Co-receptor CD8-mediated modulation of T-cell receptor functional sensitivity and epitope recognition degeneracy

The interaction between T-cell receptors (TCRs) and peptide epitopes is highly degenerate: a TCR is capable of interacting productively with a wide range of different peptide ligands, involving not only cross-reactivity proper (similar epitopes elicit strong responses), but also polyspecificity (ligands with distinct physicochemical properties are capable of interacting with the TCR). Degeneracy does not gainsay the fact that TCR recognition is fundamentally specific: for the vast majority of ligands, the functional sensitivity of a given TCR is virtually null whereas this TCR has an appreciable functional sensitivity only for a minute fraction of all possible ligands. Degeneracy can be described mathematically as the probability that the functional sensitivity, of a given TCR to a randomly selected ligand, exceeds a set value. Variation of this value generates a statistical distribution that characterizes TCR degeneracy. This distribution can be modeled on the basis of a Gaussian distribution for the TCR/ligand dissociation energy. The kinetics of the TCR and the MHCI molecule can be used to transform this underlying Gaussian distribution into the observed distribution of functional sensitivity values. In the present paper, the model is extended by accounting explicitly for the kinetics of the interaction between the co-receptor and the MHCI molecule. We show that T-cells can modulate the level of degeneracy by varying the density of co-receptors on the cell surface. This could allow for an analog of avidity maturation during incipient T-cell responses

Recombination of asphalt with bio-asphalt : binder formulation and asphalt mixes application

The bio-oil from fast pyrolysis is mainly produced using organic waste materials. This is a viscoelastic material, and after a heat treatment it has a viscosity and high/intermediate thermal rheological behavior similar to many types of asphalt used in the paving industry. These two characteristics show that this material could be a good alternative to replace asphalt. In order to improve the performance of bio-oil, it was hypothesized that the addition of crumb rubber would change the rheology of the modified bio-oil, making it rheologically similar to the conventional paving asphalts. Therefore, two sources of ground rubber from used tires (GTR), from different manufacturing processes, were used to modify the bio-oil. Then, two blends were produced by adding 20% (w/w) of this bio-binder to two different asphalts, a PG58-28 and a PG64-22. The binders were aged, and then storage stability tests (separation sensibility) were performed. The rheology of the initial bio-oil, bio-binder, asphalts and resulting binder-blends were assessed by using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), namely by performing frequency sweeps at different temperatures. The results were then used to build the master curves of the materials, and to determine their high temperature continuous performance grade. Additionally, the performance related behavior of mixtures produced with this new material was also assessed, in order to evaluate the advantages of its use in pavements. Therefore, two mixes were produced with the binder that showed better performance regarding thermal rheological behavior, aging susceptibility and separation tendency. These new mixes were finally studied using performance related tests that are able to estimate their future behavior in situ in different environmental and traffic conditions, in particular in regard to water susceptibility, fatigue cracking, dynamic modulus, flow number and low temperature fracture resistance. The results from this first set of experiments showed that this material can perform as well or better than conventional asphalts over a large range of temperatures.FEDER -Federación Española de Enfermedades Rara

Development of an innovative bio-binder using Asphalt-rubber technology

This research work evaluates several parameters that can affect Asphalt Rubber (AR) binder performance and applies the AR technology to the development of an innovative renewable bio-binder that can fully and cost-effectively replace asphaltic bitumen derived from petroleum in flexible pavement construction. The “Binder Accelerated Separator” method was used to divide the constituents of the Asphalt Rubber and bio-binder (residual binder and swelled rubber). The physical and chemical changes in the Asphalt Rubber and bio-binder and in the residual binders (residual bitumen and residual bio-oil) were evaluated. The results demonstrate that the produced bio-binder is suitable for use in flexible pavements with properties comparable to those of conventional and Asphalt Rubber binders

Customer resistance to tourism innovations: entrepreneurs’ understanding and management strategies

Customer resistance is the greatest risk to innovation for the entrepreneur. The aim of this exploratory study is to provide insights into this underdeveloped area in the tourism innovation literature. A qualitative approach is adopted to understand the resistance experienced by 57 entrepreneurs when introducing their innovations into the market, the causes and the actions taken to minimise resistance. Findings indicate that most entrepreneurs often encounter resistance from sceptical customers, satisfied with their status quo and with no or low appetites for innovation. The analysis reveals two main sources of resistance: the association of the innovations with particular risks, and the customers' lack of understanding of the innovation value. Communication strategies are crucial to decrease the associated risks and for trust building. The paper provides a critical perspective on the challenges faced by innovators, challenges which are often overlooked given the near-iconic status of innovation in studies of economic development.This research has been supported by the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme [grant agreement 700893]

Astro-WISE processing of wide-field images and other data

Astro-WISE is the Astronomical Wide-field Imaging System for Europe. It is a scientific information system which consists of hardware and software federated over about a dozen institutes throughout Europe. It has been developed to exploit the ever increasing avalanche of data produced by astronomical surveys and data intensive scientific experiments in general. The demo explains the architecture of the Astro-WISE information system and shows the use of Astro-WISE interfaces. Wide-field astronomical images are derived from the raw image to the final catalog according to the user's request. The demo is based on the standard Astro-WISE guided tour, which can be accessed from the Astro-WISE website. The typical Astro-WISE data processing chain is shown, which can be used for data handling for a variety of different instruments, currently 14, including OmegaCAM, MegaCam, WFI, WFC, ACS/HST, etc.Comment: 4 pages, Procedings of ADASS XXI, ASP Conference Serie

Network analysis reveals open forums and echo chambers in social media discussions of climate change

Open Access articleAction to tackle the complex and divisive issue of climate change will be strongly influenced by public perception. Online social media and associated social networks are an increasingly important forum for public debate and are known to influence individual attitudes and behaviours yet online discussions and social networks related to climate change are not well understood. Here we construct several forms of social network for users communicating about climate change on the popular microblogging platform Twitter. We classify user attitudes to climate change based on message content and nd that social networks are characterised by strong attitude-based homophily and segregation into polarised "sceptic" and "activist" groups. Most users interact only with like-minded others, in communities dominated by a single view. However, we also nd mixed-attitude communities in which sceptics and activists frequently interact. Messages between like-minded users typically carry positive sentiment, while messages between sceptics and activists carry negative sentiment. We identify a number of general patterns in user behaviours relating to engagement with alternative views. Users who express negative sentiment are themselves the target of negativity. Users in mixed- attitude communities are less likely to hold a strongly polarised view, but more likely to express negative sentiment towards other users with di ering views. Overall, social media discussions of climate change often occur within polarising "echo chambers", but also within "open forums", mixed-attitude communities that reduce polarisation and stimulate debate. Our results have implications for public engagement with this important global challenge.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) - Bridging the Gaps initiativ

Note and Comment

Wilgus: Payment of Dividends Out of Capital of Corporations and the Nature of Treasury Stock; Wilgus: Duty of a Managing Director of a Corporation to an Individual Shareholder; Williams: Impairing Obligation of Contract with Foreign Corporations; Dodds: May a Legislature Pass an Act Allowing Actual Expenses to Circuit Judges Whose Salaries are Fixed by the State Constitution?; Sonnenschein: What Constitutes a Waiver by Implication of the Privilege of Confidential Communications Between Attorney and Clien

Development of a rubber-modified fractionated bio-oil for use as noncrude petroleum binder in flexible pavements

The increasing demand for petroleum-derived products coupled with decreasing world crude reserves has led to substantial increases in asphalt pricing. Society’s additional interest in energy independence and use of renewable sources of energy is also a motivation for developing and using more sustainable materials such as binders derived from noncrude petroleum sources for use in highway applications. Iowa State University has been developing noncrude petroleum binders derived from the production of bio-oil via fast pyrolysis of non-food source biorenewable residues. Currently, research has demonstrated that bioasphalt can be used as a modifier, extender, or even as an antioxidant when added to petroleum asphalt. Previous research illustrated concerns with low-temperature cracking and the ability to produce typical binder grades used in the United States. This work aims to develop a biobinder that can replace 100% of the petroleum derived asphalt used in constructing flexible pavements utilizing bio-oil and crumb rubber. Both ambient and cryogenic crumb rubber were used in the research. The outcomes of the processes and formulations illustrates that noncrude petroleum binders can be developed effectively to replace typical paving grades of asphalt such as a PG 64-22 binder

Rose Parade Seismology: Signatures of Floats and Bands on Optical Fiber

The 2020 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, was recorded by the Pasadena distributed acoustic sensing array, which utilizes the underground telecom fiber optic cables as sensors. The floats and bands generate remarkable broadband seismic signatures that can be captured at meters’ resolution