includes cross-links and tooltips for game rules mentioned in the text. Access to the book's options in the rest of Nexus allows purchased content to be used with the character builder and other tools. It can also provide additional features to hosted games.
Users can purchase access to games such as: Pathfinder Second Edition, the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game, Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition, the ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game, Mutant: Year Zero, Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game, Hunter: The Reckoning, and Candela Obscura.
Following the purchase of Demiplane, Roll20 began to support cross-platform access so that content unlocked on one platform would be automatically unlocked on the other platform. , Paizo, Darrington Press, Kobold Press, and Renegade Game Studio have granted permission for cross-platform access to their products.
Streaming shows
The company has also produced and broadcast the following shows on their official Twitch and YouTube channels:
Heroes of the Planes (2021) – an actual play web series using the Fifth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons, led by Todd Kenreck as the Dungeon Master with the cast of players featuring Hope LaVelle, B. Dave Walters, Jennifer Kretchmer, Adam Bradford, Lauren Urban and Meagan Kenreck. It follows adventurers as they travel the multiverse. It ran for 37 episodes.
Demiplanar (2021) – B. Dave Walters hosts a web talk show where he interviews various people in the tabletop role-playing game industry. It ran for 11 episodes.
Strixhaven CHAOS (2022) – an actual play eight-part limited series using the Fifth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons, led by B. Dave Walters as the Dungeon Master with the cast of players featuring Hope LaVelle, Jennifer Kretchmer, Lauren Urban and Adam Bradford. The game is set in the Strixhaven campaign setting.
Children of Éarte (2022) – an ongoing actual play web series using the Fifth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons, led by Deborah Ann Woll as the Dungeon Master with the cast of players featuring Hope LaVelle, Alicia Marie, Adam Bradford, Lauren Urban, and Jennifer Kretchmer. The show has been described as a "fairy tale for grown ups". The show was nominated for the "Best Overlay Design (Actual Play Video)" and the "Outstanding Actual Play (Video)" awards at the 2023 New Jersey Web Festival; Woll was nominated for the "Best Game Master (Actual Play Video)" award and Urban was nominated for the "Best Player Character Performance" award for their work on the show.
Extinction Race (2022) – an actual play four-part limited series using the Mutant: Year Zero ruleset, led by Josh Simons as the Game Master with the cast of players featuring Aliza Pearl, Catie Osborn, Mellie Doucette, Michelle Nguyen Bradley and Omega Jones. The show corresponded with launch of the Mutant: Year Zero Nexus.
References
Browser-based game websites
Free-content websites
Internet properties established in 2019
Mobile content
Role-playing game software
Role-playing game websites | Demiplane (company) | [
"Technology"
] | 2,129 | [
"Mobile content"
] |
71,189,193 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s%20oldest%20architectural%20practices%20continuously%20operating | This article lists the oldest extant architectural practices in the world. Very few architectural practices are still operating whose foundation pre-dates the beginning of the 20th C and it would not be unreasonable to conclude that any practice that was founded in the 18th or 19th C should be listed as amongst the oldest surviving architectural firms around the globe. In order to qualify for the list a practice must:
be predominantly an architectural practice, designing and constructing buildings and like structures
be registered in their home territory as architects or architectural designers
be operating continuously from the date of foundation, albeit a change of names or ownership is likely over intervening centuries
be evidenced by relevant authoritative sources
18th century
19th century
References
Architecture lists | World's oldest architectural practices continuously operating | [
"Engineering"
] | 135 | [
"Architecture lists",
"Architecture"
] |
71,190,099 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James%20Pinfold | James Lewis Pinfold (born 1950 in Ealing, West London) is a British-Canadian physicist, specializing in particle physics.
Education and career
Pinfold graduated in physics in 1972 with a B.Sc. from Imperial College London and in 1977 with a Ph.D. from the University of London. His Ph.D. thesis was on weak neutral currents, stemming from his work as part of the Gargamelle discovery team. From 1977 to 1989 he held research assistant and senior research assistant positions at CERN (near Geneva) and Fermilab (near Chicago). From 1989 to 1992 he was an associate professor at the Weizmann Institute of Science. At the University of Alberta, he was from 1992 to 1996 an associate professor and from 1996 to 2016 a full professor, and he is since 2016 a distinguished university professor. From 1995 to 2004 he was the University of Alberta's Centre for Subatomic Research (renamed in 2006 the Centre for Particle Physics). Since 2005 he has held a visiting professorship at King's College London. He frequently travels back and forth between the University of Alberta and CERN in Geneva. He is the author or co-author of over 1250 citable publications and has given over 220 invited talks.
Pinfold was from 1988 to 1989 the spokesperson for CERN's WA88 experiment. From 1987 to 1992 he was the spokesperson for the MODAL experiment at CERN's Large Electron Positron Collider (LEP). He was one of the founders in the 1990s of the ATLAS experiment involved in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) discovery of the Higgs boson. From 2000 to 2002 he was the deputy spokesperson for ATLAS-Canada. Since 2000 he is the leader and spokesperson for the MoEDAL experiment. From 2004 to 2010 he was the deputy co-spokesperson for the SLIM experiment.
In 2007, he won an award from ASTech (Alberta Science & Technology Leadership Foundation) for his leadership in starting the Alberta Large-area Time-coincidence Array, or ALTA, Project. This educational and research project "involves spreading out many cosmic-ray detectors over vast areas, connecting them through the Internet, and synchronising their readings with an integrated GPS system. Most of the detectors are run by high school students". In 2013 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). In 2018 he received the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Prize.
Selected publications
1973
References
External links
(MoEDAL experiment spokesperson James Pinfold)
1950 births
Living people
Alumni of Imperial College London
Alumni of the University of London
Academic staff of the University of Alberta
20th-century British physicists
21st-century British physicists
20th-century Canadian physicists
21st-century Canadian physicists
Particle physicists
People associated with CERN
Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada | James Pinfold | [
"Physics"
] | 578 | [
"Particle physicists",
"Particle physics"
] |
71,191,731 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jal%20Sahelis | Jal Sahelis (translated as friends of water) are group of women from Bundelkhand who are engaged in reviving dry water bodies. The women in the group are illiterate or semi literate. Their hard efforts resulted in development of villages in the region in many ways.
History
Jal Sahelis was formed in 2005 with group of women from Madhogarh village in Jalaun Tehsil of the Bundelkhand region. It is a group of around 1000 women engaged in improving 200 villages. Their efforts are spread over 7 districts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The women in the group are aged in the group of 18 years to 70 years.
To resolve water crises they conduct meetings with local panchayat bodies. The women in the area earlier had to walk long distances for a pot of water and the area also lost agriculture productivity due to water shortages. Around 100 villages in four districts of Uttar Pradesh could resolve water issues due to their efforts. In 2022, they released a manifesto for political parties on environmental conservation.
Efforts
Their efforts led to improvements in socio-economic development, in agriculture productivity, construction of a check dam, digging wells, constructing reservoirs, installing and repairing handpumps, creating soak pits, digging ponds, lake building, alleviation of caste-related fights over water.
Award
The United Nations Development Programme awarded the group with the Water Champion Award.
See also
Water scarcity in India
References
Bundelkhand
Water
Environmentalism in India | Jal Sahelis | [
"Environmental_science"
] | 299 | [
"Water",
"Hydrology"
] |
71,192,202 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zytek%20ZA1348 | The Zytek ZA1348, also known as the Zytek ZA348, is a 3.4-liter, naturally-aspirated, V8 racing engine, designed, developed and produced by British manufacturer Zytek, between 2003 and 2004. It was specifically constructed and built as the spec-engine for the new A1GP open-wheel formula racing series, and debuted in 2005. It powered the Lola B05/52 A1 Grand Prix car. It produced between , and around of torque. A slightly detuned version of the engine, producing around , but a similar torque figure of , was used in the Ginetta G50Z sports racing car. The engine itself is very light, weighing only , constructed out of cast aluminum alloy.
Applications
Lola B05/52
Ginetta G50Z
References
Engines by model
Gasoline engines by model
Zytek engines
V8 engines | Zytek ZA1348 | [
"Technology"
] | 183 | [
"Engines",
"Engines by model"
] |
71,192,623 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobuster | Gobuster is a software tool for brute forcing directories on web servers. It does not come preinstalled with Kali Linux.
See also
Nikto
References
External links
Free security software
Computer security software | Gobuster | [
"Technology",
"Engineering"
] | 43 | [
"Computer security stubs",
"Computing stubs",
"Cybersecurity engineering",
"Computer security software"
] |
71,192,733 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teapot%20effect | The teapot effect, also known as dribbling, is a fluid dynamics phenomenon that occurs when a liquid being poured from a container runs down the spout or the body of the vessel instead of flowing out in an arc.
Markus Reiner coined the term "teapot effect" in 1956 to describe the tendency of liquid to dribble down the side of a vessel while pouring. Reiner received his PhD at TU Wien in 1913 and made significant contributions to the development of the study of flow behavior known as rheology. Reiner believed the teapot effect could be explained by Bernoulli's principle, which states that an increase in the speed of a fluid is always accompanied by a decrease in its pressure. When tea is poured from a teapot, the liquid's speed increases as it flows through the narrowing spout. This decrease in pressure was what Reiner thought to cause the liquid to dribble down the side of the pot.
However, a 2021 study found the primary cause of the phenomenon to be an interaction of inertia and capillary forces. The study found that the smaller the angle between the container wall and the liquid surface, the more the teapot effect is slowed down.
Research
Around 1950, researchers from the Technion Institute in Haifa (Israel) and from New York University tried to explain this effect scientifically. In fact, there are two phenomena that contribute to this effect: on the one hand, the Bernoulli equation is used to explain it, on the other hand, the adhesion between the liquid and the spout material is also important.
According to the Bernoulli explanation, the liquid is pressed against the inner edge of the spout when pouring out, because the pressure conditions at the end, the edge, change significantly; the surrounding air pressure pushes the liquid towards the spout. With the help of a suitable pot geometry (or a sufficiently high pouring speed) it can be avoided that the liquid reaches the spout and thus triggers the teapot effect. Laws of hydrodynamics (flow theory) describe this situation, the relevant ones are explained in the following sections.
Since adhesion also plays a role, the material of the spout or the type of liquid (water, alcohol or oil, for example) is also relevant for the occurrence of the teapot effect.
The Coandă effect is sometimes mentioned in this context, but it is rarely cited in the scientific literature and is therefore not precisely defined. Often several different phenomena seem to be mixed up in this one.
Continuity equation
In hydrodynamics, the behavior of flowing liquids is illustrated by flow lines. They run in the same direction as the flow itself. If the outflowing liquid hits an edge, the flow is compressed into a smaller cross-section. It only does not break off if the flow rate of liquid particles remains constant, regardless of where an imaginary cross section (perpendicular to the flow) is located. So the same amount of mass must flow in through one cross-sectional area as flows out of another. One can now conclude from this, but also observe in reality, that the flow accelerates at bottlenecks and the streamlines are bundled. This situation describes the continuity equation for non-turbulent flows.
Bernoulli equation
But what happens to the pressure conditions in the flow if you change the flow speed? The scientist Daniel Bernoulli dealt with this question as early as the beginning of the 18th century. Based on the considerations of continuity mentioned above, and incorporating the conservation of energy, he linked the two quantities of pressure and speed. The core statement of the Bernoulli equation is that the pressure in a liquid falls where the velocity increases (and vice versa): Flow according to Bernoulli and Venturi.
Impact
The pressure in the flow is reduced at the edge of the can spout. However, since the air pressure on the outside of the flow is the same everywhere, there is a pressure difference that pushes the liquid to the edge. Depending on the materials used, the outside of the spout is now wetted during the flow process. At this point, additional interfacial forces occur : the liquid runs as a narrow trickle along the spout and can until it detaches from the underside.
The unwanted teapot effect only occurs when pouring slowly and carefully. In fast pouring, the liquid flows out of the spout in an arc without dripping, so it is given a relatively high velocity with which the liquid moves away from the edge (see Torricelli outflow velocity). The pressure difference resulting from the Bernoulli equation is then not sufficient to influence the flow to such an extent that the liquid is pushed around the edge of the spout.
Since the flow conditions can be described mathematically, a critical outflow velocity is also defined. If it falls below when pouring, the liquid flows down the pot; it drips. Theoretically, this speed could be precisely calculated for a specific can geometry, the current air pressure and the fill level of the can, the spout material, the viscosity of the liquid and the pouring angle. Since, apart from the fill level, most of the influencing variables cannot be changed (at least not sufficiently precisely in practice), the only way to avoid the teapot effect is usually to choose a suitable geometry for the pot.
Another phenomenon is the reduction in air pressure between the spout and the jet of liquid due to the entrainment of gas molecules (one-sided water jet pumping effect), so that the air pressure on the opposite side would push the jet of liquid to the spout side. However, under the conditions usually prevailing when pouring tea, this effect will hardly appear.
Consequence
A good jug should, regardless of fashion, have a spout with a tear-off edge (i.e. no rounded edge) to make it more difficult to run around the edge. More importantly, the spout should first lead upwards (regardless of the position in which the jug is held). As a result, the liquid would be forced to flow upwards after going around the edge of the spout when pouring, but this is prevented by gravity. The flow can thus resist wetting even when pouring slowly and the liquid does not reach the downwardly inclined part of the spout and the body of the jug.
The image on the right shows three vessels in the front row, with poor pouring behavior. Even in a horizontal position, that is standing on the table, the bottom edges of the spouts do not point upwards. Behind are four vessels with good flow characteristics resulting from well formed tips. Here, the liquid rises at the lower edge of the spout at an angle of less than 45°. In part, this only becomes apparent when one considers the normal maximum fill level: the glass carafe on the far right, for example, appears at first glance to be a poor pourer because of its slender neck. However, since such vessels are generally filled at most up to the edge of the round part of the flask, an advantageous rise at the neck is then obtained when pouring horizontally.Upward angle for the liquid when pouring. With the two lower jugs on the right, the high position of the spout (above the maximum filling level) means that the vessel has to be tilted quite a bit before pouring, so that the spout can also be pushed up directly after the edge (against gravity). indicates.
To avoid the teapot effect, the pot can be filled less, so that a larger tilting angle is necessary from the start. However, the effect or the ideal filling level again depends on the can geometry.
The teapot effect does not occur with bottles because the slender neck of the bottle always points upwards when pouring; the current would therefore have to "flow uphill" a long way. Bottle-like containers are therefore often used for liquid chemicals in the laboratory. Certain materials are also used there to prevent dripping, for example glass, which can be easily shaped or even ground to create the sharpest possible edges, or Teflon, for example, which reduces the adhesion effect described above.
Drip catcher
See also
Adhesion
Coandă effect
Stall (fluid dynamics)
References
Further reading
, Alcock, Lindley & Bloore Ltd, https://web.archive.org/web/20230128230232/https://www.teaforum.org/viewtopic.php?t=1980, https://web.archive.org/web/20230128230443/https://cauldonceramics.com/products/re-engineered-ian-mcintyre-brown-betty-4-cup-teapot-with-infuser-in-rockingham-brown-by-cauldon-ceramics
(NB. Picture shows the anti-drip groove and pinhole underneath the spout of Melitta coffee pots (protected by patents) model No. 301 for 1½ cups and model No. 304 for 4 cups, presumably manufactured in the 1920s or 1930s.)
(9 pages)
(4 pages)
(3 pages)
(44 pages)
(1+2+186+2 pages) (NB. The print run of this publication is limited to 1000 pieces.)
(1+195+1 pages) (NB. The print run of this publication is limited to 1000 pieces. The corresponding patent appears to be 476417.)
(2 pages)
(2 pages)
(xvi+249+3 pages)
https://feldlilie.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/physikfrage-12485521/
https://www.stevenabbott.co.uk/practical-coatings/Teapot.php
https://thiru.de/pages/teekanne-tropft
https://www.kalkspatzforum.de/viewtopic.php?t=2417
https://teehaus-bachfischer.de/tropfenfaenger-fuer-teekannen, https://sterntee.de/navi.php?a=15902 drop catcher
Fluid dynamics
Teapots
Coffee preparation
Pottery | Teapot effect | [
"Chemistry",
"Engineering"
] | 2,106 | [
"Piping",
"Chemical engineering",
"Fluid dynamics"
] |
71,194,216 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EU%20Tauri | EU Tauri is a variable star in the equatorial constellation of Taurus. With a brightness that cycles around an apparent visual magnitude of 8.07, it is too faint to be visible to the naked eye. The distance to this star is approximately 3,900 light years based on parallax measurements, but it is drifting closer with a radial velocity of −2.5 km/s. The position of this star near the ecliptic means it is subject to lunar occultations.
The variability of this star was first reported by C. Hoffmeister in 1949, who later reported it as not variable. It was initially classified as an eclipsing binary of the W Ursae Majoris type by F. B. Wood and associates in 1963, based on observations by T. A. Azarnova in 1950–1951. Analysis of photoelectric data by E. F. Guinan in 1966 suggested this is instead a cepheid-type variable with a short pulsation period of about 2.105 days. He refined this period to 2.1051 days in 1972.
A study of the light curve of this and other cepheids in 1981 showed it belongs to a small group with unusually short periods and distinctive behavior. This indicated that EU Tauri may be a "first overtone" pulsator. Gieren and J. M. Matthews in 1987 suggested that the star may instead have two pulsation periods, but this was later refuted. The evidence now mostly supports the idea that the pulsation of the star is in a "radial first overtone mode". The 1% radius variation during a pulsation cycle is relatively small for a star of this class. By 2007, scattered observations over a 35-year time frame indicated that the pulsation period of this s-Cepheid may have changed.
References
Further reading
Cepheid variables
Taurus (constellation)
BD+18 955
038321
027183
Tauri, EU | EU Tauri | [
"Astronomy"
] | 414 | [
"Taurus (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
71,194,415 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC%20Desire%2022%20Pro | HTC Desire 22 Pro is an Android-based smartphone manufactured by HTC. The phone was announced in June 2022.
Design
The display of the phone is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. The back panel is made from ceramic. It has IP67 rating for water and dust protection. The colour options are Wave Gold and Starry Night Black.
Hardware
It use the Snapdragon 695 chipset and offer UFS 3.1 with expandable storage. It comes in a single 8 GB+128 GB configuration. The phone has 6.6-inch full-HD+ (1080×2412 pixels) display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The phone has a 4250 mAh battery with 18 W charging. It has an option for wireless charging. Its camera comes out with a 64 MP primary sensor paired with 13 MP and 5 MP secondary cameras for ultrawide and depth-sensing. The front camera offers a 32 MP selfie shooter.
References
Android (operating system) devices
Desire 22 Pro
Phablets
Mobile phones introduced in 2022 | HTC Desire 22 Pro | [
"Technology"
] | 223 | [
"Crossover devices",
"Phablets"
] |
71,195,661 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleofauna%20of%20the%20Messel%20Formation | This is an overview of the of the Eocene Messel Formation as explored by the Messel Pit excavations in Germany. A former quarry and now UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Messel Formation preserves what lived in and around a meromictic lake surrounded by a paratropical rainforest during the latest early to earliest middle Eocene, approximately 47 Ma. A complete list of animal taxa was published in 2024.
Sponges
Molluscs
Crustaceans
Arachnids
Araneae
Opiliones
Insects
Coleoptera
Dictyopterans
Dipterans
Hemiptera
Hymenoptera
Lepidoptera
Neuroptera
Odonata
Orthoptera
Phasmatodea
Fish
Amiiformes
Anguilliformes
Lepisosteiformes
Perciformes
Thaumaturidae
Amphibians
Caudata
Anura
Squamata
Testudinata
Crocodyliformes
Birds
Palaeognathae
Anseriformes
Galliformes
Mirandornithes
Cuculiformes
Strisores
Charadriiformes
Gruimorphae
Suliformes
Pelecaniformes
Strigiformes
Coraciimorphae
Cariamiformes (?)
Several groups of Messel birds share characteristics with the modern seriemas, which has led to them being placed within the clade Cariamae in the past. However, this placement typically occurred under the assumption that they are a group within gruiformes, which has been disputed by more recent analysis. Instead more recent publications consider Cariamae (or Cariamiformes) as basal members of Australaves.
Falconiformes
Psittacopasserae
Incertae sedis
Mammals
Apatotheria
Artiodactyla
Chiroptera
Cimolesta
Eulipotyphla
Leptictida
Metatheria
Pan-Carnivora
Pholidota
Perissodactyla
Primates
Rodentia
References
Eocene life
Natural history of Germany
Eocene animals of Europe
Messel Pit
Messel Pit
Messel Formation | Paleofauna of the Messel Formation | [
"Biology"
] | 413 | [
"Cenozoic paleobiotas",
"Prehistoric fauna by locality",
"Prehistoric biotas"
] |
71,196,244 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen%20sulfide%20chemosynthesis | Hydrogen sulfide chemosynthesis is a form of chemosynthesis which uses hydrogen sulfide. It is common in hydrothermal vent microbial communities Due to the lack of light in these environments this is predominant over photosynthesis.
Giant tube worms use bacteria in their trophosome to fix carbon dioxide (using hydrogen sulfide as their energy source) and produce sugars and amino acids. Some reactions produce sulfur:
hydrogen sulfide chemosynthesis:
18H2S + 6CO2 + 3O2 → C6H12O6 (carbohydrate) + 12H2O + 18S
In the above process, hydrogen sulfide serves as a source of electrons for the reaction. Instead of releasing oxygen gas while fixing carbon dioxide as in photosynthesis, hydrogen sulfide chemosynthesis produces solid globules of sulfur in the process.
Mechanism of Action
In deep sea environments, different organisms have been observed to have the ability to oxidize reduced compounds such as hydrogen sulfide. Oxidation is the loss of electrons in a chemical reaction. Most chemosynthetic bacteria form symbiotic associations with other small eukaryotes The electrons that are released from hydrogen sulfide will provide the energy to sustain a proton gradient across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. This movement of protons will eventually result in the production of adenosine triphosphate. The amount of energy derived from the process is also dependent on the type of final electron acceptor.
Other Examples Of Chemosynthetic Organisms (using H2S as electron donor)
Across the world, researchers have observed different organisms in various locations capable of carrying out the process. Yang and colleagues in 2011 surveyed five Yellowstone thermal springs of varying depths and observed that the distribution of chemosynthetic microbes coincided with temperature as Sulfurihydrogenibiom was found at higher temperatures while Thiovirga inhabited cooler waters Miyazaki et al., in 2020 also found an endosymbiont capable of hydrogen sulfide chemosynthesis which contained campylobacter species and a gastropod from the genus Alviniconcha oxidise hydrogen sulfide in the Indian Ocean Furthermore, chemosynthetic bacteria such as purple sulfur bacteria have yellow globules of sulfur visible in their cytoplasm.
References
Biochemistry
Metabolism
Organisms living on hydrothermal vents
Ecosystems
Environmental microbiology
Biological processes | Hydrogen sulfide chemosynthesis | [
"Chemistry",
"Biology",
"Environmental_science"
] | 491 | [
"Symbiosis",
"Organisms by adaptation",
"Environmental microbiology",
"Organisms by habitat",
"Ecosystems",
"nan",
"Cellular processes",
"Biochemistry",
"Organisms living on hydrothermal vents",
"Metabolism"
] |
71,197,090 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millitome | A millitome (from Latin mille, meaning "thousand," as in millimeter, and the Greek temnein meaning "to cut") is a device designed to hold a freshly procured organ and facilitate cutting it into many small tissue blocks for usage in single-cell analysis. A millitome has discrete, equally placed cutting grooves in both the x and y directions to guide a carbon steel cutting knife to produce uniformly sized slices or cubes of tissue material. Millitome design and usage was developed by the HIVE MC-IU Team, Indiana University (PI: Katy Börner; NIH Award No: OT2OD026671) and members of the Cyberinfrastructure for Network Science Center (CNS) for the Human Reference Atlas project, which is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Common Fund’s Human Biomolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP).
Millitomes are used to create uniformly sized tissue blocks that match the shape and size of organs from HuBMAP's 3D Reference Object Library. A millitome has an associated digital data package that includes an STL file, a spreadsheet for assigning spatial locations to HuBMAP IDs, and a metadata file with information about the size, dimensions, donor sex, and laterality of the reference organ for which the millitome is fitted. The procedures outlined here describe how millitomes are generated and how spatial locations for each slice or cube are retained in the Human Reference Atlas.
Models
A millitome modeler creates millitome 3D files that can be 3D printed and is responsible for generating matching 3D virtual blocks for use in the HuBMAP CCF Exploration User Interface or other virtual environments. OpenScad, an open-source, code-based 3D modeler, is used to create the 3D geometry. All millitome models use 3D reference organs from the NLM Visible Human Project available via the Human Reference Atlas Portal.
The resulting 3D model has two main uses:
provides 3D geometry data which can be 3D printed, creating a physical millitome. In this case, the 3D files are exported in STL format and imported into a 3D printing application such as Ultimaker Cura or Matter Control.
provides 3D data for tissue blocks cut with the same millitome to be used in a web interface like HuBMAP's EUI.
Using the same 3D geometry for both purposes guarantees that dimensions, proportions and other attributes of a specific millitome match in both the physical and virtual versions.
Access and usage
A millitome user visits the HRA Millitome website to access precompiled millitomes for different organs and select the best matching organs in terms of donor sex, organ laterality (if applicable), organ size, and cutting distances. The user then downloads a data file package for the customized millitome that comprises three files:
an STL file used to 3D print the millitome tissue cutting tool
a Lookup CSV file that ties predefined millitome IDs to HuBMAP IDs
a Metadata CSV file with information about the millitome to ensure reproducibility
The STL file can be 3D printed in house or sent to a commercial printing service. The Lookup CSV file ties millitome IDs (denoting a tissue block on the millitome) to HuBMAP IDs (physical tissue blocks cut with the millitome). The Metadata CSV file provides the following metadata about the millitome: organ, sex, laterality (if applicable), size of tissue block, and size of the cutting grid used by the millitome. It also contains metadata about each millitome ID in the millitome STL: x, y, z-position and x, y-dimension.
Use in cutting tissue
The millitome tray is used with a carbon or stainless steel knife. Once the organ is cut, the location and rotation of all tissue blocks should be maintained. Ice cube trays have been used successfully to keep tissue blocks separated and in order. As one 3D printing of a millitome can take several hours, organ SMEs interested in acquiring many tissue cubes from a whole organ should pre-print millitomes of standard sizes and keep them on hand in their labs. This allows for human tissue to be cut immediately when it becomes available.
Identifying tissue blocks
The Lookup CSV spreadsheet provided as part of the data package lists Millitome IDs that have been pre-assigned to each block in the cutting grid. Militome IDs are assigned using numbers for the y-axis, letters for the x-axis, and letters “b” or “t” for bottom/top laterality. The Millitome User records the Tissue Block ID assigned to each tissue sample based on their location within the millitome. This allows data from the tissue sample to be connected to a particular virtual tissue block location within the reference organ.
Reviewing Millitome Tissue Registrations
Once the millitome data package has been ingested by the Infrastructure Engagement Component of the HuBMAP Consoritum, the millitome user visits the Exploration User Interface to verify that the size, placement, and orientation of all tissue blocks is correct. Information on this process is outlined in the Registration User Interface SOP under the section "Checking Your Registration with the Exploration User Interface." If corrections or adjustments are needed, the millitome user contacts the facilitator to make the updates.
References
External links
HuBMAP Consortium
HuBMAP Visible Human MOOC (VHMOOC)
Cyberinfrastructure for Network Science (CNS) Center
Histology
Surgical instruments | Millitome | [
"Chemistry"
] | 1,178 | [
"Histology",
"Microscopy"
] |
71,197,155 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MN18 | MN18 is a blue supergiant in the constellation of Circinus, about 5.6 kiloparsecs away, or about 18,300 light years away, likely in the open cluster Lynga 3. MN18 is surrounded by a bipolar nebula, quite uncommon around blue supergiants, and some other examples of blue supergiants with bipolar nebulae include HD 168625, Sher 25 and SBW 1.
Properties
Fitting the star's spectrum with synthetic models suggests that it has a temperature of around 21,100 K. Assuming an absolute magnitude of -6.8 (typical for B1 supergiants) and its temperature, it probably has a luminosity around 260,000 times that of the Sun, and so it's probably about 38.5 times the size of the Sun. These parameters can be mostly replicated with a model of a 5.5 million year old star with an initial mass of 30 solar masses, what MN18's initial conditions might have been, which means that MN18 might be about 5.5 million years old. However, that model has significantly different carbon, nitrogen and oxygen abundances compared to MN18, for example, the nitrogen abundance is much lower in the synthetic model than in MN18.
The star is heavily reddened, with E(B-V) of 1.97, because of the huge amounts of dust between it and us. Also because of this dust, it is heavily obscured with a visual extinction of 6.4222 magnitudes. This means that only 1/371 of its light reaches us, and the rest (most of the light) is absorbed by the aforementioned dust.
Bipolar Nebula
MN18's bipolar nebula measures approximately 1.7 by 2.5 arcminutes across, and appears as two lobes extending for about 70 arcsec in the northwest and southeast directions from a bright ring (the most visible section) centred on MN18. At a distance of 5.6 kpc, the extent of the lobes from the central star is about 1.9 parsecs (about 6.2 light years), which means that this bipolar nebula's diameter should be about 3.8 parsecs (about 12.4 light years). At a distance of 5.6 kpc, the ring would have a radius of 0.29 parsecs (about 0.95 light years). This, combined with the expanding velocity of the ring suggests a kinematic age of around 37,000 years.
Origin
The formation of the ring surrounding the star was probably due to MN18's past very high rotational velocity. Such high rotational velocities likely means that MN18 was or still is a member of a close binary system. If this is the case, then MN18 has likely suffered a lot of angular momentum loss on a time scale less than the age of the ring, suggested by its presently moderate rotational velocity, which could be explained by a strong magnetic field and a high mass loss rate, possible in merging binary systems because of the strong shear created.
Arc
There is a bright arc-like feature attached to the southwestern edge of the southeastern lobe of the nebula surrounding MN18, and there is a star within this arc, near its apex. This star is listed as a member of Lynga 3 as number 11 (hence its designation of Lynga 3-11). The arc-like feature is likely created from interaction between Lynga 3-11's stellar wind and MN18's bipolar nebula, evidenced by enhanced brightness near the supposed place of contact between nebula and stellar wind. If this is true, than Lynga 3-11 should have a strong stellar wind, i.e. an OB star. Its spectral type (derived from its different magnitudes in different wavelengths, recorded by 2MASS) is estimated to be O6V, assuming a distance of 5.6 kpc, but it could be earlier or later depending on its exact distance.
Cluster Membership
MN18 is a possible member of the open cluster Lynga 3, however as Lynga 3 appeared to be an older cluster (its age is estimated to be about 832 million years old, compared to MN18's 5.5-10 million years old), this membership was doubted. Then a nearby star, 2MASS J15164297-5822197, was discovered to be a massive late-O or early-B type star, i.e. hotter than MN18. The presence of a massive and so rare star so close to MN18 suggests that they could be in the same star cluster, i.e. Lynga 3. This star could be either 4.7 or 7 kpc away, which is compatible with MN18's 5.6 kpc's margin of error (+1.5 -1.2 kpc), supporting the supposition that both stars might be members of the same cluster. However, the mean radial velocity of the spectral lines of 2MASS J15164297-5822197 is more than twice that of MN18. Although this difference might indicate that the two stars are unrelated to each other and are simply projected by chance along the same line-of-sight, it could also mean that this star is a massive binary.
The presence of Lynga 3-11, likely another massive star, is also potential evidence for Lynga 3's young cluster status, but more observations of this star and other stars listed as members of Lynga 3 are required to check whether or not they are part of MN18's parent cluster, Lynga 3.
References
Circinus
B-type supergiants | MN18 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 1,178 | [
"Circinus",
"Constellations"
] |
71,197,814 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentianine | Gentianine is a pyridine-derived alkaloid. Originally isolated in 1944 from Gentiana kirilowi, it has also been found in Gentiana macrophylla, fenugreek, Strychnos angolensis, Strychnos xantha, and other plants.
Gentianine is a crystalline solid with a melting point of 82-83 °C. It is a base that forms salts, such as the hydrochloride salt, upon treatment with acids.
Gentianine has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory properties.
References
Alkaloids
Pyridines
Lactones
Heterocyclic compounds with 2 rings | Gentianine | [
"Chemistry"
] | 140 | [
"Organic compounds",
"Biomolecules by chemical classification",
"Natural products",
"Alkaloids"
] |
71,198,286 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonina%20Roll-Mecak | Antonina Roll-Mecak (born in Sibiu, Romania) is a Romanian-born American molecular biophysicist. She is currently the Senior Investigator and Chief of the Unit of Cell Biology and Biophysics at the National Institutes of Health. She holds appointments at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and at the Biochemistry and Biophysics Center of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Roll-Mecak is known for her work on cytoskeletal regulation, mechanisms of microtubule severing enzymes (spastin and Katanin) and microtubule repair, and for her pioneering work in deciphering the complexities of the tubulin code. Her work is relevant to the treatment of cancer and nervous system disorders.
Early life and education
Antonina Roll-Mecak was born in Romania. Her father was an engineer and scientist. Growing up, her father tutored her in Newtonian physics, creating complex pulley-related problems for her to solve, and taught her the principles of programming through Fortran punch cards. During summers, she attended camps focused on math and science, and trained for academic Olympiads. She also spent summer breaks training for and competing in piano competitions, and as a child she aspired to be a concert pianist.
Roll-Mecak attended high school at the Gheorghe Lazăr National College in Sibiu, in the Transylvania region. The school specializes in science education. She received her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Cooper Union in New York City, which operates on a full-tuition scholarship basis. During her undergraduate studies, she completed a summer internship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she worked with Ernie Mehler and Harel Weinstein. Part of her inspiration to pursue structural biology came from a seminar on protein structure she attended at the New York Academy of Sciences as a student. She received her Bachelor of Engineering summa cum laude in 1996.
Roll-Mecak received her PhD in molecular biophysics in 2002 from the Rockefeller University. There, she studied with Stephen Burley, and was mentored by other notable scientists such as Günter Blobel and Roderick MacKinnon. Her PhD work used X-ray crystallography to determine the structure and mechanism of the two translation initiation GTPases essential for assembling an 80S ribosome primed for protein synthesis.
Career
After receiving her doctorate, she worked at the University of California, San Francisco, from 2003 to 2009 as a Damon Runyon and Burroughs Wellcome Career Award postdoctoral fellow with Ron Vale. There, Antonina Roll-Mecak identified spastin as a novel microtubule-severing enzyme and used hybrid structural biology methods and light microscopy to reveal the first three dimensional structure of a microtubule severing enzyme and to unravel its mechanism of action. Her analyses led to the proposal that severing enzymes break the microtubule by pulling single tubulin dimers out of the microtubule lattice.
In 2010 she became a principal investigator and unit head at the National Institutes of Health with a primary appointment in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and a joint appointment in the Biochemistry and Biophysics Center at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). In 2017 Roll-Mecak became a tenured Senior Investigator. Her work focuses on how the genetic (isoform variation) and chemical diversity (posttranslational modifications) of tubulin regulate the dynamics and mechanical properties of microtubules and constitutes a code that is interpreted by microtubule based motors and associated proteins. This code is also referred to as the "tubulin code.".
Personal life
Roll-Mecak has a son. In her spare time, she enjoys classical music, and has noted that while in graduate school in New York City she often attended concerts or opera performances in between running her experiments.
When a colleague leaves her lab, Roll-Mecak is known to give them a daruma doll, a lucky charm in Japanese folk culture that comes with its eyes unpainted. The recipient paints in one of the eyes and makes a wish, and the second eye is added when the wish is granted.
Awards
Burroughs Wellcome Career Award
NIH Pathway to Independence Award
Searle Scholar Award (2010)
Margaret Oakley Dayhoff Award from the Biophysical Society (2015)
Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists (2016)
Keith R. Porter Award (2017)
Emerging Leader Prize from the American Society for Cell Biology (2016)
International Award from the Biochemical Society (2023)
Select publications
Vemu, Annapurna; Szczesna, Ewa; Zehr, Elena A.; Spector, Jeffrey O.; Grigorieff, Nikolaus; Deaconescu, Alexandra M.; Roll-Mecak, Antonina (2018-08-24). "Severing enzymes amplify microtubule arrays through lattice GTP-tubulin incorporation". Science. 361 (6404): eaau1504. doi:10.1126/science.aau1504. ISSN 1095-9203. PMC 6510489. PMID 30139843.
Zehr, Elena A.; Szyk, Agnieszka; Szczesna, Ewa; Roll-Mecak, Antonina (2020-01-06). "Katanin Grips the β-Tubulin Tail through an Electropositive Double Spiral to Sever Microtubules". Developmental Cell. 52 (1): 118–131.e6. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2019.10.010. ISSN 1878-1551. PMC 7060837. PMID 31735665.
References
External links
Website for the Roll-Mecak Lab
Oral history interview transcript with Antonina Roll-Mecak on 1 June 2020, American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library & Archives
NIH interview video with Dr. Antonina Roll-Mecak
NIH Catalyst article on Roll-Mecak
Romanian women physicists
Romanian physicists
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Molecular biophysics
Molecular biologists
Cooper Union alumni
Women physicists
21st-century Romanian scientists
Romanian academics | Antonina Roll-Mecak | [
"Chemistry"
] | 1,296 | [
"Molecular biologists",
"Molecular biophysics",
"Biochemists",
"Molecular biology"
] |
71,198,503 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD%20260655 | HD 260655 (also known as GJ 239 or TOI-4599) is a relatively bright and cool M0 V red dwarf star located 33 light-years (10 parsecs) away from the Solar System in the constellation of Gemini. HD 260655 has two confirmed rocky planets, named HD 260655 b and HD 260655 c, that were discovered in 2022. Both planets were detected by the TESS mission and confirmed independently with archival and new precise radial velocity data obtained with the HIRES observatory since 1998, and the CARMENES survey instruments since 2016.
Star
The star is among the earliest-type M dwarfs in the night sky. Its mass is 0.439 times that of the Sun, and its radius is also 0.439 times that of the Sun. It has a temperature of and a rotation period of 37.5 days. Other designations of HD 260655 include Wolf 287, GJ 239, TOI-4599, HIP 31635 and LHS 1858.
Planetary system
The mass of planet b is , with a radius of , and planet c has a mass of , with a radius of , making both planets super-Earths. The equilibrium temperature of HD 260655 b is , while HD 260655 c sits at a temperature of . The orbital period of HD 260655 b is 2.77 days, while HD 260655 c has an orbital period of 5.71 days.
Both planets are ideal candidates for future study of exoplanet atmospheres due to their closeness and their bright red dwarf star. However, as of 2022, there is no evidence that HD 260655 b or HD 260655 c have atmospheres. HD 260655 is also the fourth-closest known system with multiple transiting exoplanets, after HD 219134, LTT 1445, and AU Microscopii.
References
Gemini (constellation)
M-type main-sequence stars
Planetary systems with two confirmed planets
0239
260655
31635
BD+17 1320
4599 | HD 260655 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 425 | [
"Gemini (constellation)",
"Constellations"
] |
71,200,212 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random%20pulse-width%20modulation | Random pulse-width modulation (RPWM) is a modulation technique introduced for mitigating electromagnetic interference (EMI) of power converters by spreading the energy of the noise signal over a wider bandwidth, so that there are no significant peaks of the noise. This is achieved by randomly varying the main parameters of the pulse-width modulation signal.
Description
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) filters have been widely used for filtering out the conducted emissions generated by power converters since their advent. However, when size is of great concern like in aircraft and automobile applications, one of the practical solutions to suppress conducted emissions is to use random pulse-width modulation (RPWM). In conventional pulse-width modulation (PWM) schemes, the harmonics power is concentrated on the deterministic or known frequencies with a significant magnitude, which leads to mechanical vibration, noise, and EMI. However, by applying randomness to the conventional PWM scheme, the harmonic power will spread out so that no harmonic of significant magnitude exists, and peak harmonics at discrete frequency are significantly reduced.
In RPWM, one of the switching parameters of the PWM signal, such as switching frequency, pulse position and duty cycle are varied randomly in order to spread the energy of the PWM signal. Hence, depending on the parameter which is made random, RPWM can be classified as random frequency modulation (RFM), random pulse-position modulation (RPPM) and random duty-cycle modulation (RDCM).
The properties of RPWM can be investigated further by looking at the power spectral density (PSD). For conventional PWM, the PSD can be directly determined from the Fourier Series expansion of the PWM signal. However, the PSD of the RPWM signals can be described only by a probabilistic level using the theory of stochastic processes such as wide-sense stationary (WSS) random processes.
RFM
Among the different RPWM techniques, RFM (random frequency modulation) is the most common method of the three major types, used in many power converter topologies to pass the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test. In this type of modulation, the switching frequency of the PWM signal is varied randomly in order to spread the emitted noise of the power converters in which it is applied. RFM is very easy to implement and it offers significant reduction of the noise peaks compared to conventional PWM. However, application is limited to power converters which does not require fixed switching frequency for their normal operation. A greater degree of switching frequency variation can affect the proper functioning of the devices and components inside the power converter circuit.
RPPM
RPPM is also commonly deployed in power converters to pass the EMC compliance tests. This modulation technique also offers significant reduction of the conducted emission and, consequentially, the radiated emission of power converters. However, compared to RFM, RPPM is less effective in EMI reduction. This is because the PSD of RPPM contains both the density and harmonic components, and the spectrum cannot be fully spread unlike that of RFM where the spectrum has only the density component. However, in this modulation scheme, both the switching frequency and the pulse width are fixed so that the converter components like inductors and capacitors can function properly.
RDCM
In RDCM, the pulse width or the duty cycle of the PWM signal is varied randomly in order to spread the noise spectrum. This kind of modulation is less common compared to the previous ones. This is because RDCM is less effective at spreading the noise. Moreover, randomly varying the duty cycle may cause output voltage fluctuations and ripples. Besides, in some power converter topologies, the duty cycle variation is the primary means of controlling the input-output voltages and currents using closed loop control systems. An example of this could be the drive for a brushed DC motor. Since the power to the motor is already being "chopped" at a specific frequency to vary the voltage and current, introducing randomization into the process could cause detriments to the system's performance.
In variable-frequency inverter systems
This type of modulation is becoming more common in variable-frequency drives of all sizes and applications. in consumer-sized VFDs that include it as a feature, it presents as a user-selectable parameter, often with several different operating levels. Some drives may also use more than one method at once. However, while the term "RPWM" is generally used to label this type of modulation in a technical sense, the technology does not yet have a label in the world of VFD parameter names. For example, Fuji Electric labels its noise-reduction parameter as "motor tone", while both Mitsubishi Electric and Teco Westinghouse label it as "soft PWM". The use of the term "soft PWM" could potentially cause confusion to those not familiar with this technique, as zero crossing control is sometimes labeled as "soft switching".
A term that could be potentially used as a standard label could be "scrambled PWM" or "carrier scrambling", as the word "scramble" in this sense is nonspecific to the method of RPWM used, yet informs the user that there is indeed a specialized process occurring which affects the shape and properties of the output waveform. In addition, the word has a home in the telecommunications field, where a scrambler is any device (typically analog) that is used to encode a signal so that it will be unintelligible if intercepted before it can reach the intended recipient without an appropriately tuned de-scrambler. That is to say that "scramble" would not be out of place if used to label RPWM in a more general sense.
Regardless of the label, upon observation of the manual in consumer-sized VFDs that include it, the focus of the parameter description does appear to be on acoustic noise reduction, rather than EMI reduction and motor health.
In modern rail traction converters, this method presents in a change in the sound that the motors emit when driven by inverters which utilize it. As opposed to the normally steady, carrier-based whine of a classic SPWM convertor, the sound is more of a hiss, akin to white noise. Because rail traction convertors operate at such high power levels, EMI is more readily created in such systems. In these applications RPWM is highly beneficial to the motor's health and the level of emitted EMI.
Coexistence issue
RPWM techniques are very effective in reducing the EMI of power converters. However, when power converters with this special type of modulation coexist with communication systems, there may be a severe electromagnetic interference conflict between the power system and the communication system. This detrimental effect can be observed in power line communication (PLC) systems, where both power converters and communication systems coexist. Indeed, recent studies have confirmed that RPWM applied to power converters to minimize conducted emissions can detrimentally interfere with the PLC system.
The interference can be worsened when the switching frequency and the bandwidth of the PLC system overlaps with that of the power system. Most power converters use a switching frequency that is below 150 kHz, which is in the low frequency electromagnetic compatibility range. This could cause coexistence issues mainly in narrow band PLC systems, (specialized PLC protocols which are being used for smart grid application, such as Prime PLC and G3-PLC, in frequencies below 150 kHz.) In conventional PWM, the noise from power converter overlaps with the PLC frequency band at discrete multiples of the switching frequency only. This results in less interference to the PLC system. However, In RPWM, the noise is more evenly distributed and both the PLC and the noise from power converter shares wider bandwidth. This creates more disturbance to the PLC system. Therefore, it is advisable to carefully observe the properties of any coexisting systems in order to choose a switching frequency for randomly modulated power converters that does not overlap with that of a coexisting PLC system.
See also
Conducted emissions
Electromagnetic compatibility
Electromagnetic interference
Power-line communication
Spread spectrum
References
External links
https://www.analog.com/en/technical-articles/spread-spectrum-frequency-modulation-reduces-emi.html
https://www.analog.com/en/technical-articles/easy-to-use-spread-spectrum-clock-generator-reduces-emi-and-more.html
Signal processing | Random pulse-width modulation | [
"Technology",
"Engineering"
] | 1,762 | [
"Telecommunications engineering",
"Computer engineering",
"Signal processing"
] |
71,200,287 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible%20oil%20refining | Edible oil refining is a set of processes or treatments necessary to turn vegetable raw oil into edible oil.
Raw vegetable oil, obtained from seeds by pressing, solvent extraction, contains free fatty acids and other components such as phospholipids, waxes, peroxides, aldehydes, and ketones, which contribute to undesirable flavor, odor, and appearance; for these reasons, all the oil has to be refined.
Steps
Degumming
Vegetable oil contains lecithins, phospholipids, and metals, which are generally called, because of their appearance, mucilaginous gums or simply gum. The process of elimination of the gums is called degumming. These gums are natural emulsifiers, that can cause an increase in viscosity which is an important parameter for the final product. Because of this physical problem, it is important to perform this first step since the high viscosity could create difficulties during the subsequents steps of filtrations.
Depending on the raw oil, these substances are more or less common, so degumming is not an obligatory step: it much depends on the value of lecithins of the source and the concentration of gums in the raw oil. For example, this step is more common in soybean and rapeseed oils, which contain much more gums, than sunflower oil. Because of that, different degumming processes are developed.
Dry degumming
This process is generally used when low phospholipids content is present, such as in coconut and in palm oil. Raw oil is mixed with a solution of citric acid, in order to coordinate metals and phospholipids.
Usually, the mixture is sent directly to the bleaching treatment.
Soft degumming
In this process, the raw oil is treated with a water solution of a chelating agent. Similarly to the previous treatment, the solution coordinates metals and phospholipids, however the chelating agent used, such as EDTA, is able to remove more than 90% of phosphorus content in the matrix such as rapeseed oil.
Total degumming process
Also abbreviated as TOD, this is the traditional process where raw oil is treated with acid water and then treated with base, either in this step or during the neutralization.
Membrane degumming
In this process, it is used the ability of gums to form micelles, which are then separated using a process similar to ultrafiltration. Using this principle, it is possible to separate not only gums, but also other impurities, such as fatty acids, to limit further processes of the oil and reduce waste and energy to purify it. However, it is required the use of hexane to form the micelles, and in the processes in which is possible to avoid it, the flux is low, so it is not feasible on an industrial scale.
Enzymatic degumming
In this process enzymes, that are able to hydrolyze phospholipids, are added to the raw oil. With this method it is possible to avoid the use of high temperature and of acidic agents. However, the cost of enzymes and the necessity of different methods of separation represent big drawbacks of the process.
Neutralization
Neutralization consists of the removal of free fatty acids, which come from the partial natural hydrolysis of triglycerides. In the case of short fatty acids, this is done by steam stripping, such as in palm or coconut oil.
Otherwise, pH is increased by adding a dilute solution sodium hydroxide or lime. The fatty acids are transformed into soaps, which are separated from the basic water phase, and submitted to a second treatment with hot water at 65-90 °C. The byproduct of this step is called soapstock.
Alternative processes
In order to minimize soapstock, energy usage, and the base used in the process, different experiments were done in an attempt to improve the process. For example, it was demonstrated that it is possible to separate some free fatty acids through membrane degumming.
Another technology has evaluated the esterification of free fatty acids with glycerol in order to reclaim vegetable oil, both with metal catalysis and by using microorganisms. However, all these attempts proved to be less convenient than the original neutralization process.
Winterization or dewaxing
Winterization or dewaxing is a process in which oil is separated from waxes, tocopherols, and residual phospholipids, which may cause turbidity issues in the oil if they remain present in the final product. In a standard process, room temperature oil is blandly stirred while it slowly cooled down, in order to crystalize all the high melting temperature substances. The solids are then separated either by decantation, filtration, centrifugation, or other solid liquid separation techniques.
Since crystallization is a difficult process, and natural oils show different composition and botanical sources, different variants were developed, in which different temperatures, residence times are used and the presence or introductions of surfactants, phospholipids or organic solvents are employed to optimize the separation.
Bleaching and filtration
Raw oil contains various pigments such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, xanthophyll, etc., which can cause problems with subsequent treatments or can color the final product during storage. This process aims to remove them using bleaching earth, which is a class of acidic clay that is capable to absorb oil's pigments and also metals. This process can be performed after or before winterization.
Oil is mixed with this earth in 0.2-2% weight ratio, then vacuum is applied and the suspension is heated at 70-140 °C to both improve the decomposition of fatty acid peroxides and the absorption of the pigment. After that, the oil is passed through a filter press. It is also possible to treat oil with silica to improve purification and metals removal.
Deodorization
During the final steps of the refining process, the oil is stripped with vapor at a high temperature to remove all remaining undesirable odors and flavors present in it. This step removes residual fatty acids, sterols, and other unsaponifiable substances. Usually, 270 °C vapor is used, but an inferior temperature could be applied if the oil has low odor content and if vacuum is applied. No alternative processes are considered currently.
Polishing
As a final step before conservation, another filtration is performed, similar to the one performed on wine. This is done to remove final residual impurities in the oil and to improve the final appearance.
Waste valorization
During the last decade, the advance in organic chemistry, enzymatic, metalorganic, and organocatalysis, made it possible not only to improve the process but also to recover some of the waste in order to implement a circular economy process and develop new chemical reactions for biorefinery.
Gums
Gums coming from the degumming process are usually purified and used as emulsifiers. If the lecithins are not valuable they can be disposed of in a bio-digestion process.
In a recent work was demonstred that it is possible to isolate and characterize the different phospholipids present in the gum discard, from the mixture they were able to obtain either phosphatidic acid, with enzymatic catalysis, and to fermatate other interesting phosphatidic ester.
Soapstock
Soapstock comes from the neutralization step and it contains alkaline water, sodium salts of fatty acid, residual tri -, di- and Monoglycerides, and other minor components. It represents 6% volume of the original mass. Usually, it is neutralized, separated to obtain oleins, and sent to bio-digest to recover energy.
Recently, oleic acid, recovered from high-oleic sunflower oil soapstock by enzymatic treatment, was submitted to a chemo-enzymatic oxidative cleavege, in order to produce pelargonic acid, and azelaic acid.
In another application it was possible to recover oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid and fermented, using a safe-to-eat probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, to (R)-10-hydroxystearic acid, (S)-(12Z)-10-hydroxy-octadecenoic acid, and (S)-(12Z,15Z)-10-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, respectively; these compounds can be use as intermediate coumpound to produce flavor.
Exhausted sorbents
Exhausted bleaching earths are the waste of bleaching process. They are constituted by the earth and residual oil that represent 30-40% of the weight of the waste. They are considered dangerous because it can spontaneously catch fire. Because of this risk, typically this waste needs to be treated properly before disposal into landfills. However, this represents an environmental issue. Therefore, there are attempts to both regenerate the earth and reuse the remaining oil for the synthesis of biodiesel.
Winterization oil cake
The solid waste coming from winterization is often called winterization oil cake or just filter cake.
It consist of 50-60% of oil, and the other parts of solid waxes. In sunflower oil, for example, waxes composition ranges from C36 to C60. The residual cake is usually disposed. However, it has been recently shown that waxes can be submitted to solid state fermentation, using Starmerella bombicola in combination with sources of sugar, such as beetroot molasses, and it can be exploited to produce surfactants.
References
Plant products
Food industry | Edible oil refining | [
"Chemistry"
] | 2,047 | [
"Natural products",
"Plant products"
] |
71,200,312 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vadalog | Vadalog is a system for performing complex logic reasoning tasks over knowledge graphs. Its language is based on an extension of the rule-based language Datalog, Warded Datalog±.
Vadalog was developed by researchers at the University of Oxford and Technische Universität Wien as well as employees at the Bank of Italy.
Knowledge graph management systems (KGMS)
A knowledge graph management system (KGMS) has to manage knowledge graphs, which incorporate large amounts of data in the form of facts and relationships. In general, it can be seen as the union of three components:
KBMS, that is, a knowledge base management system,
Big Data, which is the need of handling large amounts of data, especially when considering that knowledge graphs have been thought as a solution for integrating multiple data sources, both corporate and public knowledge, which can be integrated into large knowledge graphs,
(Data) Analytics is the need to provide access to existing software packages for machine learning, text mining, data analytics, and data visualization and to combine them together in the same platform.
From a more technical standpoint, some additional requirements can be identified for defining a proper KGMS:
definition of a language and a formalism with high expressive power,
cost-effective data wrangling, in all its steps, from data cleaning to web data extraction and big data access from many different sources,
efficient logical, probabilistic and ontological reasoning,
low complexity, both in terms of space complexity (to handle big data) and syntax,
interfaces (APIs) to access many heterogeneous data sources, such as corporate RDBMS, NoSQL or RDF stores, the web, machine-learning and analytics packages.
Other requirements may include more typical DBMS functions and services, as the ones proposed by Codd.
Vadalog system
Vadalog offers a platform that fulfills all the requirements of a KGMS listed above. It is able to perform rule-based reasoning tasks on top of knowledge graphs and it also supports the data science workflow, such as data visualization and machine learning.
Reasoning task and recursion
A rule is an expression of the form :− where:
are the atoms of the body,
is the atom of the head.
A rule allows to infer new knowledge starting from the variables that are in the body: when all the variables in the body of a rule are successfully assigned, the rule is activated and it results in the derivation of the head predicate: given a database and a set of rules , a reasoning task aims at inferring new knowledge, applying the rules of the set to the database (the extensional knowledge).
The most widespread form of knowledge that has been adopted over the last decades has been in the form of rules, be it in rule-based systems, ontology-based systems or other forms and it can be typically captured in knowledge graphs. The nature of knowledge graphs also makes the presence of recursion in these rules a particularly important aspect. Recursion means that the same rules might be called multiple times before obtaining the final answer of the reasoning task and it is particularly powerful as it allows an inference based on previously inferred results. This implies that the system must provide a strategy that guarantees termination. More technically, a program is recursive if the dependency graph built with the application of the rules is cyclical. The simplest form of recursion is that in which the head of a rule also appears in the body (self-recursive rules).
The query language
The Vadalog language allows to answer reasoning queries that also include recursion. It is based on Warded Datalog±, which belongs to the Datalog± family of languages that extends Datalog with existential quantifiers in rule heads and at the same time restricts its syntax in order to achieve decidability and tractability. Existential rules are also known as tuple-generating dependencies (tgds).
An existential rule has the following form:
or, alternatively, in Datalog syntax, it can be written as follows:p(X,Z) :- r(X).Variables in Vadalog are like variables in first-order logic and a variable is local to the rule in which it occurs. This means that occurrences of the same variable name in different rules refer to different variables.
Warded Datalog±
In case of a set of rules , consisting of the following:r(X,Y) :- p(X).
p(Z) :- r(X,Z).the variable Z in the second rule is said to be dangerous, since the first rule will generate a null in the second term of the atom r and this will be injected to the second rule to get the atom p, leading to a propagation of nulls when trying to find an answer to the program. If arbitrary propagation is allowed, reasoning is undecidable and the program will be infinite. Warded Datalog± overcomes this issue asking that for every rule defined in a set , all the variables in the rule bodies must coexist in at least one atom in the head, called a ward. The concept of wardness restricts the way dangerous variable can be used inside a program. Although this is a limit in terms of expressive power, with this requirement and thanks to its architecture and termination algorithms, Warded Datalog± is able to find answers to a program in a finite number of steps. It also exhibits a good trade-off between computational complexity and expressive power, capturing PTIME data complexity while allowing ontological reasoning and the possibility of running programs with recursion.
Vadalog extension
Vadalog replicates in its entirety Warded Datalog± and extends it with the inclusion in the language of:
monotonic aggregations (min, max, sum, prod, count operators),
stratified negation,
support for different data types (strings, integer, double, date, boolean, set, lists, marked nulls),
rich annotation mechanism to define how to interact with data sources and external libraries.
In addition, the system provides a highly engineered architecture to allow efficient computation. This is done in the following two ways.
Adopting an in-memory processing architecture and a pull stream-based approach, which limits the memory consumption or make it predictable.
Using an aggressive termination control strategy, which detects patterns and redundancy while building of the chase-graph (used to generate the answers) as early as possible and cuts off computation when they occur. This is connected with the concept of isomorphism of facts, which reduces the number of steps needed to get an answer: if a fact h is isomorphic to h, the system will only explore the chase graph of fact h.
The Vadalog system is therefore able to perform ontological reasoning tasks, as it belongs to the Datalog family. Reasoning with the logical core of Vadalog captures OWL 2 QL and SPARQL (through the use of existential quantifiers), and graph analytics (through support for recursion and aggregation).
Example of ontological reasoning task
Consider the following set of Vadalog rules:ancestor(Y,X) :- person(X).
ancestor(Y,Z) :- ancestor(Y,X), parent(X,Z).The first rule states that for each person there exists an ancestor . The second rule states that, if is a parent of , then is an ancestor of too. Note the existential quantification in the first position of the ancestor predicate in the first rule, which will generate a null νi in the chase procedure. Such null is then propagated to the head of the second rule. Consider a database D = {person(Alice), person(Bob), parent(Alice,Bob)} with the extensional facts and the query of finding all the entailed ancestor facts as reasoning task.
By performing the chase procedure, the fact ancestor(ν1,Alice) is generated by triggering the first rule on person(Alice). Then, ancestor(ν1,Bob) is created by activating the second rule on ancestor(ν1,Alice) and parent(Alice,Bob). Finally, the first rule could be triggered on person(Bob), but the resulting fact ancestor(ν2,Bob) is isomorphic with ancestor(ν1,Bob), thus this fact is not generated and the corresponding portion of the chase graph is not explored.
In conclusion, the answer to the query is the set of facts {ancestor(ν1,Alice), ancestor(ν1,Bob)}.
Additional features
The integration of Vadalog with data science tools is achieved by means of data bindings primitives and functions.
Data binding primitives: bindings allow to connect to external data sources or systems like a database, a framework or a library and tell the system how to deal with them. This includes connections with relational database systems as PostgreSQL or MySQL, and graph databases, such as Neo4j. It is also possible to integrate machine learning libraries (Weka, scikit-learn, Tensorflow) and a web data extraction tool, OXPath, which allows to retrieve data directly from the web. This is possible through the so-called annotations: they are special facts that augment the sets of existential rules with specific behaviours. The @input annotation tells the system that the facts for an atom of the program are imported from an external data source, e.g., a relational database. The @output annotation specifies that the facts for an atom of the program will be exported to an external target, e.g., the standard output or a relational database. Other annotations like @bind, @mapping, @qbind allow to customize the data sources for the @input annotation or the targets for the @output annotation.
Functions:''' custom expressions which make use of arithmetic operators, string manipulation or comparison can also be supported. Libraries written in Python are also enabled and they can be integrated with the dedicated annotation @library.
The system also provides an integration with the JupyterLab platform, where Vadalog programs can be written and run and the output can be read, exploiting the functionalities of the platform. It gives also the possibility to evaluate the correctness of the program, run it and analyse the derivation process of output facts by means of tools as syntax highlighting, code analysis (checking whether the code is correct or there are errors) and explanations of results (how the result has been obtained): all these functionalities are embedded in the notebook and help in writing and analyzing Vadalog code.
Use cases
The Vadalog system can be employed to address many real-world use cases from distinct research and industry fields. Among the latter, this section presents two relevant and accessible cases belonging to the financial domain.
Company control
A company ownership graph shows entities as nodes and shares as edges. When an entity has a certain amount of shares on another one (commonly identified in the absolute majority), it is able to exert a decision power on that entity and this configures a company control and, more generally, a group structure. Searching for all control relationships requires to investigate different scenarios and very complex group structures, namely direct and indirect control. This query be translated into the following rules:
a company directly controls a company if directly owns more than 50% of the total equity of ,
a company indirectly controls a company if controls a set of intermediary companies that jointly (i.e., summing their shares) own more than 50% of .
These rules can be written in a Vadalog program that will derive all control edges like the following:control(X,X) :- company(X).
control(X,Y) :- control(X,Y), own(Y,Z,W), V = sum(W,<Y>), V > 0.5.The first rule states that each company controls itself. The second rule defines control of over by summing the shares of held by companies , over all companies controlled by .
Close link
This scenario consists in determining whether there exists a link between two entities in a company ownerships graph. Determining the existence of such links is relevant, for instance, in banking supervision and credit worthiness evaluation, as a company cannot act as guarantor for loans to another company if the two share such a relationship. Formally, two companies and are involved in a close link if:
(resp., ) owns directly or indirectly 20% or more of the equity of (resp., ), or
a common third-party owns directly or indirectly 20% or more of the equity of both and .
These rules can be written in a Vadalog program that will derive all close link'' edges like the following:mcl(X,Y,S) :- own(X,Y,S).
mcl(X,Z,S1 * S2) :- mc1(X,Y,S1), own(Y,Z,S2).
cl1(X,Y) :- mcl(X,Y,S), TS = sum(S), TS > 0.2.
cl2(X,Y) :- cl1(Z,X), cl1(Z,Y), X != Y.
closelink(X,Y) :- cl1(X,Y).
closelink(X,Y) :- cl2(X,Y).
The first rule states that two companies and connected by an ownership edge are possible close links. The second rule states that, if and are possible close links with a share and there exists an ownership edge from to a company with a share , then also and are possible close links with a share . The third rule states that, if the sum of all the partial shares of owned directly or indirectly by is greater than or equal to 20% of the equity of , then they are close links according to the first definition. The fourth rule models the second definition of close links, i.e., the third-party case.
See also
Datalog
Prolog
DBMS
Semantic Web Rule Language
Graph database
References
Graph databases
Declarative programming languages | Vadalog | [
"Mathematics"
] | 2,965 | [
"Graph databases",
"Mathematical relations",
"Graph theory"
] |
71,200,353 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-frequency%20electromagnetic%20compatibility | Low-frequency electromagnetic compatibility (LF EMC) is a specific field in the domain of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and power quality (PQ), which deals with electromagnetic interference phenomena in the frequency range between 2 kHz and 150 kHz. It is a special frequency range because it does not fit in the PQ problems, with range of up to 2 kHz (3 kHz in 60 Hz mains frequency systems, such as the United States), where relative levels of voltage and current can have massive impact on efficiency and integrity of electric systems, and neither in the conducted EMC range, which starts at 150 kHz and influences mainly informational systems, and already too far from radiated EMC range, which starts at 30 MHz and goes up to 1 GHz.
This is a newer field of interest in PQ and EMC, stated by the fact that the professional community has not reached a consensus on terminology, LF EMC harmonics being called supraharmonics, and another fact being a void in standards considering the LF EMC frequency range.
Causes
The main cause for the appearance of low frequency electromagnetic interferences in home and industrial electric systems is the dense integration of power electronics switching frequency. In time, switching power devices, such as transistors, became cheap, small and easy to use, invading all facets of human activity. The switching frequency of these devices got beyond 2 kHz and their power bearing capabilities grew to the point at which they started controlling electric devices, such as electric motors, that are more power hungry.
Another rising cause for 2 kHz - 150 kHz disturbances in electric power systems is the continuous integration of renewable energy sources and the evolution of the power system to smart grid. The smart grid, at basis, uses ICT systems to control power inlets and outlets via power converters, meaning a heavy use of switching devices within the LF EMC range.
Effect
The ratio of harmonic weight to the fundamental frequency in the LF EMC range also grew, leading to increased harmonic pollution, which disturbs the quality of power delivered to consumers, and disturbances to the informational and telecommunication systems nearby.
The impact of the LF EMC was determined to have serious effects on all electrical connections and devices. The diagnosis of supraharmonics-related problems based on the effects on electrical equipment was researched by Sakar et al. The propagation of LF harmonics through LV and MV grids leads to interference with the elements for power delivery and end-user equipment, e.g., light flicker, aging of capacitors and cable terminations, audible noise and interruption of electric vehicle charging. As such incidents happen more often, the need for guidelines that facilitate the diagnosis of these problems arises. Different features of the LF distortion were shown to be responsible for different interferences. These problems were organized in problem specific flow charts for audible noise, cable terminations failure, unwanted tripping due to residual current devices, and flicker.
On power converters, the LF harmonics were shown to generate in turn a series of EMC pollution problems. Interharmonics are one of the heaviest polluters in this interaction. Though the study was done on LED converters and low voltages, the impact on high voltage applications such as railway traction can have an amplified detrimental effect.
Directions of development
Many challenges need to be considered in this relatively new field. A series of studies have already been published, but the professional community still has not solved some very important challenges in the low frequency domain of EMC and PQ. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has already formed a technical committee to work on these issues, starting with the standardization issues.
EMC/EMI and PQ in power converters
EMC/EMI and PQ in transportation systems
EMC/EMI and PQ for space systems
EMC and PQ in unmanned vehicles
EMC and PQ in smart grid
EMC and PQ in wireless systems
MC/EMI Challenges of railway electrification network
The Biological Effects due to EMI at Low Frequency
The Influence of 5G Transmission on EMC/EMI at Low Frequency
EMI measurement in LF frequency
Standardization challenges:
The standardization and new Standards in EMC at Low Frequency
New standardization in PQ
Standardization relationship between Low Frequency in EMC and PQ
Standards
The standardization issue with the frequency of 2–150 kHz is dual: on the one hand there are no specific and agreed upon standards that mandate the designers of electric systems to account for this range, and on the other hand there are no standards that would guide the measurement of EMI in this specific frequency range. There are standards that cover the PQ area, and EMC area, but in between there is a significant gap, that spurs issues with every new electric system or device.
See also
Conducted emissions
Electric power quality
Power factor
References
External links
IEEE Technical Committee 7 – Low Frequency EMC
Low Frequency EMC and Power Quality article in In Compliance magazine | Low-frequency electromagnetic compatibility | [
"Engineering"
] | 1,000 | [
"Radio electronics",
"Electrical engineering",
"Electromagnetic compatibility"
] |
71,200,397 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High%20pressure%20jet | A high pressure jet is a stream of pressurized fluid that is released from an environment at a significantly higher pressure than ambient pressure from a nozzle or orifice, due to operational or accidental release. In the field of safety engineering, the release of toxic and flammable gases has been the subject of many R&D studies because of the major risk that they pose to the health and safety of workers, equipment and environment. Intentional or accidental release may occur in an industrial settings like natural gas processing plants, oil refineries and hydrogen storage facilities.
A main focus during a risk assessment process is the estimation of the gas cloud extension and dissipation, important parameters that allow to evaluate and establish safety limits that must be respected in order to minimize the possible damage after a high pressure release.
Mechanism and structure of a gaseous jet
Subsonic and sonic flow
When a pressurized gas is released, the velocity of the flow will heavily depend on the pressure difference between stagnant pressure and downstream pressure. By assuming an isentropic expansion of an ideal gas from its stagnant conditions (P0 , meaning the velocity of the gas is zero) to downstream conditions (P1, positioned at the exit plane of the nozzle or orifice), the subsonic flow rate of the source term is given by Ramskill's formulation:
As the ratio between downstream condition pressure and stagnant condition pressure decreases, the flow rate of the ideal gas will increase. This behavior will continue until a critical value is reached (in air, P1/P0 is roughly 0.528, dependent on the heat capacity ratio, γ), changing the condition of the jet from a non-choked flow to a choked flow. This will lead to the a newly defined expression for the aforementioned pressure ratio and, sub-sequentially, the flow rate equation.
The critical value for the pressure ratio is defined as:
This newly defined ratio can then be used to determine the flow rate for a sonic choked flow:
The flow rate equation for a choked flow will have a fixed velocity, which is the speed of sound of the medium, where the Mach number is equals to 1:
It is important to note that if P1 keeps on decreasing, no flow rate change will occur if the ratio is already below the critical value, unless P0 also changes (also assuming that the orifice/nozzle exit area and upstream temperature stay the same).
Under-expanded jet structure
An under-expanded jet is one that manifests when the pressure at downstream conditions (at the end of a nozzle or orifice) is greater that the pressure of the environment where the gas is being released in. It is said to be under-expanded since the gas will expand, trying to reach the same pressure of its surroundings. When under-expanded, the jet will have characteristics of a compressible flow, a condition in which pressure variations are significant enough to have a strong effect on the velocity (where it can exceed the speed of sound of the gas), density and temperature. It is important to note that as the jet expands and incorporates gases from the surrounding medium, the jet will behave more and more like an incompressible fluid, allowing for a general definition of the structure of a jet to be the following:
Nearfield zone: this zone is composed of a core layer that is isolated from the surrounding medium, with its behavior being mostly dominated by compressible effects, and an outer layer that is in contact with the surrounding medium fluid. Due to turbulent effects, the outer layer, nominated as mixing layer, permits gas entrainment as it is facilitated, diluting the jet. In this shearing zone, a subsonic and supersonic section may be distinguished, where temperature, density and pressure vary wildly in a few centimeters of distance from the source. This zone has the characteristics of a compressible fluid.
Transition zone: the beginning of this zone represents the ending of the nearfield zone, where variations (longitudinally and radially to the axis of the jet) are small compared to the previous one. Density and temperature variations are mostly because of mixing with the surrounding fluid.
Farfield zone: this final zone is one of a fully expanded and incompressible jet. Longitudinal velocity and temperature are now inversely proportional to the distance from the source and radial evolution can be described by a gaussian dispersion model. It is important to note that this zone can be further split into inertial (dominated by initial acceleration), buoyant (dominated by internal buoyancy forces) and turbulent zones (dominated by ambient turbulence).
Under-expanded jet classification
Further classification of the jet can be related to how the nearfield zone develops due to the compressible effects that govern it. When the jet first exists the orifice or nozzle, it will expand very quickly, resulting in an over-expansion of the flow (which will also reduce the temperature and density of the flow as quickly as it depressurized). Gases that have expanded to a pressure lower than the one of the surrounding fluid will be compressed inwards, causing an increase in the pressure of the flow. If this re-compression leads to the fluid having a higher pressure than the surrounding fluid, another expansion will happen.
This process will repeat until the pressure difference between ambient pressure and jet pressure is null (or close to null).
Compression and expansion are accomplished through a series of shock waves, formed as a result of Prandlt-Meyer expansion and compression waves.
Development of the aforementioned shock waves will be related to the difference in pressure between the stagnant conditions or downstream conditions and the ambient conditions (η0 = P0/Pamb and ηe = P1/Pamb, respectively), as well as the mach number (Ma = V/Vc, where V is the velocity of the flow and Vc is the speed of sound of the medium). With varying pressure ratios, under-expanded jets can be classified as:
Moderately under-expanded jet: Nearfield with diamond shaped structures (each structure is called a cell). A Prandlt-Meyer expansion generates oblique expansion waves that expand the fluid downstream from the exit orifice. As these waves attain constant pressure from the surrounding fluid, they are deflected back as compression waves, converging in oblique shock waves (called intercepting shock). When they meet on the axis of the jet, reflected shock waves move outwardly until they attain constant pressure from the surrounding fluid, repeating the process, and in turn, recreating the cell structure (this phenomenon occurs in air at a range of 2 ≤ η0 ≤ 4 or 1.1 ≤ ηe ≤ 3).
Highly under-expanded jet: Nearfield with barrel shaped structures. As the pressure ratio increases, the intercepting shock waves can't meet on the axis of the jet anymore, which forces the generation of a normal shock wave when the intercepting shock waves go beyond a certain critical angle (The normal shock wave is called Mach Disk). From the interception point of the mach disk and the intercepting shock, a residual slipstream will reflect outwardly, until it reaches constant pressure from the surrounding fluid, repeating the process, recreating the barrel shaped cell structure (this phenomenon occurs in air at a range of 5 ≤ η0 ≤ 7 or 2 ≤ ηe ≤ 4 ).
Extremely under-expanded jet: Nearfield with a single cell structure. When the pressure ratio goes beyond a critical value (in air at a range of η0 ≥ 7 or ηe ≥ 4 ), cell numbers within the nearfield of the jet decrease, until they all coalesce into a single cell with a single mach disk. Due to the increase in velocity and lower pressure zones around the jet, ambient fluid entrainment will increase.
Natural gas release
Amongst incidental scenarios, natural gas releases have become particularly relevant within the process industry environment. With an overall composition of 94.7% of methane, it is important to consider how this gas can cause incremental damage when it is released. Methane gas is a non-toxic, flammable gas, that, at higher concentrations, can behave as an asphyxiant due to oxygen displacement from the lungs. The main concern with methane is related to its flammability and the potential damage that could be dealt to its surroundings if the high pressure jet were to ignite into a jet fire.
Three parameters that must be considered when dealing with flammable gasses are their flash point (FP), upper flammability limit (UFL) and lower flammability limit (LFL), as they are set values for any compound at a specific pressure and temperature. If we consider the fire triangle model, to induce a combustion reaction three components are needed: a fuel, an oxidizing agent and heat.
When release happens in an ambient filled with air, the oxidizing agent will be oxygen (air has a constant concentration of 21% in standard conditions). At an almost pure concentration, a few centimeters from the exit plane, the concentration of natural gas is too high and oxygen too low to generate any kind of combustion reaction, but as the high pressure jet develops, the concentration of its components will dilute as air entrainment increases, allowing an enrichment of oxygen within the jet. Assuming a constant concentration for oxygen, the jet must dilute enough to enter within its flammability range; below its UFL. Within this range, a flammable mixture can be made and any source of heat can jump-start the reaction.
To properly judge the damage and potential risk that the jet fire can generate, several studies regarding the maximum distance that the cloud generated by the jet can reach have been made. As dilution of the jet continues due to air entrainment in the farfield, going below its UFL, the maximum distance that the flammable mixture can reach is at the point in which the concentration of the cloud is equals to the LFL of the gas, as it is the lowest concentration allowable that permits the formation of a flammable mixture between air and natural gas at standard conditions (the LFL for natural gas is 4% ).
Considering a free jet at sub-critical pressure (beyond the nearfield zone), its mean volume fraction axial concentration decay of any gas released in air can be defined as follows:
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Experimental data of high pressure jets have to be limited in terms of size and complexity of the scenario due to the inherit dangers and expenses correlated to the experiment itself. Alternative methods to gather data, such as representative models, can be used in order to predict what the maximum extend of the gas cloud at its LFL concentration can reach. Simpler models like a gaussian gas dispersion model (e.g., SCREEN3 - a dispersion model) or integral model (e.g., PHAST- an integral model) can be useful to have a quick and qualitative overview on how the jet may extend. Unfortunately, their inability to properly simulate jet-obstacle interactions make them impossible to use beyond preliminary calculations. This is the reason why Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations are generally preferred for more complex scenarios.
Although there exists several approaches for CFD simulations, a common approach is the use of a finite volume method that discretizes the volume into smaller cells of varying shapes. Every single cell will represent a fluid-filled volume where the scenarios parameters will be applied. Every cell that was modeled solves a set of conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy, along with the continuity equation. Fluid-obstacle interaction is then modeled with varying algorithms based on the closure turbulent model used.
Depending on the number of total cells within the volume, the better the quality of the simulation, the longer the simulation time. Convergence problems can arise within the simulation as large momentum, mass and energy gradients appear in the volume. The points where these problems are expected to appear (like in the nearfield zone of the jet) need to have a higher number of cells to achieve gradual changes between one cell and another. Ideally, through CFD simulations, a simpler model can be derived which, for a specific set of scenarios, allows to have results with an accuracy and precision level similar to the CFD simulation itself.
Birch's Approach
Through a set of small scale experiments at varying pressures, Birch et al. formulated an equation that allowed the estimation of a virtual surface source, considering the conservation of mass between the exit plane of the orifice and the virtual surface. This approach allows to simulate a compressible, under-expanded jet as an incompressible, fully-expanded jet. As a consequence, a simpler CFD model can be simulated by using the following diameter (named pseudo-diameter) as the new exit plane:
Ground and obstacle interaction
In the process industry, there exist a variety of cases where a high pressure jet release incident can occur. LNG storage facilities or NG pipeline systems leakage can degenerate into a jet fire and, through a domino effect, cause heavy damage to the workforce, equipment and surrounding environment. For different scenarios that may happen, safety protocols have to be engineered that aim to set minimum distances between equipment and the workforce, along with preventive systems that reduce the danger of the potential incidental scenario. The following are some of the most common scenarios that may be encountered in an industrial environment:
Jet-Ground interaction: this is one of the most common scenarios, where the free jet does not interact with any other obstacle apart from the ground. Although the jet can dissipate to concentrations below its LFL after roughly 16 meters with no interactions (interaction with concrete and at stagnant pressure of 65 bar, a common pressure for NG pipelines, with an orifice size of 2.54 mm), as the jet gets closer to the ground and makes contact with it, a dragging effect leads to a further extension. The jet has the tendency of bending downwards if close enough to the ground because of lower pressure zones below it.
Jet-horizontal tank interaction: jet-tank interaction will depend of the type of material used. For cylindrical steel tanks, the distance from the exit plane will have an effect with the interaction, along with its angle with respect to the axis of the jet and the height of the release of the jet. Generally, when the jet impinges the horizontal tank along the axis of the tank, the jet is brought downwards, allowing an interaction with the ground. This will often lead to the extension of the jet at its LFL concentration with respect to its free jet (the same scenario is simulated with no other obstacles but the ground). Furthermore, crosswise extension is also expected.
Jet-vertical tank interaction: for a cylindrical steel tank, the distance from the exit plane will have an effect with the interaction. Generally, when the jet impinges the vertical tank along the axis of the tank, the obstacle will act as a limiting factor for the extension of the jet at its LFL concentration with respect to its free jet. The impact with the tank will generate more eddies downstream the tail of the jet and limit ground interaction (at low enough flow rates and speeds), speeding up dilution of the gas below its lower flammable limit.
Jet-horizontal tandem tank interaction: by adding a second horizontal tank behind the first, a shortening effect is achieved. The presence of the second obstacle leads to eddy generation after the first, promoting dissipation. Moreover, the second obstacle may have a detachment effect of the jet from the ground, as it will tend to adhere to the round surface of the second tank due to the coanda effect. Distance between the two tanks will have an effect, since, after a certain distance, the second obstacle will no longer have an effect on the cloud at LFL concentration.
Jet-vertical tandem tank interaction: by adding a second vertical tank behind the first, a shortening effect will generally be achieved. The presence of the second obstacle leads to eddy generation after the first, promoting dissipation. Contrary to the previous scenario, the second obstacle can allow for jet-ground interaction and elongate the jet, a quality that be worsen due to the coanda effect. Distance between the two tanks will have an effect, since, after a certain distance, the second obstacle will no longer have an effect on the cloud at LFL concentration.
See also
Choked flow
De Laval nozzle
Restrictive flow orifice
Rocket engine nozzle
Venturi effect
References
External links
Shock Diamonds and Mach Disks in the exhaust plume of an F-15E's Engine
Birch et al. 's revision on their virtual surface source formula
Hydrogen storage and transportation challenges
Fluid dynamics
Computational fluid dynamics
Natural gas
Natural gas safety
Fossil fuels
Fuel gas | High pressure jet | [
"Physics",
"Chemistry",
"Engineering"
] | 3,422 | [
"Computational fluid dynamics",
"Chemical engineering",
"Natural gas safety",
"Computational physics",
"Natural gas technology",
"Piping",
"Fluid dynamics"
] |
71,200,412 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical%20embankment%20velocity | Critical embankment velocity or critical speed, in transportation engineering, is the velocity value of the upper moving vehicle that causes the severe vibration of the embankment and the nearby ground. This concept and the prediction method was put forward by scholars in civil engineering communities before 1980 and stressed and exhaustively studied by Krylov in 1994 based on the Green function method and predicted more accurately using other methods in the following. When the vehicles such as high-speed trains or airplanes move approaching or beyond this critical velocity (firstly regarded as the Rayleigh wave speed and later obtained by sophisticated calculation or tests), the vibration magnitudes of vehicles and nearby ground increase rapidly and possibly lead to the damage to the passengers and the neighboring residents. This relevant unexpected phenomenon is called the ground vibration boom from 1997 when it was observed in Sweden for the first time.
This critical velocity is similar to that of sound which results in the sonic boom. However, there are some differences in terms of the transferring medium. The critical velocity of sound just changes in a small range, although the air quality and the interaction between the jet flight and atmosphere affect the critical velocity. But the embankment including the filling layers and ground soil underneath surface is a typically random medium. Such complex soil-structure coupling vibration system may have several critical velocity values. Therefore, the critical embankment velocity belongs to the general concept, the value of which is not constant and should be acquired by calculation or experiment in accordance with certain engineerings nowadays.
Mechanism
The wave superposition
Under the ideal assumptions, when the moving loads are imposed on the surface of the embankment, they will induce sub-waves which propagate inside and along the surface of the embankment. If the velocity of the moving loads is less than the propagating waves, which could be the body or surface waves, the vehicles move slowly than the propagating waves and the crests of waves on the embankment surface don't intersect at all. Therefore, there is no superposition of the waves taking place. The vibration of embankment and vehicles changes in a small range under this stage.
Oppositely, when the operating velocity of the vehicles is greater than the critical velocity, the vehicles move faster gradually and inevitably run at the critical velocity. At that moment, all the crests of the propagating waves coincide in the position where the loads imposed or the wheels and structure contact, which leads to the serious vibration around the vehicles because of the waves superposition.(The phenomenon is shown in the schematic figure in the right side)
From this perspective, the critical embankment velocity equals the dominant value of propagating waves velocity.
The structure resonance
In reality and practical application, the speed of the propagating sub-waves is still related to their frequency components. The total vibration consists of infinite wave components with different frequencies, the magnitude of each sub-wave changes in accordance with the wave speed and different vehicles moving velocity makes different part of sub-waves oscillate maximally.
Obtaining the critical velocity of the embankment is similar with looking for the resonant frequencies of a multi-DOF system. There are many orders of frequencies and the first few ones could make structure vibrate seriously. When the vehicle moves at the critical embankment velocity with respect to the embankment structure, excitation frequency locates very close to the resonant frequencies of most of the propagating waves in the vehicle-embankment coupling structure. Meanwhile, the vehicles moving velocity coincides with most sub-waves. The detailed determination realized by the dispersion analysis to the whole structure and illustrated in the following sections.
The dominant frequencies of the vibration induced by the critical embankment velocity determined according to the specific configuration of the engineering structure. For instance, the loads of moving train passages transfer from wheels through the welded rails, sleepers to the embankment. The discontinuous sleepers under the moving wheels make the cyclic loads imposed on the embankment propagate in low frequencies.
Impact
Abnormal vibration
As compared with the relatively low-speed scenarios, the magnitude and range of the vibration of the high-speed line increases. Obviously, the track or pavement structure and the embankment will deteriorate faster as the cyclic loads act repeatedly in the operation period. More importantly, it is commonly neglected that the vibration of the vehicle itself is magnified under the critical velocity, especially around the area where the wheels interact with the rail. Such high level local vibration can also evidently lead to an increase in the risk of the whole vehicle derailing. That is the real reason why the critical embankment velocity is of much importance.
Low-frequency noise
Apart from the vibration, the radiation of low-frequency noises induced by vehicle moving at the critical velocity transfer for a very long distance to the residential district. The civilians who live near the line may endure the low-frequency noises for over millions of cycles, which probably makes people feel annoyed, nervous and insomniac as well as even leading to the resonance of human organs. This impacts upon humans are still ignored in the engineering designing process and invoke the research of low frequency noise damage.
Prediction
Calculating the accurate critical embankment velocity of new line is still difficult and should also be verified by many experiments in practical application. However, performing the analytical or numerical modeling even some simple ones gives lots of insights on the qualitative changes of the typical lines, such as exposing the potential issues in the embankment and track structures designing or the ways to relieve the impacts from critical velocity. As the quick development of the HPC, it gradually becomes feasible to predict the feasible critical embankment velocity through numerical methods before the construction of lines.
Elastic foundation beam model
Under low frequency ranges (under 100 Hz, less than the dominant frequencies of general embankment induced), it's reasonable to obtain the critical embankment velocity through the theory of the beam on elastic foundation. Based on the elastic theory, The dynamic governing equation of the Euler beam on elastic foundation under the moving point load with velocity demonstrates the vertical deflection of the track and sleepers
Herein, , , and represent the material properties related to the track structure and foundation respectively. is the Dirac function determining the location of the point load . The solution of the above equation is derived as
Where is a ratio representing the mechanical difference between the track and foundation. and are the dimensionless parameter associated with the minimal velocity of bend waves of the Euler beam respectively, which are written as
When the velocity of moving vehicles approaches the minimal velocity
Therefore, the minimal phase velocity of bend waves is regarded as the critical embankment velocity in the elastic foundation beam model. Nevertheless, this model is justified for the scenarios when the stiffness of vehicles and track structure is greater than the embankment. The soil-structure interaction and the space dimensional effect are the key factors for the general cases.
Elastic half-space beam model
If there is no beam putting on the top of the semi-space, the critical velocity of it is Rayleigh wave speed in accordance to the elastic theory, which is smaller than other two types of body wave speed. Furthermore, taking into consideration the above beam and its SSI increasing the number of factors which are related to the critical velocity. The dynamic governing equations of the elastic half-space and beam are respectively
wherein , are the Lamé constants, represents the contacting forces between the semi-space and the beam. The boundary conditions assume the contacting surface is ideally smooth
Based on the decomposition of the elastic potentials and the integral transform, the vertical displacement response of half-space surface can be obtained
Wherein is the wave number in corresponding direction. represents the width of the beam. is the partially transformed value of vertical displacement of half-space surface
Therefore, substitute the expression of vertical displacement into the above, the integral expression related to it in the frequency-wavenumber domain is
The equation above demonstrates the vibration of the beam and half-space respectively. Rewrite it in order to simplify
The first term in the equation above is the dispersion equation of the beam, it has the simple form in this model . The second term represents the relation of the semi-space.
In order to analyze the critical velocity of this coupling structure, the equivalent stiffness of it related to the conventional Winkler foundation in the Fourier domain is needed. In Winkler foundation, the last above equation has this form
Thus, the equivalent stiffness of semi-space of this SSI model to the Winker foundation is , it is written as
The equation above has a really complex form, usually approximate form is used to replace it under practical application. The critical velocity is determined by solving the simultaneous equations with beam model
The critical velocity approximate equation under the Poisson's ratio ranges from 0.2 to 0.38 is
According to this equation, there are two critical velocity values existing in this kind of model. One is less than the Rayleigh wave speed and the other one equals it. Advanced research shows that if the periodic supports are taken into consideration, there is a series of critical velocity values of the elastic half-space.
Multi-layered elastic half-space beam model
The top part of the embankment consists of many layered structure such as track, ballast or slab and foundation with different material properties. Therefore, a more sophisticated critical velocity analysis on the multi-layered or inhomogeneous structure is needed in the practical application. The critical velocity could be determined in accordance with the dispersion relation of each parts. The radial and vertical surface stresses and displacements of layered half-space in the wavenumber-frequency domain obtained by Thompson–Haskell method is
Herein, represents the stiffness matrix of the whole model. According to Cramer's rule, if the displacements in the frequency domain exist, the determinant of should be equal to zero
Solve it, the surface dispersion curve of the elastic layered foundation has the form below
The first equation explains the change of the horizontal transverse displacement resulted by the SH waves. The second one is related to the P-SV waves. Study shows that the dispersive SH, P-SV waves curves distribute among the ones of the surface Rayleigh wave and shear wave of the half-space, which are non-dispersive waves.
Considering the track structure dispersion relation could obtain more accurate results. For instance the dispersion equation of a typical slab track is written as a function of wavenumber and radial frequency
The intersecting points of dispersion curves of structure components are related to the critical velocity of the embankment. The velocity values could be obtained according to the definition of wavenumber.
Wherein, the represents the excitation frequency of the moving loads. means the different moving directions.
Mitigation
For engineering design, improving the critical embankment velocity to a higher value as compared with the operating speed is a conservative way to protect the passengers safety. As the issues related to the critical embankment velocity taking place after the operation of lines for many years, mitigation measures play an imperative role for the refurbished and new lines with high speed moving vehicles. Considering the convenience of the construction, mitigating measures focuses on the areas near the embankment for new lines and upon nearby area for the renovated lines. However, the former ones, active ones, are more efficient as compared with the latter ones, namely the passive measures.
Measures towards the embankment
The propagating speed of wave inside objects mainly depends on the stiffness index, namely . Therefore, the critical embankment velocity could be improved evidently through ground strengthening methods such as pile foundation, grouting, dry deep mixing, etc. The famous Swedish railway line running X2 trains was initially designed using ordinary construction methods. However, since the softness of the top clay, the vibration level induced by the X2 trains was few times higher than that of the conventional trains. The mitigation measure adopted by the operation sector Banverket was dry deep mixing method. After installing a total of 12 trial columns made by special binder with a length of about 8 meters for 2 weeks. The vibration level was reduced to an acceptable value after the mitigation.
Apart from the measures inside the embankment, engineers usually install the damper supports under the rail-pads to isolate the vibration transferred from the wheels downwards. Another common method to weaken the transmission of vibration is to construct the isolating trench with or without filling into porous materials like EPS concrete.
Measures towards the nearby area
The vibration transferred to a distant area belongs to the low-frequency ones. For the sensitive architectures like museums, laboratory etc., damper supports are installed under the building foundations to decrease the extra vibration. Since the magnitude of this kind of vibration cannot be easily reduced, the mitigating measures are mainly adopted to decrease the noise level. The most common way is installing the noise isolation wall near the borders of lines, which could change the direction of the sonic wave because of the reflection effect.
See also
Critical speed
Sonic boom
Speed of sound
Shock wave
References
External links
Project - MOTIV (Modelling Of Train Induced Vibration)
Project - CONVURT (CONtrol of Vibrations from Underground Rail Traffic)
PiP: a software based on Pipe in Pipe model for calculating vibration from underground railways
Civil engineering
Solid mechanics | Critical embankment velocity | [
"Physics",
"Engineering"
] | 2,652 | [
"Solid mechanics",
"Industrial engineering",
"Construction",
"Civil engineering",
"Mechanics",
"Transportation engineering"
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71,200,583 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous%20mobility%20on%20demand | Autonomous mobility on demand (AMoD) is a service consisting of a fleet of autonomous vehicles used for one-way passenger mobility. An AMoD fleet operates in a specific and limited environment, such as a city or a rural area.
Origin
Mobility on demand (MoD)
The idea of developing a form of passengers transportation based on shared vehicles rather than private cars comes from the research in the field of sustainable mobility, which aims at creating an efficient and environmentally-friendly way for people to move. As at the end of April 2022, the number of cars in the world has reached 1.1 billion, meaning that there is approximately a vehicle for every seven people on earth. Such large number of private vehicles in the streets causes several issues, namely a huge release of greenhouse gases and request for fossil fuels, since most cars are still fuel-powered, as well as infrastructural issues such as roads congestion and parking spots lacking. The concept of mobility-on-demand (MoD) addresses these issues providing a potential solution to them: in MoD, people do not need a private vehicle to travel. Mobility on demand is in fact a service in which shared vehicles are used for passenger mobility in one-way trips. The adoption of mobility-on-demand services has the potential of increasing the utilization rate of vehicles, which for private cars is on average below 10%, thus allowing to transport the same number of people with a lower number of vehicles. In this way, both the congestion and the pollution in the cities can be reduced. The service offered in the cities by taxi companies, which nowadays has been taken over also by other providers such as Uber and Bolt, is itself an expression of mobility on demand: upon request, a driver goes to pick up passengers to drive them to their desired destination, and then goes on with the next demand. The other manifestation of the concept of mobility on demand is the car-sharing, which allows people to rent a vehicle, drive it to their destination and then leave it there, so that it remains available for the next customers. The idea of car-sharing has become popular among the public since the end of 20th century, and is gaining more and more success in the present years, with companies such as ShareNow and Enjoy that are delivering it all over the world. A big drawback of mobility on demand systems is that an imbalance is periodically introduced in the system, consisting in an accumulation of vehicles in some areas and a lack in others, due to the fact that some zones are more popular than others. Imbalance makes the service inefficient, because customers are less likely to find a vehicle close to them.
Autonomous cars in MoD
The advent of the technology of self-driving cars has recently started to revolution the concept of mobility-on-demand, turning it into autonomous mobility on demand (AMoD). An AMoD fleet is composed of vehicles of level 5 autonomy, controlled in a centralized way. The communication with the customers happens via phone applications, where they can request a vehicle in a precise location, which then picks them up and drives them to their desired destination. Many academic researchers and market players are focusing on the development of AMoD systems, the main companies that are already developing fleets of vehicles for AMoD are shown in the following table.
Control
Different aspects of a fleet of vehicles used for AMoD are accurately controlled for it to function in a proper way.
Routing
Being the vehicles autonomous, an accurate control of their trajectories is operated by providing them with an optimized routing system. The routes of the cars are calculated in real-time according to specific objectives defined in the design phase of the fleet control algorithms. Those aim at minimizing the distance travelled or the time needed to reach a specific location, so they need to take into account different metrics such as the traffic in the streets and the condition of the roads.
Dispatching
A crucial aspect of AMoD technology is the assignment of vehicles to open customer requests. To take the dispatching decisions, the controller first registers the real-time positions of all the vehicles and open requests. Different strategies can be adopted to perform the assignments, and the choice among them affects the complexity of the fleet control and the effectiveness of the whole system. An option is to assign customers to the closest vehicle following a first come, first serve rule, which is easy in terms of computational time but only leads to suboptimal solutions. For this reason, researchers are proposing approaches based on the mathematical programming. Those consist in formulating an assignment problem by defining the cost value of each potential vehicle-customer assignment and the constraints present in the system. The problem is then solved using an algorithm for the optimal resource-task assignment. The cost value of each possible assignment can be computed basing on different metrics. Most of the dispatching strategies proposed up to now are based on one of the following parameters or on a combination of some of them:
Spatial distance between vehicle and customer. It can be evaluated either in terms of Euclidean distance, less accurate but computationally lighter, or as shortest path, which is more precise but causes a sensible increase in computational time, thus might limit the scalability of the system to which the method can be applied
Estimate of the time needed for the vehicle to reach the customer
Customer waiting time
Traffic
Autonomy of the car before the next refuel
Predictions about the future demand
Rebalancing
The stochasticity of the customer demand makes AMoD systems unstable, causing them to become unbalanced after some time. This results in an uneven distribution of resources along the network, which sensibly affects the quality of the service. For this reason the empty vehicles of an AMoD fleet are periodically redistributed in their whole operating area, for them to be available where they will be most needed in the future. When planning the rebalancing, it is necessary to take into account the fact that moving empty vehicles has a cost. Besides, this action contributes to the congestion of the streets. For these reasons, to compute the optimal rebalancing decisions an accurate trade-off between the different cost factors is operated. Various strategies can be adopted to decide where vehicles should be rebalanced:
Studying records of the customer demand in each area during the previous days, and from there estimating the average number of vehicles necessary in each zone at every time of the day
Periodically computing the imbalance between the number of cars and that of customers present in each zone, and issuing rebalancing actions aimed at minimizing such parameter in all the areas of the city
Estimating the future customer demand in each zone through some forecasting method, and anticipating it by sending the necessary vehicles to the right areas in advance
Benefits
Sustainability and traffic reduction
The introduction of AMoD fleets constitutes an alternative to the usage of private cars for passenger mobility, so it has the potential to sensibly reduce the number of vehicles in the streets. This has the effect of decreasing both the congestion in the streets and the emissions of greenhouse gases, besides bringing an increase in fuel efficiency.
Safety
Evidence shows that the vast majority of road accidents in the world is caused by human errors. The adoption of self-driving vehicles would then eliminate the human risk factor from car trips, thus sensibly decreasing the probability of an incident to occur.
Automatic rebalancing
The biggest limit that characterizes MoD systems is the problem if the imbalance of resources caused by uneven demand across the area serviced. The introduction of self-driving vehicles provides a solution to this issue, in fact the autonomous drive technology allows the fleet to periodically rebalance itself without the need of human intervention. This brings an increase in the quality of the service, in fact customers are more likely to find cars when and where they need them.
Accessibility
AMoD systems allow mobility for non-drivers, and give travellers the possibility to employ the time of the ride in useful ways, or even to relax. The absence of the drivers grants the same availability of the service during all the hours of the day and night: the only interruptions of the service happens in case of faults of the vehicles, or when they are being refueled.
Limits
Cost
In order for an AMoD service to start making the difference in terms of congestion and pollution mitigation and safety, it needs to be adopted in large-scale. Before a large number of people can start preferring such kind of system to their private cars, it is necessary to optimize AMoD fleets and infrastructures production and management in order for it to be advantageous in terms of costs compared to owning a vehicle.
Responsibility
The emerging world of self-driving vehicles is full of open ethical questions that make the adoption of such technology complicated even from a moral point of view: who should be held accountable for accidents involving self-driving cars? When an autonomous vehicle is in a harmful situation when it is inevitable to harm somebody, how should it decide who to save? Agreed solutions to these questions do not yet exist in the scientific community, but researchers and legislators are working to produce regulations on the matter.
Safety
Autonomous vehicles have the potential of eliminating road accidents caused by human errors, but they are not exempt from concerns themselves. Failures might occur in their system and potentially harm passengers or other road users. They could also be subjected to criminal activities such as hacker attacks that could affect their safety and performance.
Open challenges
Ride sharing
The possibility of sharing AMoD rides between strangers who have to travel along the same route would have the effect of improving both the quality of the service, by reducing waiting and travel times, and decreasing the cost, because the price of the ride would be divided between the passengers. Moreover, less vehicles would be necessary to fulfill the customer demand, bringing benefits also in terms of sustainability and traffic reduction. Researchers are thus working to develop control systems able to combine the needs of different customers to better satisfy all of them and optimize the whole system.
Electric vehicles
A further advancement in the technology of AMoD, that some companies such as Cruise are already working on, would be to use fleets of electric vehicles. This would bring a huge advantage in terms of sustainability, but introduces an additional complexity in the system. Charging an electric vehicle, in fact, takes longer than re-fuelling a petrol car, so the charging aspect needs to be optimized to see the benefits of such system.
See also
Self-driving car
Vehicular automation
Mobility as a service
Demand-responsive transport
External links
References
Transport culture
Road transport
Cars | Autonomous mobility on demand | [
"Physics",
"Engineering"
] | 2,126 | [
"Self-driving cars",
"Transport culture",
"Physical systems",
"Transport",
"Automotive engineering"
] |
71,200,813 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiresolution%20Fourier%20transform | Multiresolution Fourier Transform is an integral fourier transform that represents a specific wavelet-like transform with a fully scalable modulated window, but not all possible translations.
Comparison of Fourier transform and wavelet transform
The Fourier transform is one of the most common approaches when it comes to digital signal processing and signal analysis. It represents a signal through sine and cosine functions thus transforming the time-domain into frequency-domain. A disadvantage of the Fourier transform is that both sine and cosine function are defined in the whole time plane, meaning that there is no time resolution. Certain variants of Fourier transform, such as Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) utilize a window for sampling, but the window length is fixed meaning that the results will be satisfactory only for either low or high frequency components. Fast fourier transform (FFT) is used often because of its computational speed, but shows better results for stationary signals.
On the other hand, the wavelet transform can improve all the aforementioned downsides. It preserves both time and frequency information and it uses a window of variable length, meaning that both low and high frequency components will be derived with higher accuracy than the Fourier transform. The wavelet transform also shows better results in transient states. Multiresolution Fourier Transform leverages the advantageous properties of the wavelet transform and uses them for Fourier transform.
Definition
Let be a function that has its Fourier transform defined as
The time line can be split by intervals of length π/ω with centers at integer multiples of π/ω
Then, new transforms of function can be introduced
and
where , when n is an integer.
Functions and can be used in order to define the complex Fourier transform
Then, set of points in the frequency-time plane is defined for the computation of the introduced transforms
where , and is the infinite in general, or a finite number if the function has a finite support. The defined representation of with the functions and is called the B-wavelet transform, and is used to define the integral Fourier transform.
The cosine and sine B-wavelet transforms are:
B-wavelet doesn't need to be calculated across the whole range of frequency-time points, but only in the points of set B. The integral Fourier transform can then be defined from B-wavelet transform using.
Now Fourier transform can be represented via two integral wavelet transforms sampled by only translation parameter:
Applications
Multiresolution Fourier Transform is applied in fields such as image and audio signal analysis, curve and corner extraction, and edge detection.
See also
Fourier transform
Wavelet transform
References
Signal processing | Multiresolution Fourier transform | [
"Technology",
"Engineering"
] | 527 | [
"Telecommunications engineering",
"Computer engineering",
"Signal processing"
] |
72,671,951 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cis-action | Cis-action or cis-acting is a vague term that, in general, means "an action on the same" in contrast to trans-action "an action on a different". In other words, the initiator of the action is affected by it. Cis-actions occur wherever circular dependencies are present. Most notably in:
biology, where it refers to life itself as in the selfish gene, cis-acting genetic elements and self-maintenance as a trait of self-replicating entities;
chemistry, where it is known as autocatalytic set.
Software engineering, as in computer viruses.
References
Genetics terms
Molecular biology | Cis-action | [
"Chemistry",
"Biology"
] | 130 | [
"Biochemistry",
"Genetics terms",
"Molecular biology"
] |
72,673,291 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irena%20Roterman-Konieczna | Irena Roterman-Konieczna (; born 13 March 1950) is a Polish biochemist and a professor at the Jagiellonian University Medical College.
Biography
Irena Roterman-Konieczna was born on 13 March 1950 in Kraków. She attended the Bartłomiej Nowodworski High School, where she passed matura in 1968. She received a master's degree in chemistry in 1973 at the Jagiellonian University, and her doctorate in 1985 at the Medical College there. Her Post Doc position was at Cornell University – Harold A. Scheraga group 1987-1989. Her postdoctoral degree (habilitation) was at Jagiellonian University – Medical College 1996. In 2005 she received the title of professor.
She has been the head of the Department of Bioinformatics and Telemedicine at the Jagiellonian University, and an editor in chief of the Bio-Algorithms and Med-Systems journal.
She is married to Leszek Konieczny, who is a Polish biochemist.
Works
Irena Roterman-Konieczna is the author of numerous scientific studies on the structure and function of proteins and amyloids. In 2020, she was included in the group of "2%" or "160,000 most influential researchers in the world".
Her publications include:
References
1950 births
People from Kraków
Jagiellonian University alumni
Academic staff of Jagiellonian University
Polish biochemists
Living people
Polish women chemists
20th-century Polish women scientists
21st-century Polish women scientists
Scientists from Kraków
20th-century Polish chemists
21st-century Polish chemists | Irena Roterman-Konieczna | [
"Chemistry"
] | 334 | [
"Biochemistry stubs",
"Biochemists",
"Biochemist stubs"
] |
72,673,370 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leszek%20Konieczny | Leszek Konieczny (; born 9 August 1933) is a Polish biochemist who has been professor at the Jagiellonian University Medical College since 1995.
Leszek Konieczny is the author of numerous scientific papers in the field of protein structure and function and immunochemistry. His works include:
References
1933 births
Living people
Academic staff of Jagiellonian University
Polish biochemists | Leszek Konieczny | [
"Chemistry"
] | 85 | [
"Biochemistry stubs",
"Biochemists",
"Biochemist stubs"
] |
72,673,511 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service%20account | A service account or application account is a digital identity used by an application software or service to interact with other applications or the operating system. They are often used for machine to machine communication (M2M), for example for application programming interfaces (API). The service account may be a privileged identity within the context of the application.
Updating passwords
Local service accounts can interact with various components of the operating system, which makes coordination of password changes difficult. In practice this causes passwords for service accounts to rarely be changed, which poses a considerable security risk for an organization.
Some types of service accounts do not have a password.
Wide access
Service accounts are often used by applications for access to databases, running batch jobs or scripts, or for accessing other applications. Such privileged identities often have extensive access to an organization's underlying data stores laying in applications or databases.
Passwords for such accounts are often built and saved in plain textfiles, which is a vulnerability which may be replicated across several servers to provide fault tolerance for applications. This vulnerability poses a significant risk for an organization since the application often hosts the type of data which is interesting to advanced persistent threats.
Service accounts are non-personal digital identities and can be shared.
Misuse
Google Cloud lists several possibilities for misuse of service accounts:
Privilege escalation: Someone impersonates the service account
Spoofing: Someone impersonates the service account to hide their identity
Non-repudiation: Performing actions on their behalf with a service account in cases where it is not possible to trace the actions of the abuser
Information disclosure: Unauthorized persons extract information about infrastructure, applications or processes
See also
Kerberos Service Account, a service account in Kerberos (protocol)
Administered service account, a service account within managed services
Privileged identity management
Robotic process automation
References
Software
Cybersecurity engineering | Service account | [
"Technology",
"Engineering"
] | 375 | [
"Cybersecurity engineering",
"Computer engineering",
"Computer networks engineering",
"Software engineering",
"Computer science",
"nan",
"Software"
] |
72,675,345 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S/2016%20J%203 | S/2016 J 3 is a small outer natural satellite of Jupiter discovered by Scott S. Sheppard on 9 March 2016, using the 6.5-meter Magellan-Baade Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile. It was announced by the Minor Planet Center 7 years later on 5 January 2023, after observations were collected over a long enough time span to confirm the satellite's orbit.
S/2016 J 3 is part of the Carme group, a tight cluster of retrograde irregular moons of Jupiter that follow similar orbits to Carme at semi-major axes between , orbital eccentricities between 0.2–0.3, and inclinations between 163–166°. It has a diameter of about for an absolute magnitude of 16.7.
References
Carme group
Moons of Jupiter
Irregular satellites
20160309
Discoveries by Scott S. Sheppard
Moons with a retrograde orbit | S/2016 J 3 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 181 | [
"Astronomy stubs",
"Planetary science stubs"
] |
72,676,057 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S/2021%20J%201 | S/2021 J 1 is a small outer natural satellite of Jupiter discovered by Scott S. Sheppard on 12 August 2021, using the 6.5-meter Magellan-Baade Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile. It was announced by the Minor Planet Center on 5 January 2023, after observations were collected over a long enough time span to confirm the satellite's orbit.
S/2021 J 1 is part of the Ananke group, a cluster of retrograde irregular moons of Jupiter that follow similar orbits to Ananke at semi-major axes between , orbital eccentricities between 0.1–0.4, and inclinations between 139–155°. It has a diameter of about for an absolute magnitude of 17.3, making it one of Jupiter's smallest known moons.
References
Ananke group
Moons of Jupiter
Irregular satellites
20210812
Discoveries by Scott S. Sheppard
Moons with a retrograde orbit | S/2021 J 1 | [
"Astronomy"
] | 191 | [
"Astronomy stubs",
"Planetary science stubs"
] |
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