Double Round Research Articles

Profile of digital slow journalism audiences in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico

The aim of this work is to study slow journalism audiences, with a particular interest in Latin America, specifically Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. Five case studies were carried out, covering Anfibia (Argentina), Arcadia (Colombia), Gatopardo (Mexico), La silla vacía (Colombia), and Letras libres (Mexico), along with a Delphi study (double round with 27 participants) and a structured questionnaire (of 1,500 people between the ages of 18 and 65 years). The results indicate that 75% of the surveyed population obtain their information from all kinds of digital media, among whom 84% use social media for this purpose. Slow journalism is still mainly unknown to a large fraction (17%) of the population, although once given its definition and some named examples, 40% of those surveyed claimed to have read the slow press at some time. Quality is the main reason for its consumption (62%), followed by searching for specific subjects (46%), especially for young people (65%) and in Colombia (52%). Experts in slow journalism agree that the key to consolidating an audience involves listening to and interacting with its members, together with their active participation in the media.

Differing In Vitro Rooting and Flowering Responses of the Persian Violet to Low and High UV-C Irradiation.

Persian violet flowers are considered esthetically attractive, leading to the high economic value of this plant. Plant breeding is fundamental to crop improvement, and the induction of mutation by tissue culture technology in combination with irradiation has been beneficially applied to generate plants with novel desirable characteristics. In this research, single or double rounds of UV-C irradiations were carried out on plant tissue cultures to initiate the in vitro rooting and mutation of Persian violets. It was found that single low-intensity UV-C exposure, when applied to Persian violet microshoots for 4 h, could induce the maximum number of roots and the highest root length without the use of a plant growth regulator. Overall, the single and double UV-C irradiation of Persian violet microshoots led to 44 different types of Persian violet flower mutations. Under single high-intensity UV-C irradiation for 6 h, up to nine petals were initiated, whereas single low-intensity UV-C irradiation did not influence the morphological variation of Persian violet flowers. Thus, Persian violet microshoots respond differently in terms of in vitro rooting and flowering depending on the UV-C intensity and exposure duration. These outcomes may be applied to micropropagation and in vitro plant breeding.

Parity singlets and doublets of massive spin-3 particles in D = 2 + 1 via Noether gauge embedding

Here we demonstrate that the sixth-order (in derivatives) spin-3 self-dual model can be obtained from the fifth-order self-dual model via a Noether Gauge Embedding (NGE) of longitudinal Weyl transformations $ \eta_{(\mu\nu} \partial_{\alpha)} \Phi$ . In the case of doublet models we can show that the massive spin-3 Singh-Hagen theory is dual to a fourth- and to a sixth-order theory, via a double round of the NGE procedure by imposing traceless longitudinal (reparametrization-like) symmetries $ \partial_{(\mu} \tilde{\xi}_{\nu\alpha)}$ in the first round and transverse Weyl transformations $ \eta_{(\mu\nu}\psi^T_{\alpha)}$ in the second one. Our procedure automatically furnishes the dual maps between the corresponding fields. Contrary to the spin-2 case where an extra (Weyl) symmetry shows up in the highest-order term, in the spin-3 case only the required symmetries by the NGE procedure appear in the sixth-order doublet model. Consequently, the absence of ghosts still demands an auxiliary scalar field.

Корейский полуостров и Японские острова: сложение особенностей и заимствование культурных традиций в эпоху палеометалла (материалы к учебному курсу «Археология зарубежной Азии»)

Purpose. The period of the most intensive contacts of the ancient population of the Korean peninsula and the Japanese Islands (3rd – 7th centuries AD) is of special interest for study. The period witnessed a wide spread of the tradition of building burial mounds (kurgans). Due to the artifacts found in the kurgans, it becomes possible to study various aspects of the people’s social life, including cultural contacts. We aimed at studying territorial alliances based on the cultural and historical background, such as the spread of agriculture based on wet rice cultivation, bronze and iron production, the emergence of states. Results. The kurgan tradition on the Korean peninsula is associated with the era of the Three Kingdoms (3rd – 7th centuries AD). The tradition of erecting mounds started in Koguryo state in the 1st century BC, then from the 3rd century AD it continued in Baekje, Silla and Kaya, and disappeared in the middle of the 6th century AD because of adopting Buddhism. Common barrows had stone embankments, but they are also found with earthen mounds. Burial chambers were first constructed vertically, then horizontal ones appeared. On the Japanese Islands, kurgans first appeared during the Yayoi period (3rd century BC – 3rd century AD) and were widely constructed during the Kofun period (3rd – 7th centuries AD). The barrows had earthen embankments with burial chambers inside. The barrows differed in the form of their embankment and size. The burials of the Kofun period in Japan continued the Yayoi period traditions to a certain extent. They had earthen embankments and were decorated with bronze mirrors and stone ornaments in the burial chambers. In addition, their feature is clay haniva figurines around the perimeter of the embankment. Starting from approximately the 5th century AD, there began to appear a certain homogeneity in the funerary structures of the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago. Sueci ceramics became a typical element of the funeral rite, as well as bronze and iron objects, gold jewelry and luxury items which appeared in burial chambers. The construction of kurgans acquired some new features, such as stone chambers with side corridors. Both on the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Islands, we observe similar types of embankments, such as round (embun), square (ho:fun), double round (so:embun), double square (so:ho:fun) and in the form of a “Japanese sea scallop” (hatategaishikikofun). Conclusion. The study of the structural features of the kurgans on the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Islands allows us to conclude that there are similarities in the forms and materials of embankments and the forms of burial chamber construction. The main difference is the larger size of Japanese kurgans. The similarities we revealed can be explained by the mutual influence of the population of the Korean peninsula and the Japanese islands.

Double‐Rounds–Driven Electromagnetic Analysis Attack for a Lightweight Block Cipher Simeck and its Evaluation

SUMMARYSince Internet of Things (IoT) has been widely used, embedded devices have the risk of illegal attacks. Therefore, lightweight block ciphers, which can be implemented on embedded devices in small area, have attracted attention as the countermeasure. Simeck is a new lightweight block cipher that can be implemented in the smallest area among lightweight block ciphers. Recently, regarding the security of a cryptographic circuit, the risk of electromagnetic analysis attack has been reported. However, no study of electromagnetic analysis attack for Simeck has been reported. Therefore, this study proposes a new electromagnetic analysis attack for a lightweight block cipher Simeck. The proposed method performs the analysis using double rounds. Moreover, the proposed method performs build‐in processing using already known information and realizes the high attack accuracy. To our knowledge, this is the first attack for Simeck. Experiments using an actual device introduce the vulnerability of Simeck and the validity of the proposed method.

Coalition Presidentialism in Bicameral Congresses: How does the Control of a Bicameral Majority Affect Coalition Survival?

Presidential legislative majorities under bicameral congresses have seldom been considered in the literature on coalition cabinets. However, this combination is far from being an isolated or irrelevant topic. Bicameral congresses comprise a double round of negotiation for the executive, increasing the shadow of the unexpected. Indeed, controlling one of the two chambers may not be sufficient for a president to guarantee the approval of policies. In this case, what if a government does not control both houses? How are coalition cabinets affected by the non-control of one or both chambers? I will focus analysis on the 25 cases of coalition cabinets in Latin America since the return of democracy and present a bicameral framework. Through mvQCA, I find that, contrary to common belief, the controlling of a bicameral majority is neither necessary nor sufficient to ensure stable coalitions.

Scheduling the South American Qualifiers to the 2018 FIFA World Cup by integer programming

Every four years, the 10 national teams members of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) compete for one of the South American slots in the final phase of the FIFA World Cup. The qualifying competition consists of a double round robin tournament. The matches are scheduled in 9 closely spaced pairs known as double rounds. Every team plays twice in each double round. The tournament is spread over 2 years, so the double rounds are months apart. After using the same mirrored schedule for about twenty years, and persistent complaints from its members, CONMEBOL decided to change the schedule for the 2018 World Cup. Supported by one of CONMEBOL’s members, we used integer programmming to construct schedules that overcome the main drawbacks of the previous approach. After exploring many design criteria, we proposed a candidate schedule based on a French scheme. The main feature of the proposed schedule is that every team plays once at home and once away on each double round, a departure from traditional symmetric (mirrored) schemes. This proposal was unanimously approved by CONMEBOL members and is currently being used in the qualifier tournament for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Sperm pretreatment with heparin and l-glutathione, sex-sorting, and double cryopreservation to improve intracytoplasmic sperm injection in bovine

In bovine, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) remains inefficient partially due to low levels of sperm decondensation. The aim of this study was to determine whether the injection of normal size sperm pretreated with heparin (Hep) and l-glutathione (GSH), the use of sex-sorted sperm, the double round of sperm freezing/thawing (re frozen), or the combination of these approaches can improve sperm decondensation and embryo development after ICSI in cattle. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were evaluated on days 2 and 7 post ICSI. Quality of ICSI blastocysts was analyzed by the relative expression of four genes by qPCR and the DNA fragmentation index by TUNEL assay. For all assays, semen samples were co-incubated with pCX-EGFP 50 ng/μl before ICSI. GFP expression, which can be detected by fluorescence microscopy, was used as a tool to estimate the success of sperm decondensation after ICSI. The use of normal size sperm pretreated with 80 μM Hep-15 mM GSH for 20 h (Hep-GSH) increased cleavage, blastocyst and EGFP + blastocysts rates (60.8, 19.4 and 61.9%) compared to control ICSI (35, 4.9 and 20%) (p < 0.05). Moreover, HMGN1, GLUT5, AQP3 and POU5F1 transcription levels did not differ between ICSI Hep-GSH and IVF embryos. The use of sex-sorted sperm (X, Y) improved cleavage rates and EGFP expression at day 4 (83 and 30.2% for ICSI Y and 83.2 and 31.7% for ICSI X) compared to non-sorted group (50.9 and 15.1%), not showing differences at the blastocyst stage. Finally, sex sorting (X) was combined with Hep-GSH and/or re frozen treatments. The use of Hep-GSH diminished cleavage rates from ICSI X re frozen group (80.4% vs. 94.2%) and blastocyst development from ICSI X group (3.3% vs. 10%), compared with their controls (p < 0.05). While Hep-GSH pretreatment induced lower transgene expression at day 4, no differences were found at the blastocyst stage between ICSI groups (from 58.3 to 80%). TUNEL assay showed higher DNA fragmentation indexes for all ICSI treatments (p < 0.05), except for ICSI X Hep-GSH, which did not differ from IVF X control. In conclusion, the use of normal size sperm pretreated with Hep-GSH, combined or not with sex-sorting by flow cytometry could improve ICSI outcomes in cattle.

African swine fever virus Georgia isolate harboring deletions of 9GL and MGF360/505 genes is highly attenuated in swine but does not confer protection against parental virus challenge

African swine fever virus (ASFV) produces a contagious disease of domestic pigs that results in severe economic consequences to the swine industry. Control of the disease has been hampered by the unavailability of vaccines. We recently reported the development of two experimental vaccine strains (ASFV-G-Δ9GL and ASFV-G-ΔMGF) based on the attenuation of the highly virulent and epidemiologically relevant Georgia2007 isolate. Deletion of the 9GL gene or six genes of the MGF360/505 group produced two attenuated ASFV strains which were able to confer protection to animals when challenged with the virulent parental virus. Both viruses, although efficient in inducing protection, present concerns regarding their safety. In an attempt to solve this problem we developed a novel virus strain, ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔMGF, based on the deletion of all genes deleted in ASFV-G-Δ9GL and ASFV-G-ΔMGF. ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔMGF is the first derivative of a highly virulent ASFV field strain subjected to a double round of recombination events seeking to sequentially delete specific genes. ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔMGF showed a decreased ability to replicate in primary swine macrophage cultures relative to that of ASFV-G and ASFV-G-ΔMGF but similar to that of ASFV-G-Δ9GL. ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔMGF was attenuated when intramuscularly inoculated into swine, even at doses as high as 106 HAD50. Animals infected with doses ranging from 102 to 106 HAD50 did not present detectable levels of virus in blood at any time post-infection and they did not develop detectable levels of anti-ASFV antibodies. Importantly, ASFV-G-Δ9GL/ΔMGF does not induce protection against challenge with the virulent parental ASFV-G isolate. Results presented here suggest caution towards approaches involving genomic manipulations when developing rationally designed ASFV vaccine strains.

軽量暗号Simeckに対する二重電磁波解析攻撃とその評価

軽量暗号Simeckに対する二重電磁波解析攻撃とその評価

Design of Double Rounds Clustering Protocol for Improving Energy Efficient in Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper focuses on the communication aspect to present a protocol for WSN to improve energy efficiency.It is called Energy Efficient Double Rounds Clustering Protocol(EEDRCP).It improves the LEACH protocol as follows:it adds a parameter of energy for the head node's election arithmetic,combines flat topology,hierarchical topology and location-based routing to form a hybrid topology,uses double rounds clustering instead of every round clustering.Finally,it is simulated on Matlab,and the results are compared with LEACH and DIRECT protocol.The results show that it improves the energy performance of network by 33%～82%.

A Novel Encoding Scheme for Traveling Tournament Problem using Genetic Algorithm

Traveling Tournament Problem is a sports timetabling problem that abstracts the important issues in creating timetables where team travel is an important issue. The instances of this problem seem to be very difficult to solve even for very small cases. In this paper, Author has suggested a Novel encoding scheme for representing a solution instance. The scheme is implemented and tested for several instances of Traveling tournament problem such as NL-4, NL-6, NL-8, CIRC-4 (Constrained), CIRC-6 (Constrained), CIRC-8 (Constrained), Galaxi-4, Galaxi-6, Galaxi-8, Super-4 , Super-6 and Super-8 from Double round robin Traveling Tournament Problem. The results of the simulation are presented in the paper. General Terms Optimization, Scheduling, Encoding, Algorithm.

Technical Analysis of cDNA Microarrays

BackgroundThere is extensive variation in gene expression among individuals within and between populations. Accurate measures of the variation in mRNA expression using microarrays can be confounded by technical variation, which includes variation in RNA isolation procedures, day of hybridization and methods used to amplify and dye label RNA for hybridization.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn this manuscript we analyze the relationship between the amount of mRNA and the fluorescent signal from the microarray hybridizations demonstrating that for a wide-range of mRNA concentrations the fluorescent signal is a linear function of the amount of mRNA. Additionally, the separate isolation, labeling or hybridization of RNA does not add significant amounts of variation in microarray measures of gene expression. However, single or double rounds of amplification for labeling do have small but significant affects on 10% of genes, but this source of technical variation is easy to avoid. To examine both technical and stochastic biological variation, mRNA expression was measured from the same five individuals over a six-week time course.ConclusionThere were few, if any, meaningful differences in gene expression among time points. Thus, microarray measures using standard laboratory procedures can be precise and quantitative and are not subject to significant random biological noise.

Optimising stable retroviral transduction of primary human synovial fibroblasts

Fibroblast like synoviocytes are the main resident cells in normal joints and are known to play a major role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Efficient gene targeting of fibroblast like synoviocytes (FLS) is a major goal of current ex vivo gene therapy approaches for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is a need to improve viral systems capable of delivering genes to human rheumatoid fibroblasts and attempts have been made to develop a protocol for high efficiency, reproducible gene transfer using a replication-defective retrovirus vector. The effects of different experimental conditions were examined as well as those related to cellular and viral features on the efficiency of transducing the retroviral-driven expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to FLS harvested from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The optimal method established involved a double round of infection by centrifugation with a resting period of 4 h between rounds. This approach led to the transduction of 30–70% of FLS obtained from nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Consistent transduction efficiencies were achieved in repeat assays such that it could be inferred that the variations observed were attributable to the specific characteristics of each cell line. This simple protocol renders a consistent and reproducible efficiency of rheumatoid fibroblast transduction and makes stable gene targeting using non-replicating retrovirus derived vectors an affordable option for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Hepatitis B and C virus co-infection in black children with membranous nephropathy.

Membranous glomerulonephritis is a recognized complication of hepatitis B virus infection, especially in children, and an occasional complication of hepatitis C virus infection. Co-infection with the two viruses has not previously been described in membranous glomerulonephritis. We report five black African children with membranous glomerulonephritis who were co-infected with hepatitis B and C viruses. Proof of hepatitis B virus infection was obtained using serological and molecular detection methods. Hepatitis C virus infection was demonstrated using reverse transcription to convert viral RNA to cDNA followed by amplification of the cDNA using a double round of the polymerase chain reaction with confirmation by Southern hybridization and nucleotide sequencing. The clinical, biochemical, immunological, and pathological characteristics of the co-infected children, as well as the natural history of the disease, did not differ from those in 24 children with hepatitis B virus-associated membranous glomerulonephritis. Of the 24 family and household contacts of the five co-infected children, 7 were infected with hepatitis B virus, 1 with hepatitis C virus, and none with both viruses. It is not known whether infection with the two viruses was acquired simultaneously or sequentially. Thus, black children with membranous glomerulonephritis are occasionally co-infected with hepatitis B and C viruses. The resulting disease appears to be no more severe than that in children infected with hepatitis B virus alone.

Double round hybridization of membrane based cDNA arrays: improved background reduction and data replication

Microarray analysis provides the ability to obtain gene expression data on thousands of gene targets in parallel and is being applied to an increasing variety of neurobiological samples. Nylon filter based cDNA arrays often provide an alternative to oligo-based or glass-based gene expression analysis systems. cDNA arrays regardless of the platform, are usually quite expensive to purchase and equally expensive to produce. As such, obtaining both high quality and replicated data, as well as the ability to recover from an apparently failed hybridization experiment are important factors in microarray experimental design. Using a collection of 1152 neuronally relevant cDNAs, this report describes simple modifications in experimental design of radioactive microarray experiments that, (1) improves reproducibility; (2) allows recovery from a failed experiment and; (3) provides a type of replicate data set with no requirement for additional arrays, no additional probe labelings, and little extra cost.

Expression of CCK-B/gastrin receptor and endocytosis of anti-CCK-B/gastrin receptor antibody

Introduction: We have previously reported endocytosis of anti-CCK-BI gastrin receptor antibody (GR#l) by tumour cell lines. Aim: To demonstrate expression of CCK-B/gastrin receptor using RT-PCR, and confirm that uptake of anti-CCK-B/gastrin receptor antibody is dependent on expression of CCK-B/gastrin receptor. Materials and methods: GR#l is an antibody to the amino terminal end of the human CCK-BR. It was labelled with either Alexa-546 (red) or Alexa-488 (green) fluorescent marker. GR#l was added to live cells from the AR42J pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line, as well as to fibroblast NIH3T3 cells transfected with human CCKB/gastrin receptor gene. GR#l was also added to non-transfected NIH3T3 cells as a negative control. Expression of CCK-B/gastrin receptor was demonstrated by RT-PCR. Total RNA was isolated from I . 3 X 106 cells using the Promega SV isolation system, according to the manufacturers instructions. RT-PCR was performed using l-2!Lg total RNA and the Access RT-PCR system (Promega). Specific primers were used for transcription and amplification of gastrin receptor and f3 actin as a positive control; a double round of PCR was used. Results were analysed using agarose gel electrophoresis. Results. Uptake of anti gastrin receptor antibody was seen in AR42J cells and in NIH3T3 cells transfected with gastrin receptor. No uptake was seen in non-transfected NIH3T3 cells. Using RT-PCR, mRNA for f3 actin was detected in all cell lines: mRNA for gastrin receptor was detected in AR42J cells and in transfected NIH3T3 cells, but not in non-transfected NIH3T3 cells. Conclusions. Anti gastrin receptor antibody was only taken up by cells expressing CCK-BR. This specific uptake confirms that this antibody may be a potential targeting agent in tumours expressing CCK-BR.

Comparison of nested polymerase chain reaction, virus isolation, and fluorescent antibody testing for identifying feline herpesvirus in cats with conjunctivitis

Abstract Objective To compare nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus isolation (VI), and fluorescent antibody (FA) testing to detect feline herpesvirus (FHV) in cats with naturally acquired conjunctivitis or respiratory tract disease, or both. Samples Swab and microbrush specimens from the conjunctiva and throat were taken from 46 cats, allotted to 3 groups (conjunctivitis only, respiratory tract disease and conjunctivitis, and clinically normal). Procedure Cells from microbrush specimens were digested and herpesvirus DNA was amplified, using a double round of PCR. Products were detected by use of agarose gel electrophoresis. The VI and FA tests were performed in routine manner. Results Of 16 cats with conjunctivitis only, conjunctival specimens from 8 and throat specimens from 8 were FHV positive by PCR. None had positive results of VI or FA testing. Of 15 cats with respiratory tract disease and conjunctivitis, conjunctival specimens from 13 and throat specimens from 12 were FHV positive by PCR. A conjunctival specimen from 1 cat and throat specimens from 3 cats were FHV positive by VI. A conjunctival specimen from 1 cat was FHV positive by FA testing. Of 15 clinically normal cats, conjunctival and throat specimens from 2 cats were FHV positive by PCR; neither conjunctival nor throat specimens from these cats were FHV positive by VI or FA testing. Conclusion For cats with respiratory tract disease and conjunctivitis, or with conjunctivitis only, nested PCR was more sensitive at detecting FHV than was VI or FA testing. Clinical Relevance Nested PCR is a more sensitive test than the currently available VI and FA tests for identifying FHV in cats with conjunctivitis. (Am J Vet Res 1997;58:804–807)

Differences in DNA methylation patterns are detectable during the dimorphic transition of fungi by amplification of restriction polymorphisms.

A modification of the amplified fragment length polymorphism technique was developed for the determination of DNA methylation in dimorphic fungi representative of three of the major fungal taxa: Mucor rouxii, a zygomycete; Yarrowia lipolytica, an ascomycete; and Ustilago maydis, a basidiomycete. DNA obtained from the yeast or mycelial stages of the fungi was digested with a mixture of EcoRI, and one of the isoschizomers MspI and HpaII, whose ability to cleave at the sequence CpCpGpG is affected by the methylation state. The resulting fragments were ligated to primers and subjected to a double round of amplification by the polymerase chain reaction, radiolabeled in the second round, and separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Comparison of patterns revealed differences indicative of fragments whose methylation state did or did not change during the dimorphic transition. These results indicate the usefulness of the method for the study of DNA methylation, demonstrate the universality of DNA methylation in fungi, and confirm that differential DNA methylation occurs during fungal morphogenesis.

Cyclic Fatigue of Silicon Nitride at 1000°C

The fatigue failure of a gas-pressure-sintered silicon nitride (GPSSN) has been investigated at 1000 °C. Double waisted round specimens machined to a high tolerance in a well aligned servohydraulic machine were push-pull tested at 10 Hz under fully reversed loading (R = -1) and fatigue S-N curves were generated. Specimens were tested as-machined and as-machined followed by annealing. The effect of the annealing treatment was to increase the strength of the material and also to reduce the scatter of the data. The fatigue times-to-failure showed a bimodal distribution. This observation can be interpreted in terms of a rapid failure from relatively large critical machining flaws and a dynamic healing/growth behaviour of the relatively small critical machining flaws.