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The state of the art in methane pyrolysis does not yet provide a definitive answer as to whether the concept of an elementary reaction is universally applicable to the apparently simple process of methane dissociation. Similarly, the literature currently lacks a comprehensive and unambiguous description of the methane pyrolysis process and, in particular, a single model that would well represent its course at both the micro and macro scales. Given the wide range of conditions under which this reaction can occur—whether thermal or thermo-catalytic, in solid or fluidized bed reactors—it is crucial to evaluate the usefulness of different kinetic models and their compatibility with basic thermodynamic principles and design assumptions. To address these research gaps, the authors analysed the thermodynamic and kinetic dependencies involved in the thermal decomposition of methane, using the synthesis of methane from its elemental components and its reversibility as a basis for exploring suitable kinetic models. Using experimental data available in the literature, a wide range of kinetic models have been analysed to determine how they all relate to the reaction rate constant. It was found that regardless of whether the process is catalytic or purely thermal, for temperatures above 900 °C the reversibility of the reaction has a negligible effect on the hydrogen yield. This work shows how the determined kinetic parameters are consistent with the Kinetic Compensation Effect (KCE) and, by incorporating elements of Transition State Theory (TST), the possibility of the existence of Entropy–Enthalpy Compensation (EEC). The indicated correspondence between KCE and EEC is strengthened by the calculated average activation entropy at isokinetic temperature (∆ S B = − 275.0   J · (m o l · K) − 1). Based on these results, the authors also show that changes in the activation energy (E = 20 – 421   k J · m o l − 1) can only serve as an estimate of the optimal process conditions, since the isoconversion temperature ( T i s o = 1200 − 1450   K > T e q ) is shown to depend not only on thermodynamic principles but also on the way the reaction is carried out, with temperature (T) and pressure (P) locally compensating each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a parametric study of linear induction motor for design purpose. The chosen mathematical model uses a 2D formulation with magnetic vector potential A. The implementation of the model is carried out with the finite element method on the free platform Gmsh-GetDP. Circuit model is coupled to FE model so that constant voltage supply mode can be considered. This work aims to highlight the effect of the pole pair number on the characteristics and the performances of the linear induction machine through two numerical models associated to an analytical one. Furthermore, the study shows the effect of the pole pair number on the phase imbalance and the spatial harmonic spectrum of the machine. Reducing this imbalance and higher order harmonics presence will increase machine performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'European' strand of modern Gibraltarian identity, exemplified by the territory's 96 per cent 'Remain' vote in the 2016 'Brexit' referendum, owes much to the fact that joining the EEC with Britain in 1973 enabled Gibraltarians to bypass the UK's increasingly restrictive immigration regime, which since the first Commonwealth Immigrants Act in 1962 had reserved the right of abode for the British-born and their descendants. In 1981, when British citizenship was redefined and split into three new categories, it was Gibraltar's place within the EEC, and the rights associated with membership, that proved the decisive factor in securing full British citizenship, uniquely amongst Britain's dependent territories at the time. Although this concession has been seen as a case of racial exceptionalism, this article places the Gibraltarian campaign for British citizenship in its historic context, and shows that it was not simply the result of short term political calculation but a long term recognition that European integration offered Gibraltarians a new set of rights, over and above other territories, and a means of binding themselves closer to the UK. After Brexit, Gibraltarians may once again occupy a unique position as citizens of the only British territory within the Schengen zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) constitute only a small proportion of Villin-1 (Vil1)-expressing intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) of the gastrointestinal tract; yet, in sum, they build the largest endocrine organ of the body, with each of them storing and releasing a distinct set of peptides for the control of feeding behavior, glucose metabolism, and gastrointestinal motility. Like all IEC types, EECs are continuously renewed from intestinal stem cells in the crypt base and terminally differentiate into mature subtypes while moving up the crypt–villus axis. Interestingly, EECs adjust their hormonal secretion according to their migration state as EECs receive altering differentiation signals along the crypt–villus axis and thus undergo functional readaptation. Cell-specific targeting of mature EEC subtypes by specific promoters is challenging because the expression of EEC-derived peptides and their precursors is not limited to EECs but are also found in other organs, such as the brain (e.g., Cck and Sst) as well as in the pancreas (e.g., Sst and Gcg). Here, we describe an intersectional genetic approach that enables cell type-specific targeting of functionally distinct EEC subtypes by combining a newly generated Dre-recombinase expressing mouse line (Vil1-2A-DD-Dre) with multiple existing Cre-recombinase mice and mouse strains with rox and loxP sites flanked stop cassettes for transgene expression. We found that transgene expression in triple-transgenic mice is highly specific in I but not D and L cells in the terminal villi of the small intestine. The targeting of EECs only in terminal villi is due to the integration of a defective 2A separating peptide that, combined with low EEC intrinsic Vil1 expression, restricts our Vil1-2A-DD-Dre mouse line and the intersectional genetic approach described here only applicable for the investigation of mature EEC subpopulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an overview of key research themes and addresses challenges inherent in the study of Bulgaria’s relations with the European political and economic sphere during the late 1980s and the 1990s. Rather than providing a comprehensive examination of Bulgaria’s transition, the focus is primarily on the historiographical aspect, delving into Bulgaria’s path toward the EEC/EU. The article outlines the difficulties researchers face when working with archival sources and electronic information, emphasizing the positive impact of expanded access to declassified documents, outlining, for example, the various stages of the negotiation process between Bulgaria and the EEC/EU’s institutions before and after the landmark year of 1989. It marks the initial systematic attempt to categorize Sofia-Brussels relations from a historical perspective, representing a noteworthy contribution to the field. This is the first attempt at such a systemization of Sofia-Brussels relations from a historical perspective, which is one of the contributions of the present article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) constitute only a small proportion of Villin-1 (Vil1)-expressing intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) of the gastrointestinal tract; yet, in sum, they build the largest endocrine organ of the body, with each of them storing and releasing a distinct set of peptides for the control of feeding behavior, glucose metabolism, and gastrointestinal motility. Like all IEC types, EECs are continuously renewed from intestinal stem cells in the crypt base and terminally differentiate into mature subtypes while moving up the crypt–villus axis. Interestingly, EECs adjust their hormonal secretion according to their migration state as EECs receive altering differentiation signals along the crypt–villus axis and thus undergo functional readaptation. Cell-specific targeting of mature EEC subtypes by specific promoters is challenging because the expression of EEC-derived peptides and their precursors is not limited to EECs but are also found in other organs, such as the brain (e.g., Cck and Sst) as well as in the pancreas (e.g., Sst and Gcg). Here, we describe an intersectional genetic approach that enables cell type-specific targeting of functionally distinct EEC subtypes by combining a newly generated Dre-recombinase expressing mouse line (Vil1-2A-DD-Dre) with multiple existing Cre-recombinase mice and mouse strains with rox and loxP sites flanked stop cassettes for transgene expression. We found that transgene expression in triple-transgenic mice is highly specific in I but not D and L cells in the terminal villi of the small intestine. The targeting of EECs only in terminal villi is due to the integration of a defective 2A separating peptide that, combined with low EEC intrinsic Vil1 expression, restricts our Vil1-2A-DD-Dre mouse line and the intersectional genetic approach described here only applicable for the investigation of mature EEC subpopulations.

Radon exposure is the second-leading environmental cause of lung cancer, therefore finding ways to reduce the radon inhalation dose is a priority objective. Inhalation dose is calculated considering two contributions, the radon gas on the one hand and its progeny on the other. This paper studies the effectiveness of face masks (surgical masks, FFP2 and FFP3) to reduce the contribution of radon descendants that pass into the respiratory tract and thus reduce associated inhalation doses. To analyze the radon filtering potential of these masks, a continuous radon monitor has been used to estimate the radon concentration and the Potential Alpha Energy Concentration with and without facial masks. The data registered by this monitor, together with an error minimization algorithm developed in Matlab® , allow the Equilibrium Equivalent Concentration to be calculated. These results make it possible to compare the inhalation doses received by a person not wearing or wearing different types of masks, obtaining a dose reduction of 64% for surgical masks compared to the study without mask, a reduction of 71% for FFP2 and 72% for FFP3 masks. • Reduction in the inhalation dose of radon progeny with the use of commercial face masks. • Developed different methodologies to measure radon progeny. • Use of a continuous air monitor for the determination of PAEC and EEC. • Determination of EEC of radon progeny through alpha decays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TP63 -related disdorders broadly involve varying combinations of ectodermal dysplasia (sparse hair, hypohydrosis, tooth abnormalities, nail dysplasia), cleft lip/palate, acromelic malformation, split-hand/foot malformation/syndactyly, ankyloblepharon filiforme adnatum, lacrimal duct obstruction, hypopigmentation, and hypoplastic breasts and/or nipples. TP63 -related disorders are associated with heterozygous pathogenic variants in TP63 and include seven overlapping phenotypes; Ankyloblepharon‐ectodermal defects‐cleft lip/palate syndrome (AEC), Ectrodactyly‐ectodermal dysplasia‐cleft lip/palate syndrome 3 (EEC3), Limb‐mammary syndrome (LMS), Acro‐dermo‐ungual‐lacrimal‐tooth syndrome (ADULT), Rapp–Hodgkin syndrome (RHS), Split-hand/foot malformation 4 (SHFM4), and Orofacial cleft 8. We report on five unrelated families with 8 affected individuals in which the probands presented with varying combinations of ectodermal dysplasia, cleft lip/palate, split-hand/foot malformation, lacrimal duct obstruction, and ankyloblepharon filiforme adnatum. The clinical diagnosis involved AEC syndrome (2 patients), EEC3 syndrome (2 patients), and a yet hitherto unclassified TP63 -related disorder. Sanger sequence analysis of the TP63 gene was performed revealing five different variants among which four were novel and three were de novo. The identificated TP63 variants co-segregated with the other affected individuals in the families. The abnormalities of ectoderm derived structures including hair, nails, sweat glands, and teeth should alert the physician to the possibility of TP63 -related disorders particularly in the presence of orofacial clefting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]