53 research outputs found
Amn al-Kharji: An Analysis of External Operations Wing of the Islamic State
No full textThis article provides an analysis of the external operations wing of IS –the so-called Amn al-Kharji – focusing on its activities in the West. Apart from describing the organisation’s leadership, internal hierarchy, strategy and means of communication and attack coordination, the author asserts there is a link between recent deadly cells-based attacks and generally unsuccessful lone actor attacks; this connection between the two is not accidental but a result of a grand strategy, designed to hide the planning of larger plots by overloading security services with numerous smaller attacks
Amn al-Kharji: An Analysis of External Operations Wing of the Islamic State
No full textThis article provides an analysis of the external operations wing of IS -the so-called Amn al-Kharji - focusing on its activities in the West. Apart from describing the organisation's leadership, internal hierarchy, strategy and means of communication and attack coordination, the author asserts there is a link between recent deadly cells-based attacks and generally unsuccessful lone actor attacks; this connection between the two is not accidental but a result of a grand strategy, designed to hide the planning of larger plots by overloading security services with numerous smaller attacks.</jats:p
An Atomic Approach to Animated Music Notation
No full textSince the turn of the century, and in particular the last 5 years, the discourse surrounding dynamic scoring techniques and practices has increased dramatically, while leading to an increasingly disparate terminological melee. With an awareness of what implications exist in the premature analysis and theorization of an emerging field of practice, the author argues that in order to further develop a taxonomy of dynamic scoring techniques and practices, it may be useful to take a reductionist approach toward defining the various low-level elements of dynamic scoring, in the case of this paper those elements that features prominently in Animated Music Notation [AMN]. By suggesting a set of low-level elements, and isolating the actualized indicators of contact and intersection as the primary functional components of AMN, the author will propose a working definition of AMN supported by examples drawn from the author's work and others. This definition is not intended to satisfy the broad range of dynamic scoring techniques that implement AMN, but to highlight prevalent methodologies, and to point toward the extension of existing taxonomies, specifically regard-ing their respective global functionalities
Effect of religion on the attitude of primiparous women toward genetic testing.
No full textBACKGROUND: Factors that influence a pregnant woman's decision to accept or decline genetic tests are largely undefined. The objective of this study was to determine the acceptance rate of prenatal diagnostic testing in Lebanon according to religion. METHODS: Prenatal charts were reviewed to obtain information about prenatal genetic testing. Women were divided according to their religion and were compared regarding the acceptance of triple screen test (TST) or amniocentesis (AMN) and reasons for declining such tests. Differences between groups were examined using the student's t-test, chi(2)-test and multivariate analysis (age >or= 35 years, religion, education and class). RESULTS: The religious distribution was 73.8% Moslems, 14.0% Christians and 11.2% Druze. Utilization of TST, AMN, and either (TST/AMN) was 61.2%, 7.6% and 67.0%, respectively. Uptake of TST/AMN was highest in Christians and lowest in Moslems and that of AMN higher in Christians >or= 35 years compared with Moslems. On multivariate analysis, none of the factors studied significantly affected the utilization of TST or TST/AMN except for age >or= 35 years which was associated with a borderline decrease in the utilization of TST Odds Ratio (OR) 0.485 (95% CI 0.21-1.12). The utilization of AMN significantly increased with age >or= 35 years OR 7.19 (95% CI 2.65-19.56) and lower education. CONCLUSION: Religion does not seem to affect utilization of prenatal diagnostic tests in Lebanon.http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pd.244
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from ST1 lineage harboring a new SCCmec IV subtype (SCCmec IVm) containing the tetK gene
No full textMarina F Côrtes,1 Ana MN Botelho,1 Luiz GP Almeida,2 Rangel C Souza,2 Oberdan de Lima Cunha,2 Marisa F Nicolás,2 Ana TR Vasconcelos,2 Agnes MS Figueiredo1 1Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Bateria, Department of Medical Microbiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 2National Laboratory of Scientific Computing, Bioinformatics Laboratory, Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Abstract: A pivotal event in the evolutionary path of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the acquisition of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) element carrying the mecA gene, the determinant of methicillin resistance. Community-acquired (CA) MRSA is commonly associated with skin/soft tissue infections, and doxycycline is one of the drug choices for this purpose. Doxycycline resistance is associated with the acquisition of the tetK gene carried by the S. aureus plasmid pT181, which may also be integrated into SCCmec III and V. The aim of this study was to describe a novel SCCmec IV subtype (IVm) carrying tetK and reveal the genetic context of this element. The SCCmec sequence was obtained by whole-genome sequencing of the MRSA strain 2288 (ST1 CA-MRSA) and genomic analysis performed using different bioinformatics tools. A copy of pT181 was found to be integrated in the new SCCmec IVm of the strain 2288. The SCCmec IVm has high nucleotide identity (99%) with SCCmec IVa of the strain MW2, except for the J3 region, where the pT181 – carrying tetK gene – is inserted. Inverted repeats (IRs) flanking pT181 were found in this region, suggesting the occurrence of recombination events. The strain 2288 (spa type t125) shares most of the virulence attributes with MW2 (spa type t128), which is recognized in the past as a cause of severe infections in children in USA. The pattern of branching in the phylogenetic tree depicts a recent common ancestor shared by the 2228 strain and other MRSA from USA, including ERS410852, TCH70, CIG1835, CO-41, MW2, and USA400-0051, but none of them carried pT181. This study also showed that the tetK carried by SCCmec IVm is functional, determining resistance to doxycycline and tetracycline. The potential dissemination of the tetK and mecA genes in the same genetic event by the acquisition of this new SCCmec subtype is of concern for community infections. Keywords: MRSA, mec cassette, CA-MRSA, doxycycline resistanc
Medicalization in the news media: A comparison of AIDS coverage in three newspapers
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Reason: ETDs are only available to UIUC Users without author permission"This dissertation explores the acceptance and criticism of medical authority and perspectives in early coverage of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in three newspapers--a specialized medical newspaper, American Medical News (AMN); an alternative gay newspaper, Gay Community News (GCN); and a mainstream mass circulation newspaper, The New York Times (NYT). After examining ""the medicalization of society"" perspective (which highlights the expansive and political nature of Western medicine), theories of how news is produced, and the social context of AIDS during its first four years, it is hypothesized that NYT would be as ""medicalized"" (that is, as accepting and celebratory of medicine) as the medical newspaper AMN in its coverage of AIDS, while the gay newspaper GCN would be the most ""nonmedicalized."""To determine how medicalized each newspaper's coverage of AIDS was, quantitative and qualitative methods are used. All of the AIDS articles in each newspaper from July 1981 to June 1985 (N = 735) are content analyzed for article topic, sources cited, and statements made about medicine. In addition, a more interpretive qualitative analysis is conducted on three early feature stories about AIDS that appeared in each newspaper; the analysis focuses on understanding how AIDS, medical researchers working on AIDS, and those affected by AIDS were discussed in the articles."Results indicate that AIDS coverage in AMN and NYT was ""medicalized"" compared to GCN. Both AMN and NYT depended heavily on medical sources in early AIDS coverage (although NYT used biomedical researchers more, and AMN used health care deliverers more), and rarely criticized medicine's role in AIDS (in fact, fewer criticisms of medicine were found in NYT than in AMN). Similarly, non-medical sources such as gay leaders were rarely cited in their AIDS stories. The interpretive analysis also reveals a similarity in their coverage: both newspapers tended to celebrate the medical perspective, describing researchers as ""dedicated"" and ""detectives."" GCN, by contrast, cited medical sources less, alternative sources more, and was much more critical of medicine. The last chapter explores some of the implications of the differences in mainstream versus alternative newspapers' use of medical authority."Made available in DSpace on 2011-05-07T12:42:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2
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Uma nova perspetiva sobre as águas minerais naturais de Portugal continental: contributos para o seu conhecimento e a sua melhor exploração e valorização
No full textTese autopropostaAs Águas Minerais Naturais (AMN) que ocorrem em Portugal continental possuem particularidades muito interessantes, motivo pelo qual suscitaram o interesse de especialistas das mais diversas áreas, que as foram investigando ao longo dos anos, sobretudo do ponto de vista físico-químico, razão pela qual se considera que as mesmas se encontram atualmente num nível de investigação bastante significativo no que respeita à sua caracterização físico-química. Estas águas encontram-se associadas a setores de atividade – Termalismo, Engarrafamento e Geotermia, potenciadores da atividade económica no local onde ocorrem, a que se associam novas áreas relacionadas com a produção de produtos cosméticos e até mesmo de produtos de valor acrescentado, como os dermocosméticos. No território continental a riqueza e a diversidade de AMN são explicadas principalmente por fatores de natureza lito-estruturais e geotectónicos, de que resultam 6 famílias hidroquímicas, bicarbonatadas, sulfúreas, cloretadas, gasocarbónicas, hipossalinas e sulfatadas, sendo que em cada uma delas existem particularidades específicas determinadas por fenómenos físico-químicos e microbiológicos associados ao circuito hidromineral respetivo. Os sistemas aquíferos hidrominerais constituem ambientes muito próprios, contendo águas cujas particularidades inigualáveis podem incluir espécies microbianas raras e exclusivas desses ambientes, que constituem o microbismo natural das mesmas. Com o presente trabalho pretende-se contribuir para uma nova abordagem no aumento do conhecimento das AMN, ao reconhecê-las como ecossistemas únicos e inimitáveis de que faz parte uma comunidade microbiana que constitui um complexo biológico dinâmico, o que representa uma nova filosofia para a defesa, salvaguarda e valorização destes recursos. De forma a atingir os objetivos traçados, foi adotada uma metodologia multidisciplinar e faseada. Ao longo dos primeiros capítulos, e com o intuito de melhor caracterizar e enquadrar os setores de atividade das AMN, são dadas a conhecer as principais características destas águas, desde a sua localização e diversidade geológica e hidromineral, ao tipo de aproveitamento, bem como a melhor forma como estas águas devem ser geridas, exploradas, monitorizadas e valorizadas, passando pelo desejável aproveitamento em cascata no caso das AMN que se encontram igualmente qualificadas como Recurso Geotérmico (RG). É apresentado o projeto liderado pela Direção-Geral de Energia e Geologia (DGEG) e coordenado pela autora da tese, denominado Hidrogenoma, realizado entre 2017-2019. Relativo ao estudo do microbismo natural das AMN de Portugal continental, este projeto multidisciplinar apresenta uma vertente de geologia e outra de biologia, que se complementam. Foram contempladas, numa fase inicial, 81 AMN de Portugal continental, tendo sido caracterizadas 74 AMN ao nível da sua diversidade microbiana recorrendo a técnicas de biologia molecular e bioinformática, utilizando a metagenómica como abordagem de estudo. São apresentados os microrganismos representativos de cada AMN, por comparação da composição taxonómica das amostras recolhidas em duas épocas de dois anos sucessivos (primavera e outono 2017; primavera e outono 2018), num total de 300 amostras, para avaliação da diversidade microbiana, bem como dos microrganismos viáveis isolados e caracterizados em laboratório. Cada AMN foi analisada com base no enquadramento geológico, hidrogeológico e modelo conceptual do respetivo sistema aquífero, e caracterizada do ponto de vista físico-químico, para depois serem estabelecidas considerações quanto à interação água-rochamicrorganismos. Pretendeu-se assim avançar com uma primeira hipótese de correlação entre os microrganismos representativos das comunidades microbianas, o quimismo das AMN e o sistema aquífero hidromineral, encarando desta forma estes sistemas aquíferos como unidades biológicas dinâmicas. Para o tratamento e análise de dados recorreu-se a ferramentas SIG e a softwares de estatística e de águas subterrâneas, sendo os resultados apresentados em mapas, gráficos e tabelas. O estudo desenvolvido nesta tese permitiu, por meio de uma análise sustentada pelo conhecimento geológico e hidrogeológico e pela identificação da composição das comunidades bacterianas presentes nas AMN, que constituem o microbismo natural de cada uma, contribuir com uma nova abordagem integrada para o conhecimento das AMN, ao correlacionar o microbismo natural de cada água com a sua composição físicoquímica. Assim, de forma a melhor conhecer o recurso, cujas propriedades se devem não só às suas características físico-químicas, mas também ao seu microbioma, os dados resultantes do microbismo natural das AMN podem ser utilizados numa perspetiva integradora e adaptada ao conhecimento das AMN, tendo como princípio basilar a sua melhor proteção, exploração e valorização. Não obstante a abordagem seguida nesta tese, que se considera constituir um novo paradigma na investigação das AMN, reconhece-se que são necessários mais trabalhos de investigação, de preferência mais direcionados a cada AMN, por forma a ser conhecida a identidade própria de cada AMN, e atribuir-lhe, por assim dizer, o respetivo “código de barras”.The Natural Mineral Waters (AMN) that occur in mainland Portugal have very interesting particularities, which is why they have aroused the interest of specialists from the most diverse areas, who have been investigating them over the years, especially from a physical-chemical point of view, which is why it is considered that they are currently very well investigated regarding their physicochemical characterization. These waters are associated with sectors of activity - Thermalism, Bottling and Geothermal, enhancers of economic activity in the place where they occur, to which are associated with new areas related to the production of cosmetic products and even value-added products, such as dermocosmetics. In the continental territory the richness and diversity of AMN are explained mainly by factors of a lithostructural and geotectonic nature, resulting in 6 hydrochemical families - bicarbonated, sulphurous, chlorinated, carbonated, hyposaline and sulfated, and in each of them there are specific particularities determined by physicochemical and microbiological phenomena associated with the respective hydromineral circuit. Hydromineral aquifer systems are very own environments, containing waters whose unparalleled particularities may include rare and exclusive microbial species of these environments, which constitute their natural microbism. With this work it is intended to contribute to a new approach in increasing knowledge of AMM, by recognizing them as unique and inimitable ecosystems of which a microbial community is part that constitutes a dynamic biological complex, which represents a new philosophy for the defense, safeguarding and valorization of these resources. In order to achieve the objectives set, a multidisciplinary and phased methodology was adopted. Throughout the first chapters, and in order to better characterize and frame the sectors of activity of the AMN, the main characteristics of these waters are made known, from their location and geological and hydromineral diversity, to the type of use, as well as the best way in which these waters should be managed, exploited, monitored and valued, through the desirable cascade use in the case of AMN that are also qualified as a Geothermal Resource (RG). The project led by the General-Directorate of Energy and Geology (DGEG) and coordinated by the author of the thesis, called Hidrogenoma, carried out between 2017- 2019, is presented. Regarding the study of the natural microbism of the AMN of mainland Portugal, this multidisciplinary project presents a strand of geology and another of biology, which complement each other. In an initial phase, 81 AMN from mainland Portugal were contemplated, and 74 AMN were characterized at the level of their microbial diversity using molecular biology and bioinformatics techniques, using metagenomics as a study approach. The representative microorganisms of each AMN are presented, by comparing the taxonomic composition of the samples collected in two seasons of two successive years (spring and autumn 2017; spring and autumn 2018), for a total of 300 samples, for evaluation of microbial diversity, as well as viable microorganisms isolated and characterized in the laboratory. Each AMN was analyzed based on the geological, hydrogeological and conceptual model of the respective aquifer system, and characterized from a physicochemical point of view, to then establish considerations regarding the water-rock-microorganism interaction. It was thus intended to advance with a first hypothesis of correlation between the microorganism’s representative of microbial communities, the AMN chemism and the hydromineral aquifer system, thus considering these aquifer systems as dynamic biological units. For the treatment and analysis of data, GIS tools and statistics and groundwater software were used, and the results were presented in maps, graphs and tables. The study developed in this thesis allowed, through an analysis sustained by geological and hydrogeological knowledge and the identification of the composition of the bacterial communities present in the AMN, which constitute the natural microbism of each water, to contribute to a new integrated approach in the knowledge of AMN, by correlating the natural microbism of each water with its physicochemical composition. Thus, to better know the resource, whose properties are due not only to its physicochemical characteristics, but also to its microbiome, the data resulting from the natural microbism of AMN can be used in an integrative perspective and adapted to the knowledge of AMN, having as a basic principle their best protection, exploitation and valorization. Notwithstanding the followed in this thesis, which is considered to constitute a new paradigm in the investigation of AMN, it is recognized that more research work is needed, preferably more directed to each AMN, in order to know the identity of each AMN, and assign to it the respective “barcode”
Joviña, Cacique ou Presidente? Uma Aproximação ao Conselho das Aldeias Waiãpi
No full textThe article describes the historical process of construction of the Waiãpi Council. It discusses its fonctionament, its relations with the waiãpi social organization and the indigenous interpretations about the council. The author arguments the place of this council in the waiãpi relations with the non-indians and she points out the success and the difficulties of this kind of organization.O artigo reconstitui o histórico de criação do conselho das aldeias waiãpi, assim como discute seu funcionamento, sua incorporação na organização sócio política waiãpi e as interpretações que estes índios vêm construindo sobre o conselho. É discutido o lugar desse conselho nas relações de contato dos Waiãpi e aponta os sucessos e entraves desta organização
MILLIMETER-WAVE SPECTROSCOPY OF AMINOMALONONITRILE
No full textAuthor Institution: Laboratoire PhLAM, UMR 8523 CNRS - Universite Lille 1, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France; Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, UMR 6226 CNRS - ENSCR, 35708 Rennes Cedex 7, France.This work is supported by the French program "Physique et Chimie du Milieu Interstellaire (PCMI, INSU-CNRS)" and the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES).In low-temperature conditions of the interstellar medium pure HCN and mixtures of HCN with HO and NH subjected to high-energy sources can be converted into different HCN polymers, 2004, 170, 203}. In this context the HCN trimer -- aminomalononitrile (AMN, HNCH(CN)) is an interesting candidate for astrophysical detection. We measured the rotational spectrum of AMN using the Lille BWO-based fast scan spectrometer (120 -- 180 GHz) and the spectrometer based on solid state sources (225 -- 250 GHz). The spectroscopic work was supported by high level \textit{ab initio} calculations. The spectra observed were assigned only to the asymmetric conformer. The first analysis revealed the regular doublet splittings of rotational lines indicating the possibility of large-amplitude motion (LAM) of amino group. Further examination of the spectra revealed the existence of additional splittings most probably due to the second LAM of amino group. Since the equilibrium structure of AMN has no symmetry, in the group theoretical formalism these two LAMs can be described using G permutation-inversion group. Despite the complexity of the LAMs all the assigned rotational transitions were fitted within experimental accuracy using Pickett's SPFIT program. As a result, a reliable dataset for astrophysical observations was provided
The genetic profile and molecular subtypes of human pseudomyxoma peritonei and appendiceal mucinous neoplasms: a systematic review
No full text\ua9 2023, The Author(s).Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare, progressive, slowly growing neoplastic condition which is poorly understood, with a 5-year progression-free survival rate as low as 48%. PMP is most commonly caused by appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMN), and understanding their genetic biology and pathogenicity may allow for the development of better novel systemic treatments to target key deleterious mutations and the implicated pathways. The primary aim of this systematic review was to identify the genetic profile of histologically confirmed human PMP or AMN samples. The secondary aim was to identify whether genetic marks could be used to predict patient survival. Ovid EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched to identify studies investigating the genetic profile of histologically-confirmed human PMP or AMN samples. We review findings of 46 studies totalling 2181 tumour samples. The most frequently identified somatic gene mutations in patients with PMP included KRAS (38–100%), GNAS (17–100%), and TP53 (5–23%); however, there were conflicting results of their effect on survival. Three studies identified molecular subtypes based on gene expression profiles classifying patients into oncogene-enriched, immune-enriched, and mixed molecular subtypes with prognostic value. This review summarises the current literature surrounding genetic aberrations in PMP and AMNs and their potential utility for targeted therapy. Given the recent advances in clinical trials to directly target KRAS and GNAS mutations in other cancers, we propose a rationale to explore these mutations in future pre-clinical studies in PMP with a view for a future clinical trial. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.
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