Search for top quark partners with charge 5/3 in proton-proton collisions at √s=13 TeV

A search for the production of heavy partners of the top quark with charge 5/3 (X-5/3) decaying into a top quark and a W boson is performed with a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.3 fb(-1), collected in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. Final states with either a pair of same-sign leptons or a single lepton, along with jets, are considered. No significant excess is observed in the data above the expected standard model background contribution and an X-5/3 quark with right-handed (left-handed) couplings is excluded at 95% confidence level for masses below 1020 (990) GeV. These are the first limits based on a combination of the same-sign dilepton and the single-lepton final states, as well as the most stringent limits on the X-5/3 mass to date

IOC based trajectory generation to increase human acceptance of robot motions in collaborative tasks

Collaboration between humans and robots is an important aspect of Industry 4.0. It can be improved by incorporating human-like characteristics into robot motion planning. It is assumed that humans move optimal with respect to a certain objective or cost function. To find this function, also for a robot, we use an inverse optimal control approach identifying what linear weighted combination of physically interpretable cost functions best mimics human point-to-point motions. A bi-level optimization is used, where the upper level compares the optimal robot result of the lower level with human reference motions. Two depth cameras are combined in a setup to record these reference motions. The resulting weighted cost functions are then used to generate new motions for a seven degrees of freedom robot arm. The resulting optimized motions are compared to standard robot motions based on linear interpolation in joint or task space. The comparison is performed by means of a small experiment where preliminary observations show that humans experience these motions as more anthropomorphic and feel at least equally comfortable and safe compared to existing motion planning strategies.Robot DynamicsBiomechatronics & Human-Machine Contro

The carcinoma-specific epithelial glycoprotein-2 promoter controls efficient and selective gene expression in an adenoviral context

Adenoviral vectors are widely used in cancer gene therapy. After systemic administration however, the majority of the virus homes to the liver and the expressed transgene may cause hepatotoxicity. To restrict transgene expression to tumor cells, tumor- or tissue-specific promoters are utilized. The tumor antigen epithelial glycoprotein-2 (EGP-2), also known as Ep-CAM, is expressed in many cancers from different epithelial origins. In this study, the EGP-2 promoter was shown to restrict the expression of luciferase and thymidine kinase in an adenoviral context in different cell lines. In vivo, the EGP-2 promoter mediated efficient expression of luciferase in tumors but showed a 3-log lower activity in liver tissue when compared with the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Similarly, the EGP-2 promoter mediated specific cell killing after ganciclovir treatment in EGP-2-positive cells. Moreover, in vivo, this treatment regiment did not cause any rise in the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), demonstrating absence of liver toxicity. In contrast, CMV-mediated expression of thymidine kinase in combination with ganciclovir treatment resulted in high ASAT and ALAT values. This study demonstrates the value of the EGP-2 promoter to restrict transgene expression to a broad range of tumor types, thereby preventing liver toxicity

A framework for scientific advice on health: EuSANH’s principles and guidelines

Background: Society expects politicians to make sound decisions by bringing the best evidence to bear on the health problems in question. Performing this task requires access to independent sources of sound scientific advice. The European Science Advisory Network for Health (EuSANH) is a network of national science advisory bodies in Europe which are active in the field of health and provide independent scientific advice to their authorities. The EuSANH addressed this question in a European project. Methods: Guidelines and principles for producing sound advice have been formulated after international comparative evaluations and extensive discussions among participants of the EuSANH-ISA project with input from international experts. Results: A framework for scientific advice on health has been produced. Conclusions: This framework will ensure a uniform approach and thus opens possibilities for collaboration between science advisory bodies

Canadian Arctic Archipelago Rivers Program: Nutrient, Dissolved Organic Carbon, and Water Isotope Data 2016-2019

This data set describes the stable water isotope (δ18O-H2O, δ2H-H2O), Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), and Nutrient (Nitrate + Nitrite, Phosphate, Silicate) data collected from 53 rivers, lakes, and glaciers throughout the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA) and Hudson Bay as part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago Rivers Program (CAA-RP; 2016 – 2019); ArcticNet / Amundsen Science biogeochemical surveys (2017-2019); the Canada 150 C3 Expedition (2017); and the BaySys project (2018). Water samples were collected according to methods developed by the Arctic Great Rivers Observatory (http://www.arcticgreatrivers.org/), described in detail in Brown et al., 2020. Water collected for stable water isotope, DOC, and Nutrient analyses was filtered through 0.22 μm Sterivex cartridges (Millipore) into triply rinsed glass (isotopes) or HDPE (Nutrients, DOC) vials; HDPE vials were acid cleaned prior to use. Samples for the determination of DOC and Nutrients were frozen until analyses, whereas stable isotope samples were stored in the dark at room temperature or refrigerated until analyses. Analytical methods are described in the accompanying metadata file. Where indicated, water Temperature and Conductivity at the time of sampling were determined as described in the dataset metadata file

Canadian Arctic Archipelago Rivers Program: Geochemical Data 2016-2019

This data set describes geochemical data collected from 53 rivers, lakes, and glaciers throughout the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA) and Hudson Bay. CAA rivers were sampled through access either (i) on foot from nearby communities; (ii) by small local boats; (iii) via float planes or helicopters; (iv) and/or aboard larger marine vessels, including: the RV Martin Bergmann as part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago Rivers Program (CAA-RP; 2016 – 2019); aboard the CCGS Amundsen as part of the ArcticNet / Amundsen Science biogeochemical surveys (2017-2019); and aboard the MV Polar Prince as part of the Canada 150 C3 Expedition (2017). Hudson Bay rivers were sampled from the CCGS Amundsen as part of the BaySys project (2018). Time series observations were collected from the Coppermine River in Kugluktuk, Nunavut (NU) (year-round; Sept 14, 2016 to Sept 17, 2018), and from Freshwater Creek in Cambridge Bay, NU (open water only; June 8, 2017 to Aug 23, 2019). Water samples were collected according to methods developed by the Arctic Great Rivers Observatory (http://www.arcticgreatrivers.org/), described in detail in Brown et al., 2020. Briefly, water was collected at each site using pre-rinsed 60 mL syringes (Fisher Scientific) either by filling the syringe (1) directly from just below the surface of the river; or, (2) with the aid of a Niskin bottle deployed just below the surface; (3) using a submersible or peristaltic pump and tubing fastened to a pole; or (4) after collecting a bulk water sample by pump (as in 3) into a clean 500 mL glass bottle, stored in coolers in the dark, and then subsampling immediately after returning to the ship. Water collected for geochemical analyses of dissolved constituents was filtered through 0.22 μm Sterivex cartridges (Millipore) into triply rinsed glass or HDPE plastic vials. Vials used for the determination of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) and Nutrients (Nitrate + Nitrite, Phosphate, Silicate) were acid cleaned prior to use. Samples for the determination of DOC and Nutrients were frozen until analyses, whereas dissolved ion and stable isotope samples were stored in the dark at room temperature or refrigerated until analyses. Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Total Alkalinity (TA) samples were filtered directly into glass sample bottles using a 0.45 μm cartridge installed in-line with a peristaltic pump. Where indicated, water Temperature and Conductivity at the time of sampling were determined as described in the dataset metadata file. Analytical methods are described in detail in Brown et al., 2020. Deviations in the laboratory facilities and methods used since Brown et al., 2020 are listed in the dataset metadata file. Additional information on Freshwater Creek sampling methods can be found in Jones et al., (in progress)