3,279 research outputs found

    An instance of the MIKADO migration model

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    In this document, we briefly describe the main contribution to the deliverable on experimenting with the implementation of most of the calculi considered in the project. First, we describe how two well known calculi for mobile processes KLAIM and DĎ€ have been implemented on the top of IMC. We then describe the implementation of the MiKO programming language, an instance of the parametric calculus introduced in the WP1 with the TyCO calculus as the content of the membrane itself. After this, we outline the description of the implementation of the abstract machine for an instance of the Kell Calculus that dedicates particular attention to the proof of its correctness. Our presentation ends with a discussion of the problem of implementing security membranes on the top of an execution platform

    An instance of the MIKADO migration model

    Get PDF
    In this document, we briefly describe the main contribution to the deliverable on experimenting with the implementation of most of the calculi considered in the project. First, we describe how two well known calculi for mobile processes KLAIM and DĎ€ have been implemented on the top of IMC. We then describe the implementation of the MiKO programming language, an instance of the parametric calculus introduced in the WP1 with the TyCO calculus as the content of the membrane itself. After this, we outline the description of the implementation of the abstract machine for an instance of the Kell Calculus that dedicates particular attention to the proof of its correctness. Our presentation ends with a discussion of the problem of implementing security membranes on the top of an execution platform

    Insight. Transgenic solutions to increase yield and stability in wheat: shining hope or flash in the pan?

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    Second-generation transgenic crops have the potential to transform agriculture, but progress has been limited, and particularly so in wheat where no transgenic cultivar has yet been approved. Taking on the challenge, González et al. (2019) report that transgenic wheat lines carrying a mutated version of the sunflower transcription factor (HaHB4), belonging to the homeodomain-leucine zipper family (HD-Zip I), had increased yield and water use efficiency across a range of environments, with particular benefits under stress. It is an important step forward in an area where progress is urgently needed, though it is too early to claim that transgenic wheat will form the backbone of a second Green Revolution. To meet the growing demand for food, together with the challenges imposed by climate change, substantial improvements in yields of major crops are needed. This includes wheat, where globally the multi-year tendency for growth in yield is decreasing (Passioura, 2012) or even stagnating (Driever et al., 2017). Current and expected future relative rates of progress in yield potential and drought adaptation in wheat are a matter of real concern, and insufficient to meet the projected demand for cereals by 2050 (Hall and Richards, 2013). There are three major challenges: increasing yield potential, protecting yield potential from different types of stress, and increasing resource use efficiency to ensure sustainability (Hawkesford et al., 2013)

    Motor coordination, physical activity and fitness as predictors of longitudinal change in adiposity during childhood

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    The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of motor coordination (MC), physical fitness (PF) and physical activity (PA) on the development of subcutaneous adiposity in a sample of children followed longitudinally from 6 to 10 years of age. Participants were 142 girls and 143 boys. Height, weight, and the triceps and subscapular skinfolds were measured annually between the ages of 6 and 10 years. PA was estimated with the Godin–Shephard questionnaire. MC was evaluated with the Körperkoordination Test für Kinder (KTK) test battery, and PF was assessed with four Fitnessgram tests: curl-ups (CU), push-ups (PU), trunk-lifts (TL) and one mile run/walk (MRW). Hierarchical linear modelling with MC, PF items and PA as predictors of the sum of two skinfolds (SKF) was used. The results showed that boys and girls differed significantly in SKF at baseline (girls: 19.7 mm; boys: 16.6 mm). Three PF items (CU, PU and MRW) and MC had a positive influence on SKF. For each unit improvement in CU, PU, MRW and MC, SKF was reduced by 0.06, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.12 mm, respectively. In conclusion, motor coordination, muscular strength and endurance, and aerobic endurance attenuated the accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue during childhood

    Phase behaviour of hard cylinders

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    Using isobaric Monte Carlo simulations, we map out the entire phase diagram of a system of hard cylindrical particles of length LL and diameter DD, using an improved algorithm to identify the overlap condition between two cylinders. Both the prolate L/D>1L/D>1 and the oblate L/D<1L/D<1 phase diagrams are reported with no solution of continuity. In the prolate L/D>1L/D>1 case, we find intermediate nematic \textrm{N} and smectic \textrm{SmA} phases in addition to a low density isotropic \textrm{I} and a high density crystal \textrm{X} phase, with \textrm{I-N-SmA} and \textrm{I-SmA-X} triple points. An apparent columnar phase \textrm{C} is shown to be metastable as in the case of spherocylinders. In the oblate L/D<1L/D<1 case, we find stable intermediate cubatic \textrm{Cub}, nematic \textrm{N}, and columnar \textrm{C} phases with \textrm{I-N-Cub}, \textrm{N-Cub-C}, and \textrm{I-Cub-C} triple points. Comparison with previous numerical and analytical studies is discussed. The present study, accounting for the explicit cylindrical shape, paves the way to more sophisticated models with important biological applications, such as viruses and nucleosomes.Comment: 16 pages, 16 figures, JCP in press. Supplementary material has been included as Appendix

    non-linear relationships in children 6-10 years

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    Background: Given the concern for health?related consequences of an elevated body mass index (BMI; obesity), the potential consequences of a low BMI in children are often overlooked. The purpose was to evaluate the relationship between the BMI across its entire spectrum and motor coordination (MC) in children 6?10 years. Methods: Height, weight, and MC (K?rperkoordinationstest f?r Kinder, KTK test battery) were measured in 1,912 boys and 1,826 girls of 6?10 years of age. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated. KTK scores for each of the four tests were also converted to a motor quotient (MQ). One?way ANOVA was used to test differences in the BMI, individual test items, and MQ among boys and girls within age groups. Sex?specific quadratic regressions of individual KTK items and the MQ on the BMI were calculated. Girls and boys were also classified into four weight status groups using International Obesity Task Force criteria: thin, normal, overweight, and obese. Differences in specific test items and MQ between weight status groups were evaluated by age group in each sex. Results: Thirty?one percent of the sample was overweight or obese, whereas 5% was thin. On average, normal weight children had the highest MQ in both sexes across the age range with few exceptions. Overweight/obese children had a lower MQ than normal weight and thin children. The quadratic regression lines generally presented an inverted parabolic relationship between the BMI and MC and suggested a decrease in MC with an increase in the BMI. Conclusion: In general, BMI shows a curvilinear, inverted parabolic relationship with MC in children 6?10 years.4811-99FE-2ECD | Luis Paulo Rodriguesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Single nucleotide polymorphisms from Theobroma cacao expressed sequence tags associated with witches' broom disease in cacao

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    In order to increase the efficiency of cacao tree resistance to witches¿ broom disease, which is caused by Moniliophthora perniciosa (Tricholomataceae), we looked for molecular markers that could help in the selection of resistant cacao genotypes. Among the different markers useful for developing marker-assisted selection, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) constitute the most common type of sequence difference between alleles and can be easily detected by in silico analysis from expressed sequence tag libraries. We report the first detection and analysis of SNPs from cacao-M. perniciosa interaction expressed sequence tags, using bioinformatics. Selection based on analysis of these SNPs should be useful for developing cacao varieties resistant to this devastating disease. (Résumé d'auteur

    Correlation between BMI and motor coordination in children

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    Objectives: To analyze the association between motor coordination (MC) and body mass index (BMI) across childhood and early adolescence. Design: This study is cross-sectional. Methods: Data were collected in 7175 children (boys n = 3616, girls n = 3559), ages 6–14 years. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight [body mass (kg)/height (m2)]. Motor coordination was evaluated using Kiphard-Schilling’s body coordination test (KTK). Spearman’s rank correlation was used to study the association between BMI and MC. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to analyze the differences in MC between children of normal weight, overweight and obese children. Results: Correlations between MC and BMI were negative and varied between 0.05 and 0.49. The highest negative correlations for both boys and girls was at 11 years of age. There was a general pattern of increasing negative correlations in both genders from 6 to 11 years of age and then a decrease in correlation strengths through 14 years of age. In both boys (χ2 (2) = 324.01; p < 0.001) and girls (χ2 (2) = 291.20; p < 0.001) there were significant differences in MC between the three groups’ weight status. Normal weight children of both sexes demonstrated significantly higher MC scores than overweight. Obese children in both sexes had the lowest MC scores among all three groups. Conclusion: Motor coordination demonstrated an inverse relationship with BMI across childhood and into early adolescence. The strength of the inverse relation increased during childhood, but decreased through early adolescence. Overweight and obese children of both sexes demonstrated significantly lower MC than normal weight children

    Children with Type 1 Diabetes of Early Age at Onset - Immune and Metabolic Phenotypes

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    Objectives We aimed to evaluate children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with early age at onset (EAO) for clinical, immune and metabolic features in order to identify age-related disease phenotypes. Methods Comparative study of two groups of T1D children: EAO (≤5 years) and later age at onset (LAO; >5 years), regarding the presence of other autoimmune (AI) diseases, diabetes ketoacidosis and immunologic profile at onset and metabolic data 1 year after diagnosis. Statistical analysis was performed with significance set for p < 0.05. Results The study included 137 children (EAO = 52, mean age 3.6 ± 1.5 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] and LAO = 85, mean age 10.4 ± 2.9). EAO was more associated with concomitant AI diseases (p = 0.032). Despite no differences in disease onset, EAO presented with lower C-peptide levels (p = 0.01) and higher absolute lymphocyte number (p < 0.0001), with an inverse correlation between these two variables (p = 0.028). Additionally, the EAO group had a higher frequency of serum detection of three antibodies (Abs) (p = 0.0008), specifically insulin Abs (p = 0.0001). One year after diagnosis, EAO had higher total daily insulin (TDI) dose (p = 0.008), despite similar hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Conclusions Our data show an association of EAO T1D with more AI diseases, higher number of Abs, lower initial insulin reservoir and higher insulin requirements 1 year after diagnosis. In this group, immune imbalance seems more evident and disease progression faster, probably reflecting distinct "immune environment" with different ages at disease onset. Further studies in the field of immunogenetics and immune tolerance are required, to improve patient stratification and find novel targets for therapeutic intervention.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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