A completion functor for Cauchy groups

A completion functor is constructed on the category of completely normal Cauchy groups and Cauchy-continuous homomorphisms. A competion functor is also obtained for a corresponding category of convergence groups

Mixing in Circular and Non-circular Jets in Crossflow

Coherent structures and mixing in the flow field of a jet in crossflow have been studied using computational (large eddy simulation) and experimental (particle image velocimetry and laser-induced fluorescence) techniques. The mean scalar fields and turbulence statistics as determined by both are compared for circular, elliptic, and square nozzles. For the latter configurations, effects of orientation are considered. The computations reveal that the distribution of a passive scalar in a cross-sectional plane can be single- or double-peaked, depending on the nozzle shape and orientation. A proper orthogonal decomposition of the transverse velocity indicates that coherent structures may be responsible for this phenomenon. Nozzles which have a single-peaked distribution have stronger modes in transverse direction. The global mixing performance is superior for these nozzle types. This is the case for the blunt square nozzle and for the elliptic nozzle with high aspect ratio. It is further demonstrated that the flow field contains large regions in which a passive scalar is transported up the mean gradient (counter-gradient transport) which implies failure of the gradient diffusion hypothesis

Completion functors for Cauchy spaces

Completion functors are constructed on various categories of Cauchy spaces by forming the composition of Wyler's completion functor with suitable modification functors

Stainless steel cross-section resistance according to continuous strength method

Continuous strength method is a contemporary approach to calculation of resistance of stainless steel cross-sections which has been recently developed at the Imperial College of London. The basis of the method is the continuous relation between the slenderness and strain capacity of a cross-section, nonlinear relation between the stress and strain and the strengthening effects of cold forming. In the paper are presented the fundamental rules for calculation of cross-section resistance according to continuous strength method; the comparative analysis of design resistance of the compressed cross-section was conducted through a numerical example according to this method and EN 1993-1-4

Stainless steel cross-section resistance according to continuous strength method

Continuous strength method is a contemporary approach to calculation of resistance of stainless steel cross-sections which has been recently developed at the Imperial College of London. The basis of the method is the continuous relation between the slenderness and strain capacity of a cross-section, nonlinear relation between the stress and strain and the strengthening effects of cold forming. In the paper are presented the fundamental rules for calculation of cross-section resistance according to continuous strength method; the comparative analysis of design resistance of the compressed cross-section was conducted through a numerical example according to this method and EN 1993-1-4

Development of a highly protective combination monoclonal antibody therapy against Chikungunya virus

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that causes global epidemics of a debilitating polyarthritis in humans. As there is a pressing need for the development of therapeutic agents, we screened 230 new mouse anti-CHIKV monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) for their ability to inhibit infection of all three CHIKV genotypes. Four of 36 neutralizing MAbs (CHK-102, CHK-152, CHK-166, and CHK-263) provided complete protection against lethality as prophylaxis in highly susceptible immunocompromised mice lacking the type I IFN receptor (Ifnar−/−) and mapped to distinct epitopes on the E1 and E2 structural proteins. CHK-152, the most protective MAb, was humanized, shown to block viral fusion, and require Fc effector function for optimal activity in vivo. In post-exposure therapeutic trials, administration of a single dose of a combination of two neutralizing MAbs (CHK-102+CHK-152 or CHK-166+CHK-152) limited the development of resistance and protected immunocompromised mice against disease when given 24 to 36 hours before CHIKV-induced death. Selected pairs of highly neutralizing MAbs may be a promising treatment option for CHIKV in humans

Novi koncept proračuna aluminijumskih konstrukcija prema Evrokodu

This paper describes the basic philosophy of the design aluminium structures according to the new European standard EN1999: Design of aluminium structures, Part 1-1: General structural rules. Comparison of the properties of aluminium as a material for structural elements is given in relation to the carbon steel. Special attention is given to the buckling effect in compressed parts of the cross section as well as the thermal effects of welding process, resulting in reduction of the mechanical properties in the heat-affected zones. These effects are illustrated through a brief numerical example

Ecological mapping and data quality assessment for the needs of ecosystem-based marine spatial management: case study Greek Ionian Sea and the adjacent gulfs

Mapping of ecosystem components (natural and socioeconomic) is a prerequisite for ecosystem-based marine spatial management (EB-MSM). To initiate the process of EB-MSM in the Greek Ionian Sea and the adjacent gulfs, the main relevant ecosystem components were mapped based on existing spatial information and expert judgment. The natural components mapped included habitat types and species targeted for conservation, according to national and European legislation and international agreements. Main human activities/pressures related to fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and industry were also mapped. In order to assess the quality of data used to map ecosystem components and therefore take into consideration the inherent uncertainty, an assessment of 5 semi-quantitative data indicators based on a pedigree matrix was conducted. Through this qualitative approach we gained information related to the sources, acquisition and verification procedures, statistical properties, and temporal & geographical correlation, along with the collection process quality of the ecosystem components under study. A substantial overlapping between ecological features and human activities was identified, confirming the need for a well-planned approach to marine space management, in order to mitigate conflicts for marine resources and conserve marine ecosystems and their associated goods and services

Absence of COVID-19-associated changes in plasma coagulation proteins and pulmonary thrombosis in the ferret model

BACKGROUND: Many patients who are diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) suffer from venous thromboembolic complications despite the use of stringent anticoagulant prophylaxis. Studies on the exact mechanism(s) underlying thrombosis in COVID-19 are limited as animal models commonly used to study venous thrombosis pathophysiology (i.e. rats and mice) are naturally not susceptible to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Ferrets are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, successfully used to study virus transmission, and have been previously used to study activation of coagulation and thrombosis during influenza virus infection. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the use of (heat-inactivated) plasma and lung material from SARS-CoV-2-inoculated ferrets studying COVID-19-associated changes in coagulation and thrombosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Histology and longitudinal plasma profiling using mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach was performed. RESULTS: Lungs of ferrets inoculated intranasally with SARS-CoV-2 demonstrated alveolar septa that were mildly expanded by macrophages, and diffuse interstitial histiocytic pneumonia. However, no macroscopical or microscopical evidence of vascular thrombosis in the lungs of SARS-CoV-2-inoculated ferrets was found. Longitudinal plasma profiling revealed minor differences in plasma protein profiles in SARS-CoV-2-inoculated ferrets up to 2 weeks post-infection. The majority of plasma coagulation factors were stable and demonstrated a low coefficient of variation. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that while ferrets are an essential and well-suited animal model to study SARS-CoV-2 transmission, their use to study SARS-CoV-2-related changes relevant to thrombotic disease is limited

The 'absolute existence' of phlogiston: the losing party's point of view.

Long after its alleged demise, phlogiston was still presented, discussed and defended by leading chemists. Even some of the leading proponents of the new chemistry admitted its ‘absolute existence’. We demonstrate that what was defended under the title ‘phlogiston’ was no longer a particular hypothesis about combustion and respiration. Rather, it was a set of ontological and epistemological assumptions and the empirical practices associated with them. Lavoisier’s gravimetric reduction, in the eyes of the phlogistians, annihilated the autonomy of chemistry together with its peculiar concepts of chemical substance and quality, chemical process and chemical affinity. The defence of phlogiston was the defence of a distinctly chemical conception of matter and its appearances, a conception which rejected the chemist’s acquaintance with details and particularities of substances, properties and processes and his skills of adducing causal relations from the interplay between their complexity and uniformity