The first published Fermi large area telescope (Fermi-LAT) measurement of the isotropic diffuse gamma-ray emission is in good agreement with a single power law, and is not showing any signature of a dominant contribution from dark matter sources in the energy range from 20 to 100 GeV. We use the absolute size and spectral shape of this measured flux to derive cross section limits on three types of generic dark matter candidates: annihilating into quarks, charged leptons and monochromatic photons. Predicted gamma-ray fluxes from annihilating dark matter are strongly affected by the underlying distribution of dark matter, and by using different available results of matter structure formation we assess these uncertainties. We also quantify how the dark matter constraints depend on the assumed conventional backgrounds and on the Universe's transparency to high-energy gamma-rays. In reasonable background and dark matter structure scenarios (but not in all scenarios we consider) it is possible to exclude models proposed to explain the excess of electrons and positrons measured by the Fermi-LAT and PAMELA experiments. Derived limits also start to probe cross sections expected from thermally produced relics (e. g. in minimal supersymmetry models) annihilating predominantly into quarks. For the monochromatic gamma-ray signature, the current measurement constrains only dark matter scenarios with very strong signals.

The targeting of gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPR) was recently proposed for targeted therapy, e.g., radiotherapy. Multiple and frequent injections of peptide-based therapeutic agents would be required due to rapid blood clearance. By conjugation of the GRPR antagonist RM26 (D-Phe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Sta-Leu-NH2) to an ABD (albumin-binding domain), we aimed to extend the blood circulation of peptides. The synthesized conjugate DOTA-ABD-RM26 was labelled with indium-111 and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The labelled conjugate was stable in PBS and retained specificity and its antagonistic function against GRPR. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of In-nat-DOTA-ABD-RM26 in the presence of human serum albumin was 49 +/- 5 nM. [In-111]In-DOTA-ABD-RM26 had a significantly longer residence time in blood and in tumors (without a significant decrease of up to 144 h pi) than the parental RM26 peptide. We conclude that the ABD-RM26 conjugate can be used for GRPR-targeted therapy and delivery of cytotoxic drugs. However, the undesirable elevated activity uptake in kidneys abolishes its use for radionuclide therapy. This proof-of-principle study justified further optimization of the molecular design of the ABD-RM26 conjugate.

The Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) launched the Human Proteome Project (HPP) in 2010, creating an international framework for global collaboration, data sharing, quality assurance and enhancing accurate annotation of the genome-encoded proteome. During the subsequent decade, the HPP established collaborations, developed guidelines and metrics, and undertook reanalysis of previously deposited community data, continuously increasing the coverage of the human proteome. On the occasion of the HPP's tenth anniversary, we here report a 90.4% complete high-stringency human proteome blueprint. This knowledge is essential for discerning molecular processes in health and disease, as we demonstrate by highlighting potential roles the human proteome plays in our understanding, diagnosis and treatment of cancers, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. The Human Proteome Project (HPP) was launched in 2010 to enhance accurate annotation of the genome-encoded proteome. Ten years later, the HPP releases its first blueprint of the human proteome, annotating 90% of all known proteins at high-stringency and discussing the implications of proteomics for precision medicine.

Hepatic nerves have a complex role in synchronizing liver metabolism. Here, we used three-dimensional (3D) immunoimaging to explore the integrity of the hepatic nervous system in experimental and human nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We demonstrate parallel signs of mild degeneration and axonal sprouting of sympathetic innervations in early stages of experimental NAFLD and a collapse of sympathetic arborization in steatohepatitis. Human fatty livers display a similar pattern of sympathetic nerve degeneration, correlating with the severity of NAFLD pathology. We show that chronic sympathetic hyperexcitation is a key factor in the axonal degeneration, here genetically phenocopied in mice deficient of the Rac-1 activator Vav3. In experimental steatohepatitis, 3D imaging reveals a severe portal vein contraction, spatially correlated with the extension of the remaining nerves around the portal vein, enlightening a potential intrahepatic neuronal mechanism of portal hypertension. These fundamental alterations in liver innervation and vasculature uncover previously unidentified neuronal components in NAFLD pathomechanisms.

Abbreviations: VMN/PVN, hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus/paraventricular nucleus; VLM/VMM, ventrolateral medulla/ventromedial medulla; SMG/CG, superior mesenteric ganglion/caeliac ganglia; NTS, nucleus of the solitary tract; NG, nodose ganglion. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disorder. Increased sympathetic (noradrenergic) nerve tone has a complex role in the etiopathomechanism of NAFLD, affecting the development/progression of steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and liver hemodynamical alterations. Also, lipid sensing by vagal afferent fibers is an important player in the development of hepatic steatosis. Moreover, disorganization and progressive degeneration of liver sympathetic nerves were recently described in human and experimental NAFLD. These structural alterations likely come along with impaired liver sympathetic nerve functionality and lack of adequate hepatic noradrenergic signaling. Here, we first overview the anatomy and physiology of liver nerves. Then, we discuss the nerve impairments in NAFLD and their pathophysiological consequences in hepatic metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, and hemodynamics. We conclude that further studies considering the spatial-temporal dynamics of structural and functional changes in the hepatic nervous system may lead to more targeted pharmacotherapeutic advances in NAFLD.

The PAMELA satellite experiment has measured the cosmic-ray positron fraction between 1.5 GeV and 100 GeV. The need to reliably discriminate between the positron signal and proton background has required the development of an ad hoc analysis procedure. In this paper, a method for positron identification is described and its stability and capability to yield a correct background estimate is shown. The analysis includes new experimental data, the application of three different fitting techniques for the background sample and an estimate of systematic uncertainties due to possible inaccuracies in the background selection. The new experimental results confirm both solar modulation effects on cosmic-rays with low rigidities and an anomalous positron abundance above 10 GeV. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The PAMELA cosmic-ray detector was launched on June 15th 2006 on board the Russian Resurs-DK1 satellite, and during ten years of nearly continuous data-taking it has observed new interesting features in cosmic rays (CRs). In a decade of operation it has provided plenty of scientific data, covering different issues related to cosmic-ray physics. Its discoveries might change our basic vision of the mechanisms of production, acceleration and propagation of cosmic rays in the Galaxy. The antimatter measurements, focus of the experiment, have set strong constraints to the nature of Dark Matter. Search for signatures of more exotic processes (such as the ones involving Strange Quark Matter) was also pursued. Furthermore, the long-term operation of the instrument had allowed a constant monitoring of the solar activity during its maximum and a detailed and prolonged study of the solar modulation, improving the comprehension of the heliosphere mechanisms. PAMELA had also measured the radiation environment around the Earth, and it detected for the first time the presence of an antiproton radiation belt surrounding our planet. The operation of Resurs-DK1 was terminated in 2016. In this article we will review the main features of the PAMELA instrument and its constructing phases. The main part of the article will be dedicated to the summary of the most relevant PAMELA results over a decade of observation.

SOX10 is a transcription factor expressed in nerve cells and melanocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the protein expression pattern of SOX10 in malignant melanoma tumors and to analyze whether the results correlated with clinical parameters and the proliferation marker Ki-67. Furthermore, proliferation and migration were analyzed in three different cell lines employing SOX10 small interfering RNA-mediated silencing. Expression patterns were determined in 106 primary tumors and 39 metastases in addition to 16 normal skin samples and six benign nevi employing immunohistochemistry and tissue microarrays. The immunohistochemical staining was evaluated manually and with an automated algorithm. SOX10 was strongly expressed in the benign tissues, but for the malignant tumors superficial spreading melanomas stained stronger than nodular malignant melanomas (P = 0.008). The staining intensity was also inversely correlated with T-stage (Spearman's rho = -0.261, P = 0.008). Overall survival and time to recurrence were significantly correlated with SOX10 intensity, but not in multivariate analysis including T-stage. With the automated algorithm there was an inverse correlation between the SOX10 staining intensity and the proliferation marker, Ki-67 (rho = -0.173, P = 0.02) and a significant difference in the intensity signal between the benign tissues, the primary tumors and the metastases where the metastases stained the weakest (P <= 0.001). SOX10 downregulation resulted in variable effects on proliferation and migration rates in the melanoma cell lines. In conclusion, the SOX10 intensity level differed depending on the tissue studied and SOX10 might have a role in survival. No conclusion regarding the role of SOX10 for in-vitro proliferation and migration could be drawn. Melanoma Res 20:468-478

The polysaccharide xyloglucan as a wet-end additive improves paper properties. In the present study, paper strength improvement was analysed for dry handsheets made from chemical, mechanical and recycled pulps coated with xyloglucan in a spray application. Results are compared with sheets made from the same pulps treated with xyloglucan in the wet-end. Kraft pulp handsheets of bleached hardwood and softwood showed significant improvements of tensile, tear and Z-strength by xyloglucan spray treatment versus wet-end application, whereas handsheets of de-inked and thermomechanical pulp were improved only slightly. In both wet-end and spray applications, the effect of xyloglucan addition was intimately related to the presence of non-cellulosic components on the fibre surface. Further strength improvements were obtained for chemical pulps by addition of borax to the spray solution, which were likely to be due to the formation of borate-mediated xyloglucan cross-links. Spray coating of xyloglucan, with or without borax, thus represents a potential new application of this polysaccharide to increase paper dry strength.

A design study, named ESS νSB for European Spallation Source neutrino Super Beam, has been carried out during the years 2018–2022 of how the 5 MW proton linear accelerator of the European Spallation Source under construction in Lund, Sweden, can be used to produce the world’s most intense long-baseline neutrino beam. The high beam intensity will allow for measuring the neutrino oscillations near the second oscillation maximum at which the CP violation signal is close to three times higher than at the first maximum, where other experiments measure. This will enable CP violation discovery in the leptonic sector for a wider range of values of the CP violating phase δCP and, in particular, a higher precision measurement of δCP. The present Conceptual Design Report describes the results of the design study of the required upgrade of the ESS linac, of the accumulator ring used to compress the linac pulses from 2.86 ms to 1.2 μs, and of the target station, where the 5 MW proton beam is used to produce the intense neutrino beam. It also presents the design of the near detector, which is used to monitor the neutrino beam as well as to measure neutrino cross sections, and of the large underground far detector located 360 km from ESS, where the magnitude of the oscillation appearance of νe from νμ is measured. The physics performance of the ESS νSB research facility has been evaluated demonstrating that after 10 years of data-taking, leptonic CP violation can be detected with more than 5 standard deviation significance over 70% of the range of values that the CP violation phase angle δCP can take and that δCP can be measured with a standard error less than 8° irrespective of the measured value of δCP. These results demonstrate the uniquely high physics performance of the proposed ESS νSB research facility. 

In this paper, we present the physics performance of the ESSnuSB experiment in the standard three flavor scenario using the updated neutrino flux calculated specifically for the ESSnuSB configuration and updated migration matrices for the far detector. Taking conservative systematic uncertainties corresponding to a normalization error of 5% for signal and 10% for background, we find that there is 10 sigma (13 sigma) CP violation discovery sensitivity for the baseline option of 540 km (360 km) at delta(CP) = +/- 90 degrees. The corresponding fraction of delta(CP )for which CP violation can be discovered at more than 5 sigma is 70%. Regarding CP precision measurements, the 1 sigma error associated with delta(CP )= 0 degrees is around 5 degrees and with delta(CP )= -90 degrees is around 14 degrees (7 degrees) for the baseline option of 540 km (360 km). For hierarchy sensitivity, one can have 3 sigma sensitivity for 540 km baseline except delta(CP) = +/- 90 degrees and 5 sigma sensitivity for 360 km baseline for all values of delta(CP). The octant of theta(23) can be determined at 30 for the values of: theta(23) > 51 degrees (theta(23) < 42 degrees and theta(23) > 49 degrees) for baseline of 540 km (360 km). Regarding measurement precision of the atmospheric mixing parameters, the allowed values at 3 sigma are: 40 degrees < theta(23) < 52 degrees (42 degrees < theta(23) < 51.5 degrees) and 2.485 x 10(-3) eV(2) < Delta(2)(m31) < 2.545 x 10(-3) eV(2) (2.49x 10(-3 ) eV(2) < Delta(2)(m31) < 2.54 x 10(-3) eV(2)) for the baseline of 540 km (360 km).

Background Colistin is a polypeptide antibiotic drug that targets lipopolysaccharides in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Inactivation of the mgrB-gene is a common mechanism behind colistin-resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn). Since colistin is a cyclic polypeptide, it may exhibit cross-resistance with the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, and with other innate effector mechanisms, but previous results are inconclusive. Objective To study potential cross-resistance between colistin and LL-37, as well as with other innate effector mechanisms, and to compare virulence of colistin-resistant and susceptible Kpn strains. Materials/Methods Carbapenemase-producing Kpn from Oman (n = 17) were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing. Susceptibility to colistin and LL-37 was studied. The surface charge was determined by zeta-potential measurements and the morphology of treated bacteria was analyzed with electron microscopy. Bacterial survival was assessed in human whole blood and serum, as well as in a zebrafish infection-model. Results Genome-analysis revealed insertion-sequences in the mgrB gene, as a cause of colistin resistance in 8/17 isolates. Colistin-resistant (Col-R) isolates were found to be more resistant to LL-37 compared to colistin-susceptible (Col-S) isolates, but only at concentrations >= 50 mu g/ml. There was no significant difference in surface charge between the isolates. The morphological changes were similar in both Col-R and Col-S isolates after exposure to LL-37. Finally, no survival difference between the Col-R and Col-S isolates was observed in whole blood or serum, or in zebrafish embryos. Conclusion Cross-resistance between colistin and LL-37 was observed at elevated concentrations of LL-37. However, Col-R and Col-S isolates exhibited similar survival in serum and whole blood, and in a zebrafish infection-model, suggesting that cross-resistance most likely play a limited role during physiological conditions. However, it cannot be ruled out that the observed cross-resistance could be relevant in conditions where LL-37 levels reach high concentrations, such as during infection or inflammation.

Accurate detection of cancer-associated molecular abnormalities in tumors could make cancer treatment more of personalized. Affibody molecules enable high contrast imaging of tumor-associated protein expression shortly after injection. The use should increase sensitivity of HER2 imaging. The chemical nature of the generator-produced positron-emitting radionuclide Ga-68 of radionuclides and chelators influences the biodistribution of Affibody molecules, providing an opportunity to further increase the imaging contrast. The aim of the study was to compare maleimido derivatives of DOTA and NODAGA for site-specific labeling of a recombinant Z(HER2:2395) HER2-binding Affibody molecule with Ga-68. DOTA and NODAGA were site-specifically conjugated to the Z(HER2:2395) Affibody molecule having a C-terminal cysteine and labeled with Ga-68 and In-111. All labeled conjugates retained specificity to HER2 in vitro. Most of the cell-associated activity was membrane-bound with a minor difference in internalization rate. All variants demonstrated specific targeting of xenografts and a high tumor uptake. The xenografts were dearly visualized using all conjugates. The influence of chelator on the biodistribution and targeting properties was much less pronounced for Ga-68 than for In-111. The tumor uptake of Ga-68-NODAGA-Z(HER2:2395) and Ga-68-NODAGA-Z(HER2:2395) and tumor-to-blood ratios at 2 h p.i. did not differ significantly. However, the tumor-to-liver ratio was significantly higher for Ga-68-NODAGA- Z(HER2:2395) (8 +/- 2 vs 5.0 +/- 0.3) offering the advantage of better liver metastases visualization. In conclusion, influence of chelators on biodistribution of Affibody molecules depends on the radionuclides and reoptimization of labeling chemistry is required when a radionuclide label is changed.

Sodium chlorate is one of the main oxidizing agents used in the wood industry due to their capability of use as an elemental chlorine-free (CEF) bleaching. A simple way to produce chlorates is by the electrolysis of an aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. In the present study activated carbon cloth electrodes (ACC) modified with fluorine and platinum nanoparticles (Pt–F/ACC and Pt/ACC) were used as one of the electrodes. Electrofluorination was used for fluorination of the anodes and polyol method was used for the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles. Chlorate production using a typical solution of 100 ​g/l of sodium chloride (NaCl) and 2 ​g/l sodium chromate (Na2Cr2O7) and an applied current of 0.540 ​A was studied. Prior to the electrolysis assays, the microstructural properties of the electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and surface modifications and bonding using infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. Electrochemical properties were determined using cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Interaction between fluorine (F) and platinum (Pt) on the electrode leads to an improvement of the electrocatalytic properties for chlorine evolution as observed from the increase in the current efficiency from 37.5% at 78.5% after 150 ​min of continuous electrolysis using Pt–F/ACC anodes. The results suggest that modified activated carbon material is an attractive and economical alternative as electrodes for chlorate production. 

Field expeditions that simulate the operations of robotic planetary exploration missions at analog sites on Earth can help establish best practices and are therefore a positive contribution to the planetary exploration community. There are many sites in Iceland that possess heritage as planetary exploration analog locations and whose environmental extremes make them suitable for simulating scientific sampling and robotic operations. We conducted a planetary exploration analog mission at two recent lava fields in Iceland, Fimmvorouhals (2010) and Eldfell (1973), using a specially developed field laboratory. We tested the utility of in-field site sampling down selection and tiered analysis operational capabilities with three life detection and characterization techniques: fluorescence microscopy (FM), adenine-triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. The study made use of multiple cycles of sample collection at multiple distance scales and field laboratory analysis using the synchronous fife-detection techniques to heuristically develop the continuing sampling and analysis strategy during the expedition. Here we report the operational lessons learned and provide brief summaries of scientific data. The full scientific data report will follow separately. We found that rapid in-field analysis to determine subsequent sampling decisions is operationally feasible, and that the chosen life detection and characterization techniques are suitable for a terrestrial life-detection field mission. In-field analysis enables the rapid obtainment of scientific data and thus facilitates the collection of the most scientifically relevant samples within a single field expedition, without the need for sample relocation to external laboratories. The operational lessons learned in this study could be applied to future terrestrial field expeditions employing other analytical techniques and to future robotic planetary exploration missions.

Root vegetables have unique techno-functional and nutritional properties however, their use in processed foods is limited to a few species, partially due to a lack of knowledge related to the impact of thermal treatments on the sensory properties. This study investigated the effect of steaming and boiling on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and sensory profile of three model root vegetables with distinct carbohydrate composition: Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.), parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), and beetroot (Beta vulgaris). Thermally treated Jerusalem artichoke and parsnip showed higher content of cell wall polysaccharides, particularly beta-glucans (e.g. cellulose) and pectic components, compared to raw. Steaming produced more cell shrinkage and loss of cell-cell adhesion than boiling, leading to softer vegetables. Processed beetroot showed loss of cell turgor and drastic softening but not clear changes in overall carbohydrate content. The scores for several flavour and in-mouth attributes were higher for steamed vegetables compared to boiled. Our results give insights on the processability of root vegetables towards products with enhanced sensory and nutritional properties.

Since the advent of the new generation of germanium detector arrays for low-energy nuclear physics experiments utilizing gamma-ray tracking, the challenges associated with track-reconstruction methods have been extensively studied. In the present work an approach based on recent developments in machine learning was used to address the problem. Here, a graph neural network was constructed and trained on data simulated in Geant4 in order to attempt track reconstruction of gamma rays below 1 MeV in a spherical shell geometry of pure germanium. Using a thick-shell geometry, and simulated data without energy-and position uncertainties the network achieved a reconstruction rate above 80% for complete tracks, and a combined peak-to-total value of 85% for energy spectra with four discrete peaks. For data with added noise, i.e. finite resolution in interaction-point position and energy, the corresponding peak-to-total ratio dropped to 74%. The track reconstruction was stable across multiplicities 1-10 but showed an increased error frequency in the energy range between 50 keV and 250 keV. To specifically study the complication of gamma tracks lost by out -scattering from the detector volume, a thin-shell (9 cm thickness) geometry was used together with a modified version of the GNN framework. By letting the GNN code identify and discriminate the out-scatter events, an improvement of the P/T value from 66% to 75% was found for the packed, noisy data. For the sake of comparison the new GNN model with existing gamma-ray tracking methods, a separate instance of the network was trained on slightly higher energies (up to 1.5 MeV) and multiplicities (up to 15) to evaluate 1.332 MeV photon cascade data in terms of P/T and photo-peak efficiency. The results for this GNN data set, with P/T values at 85% for single tracks and 74% for multiplicity 15, show clear promise when compared to the existing tracking methods.

Lupin is among the most promising plant-based food protein sources due to its high protein and fibre content. The fibre fraction, especially from seed coats, is often seen as low in value (discarded as waste or as animal feed) and greater knowledge on its composition and structure are crucial to increase its usefulness. However, only one model of lupin fibre structure exists in the literature. Our sample of Finnish-grown narrow-leafed lupin seed consisted of fibre (43.3%), protein (31.3%), fat (8.1%) and starch (0.2%). According to the sugar analysis, rhamnogalacturonan-I, with branches of arabinan and galactan, constituted the main pectin population in the fibre fraction. A revised model of the overall fibre structure is proposed. At concentrations of 0.75% and 1.0%, both unrefined and defatted flour of whole lupin seeds produced stable suspensions and oil-in-water emulsions, demonstrating their application as potential emulsifiers. This study presents the knowledge and opportunity to support sustainability through the utilization of whole lupin seed for future industrial applications.

Background: The large Glycoside Hydrolase family 5 (GH5) groups together a wide range of enzymes acting on beta-linked oligo- and polysaccharides, and glycoconjugates from a large spectrum of organisms. The long and complex evolution of this family of enzymes and its broad sequence diversity limits functional prediction. With the objective of improving the differentiation of enzyme specificities in a knowledge-based context, and to obtain new evolutionary insights, we present here a new, robust subfamily classification of family GH5. Results: About 80% of the current sequences were assigned into 51 subfamilies in a global analysis of all publicly available GH5 sequences and associated biochemical data. Examination of subfamilies with catalytically-active members revealed that one third are monospecific (containing a single enzyme activity), although new functions may be discovered with biochemical characterization in the future. Furthermore, twenty subfamilies presently have no characterization whatsoever and many others have only limited structural and biochemical data. Mapping of functional knowledge onto the GH5 phylogenetic tree revealed that the sequence space of this historical and industrially important family is far from well dispersed, highlighting targets in need of further study. The analysis also uncovered a number of GH5 proteins which have lost their catalytic machinery, indicating evolution towards novel functions. Conclusion: Overall, the subfamily division of GH5 provides an actively curated resource for large-scale protein sequence annotation for glycogenomics; the subfamily assignments are openly accessible via the Carbohydrate-Active Enzyme database at http://www.cazy.org/GH5.html.

The Giant Pairing Vibration, a two-nucleon collective mode originating from the second shell above the Fermi surface, has long been predicted and expected to be strongly populated in two-nucleon transfer reactions with cross sections similar to those of the low-lying Pairing Vibration. Recent experiments have provided evidence for this mode in C-14,C- 15 but, despite sensitive studies, it has not been definitively identified in Sn or Pb nuclei where pairing correlations are known to play a crucial role near their ground states. In this paper we review the basic theoretical concepts of this "elusive" state and the status of experimental searches in heavy nuclei. We discuss the hindrance effects due to Q-value mismatch and the use of weakly-bound projectiles as a way to overcome the limitations of the (p,t) reactions. We also discuss the role of the continuum and conclude with some possible future developments.

We present an alternate method to close the master equation representing the continuous time dynamics of interacting Ising spins. The method makes use of the theory of random point processes to derive a master equation for local conditional probabilities. We analytically test our solution studying two known cases, the dynamics of the mean-field ferromagnet and the dynamics of the one-dimensional Ising system. We present numerical results comparing our predictions with Monte Carlo simulations in three different models on random graphs with finite connectivity: the Ising ferromagnet, the random field Ising model, and the Viana-Bray spin-glass model.

We consider classical spin systems evolving in continuous time with interactions given by a locally tree-like graph. Several approximate analysis methods have earlier been reported based on the idea of Belief Propagation / cavity method. We introduce a new such method which can be derived in a more systematic manner using the theory of Random Point Processes. Within this approach, the master equation governing the system's dynamics is closed via a set of differential equations for the auxiliary cavity probabilities. The numerical results improve on the earlier versions of the closure on several important classes of problems. We re-visit here the cases of the Ising ferromagnet and the Viana-Bray spin-glass model.

We present work of our COST Action on "Understanding and exploiting the impacts of low pH on micro-or-ganisms". First, we summarise a workshop held at the European Federation of Biotechnology meeting on Mi-crobial Stress Responses (online in 2020) on "Industrial applications of low pH stress on microbial bio-based production", as an example of an initiative fostering links between pure and applied research. We report the outcomes of a small survey on the challenging topic of developing links between researchers working in academia and industry that show that, while people in different sectors strongly support such links, barriers remain that obstruct this process. We present the thoughts of an expert panel held as part of the workshop above, where people with experience of collaboration between academia and industry shared ideas on how to develop and maintain links. Access to relevant information is essential for research in all sectors, and because of this we have developed, as part of our COST Action goals, two resources for the free use of all researchers with interests in any aspects of microbial responses to low pH. These are (1) a comprehensive database of references in the literature on different aspects of acid stress responses in different bacterial and fungal species, and (2) a database of research expertise across our network. We invite the community of researchers working in this field to take advantage of these resources to identify relevant literature and opportunities for establishing collaborations.

Recently it was found that the nuclear symmetry energy can be directly associated with the mean level density and an iso-vector potential. In this paper, the nuclear symmetry energy is studied within the relativistic mean field (RMF) theory. The potential of the RMF theory can be separated into an isovector and isoscalar components. The nuclear binding energies in A = 48 isobaric chain calculated from RMF theory with or without the isovector terms for effective interactions PK1, NLSH, NL3, and TM1 have been used to analyze the nuclear symmetry energy in detail, i.e., mean level spacing epsilon and the effective isovector potential strength K.

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have in recent years evolved as a source of biomarkers for disease diagnosis and therapeutic follow up. sEV samples derived from multicellular organisms exhibit a high heterogeneous repertoire of vesicles which current methods based on ensemble measurements cannot capture. In this work we present droplet barcode sequencing for protein analysis (DBS-Pro) to profile surface proteins on individual sEVs, facilitating identification of sEV-subtypes within and between samples. The method allows for analysis of multiple proteins through use of DNA barcoded affinity reagents and sequencing as readout. High throughput single vesicle profiling is enabled through compartmentalization of individual sEVs in emulsion droplets followed by droplet barcoding through PCR. In this proof-of-concept study we demonstrate that DBS-Pro allows for analysis of single sEVs, with a mixing rate below 2%. A total of over 120,000 individual sEVs obtained from a NSCLC cell line and from malignant pleural effusion (MPE) fluid of NSCLC patients have been analyzed based on their surface proteins. We also show that the method enables single vesicle surface protein profiling and by extension characterization of sEV-subtypes, which is essential to identify the cellular origin of vesicles in heterogenous samples.

An in-depth analysis of the vibronic absorption spectra for the recently synthesized blue-fluorescent OLED emitters bis[(1,2)(5,6)]indoloanthracene and biscarbazolo[3,4-a:3',4'-h]anthracene has been carried out computationally at the density functional theory level within the Franck-Condon approximation. These molecules are characterized by extended and rich electronic absorption spectra with most absorption bands being of vibronic origin. The first excited singlet state of bis[(1,2)(5,6)]indoloanthracene compound demonstrates a clear observable double-peak vibronic progression for two different active modes in the absorption spectrum, while the S-2 state is vibronically inactive. In contrast, for the larger biscarbazolo[3,4-a:3',4'-h]anthracene compound the S-0 -> S-2 transition demonstrates well-resolved intense vibronic bands which overlap the less intense progressions of few modes in the S-0 -> S-1 transition. We have also found, that even the higher-lying and very intense S-0 -> S-4 and S-0 -> S-5 transitions for bis[(1,2)(5,6)]indoloanthracene and biscarbazolo[3,4-a:3',4'-h]anthracene, respectively, are characterized by clear vibronic progressions in excellent agreement with experimental spectra.

Assembly of thermoelectric nanostructures with pre-defined morphology and surface chemistry on solid sub-strates has been one of the challenges for in-plane TE devices. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) has the potential to be used for this purpose, where the use of non-conductive substrates is required to enable a reliable evaluation of the transport property of electrically active films. Bi2Te3 nanoparticles, which were synthesized using microwave-assisted hydrothermal route, were used for the EPD of thermoelectric films on glass substrates. A special substrate was fabricated using maskless photolithography, to evaluate the electronic transport properties of the TE films without the interference of the substrate. Electrolyte composition was optimized for high mobility of the suspended nanoparticles, and Bi2Te3 EPD films were fabricated with a high deposition rate, reaching 10 mu m/min. Initial EPD films showed high resistivity, ascribed to the surface oxide layer and capping ligands. The resistance was significantly reduced by the addition of a dithiol molecular linker, capable of interconnecting the Bi2Te3 nanoparticles through ligand-exchange. Seebeck coefficient in the range-150 to-180 mu V/K was measured, revealing the transport through the deposited films. Finally, a power factor of 169 nW/K-2.m was estimated, revealing the potential for the application of this technology to large area TE films as active coatings using the developed EPD process.

We investigate the mass spectra of exotic hadrons known as hexaquarks in the form of dibaryons. We use a phenomenological model based on an extended version of the Giirsey-Radicati mass formula for hadrons to include non-charmed baryons, charmed baryons, and non-strange dibaryons to be able to predict masses of potential dibaryon states. We perform six numerical fits of this model to input data for three different sets of masses of baryons and dibaryons. We find that the model can fit some of the data sets well, especially the sets including charmed baryons and non-strange dibaryons, and observe that the predicted mass of one of the dibaryons is close to the measured mass of the observed hexaquark candidate d * (2380) reported by the WASA-at-COSY experiment. The predicted mass of the deuteron is slightly larger than its measured mass. Finally, for the data sets including charmed baryon and non-strange dibaryon masses, we find that the predicted masses of potential dibaryon states are all in the range from 1900 MeV to 3700 MeV.

We have performed a first principles investigation of water interaction with a Cu surface. The calculated surface energy of a Cu(100) slab is in reasonable agreement with experimental data. The energy of water dissociation is in agreement with experiment. The results of the ab initio calculations are compared to experimental data on hydrogen partial pressure. It is concluded that Cu(OH)(ads) is formed due to a reaction between Cu and anoxic water. The energy of the Cu(100) slab with OH and H adsorbed is lower than the energy of the same slab with an adsorbed water molecule.

F1F0 ATPases have been identified in most bacteria, including mycoplasmas which have very small genomes associated with a host-dependent lifestyle. In addition to the typical operon of eight genes encoding genuine F1F0 ATPase (Type 1), we identified related clusters of seven genes in many mycoplasma species. Four of the encoded proteins have predicted structures similar to the alpha, beta, gamma and e subunits of F-1 ATPases and could form an F-1-like ATPase. The other three proteins display no similarity to any other known proteins. Two of these proteins are probably located in the membrane, as they have three and twelve predicted transmembrane helices. Phylogenomic studies identified two types of F-1-like ATPase clusters, Type 2 and Type 3, characterized by a rapid evolution of sequences with the conservation of structural features. Clusters encoding Type 2 and Type 3 ATPases were assumed to originate from the Hominis group of mycoplasmas. We suggest that Type 3 ATPase clusters may spread to other phylogenetic groups by horizontal gene transfer between mycoplasmas in the same host, based on phylogeny and genomic context. Functional analyses in the ruminant pathogen Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides showed that the Type 3 cluster genes were organized into an operon. Proteomic analyses demonstrated that the seven encoded proteins were produced during growth in axenic media. Mutagenesis and complementation studies demonstrated an association of the Type 3 cluster with a major ATPase activity of membrane fractions. Thus, despite their tendency toward genome reduction, mycoplasmas have evolved and exchanged specific F-1-like ATPases with no known equivalent in other bacteria. We propose a model, in which the F-1-like structure is associated with a hypothetical X-0 sector located in the membrane of mycoplasma cells.