357 research outputs found
Contemporary Yugoslavian sociopolitical propaganda posters
No full textDiplomsko delo povzema pregled in razvoj politicˇno-sociolosˇkih propagandnih plakatov v obdobju hladne vojne v nekaterih komunisticˇnih drzˇavah ter opredeljuje plakat kot pomemben graficˇni medij takratne politicˇne oblasti, namenjen oglasˇevanju ter ozavesˇcˇanju drzˇavljanov o razlicˇnih politicˇno-sociolosˇkih temah. Na zacˇetku se delo osredotocˇa predvsem na pomen propagande in propagandnih plakatov, nato pa predstavi kratek pregled razvoja propagandnih plakatov v Sovjetski zvezi in Nemsˇki demokraticˇni republiki. Temu sledi podrobnejsˇi pregled slovenskih politicˇno-sociolosˇkih propagandnih plakatov v cˇasu Jugoslavije in njihov razvojod vpliva Sovjetske zveze in Nemsˇke demokraticˇne republike do popolnoma samosvojih plakatov ? konkurencˇnim graficˇnim plakatom zahodne Evrope. Kasneje delo konkretno predstavi nov polozˇaj plakata v 21. stoletju, kjer je poleg plakativnosti pomembna tudi njegova prepoznavnost na razlicˇnih druzˇbenih omrezˇjih. Na podlagi teoreticˇnega dela se v eksperimentalnem delu sprva osredotocˇi na analizo 12 slovenskih plakatov v Jugoslaviji med obdobjem hladne vojne. Nato izpostavi dva dobra primera, ki ju sˇe podrobneje analizira in primerja. To je predvsem dobra osnova za boljsˇe poznavanje slogovnih smeri takratnega cˇasa in vir kreativnega razmisˇljanja. Sledi sam postopek oblikovanja petih plakatov, kjer je vedno najprej predstavljen inspiracijski postopek obravnavane problematike. Ta postopek je pomemben za utemeljitev graficˇnih elementov nasˇe analize, ki so vkljucˇeni v nasˇ plakat in razlago njihove zanimivosti za obravnavano problematiko. Diplomsko delo tudi na kratko pregleda sodobne smernice oblikovanja plakatov, saj zˇeli pretekle elemente interpretirati na moderen nacˇin. Vsakemu inspiracijskemu procesu sledi avtorski odziv na oblikovanje politicˇno-sociolosˇkih plakatov. S celotnim eksperimentalnim delom smo ugotovili, da je prireditev ali popolno prevzemanje preteklih graficˇnih elementov mozˇno in jih na atraktiven nacˇin sodobno upodobi.This diploma thesis summarizes the development of sociopolitical propaganda posters of the Cold War era in the Communist countries to identify the poster as an important graphic medium for advertising the totalitarian political system and to raise awareness of various socio-political issues. The first section focuses especially on the topic of propaganda itself and propaganda posters. It is followed by a brief overview of propaganda posters in the Soviet Union and in the German Democratic State. Afterwards there is a closer look at Slovenian socio-political propaganda posters in the Cold War era and their development from the influence of the Soviet Union, and how they became highly competitive graphic posters to Western Europe graphic design. Finally, there is a look into the new era of the poster in the 21st century, where the striking presence of posters in the streets is no longer the only important factor because of the increasing power of social media. Later on, it is followed by a brief analysis of 12 examples of posters during the Cold War in Slovenia from which 2 were selected, redundantly analyzed and compared to each other. This was especially important for a good understanding of the stylistic directions of those times and so that the creative process was made easier later on. In the experimental part, there is a focus on 5 bigger socio-political problems of modern times, where the problem itself is briefly presented. To trace the detailed descriptions of the research process, where it explored past Slovenian graphic elements of various posters, which later on inspired ideas for our posters. The thesis also focuses on the research in modern poster design guidelines, the interpretation of past graphic elements in a modern way was one of the bigger parts of this thesis and each research work is followed by the author\u27s personal response to the creation of socio-political posters. Throughout our experimental work we have found that it is possible to adapt or completely retrieve past graphic elements and present them in an attractive contemporary way
Early detection of stress changes and failure using acoustic measurements
No full textAccepted Author ManuscriptApplied Geophysics and Petrophysic
Cocaine sensitization does not alter SP effects on locomotion or excitatory synaptic transmission in the NAc of rats
No full textSubstance P (SP) and cocaine employ similar mechanisms to modify excitatory synaptic transmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a region implicated in substance abuse. Here we explored, using NAc slices, whether SP effects on these synaptic responses were altered in rats that have been sensitized to cocaine and whether SP could mimic cocaine in triggering increased locomotion in sensitized rats. Intraperitoneal (IP) injection of naïve rats with cocaine (15 mg/kg) caused increased locomotion by 408.5 ± 85.9% (n = 5) which further increased by 733.1 ± 157.8% (n = 5) following a week of cocaine sensitization. A similar challenge with 10 mg/kg of SP after cocaine sensitization did not produce significant changes in locomotion (170.6 ± 61.0%; n = 4). In contrast to cocaine, IP injection of rats with SP or SP5–11 (10–100 mg/kg) with or without phosphoramidon did not elicit changes in locomotion. In electrophysiological studies, both cocaine and SP depressed evoked NMDA and non-NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory synaptic currents (EPSCs) in slices obtained from naïve rats. In slices derived from cocaine-sensitized rats, cocaine but not SP produced a more profound decrease in non-NMDA compared to NMDA responses. Similar to that in naïve rats, cocaine’s effect on the EPSCs in these sensitized rats occluded those of SP. Thus, although SP and cocaine may employ similar mechanisms to depress EPSCs in the NAc, IP injection of SP does not mimic cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion indicating that not all of cocaine’s effects are mimicked by SP.
This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder’
Monitoring changes inside subsurface layers using non-physical reflections retrieved from seismic interferometry
No full textSeismic interferometry (SI) is a principle for retrieving responses between two receivers using cross-correlation. After the retrieval, one of the receivers acts as a virtual seismic source whose response is retrieved at the second receiver. Correct response retrieval relies on assumptions, among other, of a lossless medium being illuminated homogeneously by sufficiently densely spaced sources (passive or active). When these assumptions are not met, non-physical reflections might appear in the results of SI due to insufficient destructive interference. These non-physical reflections are caused by internal reflections inside subsurface layers. However, the non-physical reflections could be used for monitoring changes in the subsurface layers that generate them. We investigate utilization of non-physical reflections for monitoring velocity changes for purposes of the DeepNL programme. We simulate reflection experiments using an acoustic finite-difference modelling for a horizontally layered model and for a subsurface with inclined layers. We perform SI by autocorrelation and by cross-correlation. Comparing retrieved results with the directly modelled results, we confirm previous results that for a layered subsurface the retrieved ghost reflections can be used for multiple offsets. For inclined layers, zero-offset ghost reflections can be retrieved for the different receiver locations. Both types of non-physical reflections are sensitive to velocity change and thickness of the layer that cause them to appear in the SI results, so they can be used for monitoring purposes of the subsurface.Accepted Author ManuscriptApplied Geophysics and Petrophysic
Structural basis of DNA binding by the NAC transcription factor ORE1, a master regulator of plant senescence
No full textPlants use sophisticated mechanisms of gene expression to control senescence in response to environmental stress or aging. ORE1 (Arabidopsis thaliana NAC092) is a master regulator of senescence that belongs to the plant-specific NAC transcription factor protein family. ORE1 has been reported to bind to multiple DNA targets to orchestrate leaf senescence, yet the mechanistic basis for recognition of the cognate gene sequence remains unclear. Here, we report the crystal structure of the ORE1–NAC domain alone and its DNA-binding form. The structure of DNA-bound ORE1–NAC revealed the molecular basis for nucleobase recognition and phosphate backbone interactions. We show that local versatility in the DNA-binding site, in combination with domain flexibility of the ORE–NAC homodimer, is crucial for the maintenance of binding to intrinsically flexible DNA. Our results provide a platform for understanding other plant-specific NAC protein–DNA interactions as well as insight into the structural basis of NAC regulators in plants of agronomic and scientific importance. © 2022 The Author(s)11Nsciescopu
Assessment of Predictive Genomic Biomarkers for Response to Cisplatin-based Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Bladder Cancer
No full textCisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical cystectomy is recommended for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). It has been shown that somatic deleterious mutations in ERCC2, gain-of-function mutations in ERBB2, and alterations in ATM, RB1, and FANCC are correlated with pathological response to NAC in MIBC. The objective of this study was to validate these genomic biomarkers in pretreatment transurethral resection material from an independent retrospective cohort of 165 patients with MIBC who subsequently underwent NAC and radical surgery. Patients with ypT0/Tis/Ta/T1N0 disease after surgery were defined as responders. Somatic deleterious mutations in ERCC2 were found in nine of 68 (13%) evaluable responders and two of 95 (2%) evaluable nonresponders (p = 0.009; FDR = 0.03). No correlation was observed between response and alterations in ERBB2 or in ATM, RB1, or FANCC alone or in combination. In an exploratory analysis, no additional genomic alterations discriminated between responders and nonresponders to NAC. No further associations were identified between the aforementioned biomarkers and pathological complete response (ypT0N0) after surgery. In conclusion, we observed a positive association between deleterious mutations in ERCC2 and pathological response to NAC, but not overall survival or recurrence-free survival. Other previously reported genomic biomarkers were not validated. Patient summary: It is currently unknown which patients will respond to chemotherapy before definitive surgery for bladder cancer. Previous studies described several gene mutations in bladder cancer that correlated with chemotherapy response. This study confirmed that patients with bladder cancer with a mutation in the ERCC2 gene often respond to chemotherapy.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public. Corrigendum to “Assessment of Predictive Genomic Biomarkers for Response to Cisplatin-based Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Bladder Cancer” [Eur Urol 2023;83:313–17] (European Urology (2023) 83(4) (313–317), (S0302283822025386), (10.1016/j.eururo.2022.07.023)) The authors regret that the following statement regarding author contributions was missed: Kristan van der Vos is currently a Scientific Editor for Cell Reports Medicine, which is published by Elsevier. Dr van der Vos was not involved in the peer-review process or editorial discussions about this manuscript. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.Pattern Recognition and Bioinformatic
The NO/sGC/PKG Signaling Pathway in the NAc Shell Is Necessary for the Acquisition of Morphine-Induced Place Preference
No full textThere is evidence that the nitric oxide (NO)/soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)/cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) signaling pathway in the basal lateral amygdala and hippocampus plays a key role in memory processing, but it is not known if this NO signaling pathway in the nucleus accumbens (Gomes et al., 2006), a known pivotal region in reward memory, is essential for drug-associated reward memory. We therefore investigated the effect of the NO/sGC/PKG signaling pathway in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) on morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Results showed that a preconditioning microinjection of the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) into the NAc shell, but not into the core, significantly blocked the acquisition of morphine CPP. The blockage effect of L-NAME on the acquisition of CPP was imitated by the neuronal NOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole, 3-bromo-, sodium salt (7-NI), the sGC inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and the PKG inhibitor Rp-8Br-PET-cGMPS. The 7-NI-or ODQ-induced effect was reversed by premicroinjection of the sGC activator YC-1 or the PKG activator 8-Br-cGMP in the NAc shell. However, microinfusion of 7-NI, ODQ, or Rp-8Br-PET-cGMPS into the NAc shell or the core had no effect on the expression of morphine CPP. These findings indicate that the NO/sGC/PKG signaling pathway in the NAc shell is critical for the acquisition of morphine-induced place preference, whereas the same signaling pathway in the NAc shell or core is not involved in the retrieval of morphine-induced place preference.Behavioral SciencesNeurosciencesSCI(E)[email protected]
N-acetylcarnosine (NAC) drops for age-related cataract.
No full textBACKGROUND: Cataract is the leading cause of world blindness. The only available treatment for cataract is surgery. Surgery requires highly-trained individuals with expensive operating facilities. Where these are not available, patients go untreated. A form of treatment that did not involve surgery would be a useful alternative for people with symptomatic cataract who are unable or unwilling to undergo surgery. If an eye drop existed that could reverse or even prevent progression of cataract, then this would be a useful additional treatment option.Cataract tends to result from oxidative stress. The protein, L-carnosine, is known to have an antioxidant effect on the cataractous lens, so biochemically there is sound logic for exploring L-carnosine as an agent to reverse or even prevent progression of cataract. When applied as an eye drop, L-carnosine cannot penetrate the eye. However, when applied to the surface of the eye, N-acetylcarnosine (NAC) penetrates the cornea into the front chamber of the eye (near to where the cataract is), where it is metabolised into L-carnosine. Hence, it is possible that use of NAC eye drops may reverse or even prevent progression of cataract, thereby improving vision and quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of NAC drops to prevent or reverse the progression of cataract. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (2016, Issue 6), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily, Ovid OLDMEDLINE (January 1946 to June 2016), Embase (January 1980 to June 2016), Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) (January 1985 to June 2016), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (1982 to June 2016), the ISRCTN registry (www.isrctn.com/editAdvancedSearch), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 28 June 2016. We handsearched the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) meetings from 2005 until September 2015. SELECTION CRITERIA: We planned to include randomized or quasi-randomised controlled trials where NAC was compared to control in people with age-related cataract. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: We identified two potentially eligible studies from Russia and the United States. One study was split into two arms: the first arm ran for six months, with two-monthly follow-up; the second arm ran for two years with six-monthly follow-up. The other study ran for four months with a data collection point at the start and end of the study only. A total of 114 people were enrolled in these studies. The ages ranged from 55 to 80 years.We were unable to obtain sufficient information to reliably determine how both these studies were designed and conducted. We have contacted the author of these studies, but have not yet received a reply. Therefore, these studies are assigned as 'awaiting classification' in the review until sufficient information can be obtained from the authors. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is currently no convincing evidence that NAC reverses cataract, nor prevents progression of cataract (defined as a change in cataract appearance either for the better or for the worse). Future studies should be randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trials with standardised quality of life outcomes and validated outcome measures in terms of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and glare, and large enough to detect adverse effects
Model uncertainty of recycled aggregate concrete beams subjected to bending
No full textThis paper investigates whether the model uncertainty of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) beams subjected to bending differs from that of reinforced natural aggregate concrete (NAC) beams. An introductory remark concerning the importance of the codification of RAC structural design is made and notions concerning model uncertainties and their role on structural codification are given. Afterwards, the criteria used in the construction of a database of RAC and NAC beams are referred before presenting the key findings of an analysis on the model uncertainty of the cracking, yielding and ultimate moments of beams subjected to four-point bending tests. The analytical moments were calculated following Eurocode 2 provisions. Probabilistic models for model uncertainties are proposed. Negligible differences in the model uncertainty of NAC and RAC beams are reported
Opposite Effects of mGluR1a and mGluR5 Activation on Nucleus Accumbens Medium Spiny Neuron Dendritic Spine Density
No full textabstract: The group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1a and mGluR5) are important modulators of neuronal structure and function. Although these receptors share common signaling pathways, they are capable of having distinct effects on cellular plasticity. We investigated the individual effects of mGluR1a or mGluR5 activation on dendritic spine density in medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which has become relevant with the potential use of group I mGluR based therapeutics in the treatment of drug addiction. We found that systemic administration of mGluR subtype-specific positive allosteric modulators had opposite effects on dendritic spine densities. Specifically, mGluR5 positive modulation decreased dendritic spine densities in the NAc shell and core, but was without effect in the dorsal striatum, whereas increased spine densities in the NAc were observed with mGluR1a positive modulation. Additionally, direct activation of mGluR5 via CHPG administration into the NAc also decreased the density of dendritic spines. These data provide insight on the ability of group I mGluRs to induce structural plasticity in the NAc and demonstrate that the group I mGluRs are capable of producing not just distinct, but opposing, effects on dendritic spine density.The article is published at http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.016275
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