Comparative study on the implementation of the ECHR at the national level

A Comparative analysis of the application of the European Convention on Human Rights in the national legal framework of several contracting states to the Conventio

Genetic determinants of the development and course of membranous nephropathy

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is one of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults and is classified as either primary (idiopatic) or secondary MN according to underlying etiology (the later result from some known disease such as systemic autoimmune diseases, infections, malignancies, drugs, etc). In recent years, phospholipase A2 receptor 1 (PLA2R) and thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing 7A (THSD7A) were identified as two major podocytic antigens involved in the pathogenesis of idiopatic MN (IMN). And the discovery of circulating antibodies specific for these target antigens has transformed the diagnostic workup and significally improved management of IMN. However why do such antibodies develop is not conclusively established. The role of underlying genetic factors is discussed. The review presents the results of recent studies, that have shown significant associations of specific genetic factors (particularly human leucocyte antigen class II and PLA2R1 genes) with IMN

Dispersion force for materials relevant for micro and nanodevices fabrication

The dispersion (van der Waals and Casimir) force between two semi-spaces are calculated using the Lifshitz theory for different materials relevant for micro and nanodevices fabrication, namely, gold, silicon, gallium arsenide, diamond and two types of diamond-like carbon (DLC), silicon carbide, silicon nitride and silicon dioxide. The calculations were performed using recent experimental optical data available in the literature, usually ranging from the far infrared up to the extreme ultraviolet bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. The results are presented in the form of a correction factor to the Casimir force predicted between perfect conductors, for the separation between the semi-spaces varying from 1 nanometre up to 1 micrometre. The relative importance of the contributions to the dispersion force of the optical properties in different spectral ranges is analyzed. The role of the temperature for semiconductors and insulators is also addressed. The results are meant to be useful for the estimation of the impact of the Casimir and van der Waals forces on the operational parameters of micro and nanodevices

Selection of antioxidants to improve the thermal-oxidative stability of polyarylates

Using the method of thermogravimetric analysis, the selection of synergistic mixtures of antioxidants for the synthesized polyarylate-polysulfone block copolymer F-230/30 with a glass transition temperature of 260°C was made

Synthesis and study of block copolymer polyarylates

In order to reduce the viscosity of a polyarylate melt based on phenolphthalein and terephthalic acid dichloride with a glass transition temperature of 280°C, polyarylate-polysulfone block copolymers with a glass transition temperature of 240 to 260°C capable of processing through a melt at 340°C were synthesized and studied

Physical constraints of cultural evolution of dialects in killer whales

Data collection was supported by a variety of organizations, including the Russian Fund for the Fundamental Research (Grant No. 15-04-05540), the Rufford Small Grants Fund, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Grant No. SFRH/BD/30303/2006), Russell Trust Award of the University of St. Andrews, the Office of Naval Research, the Icelandic Research Fund (i. Rannsóknasjóður), the National Geographic Society Science and Exploration Europe (Grant No. GEFNE65-12), Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, the Canadian Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans, and the North Gulf Oceanic Society.Odontocete sounds are produced by two pairs of phonic lips situated in soft nares below the blowhole; the right pair is larger and is more likely to produce clicks, while the left pair is more likely to produce whistles. This has important implications for the cultural evolution of delphinid sounds: the greater the physical constraints, the greater the probability of random convergence. In this paper the authors examine the call structure of eight killer whale populations to identify structural constraints and to determine if they are consistent among all populations. Constraints were especially pronounced in two-voiced calls. In the calls of all eight populations, the lower component of two-voiced (biphonic) calls was typically centered below 4 kHz, while the upper component was typically above that value. The lower component of two-voiced calls had a narrower frequency range than single-voiced calls in all populations. This may be because some single-voiced calls are homologous to the lower component, while others are homologous to the higher component of two-voiced calls. Physical constraints on the call structure reduce the possible variation and increase the probability of random convergence, producing similar calls in different populations.PostprintPeer reviewe

New superstructural thermoplastics and carbon composite materials based on them

New superconstructional polyarylates with glass transition temperatures from 216 to 280°C and polyethersulfones with glass transition temperatures from 230 to 255°C have been developed. On the basis of these polymers, industrial polysulfone PSFF-30, PSF-150, polyethersulfone E-3010, polyetherimide Ultem 1000, PEEK and PEKK, and two types of carbon fabrics, thermoplastic prepregs and consolidated carbon composite plates were obtained, and their mechanical properties under compression and three-point bending were determined

Crowd intelligence can discern between repertoires of killer whale ecotypes

This study was funded by the Russian Fund for the Fundamental Research (grant No. 18-04-00462).Call classifications by human observers are often subjective yet they are critical to studies of animal communication, because only the categories that are relevant for the animals themselves actually make sense in terms of correlation to the context. In this paper we test whether independent observers can correctly detect differences and similarities in killer whale repertoires. We used repertoires with different a priori levels of similarity: from different ecotypes, from different oceans, from different populations within the same ocean, and from different local subpopulations of the same population. Calls from nine killer whale populations/subpopulations were pooled into a joint sample set, and eight independent observers were asked to classify the calls into separate categories. None of the observers’ classifications strongly followed the known phylogeny of the analyzed repertoires. However, some phylogenetic relationships were reflected in the classifications substantially better than others. Most observers correctly separated the calls from two North Pacific ecotypes. Call classifications averaged across multiple observers reflected the known repertoire phylogenies better than individual classifications, and revealed the similarity of repertoires at the level of subpopulations within the same population, or closely related populations.PostprintPeer reviewe

Excellent Response to OnabotulinumtoxinA: Different Definitions, Different Predictors

The identification of patients who can benefit the most from the available preventive treatments is important in chronic migraine. We explored the rate of excellent responders to onabotulinumtoxinA in a multicenter European study and explored the predictors of such response, according to different definitions. A pooled analysis on chronic migraineurs treated with onabotulinumtoxinA and followed-up for, at least, 9 months was performed. Excellent responders were defined either as patients with a ≥75% decrease in monthly headache days (percent-based excellent responders) or as patients with <4 monthly headache days (frequency-based excellent responders). The characteristics of excellent responders at the baseline were compared with the ones of patients with a <30% decrease in monthly headache days. Percent-based excellent responders represented about 10% of the sample, whilst frequency-based excellent responders were about 5% of the sample. Compared with non-responders, percent-based excellent responders had a higher prevalence of medication overuse and a higher excellent response rate even after the 1st and the 2nd injection. Females were less like to be frequency-based excellent responders. Chronic migraine sufferers without medication overuse and of female sex may find fewer benefits with onabotulinumtoxinA. Additionally, the excellent response status is identifiable after the first cycle

Recasting the cancer stem cell hypothesis: Unification using a continuum model of microenvironmental forces

Purpose of review Here, we identify shortcomings of standard compartment-based mathematical models of cancer stem-cells, and propose a continuous formalism which includes the tumor microenvironment. Recent findings Stem-cell models of tumor growth have provided explanations for various phenomena in oncology including, metastasis, drug- and radio-resistance, and functional heterogeneity in the face of genetic homogeneity. While some of the newer models allow for plasticity, or de-differentiation, there is no consensus on the mechanisms driving this. Recent experimental evidence suggests that tumor microenvironment factors like hypoxia, acidosis, and nutrient deprivation have causative roles. Summary To settle the dissonance between the mounting experimental evidence surrounding the effects of the microenvironment on tumor stemness, we propose a continuous mathematical model where we model microenvironmental perturbations like forces, which then shape the distribution of stemness within the tumor. We propose methods by which to systematically measure and characterize these forces, and show results of a simple experiment which support our claims