Undesirable Characteristic Research Articles

Clamping-mediated incorporation of single-stranded DNA with concomitant DNA synthesis by Taq polymerase involves nick-translation

The development and characterization of a new enzyme reaction contribute to advancements in modern biotechnology. Here, we report a novel CIS (clamping-mediated incorporation of single-stranded DNA with concomitant DNA synthesis) reaction catalyzed by Taq polymerase. In the reaction, a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with 3′ Cs is attached with a preformed 3′ G-tail of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA); DNA syntheses starting from both 3′ ends result in the incorporation of ssDNA. A 3′ G-tail length of 3 nucleotides adequately supports this reaction, indicating that Taq polymerase can clump short Watson–Crick base pairs as short as three pairs and use them to initiate DNA polymerization. The reverse transcriptase from Molony murine leukemia virus catalyzes strand displacement synthesis and produces flapped-end DNA, whereas the reaction by Taq polymerase involves the nick translation. These new reaction properties may be beneficial for the development of new molecular tools applicable in various fields. Apart from its CIS reaction activity, we also report that Taq polymerase has the undesirable characteristic of removing 5' fluorescent labels from dsDNA. This characteristic may have compromised various experiments involving the preparation of fluorescently-labeled dsDNA by PCR for a long time.

Mapping of qChalk1 controlling grain chalkiness in japonica rice.

Rice grain chalkiness is an undesirable characteristic that affects grain quality. The aim of this study was to map QTLs controlling grain chalkiness in japonica rice. In this study, two japonica rice cultivars with similar grain shapes but different grain chalkiness rates were crossed and the F2 and BC1F2 populations were subjected to QTL-seq analysis to map the QTLs controlling the grain chalkiness rate. QTL-seq analysis revealed SNP index differences on chromosome 1 in both of the segregating populations. Using polymorphic markers between the two parents, QTL mapping was conducted on 213 individual plants in the BC1F2 population. QTL mapping confined a QTL controlling grain chalkiness, qChalk1, to a 1.1Mb genomic region on chromosome 1. qChalk1 explained 19.7% of the phenotypic variation. A QTL controlling grain chalkiness qChalk1 was detected in both F2 and BC1F2 segregating populations by QTL-Seq and QTL mapping methods. This result would be helpful for further cloning of the genes controlling grain chalkiness in japonica rice.

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF SYNERGY IN TRIBOLOGY

The article contains information about the knowledge of synergism in tribology systems. Two examples of analyses of synergism in tribology systems are presented in the article. In the first example, the interaction coefficient (synergy coefficient) was used to evaluate a set of engine and gear oils composed of special lubricating (surface-active) additives to improve the galling load – a measure of boundary layer strength, evaluated on a 4-ball apparatus. Using the interaction coefficient, a 12-element set of oils (compositions) was "separated" into three groups: synergism with additives (KS>1), sometimes strong, at Ks=2, neutral interaction (KN=1), antagonism with additives (KA<1). Analysis of test results using the synergism coefficient also makes it possible to select the optimal additive concentration in commercial oil. In the second case, a three-factor system was analysed, in which the resultant (undesirable) characteristic was a measure of mechanicalcorrosion- abrasive wear of metal parts. In specially designed experiments, the components of total wear derived from the three underlying factors (mechanical, corrosion and environmental), and the interaction between them was determined. The contribution of the sum component of the mechanical-corrosion-abrasive interactions was found to range from 40 to 50% of the total wear (at 50%, there is a strong synergism KS=1).

Discovery of novel N-acylpyrazoles as potent and selective thrombin inhibitors

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), which includes thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors, have emerged as the preferred therapeutics for thrombotic disorders, penetrating a market previously dominated by warfarin and heparin. This article describes the discovery and profiling of a novel series of N-acylpyrazoles, which act as selective, covalent, reversible, non-competitive inhibitors of thrombin. We describe in vitro stability issues associated with this chemotype and, importantly, demonstrate that N-acylpyrazoles successfully act in vivo as anticoagulants in basic thrombotic animal models. Crucially, this anticoagulant nature is unaccompanied by the higher bleeding risk profile that has become an undesirable characteristic of the DTIs and factor Xa inhibitors. We propose that the N-acylpyrazole chemotype shows intriguing promise as next-generation oral anticoagulants.

Studies on tetrafluoropropene-CO2 based gas mixtures for the resistive plate chambers of the ALICE Muon IDentifier

Due to their simplicity and comparatively low cost, Resistive Plate Chambers are gaseous detectors widely used in high-energy and cosmic rays physics when large detection areas are needed. However, the best gaseous mixtures are currently based on tetrafluoroethane, which has the undesirable characteristic of a large Global Warming Potential (GWP) of about 1400 and because of this, it is currently being phased out from industrial use. As a possible replacement, tetrafluoropropene (which has a GWP close to 1) has been taken into account.Since tetrafluoropropene is more electronegative than tetrafluoroethane, it has to be diluted with gases with a lower attachment coefficient in order to maintain the operating voltage close to 10 kV. One of the main candidates for this role is carbon dioxide. In order to ascertain the feasibility and the performance of tetrafluoropropene-CO2 based mixtures, an R&D program is being carried out in the ALICE collaboration, which employs an array of 72 Bakelite RPCs (Muon Identifier, MID) to identify muons. Different proportions of tetrafluoropropene and CO2, with the addition of small quantities of isobutane and sulphur hexafluoride, have been tested with 50 × 50 cm2 RPC prototypes with 2 mm wide gas gap and 2 mm thick Bakelite electrodes.In the presentation, results from tests with cosmic rays will be presented, together with data concerning the current drawn by a RPC exposed to the gamma-ray flux of the Gamma Irradiation Facility (GIF) at CERN.

Study of the Pulse of Peristaltic Pumps for Use in 3D Extrusion Bioprinting.

Peristaltic pumps are used in healthcare for their ability to aseptically displace various fluids, including medium-density gels and suspended solids. However, they have the undesirable characteristic of pulsing at their output. Three-dimensional printing is becoming a reality in tissue engineering, and it generally uses syringes to extrude hydrogels. One of the problems to be solved is the microdosing of biomaterials or bioinks when it is necessary to print large volumes. The use of peristaltic pumps in bioprinting is desirable as it does not limit the volume to the contents of a syringe while achieving dosage control. A peristaltic pump was designed and implemented to avoid pulsation errors and microliter dosing while allowing a large amount of fluid displacement. Two pumps with equal displacement were built. The first uses the conventional profile and is the baseline for comparisons, while the second presents the profile studied and proposed. The concepts demonstrated by Bernoulli were used, fixing the height of a column of water, while the two pumps provide flow to the system asynchronously, allowing the reading of pressure as a function of the speed variation created by the pulsation of each pump. An approximately 100 times reduction in pulsation was observed during fluid displacement with the variance reduced from 2.64 to 0.025 s2. The two pumps were also installed on a modified Ultimaker FDM 3D printer, and a standard for comparison was printed using a water-based hydrogel, corn starch, and corn-derived triglyceride, showing that the proposed pump improves the deposition quality of the material. Three-dimensional prints, tubes 20 mm in diameter by 8 mm in height and 0.7 mm in wall width, were also produced. Videos obtained show that the first pump was not able to print more than 4 mm in height, while the second prints the model with high quality and without deficiency. The results show that the new pump profile is able to provide a sufficiently constant volume for three-dimensional printing with excellent deposition control, building a simple object but difficult to obtain for a common peristaltic pump.

Enhancement of the Unidirectional Radiation Pattern of Shear Horizontal Ultrasonic Waves Generated by Side-Shifted Periodic Permanent Magnets Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers With Multiple Rows of Magnets

Shear horizontal (SH) guided waves are widely used in non-destructive evaluation and can be generated by permanent magnet electromagnetic acoustic transducer (PPM EMATs). PPM EMATs generate SH waves that propagate both forwards and backwards. This is often an undesirable characteristic. Unidirectional generation can be achieved by the interference mechanism produced by two independent sources. This, however, is non-feasible for the conventional PPM EMATs due to the arrangement of PPM array and racetrack coil. Recently, we presented a design of an SH EMAT with side-shifted PPM arrays that generates SH waves nominally in a single direction. Due to the shift of the produced wavefronts from each array, that design produced side-lobes in the backward semi-plane. In this paper, we enhance the unidirectional generation of SH waves with side-shifted PPM EMATs by evaluating the effect of the separation between individual arrays as well as the number of rows of magnets in each array. An analytical model is used to calculate the radiation pattern. The amplitude of the backward side-lobes decreases either with increasing the number of magnets rows or decreasing the lateral gap between rows. This behaviour is explained by the amount of wavefront misalignment introduced by each design. Increasing the number of magnets rows also increases the directivity and the energy of the forward generated waves. Twelve different configurations were fabricated, with a reasonably short wavelength of 12 mm, and experimentally evaluated, agreeing with the theoretically calculated radiation pattern. The magnitude of the backward side-lobes was roughly halved when compared with the original design.

Probing the stability landscape of prestressed stayed columns susceptible to mode interaction

Prestressed stayed columns are structural systems where the compressive load-carrying capacity is enhanced through pre-tensioned external cable stays. Recent theoretical studies using analytical and nonlinear finite element models have shown that, under certain configurations, this enhancement leads to a sequence of closely spaced bifurcation points beyond the critical one. This undesirable characteristic can give rise to dangerously unstable interactive post-buckling behaviour including ‘mode jumping’ and ‘snaking’ phenomena. Even though these highly nonlinear behaviours can be readily modelled using numerical methods, they cannot be verified robustly using traditional quasi-static testing techniques based on force or displacement control at a single point. The current work explores a novel testing concept for potential experimental implementation, from the theoretical and numerical point of view. The concept allows the stability landscape of prestressed stayed columns to be ascertained by controlling the shape of the structure at multiple points. By controlling the mode shape of the structure, it is possible to traverse limit points, path-follow otherwise unstable equilibria, pinpoint bifurcation points and branch-switch between different post-critical segments of the equilibrium manifold. To explore the feasibility of the new testing method, we have created a virtual instantiation of the experiment in the commercial finite element package Abaqus, coupled to a control algorithm that coordinates the movements of the different control points. A number of different stability phenomena that have previously been identified analytically and numerically are reproduced successfully in the virtual test environment. Moreover, a noise sensitivity study is conducted to assess the robustness of the experimental technique proposed herein. The present work lays the foundation for physically assessing the stability landscape of prestressed stayed columns in a more comprehensive way.

Application of Polymer Based Nanocomposites for Water Shutoff—A Review

One highly undesirable characteristic of mature assets that inhibits oil recovery is high water production. Polymer gel treatment is a popular conformance improvement technique applied in this regard due to its cost effectiveness and proved efficiency. Despite this popularity, optimum performance of polymer hydrogels in water shut off is inhibited by excessive aggregation, difficulty in controlling gelation, and their instability at high temperature and high salinity reservoir conditions. To address these shortcomings, research on the application of nanoparticles (NPs) in polymer hydrogels to manage thermal stability and salinity sensitivity has significantly increased in the recent past. By incorporating metal-based NPs, silica or graphene at nanoscale; the gel strength, storage modulus, salinity tolerance and thermal stability of commonly used polymers have been greatly enhanced. In this paper, the advances in experimental studies on polymer-based nanocomposites are discussed and field experiences from adoption of polymer composites reviewed.

The Peculiarities of Foreign Exchange and Insurance Markets

Foreign exchange risk is one of the most important components of the financial market. Like any other financial risk, it can be managed or avoided. Financial risk management requires the relevant knowledge and resources and only specialized financial institutions are engaged in doing so. Thee commercial banks do not accept foreign exchange risks, their assets and liabilities are denominated in the same currency. Therefore, it is recommended for households and businesses to avoid the currency risk. People's behavior is different during the sharp fluctuations of exchange rates. There is no ideal tactic for behavior. However, we would like to share some basic tips to help you reduce your expected financial risks; At the same time, the undesirable attitude characteristic of the period of strong fluctuations in the course will become clearer and more preventive. We hope that the information presented in such circumstances will help you to make the right decision. Keywords: Foreign exchange and insurance market efficiency; Exchange rate risk insurance; Involvement of financial instruments.

The Peculiarities of Foreign Exchange and Insurance Markets

Foreign exchange risk is one of the most important components of the financial market. Like any other financial risk, it can be managed or avoided. Financial risk management requires the relevant knowledge and resources and only specialized financial institutions are engaged in doing so. Thee commercial banks do not accept foreign exchange risks, their assets and liabilities are denominated in the same currency. Therefore, it is recommended for households and businesses to avoid the currency risk. People's behavior is different during the sharp fluctuations of exchange rates. There is no ideal tactic for behavior. However, we would like to share some basic tips to help you reduce your expected financial risks; At the same time, the undesirable attitude characteristic of the period of strong fluctuations in the course will become clearer and more preventive. We hope that the information presented in such circumstances will help you to make the right decision. Keywords: Foreign exchange and insurance market efficiency; Exchange rate risk insurance; Involvement of financial instruments.

The Peculiarities of Foreign Exchange and Insurance Markets

Foreign exchange risk is one of the most important components of the financial market. Like any other financial risk, it can be managed or avoided. Financial risk management requires the relevant knowledge and resources and only specialized financial institutions are engaged in doing so. Thee commercial banks do not accept foreign exchange risks, their assets and liabilities are denominated in the same currency. Therefore, it is recommended for households and businesses to avoid the currency risk. People's behavior is different during the sharp fluctuations of exchange rates. There is no ideal tactic for behavior. However, we would like to share some basic tips to help you reduce your expected financial risks; At the same time, the undesirable attitude characteristic of the period of strong fluctuations in the course will become clearer and more preventive. We hope that the information presented in such circumstances will help you to make the right decision. Keywords: Foreign exchange and insurance market efficiency; Exchange rate risk insurance; Involvement of financial instruments.

The Peculiarities of Foreign Exchange and Insurance Markets

Foreign exchange risk is one of the most important components of the financial market. Like any other financial risk, it can be managed or avoided. Financial risk management requires the relevant knowledge and resources and only specialized financial institutions are engaged in doing so. Thee commercial banks do not accept foreign exchange risks, their assets and liabilities are denominated in the same currency. Therefore, it is recommended for households and businesses to avoid the currency risk. People's behavior is different during the sharp fluctuations of exchange rates. There is no ideal tactic for behavior. However, we would like to share some basic tips to help you reduce your expected financial risks; At the same time, the undesirable attitude characteristic of the period of strong fluctuations in the course will become clearer and more preventive. We hope that the information presented in such circumstances will help you to make the right decision.

The Peculiarities of Foreign Exchange and Insurance Markets

Foreign exchange risk is one of the most important components of the financial market. Like any other financial risk, it can be managed or avoided. Financial risk management requires the relevant knowledge and resources and only specialized financial institutions are engaged in doing so. Thee commercial banks do not accept foreign exchange risks, their assets and liabilities are denominated in the same currency. Therefore, it is recommended for households and businesses to avoid the currency risk. People's behavior is different during the sharp fluctuations of exchange rates. There is no ideal tactic for behavior. However, we would like to share some basic tips to help you reduce your expected financial risks; At the same time, the undesirable attitude characteristic of the period of strong fluctuations in the course will become clearer and more preventive. We hope that the information presented in such circumstances will help you to make the right decision. Keywords: Foreign exchange and insurance market efficiency; Exchange rate risk insurance; Involvement of financial instruments.

The Peculiarities of Foreign Exchange and Insurance Markets

Foreign exchange risk is one of the most important components of the financial market. Like any other financial risk, it can be managed or avoided. Financial risk management requires the relevant knowledge and resources and only specialized financial institutions are engaged in doing so. Thee commercial banks do not accept foreign exchange risks, their assets and liabilities are denominated in the same currency. Therefore, it is recommended for households and businesses to avoid the currency risk. People's behavior is different during the sharp fluctuations of exchange rates. There is no ideal tactic for behavior. However, we would like to share some basic tips to help you reduce your expected financial risks; At the same time, the undesirable attitude characteristic of the period of strong fluctuations in the course will become clearer and more preventive. We hope that the information presented in such circumstances will help you to make the right decision. Keywords: Foreign exchange and insurance market efficiency; Exchange rate risk insurance; Involvement of financial instruments.

The Peculiarities of Foreign Exchange and Insurance Markets

Foreign exchange risk is one of the most important components of the financial market. Like any other financial risk, it can be managed or avoided. Financial risk management requires the relevant knowledge and resources and only specialized financial institutions are engaged in doing so. Thee commercial banks do not accept foreign exchange risks, their assets and liabilities are denominated in the same currency. Therefore, it is recommended for households and businesses to avoid the currency risk. People's behavior is different during the sharp fluctuations of exchange rates. There is no ideal tactic for behavior. However, we would like to share some basic tips to help you reduce your expected financial risks; At the same time, the undesirable attitude characteristic of the period of strong fluctuations in the course will become clearer and more preventive. We hope that the information presented in such circumstances will help you to make the right decision.

The Peculiarities of Foreign Exchange and Insurance Markets

Foreign exchange risk is one of the most important components of the financial market. Like any other financial risk, it can be managed or avoided. Financial risk management requires the relevant knowledge and resources and only specialized financial institutions are engaged in doing so. Thee commercial banks do not accept foreign exchange risks, their assets and liabilities are denominated in the same currency. Therefore, it is recommended for households and businesses to avoid the currency risk. People's behavior is different during the sharp fluctuations of exchange rates. There is no ideal tactic for behavior. However, we would like to share some basic tips to help you reduce your expected financial risks; At the same time, the undesirable attitude characteristic of the period of strong fluctuations in the course will become clearer and more preventive. We hope that the information presented in such circumstances will help you to make the right decision. Keywords: Foreign exchange and insurance market efficiency; Exchange rate risk insurance; Involvement of financial instruments.

The Peculiarities of Foreign Exchange and Insurance Markets

Foreign exchange risk is one of the most important components of the financial market. Like any other financial risk, it can be managed or avoided. Financial risk management requires the relevant knowledge and resources and only specialized financial institutions are engaged in doing so. Thee commercial banks do not accept foreign exchange risks, their assets and liabilities are denominated in the same currency. Therefore, it is recommended for households and businesses to avoid the currency risk. People's behavior is different during the sharp fluctuations of exchange rates. There is no ideal tactic for behavior. However, we would like to share some basic tips to help you reduce your expected financial risks; At the same time, the undesirable attitude characteristic of the period of strong fluctuations in the course will become clearer and more preventive. We hope that the information presented in such circumstances will help you to make the right decision. Keywords: Foreign exchange and insurance market efficiency; Exchange rate risk insurance; Involvement of financial instruments

Fading estimation of SOL-GEL α-Al2O3 detectors

The OSL and the TL techniques are used in several fields of radiation dosimetry. The dosimeters are affected by a signal loss in the time between the irradiation and readout (fading). This undesirable characteristic can cause an underestimation of the irradiation dose. The fading estimation of SOL-GEL α-Al2O3 with several different concentrations of impurities is reported. The thermal fading and the light-induced fading of the SOL-GEL α-Al2O3 detectors were estimated. Furthermore, the exponential equations used to interpolate the experimental results were presented.

Dynamic Characteristic Improvement of Phase-Shift Full-Bridge Center-Tapped Converters Using a Model Predictive Control

This article proposes a dynamic characteristic improvement of phase-shift full-bridge center-tapped (PSFB-CT) converter using a model predictive control (MPC) method. The PSFB-CT converter is widely used for low-voltage dc–dc converters in electric vehicles. In general, its output voltage is a control object which is usually controlled using a proportional–integral control-based output voltage controller and current controller. However, it has a disadvantage such as undesirable dynamic characteristic of the PSFB-CT converter and the necessity of gain tuning. Especially, if the gain of the PI control is increased to improve the dynamic characteristic of the PSFB-CT converter, an overshoot of the output voltage can occur. In this article, the advanced voltage control using the MPC method is proposed to improve the dynamic characteristic of the PSFB-CT converter without overshoot of the output voltage. As a result, the proposed method has advantages with not only fast dynamic characteristic but also robustness from a sudden change of load impedance. The effectiveness of the proposed MPC method was proved by the simulation and experimental results.