Chromospheric explosions

Three issues relative to chromospheric explosions were debated. (1) Resolved: The blue-shifted components of x-ray spectral lines are signatures of chromospheric evaporation. It was concluded that the plasma rising with the corona is indeed the primary source of thermal plasma observed in the corona during flares. (2) Resolved: The excess line broading of UV and X-ray lines is accounted for by a convective velocity distribution in evaporation. It is concluded that the hypothesis that convective evaporation produces the observed X-ray line widths in flares is no more than a hypothesis. It is not supported by any self-consistent physical theory. (3) Resolved: Most chromospheric heating is driven by electron beams. Although it is possible to cast doubt on many lines of evidence for electron beams in the chromosphere, a balanced view that debaters on both sides of the question might agree to is that electron beams probably heat the low corona and upper chromosphere, but their direct impact on evaporating the chromosphere is energetically unimportant when compared to conduction. This represents a major departure from the thick-target flare models that were popular before the Workshop

Chimeric Yellow Fever/Dengue Virus as a Candidate Dengue Vaccine: Quantitation of the Dengue Virus-Specific CD8 T-Cell Response

We have constructed a chimeric yellow fever/dengue (YF/DEN) virus, which expresses the premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) genes from DEN type 2 (DEN-2) virus in a YF virus (YFV-17D) genetic background. Immunization of BALB/c mice with this chimeric virus induced a CD8 T-cell response specific for the DEN-2 virus prM and E proteins. This response protected YF/DEN virus-immunized mice against lethal dengue encephalitis. Control mice immunized with the parental YFV-17D were not protected against DEN-2 virus challenge, indicating that protection was mediated by the DEN-2 virus prM- and E-specific immune responses. YF/DEN vaccine-primed CD8 T cells expanded and were efficiently recruited into the central nervous systems of DEN-2 virus challenged mice. At 5 days after challenge, 3 to 4% of CD8 T cells in the spleen were specific for the prM and E proteins, and 34% of CD8 T cells in the central nervous system recognized these proteins. Depletion of either CD4 or CD8 T cells, or both, strongly reduced the protective efficacy of the YF/DEN virus, stressing the key role of the antiviral T-cell response

Methods and tools supporting urban resilience planning: experiences from Cork, Ireland

To prevent flood disasters, policymakers call for resilient cities which are better able to cope with flood hazards. However, actual adoption of resilience measures in urban planning is still limited, partly because it is not sufficiently clear how and to what extent resilience should and can be enhanced. To develop resilience strategies, information on the current resilience and on the effects of measures should be available. Since cities are complex systems, an assessment of resilience requires the input of different actors. To obtain and combine this input, a comprehensive approach which brings together many actors is required. Furthermore, resilience must be integrated in planning frameworks in order to enhance adoption by city policy makers. Tools which support and structure the contribution of different disciplines and actors will help to obtain information on the current resilience and to develop a shared vision on measures to enhance urban resilience. We illustrate our view with an example on Cork, Ireland

Studies in the auxin relationship of geotropically stimulated roots

The effect of geotropic stimulation on auxin production in Vicia faba root tips was studied. Paper chromatography techniques were used to separate the growth substances. Three assay methods (oat first internode, oat coleoptile and pea root section tests) were used for the detection and estimation of growth substances on chromatograms. An assessment was made of a number of sources of error in the preparation of material and the extraction, purification and chromatography of extracts. Geotropic stimulation brought about an increased synthesis of an ether soluble acid auxin in root tips. The maximum amount was formed at 20 minutes stimulation and this fell to the minimum value, recorded after 40 minutes stimulation. The auxin content from longitudinally split root tips was less than the auxin content from whole root tips. This decrease was thought to be an artefact caused by longitudinal cutting of the roots. No difference was found in the auxin content between the upper and lower half of the tip. The water soluble auxins of whole and split roots were investigated. Geotropic stimulation produced a change in content of all the auxins. Colour tests and fluorimetric analyses were made on the water soluble fraction. 3,4 -dihydroxyphenylalanine and tryptophan were identified from the water soluble fraction. Substances giving a phenolic reaction coincided with areas of high growth activity. Alkaline hydrolysis revealed the presence of water soluble indole complexes.<p

Methods and tools supporting urban resilience planning: experiences from Cork, Ireland

To prevent flood disasters, policymakers call for resilient cities which are better able to cope with flood hazards. However, actual adoption of resilience measures in urban planning is still limited, partly because it is not sufficiently clear how and to what extent resilience should and can be enhanced. To develop resilience strategies, information on the current resilience and on the effects of measures should be available. Since cities are complex systems, an assessment of resilience requires the input of different actors. To obtain and combine this input, a comprehensive approach which brings together many actors is required. Furthermore, resilience must be integrated in planning frameworks in order to enhance adoption by city policy makers. Tools which support and structure the contribution of different disciplines and actors will help to obtain information on the current resilience and to develop a shared vision on measures to enhance urban resilience. We illustrate our view with an example on Cork, Ireland

The ‘credibility paradox’ in China’s science communication: Views from scientific practitioners

In contrast to increasing debates on China’s rising status as a global scientific power, issues of China’s science communication remain under-explored. Based on 21 in-depth interviews in three cities, this article examines Chinese scientists’ accounts of the entangled web of influence which conditions the process of how scientific knowledge achieves (or fails to achieve) its civic authority. A main finding of this study is a ‘credibility paradox’ as a result of the over-politicisation of science and science communication in China. Respondents report that an absence of visible institutional endorsements renders them more public credibility and better communication outcomes. Thus, instead of exploiting formal channels of science communication, scientists interviewed were more keen to act as ‘informal risk communicators’ in grassroots and private events. Chinese scientists’ perspectives on how to earn public support of their research sheds light on the nature and impact of a ‘civic epistemology’ in an authoritarian state

P682Preserved contractile function of unloaded cardiomyocytes despite diminished sarcomere size is associated with troponin I activation

Objective: Myocardial unloading with ventricular assist devices in patients with severe heart failure (HF) can lead to reversal of certain aspects of pathological remodeling. However, these effects do not translate into recovery of myocardial function in the human heart, possibly due to detrimental atrophic processes also elicited through unloading. We have studied the effects of long-term unloading on sarcomeric morphology and function in a small animal model of ventricular unloading, heterotopic heart transplantation (HTX) in rats. Methods: Native rat hearts were unloaded via HTX for 30 days, CMs from control and unloaded hearts were isolated (n=8 hearts/>250 individual cells/group). CM overall size was determined, sarcomere length/contractility assessed and Calcium transients as well as E-C coupling gain analyzed in patch-clamped CMs. Additionally, phosphorylation of Troponin I, indicative of sarcomere activation, was measured with western blotting. Results: CM cross-sectional area was diminished in unloaded cells by about one third (2787±345 vs 1993±230 μm2) as was cell capacitance in patched cells. Accordingly, baseline sarcomere length was significantly reduced by ~0.2μm (Figure). However, this reduction did not diminish contractile function: fractional shortening was significantly higher in unloaded CMs (8.0 ± 3 % vs 6.6 ± 2.5 % in CTR, p = 0.01). Departure velocity of the transients was similar (-135.2 ± 48 vs -119.4 ± 40 dL/dt), and return velocity was slightly increased in unloaded cells (120.7 ± 54 vs 94.0 ± 46 dL/dt, p < 0.05), indicating preserved relaxation. Calcium transient amplitudes and current-voltage relationship under basal condition and isoproterenol stimulation was not changed. Troponin I phosphorylation was elevated and may contribute to the maintenance of sarcomeric function in long-term unloaded CMs. Conclusion: Although there are limitations regarding assessment of contractility in isolated cells, we may conclude that the considerable size reduction in CMs induced by unloading does not translate into diminished contractile function or E-C couplin