Geostructural and geomechanical study of the piastrone quarry (Seravezza, Italy) supported by photogrammetry to assess failure mode

The use of non-contact-techniques for rock mass characterization has been growing significantly over the last decade. However, their application to stability assessment of ornamental stone has not yet received much attention from researchers. This study utilizes rock mass data both in terms of slope orientations and degree of fracturing obtained from a point cloud, a set of three-dimensional (3D) points representing a rock mass surface, to (1) investigate the influence of geostructures at different scales and (2) assess quarry stability by determining areas susceptible to different failure types. Multi-resolution point clouds are obtained through several photogrammetric survey techniques to identify important structural elements of the site. By integrating orientation data of discontinuity planes, obtained with a traditional survey, and of traces, outlined on point clouds, several joint sets were identified. Kinematic tests revealed various potential failure modes of the rock slope. Moreover, an analysis of the influence of the discontinuity strength determined by the presence of rock bridges was carried out. The study revealed that the strength of the quarry face is governed by the presence of rock bridges that act to improve the stability condition of the rock fronts

Genetic studies of the Macushi and Wapishana Indians

Blood samples from 509 Macushi (3 villages) and 623 Wapishana (11 villages) of Northern Brasil and Southern Guyana have been analyzed with respect to the phenotype and gene frequencies at the following 12 polymorphic loci: AB0, Kell-Cellano, MNSs, Rh, P, Duffy, Kidd, Diego, Lewis, Group-specific component, and the immunoglobulin allotypes of the Gm and Inv systems. The data suggest that 5–6% of the Wapishana gene pool is derived from non-Indians but only 1–2% of the Macushi. Inter- and intratribal genetic distances between villages are calculated for these data in an effort to understand gene flow between the tribes and to account for the unusual distribution of a newly-discovered genetic polymorphism of erythrocyte esterase A thus far limited to these 2 tribes (Neel et al., 1977). The data are puzzling and consistent with the possibility that both the Craib-speaking Macushi and the Arawak-speaking Wapishana have derived the esterase A allele in question from some third group now extinct or thus far undiscovered. Intertribal genetic distances based on gene frequencies at 6 loci are derived for 20 Amerindian tribes (including these 2); the “central” position of these 2 tribes can in part be explained by the active migration matrix connecting them.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47606/1/439_2004_Article_BF00393584.pd

BCL10 is rarely mutated in human prostate carcinoma, small-cell lung cancer, head and neck tumours, renal carcinoma and sarcomas

We have used single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis to screen for mutations in the BCL 10 gene in 81 primary prostate carcinomas, 20 squamous cell cancers of the head and neck, 15 small-cell lung cancer cell lines, 24 renal carcinoma cell lines and 13 sarcoma cell lines. We failed to find evidence of somatically acquired mutations of the BCL10 gene suggesting that BCL 10 does not play a major role in the development of these malignancies

Genetic studies of the Macushi and Wapishana Indians

Blood samples from 509 Macushi and 623 Wapishana Amerindians of Northern Brazil and Southern Guyana have been analyzed with reference to the occurrence of rare variants and genetic polymorphisms of the following 25 systems: (i) Erythrocyte enzymes : acid phosphatase-1, adenosine deaminase, adenylate kinase-k, carbonic anhydrase-1, carbonic anhydrase-2, esterase A 1,2,3, esterase D, galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, nucleoside phosphorylase, peptidase A, peptidase B, phosphoglucomutase 1, phosphoglucomutase 2, phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, phosphohexoseisomerase, triosephosphate isomerase and (ii) Serum proteins : albumin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, hemoglobin A, hemoglobin A 2 and transferrin. Fifteen different rare variants were detected, involving 11 of these systems. In addition, a previously undescribed variant of ESA 1,2,3 which achieves polymorphic proportions in both these tribes is described. Excluding this variant, the frequency of rare variants is 1.1/1000 in 12510 determinations in the Macushi and 4.7/1000 in 15 396 determinations in the Wapishana. The ESA 1,2,3 , polymorphism was not observed in 382 Makiritare, 232 Yanomama, 146 Piaroa, 404 Cayapo, 190 Kraho and 112 Moro. Irregularities in the intratribal distribution of this polymorphism in the Macushi and Wapishana render a decision as to the tribe of origin impossible at present. Gene frequencies are also given for previosly described polymorphisms of 5 systems: haptoglobin, phosphoglucomutase 1, erythrocyte acid phosphatase, esterase D, and galactose-1-phosphate-uridyl-transferase.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47605/1/439_2004_Article_BF00390440.pd

Out of Amazonia: late-Holocene climate change and the Tupi–Guarani trans-continental expansion

The late Holocene expansion of the Tupi-Guarani languages from southern Amazonia to SE South America constitutes one of the largest expansions of any linguistic family in the world, spanning ~ 4000 km between latitudes 0°S and 35°S at about 2500 yr B.P. However, the underlying reasons for this expansion are a matter of debate. Here, we compare continental-scale palaeoecological, palaeoclimate, and archaeological datasets, to examine the role of climate change in facilitating the expansion of this forestfarming culture. Because this expansion lies within the path of the South American Low-Level Jet, the key mechanism for moisture transport across lowland South America, we were able to explore the relationship between climate change, forest expansion, and the Tupi-Guarani. Our data synthesis shows broad synchrony between late Holocene increasing precipitation and southerly expansion of both tropical forest and Guarani archaeological sites – the southernmost branch of the Tupi-Guarani. We conclude that climate change likely facilitated the agricultural expansion of the Guarani forest-farming culture by increasing the area of forested landscape that they could exploit, showing a prime example of ecological opportunism

The VICI-trial: high frequency oscillation versus conventional mechanical ventilation in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: an international multicentre randomized controlled trial

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a severe congenital anomaly of the diaphragm resulting in pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. It is associated with a high risk of mortality and pulmonary morbidity. Previous retrospective studies have reported high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFO) to reduce pulmonary morbidity in infants with CDH, while others indicated HFO to be associated with worse outcome. We therefore aimed to develop a randomized controlled trial to compare initial ventilatory treatment with high-frequency oscillation and conventional ventilation in infants with CDH.Methods/design: This trial is designed as a multicentre trial in which 400 infants (200 in each arm) will be included. Primary outcome measures are BPD, described as oxygen dependency by day 28 according to the definition of Jobe and Bancalari, and/or mortality by day 28. All liveborn infants with CDH born at a gestational age of over 34 weeks and no other severe congenital anomalies are eligible for inclusion. Parental informed consent is asked antenatally and the allocated ventilation mode starts within two hours after birth. Laboratory samples of blood, urine and tracheal aspirate are taken at the first day of life, day 3, day 7, day 14 and day 28 to evaluate laboratory markers for ventilator-induced lung injury and pulmonary hypertension.Discussion: To date, randomized clinical trials are lacking in the field of CDH. The VICI-trial, as the first randomized clinical trial in the field of CDH, may provide further insight in ventilation strategies in CDH patient. This may hopefully prevent mortality and morbidity.Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR1310

Risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes newly treated with DPP-4 inhibitors or other oral glucose-lowering medications: A retrospective registry study on 127,555 patients from the Nationwide OsMed Health-DB Database

Aims Oral glucose-lowering medications are associated with excess risk of heart failure (HF). Given the absence of comparative data among drug classes, we performed a retrospective study in 32 Health Services of 16 Italian regions accounting for a population of 18 million individuals, to assess the association between HF risk and use of sulphonylureas, DPP-4i, and glitazones. Methods and results We extracted data on patients with type 2 diabetes who initiated treatment with DPP-4i, thiazolidinediones, or sulphonylureas alone or in combination with metformin during an accrual time of 2 years. The endpoint was hospitalization for HF (HHF) occurring after the first 6 months of therapy, and the observation was extended for up to 4 years. A total of 127 555 patients were included, of whom 14.3% were on DPP-4i, 72.5% on sulphonylurea, 13.2% on thiazolidinediones, with average 70.7% being on metformin as combination therapy. Patients in the three groups differed significantly for baseline characteristics: age, sex, Charlson index, concurrent medications, and previous cardiovascular events. During an average 2.6-year follow-up, after adjusting for measured confounders, use of DPP-4i was associated with a reduced risk of HHF compared with sulphonylureas [hazard ratio (HR) 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62-0.97; P = 0.026]. After propensity matching, the analysis was restricted to 39 465 patients, and the use of DPP-4i was still associated with a lower risk of HHF (HR 0.70; 95% CI 0.52-0.94; P = 0.018). Conclusion In a very large observational study, the use of DPP-4i was associated with a reduced risk of HHF when compared with sulphonylureas