On hit-and-miss hyperspace topologies

summary:The Vietoris topology and Fell topologies on the closed subsets of a Hausdorff uniform space are prototypes for hit-and-miss hyperspace topologies, having as a subbase all closed sets that hit a variable open set, plus all closed sets that miss (= fail to intersect) a variable closed set belonging to a prescribed family $\Delta$ of closed sets. In the case of the Fell topology, where $\Delta$ consists of the compact sets, a closed set $A$ misses a member $B$ of $\Delta$ if and only if $A$ is far from $B$ in a uniform sense. With the Fell topology as a point of departure, one can consider proximal hit-and-miss hyperspace topologies, where ``miss'' is replaced by ``far from'' in the above formulation. Interest in these objects has been driven by their applicability to convex analysis, where the Mosco topology, the slice topology, and the linear topology have received close scrutiny in recent years. In this article we look closely at the relationship between hit-and-miss and proximal hit-and-miss topologies determined by a class $\Delta$. In the setting of metric spaces, necessary and sufficient conditions on $\Delta$ are given for one to contain the other. Particular attention is given to these topologies when $\Delta$ consists of the family of closed balls in a metric space, and their interplay with the Wijsman topology is considered in some detail

Function Spaces, Hyperspaces, and Asymmetric and Fuzzy Structures

Romaguera Bonilla, S.; Beer, G.; Sanchis, M. (2013). Function Spaces, Hyperspaces, and Asymmetric and Fuzzy Structures. Journal of Function Spaces and Applications. doi:10.1155/2013/619707

Stability of Lipschitz-type functions under pointwise product and reciprocation

This article provides necessary and sufficient conditions on the structure of a metric space such that for various vector lattices of real-valued Lipschitz-type functions defined on the metric space, the vector lattice is stable under pointwise product, and such that the reciprocal of each non-vanishing member of the vector lattice remains in the vector lattice. In each case the family of metric spaces for which the first property holds contains the family of metric spaces for which the second property holds. At the end we prove some extension theorems for classes of locally Lipschitz functions that complement known results for Cauchy continuous functions and for uniformly continuous functions

Site evaluation, design, operation, and installation of home sewage systems in Iowa

The demand for on-site waste treatment systems for dwellings not served by sewer systems continues to grow in Iowa. On-site systems, when properly designed and maintained, provide a viable means of treating septic tank effluent. A research project was initiated at Iowa State University to provide information for solving problems associated with design, location, and maintenance of on-site systems in Iowa. This publication is designed to report the results of the interdisciplinary research and provide information for sanitarians, extension personnel, and contractors on waste treatment systems.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/specialreports/1083/thumbnail.jp

The Case for Case C Mass Transfer in the Galactic Evolution of Black Hole Binaries

Earlier works, which we review, have shown that if the Fe core in a presupernova star is to be sufficiently massive to collapse into a black hole, earlier in the evolution of the star the He core must be covered (clothed) by a hydrogen envelope during He core burning and removed only following this, in, e.g. common envelope evolution. This is classified as Case C mass transfer. These previous arguments were based chiefly on stellar evolution, especially depending on the way in which 12C burned. In this work we argue for Case C mass transfer on the basis of binary evolution. The giant progenitor of the black hole will have a large radius 1000 Rsun at the end of its supergiant stage. Its lifetime at that point will be short, about 1000 yrs, so it will not expand much further. Thus, the initial giant radius for Case C mass transfer will be constrained to a narrow band about 1000 Rsun. This has the consequence that the final separation a_f following common envelope evolution will depend nearly linearly on the mass of the companion m_d which becomes the donor after the He core of the giant has collapsed into the black hole. The separation at which this collapse takes place is essentially a_f, because of the rapid evolution of the giant. (In at least two binaries the black hole donor separation has been substantially increased because of mass loss in the black hole formation. These can be reconstructed from the amount of mass deposited on the donor in this mass loss.) We show that the reconstructed preexplosion separations of the black hole binaries fit well the linear relationship.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures, accepted for the publication in New Astronom

Schmallenberg virus pathogenesis, tropism and interaction with the innate immune system of the host

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is an emerging orthobunyavirus of ruminants associated with outbreaks of congenital malformations in aborted and stillborn animals. Since its discovery in November 2011, SBV has spread very rapidly to many European countries. Here, we developed molecular and serological tools, and an experimental in vivo model as a platform to study SBV pathogenesis, tropism and virus-host cell interactions. Using a synthetic biology approach, we developed a reverse genetics system for the rapid rescue and genetic manipulation of SBV. We showed that SBV has a wide tropism in cell culture and “synthetic” SBV replicates in vitro as efficiently as wild type virus. We developed an experimental mouse model to study SBV infection and showed that this virus replicates abundantly in neurons where it causes cerebral malacia and vacuolation of the cerebral cortex. These virus-induced acute lesions are useful in understanding the progression from vacuolation to porencephaly and extensive tissue destruction, often observed in aborted lambs and calves in naturally occurring Schmallenberg cases. Indeed, we detected high levels of SBV antigens in the neurons of the gray matter of brain and spinal cord of naturally affected lambs and calves, suggesting that muscular hypoplasia observed in SBV-infected lambs is mostly secondary to central nervous system damage. Finally, we investigated the molecular determinants of SBV virulence. Interestingly, we found a biological SBV clone that after passage in cell culture displays increased virulence in mice. We also found that a SBV deletion mutant of the non-structural NSs protein (SBVΔNSs) is less virulent in mice than wild type SBV. Attenuation of SBV virulence depends on the inability of SBVΔNSs to block IFN synthesis in virus infected cells. In conclusion, this work provides a useful experimental framework to study the biology and pathogenesis of SBV

Continuous presence of genetically diverse rustrela virus lineages in yellow-necked field mouse reservoir populations in northeastern Germany.

Rustrela virus (RusV; species Rubivirus strelense, family Matonaviridae) was discovered in different zoo animal species affected by fatal encephalitis. Simultaneous RusV RNA detection in multiple yellow-necked field mice (Apodemus flavicollis) suggested this rodent as a reservoir of RusV. Here, we investigated 1,264 yellow-necked field mice and sympatric other small mammals from different regions in Germany for RusV RNA using an optimized reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) protocol and high-throughput sequencing. The investigation resulted in the detection of RusV RNA exclusively in 50 of 396 (12.6 per cent) yellow-necked field mice but absence in other sympatric species. RT-qPCR-determined tissue distribution of RusV RNA revealed the highest viral loads in the central nervous system, with other tissues being only very rarely affected. The histopathological evaluation did not reveal any hints of encephalitis in the brains of infected animals despite the detection of viral RNA in neurons by in situ hybridization (ISH). The positive association between the body mass of yellow-necked field mice and RusV RNA detection suggests a persistent infection. Phylogenetic analysis of partial E1 and full-genome sequences showed a high diversification with at least four RusV lineages (1A-1D) in northeastern Germany. Moreover, phylogenetic and isolation-by-distance analyses indicated evolutionary processes of RusV mostly in local reservoir populations. A comparison of complete genome sequences from all detected RusV lineages demonstrated a high level of amino acid and nucleotide sequence variability within a part of the p150 peptide of the non-structural polyprotein and its coding sequence, respectively. The location of this region within the RusV genome and its genetic properties were comparable to the hypervariable region of the rubella virus. The broad range of detected RusV spillover hosts in combination with its geographical distribution in northeastern Germany requires the assessment of its zoonotic potential and further analysis of encephalitis cases in mammals. Future studies have to prove a putative co-evolution scenario for RusV in the yellow-necked field mouse reservoir

Effects on quality of life, anti-cancer responses, breast conserving surgery and survival with neoadjuvant docetaxel: a randomised study of sequential weekly versus three-weekly docetaxel following neoadjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in women with primary breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Weekly docetaxel has occasionally been used in the neoadjuvant to downstage breast cancer to reduce toxicity and possibly enhance quality of life. However, no studies have compared the standard three weekly regimen to the weekly regimen in terms of quality of life. The primary aim of our study was to compare the effects on QoL of weekly versus 3-weekly sequential neoadjuvant docetaxel. Secondary aims were to determine the clinical and pathological responses, incidence of Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS), Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eighty-nine patients receiving four cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide were randomised to receive twelve cycles of weekly docetaxel (33 mg/m²) or four cycles of 3-weekly docetaxel (100 mg/m²). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast and psychosocial questionnaires were completed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At a median follow-up of 71.5 months, there was no difference in the Trial Outcome Index scores between treatment groups. During weekly docetaxel, patients experienced less constipation, nail problems, neuropathy, tiredness, distress, depressed mood, and unhappiness. There were no differences in overall clinical response (93% vs. 90%), pathological complete response (20% vs. 27%), and breast-conserving surgery (BCS) rates (49% vs. 42%). Disease-free survival and overall survival were similar between treatment groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Weekly docetaxel is well-tolerated and has less distressing side-effects, without compromising therapeutic responses, Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) or survival outcomes in the neoadjuvant setting.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN: <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN09184069">ISRCTN09184069</a></p

Geographical Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Bank Vole Hepaciviruses in Europe

The development of new diagnostic methods resulted in the discovery of novel hepaciviruses in wild populations of the bank vole (Myodes glareolus, syn. Clethrionomys glareolus). The naturally infected voles demonstrate signs of hepatitis similar to those induced by hepatitis C virus (HCV) in humans. The aim of the present research was to investigate the geographical distribution of bank vole-associated hepaciviruses (BvHVs) and their genetic diversity in Europe. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) screening revealed BvHV RNA in 442 out of 1838 (24.0%) bank voles from nine European countries and in one of seven northern red-backed voles (Myodes rutilus, syn. Clethrionomys rutilus). BvHV RNA was not found in any other small mammal species (n = 23) tested here. Phylogenetic and isolation-by-distance analyses confirmed the occurrence of both BvHV species (Hepacivirus F and Hepacivirus J) and their sympatric occurrence at several trapping sites in two countries. The broad geographical distribution of BvHVs across Europe was associated with their presence in bank voles of different evolutionary lineages. The extensive geographical distribution and high levels of genetic diversity of BvHVs, as well as the high population fluctuations of bank voles and occasional commensalism in some parts of Europe warrant future studies on the zoonotic potential of BvHVs.Peer reviewe