The Demilitarisation of Cyber Conflict

The debate about state behaviour in cyberspace may be set in the wrong legal key.Security and Global AffairsCybersecurity en cybergovernanc

Foreign intelligence in the digital age. Navigating a state of ‘unpeace’.

Security and Global AffairsCybersecurity en cybergovernanc

Disability in multiple sclerosis is related to thalamic connectivity and cortical network atrophy.

BACKGROUND: Thalamic atrophy is proposed to be a major predictor of disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), while thalamic function remains understudied. OBJECTIVES: To study how thalamic functional connectivity (FC) is related to disability and thalamic or cortical network atrophy in two large MS cohorts. METHODS: Structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was obtained in 673 subjects from Amsterdam (MS: N = 332, healthy controls (HC): N = 96) and Graz (MS: N = 180, HC: N = 65) with comparable protocols, including disability measurements in MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS). Atrophy was measured for the thalamus and seven well-recognized resting-state networks. Static and dynamic thalamic FC with these networks was correlated with disability. Significant correlates were included in a backward multivariate regression model. RESULTS: Disability was most strongly related (adjusted R2 = 0.57, p < 0.001) to higher age, a progressive phenotype, thalamic atrophy and increased static thalamic FC with the sensorimotor network (SMN). Static thalamus-SMN FC was significantly higher in patients with high disability (EDSS ⩾ 4) and related to network atrophy but not thalamic atrophy or lesion volumes. CONCLUSION: The severity of disability in MS was related to increased static thalamic FC with the SMN. Thalamic FC changes were only related to cortical network atrophy, but not to thalamic atrophy

Multiplex quantitative PCR for single-reaction genetically modified (GM) plant detection and identification of false-positive GM plants linked to Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) infection.

BACKGROUND:Most genetically modified (GM) plants contain a promoter, P35S, from the plant virus, Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), and many have a terminator, TNOS, derived from the bacterium, Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Assays designed to detect GM plants often target the P35S and/or TNOS DNA sequences. However, because the P35S promoter is derived from CaMV, these detection assays can yield false-positives from non-GM plants infected by this naturally-occurring virus. RESULTS:Here we report the development of an assay designed to distinguish CaMV-infected plants from GM plants in a single multiplexed quantitative PCR (qPCR) reaction. Following initial testing and optimization via PCR and singleplex-to-multiplex qPCR on both plasmid and plant DNA, TaqMan qPCR probes with different fluorescence wavelengths were designed to target actin (a positive-control plant gene), P35S, P3 (a CaMV-specific gene), and TNOS. We tested the specificity of our quadruplex qPCR assay using different DNA extracts from organic watercress and both organic and GM canola, all with and without CaMV infection, and by using commercial and industrial samples. The limit of detection (LOD) of each target was determined to be 1% for actin, 0.001% for P35S, and 0.01% for both P3 and TNOS. CONCLUSIONS:This assay was able to distinguish CaMV-infected plants from GM plants in a single multiplexed qPCR reaction for all samples tested in this study, suggesting that this protocol is broadly applicable and readily transferrable to any interested parties with a qPCR platform

Conservative Treatment in Diverticulitis Patients with Pericolic Extraluminal Air and the Role of Antibiotic Treatment

Background: Recently published studies advocate a conservative approach with observation and antibiotic treatment in diverticulitis patients with pericolic air on computed tomography (CT). The primary aim of this study was to assess the clinical course of initially conservatively treated diverticulitis patients with isolated pericolic air and to identify risk factors for conservative treatment failure. The secondary aim was to assess the outcome of non-antibiotic treatment. Methods: Patient data from a retrospective cohort study on risk factors for complicated diverticulitis were combined with data from the DIABOLO trial, a randomised controlled trial comparing non-antibiotic with antibiotic treatment in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis. The present study identified all patients with Hinchey 1A diverticulitis with isolated pericolic air on CT. Pericolic air was defined as air located < 5 cm from the affected segment of colon. The primary outcome was failure of conservative management which was defined as need for percutaneous abscess drainage or emergency surgery within 30 days after presentation. A multivariable logistic regression of clinical, radiological and laboratorial parameters with respect to treatment failure was performed. Results: A total of 109 patients were included in the study. Fifty-two (48%) patients were treated with antibiotics. Nine (8%) patients failed conservative management, seven (13%) in the antibiotic treatment group and two (4%) in the non-antibiotic group (p = 0.083). Only (increased) CRP level at presentation was an independent predictor for treatment failure. Conclusions: Conservative treatment in diverticulitis patients with isolated pericolic air is a suitable treatment strategy. Moreover, non-antibiotic treatment might be reasonable in selected patients

Towards ensemble asteroseismology of the young open clusters Chi Persei and NGC 6910

As a result of the variability survey in Chi Persei and NGC6910, the number of Beta Cep stars that are members of these two open clusters is increased to twenty stars, nine in NGC6910 and eleven in Chi Persei. We compare pulsational properties, in particular the frequency spectra, of Beta Cep stars in both clusters and explain the differences in terms of the global parameters of the clusters. We also indicate that the more complicated pattern of the variability among B type stars in Chi Persei is very likely caused by higher rotational velocities of stars in this cluster. We conclude that the sample of pulsating stars in the two open clusters constitutes a very good starting point for the ensemble asteroseismology of Beta Cep-type stars and maybe also for other B-type pulsators.Comment: 4 pages, Astronomische Nachrichten, HELAS IV Conference, Arecife, Lanzarote, Feb 2010, submitte

Risk-stratified approach to breast cancer screening in canada: Women’s knowledge of the legislative context and concerns about discrimination from genetic and other predictive health data

The success of risk-stratified approaches in improving population-based breast cancer screening programs depends in no small part on women’s buy-in. Fear of genetic discrimination (GD) could be a potential barrier to genetic testing uptake as part of risk assessment. Thus, the objective of this study was twofold. First, to evaluate Canadian women’s knowledge of the legislative context governing GD. Second, to assess their concerns about the possible use of breast cancer risk levels by insurance companies or employers. We use a cross-sectional survey of 4293 (age: 30–69) women, conducted in four Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Colombia, Ontario and Québec). Canadian women’s knowledge of the regulatory framework for GD is relatively limited, with some gaps and misconceptions noted. About a third (34.7%) of the participants had a lot of concerns about the use of their health information by employers or insurers; another third had some concerns (31.9%), while 20% had no concerns. There is a need to further educate and inform the Canadian public about GD and the legal protections that exist to prevent it. Enhanced knowledge could facilitate the implementation and uptake of risk prediction informed by genetic factors, such as the risk-stratified approach to breast cancer screening that includes risk levels