516 research outputs found
Procesos violentos de formación del Estado en los inicios del Frente Nacional en el Tolima, Colombia
No full textRehm L. Procesos violentos de formación del Estado en los inicios del Frente Nacional en el Tolima, Colombia. Revista Colombiana de Sociología. 2015;38(1):39-62.Recent state anthropology highlights the performative character of the state. State anthropologists call for a greater focus on the so-called (geographical, political, social) margins of the state in order to investigate how the state is constructed. According to Holden (2004), state formation processes are often violent ones that imply armed conflict involving military forces, para-governmental, and anti-state forces in the field of state power, as conceptualized by him.
On the basis of written sources such as newspaper releases, court files, and government memoranda from various archives, this paper analyses the armed struggle against the Communist oppositional groups in the department of Tolima and neighbouring areas. It is shown that the early Colombian National Front government, whose intention was to end the mid-20th century Colombian Civil War, resorted to a variety of measures to defend the contemporary political system. These involved the sometimes informal, sometimes formal employment of Liberal ex-combatants loyal to the government in order to extend state authority to the more marginal areas. In doing so armed political struggles were perpetuated.
The paper concludes with comparing the phenomena analysed in the paper with the rise of the paramilitary groups in the 1990s. Due to several structural parallels the author argues that the origins of Colombian paramilitarism dates back till the 1960s.
Keywords: violent state formation; para-governmental groups; paramilitarism; civil war; origins of Communist guerrilla
Enriching BERT with Knowledge Graph Embeddings for Document Classification
No full textIn this paper, we focus on the classification of books using short descriptive texts (cover blurbs) and additional metadata. Building upon BERT, a deep neural language model, we demonstrate how to combine text representations with metadata and knowledge graph embeddings, which encode author information. Compared to the standard BERT approach we achieve considerably better results for the classification task. For a more coarse-grained classification using eight labels we achieve an F1- score of 87.20, while a detailed classification using 343 labels yields an F1-score of 64.70. We make the source code and trained models of our experiments publicly availabl
Enriching BERT with Knowledge Graph Embeddings for Document Classification
No full textIn this paper, we focus on the classification of books using short descriptive texts (cover blurbs) and additional metadata. Building upon BERT, a deep neural language model, we demonstrate how to combine text representations with metadata and knowledge graph embeddings, which encode author information. Compared to the standard BERT approach we achieve considerably better results for the classification task. For a more coarse-grained classification using eight labels we achieve an F1- score of 87.20, while a detailed classification using 343 labels yields an F1-score of 64.70. We make the source code and trained models of our experiments publicly availabl
Rundfunkstaatsvertrag Kommentar, Looseleaf commentary, co-author since 33rd supplement - Aktualisierungslieferungen 33, 34 ,35
No full textTiming diagrams requirements modeling using Event-B formal methods
No full textTiming diagrams provide an intuitive graphical specification for time constraints and causal dependencies between a system’s objects. Such a view can provide useful insight during Requirements Engineering (RE). Formal Modeling techniques allow abstract system level models to be explored in revealing detail and provide feedback via verification and validation methods such as proofs of consistency, model checking and animation. Here, we bring these two modelling approaches together. In particular we present techniques to extend a graphical modeling capability for formal modeling into the real-time domain by developing a Timing diagram view for the Event-B formal method and its graphical front-end, UML-B. Translation schemes to Event-B and UML-B are proposed and presented. A case study of a lift system is used to demonstrate the translation in practice
Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD)
No full textIntroductionIdentifying areas of high diabetes prevalence can have an impact on public health prevention and intervention programs. Local health practitioners and public health agencies lack small-area data on obesity and diabetes.MethodsClinical data from the Group Health Cooperative health care system were used to estimate diabetes prevalence among 59,767 adults by census tract. Area-based measures of socioeconomic status and the Modified Retail Food Environment Index were obtained at the census-tract level in King County, Washington. Spatial analyses and regression models were used to assess the relationship between census tract\u2013level diabetes and area-based socioeconomic status and food environment variables. The mediating effect of obesity on the geographic distribution of diabetes was also examined.ResultsIn this population of insured adults, diabetes was concentrated in south and southeast King County, with smoothed diabetes prevalence ranging from 6.9% to 21.2%. In spatial regression models, home value and college education were more strongly associated with diabetes than was household income. For each 50% increase in median home value, diabetes prevalence was 1.2 percentage points lower. The Modified Retail Food Environment Index was not related to diabetes at the census-tract level. The observed associations between area-based socioeconomic status and diabetes were largely mediated by obesity (home value, 58%; education, 47%).ConclusionThe observed geographic disparities in diabetes among insured adults by census tract point to the importance of area socioeconomic status. Small-area studies can help health professionals design community-based programs for diabetes prevention and control
Applications of polyhydroxy butyrate bead technology
No full textRecent research into bioengineered polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) bead technology has resulted in the ability to generate functional polyester nanoparticles and materials with diverse applications across many fields of science. Through protein engineering and by hijacking Escherichia coli as a high yielding cell factory the Rehm lab group has been able to generate hundreds of PHB beads coated in various target proteins for multiple applications. The possible applications of this technology are only limited by our own ideas for targets which can be applied to the PHB bead technology. PHB beads coated in antigenic proteins have been previously developed and used as particulate vaccines in various animal trials. Several other PHB beads have been developed which had demonstrated applications in enzyme immobilisation, bioseperation, diagnostic imaging, drug delivery and bioremediation. The application of PHB bead technology depends on the target proteins designed to coat the surface of the beads. Here I continue exploring novel applications of PHB bead technology bygenerating several novel PHB beads with applications as particulate vaccines and a bioseperation resin which are outlined in this thesis. There are four separate projects highlighted in this thesis, all focused on PHB beads, but each with a different focus and overall aim. The first project I generated several malaria vaccine candidates (Chapter 3 and 4) with the overall aim to generate promising malaria vaccine candidates and highlight the benefits of PHB bead technology as well as explore alternative methods for coating PHB beads with antigenic proteins. Two of the vaccines generated strong immune responses in sheep animal trials and antibodies which were able to inhibit traversal of malaria sporozoites into human hepatocytes. Another vaccine showed promising results in a rat animal trial and will be explored further by future students. The results from this project resulted in one first author manuscript currently submitted for publication and future work to be continued by other students. The second project I generated a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate by using an alternative method of coating PHB beads with the target antigen (Chapter 5). The aim was to fill the unmet need for a rapidly adaptable, scalable, and economically viable vaccine platform technology which could combat the ongoing pandemic and additionally highlight the benefits of a new method for attaching antigenic proteins to PHB beads. This vaccine candidate was combined with six others in two animal trails All six vaccines showed a strong and specific immune response in the first animal study. The two best performing vaccines were assessed by a second animal trial and demonstrated protective immunity in hamsters. The results from this project resulted in a second author manuscript currently submitted for publication.The third project I designed three chikungunya vaccine candidates (Chapter 6). We aimed to generate a chikungunya vaccine candidate that generated a strong and functional immune response and again highlight the benefits of a new method for attaching target proteins to PHB beads. However due to experimental complications and time constraints I was only able to generate one of the three vaccine candidates. This vaccine candidate was characterised and assessed for suitability to be taken into animal trials. The work from this project will be continued by future students. The vaccine candidates will eventually be tested in animal trials. The fourth project I generated three novel bioseperation resins using PHB bead technology (Chapter 7). We aimed to generate a bioseperation resin that was easy to use, improved on current technologies and could be a valuable tool used by scientist in the molecular biology field. The physical and chemical properties of the resin was characterised. The ability to purify three structurally and functionally diverse target proteins was assessed, and the performance was compared to the commonly used His-tag affinity resin. We found that the resin was able to purify the target proteins from complex mixtures even at concentrations not detectable by SDS-PAGE analysis. Furthermore, the resins performance was comparable to the traditionally used His-Tag affinity resin with several distinct advantages. The results from this work resulted in a first author publication. Overall, the work presented in this thesis significantly contributes to the field by furthering the applications and possible applications of bioengineered PHB bead technology. Each of these chapters demonstrates a unique application of PHB bead technology that had previously not been explored. Furthermore, by providing an alternate way of attaching target proteins to PHB beads we open the door to future projects that previously could not be done due to the limitations of the current technology.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)School of Environment and ScScience, Environment, Engineering and TechnologyFull Tex
A novel thermostable endoglucanase from the wood-decaying fungus Daldinia eschschokii (Ehrenb.: Fr.) Rehm
No full textA thermostable endoglucanase was purified to homogeneity from culture supematants of the wood-decaying fungus Daldinia eschscholzii (Ehrenb.:Fr.) Rehm grown on 1.0% (w/v) carboxymethyl-cellulose using ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 46.4 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The isoelecttic point of the enzyme was at pH 4.9. The temperature for maximum activity was 70 degrees C, with 85% of its maximum activity retained after 150 min of incubation at 50 degrees C, but was rapidly inactivated at 70 degrees C. The pH optimum of the enzyme activity was 6.0, and it was stable over a pH range of 4.0-7.0 at 50 degrees C. The enzyme was significantly inhibited by Hg2+, Cu2+, and Fe4+, and stimulated by Ca2+, Co2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, glycerol, DMSO, DTT, and EDTA. The enzyme also hydrolyzed filter paper, and Avicel (R) PH-101 at rates of 25.8%, and 7.3%, respectively when compared with carboxymethyl-cellulose. The enzyme did not hydrolyze soluble starch, oat spelt xylan, birch wood xylan, or locust bean gum. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of carboxymethyl-cellulose with a K-m of 1.74 mg/ml and a V-max of 0.63 U/min/mg protein. This enzyme was competitively inhibited by glucose and cellobiose with K-i values of 0.67 and 0.45 M, respectively. TLC showed that the endoglucanase produces cellotetraose, cellotriose, cellobiose, and a small amount of glucose. The deduced internal amino acid sequences of the D. eschscholzii endoglucanase showed similarity to the sequences of the glucosyl hydrolase family 5. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</p
Energy intakes of US children and adults by food purchase location and by specific food source
No full textInternational audienceBackground: To our knowledge, no studies have examined energy intakes by food purchase location and food source using a representative sample of US children, adolescents and adults. Evaluations of purchase location and food sources of energy may inform public health policy.Methods: Analyses were based on the first day of 24-hour recall for 22,852 persons in the 2003-4, 2005-6, and 2007-8 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). The most common food purchase locations were stores (grocery store, supermarket, convenience store, or specialty store), quick-service restaurants/pizza (QSR), full-service restaurants (FSR), school cafeterias, or food from someone else/gifts. Specific food sources of energy were identified using the National Cancer Institute aggregation scheme. Separate analyses were conducted for children ages 6-11y, adolescents ages 12-19y, and adults aged 20-50y and ≥51y.Results: Stores (grocery, convenience, and specialty) were the food purchase locations for between 63.3% and 70.3% of dietary energy in the US diet. Restaurants provided between 16.9% and 26.3% of total energy. Depending on the respondents’ age, QSR provided between 12.5% and 17.5% of energy, whereas FSR provided between 4.7% and 10.4% of energy. School meals provided 9.8% of energy for children and 5.5% for adolescents. Vending machines provided <1% of energy. Pizza from QSR, the top food away from home (FAFH) item, provided 2.2% of energy in the diets of children and 3.4% in the diets of adolescents. Soda, energy, and sports drinks from QSR provided approximately 1.2% of dietary energy.Conclusions: Refining dietary surveillance approaches by incorporating food purchase location may help inform public health policy. Characterizing the important sources of energy, in terms of both purchase location and source may be useful in anticipating the population-level impacts of proposed policy or educational interventions. These data show that stores provide a majority of energy for the population, followed by quick-service and full-service restaurants. All food purchase locations, including stores, restaurants and schools play an important role in stemming the obesity epidemic
- …
