A region of consistent deletion in neuroblastoma maps within human chromosome 1p36.2-36.3.

Deletion of the short arm of human chromosome 1 is the most common cytogenetic abnormality observed in neuroblastoma. To characterize the region of consistent deletion, we performed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies on 122 neuroblastoma tumor samples with 30 distal chromosome 1p polymorphisms. LOH was detected in 32 of the 122 tumors (26%). A single region of LOH, marked distally by D1Z2 and proximally by D1S228, was detected in all tumors demonstrating loss. Also, cells from a patient with a constitutional deletion of 1p36, and from a neuroblastoma cell line with a small 1p36 deletion, were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Cells from both sources had interstitial deletions of 1p36.2-36.3 which overlapped the consensus region of LOH defined by the tumors. Interstitial deletion in the constitutional case was confirmed by allelic loss studies using the panel of polymorphic markers. Four proposed candidate genes--DAN, ID3 (heir-1), CDC2L1 (p58), and TNFR2--were shown to lie outside of the consensus region of allelic loss, as defined by the above deletions. These results more precisely define the location of a neuroblastoma suppressor gene within 1p36.2-36.3, eliminating 33 centimorgans of proximal 1p36 from consideration. Furthermore, a consensus region of loss, which excludes the four leading candidate genes, was found in all tumors with 1p36 LOH.

Aod1, the immunoregulatory locus controlling abrogation of tolerance in neonatal thymectomy-induced autoimmune ovarian dysgenesis, maps to mouse chromosome 16.

Mice thymectomized at three days of age (D3Tx) develop during adulthood a variety of organ-specific autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune ovarian dysgenesis (AOD). The phenotypic spectrum of AOD is characterized by the development of anti-ovarian autoantibodies, oophoritis, and atrophy. The D3Tx model of AOD is unique in that disease induction depends exclusively on perturbation of the normal developing immune system, is T-cell-mediated, and is strain specific. For example, D3Tx A/J mice are highly susceptible to AOD, whereas C57BL/6J mice are resistant. After D3Tx, self ovarian antigens, expressed at physiological levels, trigger an autoimmune response capable of eliciting disease. The D3Tx model provides, therefore, the opportunity to focus on the mechanisms of self-tolerance that are relevant to disease pathogenesis. Previous studies indicate that the principal mechanisms involved in AOD susceptibility are genetically controlled and govern developmental processes associated with the induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance. We report here the mapping of the Aod1 locus to mouse chromosome 16 within a region encoding several loci of immunologic relevance, including scid, Igl1, VpreB, Igll, Igl1r, Mtv6 (Mls-3), Ly-7, Ifnar, and Ifgt.

Ordered restriction endonuclease maps of yeast artificial chromosomes created by optical mapping on surfaces.

We have developed a surface mounting technology for the rapid construction of ordered restriction maps from individual DNA molecules. Optical restriction maps constructed from yeast artificial chromosome DNA molecules mounted on specially derivatized glass surfaces are accurate and reproducible, and the technology is amenable to automation. The mounting procedures described here should also be useful for fluorescence in situ hybridization studies. We believe these improvements to optical mapping will further stimulate the development of nonelectrophoretic approaches to genome analysis.

The Japan –US Military Alliance and the Asia-Pacific Challenges: Prospects for Deep Changes

In the last fifteen years a fundamental shift in the strategic balance in Asia – Pacific has taking place. The article aims at discussing the difficulties the Japan-US military Alliance has adaptating to this new regional strategic environment. It also explains the new strategy that President Obama´s Administration is trying to implement, initially called “Pivot to Asia” and later “Rebalance”. The article tries to show the challenges that this new strategy implies for both Japan and the United States, enumerating different scenarios some of them not very likely and highlighting on the contrary the possibility of a more assertive and military independent Japan.

CB-norm estimates for maps between noncommutative Lp-spaces and quantum channel theory.

In the first part of this work, we show how certain techniques from quantum information theory can be used in order to obtain very sharp embeddings between noncommutative Lp-spaces. Then, we use these estimates to study the classical capacity with restricted assisted entanglement of the quantum erasure channel and the quantum depolarizing channel. In particular, we exactly compute the capacity of the first one and we show that certain nonmultiplicative results hold for the second one.

A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Military and Veterans Affairs (VA) Combat-Related PTSD Programs

A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effectiveness of 55 treatment outcomes reported by military and Veterans Affairs (VA) treatment centers for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The analysis includes 46 tested treatment outcomes derived from 21 psychotherapy studies, and nine tested treatment outcomes derived from seven pharmacotherapy studies, which were obtained through PsychINFO and PsychARTICLES database searches, as well as a reference search. Analysis of all treatment outcomes suggested a statistically significant, and meaningful, decrease in PTSD symptoms between baseline and post-treatment time points, t(54) = 9.27, p < .001, d = 0.35. Additionally, analysis of outcomes between psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy treatments resulted in statistically significant differences in PTSD assessment scores at post-test, indicating a greater degree of change for psychotherapy than for pharmacotherapy.

[C II] and 12^CO(1-0) emission maps in HLSJ091828.6+514223: a strongly lensed interacting system AT z = 5.24

We present Submillimeter Array [C II] 158 μm and Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array 12^CO(1-0) line emission maps for the bright, lensed, submillimeter source at z = 5.2430 behind A 773: HLSJ091828.6+514223 (HLS0918). We combine these measurements with previously reported line profiles, including multiple 12^CO rotational transitions, [C I], water, and [N II], providing some of the best constraints on the properties of the interstellar medium in a galaxy at z > 5. HLS0918 has a total far-infrared (FIR) luminosity L_FIR(8–1000 μm) = (1.6 ± 0.1) × 10^14 L_☉ μ^–1, where the total magnification μ_total = 8.9 ± 1.9, via a new lens model from the [C II] and continuum maps. Despite a HyLIRG luminosity, the FIR continuum shape resembles that of a local LIRG. We simultaneously fit all of the observed spectral line profiles, finding four components that correspond cleanly to discrete spatial structures identified in the maps. The two most redshifted spectral components occupy the nucleus of a massive galaxy, with a source-plane separation <1 kpc. The reddest dominates the continuum map (demagnified L_FIR, component = (1.1 ± 0.2) × 10^13 L_☉) and excites strong water emission in both nuclear components via a powerful FIR radiation field from the intense star formation. A third star-forming component is most likely a region of a merging companion (ΔV ~ 500 km s^–1) exhibiting generally similar gas properties. The bluest component originates from a spatially distinct region and photodissociation region analysis suggests that it is lower density, cooler, and forming stars less vigorously than the other components. Strikingly, it has very strong [N II] emission, which may suggest an ionized, molecular outflow. This comprehensive view of gas properties and morphology in HLS0918 previews the science possible for a large sample of high-redshift galaxies once ALMA attains full sensitivity.

Arranjos de sensores orientados à missão para a geração automática de mapas temáticos em VANTs

O uso de veículos aéreos não tripulados (VANTs) tem se tornado cada vez mais comum, principalmente em aplicações de uso civil. No cenário militar, o uso de VANTs tem focado o cumprimento de missões específicas que podem ser divididas em duas grandes categorias: sensoriamento remoto e transporte de material de emprego militar. Este trabalho se concentra na categoria do sensoriamento remoto. O trabalho foca a definição de um modelo e uma arquitetura de referência para o desenvolvimento de sensores inteligentes orientados a missões específicas. O principal objetivo destas missões é a geração de mapas temáticos. Neste trabalho são investigados processos e mecanismos que possibilitem a geração desta categoria de mapas. Neste sentido, o conceito de MOSA (Mission Oriented Sensor Array) é proposto e modelado. Como estudos de caso dos conceitos apresentados são propostos dois sistemas de mapeamento automático de fontes sonoras, um para o caso civil e outro para o caso militar. Essas fontes podem ter origem no ruído gerado por grandes animais (inclusive humanos), por motores de combustão interna de veículos ou por atividade de artilharia (incluindo caçadores). Os MOSAs modelados para esta aplicação são baseados na integração de dados provenientes de um sensor de imageamento termal e uma rede de sensores acústicos em solo. A integração das informações de posicionamento providas pelos sensores utilizados, em uma base cartográfica única, é um dos aspectos importantes tratados neste trabalho. As principais contribuições do trabalho são a proposta de sistemas MOSA, incluindo conceitos, modelos, arquitetura e a implementação de referência representada pelo sistema de mapeamento automático de fontes sonoras.

Black maps/vivid waters : beauty and horror in David Maisel's The Lake Project and Terminal Mirage

"This paper examines The Lake Project and Terminal Mirage, the two components of David Maisel’s Black Maps series that concern water. Like the section of the Salt Lake chosen by Robert Smithson for his seminal Spiral Jetty, the alkaline waters Maisel photographs are subject to infestations of bacteria that that give them a visceral hue. Smithson provides a reference for this work; the artists are notable for their shared site, disorienting scale, and attraction to entropy"

Candidate Conservation Agreements to Minimize Military Conflicts with Wildlife Laws: The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

The proposed Endangered Species Act listing of the gopher tortoise has the potential to impact the military mission at installations in the southeastern United States. Candidate Conservation Agreements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could be a tool to promote conservation and potentially preclude listing. This project identified military activities that could be affected and determined that military natural resources managers are unsure if such an agreement would prevent impacts to the military mission or impose the same restrictions as federal listing. This project found that if a gopher tortoise Candidate Conservation Agreement can be developed such that it benefits the species as well as the military, it should be used as a model for other species.

Balancing Wetland Management with the Military: Using Special Area Management Plans (SAMPs) to protect wetlands on U.S. Air Force Installations

U.S. Air Force installations by virtue of their isolation and often remote locations provide protection to critical habitats that would otherwise be susceptible to development and other stressors. While Air Force activities may not always compliment environmental protection, a balance between environmental protection and Air Force requirements must be achieved to minimize conflict. Special Area Management Plans (SAMPs) are a possible solution in the quest to balance conservation with mission requirements. Beale Air Force Base, California is the first military installation to pursue implementation of a SAMP. This project found that SAMP implementation could be a tool to successfully balance conservation efforts with military requirements on other Air Force installations; however, further education on the SAMP process would be required.

Growing Neural Gas approach for obtaining homogeneous maps by restricting the insertion of new nodes

The Growing Neural Gas model is used widely in artificial neural networks. However, its application is limited in some contexts by the proliferation of nodes in dense areas of the input space. In this study, we introduce some modifications to address this problem by imposing three restrictions on the insertion of new nodes. Each restriction aims to maintain the homogeneous values of selected criteria. One criterion is related to the square error of classification and an alternative approach is proposed for avoiding additional computational costs. Three parameters are added that allow the regulation of the restriction criteria. The resulting algorithm allows models to be obtained that suit specific needs by specifying meaningful parameters.

3D Maps Representation Using GNG

Current RGB-D sensors provide a big amount of valuable information for mobile robotics tasks like 3D map reconstruction, but the storage and processing of the incremental data provided by the different sensors through time quickly become unmanageable. In this work, we focus on 3D maps representation and propose the use of the Growing Neural Gas (GNG) network as a model to represent 3D input data. GNG method is able to represent the input data with a desired amount of neurons or resolution while preserving the topology of the input space. Experiments show how GNG method yields a better input space adaptation than other state-of-the-art 3D map representation methods.

Feature selection by multi-objective optimisation: Application to network anomaly detection by hierarchical self-organising maps

Feature selection is an important and active issue in clustering and classification problems. By choosing an adequate feature subset, a dataset dimensionality reduction is allowed, thus contributing to decreasing the classification computational complexity, and to improving the classifier performance by avoiding redundant or irrelevant features. Although feature selection can be formally defined as an optimisation problem with only one objective, that is, the classification accuracy obtained by using the selected feature subset, in recent years, some multi-objective approaches to this problem have been proposed. These either select features that not only improve the classification accuracy, but also the generalisation capability in case of supervised classifiers, or counterbalance the bias toward lower or higher numbers of features that present some methods used to validate the clustering/classification in case of unsupervised classifiers. The main contribution of this paper is a multi-objective approach for feature selection and its application to an unsupervised clustering procedure based on Growing Hierarchical Self-Organising Maps (GHSOMs) that includes a new method for unit labelling and efficient determination of the winning unit. In the network anomaly detection problem here considered, this multi-objective approach makes it possible not only to differentiate between normal and anomalous traffic but also among different anomalies. The efficiency of our proposals has been evaluated by using the well-known DARPA/NSL-KDD datasets that contain extracted features and labelled attacks from around 2 million connections. The selected feature sets computed in our experiments provide detection rates up to 99.8% with normal traffic and up to 99.6% with anomalous traffic, as well as accuracy values up to 99.12%.