Discrete tomography: Magic numbers for NN-fold symmetry

We consider the problem of distinguishing convex subsets of $n$-cyclotomic model sets $\varLambda$ by (discrete parallel) X-rays in prescribed $\varLambda$-directions. In this context, a `magic number' $m_{\varLambda}$ has the property that any two convex subsets of $\varLambda$ can be distinguished by their X-rays in any set of $m_{\varLambda}$ prescribed $\varLambda$-directions. Recent calculations suggest that (with one exception in the case $n=4$) the least possible magic number for $n$-cyclotomic model sets might just be $N+1$, where $N=\operatorname{lcm}(n,2)$.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures; new computer calculations based on the results of arXiv:1101.4149 and arXiv:1211.6318; presented at ICQ 12 (Cracow, Poland

The Role of Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1/FoxO-Mediated Transcription for the Pathogenesis of Obesity-Associated Dementia

Epidemiological studies suggest that being obese in midlife is a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia in later life. Hyperinsulinemia is one of the most frequent endocrine features in overweight people which results in insulin desensitization. Thus, chronically high insulin levels have been identified as risk factor for dementia. Accordingly, chronically high insulin levels might be harmful for brain function. Furthermore, insulin and IGF-1-induced signaling is reduced in the brains of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Interestingly, studies in rodents suggest that reduced insulin receptor (IR) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling decrease AD pathology, that is, β-amyloid toxicity. Data obtained in C. elegans indicate that the beneficial effect mediated via reduced IR/IGF-1R signaling might partially be induced via the forkhead-box O transcription factors (FoxO). In the mammalian brain, there are FoxO1, FoxO3a, and FoxO6 expressed. Surprisingly, high-fat diet specifically reduces the expression of FoxO3a and FoxO6 suggesting that IR/IGF-1 → FoxO-mediated transcription is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated cognitive impairment. Therefore, the function of FoxO1 and FoxO3a has been investigated in animal models of Alzheimer's disease in detail. The current paper focuses on the role of IR/IGF-1 signaling and IR/IGF-1 → FoxO-mediated transcription for the pathogenesis of obesity-associated dementia

On a family of random noble means substitutions

Moll M. On a family of random noble means substitutions. Bielefeld: Universitätsbibliothek Bielefeld; 2013

Drohnen als Partner im Luftraum

In unserem Beitrag fassen wir drei Themen einer jüngst veröffentlichten Studie zur Technikfolgenabschätzung ziviler Drohnen zusammen. Erstens legen wir dar, dass der Rechtsbegriff der Drohne unklar geregelt ist und dass eine technische Definition des Begriffs „Drohne“ der falsche Weg ist. Wir präsentieren eine alternative Einbindung des Drohnenbegriffs in das europäische Luftfahrtrecht. Zweitens beschreiben wir die Komplexität der technisch zu regelnden Aspekte, um eine Einbindung von Drohnen in das Luftraumsystem ohne direkten Sichtkontakt zu ermöglichen. Wir beschreiben das Problem der technischen Sicherheit und die Komponenten eines Verkehrsmanagementsystems für Drohnen. Drittens verdeutlichen wir, dass bei der Bewältigung der ethischen, rechtlichen und sozialen Herausforderungen von Drohnen eine Vollzugslücke besteht, insbesondere im Datenschutz

Zu einer Außenpolitik der Erziehungswissenschaft

Die Grenzziehungen zwischen Erziehungswissenschaft und Nicht-Wissenschaft thematisieren die Autoren mit der Metapher der ‚Außenpolitik der Erziehungswissenschaft‘. Aufgrund aktueller Anlässe relationieren sie politische Entscheidungen und die Inanspruchnahme wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnis in drei Variationen. Anschließend untersuchen sie den bildungspolitischen Einbezug und die Erfahrungen der Bildungsforschung, die mit dem akademischen Alter tendenziell ernüchternd ausfällt. (DIPF/Orig.

B-Cell Epitopes in NTS-DBL1 alpha of PfEMP1 Recognized by Human Antibodies in Rosetting Plasmodium falciparum

Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal of the human malaria parasites. the virulence is associated with the capacity of the infected red blood cell (iRBC) to sequester inside the deep microvasculature where it may cause obstruction of the blood-flow when binding is excessive. Rosetting, the adherence of the iRBC to uninfected erythrocytes, has been found associated with severe malaria and found to be mediated by the NTS-DBL1 alpha-domain of Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1). Here we show that the reactivity of plasma of Cameroonian children with the surface of the FCR3S1.2-iRBC correlated with the capacity to disrupt rosettes and with the antibody reactivity with a recombinant PfEMP1 (NTS-DBL1 alpha of IT4(var60)) expressed by parasite FCR3S1.2. the plasma-reactivity in a microarray, consisting of 96 overlapping 15-mer long peptides covering the NTS-DBL1 alpha domain from IT4var60 sequence, was compared with their capacity to disrupt rosettes and we identified five peptides where the reactivity were correlated. Three of the peptides were localized in subdomain-1 and 2. the other two peptide-sequences were localized in the NTS-domain and in subdomain-3. Further, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square analysis generated a model that supported these findings. in conclusion, human antibody reactivity with short linear-peptides of NTS-DBL1 alpha of PfEMP1 suggests subdomains 1 and 2 to hold anti-rosetting epitopes recognized by anti-rosetting antibodies. the data suggest rosetting to be mediated by the variable areas of PfEMP1 but also to involve structurally relatively conserved areas of the molecule that may induce biologically active antibodies.Swedish Research Council (VR)Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA, Soderberg Foundation)Karolinska Institutet-DPAEU Network of Excellence EviMalarKarolinska Inst, Dept Microbiol Tumor & Cell Biol MTC, Stockholm, SwedenKarolinska Inst, Dept Lab Med, Therapeut Immunol TIM, Stockholm, SwedenKarolinska Univ Hosp, CAST, Huddinge, SwedenUniv Estadual Campinas, Dept Biochem, Campinas, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc