Three-dimensional MRI assessment of regional wall stress after acute myocardial infarction predicts postdischarge cardiac events

PURPOSE: To determine the prognostic significance of systolic wall stress (SWS) after reperfused acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 105 patients underwent MRI 7.8 +/- 4.2 days after AMI reperfusion. SWS was calculated by using a three-dimensional (3D) MRI approach to left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and to the radius of curvature. Between hospital discharge and the end of follow-up, an average of 4.1 +/- 1.7 years after AMI, 19 patients experienced a major cardiac event, including cardiac death, nonfatal reinfarction or heart failure (18.3%). RESULTS: The results were mainly driven by heart failure outcome. In univariate analysis the following factors were predictive of postdischarge major adverse cardiac events: 1) at the time of AMI: higher heart rate, previous calcium antagonist treatment, in-hospital congestive heart failure, proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion, a lower ejection fraction, higher maximal ST segment elevation before reperfusion, and ST segment reduction lower than 50% after reperfusion; 2) MRI parameters: higher LV end-systolic volume, lower ejection fraction, higher global SWS, higher SWS in the infarcted area (SWS MI) and higher SWS in the remote myocardium (SWS remote). In the final multivariate model, only SWS MI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-2.60; P = 0.046) and SWS remote (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.02-4.65; P = 0.046) were independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Regional SWS assessed by means of MRI a few days after AMI appears to be strong predictor of postdischarge cardiac events, identifying a subset of at risk patients who could qualify for more aggressive management

Experimental fossilisation of viruses from extremophilic Archaea

The role of viruses at different stages of the origin of life has recently been reconsidered. It appears that viruses may have accompanied the earliest forms of life, allowing the transition from an RNA to a DNA world and possibly being involved in the shaping of tree of life in the three domains that we know presently. In addition, a large variety of viruses has been recently identified in extreme environments, hosted by extremophilic microorganisms, in ecosystems considered as analogues to those of the early Earth. Traces of life on the early Earth were preserved by the precipitation of silica on the organic structures. We present the results of the first experimental fossilisation by silica of viruses from extremophilic Archaea (SIRV2 – <i>Sulfolobus islandicus</i> rod-shaped virus 2, TPV1 – <i>Thermococcus prieurii</i> virus 1, and PAV1 – <i>Pyrococcus abyssi</i> virus 1). Our results confirm that viruses can be fossilised, with silica precipitating on the different viral structures (proteins, envelope) over several months in a manner similar to that of other experimentally and naturally fossilised microorganisms. This study thus suggests that viral remains or traces could be preserved in the rock record although their identification may be challenging due to the small size of the viral particles

La baisse du permis de conduire chez les jeunes adultes: simple report ou désamour de la voiture?

À l’instar de plusieurs pays occidentaux, la proportion de jeunes adultes titulaires d’un permis de conduire a diminué en Suisse (de plus de 70 % en 2000 à moins de 60 % en 2010). Cet article aborde ce phénomène en conceptualisant tout d’abord le permis de conduire comme un ensemble de règles, un droit de participer au système automobile et un rite de passage. La propension à obtenir le permis de conduire et son évolution sont ensuite analysées sur la base des Microrecensements mobilité et transports 2000 et 2010. Les résultats montrent que cette baisse s’explique en majeure partie par un report de l’âge d’obtention du permis et non par un renoncement définitif. Ce report semble moins dû à une complexification des règles ou à une augmentation des coûts mais davantage à un rapport plus fonctionnel et utilitaire à la voiture

Pneumococcal septicemiae (Streptococcus pneumoniae) in the calves

Les auteurs décrivent un foyer de septicémie à pneumocoques ( Strepto coccus pneumoniae) chez des veaux en France. L’affection sévit chez des animaux très jeunes de 0 à 8 semaines jusqu’à 3 mois et est d’évolution très rapide (quelques heures) accompagnée d’entérite subaiguë, et de lésions pulmonaires diffuses. Cette maladie peut être confondue avec de la colibacillose ou de la salmonellose ; seuls les examens bactériologiques permettent le diagnostic. C’est une affection bien connue en Allemagne, Danemark, Suisse, présente aussi en Italie et en Angleterre. En France, la maladie existe mais l’évolution est telle que les différentes phases de son diagnostic sont difficiles. Le sérotype de Streptococcus pneumoniae trouvé dans cette étude est un 18, sérotype assez fréquent en médecine humaine.The authors describe an outbreak of pneumococcal septicemiae ( Strep tococcus pneumoniae ) in the calves in France. The disease take its course in very young animals of 0 to 8 weeks old up to 3 months. The evolution is very speedy (a few hours) with clinical signs of sub acute enteritis and diffuse pulmonary lesions ; this disease can be confused with collibacillosis and salmonellosis ; and the diagnosis can be made only by bacteriological examination. This affection is well known in Germany, Denmark and Switzerland, and exists in Italy and Great Britain. In France the disease exists but the evolution is such that the different phases of the different phases of the diagnosis are difficult. The serotye of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in this study is serotype 18 wich is rather frequent in human medicine

Anomalously low modulus of the interpenetrating-phase composite of Fe and Mg obtained by liquid metal dealloying

A bulk interpenetrating-phase composite consisting of immiscible Fe and Mg metals is fabricated by liquid metal dealloying. The composite exhibits an anomalously low value of the Young's modulus of 20 ± 3 GPa, when probed in compression. The Young's modulus values obtained from nanoindentation and ultrasonic measurements are, however, significantly higher than that in compression, but still remain lower than theoretical values obtained from the Hashin-Shtrikman bounds and a micromechanics model. Such a deviation is explained by the weak interfaces between Fe and Mg phases that promote phase boundary sliding upon mechanical loading, leading to a low effective modulus. © 201

Distribution of lithostratigraphic units within the central block of Yucca Mountain, Nevada: A three-dimensional computer-based model, Version YMP.R2.0

Yucca Mountain, Nevada is underlain by 14.0 to 11.6 Ma volcanic rocks tilted eastward 3{degree} to 20{degree} and cut by faults that were primarily active between 12.7 and 11.6 Ma. A three-dimensional computer-based model of the central block of the mountain consists of seven structural subblocks composed of six formations and the interstratified-bedded tuffaceous deposits. Rocks from the 12.7 Ma Tiva Canyon Tuff, which forms most of the exposed rocks on the mountain, to the 13.1 Ma Prow Pass Tuff are modeled with 13 surfaces. Modeled units represent single formations such as the Pah Canyon Tuff, grouped units such as the combination of the Yucca Mountain Tuff with the superjacent bedded tuff, and divisions of the Topopah Spring Tuff such as the crystal-poor vitrophyre interval. The model is based on data from 75 boreholes from which a structure contour map at the base of the Tiva Canyon Tuff and isochore maps for each unit are constructed to serve as primary input. Modeling consists of an iterative cycle that begins with the primary structure-contour map from which isochore values of the subjacent model unit are subtracted to produce the structure contour map on the base of the unit. This new structure contour map forms the input for another cycle of isochore subtraction to produce the next structure contour map. In this method of solids modeling, the model units are presented by surfaces (structure contour maps), and all surfaces are stored in the model. Surfaces can be converted to form volumes of model units with additional effort. This lithostratigraphic and structural model can be used for (1) storing data from, and planning future, site characterization activities, (2) preliminary geometry of units for design of Exploratory Studies Facility and potential repository, and (3) performance assessment evaluations

Live Coding, Live Notation, Live Performance

This paper/demonstration explores relationships between code, notation including representation, visualisation and performance. Performative aspects of live coding activities are increasingly being investigated as the live coding movement continues to grow and develop. Although live instrumental performance is sometimes included as an accompaniment to live coding, it is often not a fully integrated part of the performance, relying on improvisation and/or basic indicative forms of notation with varying levels of sophistication and universality. Technologies are developing which enable the use of fully explicit music notations as well as more graphic ones, allowing more fully integrated systems of code in and as performance which can also include notations of arbitrary complexity. This itself allows the full skills of instrumental musicians to be utilised and synchronised in the process. This presentation/demonstration presents work and performances already undertaken with these technologies, including technologies for body sensing and data acquisition in the translation of the movements of dancers and musicians into synchronously performable notation, integrated by live and prepared coding. The author together with clarinetist Ian Mitchell present a short live performance utilising these techniques, discuss methods for the dissemination and interpretation of live generated notations and investigate how they take advantage of instrumental musicians’ training-related neuroplasticity skills

Viruses in extreme environments

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comInternational audienceThe tolerance limits of extremophiles in term of temperature, pH, salinity, desiccation, hydrostatic pressure, radiation, anaerobiosis far exceed what can support non-extremophilic organisms. Like all other organisms, extremophiles serve as hosts for viral replication. Many lines of evidence suggest that viruses could no more be regarded as simple infectious ‘‘fragments of life'' but on the contrary as one of the major components of the biosphere. The exploration of niches with seemingly harsh life conditions as hypersaline and soda lakes, Sahara desert, polar environments or hot acid springs and deep sea hydrothermal vents, permitted to track successfully the presence of viruses. Substantial populations of double-stranded DNA virus that can reach 109 particles per milliliter were recorded. All these viral communities, with genome size ranging from 14 kb to 80 kb, seem to be genetically distinct, suggesting specific niche adaptation. Nevertheless, at this stage of the knowledge, very little is known of their origin, activity, or importance to the in situ microbial dynamics. The continuous attempts to isolate and to study viruses that thrive in extreme environments will be needed to address such questions. However, this topic appears to open a new window on an unexplored part of the viral world

National records of 3000 European bee and hoverfly species: A contribution to pollinator conservation

Pollinators play a crucial role in ecosystems globally, ensuring the seed production of most flowering plants. They are threatened by global changes and knowledge of their distribution at the national and continental levels is needed to implement efficient conservation actions, but this knowledge is still fragmented and/or difficult to access. As a step forward, we provide an updated list of around 3000 European bee and hoverfly species, reflecting their current distributional status at the national level (in the form of present, absent, regionally extinct, possibly extinct or non-native). This work was attainable by incorporating both published and unpublished data, as well as knowledge from a large set of taxonomists and ecologists in both groups. After providing the first National species lists for bees and hoverflies for many countries, we examine the current distributional patterns of these species and designate the countries with highest levels of species richness. We also show that many species are recorded in a single European country, highlighting the importance of articulating European and national conservation strategies. Finally, we discuss how the data provided here can be combined with future trait and Red List data to implement research that will further advance pollinator conservation

Identification of CRISPR and riboswitch related RNAs among novel noncoding RNAs of the euryarchaeon Pyrococcus abyssi

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Noncoding RNA (ncRNA) has been recognized as an important regulator of gene expression networks in Bacteria and Eucaryota. Little is known about ncRNA in thermococcal archaea except for the eukaryotic-like C/D and H/ACA modification guide RNAs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using a combination of <it>in silico </it>and experimental approaches, we identified and characterized novel <it>P</it>. <it>abyssi </it>ncRNAs transcribed from 12 intergenic regions, ten of which are conserved throughout the Thermococcales. Several of them accumulate in the late-exponential phase of growth. Analysis of the genomic context and sequence conservation amongst related thermococcal species revealed two novel <it>P</it>. <it>abyssi </it>ncRNA families. The CRISPR family is comprised of crRNAs expressed from two of the four <it>P</it>. <it>abyssi </it>CRISPR cassettes. The 5'UTR derived family includes four conserved ncRNAs, two of which have features similar to known bacterial riboswitches. Several of the novel ncRNAs have sequence similarities to orphan OrfB transposase elements. Based on RNA secondary structure predictions and experimental results, we show that three of the twelve ncRNAs include Kink-turn RNA motifs, arguing for a biological role of these ncRNAs in the cell. Furthermore, our results show that several of the ncRNAs are subjected to processing events by enzymes that remain to be identified and characterized.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This work proposes a revised annotation of CRISPR loci in <it>P</it>. <it>abyssi </it>and expands our knowledge of ncRNAs in the Thermococcales, thus providing a starting point for studies needed to elucidate their biological function.</p