Homotopy hyperbolic 3-manifolds are hyperbolic

This paper introduces a rigorous computer-assisted procedure for analyzing hyperbolic 3-manifolds. This procedure is used to complete the proof of several long-standing rigidity conjectures in 3-manifold theory as well as to provide a new lower bound for the volume of a closed orientable hyperbolic 3-manifold

Methodological consensus on clinical proton MRS of the brain: Review and recommendations

© 2019 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Proton MRS (1H MRS) provides noninvasive, quantitative metabolite profiles of tissue and has been shown to aid the clinical management of several brain diseases. Although most modern clinical MR scanners support MRS capabilities, routine use is largely restricted to specialized centers with good access to MR research support. Widespread adoption has been slow for several reasons, and technical challenges toward obtaining reliable good-quality results have been identified as a contributing factor. Considerable progress has been made by the research community to address many of these challenges, and in this paper a consensus is presented on deficiencies in widely available MRS methodology and validated improvements that are currently in routine use at several clinical research institutions. In particular, the localization error for the PRESS localization sequence was found to be unacceptably high at 3 T, and use of the semi-adiabatic localization by adiabatic selective refocusing sequence is a recommended solution. Incorporation of simulated metabolite basis sets into analysis routines is recommended for reliably capturing the full spectral detail available from short TE acquisitions. In addition, the importance of achieving a highly homogenous static magnetic field (B0) in the acquisition region is emphasized, and the limitations of current methods and hardware are discussed. Most recommendations require only software improvements, greatly enhancing the capabilities of clinical MRS on existing hardware. Implementation of these recommendations should strengthen current clinical applications and advance progress toward developing and validating new MRS biomarkers for clinical use

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Reveals Neuroprotection by Oral Minocycline in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Accelerated NeuroAIDS

Background: Despite the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders continue to be a significant problem. In efforts to understand and alleviate neurocognitive deficits associated with HIV, we used an accelerated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) macaque model of NeuroAIDS to test whether minocycline is neuroprotective against lentiviral-induced neuronal injury. Methodology/Principal Findings: Eleven rhesus macaques were infected with SIV, depleted of CD8+ lymphocytes, and studied until eight weeks post inoculation (wpi). Seven animals received daily minocycline orally beginning at 4 wpi. Neuronal integrity was monitored in vivo by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and post-mortem by immunohistochemistry for synaptophysin (SYN), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), and neuronal counts. Astrogliosis and microglial activation were quantified by measuring glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA-1), respectively. SIV infection followed by CD8+ cell depletion induced a progressive decline in neuronal integrity evidenced by declining N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr), which was arrested with minocycline treatment. The recovery of this ratio was due to increases in NAA, indicating neuronal recovery, and decreases in Cr, likely reflecting downregulation of glial cell activation. SYN, MAP2, and neuronal counts were found to be higher in minocycline-treated animals compared to untreated animals while GFAP and IBA-1 expression were decreased compared to controls. CSF and plasma viral loads were lower in MN-treated animals. Conclusions/Significance: In conclusion, oral minocycline alleviates neuronal damage induced by the AIDS virus

Mimicry of an HIV broadly neutralizing antibody epitope with a synthetic glycopeptide.

CAPRISA, 2017.Abstract available in pdf

Un guide pratique des méthodes de préférences déclarées

International audienceThis volume contains good practice protocols for the economic valuation of non-market forest goods and services developed by participants to the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action 45 “European forest externalities (EUROFOREX – COST E45). A previous version of this guide was made available by DiGeSA, University of Catania, Italy. The starting point for the Action was that, although there is a considerable body of research in Europe concerning the valuation of forest externalities, the results from these valuation studies are often not comparable due to variations in the application of the valuation methods and the reporting of results. The aim of the protocols is to facilitate a better and more consistent application and reporting of nonmarket valuation projects. Action E45 involved 20 European countries and two non-European institutions, from New Zealand and Tunisia. It was organized into three working groups, each focusing on a family of valuation methods. One group was concerned with the stated preference methods. Two variants were studied in particular: contingent valuation and choice experiments. Another working group focused on the use of the revealed preference methods, such as the hedonic pricing approach and the travel cost models. The remaining group covered the benefit transfer approaches

Un guide pratique des méthodes de préférences déclarées

International audienceThis volume contains good practice protocols for the economic valuation of non-market forest goods and services developed by participants to the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action 45 “European forest externalities (EUROFOREX – COST E45). A previous version of this guide was made available by DiGeSA, University of Catania, Italy. The starting point for the Action was that, although there is a considerable body of research in Europe concerning the valuation of forest externalities, the results from these valuation studies are often not comparable due to variations in the application of the valuation methods and the reporting of results. The aim of the protocols is to facilitate a better and more consistent application and reporting of nonmarket valuation projects. Action E45 involved 20 European countries and two non-European institutions, from New Zealand and Tunisia. It was organized into three working groups, each focusing on a family of valuation methods. One group was concerned with the stated preference methods. Two variants were studied in particular: contingent valuation and choice experiments. Another working group focused on the use of the revealed preference methods, such as the hedonic pricing approach and the travel cost models. The remaining group covered the benefit transfer approaches