Why do foreign fighters join Islamic State? The case of Kosovo

How does a conflict far away speak to men and women in Kosovo? What does this say about the memories of conflict in their own country? In this Strategic Update Asya Metodieva explores these questions through an in-depth analysis of both quantitative and oral sources, shedding light on the interaction of what are termed ‘identity producers’ and ‘identity seekers’

Generating generalized necklaces and new quasi-cyclic codes

In many cases there is a need of exhaustive lists of combinatorial objects of a given type. We consider generation of all inequivalent polynomials from which defining polynomials for constructing quasi-cyclic (QC) codes are to be chosen. Using these defining polynomials we construct 34 new good QC codes over GF(11) and 36 such codes over GF(13)

p185(BCR/ABL) has a lower sensitivity than p210(BCR/ABL) to the allosteric inhibitor GNF-2 in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphatic leukemia

Background: The t(9;22) translocation leads to the formation of the chimeric breakpoint cluster region/c-abl oncogene 1 (BCR/ABL) fusion gene on der22, the Philadelphia chromosome. The p185(BCR/ABL) or the p210(BCR/ABL) fusion proteins are encoded as a result of the translocation, depending on whether a "minor" or "major" breakpoint occurs, respectively. Both p185(BCR/ABL) and p210(BCR/ABL) exhibit constitutively activated ABL kinase activity. Through fusion to BCR the ABL kinase in p185(BCR/ABL) and p210(BCR/ABL) "escapes" the auto-inhibition mechanisms of c-ABL, such as allosteric inhibition. A novel class of compounds including GNF-2 restores allosteric inhibition of the kinase activity and the transformation potential of BCR/ABL. Here we investigated whether there are differences between p185(BCR/ABL) and p210(BCR/ABL) regarding their sensitivity towards allosteric inhibition by GNF-2 in models of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphatic leukemia. Design and methods: We investigated the anti-proliferative activity of GNF-2 in different Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphatic leukemia models, such as cell lines, patient-derived long-term cultures and factor-dependent lymphatic Ba/F3 cells expressing either p185(BCR/ABL) or p210(BCR/ABL) and their resistance mutants. Results: The inhibitory effects of GNF-2 differed constantly between p185(BCR/ABL) and p210(BCR/ABL) expressing cells. In all three Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphatic leukemia models, p210(BCR/ABL)-transformed cells were more sensitive to GNF-2 than were p185BCR/ABL-positive cells. Similar results were obtained for p185(BCR/ABL) and the p210(BCR/ABL) harboring resistance mutations. Conclusions: Our data provide the first evidence of a differential response of p185(BCR/ABL)- and p210(BCR/ABL)- transformed cells to allosteric inhibition by GNF-2, which is of importance for the treatment of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphatic leukemia

New minimum distance bounds for linear codes over GF(5)

AbstractLet [n,k,d]q-codes be linear codes of length n, dimension k and minimum Hamming distance d over GF(q). In this paper, 32 new codes over GF(5) are constructed and the nonexistence of 51 codes is proved

Basis for the design and implementation of the quality system in Cad - Cam textile production

The current situation in the Textile - logistic center analyzed through the four pillars of the house of quality: internal standardization, methods and techniques for providing quality, education and motivation and cost analysis of quality. The current situation is analyzed through the criteria for the European Quality Award: leadership, policy and strategy, management of staff, resources, processes, customer satisfaction / users, employee satisfaction, impact on society, business results. Through these criteria the current standing was evaluated, presuming that the company was competing for the European Quality Award (European Foundation for Quality Management – EFQM).The introduction of the TQM strategy in an enterprise requires a proper methodology for each function. Starting from this basis, we analyzed the system established in the textile center with corrections and amendments to it through the QC-CE-Pyramid model approach, improving its efficiency and effectiveness. The design of the quality system has applied the QC-CE-Pyramid model, according to which the system should be processed through the Deming’s circle (PDCA) and the Ishikava approach: whom, what, where, who is responsible in the pyramid hierarchy of the company

Financing of Autonomous Communities

Trabajo de fin de Grado. Grado en Derecho. Curso académico 2016-2017[ES] En este trabajo se analiza por un lado, el poder financiero desde la perspectiva constitucional, también desde un plano normativa, viendo los distintos límites que lo integran, y desde un plano aplicativo. Se hace referencia a como se financian las Comunidades Autónomos para que éstas puedan hacer frente a sus servicios. Se analizan los problemas del actual sistema de financiación autonómica y se hace referencia a algunas propuestas que ayudarían a reformar dicho sistema.[EN] This paper analyzes, on the one hand, the financial power from the constitutional perspective, also from a normative level, seeing the different limits that integrate it, and from an application plane. Reference is made to how the Autonomous Communities are financed so that they can deal with their services. The problems of the current system of regional financing are analyzed and some proposals are made that would help reform the system

Basic methods for investigating and proving sickle-cell anemia

Въведение: Сърповидно-клетъчната анемия (СКА) е генетично детерминирано заболяване, представляващо сериозен обществен здравен проблем не само за страните с традиционно висока честота (Африка, Азия, Америка, Средиземноморие), но и за множество от европейските страни, където се наблюдава непрекъснато нарастване на честотата на това заболяване. Цел: Да представим методи, използвани за скриниране и диагноза на СКА. Дискусия: Методите, използвани при скриниране и диагностициране на СКА са два основни типа: рутинни и високо специализирани лабораторни методи. Рутинните тестове включват ПКК, биохимични показатели за доказване на хемолиза in vivo, изследване на урина, както и скриниращите тестове за доказване наличието на HbS - тестове за разтворимост, тестове, предизвикващи промяна във формата на еритроцитите и др. От изключително значение за потвърждаване на диагноза е използването на високо специализирани техники за разделяне на белтъци като електрофореза и високоефективна течна хроматография (HPLC), определящи абнормните хемоглобинови варианти. За нуждите на пренаталната диагностика се използва и ДНК анализ за доказване на точкова мутация в гена за бета веригата на глобиновата молекула. Заключение: Необходимо е да се познават различните видове методи за скриниране и диагноза на СКА, за да е максимално ефективен и бърз диагностичният процес при това разпространено и не рядко тежко протичащо наследствено заболяване.Introduction: The sickle-cell anaemia (SCA) is a genetically determined disease, that is a major public health issue amongst not only the countries where it is traditionally quite common (Africa, Asia, America and the Mediterranean), but also the majority of European countries, where a significant increase of the frequency of the disease is observed. Aim: To present methods used for screening and diagnose of SCA. Discussion: The methods used for screening and diagnose of SCA can be classified into two main categories - routine ones and highly specialised laboratory methods. The routine tests include complete blood count, biochemical parameters to prove in vivo haemolysis, urine tests and the screening tests for presence of HbS e.g. sickling tests and solubility tests. In order to confirm the diagnosis of SCA the usage of protein separation techniques such as electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for detection of abnormal hemoglobin variants is of high importance. Concerning prenatal diagnostics DNA analysis is also used for detection of point mutation in the fetus beta gene of globin molecule. Conclusion: In order to ensure with maximum of effectiveness the diagnostic process of this common hereditary disease, a good knowledge of all available screening and diagnostic methods is needed

UNHATE

UNHATE. Wie der Kuss der Kulturen für Aufmerksamkeit sorgt. Das Unternehmen Benetton hat in seiner jüngsten Vergangenheit erneut mit einer Werbekampagne für Schlagzeilen gesorgt: Diesmal waren führende Politiker in einer innigen Kussszene zu sehen, welche an den Frieden appellieren sollten. „Durch Liebe allein kann Hass besiegt werden.“ So hieß es seitens des Unternehmens. Prominente Persönlichkeiten wurden eingesetzt, um Aufsehen zu erregen. So zeigte das Unternehmen Benetton unter anderem Papst Benedikt in einer innigen Kussszene mit dem Imam von Kairo. Dass die Kampagne, wie viele andere zuvor, seitens der Öffentlichkeit zum Teil auf große Kritik stoßen wurde, war zu erwarten. Schockwerbung und Provokation scheinen die neuen Waffen der Werbetreibenden zu sein, um das Knappe Gut der Aufmerksamkeit zu gewinnen. Benettons Portfolio umfasst zudem jedoch Wohltätigkeitsarbeit in Entwicklungsländern und das Unternehmen lässt kaum eine Gelegenheit aus, um seine Kampagnen mit dieser in Verbindung zu bringen. Wohltätigkeit, oder doch eine ausgeklügelte Marketingstrategie? Ob Benetton nun wirklich auf das Elend in Entwicklungsländern hinweisen will oder lediglich die Aufmerksamkeit auf das Unternehmen ziehen möchte, ist schwer nachvollziehbar. Interessant ist es jedoch die Einstellung seitens der RezipientInnen bezüglich der Werbekampagne UNHATE zu analysieren. Die Untersuchung soll anhand eines Fragebogens durchgeführt werden, der an insgesamt 50 ÖsterreicherInnen und 50 FranzösInnen, im Alter zwischen 18 bis 25 Jahren zufällig verteilt wird. Folgende Ergebnisse können durch die Untersuchung festgehalten werden: Die Mehrzahl der befragten Personen assoziiert mit dem Begriff der Provokation das Unternehmen Benetton, welches bereist oftmals durch seine sozialkritischen Kampagnen für Aufsehen gesorgt hat. In Bezug auf die UNHATE Kampagne selbst ist interessant fest zu halten, dass weniger als die Hälfte der dargestellten Personen von den RezipientInnen erkannt wurden. Trotzdem wurde seitens der RezipientInnen der Grundgedanke und die Kernaussauge des Unternehmens „Liebe gegen Hass“ verstanden. Trotz allem empfinden die meisten RezipientInnen diese Form der Darstellung als provokant und sind der Meinung dass das Unternehmen sehr wohl die Aufmerksamkeit auf sich ziehen möchte und dass es sich hierbei nicht um reine Aufklärungsarbeit handelt. Die Darstellungsform findet jedoch im Allgemeinen eher positive Resonanz, da die Mehrheit der befragten Personen es gut findet, dass der Fokus nicht auf den typischen Schönheitsidealen liegt. Schlussendlich lässt sich festhalten, dass der Fokus des Unternehmens auf Provokation und Schock liegt. Dass das Unternehmen auf die Missstände anderer Kulturen aufmerksam machen möchte oder eine Aufklärungsfunktion wahrnimmt glauben hierbei die wenigsten

Allosteric inhibition enhances the efficacy of ABL kinase inhibitors to target unmutated BCR-ABL and BCR-ABL-T315I

Background: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphatic leukemia (Ph + ALL) are caused by the t(9;22), which fuses BCR to ABL resulting in deregulated ABL-tyrosine kinase activity. The constitutively activated BCR/ABL-kinase "escapes" the auto-inhibition mechanisms of c-ABL, such as allosteric inhibition. The ABL-kinase inhibitors (AKIs) Imatinib, Nilotinib or Dasatinib, which target the ATP-binding site, are effective in Ph + leukemia. Another molecular therapy approach targeting BCR/ABL restores allosteric inhibition. Given the fact that all AKIs fail to inhibit BCR/ABL harboring the 'gatekeeper' mutation T315I, we investigated the effects of AKIs in combination with the allosteric inhibitor GNF2 in Ph + leukemia. Methods: The efficacy of this approach on the leukemogenic potential of BCR/ABL was studied in Ba/F3 cells, primary murine bone marrow cells, and untransformed Rat-1 fibroblasts expressing BCR/ABL or BCR/ABL-T315I as well as in patient-derived long-term cultures (PDLTC) from Ph + ALL-patients. Results: Here, we show that GNF-2 increased the effects of AKIs on unmutated BCR/ABL. Interestingly, the combination of Dasatinib and GNF-2 overcame resistance of BCR/ABL-T315I in all models used in a synergistic manner. Conclusions: Our observations establish a new approach for the molecular targeting of BCR/ABL and its resistant mutants using a combination of AKIs and allosteric inhibitors

Decreased Usage of Specific Scrib Exons Defines a More Malignant Phenotype of Breast Cancer With Worsened Survival

SCRIB is a polarity regulator known to be abnormally expressed in cancer at the protein level. Here we report that, in breast cancer, an additional and hidden dimension of deregulations exists: an unexpected SCRIB exon usage pattern appears to mark a more malignant tumor phenotype and significantly correlates with survival. Conserved exons encoding the leucine-rich repeats tend to be overexpressed while others are underused. Mechanistic studies revealed that the underused exons encode part of the protein necessary for interaction with Vimentin and Numa1, a protein which is required for proper positioning of the mitotic spindle. Thus, the inclusion/exclusion of specific SCRIB exons is a mechanistic hallmark of breast cancer, which could potentially be exploited to develop more efficient diagnostics and therapies