High-level Structure Research Articles

Complex phylogeographic patterns indicate Central American origin of two widespread Mesoamerican Quercus (Fagaceae) species

The northern Neotropical region is characterized by a heterogeneous geological and climatic history. Recent studies have shown contrasting patterns regarding the role of geographic elements as barriers that could have determined phylogeographic structure in various species. Recently, the phylogeography and biogeography of Quercus species have been studied intensively, and the patterns observed so far suggest contrasting evolutionary histories for Neotropical species in comparison with their Holarctic relatives. The goal of this study was to describe the phylogeographic structure of two Neotropical oak species (Quercus insignis and Quercus sapotifolia) in the context of the geological and palaeoclimatic history of the northern Neotropics. Populations through the distribution range of both species were collected and characterized using nine chloroplast DNA microsatellite loci. Both oak species showed high levels of genetic diversity and strong phylogeographic structure. The distribution of genetic variation in Q. insignis suggested an influence of two major barriers, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Nicaraguan Depression, while Q. sapotifolia exhibited a genetic structure defined by the heterogeneity of the Chortis highlands. The haplotype networks of both species indicated complex histories, suggesting that colonization from the Sierra Madre de Chiapas to central Mexico and from the north of the Nicaraguan Depression to the Costa Rican mountains may have occurred during different stages, and apparently more than one time. In conclusion, the phylogeographic structure of Neotropical oak species seems to be defined by a combination of geological and climatic events.

Sulfur-poor intense acid hydrothermal alteration: A distinctive hydrothermal environment

A fundamentally distinct, sulfide-poor variant of intense acid (advanced argillic) alteration occurs at the highest structural levels in iron oxide-rich hydrothermal systems. Understanding the mineralogy, and geochemical conditions of formation in these sulfide-poor mineral assemblages have both genetic and environmental implications. New field observations and compilation of global occurrences of low-sulfur advanced argillic alteration demonstrates that in common with the sulfide-rich variants of advanced argillic alteration, sulfide-poor examples exhibit nearly complete removal of alkalis, leaving a residuum of aluminum-silicate+quartz. In contrast, the sulfur-poor variants lack the abundant pyrite±other sulfides, hypogene alunite, Al-leached rocks (residual “vuggy” quartz) as well as the Au-Cu-Ag±As-rich mineralization of some sulfur-rich occurrences. Associated mineralization is dominated by magnetite and/or hematite with accessory elements such as Cu, Au, REE, and P. These observations presented here indicate there must be distinct geologic processes that result in the formation of low-sulfur advanced argillic styles of alteration.Hydrolysis of magmatic SO2 to sulfuric acid is the most commonly recognized mechanism for generating hypogene advanced argillic alteration, but is not requisite for its formation. Low sulfur iron-oxide copper-gold systems are known to contain abundant acid-styles of alteration (e.g. sericitic, chloritic), which locally reaches advanced argillic assemblages. A compilation of mapping in four districts in northern Chile and reconnaissance observations elsewhere show systematic zoning from near surface low-sulfide advanced argillic alteration through chlorite-sericite-albite and locally potassic alteration. The latter is commonly associated with specular hematite-chalcopyrite mineralization. Present at deeper structural levels are higher-temperature styles of sodic-calcic (oligoclase/scapolite – actinolite) alteration associated with magnetite±chalcopyrite mineralization. These patterns are in contrast to the more sulfur-rich examples which generally zone to higher pyrite and locally alunite-bearing alteration.Fluid inclusion evidence from the systems in northern Chile shows that many fluids contain 25 to >50wt% NaCleq with appreciable Ca, Fe, and K contents with trapping temperatures >300°C. These geological and geochemical observations are consistent with the origin of the low-sulfur advanced argillic assemblages from HCl generated by precipitation of iron oxides from iron chloride complexes from a high-salinity fluid by reactions such as 3FeCl2+4H2O=Fe3O4+6HCl+H2. Such HCl-rich (and relatively HSO4=-poor) fluids can then account for the intense acid, Al-silicate-rich styles of alteration observed at high levels in some iron-oxide-coppe-gold (IOCG) systems. The geochemical differences between the presence of sulfide-rich and sulfur-poor examples of advanced argillic alteration are important to distinguishing between system types and the acid-producing capacity of the system, including in the modern weathering environment. They have fundamental implications for effective mineral exploration in low-sulfur systems and provide yet another vector of exposed alteration in the enigmatic IOCG clan of mineral deposits. Furthermore, understanding the geochemistry and mineralogy of this distinct geologic environment has applications to understanding the acid generating capacity and deleterious heavy metals associated with advanced argillic alteration.

Study on the NaOH/metakaolin Ratio and Crystallization Time for Zeolite a Synthesis from Kaolin Using Statistical Design

The NaOH/metakaolin ratio and crystallization time were studied for the synthesis of zeolite NaA from a sample of kaolin from a Capim mine. The tests were carried out by using statistical design with axial points and replication of the central point. The samples obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (DRX), scanning electron microscopy and chemical analysis using a microprobe EPMA. The results showed that there is a relationship between the amount of NaOH added and crystallization time. The tests carried out using the lowest NaOH/metakaolin ratio (0.5) and the shortest time (4 h) produced a non-crystalline material. On the other hand, increasing the NaOH/metakaolin ratio and the crystallization time led to the formation of a NaA phase with a high structural level, but with the presence of a sodalite phase as an impurity.

Bioinformatic screening and detection of allergen cross-reactive IgE-binding epitopes.

Protein allergens can be related by cross‐reactivity. Allergens that share relevant sequence can cross‐react, those lacking sufficient similarity in their IgE antibody‐binding epitopes do not cross‐react. Cross‐reactivity is based on shared epitopes that is based on shared sequence and higher level structure (charge and shape). Epitopes are important in predicting cross‐reactivity potential and may provide the potential to establish criteria that identify homology among allergens. Selected allergen's IgE‐binding epitope sequences were used to determine how the FASTA algorithm could be used to identify a threshold of significance. A statistical measure (expectation value, E‐value) was used to identify a threshold specific to identifying cross‐reactivity potential. Peanut Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, shrimp tropomyosin Pen a 1, and birch tree pollen allergen, Bet v 1 were sources of known epitopes. Each epitope or set of epitopes was inserted into random amino acid sequence to create hypothetical proteins used as queries to an allergen database. Alignments with allergens were noted for the ability to match the epitope's source allergen as well as any cross‐reactive or other homologous allergens. A FASTA expectation value range (1 × 10−5–1 × 10−6) was identified that could act as a threshold to help identify cross‐reactivity potential.

Personal experiences of the Criminal Justice System by individuals with autism spectrum disorders

The processes of arrest, investigation, trial and imprisonment are often extremely difficult for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. In this study, nine offenders with autism spectrum disorders were interviewed about the circumstance surrounding the criminal acts, their views of the arrest, the police interrogation, the trial and the defence and their experiences of being in prison and/or life following the offence. The nine individuals described a range of different and often negative experiences with the Criminal Justice System. However, the majority of those given a custodial sentence coped well in prison, probably due to the high levels of structure and firm frameworks in that environment. Explanation factors associated with the offences indicated that autism spectrum disorder characteristics such as misunderstandings, obsessions and idiosyncratic beliefs and/or behaviours were frequently involved, but stress was the most common explanation provided by the participants. The findings suggest limited understanding of autism spectrum disorders within the Criminal Justice System which needs to be significantly improved in order to secure their legal protection.

Gneiss domes of the Danba Metamorphic Complex, Songpan Ganze, eastern Tibet

In this paper we address the formation and exhumation of the Danba Metamorphic Complex (DMC) that represents the deepest structural level of the Songpan Ganze terrane situated along the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau. The DMC comprises a variety of gneiss domes and offers a unique opportunity to decipher their development during orogenic evolution. For that purpose, PTtD paths of metamorphic rocks sampled at different structural levels have been reconstructed. The DMC is composed of Triassic metaturbidites of the Xikang group, Paleozoic metasedimentary cover and basement of the Yangtze craton. The DMC is structurally marked by transposition of the upright S1 foliation of the Triassic metaturbidites into a NW-SE trending S2 composite foliation dipping to the NE. Transposition is associated with a localized top-to-the-northeast shear zone along the northeastern edge of the DMC and with pervasive top-to-the-southwest shearing from the core to the border of the complex. These structures are consistent with extrusion of the core of the DMC relative to the lower grade Triassic metaturbidites. The position of the biotite isograd overlapping the structural boundary of the DMC suggests that the Triassic metaturbidites have been affected by an increase in temperature as a result of extrusion. Within the DMC, the position of the metamorphic index minerals relative to the composite S2 foliation reveals that biotite, garnet, staurolite and kyanite grew before the transposition into S2, in contrast with sillimanite which crystallizes in the hinge of F2 folds and along the axial planar S2 schistosity. The sillimanite isograd delineates regional-scale overturned F2 folds and cross-cuts the staurolite and kyanite isograds consistent with an increase in temperature during D2. The melt-in isograd characterizes the deepest structural level of the DMC. PT conditions for these metamorphic rocks, determined using pseudosections and conventional thermometry, indicate a temperature increase from 400°C to more than 600°C from the edge to the core of the DMC for a relatively homogeneous pressure ranging from 5 to 6.5kbar suggesting that isograds and isotherms represent the syn-D2 thermal structure of the orogenic crust. Migmatites exposed in the deepest structural level of the DMC yield a pressure significantly lower than the surrounding metamorphic rock suggesting that they crystallized after D2 and after some exhumation of their hosts. Three different types of gneiss domes are distinguished on the basis of their position relative to the isograds, their structural characteristics, and their position relative to the margin of the Yangtze craton. Close to the craton and at the highest structural level, the Gezong dome represents a basement-rooted tectonic slice, in an intermediate position, the Gongcai dome corresponds to a basement-cored nappe, and further away and at the deepest structural level, the Bawang, Cunuchan and Qingaling domes are migmatite-cored domes. The presence at the current-day surface of this variety of gneiss domes reflects the difference in burial of the margin during the Mesozoic Indosinian orogeny.

Improving EEG-Based Driver Fatigue Classification Using Sparse-Deep Belief Networks.

This paper presents an improvement of classification performance for electroencephalography (EEG)-based driver fatigue classification between fatigue and alert states with the data collected from 43 participants. The system employs autoregressive (AR) modeling as the features extraction algorithm, and sparse-deep belief networks (sparse-DBN) as the classification algorithm. Compared to other classifiers, sparse-DBN is a semi supervised learning method which combines unsupervised learning for modeling features in the pre-training layer and supervised learning for classification in the following layer. The sparsity in sparse-DBN is achieved with a regularization term that penalizes a deviation of the expected activation of hidden units from a fixed low-level prevents the network from overfitting and is able to learn low-level structures as well as high-level structures. For comparison, the artificial neural networks (ANN), Bayesian neural networks (BNN), and original deep belief networks (DBN) classifiers are used. The classification results show that using AR feature extractor and DBN classifiers, the classification performance achieves an improved classification performance with a of sensitivity of 90.8%, a specificity of 90.4%, an accuracy of 90.6%, and an area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) of 0.94 compared to ANN (sensitivity at 80.8%, specificity at 77.8%, accuracy at 79.3% with AUC-ROC of 0.83) and BNN classifiers (sensitivity at 84.3%, specificity at 83%, accuracy at 83.6% with AUROC of 0.87). Using the sparse-DBN classifier, the classification performance improved further with sensitivity of 93.9%, a specificity of 92.3%, and an accuracy of 93.1% with AUROC of 0.96. Overall, the sparse-DBN classifier improved accuracy by 13.8, 9.5, and 2.5% over ANN, BNN, and DBN classifiers, respectively.

Investigations into the potential anticancer activity of Maximin H5

Here we report the first major example of anionic amphibian host defence peptides (HDPs) with anticancer activity. Maximin H5 (MH5N) is a C-terminally amidated, anionic host defence peptide from toads of the Bombina genus, which was shown to possess activity against the glioma cell line, T98G (EC50 = 125 μM). The peptide adopted high levels of α-helical structure (57.3%) in the presence of model cancer membranes (DMPC:DMPS in a molar ratio of 10:1). MH5N also showed a strong ability to penetrate these model membranes (Π = 10.5 mN m−1), which correlated with levels of DMPS (R2 > 0.98). Taken with the high ability of the peptide to lyse these membranes (65.7%), it is proposed that maximin H5 kills cancer cells via membranolytic mechanisms that are promoted by anionic lipid. It was also found that C-terminally deaminated maximin H5 (MH5C) exhibited lower levels of α-helical structure in the presence of cancer membrane mimics (44.8%) along with a reduced ability to penetrate these membranes (Π = 8.1 mN m−1) and induce their lysis (56.6%). These data suggested that the two terminal amide groups of native maximin H5 are required for its optimal membranolytic and anticancer activity.

Enabling code transformations with FermaT on simplified bytecode

AbstractThis paper presents a new approach for working with Java bytecode that uses existing tools (FermaT and the wide spectrum language) that have been industrially tested and proven in transforming legacy assembly code. The first step has been a successful translator that works with a subset language (MicroJava) and enables the usage of formal transformations in FermaT to restructure the code from a machine level to human readable high level structures, both automatically and manually. It mostly relies on the existing transformations, but some new ones were introduced in this work, and some old ones were modified.

Unsupervised Feature Learning for 3D Scene Reconstruction with Occupancy Maps

This paper addresses the task of unsupervised feature learning for three-dimensional occupancy mapping, as a way to segment higher-level structures based on raw unorganized point cloud data. In particular, we focus on detecting planar surfaces, which are common in most structured or semi-structured environments. This segmentation is then used to minimize the amount of parameters necessary to properly create a 3D occupancy model of the surveyed space, thus increasing computational speed and decreasing memory requirements. As the 3D modeling tool, an extension to Hilbert Maps was selected, since it naturally uses a feature-based representation of the environment to achieve real-time performance. Experiments conducted in simulated and real large-scale datasets show a substantial gain in performance, while decreasing the amount of stored information by orders of magnitude without sacrificing accuracy.

Exact Model Counting of Query Expressions

We prove exponential lower bounds on the running time of the state-of-the-art exact model counting algorithms—algorithms for exactly computing the number of satisfying assignments, or the satisfying probability, of Boolean formulas. These algorithms can be seen, either directly or indirectly, as building Decision-Decomposable Negation Normal Form (decision-DNNF) representations of the input Boolean formulas. Decision-DNNFs are a special case of d -DNNFs where d stands for deterministic . We show that any knowledge compilation representations from a class (called DLDDs in this article) that contain decision-DNNFs can be converted into equivalent Free Binary Decision Diagrams (FBDDs) , also known as Read-Once Branching Programs , with only a quasi-polynomial increase in representation size. Leveraging known exponential lower bounds for FBDDs, we then obtain similar exponential lower bounds for decision-DNNFs, which imply exponential lower bounds for model-counting algorithms. We also separate the power of decision-DNNFs from d -DNNFs and a generalization of decision-DNNFs known as AND-FBDDs. We then prove new lower bounds for FBDDs that yield exponential lower bounds on the running time of these exact model counters when applied to the problem of query evaluation in tuple-independent probabilistic databases—computing the probability of an answer to a query given independent probabilities of the individual tuples in a database instance. This approach to the query evaluation problem, in which one first obtains the lineage for the query and database instance as a Boolean formula and then performs weighted model counting on the lineage, is known as grounded inference . A second approach, known as lifted inference or extensional query evaluation , exploits the high-level structure of the query as a first-order formula. Although it has been widely believed that lifted inference is strictly more powerful than grounded inference on the lineage alone, no formal separation has previously been shown for query evaluation. In this article, we show such a formal separation for the first time. In particular, we exhibit a family of database queries for which polynomial-time extensional query evaluation techniques were previously known but for which query evaluation via grounded inference using the state-of-the-art exact model counters requires exponential time.

High levels of diversity and population structure in the potato late blight pathogen at the Mexico centre of origin.

Globally destructive crop pathogens often emerge by migrating out of their native ranges. These pathogens are often diverse at their centre of origin and may exhibit adaptive variation in the invaded range via multiple introductions from different source populations. However, source populations are generally unidentified or poorly studied compared to invasive populations. Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight, is one of the most costly pathogens of potato and tomato worldwide. Mexico is the centre of origin and diversity of P.infestans and migration events out of Mexico have enormously impacted disease dynamics in North America and Europe. The debate over the origin of the pathogen, and population studies of P.infestans in Mexico, has focused on the Toluca Valley, whereas neighbouring regions have been little studied. We examined the population structure of P.infestans across central Mexico, including samples from Michoacán, Tlaxcala and Toluca. We found high levels of diversity consistent with sexual reproduction in Michoacán and Tlaxcala and population subdivision that was strongly associated with geographic region. We determined that population structure in central Mexico has contributed to diversity in introduced populations based on relatedness of U.S. clonal lineages to Mexican isolates from different regions. Our results suggest that P.infestans exists as a metapopulation in central Mexico, and this population structure could be contributing to the repeated re-emergence of P.infestans in the United States and elsewhere.

Structure-based function prediction of the expanding mollusk tyrosinase family

Tyrosinase (Ty) is a common enzyme found in many different animal groups. In our previous study, genome sequencing revealed that the Ty family is expanded in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). Here, we examine the larger number of Ty family members in the Pacific oyster by high-level structure prediction to obtain more information about their function and evolution, especially the unknown role in biomineralization. We verified 12 Ty gene sequences from Crassostrea gigas genome and Pinctada fucata martensii transcriptome. By using phylogenetic analysis of these Tys with functionally known Tys from other molluscan species, eight subgroups were identified (CgTy_s1, CgTy_s2, MolTy_s1, MolTy-s2, MolTy-s3, PinTy-s1, PinTy-s2 and PviTy). Structural data and surface pockets of the dinuclear copper center in the eight subgroups of molluscan Ty were obtained using the latest versions of prediction online servers. Structural comparison with other Ty proteins from the protein databank revealed functionally important residues (HA1, HA2, HA3, HB1, HB2, HB3, Z1–Z9) and their location within these protein structures. The structural and chemical features of these pockets which may related to the substrate binding showed considerable variability among mollusks, which undoubtedly defines Ty substrate binding. Finally, we discuss the potential driving forces of Ty family evolution in mollusks. Based on these observations, we conclude that the Ty family has rapidly evolved as a consequence of substrate adaptation in mollusks.

Complete gene sequence of spider attachment silk protein (PySp1) reveals novel linker regions and extreme repeat homogenization

Spiders use a myriad of silk types for daily survival, and each silk type has a unique suite of task-specific mechanical properties. Of all spider silk types, pyriform silk is distinct because it is a combination of a dry protein fiber and wet glue. Pyriform silk fibers are coated with wet cement and extruded into “attachment discs” that adhere silks to each other and to substrates. The mechanical properties of spider silk types are linked to the primary and higher-level structures of spider silk proteins (spidroins). Spidroins are often enormous molecules (>250 kDa) and have a lengthy repetitive region that is flanked by relatively short (∼100 amino acids), non-repetitive amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions. The amino acid sequence motifs in the repetitive region vary greatly between spidroin type, while motif length and number underlie the remarkable mechanical properties of spider silk fibers. Existing knowledge of pyriform spidroins is fragmented, making it difficult to define links between the structure and function of pyriform spidroins. Here, we present the full-length sequence of the gene encoding pyriform spidroin 1 (PySp1) from the silver garden spider Argiope argentata. The predicted protein is similar to previously reported PySp1 sequences but the A. argentata PySp1 has a uniquely long and repetitive “linker”, which bridges the amino-terminal and repetitive regions. Predictions of the hydrophobicity and secondary structure of A. argentata PySp1 identify regions important to protein self-assembly. Analysis of the full complement of A. argentata PySp1 repeats reveals extreme intragenic homogenization, and comparison of A. argentata PySp1 repeats with other PySp1 sequences identifies variability in two sub-repetitive expansion regions. Overall, the full-length A. argentata PySp1 sequence provides new evidence for understanding how pyriform spidroins contribute to the properties of pyriform silk fibers.

Genetic Structure of Northern Bobwhite in the Rolling Plains

The recent declines in northern bobwhite quail populations in the Rolling Plains of Texas have raised concerns about habitat connectivity and gene flow. In addition, bobwhites have several life history traits that make them likely to display high levels of spatial genetic structure including low survival, high reproductive rates, and low dispersal rates. To determine if populations within the Rolling Plains have limited gene flow, we investigated the genetic structure of northern bobwhites within the ecoregion. Blood samples were collected at 16 ranches, encompassing 22 million acres, between February 2010 and April 2013. Bobwhites were also samples at a ranch in South Texas to serve as an outgroup. Samples (n = 647) were genotyped at 14 microsatellite loci that averaged 19.00 ± 5.07 alleles per loci. Global Fst indicated significant genetic structure (p = 0.001) between ranches with no isolation by distance signal (p = 0.079). Program STRUCTURE, however, indicated many (n = 30) overlapping subpopulations with no ranch constituting a single subpopulation and individuals from the outgroup ranch were included in 11 subpopulations. It appears that bobwhites within the Rolling Plains have few restrictions to gene flow and dispersal is not limited by the dominant habitat, xeric rangeland. These results suggest that populations in the Rolling Plains are not in danger of becoming isolated nor are bottlenecks present due to the recent decline.

Does Matter Matter? Should We Mind the Mind? —Can Philosophy Be Reduced to Neurophysiology?

The neural network in the human brain underlies the conceptual network in the mind. Sensations and primary and secondary concepts in the conceptual network correspond to integrative structures and lower-and higher-level associative structures in the neural network, respectively. Both networks co- evolve during biological evolution (phylogenesis) and individual development (ontogenesis). Subjective psyche and (self-) consciousness emerge when the cognitive center in the human brain becomes recurrently directed on itself (receives signals from itself, forms its own representation within itself). Matter (external world) corresponds to the region of the neural (conceptual) network that is not directed on itself, while the mind (self-consciousness) corresponds to the region of the neural (conceptual) network that is directed on itself. The very sharp separation/opposition within our psyche of the external word (physical reality) and internal world (content of our consciousness) results from the special kind of functional complexity of the human brain. We have only a very vague idea about what is “out there” in the “real” external world, as we have direct access only to our conceptual network. Matter does not matter and we should not mind the mind as much as we usually do. Generally, all of the main philosophical problems can essentially be reduced to human neurophysiology.

Geotechnical Aspects of Security for Long-operated Underground Collectors in Conditions of Weak Soils and Increasing Technogenic Influences

Intensive development of megalopolises calls the need for sustainable functioning of facilities of the underground urban infrastructure. The special protection against technogenic influence is required for long operated tunnel sewage collectors related to the structures of high level of responsibility.This article, based on extensive materials of 30 years of experience in studying the work of the tunnel collectors in conditions of weak soils and intense external static and dynamic influences, describes new methods of diagnosing their technical condition, classification features of defects of the tunnel construction, and methods of determining the residual life of their bearing capacity, as well as the results of modeling the collaboration “tunnel – geomassiv” system work at various static and dynamic loads and comparison with experimental data on experimental objects.

Speciation in a keystone plant genus is driven by elevation: a case study in New Guinean Ficus.

Much of the world's insect and plant biodiversity is found in tropical and subtropical 'hotspots', which often include long elevational gradients. These gradients may function as 'diversity pumps' and contribute to both regional and local species richness. Climactic conditions on such gradients often change rapidly along short vertical distances and may result in local adaptation and high levels of population genetic structure in plants and insects. We investigated the population genetic structure of two species of Ficus (Moraceae) along a continuously forested elevational gradient in Papua New Guinea. This speciose plant genus is pollinated by tiny, species-specific and highly coevolved chalcid wasps (Agaonidae) and represented by at least 73 species at our study gradient. We present results from two species of Ficus sampled from six elevations between 200m and 2700m a.s.l. (almost the entire elevational range of the genus) and 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci. These results show that strong barriers to gene flow exist between 1200m and 1700m a.s.l. Whereas lowland populations are panmictic across distances over 70km, montane populations can be disjunct over 4km, despite continuous forest cover. We suggest that the limited gene flow between populations of these two species of montane Ficus may be driven by environmental limitations on pollinator or seed dispersal in combination with local adaptation of Ficus populations. Such a mechanism may have wider implications for plant and pollinator speciation across long and continuously forested elevational gradients if generalist insect pollinators and vertebrate seed dispersers also form populations based on elevation.

Integrating risk management in IT settings from ISO standards and management systems perspectives

Organizational capabilities in companies, within IT settings, can be strengthened by a centralized and integrated risk management approach based on ISO standards. This paper analyses risk management activities throughout various selected ISO standards in order to provide the basis to improve, coordinate and interoperate risk management activities in IT settings for various purposes related to quality management, project management, IT service management and information security management. Taking as a basis the ISO 31000 international standard for risk management, a comparison is performed with the aim of identifying risk management related activities in the ISO high level structure for management system standards, ISO 9001, ISO 21500, ISO/IEC 20000-1 and ISO/IEC 27001. These standards are of high interest for practitioners in IT settings, benefitting from the integration of process-based activities, implementing mechanisms for linking IT and non-IT entities of their organization with risk management challenges to address. Integration vectors such as the understanding of the organisation and its context, risk-based thinking, leadership and commitment, process approach and PDCA structure are elicited.

Tracking the Time Course of Top-Down Contextual Effects on Motor Responses during Action Comprehension.

Previous studies indicate that, when we observe other people's actions, the context in which actions take place influences intention understanding. However, little is known about the precise mechanisms involved in the contextual modulation of action representation (i.e., inhibition vs facilitation) and how they unfold in time. The present study sheds light on these aspects. Specifically, we show an early top-down facilitation (at ∼240 ms) and a later inhibition (at ∼400 ms) of motor resonance in response to actions observed in congruent and incongruent contexts, respectively.