66 research outputs found
Spatial characteristics of the fungus powdery mildew (Erysiphe neolycopersici) on tomatoes and its spread in industrial greenhouses
In regions with cool temperate climates tomatoes are grown
on an industrial scale in large greenhouses. There the crops are susceptible to infection by powdery mildew,the fungus Erysiphe neolycopersici, which is introduced largely as fungal spores from outside the greenhouses and spread by wind within them. We have monitored the spread of the disease and mapped its distribution in four commercial greenhouses throughout the growing season to understand its aetiology. We modelled the patterns of infection geostatistically each comprising a deterministic long-range trend plus a short-range spatially correlated random residual. We identified three main kinds of pattern; one consisted of a constant plus a spatially correlated residual, a second comprised a linear trend throughout the greenhouse plus a correlated random residual, and in a third the trend had the form of a bell akin to a Gaussian surface plus, again, a correlated random residual. Here we show three examples of these distributions and the detail of their geostatistical analysis using both traditional method-of-moments estimation of variograms and residual maximum likelihood reml to separate the deterministic and random components.The analytical modelling is followed by ordinary punctual kriging in the first case, by universal kriging in the second, and by regression kriging in the the third case to display the infection as isarithmic
contour maps. We interpret the first form of distribution as arising from numerous foci as spores landed on the leaves from various sources spread by air currents and the movement of workers along the paths through the greenhouse. In the second case the disease seemed to have spread from infection introduced through the main door in one corner of the greenhouse and spread from there by the workers and air currents. In the third infection arose near the centre of the greenhouse by the main path and spread outwards from there. In all three examples the main pathways seemed important routes along which the fungus spread
Molecular characteristics of mismatch repair genes in sporadic colorectal tumors in Czech patients
BACKGROUND: Mismatch repair (MMR) genes are known to be frequently altered in colorectal cancer (CRC). Both genetics and epigenetics modifications seems to be relevant in this phenomenon, however it is still not clear how these two aspects are interconnected. The present study aimed at characterizing of epigenetic and gene expression profiles of MMR genes in sporadic CRC patients from the Czech Republic, a country with one of the highest incidences of this cancer all over Europe. METHODS: Expression levels and CpG promoter methylation status of all MMR genes were evaluated in DNA from tumor and adjacent mucosal samples of 53 incident CRC patients. RESULTS: We have found significantly increased transcription levels in EXO1 gene in tumor tissues (P = 0.05) and significant over-expression of MSH3 gene in colon tumors when compared to adjacent mucosal tissues (P = 0.02). Interestingly, almost all MMR genes were differently expressed when localization of tumors was compared. In particular, colon tumors showed an up-regulation of EXO1, MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, and PMS2 genes in comparison to rectal tumors (P = 0.02). Expression levels of all MMR genes positively correlated between each other. The promoter methylation of MLH1 gene was observed in 9% of CRC tissues only. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we have observed different pattern of MMR genes expression according to tumor localization. However, a lack of association between methylation in MMR genes and their corresponding expressions was noticed in this study, the relationship between these two aspects is worthy to be analyzed in larger population studies and in pre-malignant stages
Theory, Reality and Perception of CSR: Comparative Study Between India and the Slovak Republic
During last decades global society has witnessed remarkable growth of global issues, both on social and environmental level, that have resulted in broad changes in the global economy. These aspects have increased the neccesity for more systematic and sustainable approach towards the way business is done on local and global level. Therefore, corporate social responsiblity (CSR) has become an effective tool, many companies have decided to apply within domestic as well as international environment. The main goal of this paper is therefore to describe CSR policy and strategies of McDonalds worldwide fast food chain leader. Moreover, we analyze reasons of different perception of McDonalds CSR strategies between Indian and Slovak consumers. CSR has become an important instrument to develop and implement more responsible business strategies that contributes not only to development of companies themselves, but towards development of society and environment as well. Although, we can find difference in approach towards CSR implementation in business strategies and the strenght of their impact on society and environment. Significant role in the strenght and kinds of influence CSR has, plays the context in which companies are motivated to support and develop CSR strategies and the type of innitiative. Various approaches (including motives and innitiatives) can results in different perceptions of companys CSR strategies and attempts as we will see in presented case comparative study. Key words: consumer, corporate social responsibility (CSR), global environment, local business, perception, sustainable busines
Spatial characteristics of the fungus powdery mildew (Erysiphe neolycopersici) on tomatoes and its spread in industrial greenhouses
In regions with cool temperate climates, tomatoes are grown on an industrial scale in large greenhouses. There the crops are susceptible to infection by powdery mildew, the fungus Erysiphe neolycopersici, which is introduced largely as fungal spores from outside the greenhouses and spread by wind within them. We have monitored the spread of the disease and mapped its distribution in four commercial greenhouses throughout the growing season to understand its aetiology. We modelled the patterns of infection geostatistically, each comprising a deterministic long-range trend plus a short-range spatially correlated random residual. We identified three main kinds of pattern; one consisted of a constant plus a spatially correlated residual, second comprised a linear trend throughout the greenhouse plus a correlated random residual, and third, the trend had the form of a bell akin to a Gaussian surface plus, again, a correlated random residual. Here, we show three examples of these distributions and the detail of their geostatistical analysis using both the traditional method of moments (MoM) estimation of variograms and residual maximum likelihood (REML) to separate the deterministic and random components. The analytical modelling is followed by ordinary punctual kriging in the first case, by universal kriging in the second, and by regression kriging in the third case to display the infection as isarithmic ("contour") maps. We interpret the first form of distribution as arising from numerous foci as spores landed on the leaves from various sources spread by air currents and the movement of workers along the paths through the greenhouse. In the second case, the disease seemed to have spread from an infection introduced through the main door in one corner of the greenhouse and spread from there by the workers and air currents. The third infection arose near the centre of the greenhouse by the main path and spread outwards from there. In all three examples, the main pathways seemed important routes along which the fungus spread
A first Alps - dedicated gravity data set - introduction and status of the AlpArray gravity field activities
In this contribution, activities of the AlpArray Gravity Research Group (AAGRG) are introduced. Since 2018, this
group in the frame of the AlpArray project (http://www.alparray.ethz.ch/en/home/) prepares gravity and other data
sets to support multidisciplinary goals of the project. It is focused on the mantle, plate and surface processes in the Alps-Apennines-Carpathians-Dinarides orogenic system.
In 2018, the AAGRG set up its own methodology guidelines and assembled available land-gravity data and
digital elevation model (DEM) data from all the participating countries. Our presentation targets especially three
goals: 1) to introduce AAGRG activities as an integral part of the AlpArray project for studying Alpine orogeny \u2013 a
goal that by definition requires international cooperation, 2) to review the input data and the works accomplished so
far, and, 3) to discuss the steps to be taken to produce detailed gravity maps of the region \u2013 the first Alps-dedicated
gravity field data set. We plan to prepare gravity grids in a homogeneous processing approach of either 2x2 km or
4x4 km resolution, depending on the coverage and data quality. The final data sets will be made public in late 2019.
A special emphasis is put on the calculation of the Bouguer anomaly using ellipsoidal rather tha normal
heights. For calculating topographic effects the preference is given to local DEMs, where available, as they often
provide higher quality and spatial resolutions. The public gravity data sets are evaluated with the high-resolution
geopotential models like EIGEN-6C4 or EGM2008 \u2013 a useful means for identifying biases in the data coming
from various countries and campaigns
Analysis of the Mutual Trade Between the Eu and Indonesia
Mutual trade between EU countries and Indonesia is a bilateral commodity trade flow exceeding 17 billion Euros. Analysis of the trade between the two entities is an important contribution leading to the definition of the significance that the ongoing cooperation between the EU and Indonesia has. EU is for Indonesia very important trading partner, for EU is Indonesia a strategic political partner. The bilateral trade is currently greatly benefiting Indonesia, however, this market has a potential for EU due to the fact, that it is one of the most populous country in the Asian region and the in world in general. The trade exchange is based on export and import of most basic aggregate commodities; while between the two partners exist significant differences in terms of available comparative advantages. A specificity of the mutual trade is the limited territorial structure of this exchange, as the main volume of transactions is realized between Indonesia and only a few EU countries. Keywords: EU, Indonesia, mutual, foreign trade, commodity, territory, structure, analysis, competitivenes
Machine Learning for Health: Algorithm Auditing & Quality Control
Developers proposing new machine learning for health (ML4H) tools often pledge to match or even surpass the performance of existing tools, yet the reality is usually more complicated. Reliable deployment of ML4H to the real world is challenging as examples from diabetic retinopathy or Covid-19 screening show. We envision an integrated framework of algorithm auditing and quality control that provides a path towards the effective and reliable application of ML systems in healthcare. In this editorial, we give a summary of ongoing work towards that vision and announce a call for participation to the special issue Machine Learning for Health: Algorithm Auditing & Quality Control in this journal to advance the practice of ML4H auditing
Molecular characteristics of mismatch repair genes in sporadic colorectal tumors in Czech patients
Hexuronic Acid Stereochemistry Determination in Chondroitin Sulfate Glycosaminoglycan Oligosaccharides by Electron Detachment Dissociation
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