Compiler-aided systematic construction of large-scale DNA strand displacement circuits using unpurified components

Biochemical circuits made of rationally designed DNA molecules are proofs of concept for embedding control within complex molecular environments. They hold promise for transforming the current technologies in chemistry, biology, medicine and material science by introducing programmable and responsive behaviour to diverse molecular systems. As the transformative power of a technology depends on its accessibility, two main challenges are an automated design process and simple experimental procedures. Here we demonstrate the use of circuit design software, combined with the use of unpurified strands and simplified experimental procedures, for creating a complex DNA strand displacement circuit that consists of 78 distinct species. We develop a systematic procedure for overcoming the challenges involved in using unpurified DNA strands. We also develop a model that takes synthesis errors into consideration and semi-quantitatively reproduces the experimental data. Our methods now enable even novice researchers to successfully design and construct complex DNA strand displacement circuits

Hundredfold Enhancement of Light Emission via Defect Control in Monolayer Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides

Two dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) based semiconductors have generated intense recent interest due to their novel optical and electronic properties, and potential for applications. In this work, we characterize the atomic and electronic nature of intrinsic point defects found in single crystals of these materials synthesized by two different methods - chemical vapor transport and self-flux growth. Using a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), we show that the two major intrinsic defects in these materials are metal vacancies and chalcogen antisites. We show that by control of the synthetic conditions, we can reduce the defect concentration from above $10^{13} /cm^2$ to below $10^{11} /cm^2$. Because these point defects act as centers for non-radiative recombination of excitons, this improvement in material quality leads to a hundred-fold increase in the radiative recombination efficiency

Case study using analysis of variance to determine groups’ variations

This paper aims to present the analysis of a part manufactured in three shifts, which has a specific characteristic dimension, using DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) method. In every shift, the significant characteristic, “SC”, dimension should be produced within the given tolerance. The question that arises is: “Does the shift have any influence on the “SC” dimension realization?” By using the one way ANOVA method, one can observe the variation between the means of each of the three shifts. Afterwards, specific action can be undertaken to adjust, if necessary, the differences between the shifts

RESULTS OF TWO DECADES OF RESEARCH WORK ON STABILISATION AND AGRICULTURAL REVALUATION OF AN APPROPRIATED LANDSLIDE

Starting with 1976, a totally unproductive piece of land located in the Chinteni Valley, Cluj County, severely degraded by landslides, was used as an experimental field in order to study the actual possibilities of agricultural reinstatement of these lands. Out of a large range of problems studied since then, the present paper shows the most important experimental results concerning the gradual stabilisation and agricultural revaluation of landslides by means of hydro- and agroappropriative works applied. The presented results emphasise the fact that as a consequence of appropriation works applied to this landslide (drainage and levellment) as well as by using crop technologies specific for slopes, the horizontal and vertical displacements of ground have been significantly reduced. Gradually, there has been noted an obvious tendency of a long term land stabilisation followed by a natural incorporation of this land into the equilibrium condition of the slope to which it belongs

Assessment of spatio-temporal landscape changes from VHR images in three different permafrost areas in the western Russian Arctic

Our study highlights the usefulness of very high resolution (VHR) images to detect various types of disturbances over permafrost areas using three example regions in different permafrost zones. The study focuses on detecting subtle changes in land cover classes, thermokarst water bodies, river dynamics, retrogressive thaw slumps (RTS) and infrastructure in the Yamal Peninsula, Urengoy and Pechora regions. Very high-resolution optical imagery (sub-meter) derived from WorldView, QuickBird and GeoEye in conjunction with declassified Corona images were involved in the analyses. The comparison of very high-resolution images acquired in 2003/2004 and 2016/2017 indicates a pronounced increase in the extent of tundra and a slight increase of land covered by water. The number of water bodies increased in all three regions, especially in discontinuous permafrost, where 14.86 of new lakes and ponds were initiated between 2003 and 2017. The analysis of the evolution of two river channels in Yamal and Urengoy indicates the dominance of erosion during the last two decades. An increase of both rivers’ lengths and a significant widening of the river channels were also observed. The number and total surface of RTS in the Yamal Peninsula strongly increased between 2004 and 2016. A mean annual headwall retreat rate of 1.86 m/year was calculated. Extensive networks of infrastructure occurred in the Yamal Peninsula in the last two decades, stimulating the initiation of new thermokarst features. The significant warming and seasonal variations of the hydrologic cycle, in particular, increased snow water equivalent acted in favor of deepening of the active layer; thus, an increasing number of thermokarst lake formations. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Multi-criteria selection of offshore wind farms: case study for the Baltic States

This paper presents a multi-criteria selection approach for offshore wind sites assessment. The proposed site selection framework takes into consideration the electricity network's operating security aspects, economic investment, operation costs and capacity performances relative to each potential site. The selection decision is made through Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), with an inherited flexibility that aims to allow end users to adjust the expected benefits accordingly to their respective and global priorities. The proposed site selection framework is implemented as an interactive case study for three Baltic States in the 2020 time horizon, based on real data and exhaustive power network models, taking into consideration the foreseen upgrades and network reinforcements. For each country the optimal offshore wind sites are assessed under multiple weight contribution scenarios, reflecting the characteristics of market design, regulatory aspects or renewable integration targets

THE IMPORTANCE AN USAGE OF THE AGASTACHE FOENICULUM SPECIES (Pursh) Kuntze

Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze is an Indian traditional herb, native from North America, initially used for its medical virtues against heart disease, in the treatment of cold, in combating fever by stimulating perspiration. Primarily used to treat digestive problems, Agastache also has antiseptic properties. It is recomended in combating gastroenteritis and vomiting. Combined with other herbs it is used in the cure of headaches, anxiety and nausea. Its` use helps the circulatory system or urinary tract and digestion. Externally, it is used to cure bruises, injuries, burns and infections. Later on it has been used in culinary and ornamental purpouses

The Astropy Project: Building an inclusive, open-science project and status of the v2.0 core package

The Astropy project supports and fosters the development of open-source and openly-developed Python packages that provide commonly-needed functionality to the astronomical community. A key element of the Astropy project is the core package Astropy, which serves as the foundation for more specialized projects and packages. In this article, we provide an overview of the organization of the Astropy project and summarize key features in the core package as of the recent major release, version 2.0. We then describe the project infrastructure designed to facilitate and support development for a broader ecosystem of inter-operable packages. We conclude with a future outlook of planned new features and directions for the broader Astropy project