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It is a constant objective for manufacturing companies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their maintenance processes. Avoiding unexpected breakdowns that result in high costs and production losses is a major concern. Not only the selection of appropriate maintenance strategies, but also the use of appropriate methods and tools to support decision making in this area is essential to achieve this goal. This article presents the possibility of using machine learning methods to develop predictive models to support decision making in maintenance management. For this purpose, three different machine learning methods have been considered: Neural Networks (NN), the k-Nearest Neighbours algorithm (KNN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM). These models were constructed using variables identified through statistical analysis as having a significant impact on the effectiveness of maintenance processes, specifically the availability of machinery in the production process. The developed models were subjected to a qualitative evaluation, which led to the identification of the SVM model as the most suitable to support decision making in the planning and execution of maintenance processes.

In this paper, a fuel cell system supervisory controller is developed for a fuel cell-based hybrid electric vehicle to safely control the interactions between powertrain components, maximize efficiency and minimize the degradation of the fuel cell. The proposed fuel cell supervisory controller includes three main elements: a state machine, an optimal setpoint generator and a power limit calculator. The state machine, as the top layer of the supervisory controller, is responsible for coordinating the various subsystems of the fuel cell, including the three subsystems, anode, cathode, thermal, and the dc/dc converter. The primary purpose of the state machine is to ensure global control over these subsystems as well as facilitate communication between the fuel cell system, diagnosis system, and Vehicle Control Unit (VCU). The state machine not only allows for the appropriate transitions between states but also governs the fuel cell system operation in all its different operating states such as Start-up, Shutdown and Run. The optimal setpoint generator is responsible for determining the operating conditions of the fuel cell system that maximizes the system's efficiency. It is designed by taking into account the comprehensive model of the fuel cell stack, considering manufacturing constraints, and incorporating the compressor map which then provides the optimal setpoints for all the subsystems' local controllers. A power limit calculator is also developed to compute the stack available power and feeds this information to the energy management system in the VCU. This information is used by the VCU to split the requested power between the fuel cell and the battery. The experimentally validated stack model and the complex model of the subsystems based on the Inn-Balance project data are used in the simulation. Furthermore, the subsystems' local controllers used in the MATLAB-Simulink were validated in a real vehicle test bench. The Common Artemis 130 km/h Driving Cycle (CADC) for automotive applications is used to verify the proposed fuel cell system supervisory controller in the MATLAB-Simulink environment. The simulation results showed that the proposed control structure functioned properly in the Run mode using this CADC-based load profile.

Power Hardware-In-the-loop (HIL) testing is increasing in the automotive industry for testing subsystems for new vehicles. Usually, the test is located in a unique place (stand-alone (local) HIL). The key-points for a vehicle manufacturer and subsystems suppliers are time and confidentiality. Using the cloud is a way to satisfy the both. Cloud model sharing is developed to spare time and cloud-based real-time simulation limits the access to the models to only certain variables. In this article, a cloud-based power HIL testing is proposed using a cloud of vehicle models. The Energetic Macroscopic Representation (EMR) formalism is used to organize all the models. It facilitates the interconnections between the simulated and power tested subsystems. Two new batteries are experimentally tested, one for an electric vehicle, the other one for a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The same cloud is used and the power test facilities are located in two different locations. This shows the flexibility of the method.

In the current context of public-sector workplaces, there is a more concerted effort to address identity and equity through greater inclusion. The aim of the special issue is to present emergent empirical research assessing organizational attributes, policy, and practice for achieving improved workplace inclusion and individual perceptions of inclusive public-sector workplaces. This special issue highlights studies that advance innovative methodologies to address emergent research questions related to understanding, implementing, and assessing inclusive cultures and perceptions of inclusion. The collection of articles advances the understanding and theories of inclusive practices, policies, and organizational attributes. The authors go beyond the rhetoric of inclusion to parse out how inclusion is defined and operationalized in organizations, the impact of inclusive initiatives, and areas of identity that need to be explicitly included. This research provides a pathway for intentionally making the case for inclusion, not just acknowledgment of diversity.

President Obama's 2011 Executive Order 13583 was expected to serve as a catalyst for a coordinated government-wide initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce. This order reinforced the government's commitment to equal employment opportunity by “using the talents of all segments of society,” achieved by recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining a more diverse workforce. The order mandated the creation of a government-wide diversity and inclusion strategic plan as well as agency-specific plans. This study uses institutional theory as a lens to examine agency response to EO 13583 to articulate diversity and inclusion rationales, practices, and correlating workforce demographic trends. We examine how three federal agencies articulated diversity and inclusion practices and activities in the plans. We explore demographic workforce trends prior to, during, and after adoption of the agency diversity and inclusion plans. Together, these analyses offer evidence of varied approaches to diversity and inclusion as well as uneven progress in pursuing the letter and spirit of the order. Specifically, the articulation of agency-specific diversity goals following Executive Order 13583 does not consistently translate to enhanced workforce diversity.

Chronic arthropathy occurs in approximately two thirds of patients with hereditary haemochromatosis (HH). The aim was to study inflammatory and structural lesions in patients with HH with (HH-A) and without arthropathy (HH-WA) using ultrasonography. This was a cross-sectional study of 26 patients with HH-A, 24 with HH-WA and 37 with hand osteoarthritis (HOA). Clinical examination was performed in 68 joints, and we retrieved data on hand function, pain and global disease activity (all using a visual analogue scale (VAS)), morning stiffness and ferritin levels. Standard x-ray and ultrasound were conducted in 36 joints (hands, hips, knees and ankles), and we graded grey scale synovitis (GSS), power Doppler ultrasound (PD), osteophytes, erosions, tenosynovitis and cartilage damage semi-quantitatively in accordance with prior publications. Ultrasound revealed a high proportion of inflammatory changes in HH-A; GSS was found in 96.2% and PD signals in 80.8% of patients (median GSS score 9, PD score 2.5). The frequency of these findings was similar in HOA. Inflammation was also common in HH-WA, yielding GSS in 83.3% and PD signals in 50.0% of patients. Cartilage damage was most prominent in HH-A as compared to HH-WA and HOA (median scores 11.0, 2.5 and 2.0, respectively). The prevalence and extent of erosions and osteophytes were similar in all groups. None of the ultrasound scores was associated with pain or function; GSS, PD, osteophyte and cartilage scores correlated with x-ray-verified structural damage. A high prevalence of ultrasound-verified inflammation and cartilage damage was found in HH-A, and to a lesser extent in HH-WA. These findings were associated with x-ray-verified damage but not with clinical scores of pain and function.

Context.The ROSAT All-Sky Survey detected many young objects outside any known star forming region. Their formation is yet unclear.Aims.In order to improve the knowledge about these X-ray bright objects we aimed at measuring their rotational properties, which are fundamental stellar parameters, and at comparing them to young objects inside molecular clouds.Methods.We monitored photometric variations of 5?T?Tauri stars in MBM12 and of 26?young objects in the Taurus-Auriga molecular cloud and south of it. Among the 26?young objects there are 17?weak-line T?Tauri stars, 7?zero age main-sequence stars and?2 of unknown type. In addition, 2?main-sequence K-type stars were observed, and one comparison star turned out to be an?eclipsing binary.Results.We found periodic variations for most of the targets. The measured periods of the T?Tauri stars range from?0.57 to 7.4?days. The photometric variation can be ascribed to rotational modulation caused by spots. For a?few of the periodic variables, changes of the light curve profile within several weeks are reported. For one?star such changes have been observed in data taken two?years apart. The exceptions are two?eclipsing systems. One so far unknown system?? GSC2.2?N3022313162?? shows a?light curve with full phase coverage having both primary and secondary minima well resolved. It has an?orbital period of 0.59075?days. From our spectroscopic observations we conclude that it is a?main sequence star of spectral type?F2???4. We further compared the off-cloud weak-line T?Tauri stars to the weak-line T?Tauri stars inside the molecular cloud in terms of rotational period distribution. Statistical analysis of the two samples shows that both groups are likely to have the same period distribution.

We report the results of a worldwide campaign to observe WZ Sagittae during its 2001 superoutburst. After a 23 yr slumber at V= 15.5, the star rose within 2 days to a peak brightness of 8.2, and showed a main eruption lasting 25 days. The return to quiescence was punctuated by 12 small eruptions, of ?1 mag amplitude and 2 day recurrence time; these "echo outbursts" are of uncertain origin, but somewhat resemble the normal outbursts of dwarf novae. After 52 days, the star began a slow decline to quiescence.

This paper proposes use indications for an Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) module developed in Matlab and included in a Simcenter Prescan simulation. The analysed indications depend on a Long-Range Radar (LRR) and Short-Range Radar (SRR) beam range, on the speed of the autonomous vehicle and on the time between the detection of the obstacle in front of the autonomous vehicle and the time the obstacle starts to move. The simulated scenario consists of an autonomous vehicle that travels at a certain speed, where another vehicle starts to move from a bus station after a sudden stop, challenging the autonomous vehicle to stop in a safe manner and in a short time.

Plasmid-bearing (but not plasmid-cured) Yersinia enterocolitica is known to bind to purified small intestinal mucins from rabbits and humans. This study examined which region(s) of the mucin molecule is important for bacterial adherence. Pronase digestion of mucin and removal of nonglycosylated or poorly glycosylated peptide regions had no effect on bacterial binding, suggesting that plasmid-bearing Y. enterocolitica interacts with mucin carbohydrate. Periodate oxidation also did not alter bacterial adherence, indicating that vicinal hydroxyl groups in the mucin sugars are not important for binding. Boiling of mucin, depolymerization by reduction of disulfide bonds, or removal of noncovalently associated lipid actually enhanced bacterial adherence, suggesting that plasmid-bearing Y. enterocolitica can interact with additional domains in the mucin molecule revealed by these treatments. These domains were destroyed by pronase digestion. In delipidated mucin (but not in reduced or boiled mucin), binding to these domains appeared to be hydrophobic since it could be prevented by treatment of bacteria with tetramethyl urea. Oligosaccharides obtained from both human and rabbit small intestinal mucins were capable of inhibiting attachment of plasmid-bearing (but not plasmid-cured) Y. enterocolitica to mucin. After removal of terminal and backbone sugar residues by treatment of mucin with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, binding of plasmid-bearing bacteria increased significantly when N-acetylgalactosamine, either alone or with galactose attached, was revealed, indicating that core regions of the sugar side chains are involved in bacterial binding. Adherence of plasmid-cured organisms was unaffected by trifluoromethanesulfonic acid treatment of mucin. We concluded that virulent Y. enterocolitica interacts with the carbohydrate moiety of native small intestinal mucin through a plasmid-mediated process. When mucin becomes denatured, binding of the organism can increase through hydrophobic and nonhydrophobic interactions with (most likely) the mucin protein.

Interactions between Yersinia enterocolitica and purified intestinal mucins from rabbit and humans were investigated. Plasmid-bearing virulent organisms (but not plasmid-free nonvirulent bacteria) bound well to both mucins, suggesting that adherence was controlled by the virulence plasmid. Examination of binding to 14 different preparations of purified human intestinal mucin (8 preparations obtained from normal subjects and 6 samples from patients with cystic fibrosis) revealed no differences between normal and cystic fibrotic mucins in ability to serve as a binding substrate for virulent Y. enterocolitica. Analyses of binding curves suggested the presence of a single type of noninteracting receptor for Y. enterocolitica in both rabbit and human mucins with similar (but not necessarily identical) structures. Virulent bacteria bound to polystyrene through hydrophobic interactions that could be disrupted by treating the organisms with tetramethyl urea. In contrast, binding of plasmid-bearing Y. enterocolitica to intestinal mucin was not susceptible to tetramethyl urea and therefore does not appear to involve hydrophobic interactions. Prior incubation of organisms with mucin significantly inhibited binding to polystyrene, suggesting that mucin can mask hydrophobic adhesins on the bacterial surface. Hapten inhibition studies revealed that the monosaccharides galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine and the disaccharide lactose could markedly reduce (but not abolish) bacterial adherence to mucin but other monosaccharides and the RGD peptide had no effect on mucin binding. We conclude that virulent Y. enterocolitica is capable of interacting with the carbohydrate moiety of intestinal mucin. These interactions appear to be plasmid mediated and not hydrophobic.

Immunohistochemical methods were used to search for Fas receptor/Fas ligand system involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS) white matter brain lesions. We found large numbers of Fas ligand (Fas-L)-bearing cells present in two acute lesions and 12 of 16 chronic MS lesions, and very few positive cells in non-inflammatory controls. Four of six brains from non-MS neuropathologic conditions associated with inflammation and white matter disease were, however, also positive for Fas-L. Double staining with cell-specific markers revealed that the pattern of ligand-positive cells in chronic MS lesions was complex and composed of several different cell types which were primarily resident glial cells with a small overlay of macrophages. Fas/APO 1 (CD95) receptor expression in MS tissue was also evaluated and marked upregulation of the receptor was found. In addition, Fas receptor was induced, but to a lesser extent, in numerous control brains. The observations that TUNEL-positive dying cells were present in MS lesions and showed excellent co-localization with Fas-L, indicate that the Fas death system may contribute to plaque pathogenesis and could lead to the development of a new category of therapeutic agents for MS.

The generation of diverse chemical libraries using a "libraries from libraries" concept is described. The central features of the approaches presented are the use of well-established solid-phase synthesis methods for the generation of combinatorial libraries, combined with the chemical transformation of such libraries while they remain attached to the solid support. The chemical libraries that are generated by this process have very different physical, chemical, and biological properties compared to the libraries from which they were derived. A wide range of chemical transformations are possible for peptide-based or other libraries, and an almost unlimited range of useful chemical diversities can be envisioned. In the example presented, the amide functionalities in an existing combinatorial library made up of peptides were permethylated while the library remained attached to the solid-phase support used in its synthesis. After removal of the permethylated mixtures from their solid support, this library, now lacking the typical -CONH- amide bonds of peptides, can be tested in solution with virtually all existing assay systems to identify individual compounds having specific biological activities of interest. An illustration of the use of such libraries is presented, in which the described permethylated library was used to identify individual permethylated compounds having potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria.

ABSTRACTSimlukafusp alfa (FAP-IL2v, RO6874281/RG7461) is an immunocytokine comprising an antibody against fibroblast activation protein α (FAP) and an IL-2 variant with a retained affinity for IL-2Rβγ > IL-2 Rβγ and abolished binding to IL-2 Rα. Here, we investigated the immunostimulatory properties of FAP-IL2v and its combination with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) checkpoint inhibition, CD40 agonism, T cell bispecific and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-mediating antibodies. The binding and immunostimulatory properties of FAP-IL2v were investigated in vitroand compared with FAP-IL2wt. Tumor targeting was investigated in tumor-bearing mice and in a rhesus monkey. The ability of FAP-IL2v to potentiate the efficacy of different immunotherapies was investigated in different xenograft and syngeneic murine tumor models. FAP-IL2v bound IL-2 Rβγ and FAP with high affinity in vitro, inducing dose-dependent proliferation of natural killer (NK) cells and CD4+/CD8+ T cells while being significantly less potent than FAP-IL2wt in activating immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). T cells activated by FAP-IL2v were less sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis than those activated by FAP-IL2wt. Imaging studies demonstrated improved tumor targeting of FAP-IL2v compared to FAP-IL2wt. Furthermore, FAP-IL2v significantly enhanced the in vitroand in vivoactivity of therapeutic antibodies that mediate antibody-dependent or T cell-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (TDCC) and of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint inhibition. The triple combination of FAP-IL2v with an anti-PD-L1 antibody and an agonistic CD40 antibody was most efficacious. These data indicate that FAP-IL2v is a potent immunocytokine that potentiates the efficacy of different T- and NK-cell-based cancer immunotherapies.

We present a novel readout scheme for gold nanoparticle-based DNA microarrays relying on “Laser-Induced Scattering around a NanoAbsorber”. It provides direct counting of individual nanoparticles present on each array spot and stable signals, without any silver enhancement. Given the detection of nanometer-sized particles, which minimize the steric hindrance, the linear dynamic range of the method is particularly large and well suited for microarray detection.

Processes of brownfield sites redevelopment are very well known and welcome especially by city councils. The new trend of reurbanization with focus on derelict and brownfield sites has reached the Central-East European space, too. City investors are reacting in prompt manner in order to attract new users of the redeveloped sites by good design of public spaces achieved and communicated by public hearings. The topic of participation processes in any development has solid theoretical framework, but the implementation phase often tends to fail. Successful and effective public participation uses properly chosen and appropriately applied tools and methods of participation at the most suitable time of the development process. The aim of the paper is to present how a good participatory planning can have a direct impact on the urban design quality. This participatory approach is explained on case studies of former brownfield sites situated on riverbanks in the cities of Trencin and Bratislava. In both former riverbank brownfield sites the approach of public participation has been used in different phases and manners. The outcome varies due to the different stages of projects, but nevertheless both can provide a high quality urban design outcome.

The Carpathian Mountains present some of the most preserved natural habitats for wildlife species in Europe. These natural environments provide a great number of ecosystem services for the whole Europe and their protection is in the interest of all stakeholders in the territory, from the local and regional state authorities, NGOs and private sector actors. Many regulations in form of the various formal and informal documents exist and these are different from country to country which creates one of the key issues when protecting this vast natural area. The unified system of protection recognized in all Carpathian countries is rather missing and for this reason the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians (Carpathian Convention) had been formed with an objective to foster the sustainable development and the protection of the Carpathian region. One of their activities is to support the legal procedures aimed at protecting the Carpathian Mountains and INTERREG-supported TRANSGREEN and CONNECTGREEN project is one of its main activities, of which this paper is one of the main outputs. The objective of this paper is to clarify how and where the wildlife aspects have to be integrated in the general process of the linear transport infrastructure development processes within Carpathian countries.

The paper is discussing and critically looking at the new action plans prepared for the least developed regions in Slovakia (the criteria for eligibility is the unemployment rate 1.6 times above the national average in at least 9 of 12 consecutive quarters) prepared in cooperation among the experts and the Governmental Office of the Slovak Republic. These actions plans were designed in short period of time by spatial planning, education, industry and agriculture professionals and represent special, non-systematic legal measure within the system of regional development support in Slovakia. The first plans were agreed on and legally supported in the middle of 2015 and the paper is looking into the first results reflected in the decreasing unemployment rate. The paper, firstly, portrays the situation of regional development in Slovakia focusing mainly on eastern and south-eastern parts and explains the reasons for this step by the government and why this decision was taken relatively quickly. Secondly, the situation which necessitated the decision to create the action plans is described and explained. Then, the action plans are discussed regarding their structure and the main pillars on which the development is guided in these regions. Special emphasis is put on the financial and fiscal measures combining the national resources and EU financial support. Final part is dedicated to discussing the action plans, their advantages and disadvantages and ways forward. One of the preliminary conclusions of larger research project focused on preparing the strategy for new regional development in Slovakia is that the prepared and agreed on action plans together with focusing on these regions by the national government are initial success factors for regional development of the lagging regions. Furthermore, the action plans are increasing the local capacities and social capital to improve the regions by empowering local public and private stakeholders to be more actively involved in the local and regional development.

The article is focused on the definition of crucial elements and their interactions for the definition of a concept of effective integrated GIS monitoring system as supporting tool for sustainable spatial management. The article is dealing with monitoring system requirements and describes steps of the monitoring process in concrete details that include proposals for an efficient and effective monitoring system. It describes why monitoring is needed, what is possible to monitor, who is active in the monitoring process and briefly described possibilities for monitoring. Applicability of the concept is confirmed by practical implementation of GIS monitoring system focused on energy efficiency spatial aspects in the city of Poprad. The article particularly summarizes preliminary outputs of international project Bhenefit supported by Interreg Central Europe programme. The project is focused on improving sustainable management approaches of historic built areas and looking for novel solutions improving decision-making and managing processes efficiency, through monitoring and assessing, risk prevention, environmental sustainability, conservation and re-use.

The most efficient way, how to avoid or to minimise the conflicts and negative effects of the transport on the wildlife is reflection of the needs to protect the wildlife in the processes of the development of the transport infrastructure. The effects and potentials for their minimizing differ depending on transport mode (car transport, pedestrian transport, bicycle transport, railways, air transport, cable lines, pipelines, waterways and channels), geographical contexts (landscape features, modes of use of the territory) and element of transport infrastructure (static and dynamic). This paper is focused on linear infrastructure represented predominantly by different categories of roads and railway lines (including supportive and complementary infrastructural elements like crossings, stops, stations, bridges, tunes etc.) as they are most common among transport infrastructure in the countryside and to big extend representative in dealing with the conflicts between transport infrastructure and wildlife. The process of the development of the roads and railway lines is very similar and includes the logic of steps starting with the scoping, via planning, designing, construction and use/maintenance and monitoring. The paper is discussing these five steps in three types of processes - development of new roads and railway lines or their parts, update of existing roads and railways (modernising, extension in former corridors, increase of capacities, speed ...) and improving ecological status of existing routes and railways. Individual steps within these processes are described and discussed with objective to illustrate the contents of the phase (identification/definition of qualitative and quantitative demand on transport performance, analyses of technical, technological, economic and other framework precondition for the respond on the demand), the main challenges and problems to be dealt with (realistic identification of current and estimation of future demand on transport performance mirroring the development of the society and its economy), the advised approaches, tools and measures to be used in reflection to the identified challenges and, lastly, the stakeholders relevant for engagement within the phase are listed together with scheme of appropriate participation to help to guide the players in the development.