Mathematical Modeling and Well-Posedness of Three-Dimensional Shell in Disorders of Human Vascular System

Aortic dissection is the most common aortic emergency requiring surgical intervention. Whether the elective endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm reduces long-term morbidity and mortality, as compared with traditional open repair, remains uncertain. The foundation of shell element based on the Reissner-Mindlin kinematics assumption is widely applicable, but this cannot model applications of shell surface stresses as needed in analysis of shell in human vascular system. The analysis is designed to assess progression of initial lesion in aortic dissection. Using general shell element analysis and tensor calculus, a higher order differential geometry-based model is proposed. Since the shell is thin, a variational formulation for initial lesion is proposed. The variational formulation for initial lesion is well posed. The weak convergence of the solution to initial lesion model is mathematically substantiated. Asymptotic analysis shows that initial lesion is membrane-dominated and bending-dominated when pure bending is inhibited and noninhibited, respectively. At least two observations are to be noted. First, the mathematical analysis of the initial lesion model is distinct from classical shell models. Second, the asymptotic analysis of the initial lesion model is based on degenerating three-dimensional continuum to bending strains in order to assess initial lesion behavior

Antagonistic Compounds Producing Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria: A Tool for Management of Plant Disease

Agriculture is facing struggle to meet the various confront of reducing plant diseases for an increasing world population food security. Great quantities of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are required for high productivity which can damage ecosystem structures and functions, including the soil microbial community which plays an important role in agriculture sustainability. Soil is an excellent niche of growth of much plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. PGPR are naturally occurring soil bacteria that aggressively colonize in plant roots and play a vital role in crop protection, growth promotion and in the improvement of soil health. Scientific researchers involve multidisciplinary approaches to understand adaptation of PGPR, effects on plant physiology and growth induced systemic resistance, biocontrol of plant pathogens and biofertilization. The primary mechanism of biocontrol by PGPR involves the production of antibiotics such as carboxylic acid, 2,4-diacetyl phloroglucinoloomycin,pyoluteorin,pyrrolnitrin,kanosamine,zwittemycin-A and pantocin. A cascade of endogenous signals such as sensor kinases, N-acyl homoserine lactones and sigma factors regulates the synthesis of antibiotics. Some of these antibiotics have broad spectrum against many plant pathogens like fungi, viruses and bacteria, affecting crop plants. These antibiotics also serve as determinants in triggering induced systemic resistance (ISR) in the plant system

Role of PINCH and Its Partner Tumor Suppressor Rsu-1 in Regulating Liver Size and Tumorigenesis

Particularly interesting new cysteine-histidine-rich protein (PINCH) protein is part of the ternary complex known as the IPP (integrin linked kinase (ILK)-PINCH-Parvin-α) complex. PINCH itself binds to ILK and to another protein known as Rsu-1 (Ras suppressor 1). We generated PINCH 1 and PINCH 2 Double knockout mice (referred as PINCH DKO mice). PINCH2 elimination was systemic whereas PINCH1 elimination was targeted to hepatocytes. The genetically modified mice were born normal. The mice were sacrificed at different ages after birth. Soon after birth, they developed abnormal hepatic histology characterized by disorderly hepatic plates, increased proliferation of hepatocytes and biliary cells and increased deposition of extracellular matrix. After a sustained and prolonged proliferation of all epithelial components, proliferation subsided and final liver weight by the end of 30 weeks in livers with PINCH DKO deficient hepatocytes was 40% larger than the control mice. The livers of the PINCH DKO mice were also very stiff due to increased ECM deposition throughout the liver, with no observed nodularity. Mice developed liver cancer by one year. These mice regenerated normally when subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy and did not show any termination defect. Ras suppressor 1 (Rsu-1) protein, the binding partner of PINCH is frequently deleted in human liver cancers. Rsu-1 expression is dramatically decreased in PINCH DKO mouse livers. Increased expression of Rsu-1 suppressed cell proliferation and migration in HCC cell lines. These changes were brought about not by affecting activation of Ras (as its name suggests) but by suppression of Ras downstream signaling via RhoGTPase proteins. In conclusion, our studies suggest that removal of PINCH results in enlargement of liver and tumorigenesis. Decreased levels of Rsu-1, a partner for PINCH and a protein often deleted in human liver cancer, may play an important role in the development of the observed phenotype. © 2013 Donthamsetty et al

E-Recruiting : Anforderungen und Präferenzen von HR-Professionals

Karnal bunt disease in wheat is caused by hemibiotrophic fungus, Tilletia indica that has been placed as quarantine pest in more than 70 countries. Despite its economic importance, little knowledge about the molecular components of fungal pathogenesis is known. In this study, first time the genome sequence of T. indica has been deciphered for unraveling the effectors' functions of molecular pathogenesis of Karnal bunt disease. The T. indica genome was sequenced employing hybrid approach of PacBio Single Molecule Real Time (SMRT) and Illumina HiSEQ 2000 sequencing platforms. The genome was assembled into 10,957 contigs (N50 contig length 3 kb) with total size of 26.7 Mb and GC content of 53.99%. The number of predicted putative genes were 11,535, which were annotated with Gene Ontology databases. Functional annotation of Karnal bunt pathogen genome and classification of identified effectors into protein families revealed interesting functions related to pathogenesis. Search for effectors' genes using pathogen host interaction database identified 135 genes. The T. indica genome sequence and putative genes involved in molecular pathogenesis would further help in devising novel and effective disease management strategies including development of resistant wheat genotypes, novel biomarkers for pathogen detection and new targets for fungicide development

The avoiding late diagnosis of ovarian cancer (ALDO) project; A pilot national surveillance programme for women with pathogenic germline variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2

Background: Our study aimed to establish â € real-world' performance and cost-effectiveness of ovarian cancer (OC) surveillance in women with pathogenic germline BRCA1/2 variants who defer risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). Methods: Our study recruited 875 female BRCA1/2-heterozygotes at 13 UK centres and via an online media campaign, with 767 undergoing at least one 4-monthly surveillance test with the Risk of Ovarian Cancer Algorithm (ROCA) test. Surveillance performance was calculated with modelling of occult cancers detected at RRSO. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated using Markov population cohort simulation. Results: Our study identified 8 OCs during 1277 women screen years: 2 occult OCs at RRSO (both stage 1a), and 6 screen-detected; 3 of 6 (50%) were ≤stage 3a and 5 of 6 (83%) were completely surgically cytoreduced. Modelled sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) for OC were 87.5% (95% CI, 47.3 to 99.7), 99.9% (99.9-100), 75% (34.9-96.8) and 99.9% (99.9-100), respectively. The predicted number of quality-Adjusted life years (QALY) gained by surveillance was 0.179 with an ICER cost-saving of-£102,496/QALY. Conclusion: OC surveillance for women deferring RRSO in a â € real-world' setting is feasible and demonstrates similar performance to research trials; it down-stages OC, leading to a high complete cytoreduction rate and is cost-saving in the UK National Health Service (NHS) setting. While RRSO remains recommended management, ROCA-based surveillance may be considered for female BRCA-heterozygotes who are deferring such surgery

Queer In AI: A Case Study in Community-Led Participatory AI

We present Queer in AI as a case study for community-led participatory design in AI. We examine how participatory design and intersectional tenets started and shaped this community's programs over the years. We discuss different challenges that emerged in the process, look at ways this organization has fallen short of operationalizing participatory and intersectional principles, and then assess the organization's impact. Queer in AI provides important lessons and insights for practitioners and theorists of participatory methods broadly through its rejection of hierarchy in favor of decentralization, success at building aid and programs by and for the queer community, and effort to change actors and institutions outside of the queer community. Finally, we theorize how communities like Queer in AI contribute to the participatory design in AI more broadly by fostering cultures of participation in AI, welcoming and empowering marginalized participants, critiquing poor or exploitative participatory practices, and bringing participation to institutions outside of individual research projects. Queer in AI's work serves as a case study of grassroots activism and participatory methods within AI, demonstrating the potential of community-led participatory methods and intersectional praxis, while also providing challenges, case studies, and nuanced insights to researchers developing and using participatory methods.Comment: To appear at FAccT 202

DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF A MICRONUTRIENT RICH TRADITIONAL INDIAN PRODUCT BY UTILIZATION OF LOCALLY AVAILABLE FOOD RESOURCES

Malnutrition is a severe matter of concern among various countries due to modern lifestyles, especially the consumption of rapidly processed fast food. In 2018, a WHO and UNICEF study concluded that the SDG objective of eradicating all forms of malnutrition by 2030 was aspirational but unattainable and set targets for malnutrition indicators up to 2030 based on current trends. The present situation demands products rich in micronutrients, meet growth and development requirements, and are readily acceptable. A critical reason for such use of rice flour is its nonallergenic nature. A small proportion of the population is allergic to wheat gluten. Rice is widely used in baking for such wheat-intolerant people, i.e., those suffering from the coeliac disorder. Its nonallergenic property also makes rice one of the first cereals to be used in infant feeding. In this scenario, rice flour is preferred as the foremost choice for required sensory acceptability and a low-cost diet. Food-based approaches are recognised as an essential part of an urgently needed, more comprehensive strategy for improving nutrition by increasing the availability and consumption to combat calcium, iron, phosphorus and other micronutrient deficiencies. The combination of rice flour, beaten rice, banana, jaggery contains a high amount of energy protein with calcium and iron content. Such a combination of foods can enhance the nutritive value of homemade products, which can be beneficial for t h e malnourished population. The present study was undertaken to develop anarsa by combining banana, jaggery and rice flour using the air frying method. The developed product was evaluated for sensory attributes by a panel of 10 judges on 9 points hedonic rating scale. The calculated nutritive value from Indian Food Composition Tables (2017) showed that the product (100g) was not only had a high level of macronutrients, i.e. energy (3123.6 Kcal), carbohydrate (172.5g), protein (12.24g), fat (4.52g) but also rich in micronutrients like calcium (262.8mg), phosphorus (294.4mg) and iron (6.52mg). The product was packed and stored for 15 days at ambient temperature in an airtight container. At pre-evaluation, all the sensory parameters at the 9-point hedonic rating scale were found to be highly acceptable between 'liked moderately' (rating 8) to 'liked very much. After 15 days of storage, all sensory parameters changed and were lying in-between 'liked slightly' (rating 6) to 'liked moderately' (rating 7). The changes in sensory parameters may be due to the darkening of jaggery and changes in the flavour of the product. Thus, it can be concluded that the development and consumption of novel foods from rice flour in combination with other foods like may banana, jaggery and poppy seeds may provide cost-effective and acceptable options for combating macro and micronutrient deficiencies