Chapter Negotiating with the tradition: representations of fish in Alai’s fictional writing

Tibet has long been orientalized in fictional representations. Taking as a case study two texts by Alai, this paper investigates how a traditional Tibetan cultural trait–the fish taboo–is mobilized to complicate the representation of Tibetan culture. By describing the fish taboo Alai points at Tibet's cultural specificity, which in virtue of its exoticism can catch the attention of non-Tibetan readers. At the same time, however, Alai equips his characters with psychological depth, showing their contrasting inner emotions of attraction and repulsion toward fish. In this sense, Alai subtly points at the fallacies of flat representations of Tibet, thus dismantling them from within

Application of Hybrid Agents to Smart Energy Management of a Prosumer Node

We outline a solution to the problem of intelligent control of energy consumption of a smart building system by a prosumer planning agent that acts on the base of the knowledge of the system state and of a prediction of future states. Predictions are obtained by using a synthetic model of the system as obtained with a machine learning approach. We present case studies simulations implementing different instantiations of agents that control an air conditioner according to temperature set points dynamically chosen by the user. The agents are able of energy saving while trying to keep indoor temperature within a given comfort interval

Secondary Fault Activity of the North Anatolian Fault near Avcilar, Southwest of Istanbul: Evidence from SAR Interferometry Observations

Strike-slip faults may be traced along thousands of kilometers, e.g., the San Andreas Fault (USA) or the North Anatolian Fault (Turkey). A closer look at such continental-scale strike faults reveals localized complexities in fault geometry, associated with fault segmentation, secondary faults and a change of related hazards. The North Anatolian Fault displays such complexities nearby the mega city Istanbul, which is a place where earthquake risks are high, but secondary processes are not well understood. In this paper, long-term persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI) analysis of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data time series was used to precisely identify the surface deformation pattern associated with the faulting complexity at the prominent bend of the North Anatolian Fault near Istanbul city. We elaborate the relevance of local faulting activity and estimate the fault status (slip rate and locking depth) for the first time using satellite SAR interferometry (InSAR) technology. The studied NW-SE-oriented fault on land is subject to strike-slip movement at a mean slip rate of ~5.0 mm/year and a shallow locking depth of <1.0 km and thought to be directly interacting with the main fault branch, with important implications for tectonic coupling. Our results provide the first geodetic evidence on the segmentation of a major crustal fault with a structural complexity and associated multi-hazards near the inhabited regions of Istanbul, with similarities also to other major strike-slip faults that display changes in fault traces and mechanisms

The Role of NGF and Its Receptor TrKA in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction

The aim of our study was to investigate the plasma NGF concentration and TrkA/p75NTR receptor expression on white blood cells (WBCs), in peripheral and corpus cavernosum blood isolated from patients with erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome (ED/MetS). This was a pilot case–control study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: men 18–65 years with ED and MetS and healthy subjects. The first sampling was performed at the level of the cubital vein (VC). Subsequently, 20 μg of intracavernous alprostadil was administered, and a second blood draw from the corpora cavernosa (CC) was performed once erection was achieved. Subsequently, the third blood sample was repeated at the level of the VC. We enrolled 8 cases with ED/MetS and 8 controls. There was no significant difference between the case and control group in terms of mean age (49.3 ± 5.9 and 53.13 ± 8.9, respectively). The case group had a lower IIEF score compared to the control group (14 ± 3.2 versus 27.3 ± 2.1; p &lt; 0.05). Decreased NGF and TrKA expression on WBC and thiols were found in the plasma of ED/MetS patients compared to control. The study showed that patients with ED/MetS had a decrease in plasma NGF and thiol concentration, and they had a decrease in TrKA expression on WBCs

Chromosomal plasticity and evolutionary potential in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto: insights from three decades of rare paracentric inversions

Background: In the Anopheles gambiae complex, paracentric chromosomal inversions are nonrandomly distributed along the complement: 18/31 (58%) of common polymorphic inversions are on chromosome arm 2R, which represents only ~30% of the complement. Moreover, in An.gambiae sensu stricto, 6/7 common polymorphic inversions occur on 2R. Most of these inversions are considered markers of ecological adaptation that increase the fitness of the carriers of alternative karyotypes in contrasting habitats. However, little is known about the evolutionary forces responsible for their origin and subsequent establishment in field populations. Results: Here, we present data on 82 previously undescribed rare chromosomal inversions (RCIs) recorded during extensive field sampling in 16 African countries over a 30 year period, which may shed light on the dynamics of chromosomal plasticity in An. gambiae. We analyzed breakpoint distribution, length, and geographic distribution of RCIs, and compared these measures to those of the common inversions. We found that RCIs, like common inversions, are disproportionately clustered on 2R, which may indicate that this arm is especially prone to breakages. However, contrasting patterns were observed between the geographic distribution of common inversions and RCIs. RCIs were equally frequent across biomes and on both sides of the Great Rift Valley (GRV), whereas common inversions predominated in arid ecological settings and west of the GRV. Moreover, the distribution of RCI lengths followed a random pattern while common inversions were significantly less frequent at shorter lengths. Conclusion: Because 17/82 (21%) RCIs were found repeatedly at very low frequencies – at the same sampling location in different years and/or in different sampling locations – we suggest that BMC Evolutionary Biology 2008, 8:309 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/8/309 RCIs are subject mainly to drift under unperturbed ecological conditions. Nevertheless, RCIs may represent an important reservoir of genetic variation for An. gambiae in response to environmental changes, further testifying to the considerable evolutionary potential hidden within this pan-African malaria vector

Gastric duplication presenting as partial gastric outlet obstruction

Abstract We present a very rare case of gastric duplication treated with complete excision with two surgical procedures. We decided to report our case to share our experience that confirm the difficult of preoperative/intraoperative diagnosis of gastric duplication in a pediatric patient. Finally we reviewed the literature to date

Sourdough “Biga” fermentation improves the digestibility of pizza Pinsa romana. An Investigation through a simulated static in vitro model

Baked goods manufacturing parameters and fermentation conditions interfere with the nutrients content and affect their gastrointestinal fate. Pinsa Romana is a type of pizza that, recently, has been commercially rediscovered and that needed elucidation from a nutritional and digestibility perspective. In this study, six types of Pinsa Romana (five made with indirect method and one produced with straight dough technology) were characterized for their biochemical and nutritional features. Several variables like indirect (biga) Pinsa Romana production process, fermentation time and use of sourdough were investigated. The Pinsa Romana made with biga including sourdough and fermented for 48 h at 16 °C ((PR_48(SD)) resulted in the lowest predicted glycemic index, in the highest content of total peptides, total and individual free amino acids and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), and in the best protein quality indexes (protein efficiency ratio and nutritional index). The static in vitro digestion showed that the digesta from PR_48(SD) confirmed a reduced in vitro glycemic response after intake, and it showed a lower bioavailability of hydrophilic peptides. Furthermore, the inclusion of sourdough in biga enhanced the bioavailability of protein-related end-products including human health promoting compounds such as essential amino acids

Successful treatment of long-standing post-stroke dysphagia with botulinum toxin and rehabilitation

Cricopharyngeal myotomy is the most common treatment used to restore normal swallowing in patients with persistent ( /6 months) cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction post-stroke. We describe 2 patients whose dysphagia was due to cricopharyngeal muscle over-activity and who significantly improved after a percutaneous botulinum toxin injection in the cricopharyngeal muscle in combination with a rehabilitation treatment (dietary modifications, postural techniques, airflow protection manoeuvres). Swallowing was assessed clinically and by fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and videofluoroscopy; the degree of dysphagia was scored using the penetration-aspiration scale. Two months after the botulinum toxin injection the patients, who were previously fed via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, returned to independent oral feeding and at 6, 12 and 24 month follow-up, both were still able to maintain an adequate oral intake with no signs of aspiration (by videofluoroscopy) or clinical complications. No further botulinum toxin injections or rehabilitation treatments were required. Our findings strongly suggest that even longstanding dysphagia can improve dramatically in selected patients. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other reports with such a long follow-up

Carotid Body and Vagal Paragangliomas: Epidemiology, Genetics, Clinicopathological Features, Imaging, and Surgical Management

ABSTRACT Carotid body and vagal paragangliomas, although considered indolent tumors, represent a challenge for the treating physician. This is mainly because of their peculiar localization, in close proximity with important anatomical structures. In addition, there is no chemotherapy available for these tumors, the role of radiation therapy is debated, and the only successful therapy is surgery. However, to achieve the best treatment goals, it is fundamental for the professional caregiver to master not only the clinical and surgical procedures but also the genetic backgrounds and the histopathological features of these tumors. We provide in this chapter a comprehensive review of the above mentioned aspects, with the aim to address the complexity of these tumors with a multidisciplinary approach