Convergence for a family of discrete advection–reaction operators

We define a family of discrete Advection–reaction operators, denoted by $A_{a\lambda }$, which associate to a given scalar sequence $s=\left\{s_n\right\}$ the sequence given by $A_{a\lambda }\left(s\right)\equiv \left\{b_n\right\}$, where $b_n=a_{n?2}{s}_{n?1}+{\lambda }_n{s}_n$ for $n=1,2,\dots$. For $A_{a\lambda }$ we explicitly find their iterates and study their convergence properties. Finally, we show the relationship between the family of discrete operators with the continuous one dimensional advection–reaction equation.     

Identification of differentially expressed proteins in papillary thyroid carcinomas with V600E mutation of BRAF

BRAF, a serine/threonine kinase of the RAF family, is a downstream transducer of the RAS-regulated MAPK pathway. V600E mutation of BRAF protein is the most common genetic alteration occurring in papillary thyroid carcinomas and is prognostic of poor clinicopathological outcomes. Protein expression in the subclass of PTC bearing the BRAF(V600E) mutation was investigated by using 2-DE and MS/MS techniques and compared to that of matched normal thyroid tissues from seven patients. 2-D gel image analysis revealed that the expression of eight polypeptide spots, corresponding to five proteins, were significantly underexpressed in PTC bearing BRAF(V600E) mutation whereas 25 polypeptides, representing 19 distinct proteins, were significantly upregulated in tumour tissue, as compared to normal thyroid. Among the differentially expressed polypeptides, mitochondrial proteins, ROS-scavenger enzymes, apoptosis-related proteins as well as proteins involved in tumour cell proliferation were identified. Although dissimilarities between the present results and those previously reported can be ascribed to the use of different 2-DE techniques, the possibility that BRAF(V600E) mutation is responsible for changes in protein expression distinct from those induced by other oncogenes cannot be ruled out.     

Molecular Profiling and Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Mucosal Melanoma: A Comprehensive Review

Mucosal melanoma is a rare and aggressive subtype of melanoma. Unlike its cutaneous counterpart, mucosal melanoma has only gained limited benefit from novel treatment approaches due to the lack of actionable driver mutations and poor response to immunotherapy. Over the last years, whole-genome and exome sequencing techniques have led to increased knowledge on the molecular landscape of mucosal melanoma. Molecular studies have underlined noteworthy findings with potential therapeutic implications, including the presence of KIT mutations, which are potential targets of tyrosine kinase inhibitors currently in use in the clinic (imatinib), but also SF3B1 mutation, CDK4 amplifications, and CDKN2A gene deletions, which are presently under investigation in clinical trials. Recent results from a pooled analysis of patients with mucosal melanoma treated with immunotherapy have suggested that the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors might improve survival outcomes in this subset of patients, as compared with single-agent immunotherapy. However, these results are not confirmed across different studies, and combo-immunotherapy correlates with a higher rate of adverse events. In this review, we describe the clinical, biological, and genetic features of mucosal melanoma. We also provide an update on the results of approved systemic treatment in this setting and overview the therapeutic strategies currently under investigation in clinical trials.     

Compressive evaluation of mansory bricks produced with industrial byproduct aggregates

This study evaluates the effect upon the compressive strength of ceramic masonry bricks when industrial byproducts known as soot are added. The research includes an analysis of the granulometric properties of the constituent components, performed manually with ASTM C136-01 screens to determine particle size using apertures sized from large to small; an analysis by XRD of the mineralogical phases present; a compressive strength analysis performed using standard compression testing machinery; and a water absorption measurement calculated according to Colombian Technical Standard: 4017:2015—Methods for the Sampling and Testing of Masonry Elements and other Clay Products. Five trials were performed using different mixtures of clay and soot, at substitution rates of 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%. These mixtures were prepared under identical conditions in order to ensure validity of the resulting comparisons. The results showed that bricks with 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% added soot demonstrated superior structural strength compared to conventional units. Bricks incorporating 60% soot, however, were found to have lower strength and high porosity.     

An Efficient Aequorea victoria Green Fluorescent Protein for Stimulated Emission Depletion Super-Resolution Microscopy

In spite of their value as genetically encodable reporters for imaging in living systems, fluorescent proteins have been used sporadically for stimulated emission depletion (STED) super-resolution imaging, owing to their moderate photophysical resistance, which does not enable reaching resolutions as high as for synthetic dyes. By a rational approach combining steady-state and ultrafast spectroscopy with gated STED imaging in living and fixed cells, we here demonstrate that F99S/M153T/V163A GFP (c3GFP) represents an efficient genetic reporter for STED, on account of no excited state absorption at depletion wavelengths <600 nm and a long emission lifetime. This makes c3GFP a valuable alternative to more common, but less photostable, EGFP and YFP/Citrine mutants for STED imaging studies targeting the green-yellow region of the optical spectrum.     

A 3 × 3 digitally programmable CNN chip

In this paper a VLSI implementation of a 3 × 3 cell digitally programmable cellular neural networks (CNN) with discrete templates is presented. This chip is the first successfully tested, multichip-oriented CNN chip. In fact, this chip has been designed to be easily interconnected to others to carry out very large CNN arrays. This feature has been verified in a two-chip prototype board. The fully programmable capability covers most of the available one-neighbourhood fixed templates.     

Starch and Starch Derivatives Industry in India

Tapioca and maize are the major sources of starch in India. Tapioca starch is produced in very small units which are not extensively mechanized. This quality of the starch produced is not of a high quality. Maize starch is produced in mechanized units. The liberalization of the economy and growing consumerism bode well for the starch industry in India. Growth of the starch industry would depend on developing applications for starch as well as optimizing usage to derive maximum benefits. The unique properties of maize and tapioca should be considered.     

A precise computation of stress intensity factor on the front of a convex planar crack

In this paper, we consider a general integral expression for mode I stress intensity factor along the fronts of convex planar cracks. For this integral approximation, we develop a simple numerical quadrature formula on every convex set Ω which allows a precise estimation of the error. This permits the use of extrapolation techniques for the accurate computation of the integral. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fire-induced loss of nuclear power plant safety functions

A methodology is developed for evaluating the probability for loss of nuclear power plant safety functions due to fire. A framework for the investigation of fire scenarios involving safety-related equipment is established which models fire development as an event tree consisting of a series of ignition, detection, suppression, and propagation steps. The methodology has been applied to a representative BWR. Variations in the methodology are discussed for application to specific plants. Conservative estimates of core-damage probabilities due to fire were obtained; application of the methodology to a particular BWR including specific knowledge of cable locations, fire-retardants, detectors, etc. would result in considerably lower probabilities.