Screening of lupin varieties for organic mixed cropping in Switzerland

Screening of Lupin Varieties for Organic Mixed Cropping in Switzerland

Generation problems

AbstractGiven a fixed computable binary operation f, we study the complexity of the following generation problem: the input consists of strings a1,…,an,b. The question is whether b is in the closure of {a1,…,an} under operation f.For several subclasses of operations we prove tight upper and lower bounds for the generation problems. For example, we prove exponential-time upper and lower bounds for generation problems of length-monotonic polynomial-time computable operations. Other bounds involve classes like NP and PSPACE.Here, the class of bivariate polynomials with positive coefficients turns out to be the most interesting class of operations. We show that many of the corresponding generation problems belong to NP. However, we do not know this for all of them, e.g., for x2+2y this is an open question. We prove NP-completeness for polynomials xaybc where a,b,c⩾1. Also, we show NP-hardness for polynomials like x2+2y. As a by-product we obtain NP-completeness of the extended sum-of-subset problem SOSc={(w1,…,wn,z):∃I⊆{1,…,n}(∑i∈Iwic=z)} for any c⩾1

Cortical and subcortical coordination of visual spatial attention revealed by simultaneous EEG-fMRI recording

Visual spatial attention has been studied in humans with both electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) individually. However, due to the intrinsic limitations of each of these methods used alone, our understanding of the systems-level mechanisms underlying attentional control remains limited. Here, we examined trial-to-trial covariations of concurrently recorded EEG and fMRI in a cued visual spatial attention task in humans, which allowed delineation of both the generators and modulators of the cue-triggered event-related oscillatory brain activity underlying attentional control function. The fMRI activity in visual cortical regions contralateral to the cued direction of attention covaried positively with occipital gamma-band EEG, consistent with activation of cortical regions representing attended locations in space. In contrast, fMRI activity in ipsilateral visual cortical regions covaried inversely with occipital alpha-band oscillations, consistent with attention-related suppression of the irrelevant hemispace. Moreover, the pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus covaried with both of these spatially specific, attention-related, oscillatory EEG modulations. Because the pulvinar's neuroanatomical geometry makes it unlikely to be a direct generator of the scalp-recorded EEG, these covariational patterns appear to reflect the pulvinar's role as a regulatory control structure, sending spatially specific signals to modulate visual cortex excitability proactively. Together, these combined EEG/fMRI results illuminate the dynamically interacting cortical and subcortical processes underlying spatial attention, providing important insight not realizable using either method alone

Branched Chain Amino Acids are associated with Metabolic Complications in Liver Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND: Obesity, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes (T2D) contribute substantially to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx). Elevated plasma branched chain amino acids (BCAA) are linked to metabolic disturbances and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profiles in several non-OLTx populations. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of liver transplant recipients from TransplantLines, a single-center biobank and cohort study. BCAA plasma levels were measured by means of nuclear-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CVD and cardiometabolic factors were collected by using data from electronic patient records. Associations were determined between BCAA plasma levels and T2D, Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), CVD as well as mTOR inhibition in liver transplant recipients. RESULTS: 336 Patients were divided into sex-stratified tertiles of total BCAA. MetS (P<0.001) and T2D (P=0.002) were significantly more frequent in subjects in the highest BCAA tertile. In logistic regression analyses, the multivariable adjusted odds ratio (OR) per 1 standard deviation increase in BCAA was 1.68 (95%CI: 1.18-2.20, P=0.003) for MetS and 1.60 (95%CI: 1.14-2.23, P=0.006) for T2D. Use of Sirolimus (mTOR inhibitor) was significantly associated with higher BCAA plasma levels, independent of age, sex, time after OLTx, MetS and other immunosuppressive medication (adjusted P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Elevated BCAA plasma levels are associated with T2D, MetS and use of Sirolimus in liver transplant recipients. BCAA plasma levels may represent a valuable biomarker for cardiometabolic complications after OLTx

Dietary cholesterol promotes repair of demyelinated lesions in the adult brain

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder in which remyelination failure contributes to persistent disability. Cholesterol is rate-limiting for myelin biogenesis in the developing CNS; however, whether cholesterol insufficiency contributes to remyelination failure in MS, is unclear. Here, we show the relationship between cholesterol, myelination and neurological parameters in mouse models of demyelination and remyelination. In the cuprizone model, acute disease reduces serum cholesterol levels that can be restored by dietary cholesterol. Concomitant with blood-brain barrier impairment, supplemented cholesterol directly supports oligodendrocyte precursor proliferation and differentiation, and restores the balance of growth factors, creating a permissive environment for repair. This leads to attenuated axon damage, enhanced remyelination and improved motor learning. Remarkably, in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, cholesterol supplementation does not exacerbate disease expression. These findings emphasize the safety of dietary cholesterol in inflammatory diseases and point to a previously unrecognized role of cholesterol in promoting repair after demyelinating episodes

Query Answering in Normal Logic Programs under Uncertainty

We present a simple, yet general top-down query answering procedure for normal logic programs over lattices and bilattices, where functions may appear in the rule bodies. Its interest relies on the fact that many approaches to paraconsistency and uncertainty in logic programs with or without non-monotonic negation are based on bilattices or lattices, respectively

The fate of Böhler's angle in conservatively-treated displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures

Purpose: Although the predictive value of Böhler's angle on outcome remains subject of debate, the initial angle at the time of trauma still guides treatment. Changes in Böhler's angle during follow-up are frequently reported following surgical treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACF). The aim of the present study was to determine the changes in Böhler's angle as a measure of secondary fracture displacement following conservative management of DIACF. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with a total of 44 displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated conservatively with a minimum of two lateral radiographs during follow-up were analysed. Böhler's angle at different follow-up times was measured by three observers. The change in angle was compared with the angle at trauma, and influence of trauma mechanism and common calcaneal fracture classifications were determined. Results: The results showed a significant decline over time of the Böhler's angle in conservatively-treated patients of more than 11° on average at a mean follow-up of 29.2 weeks. This decrease was not related to gender, the initial angle, or the Essex-Lopresti or Sanders classification. A statistically significantly higher decrease was detected in high energetic trauma compared with low energetic trauma. Conclusion: The conservative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures is still a viable option, yet a significant secondary displacement in time should be taken into account, as reflected in a decrease of Böhler's angle of 11° up to one year following trauma

Image-based Search and Retrieval for Biface Artefacts using Features Capturing Archaeologically Significant Characteristics

Archaeologists are currently producing huge numbers of digitized photographs to record and preserve artefact finds. These images are used to identify and categorize artefacts and reason about connections between artefacts and perform outreach to the public. However, finding specific types of images within collections remains a major challenge. Often, the metadata associated with images is sparse or is inconsistent. This makes keyword-based exploratory search difficult, leaving researchers to rely on serendipity and slowing down the research process. We present an image-based retrieval system that addresses this problem for biface artefacts. In order to identify artefact characteristics that need to be captured by image features, we conducted a contextual inquiry study with experts in bifaces. We then devised several descriptors for matching images of bifaces with similar artefacts. We evaluated the performance of these descriptors using measures that specifically look at the differences between the sets of images returned by the search system using different descriptors. Through this nuanced approach, we have provided a comprehensive analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the different descriptors and identified implications for design in the search systems for archaeology

Treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures by ligamentotaxis: current concepts’ review

Introduction: A large variety of therapeutic modalities for calcaneal fractures have been described in the literature. No single treatment modality for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures has proven superior over the other. This review describes and compares the different percutaneous distractional approaches for intra-articular calcaneal fractures. The history, technique, anatomical and fracture considerations, limitations and the results of different distractional approaches reported in the literature are reviewed. Method: Literature review on different percutaneous distractional approaches for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Results: Eight studies in which application of a distraction technique was used for the treatment of calcaneal fractures were identified. Because of the use of different classification, techniques, and outcome scoring systems, a meta-analysis was not possible. A literature review reveals overall fair to poor result in 10-29% of patients. Ten up to 26% of patients are unable to return to work after percutaneous treatment of their fracture. A secondary arthrodesis has to be performed in 2-15% of the cases. Infectious complications occur in 2-15%. Some loss of reduction is reported in 4-67%. Conclusion: Percutaneous distractional reduction and fixation appears to be a safe technique with overall good results and an acceptable complication rate, compared with other treatment modalities for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. A meta-analysis, based on Cochrane Library criteria is not possible, because of a lack of level 1 and 2 trials on this subject