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The variability of life history traits in Pseudogobio esocinus was investigated in a single river (Nakagawa River, Kyushu Island, Japan) by comparing two sub-populations inhabiting river reaches with different thermal characteristics. A total of 689 individuals in the upper reach (St. A) and 705 individuals in the lower reach (St. B) were collected from April 2004 to March 2006 at monthly intervals. Water temperatures of both stations were measured by a logger during the period of survey, and these dates clearly showed that St. A was colder than St. B. The sub-population of St. A consisted of six age groups, and the age at maturity was 2 or 3 years. Spawning occurred between April and July, and peaked in May. The sub-population of St. B consisted of four age groups, the age at maturity was 1 or 2 years and spawning occurred between March and July, peaking in April. The length-weight relationship and body condition were also different between the two sub-populations. In conclusion, the sub-population in the colder reach was characterised as longer lived, slower growing and later maturing, with larger body size and higher fecundity compared with the sub-population of the warmer reach. These results showed that the life history traits of P. esocinus were variable under the influence of water temperature, even in a single small river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) model analysis was performed to assess and to quantify the magnitude of genotype by environment interaction and yield stability of bread wheat genotypes. Fifteen promising lines generated from a crossing program among six bread wheat (Triticum aestavum L.) pure lines were used in a randomized complete block design with four replications for five consecutive years (2009-2014). AMMI analysis of variance showed that the environment effect was a predominant source of variation (67.6% of the treatment SS) followed by GE interaction (21.1 %) and genotype effect (8.6%). First two interaction principal component axes (IPCA) cumulatively explained 92.75% of total interaction effects. A graphical interpretation of the AMMI analysis and GSI index incorporating the AMMI stability value (ASV) and the yield capacity of the different genotypes in a single non-parametric index were useful for discriminating genotypes with superior and stable grain yield. Based on AMMI biplot, G10 had general adaptability, and Based on ASV and Genotype stability index (GSI) genotypes G10,G15, and G2 revealed the highest stability. It seems that various measures of stability from AMMI model indicate similar aspects of yield stability and GEI nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To study retrospectively the results of the Tension Free Vaginal Tape (TVT), a new ambulatory sur-gical procedure for the treatment of stress urinary incon-tinence (SUI) among Indian women. Methods: TVT implies the implantation of a prolene tape around the mid-uretha via a minimal vaginal incision. TVT was done on 54 patients diagnosed to have Genuine Stress Incontinence (GSI). The procedure was done either under regional anaesthesia (RA) or under local anaesthesia (LA) with IV analgesics. Results: Thirty-eight patients underwent only the TVT procedure and in 16 patients concomitant procedures were done along with the TVT The TVT was done as the pri-mary procedure for GSI in 46 patients. Eight patients had prior surgery for stress incontinence. All patients were followed up from 6 months to 2 years. Forty-eight (88%) patients reported complete cure. There was significant improvement of symptoms in 4(7.4%) patients and in 2(3.7%) the surgery failed. Conclusions: These results prove that the TVT proce-dure is a minimally invasive, safe and effective method for the treatment of SUI in women.

• The maximum load-bearing ratios of the secondary lining for ordinary Class III, seepage Class III and Class IV surrounding rocks are 24.2%, 25.4% and 34.7% respectively. • For the Dahongyan Tunnel, the change in the length of the anchors should be adjusted to from 3.0 m to 3.5 m and the distance of the secondary lining from the excavation face changes from 40 m to 46 m. • The secondary lining load sharing ratio at the monitoring point of the maximum load of the section secondary lining generally doesn't exceed 35%. In response to the engineering problems often encountered during the construction of mountain tunnels, the aim of this study is to overcome the inability of numerical simulation methods to rapidly predict tunnel construction based on the [BQ] method of classifying surrounding rock grades. Numerical simulations were carried out using FLAC3D6.0 software based on previous empirical formulas for each parameter of the GSI scores and Hoek-Brown criterion. Relying on the Luanlu Highway Tunnel Project, the engineering problems of the Nianpan and Dahongyan tunnels were firstly identified, followed by numerical simulations to quickly obtain construction predictions for the proposed changes, and finally, engineering monitoring was carried out to verify the feasibility of the method. The results indicate that [BQ] = 311 for the water gushing section of the Nianpan Tunnel, which should be changed from Class III to IV surrounding rock and constructed according to the support scheme for Class IV surrounding rock, corresponding to GSI [BQ] = 43. The maximum load-bearing ratios of the secondary lining for ordinary Class III, seepage Class III and Class IV surrounding rocks are 24.2 %, 25.4 % and 34.7 % respectively. For the Dahongyan Tunnel, the change in the length of the anchors should be adjusted to from 3.0 m to 3.5 m and the distance of the secondary lining from the excavation face changes from 40 m to 46 m. Moreover, the secondary lining load sharing ratio at the monitoring point of the maximum load of the section secondary lining generally doesn't exceed 35 %. The method can be used as a reference for other tunneling problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New tracking detectors are necessary for beam diagnostics and event-by-event particle identification for the Super-FRS, a next generation reaction product separation being constructed at GSI/FAIR in Germany. Novel detectors and electronics are currently being developed to meet the stringent requirements of this forefront fragment separator due to high radiation levels, long term electronic stability and the required homogeneity of materials in the beam, while maintaining very high tracking efficiency. The present contribution focuses on the electronics for a new Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM)-based Time Projection Chamber (TPC) to provide the position information, which are needed to reconstruct the A/q of the fragment from protons to uranium ions. The most recent Front End Electronics (FEE) developed at GSI with a novel Amplifier With Adaptive Gain Settings (AWAGS) ASIC are being tested. This FEE has a low noise level (sub fC), a large dynamic range (up to ∼ 71 pC) with excellent timing properties. The AWAGS uses a switched capacitance technique instead of fixed feedback capacitors to provide the large dynamic range. Results from the ASIC characterisation studies and the outlook for a new, updated chip for the full read out chain of the GEM TPC are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar tensiones de crecimiento en Eucalyptus dunnii y determinar el efecto de las propiedades físicas de la madera sobre esta variable. Se muestrearon 45 árboles de un ensayo de 19 años situado en la provincia de Corrientes, Argentina. Se realizaron determinaciones de tensiones de crecimiento a través de dos métodos: indicador de tensiones de crecimiento (GSI, CIRAD-Forêt) e índice de rajado en rollizo (IR). Se midieron las propiedades físicas, densidad básica y contracción volumétrica total y se determinó la variación radial de la densidad básica. Los resultados de GSI e IR mostraron valores más bajos que los citados para la especie (GSI: 0,0763 0,0251 mm e IR: 0,43 0,31 %) y tuvieron buena asociación entre sí (r: 0,71). Se encontró una asociación baja entre tensiones de crecimiento con las propiedades físicas de la madera, densidad básica (r: 0,35 - 0,39) y contracción volumétrica total (r: 0,29 -0,35). Los niveles de asociación aumentaron cuando las correlaciones se hicieron entre las estimaciones de tensiones de crecimiento y la tasa de cambio radial de la densidad básica (r: 0,59 - 0,52). Abstract To evaluate growth stresses in Eucalyptus dunnii and determine the effect of physical wood properties on that variable, a total of 45 trees were sampled from a 19-years-old trial located at Corrientes, Argentina. Growth stresses were determined using the growth stress indicator (GSI, CIRAD-Forêt) and the log end split index (IR). The physical wood properties basic density and total volumetric shrinkage were measured and the pith-to-bark gradient of the basic density was determined. GSI and IR values obtained were lower than those cited for the species (GSI: 0,0763 0,0251 mm and IR: 0,43 0,31 %) and showed good association between themselves (r: 0,71). A low association between growth stresses and the physical wood properties basic density (r: 0,35 – 0,39) and volumetric shrinkage total (r: 0,29-0,35) was founded. The association levels were higher when growth stresses (GSI and IR) and the pith-to-bark gradient of the basic density (r: 0,59-0,52) were correlated.

Nghiên cứu đặc điểm sinh học sinh sản của cá chành dục (Channa gachua) được thực hiện phân tích trên 117 mẫu cá chành dục thu từ tháng 2 đến tháng 10 năm 2013. Các kết quả cho thấy, quá trình phát triển của tuyến sinh dục cá chành dục trải qua 6 giai đoạn với các đặc điểm cấu trúc mô học khác nhau. Sức sinh sản tuyệt đối của cá chành dục trung bình là 1.709,52±886,01 trứng/cá thể. Mức độ tương quan giữa sức sinh sản với khối lượng và chiều dài thân cá khá cao theo tỷ lệ thuận, giá trị của hệ số tương quan R2 lần lượt là 0,8771 và 0,8484. Độ béo Fulton biến động trong khoảng từ 1,65- 1,96%; độ béo Clark trong khoảng 1,49-1,87%, nhân tố điều kiện (CF) cũng biến động từ 0,009-0,012. Giá trị độ béo Fulton và Clark gia tăng cao nhất từ tháng 2-5, đến tháng 8 thì bắt đầu giảm thấp nhất (1,65% và 1,49%). Nhân tố điều kiện đạt cao nhất từ tháng 2-9, tháng 10 giảm thấp nhất (0,009). Kết quả cho thấy, hệ số thành thục (GSI) tăng cao trong khoảng thời gian từ tháng 6 đến tháng 10 (2,22-2,61%) và đạt giá trị cao nhất ở tháng 7 (2,61%) và thấp nhất là tháng 3 (0,53%). Như vậy, trong khoảng thời gian khảo sát của đề tài, cho thấy ở các thủy vực tự nhiên cá chành dục thành thục sinh dục cao nhất trong khoảng thời gian từ tháng 6-10.

Nghiên cứu một số đặc điểm sinh học sinh sản của cá bống trứng (Eleotris melanosoma) được thực hiện từ tháng 8 năm 2012 đến tháng 7 năm 2013. Kết quả đã cho thấy hệ số thành thục (gonadosomatic index-GSI) của chúng khá nhỏ (từ 0,0,23-8,89%) và ít biến động hơn so với chỉ số tích luỹ năng lượng (hepatosomatic index-HSI) (từ 0,89-7,56%); nhân tố điều kiện (conditional factor-CF) của cá bống trứng ít biến động và đặc biệt là ở cá thể đực và giá trị CF đạt cao nhất ở tháng 4 và 11. Sức sinh sản của cá bống trứng là khá cao (trung bình là 433±357 trứng/g cá cái) và có sự biến động lớn (49-981 trứng/g cá cái) ở kích cỡ trung bình là 7,0±0,8 cm và khối lượng toàn thân trung bình là 4,8±2,2 g. Kết quả cũng cho thấy trong suốt 12 tháng tuyến sinh dục của cá bống trứng đều có xuất hiện đến giai đoạn IV trong 6 giai đoạn phát triển của thang thành thục sinh dục của cá, điều này cho thấy mùa vụ sinh sản của cá bống trứng là quanh năm và tập trung chủ yếu từ tháng 4 đến tháng 6.

A new on-line Raman System, which was installed at the M3-beamline at the UNILAC, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung Darmstadt was used for first “ in situ ” spectroscopic measurements. Calcite and malachite samples were irradiated in steps between 1 × 10 9 and 1 × 10 12 ions/cm 2 with Au ions (calcite) and Xe ions (malachite) at an energy of 4.8 MeV/u. After irradiation, calcite revealed a new Raman band at 437 cm −1 and change of the full width at half maximum for the 1087 cm −1 Raman band. The Raman bands of malachite change significantly with increasing fluence. Up to a fluence of 7 × 10 10 ions/cm 2 , all existing bands decrease in intensity. Between 8 × 10 10 and 1 × 10 11 ions/cm 2 a broad Cu 2 O band between 110 and 220 cm −1 occurs, which superimposes the pre-existing Raman bands. Additionally, a new broad band between 1000 and 1750 cm −1 is formed, which is interpreted as a carbon coating. In contrast to the Cu 2 O band, the carbon band vanished when further irradiating the sample. The installations as well as first in situ measurements at room temperature are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outcome of spinal cord injury (SCI) is determined by both neural cell-intrinsic survival pathways and tissue microenvironment-derived signals. Macrophages dominating the inflammatory responses in SCI possess both destructive and reparative potentials, according to their activation status. Notch signaling is involved in both cell survival and macrophage-mediated inflammation, but a comprehensive role of Notch signaling in SCI has been elusive. In this study, we compared the effects of general Notch blockade by a pharmaceutical γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) and myeloid-specific Notch signal disruption by recombination signal binding protein Jκ (RBP-J) knockout on SCI. The administration of Notch signal inhibitor GSI resulted in worsened hind limb locomotion and exacerbated inflammation. However, mice lacking RBP-J, the critical transcription factor mediating signals from all four mammalian Notch receptors, in myeloid lineage displayed promoted functional recovery, attenuated glial scar formation, improved neuronal survival and axon regrowth, and mitigated inflammatory response after SCI. These benefits were accompanied by enhanced AKT activation in the lesion area after SCI. These findings demonstrate that abrogating Notch signal in myeloid cells ameliorates inflammation response post-SCI and promotes functional recovery, but general pharmaceutical Notch interception has opposite effects. Therefore, clinical intervention of Notch signaling in SCI needs to pinpoint myeloid lineage to avoid the counteractive effects of global inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896), a native to western Atlantic coasts, is widely recorded in various Mediterranean regions, including the Gargano lagoons in the Adriatic Sea. This study investigated selected biological traits of Callinectes sapidus females in the Lesina and Varano lagoons during their breeding migration to more saline waters. In total, 19 individuals of Callinectes sapidus, 15 females and four males, were collected in the lagoons near the mouths of the seaward channels. The specimens' Carapace Width ranged from 115 to 230 mm, classifying them as medium to large crabs. In Varano lagoon in April and May 2014, two ovigerous females with egg masses of 63.39 g and 11.65 g respectively were captured. This represents the first record of ovigerous females of C. sapidus in this lagoon. The average Gonado-Somatic Index was 2.91±1.82 and 1.65 ± 0.65 for the specimens captured in Varano and Lesina lagoons, respectively. The average Hepato-Somatic Index was 3.88±0.80 and 4.22±0.31 for specimens captured in Varano and Lesina, respectively. Egg diameter ranged between 0.23 and 0.35 mm. Histological analysis of gonads showed stages from III to V, with individuals in emission or postissuance stages. This study presents evidence of the establishment of C. sapidus populations in Varano lagoon in the south-west Adriatic Sea and provides additional information on this species in the Lesina and Varano lagoons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present experiment was to study the effects of different doses of cypermethrin on number of reproductive indices, such as testicular weight & volume, cloacal gland volume and gonadosomatic index (GSI) in Japanese quail. Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide and also is an endocrine disruptor. It is known from the earlier studies that cypermethrin affects reproductive and development tract abnormalities in birds. The findings of these studies motivated us for doing further research in this direction. We planned experiments to ascertain the effects of cypermethrin at three dose levels, i.e., 0.5, 0.75 and 1 mg kg-1 body weight, in three different groups of birds, respectively, over a period of 40 days. Results indicated a sharp decline in testis weight & volume, cloacal gland volume and GSI in Japanese quail exposed to high dose of cypermethrin (1 mg kg-1 body weight) as compared to those that received low and medium doses. We concluded that application of cypermethrin as a pesticide might be harmful for the poultry industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flysch deposits are common in Serbia. Approximately 15 % of the 250 km of highways currently under construction will be constructed in flysch. In the most southern part of the E80 project, close to the border crossing with Bulgaria, construction of 3-km long cuts, often over 30 m high, is foreseen by the design. The geology of this part of Serbia is mainly characterized by flysch deposits represented by a sequence of sandstone and siltstone, interchanging in different proportions. After excavation of a majority of the cuts, several slopes suffered from global and structural instabilities. This required re-design of one part of the cuts. For this purpose, a geological strength index (GSI) was estimated and the structural features of rock discontinuities were observed on the faces of the surface excavations. This information and data obtained from laboratory testing enabled the determination of five characteristic rock mass types. For every type, shear strength properties were determined based on three criteria: the Hoek-Brown failure criterion; the Mohr-Coulomb criterion; and an hyperbolic nonlinear envelope. During the process of converting the Hoek-Brown parameters to the parameters of hyperbolic envelope, the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm (LMA) was utilized to solve for the nonlinear regression problem. Verification of the parameters was performed on several examples. The median angle pressure increases exponentially with the GSI value and ranges between the value characteristic for clays and well-graded gravel. The maximum angle difference is obtained for a GSI value of 30. The average normal effective stress acting on the failed slopes, expressed in the form of the stress level ratio (SLR), is below 0.5. This indicates that the curved part of the shear strength envelope is utilized during the shearing. As such, the linear segment overestimates the shear strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this paper is to present the results of a comparative analysis of the GSI values predicted by different empirical equations currently available in literature which apply the input parameters used in the best known rock mass classification systems, namely the RMR, the Q and the RMi. For this aim, probabilistic analyses based on Monte Carlo simulations have been developed using, as inputs, the geomechanical field data collected for a real rock mass. Afterwards, the GSI outputs obtained from the different empirical approaches have been statistically analyzed and compared. The results of simulations indicate that the diverse relationships may predict dissimilar values of the GSI for the same rock mass. In general, the highest values have been obtained from the equations which apply the RMR input ratings, while the methods based on RMi produced the lowest results. Sensitivity analyses performed on the simulation outputs show that, for the examined case study, the input parameters reflecting the degree of jointing of the rock mass, namely the RQD and the rock block volume, have the largest effects on the calculated GSI, while those describing the characteristics of discontinuities show lesser influence and may depend on the equation adopted. In particular, the GSI estimated from the methods based on the Q and RMi inputs is especially sensitive to the infilling and roughness of discontinuities, while in the methods based on the RMR ratings the discontinuity characteristics influencing the GSI value the most demonstrate to be the aperture, the roughness and the length. The analyses have mainly highlighted the possible uncertainties still related to the quantitative estimation of the GSI and allowed for the recognition of the input rock mass parameters that may have the highest impact on the GSI in the different estimation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current medication for gastric cancer patients has a low success rate and the patients develop rapid tolerance to these drugs. Therefore, the development of new regimens is desired. In this study, we determined that Notch-signaling-related genes were overexpressed and activated in gastric cancer patients and gastric cancer cell lines. According to recent studies, γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs), which function as Notch signaling inhibitors, could be used as therapeutic drugs in cancer. We demonstrated that GSI I (cbz-IL-CHO) is the most effective GSI in gastric cancer cells. We also determined the cell survival signaling-related proteins that were affected by GSI I. The levels of phosphorylated AKT were significantly decreased upon GSI I treatment, and constitutively activated myristoylated AKT completely blocked GSI I-induced apoptosis and cell survival, suggesting that inhibition of AKT signaling is critical for GSI I-mediated effects in gastric cancer cells. In order to maximize the effects and safety of GSI I, a combination treatment with GSI I and 5-FU was performed. Inhibition of gastric cancer cell proliferation with the combination treatment was significantly better than that with the single treatment. All phosphorylated forms of AKT, p44/42, JNK, and p38 were drastically changed by the combination treatment. Orthotopically transplanted gastric tumor burdens in mice were reduced using the combined treatment. The outcomes of this study clearly demonstrated the therapeutic potential of GSI I in gastric cancer, as well as the greater efficacy of the combined treatment of GSI I with 5-FU. Therefore, we suggest that further clinical trials examining the potential of combined GSI I and 5-FU treatment in gastric cancer patients be undertaken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to classify heterogeneous deep-sea sediments (including sandstone and claystone) according to the geological strength index (GSI). Forty-nine locations have been selected from excavated Miocene deep-sea clastic sediments bearing slopes from the Kahramanmaraş Basin (SE Turkey). Six rock classes are determined based on sandstone/claystone ratios (S/C). Those rock classes and their percentages are 'B' class of 39 % (1 < S/C ≤10); 'D' class-20 % (1/3 ≤ S/C <1); 'C' class-16 % (S/C 1/1); 'E' class-14 % (1/10 ≤ S/C <1/3); and rest 11 % formed by 'F' class (tectonically deformed), 'G' class (S/C <1/10), and 'A' class (S/C >10). Four different groups of rock are separated according to GSI based on rock classes and discontinuity surface conditions ('A-B' class, GSI > 40; 'C' class, 35 ≤ GSI ≤ 40; 'D-E' class, 25 ≤ GSI < 35; 'F-G' class, GSI < 25). The lower values of the Mohr-Coulomb and strength parameters of rock mass (cohesion-c', internal friction angle- ϕ, and deformation modulus-Em) are observed in the 'E-D' classes due to high clay content, while higher values in the 'A-B' classes due to high sand content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brenner Base Tunnel, with two main bores and an investigation tunnel running parallel in the middle, crosses the main ridge of the Alps beneath the Brenner Pass and the border of Austria and Italy. The first construction contract was a 10.5 km long investigation tunnel bored by a double shield machine in granite. Numerous investigation measures, laboratory tests and geological face surveys were carried out, and the TBM data was recorded on a 10-second cycle. Due to the large amount of data and the very well known homogeneous geology, it seemed appropriate to develop correlations between the data of the rock mass, the rock and the TBM. Statistically reliable statements could be derived. The unconfined compression strength of the rock, discontinuity parameters and index parameters such as the RMR (Rock Mass Rating), GSI (Geological Strength Index) and RQD (Rock Quality Designation) were compared with the penetration behaviour. GSI values between 30 and 40 showed four times the penetration rate compared to GSI values between 90 and 100. This applies similarly for the RQD, RMR and discontinuity spacing values. The objective was to precisely localize rock mass zones with a high degree of fracturing or faults for the main bores. This is only possible to a limited extent from the face surveys since the sides of the tunnel are not visible between the individual face surveys and the delivered information is not complete. By matching the geological face information with the TBM data, the faulted rock mass zones in the investigation tunnel could be defined well. In addition, experience from the investigation programme and its geotechnical monitoring is described. The constant presence of geologists on the TBM, the installation of measurement segments and continuous probe drilling can be seen as particularly positive. Der Brenner Basistunnel mit zwei Hauptröhren und dem mittig parallel verlaufenden Erkundungstunnel unterquert den Alpenhauptkamm unter dem Brennerpass zwischen den beiden Ländern Österreich und Italien. Das erste Baulos war ein 10,5 km langer Erkundungsstollen im Granit, der mit einer Doppelschildmaschine aufgefahren wurde. Zahlreiche Erkundungsmaßnahmen, Laborversuche und geologische Ortsbrustaufnahmen wurden durchgeführt. Die TBM-Daten wurden im 10-Sekunden-Takt aufgezeichnet. Aufgrund der großen Anzahl von Daten und der sehr gut bekannten homogenen Geologie bot es sich an, Korrelationen zwischen Daten des Gebirges, des Gesteins und der TBM herzustellen. Es konnten statistisch gefestigte Aussagen getroffen werden. Die einaxiale Druckfestigkeit des Gesteins, Trennflächenparameter sowie Indexparameter wie RMR (Rock Mass Rating), GSI (Geological Strength Index) und RQD (Rock Quality Designation) wurden mit dem Penetrationsverhalten verglichen. GSI-Werte zwischen 30 und 40 zeigten dabei eine um das Vierfache erhöhte Penetrationsrate im Vergleich zu GSI-Werten zwischen 90 und 100. Ähnliches gilt für RQD, RMR und Werte des Trennflächenabstands. Ziel war es, Gebirgsbereiche mit hohem Zerlegungsgrad und Störungen für die Hauptröhren genau zu lokalisieren. Das ist aufgrund der Ortsbrustaufnahmen nur begrenzt möglich, da die Laibung zwischen den einzelnen Ortsbrustaufnahmen nicht sichtbar ist und somit nur lückenhafte Informationen vorliegen. Durch die Abgleichung der geologischen Ortsbrustinformationen mit den TBM-Daten konnten die gestörten Gebirgsbereiche im Erkundungsstollen gut abgegrenzt werden. Weiterhin werden die Erfahrungen aus dem Erkundungsprogramm und dem geotechnischen Monitoring aufgezeigt. Die ständige Präsenz des Geologen auf der TBM, der Einsatz von Messtübbingen und durchgehende Vorausbohrungen sind dabei besonders positiv hervorzuheben. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geological strength index (GSI) system is dependent on the rock block volumes and the joint surface conditions. The weathering degree of rock slopes and their strength properties also depend on these characteristics. This study thus focuses on the use of the GSI system and the Hoek-Brown strength criterion to estimate the engineering parameters for weathered rock masses. Photogrammetric methods based on 3D surface models are used to obtain reliable data on the joint sets in rock slopes, instead of general site investigation using labor-intensive techniques. Photogrammetric surveys were conducted on weathered rock slopes in Gold Coast, Australia to obtain the joint spacing, orientation and roughness. The 3D models are then used to estimate the block sizes the joint roughness coefficients (JRC). The block volumes and JRC values were then used to estimate GSI values. Then parametric studies using the finite element method is conducted to investigate the stability of the slope using the GSI values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the results of the site investigations and rock mechanics studies carried out at the proposed Mezra dam site. Engineering geological properties of rock masses, such as strength, permeability along the dam axis, discontinuities, and stability of abutments, were investigated in order to determine probable problems prior to constructions. Mezra Dam is a sand-gravel filled dam with upstream concrete slab. The dam on the river Kızıl, a branch of Fırat river, is located about 83 km of west of Sanliurfa city in the southeastern of Turkey. The dam and its associated concrete structures are mainly founded on alluvium, talus, and limestone. Quaternary alluvium and talus at the dam site has a thickness of about 10 m and overlies the limestone of the Gaziantep formation of Eocene to Oligocene age. Studies were carried out both at the field and the laboratory. Field studies include engineering geological mapping, intensive discontinuity surveying, kinematical analyses, drilling, Lugeon permeability tests, and sampling for laboratory testing. Rock mass classifications, strength characteristics, and constants of rock masses were expressed by using Hoek-Brown empirical failure criteria, RMR, GSI, and UCS values. Finally, the deformation modulus of the limestones indirectly estimated using geomechanical quality. The results of the investigations indicate that the foundation rocks are suitable for designing the proposed Mezra dam, and the limestones exposed in the left bank are of higher quality rock masses when compared to those in the right bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the annual reproductive biology of a Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) population living in an atypical habitat with cold spring waters is investigated by monitoring Gonado-Somatic and Hepato-Somatic Indexes (GSI and HSI) and by performing cytology on ovaries. Despite its known preference for habitats with water temperature from 21 to 30 °C, our results clearly confirm the adaptation of this population to the atypical thermal habitat, characterised by an annual mean water temperature value of 13.32 ±0.08 °C. Maximum gonadal development was reached in August, with maximum GSI median value of 0.64 (instead of reported values even 10 times higher for other populations), and ovigerous females were found in autumn, with mean realized fecundity of 35 ±7 compared to 285-995 reported from other habitats. Histological analysis was consistent with other studies and allowed us to follow ovarian development at cytological level. The importance of all these results is not to be underestimated: to our knowledge these findings are the first report of the coolest habitat successfully colonized by this species at the present time and so they have to be taken as a warning about the possible range expansion of P. clarkii also to northern and colder habitats that have few things in common with the native habitat of the species and, up to now, were considered "safe" from the invasion of the red swamp crayfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since salmon species commonly undertake long spawning migrations and often have multiple runs in the same river system, this study explored the run timing and physiology of sympatric Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha stocks in the Klamath River Basin, CA. Genetic methods revealed that the Trinity-Salmon Spring run entered first, followed by the Klamath Fall run, and the Lower Basin Fall run. The Trinity-Salmon Fall run entered continuously. There was however, considerable overlap in run timing which was thought may be due a morphological threshold being met. Due to longer off-feeding freshwater residency, the earlier-returning fish have higher metabolic demands during their spawning migration and enter freshwater with greater relative fat reserves, estimated by non-water fraction of liver tissue (NWF) and Relative Weight (Wr). They also arrive less mature (as estimated by gonadosomatic index (GSI), which also places a greater demand on their energy reserves for gonadal development. There was a decrease in relative fat reserves and an increase in maturity by freshwater entry date. At spawning however, the Trinity River Hatchery spring- and fall-run fish, after travelling the same distance, had the same relative fat content and size-specific gonad mass and fecundity. The higher energetic cost associated with the early entry of the spring-run fish, and reduced at-sea feeding period, may be the cause for their smaller average body mass. This study suggests that imminent freshwater residency duration is important in determining the relative fat content, maturity leveland size of returning Chinook salmon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding season of S. chizothorax plagiostomus was studied River Panjkora from February 2014 to January 2015. Kumrat valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The GSI values recorded monthly ranged from 2 to 13.5, the highest value was recorded in March while the lowest was recorded in April and October. We inferred that S. plagiostomus spawn twice a year, once in March-April and then in October-November. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NOTCH receptors regulate cell proliferation and survival in several types of cancer cells. Depending on the cellular context, NOTCH1 can function as an oncogene or as a tumor suppressor gene. DLK1 is also involved in the regulation of cell growth and cancer, but nothing is known about the role of DLK2 in these processes. Recently, the proteins DLK1 and DLK2 have been reported to interact with NOTCH1 and to inhibit NOTCH1 activation and signaling in different cell lines. In this work, we focused on the role of DLK proteins in the control of melanoma cell growth, where NOTCH1 is known to exert an oncogenic effect. We found that human DLK proteins inhibit NOTCH signaling in SK-MEL-2 metastatic melanoma cells. Moreover, the proliferation rate of these cells was dependent upon the level of NOTCH activation and signaling as regulated by DLK proteins. In particular, high levels of NOTCH inhibition resulted in a decrease, whereas lower levels of NOTCH inhibition led to an increase in melanoma cell proliferation rates, both in vitro and in vivo . Finally, our data revealed additive NOTCH-mediated effects of DLK proteins and the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT on cell proliferation. The data presented in this work suggest that a fine regulation of NOTCH signaling plays an important role in the control of metastatic melanoma cell proliferation. Our results open the way to new research on the role of DLK proteins as potential therapeutic tools for the treatment of human melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-compatibility is a major breeding objective in sweet cherry. The identification and characterization of new sources of self-compatibility will be useful for breeding and research purposes. In this work, self-compatibility of four local Spanish sweet cherry varieties was investigated by crossing experiments and molecular genetic analysis of two self-incompatibility loci. Crossing experiments included self- and cross-pollinations in the laboratory followed by microscopic observation of pollen tube growth and fruit set assay in the field. After crossing experiments, two accessions, 'Son Miró' and 'Talegal Ahín', were self-compatible while the other two were self-incompatible. Inheritance of S-locus and microsatellite EMPaS02 (linked to self-compatibility, Sc) were investigated in self-pollination progeny of both self-compatible genotypes. Results indicate that self-compatibility in 'Talegal Ahín' is similar to self-compatibility described in sweet cherry 'Cristobalina' and may be caused by the same mutation. That is a pollen part mutation not linked to the S-locus but linked to microsatellite EMPaS02 in cherry LG3. In 'Son Miró' self-compatibility seems more complex, affecting pollen and style function, and probably involving more than one mutation not described previously in sweet cherry. Together with 'Cristobalina', the newly described self-compatible varieties 'Son Miró' and 'Talegal Ahín' confirm the existence of unique self-compatible plant material in local germplasm from Spain that should be conserved and characterized for its use in breeding and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate growth stresses in Eucalyptus dunnii and determine the effect of physical wood properties on that variable, a total of 45 trees were sampled from a 19-years-old trial located at Corrientes, Argentina. Growth stresses were determined using the growth stress indicator (GSI, CIRAD-Forêt) and the log end split index (IR). The physical wood properties basic density and total volumetric shrinkage were measured and the pith-to-bark gradient of the basic density was determined. GSI and IR values obtained were lower than those cited for the species (GSI: 0,0763 0,0251 mm and IR: 0,43 0,31 %) and showed good association between themselves (r: 0,71). A low association between growth stresses and the physical wood properties basic density (r: 0,35 - 0,39) and volumetric shrinkage total (r: 0,29-0,35) was founded. The association levels were higher when growth stresses (GSI and IR) and the pith-to-bark gradient of the basic density (r: 0,59-0,52) were correlated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiance bias correction is an important and necessary step in the proper use of satellite observations in a data assimilation system. The original radiance bias-correction scheme used in the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation ( GSI) data assimilation system consists of two components: a variational air-mass dependent component and a scan-angle component. The air-mass component is updated within the GSI, while the scan-angle component is updated outside the GSI. This study examines and enhances several aspects of the radiance bias-correction problem. First, a modified pre-conditioning is applied to the bias-correction coefficients and the analysis variables to speed up convergence of the minimization process. A new procedure for applying the modified pre-conditioning in the GSI is utilized. Second, capabilities for detecting any new/missing/recovering radiance data and initializing the bias correction for new radiance data are implemented. A new scheme is proposed and employed to adjust the background-error variances for the bias-correction coefficients automatically, using an approximation of the analysis-error variances from the previous cycle, and to remove the pre-specified predictor scaling parameters. Finally, the capability to perform bias correction for passive channels within the GSI is developed with a new approach. The two-step bias-correction procedure originally used is replaced with a one-step variational bias-correction scheme within the GSI. Experiment results with the GSI-based hybrid ensemble-variational system show that using the modified pre-conditioning leads to a better convergence rate. Moreover, with the one-step scheme, the anomaly correlation of geopotential height at 500 mb is neutral in the Northern Hemisphere but improved in the Southern Hemisphere. The root-mean-square ( RMS) error of wind is comparable to that of the two-step scheme and the biases of the global temperature 24 h and 48 h forecasts fitted to the rawinsonde are reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial shape of a precipitation event has an important role in determining the catchment's hydrological response to a storm. To be able to generate stochastic design storms with a realistic spatial structure, the anisotropy of the storm has to be quantified. In this paper, a method is proposed to estimate the anisotropy of precipitation fields, using the concept of linear Generalized Scale Invariance (GSI). The proposed method is based on identifying the values of GSI parameters that best describe isolines of constant power on the two-dimensional power spectrum of the fields. The method is evaluated using two sets of simulated fields with known anisotropy and a measured precipitation event with an unknown anisotropy from Brisbane, Australia. It is capable of accurately estimating the anisotropy parameters of simulated nonzero fields, whereas introducing the rain-no rain intermittency alters the power spectra of the fields and slightly reduces the accuracy of the parameter estimates. The parameters estimated for the measured event correspond well with the visual observations on the spatial structure of the fields. The method requires minimum amount of decision making and user interaction, making it suitable for analyzing anisotropy of storm events consisting of long time series of fields with a changing spatial structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Jinlong village landslide is located in Zitong County, Sichuan and approximately 150 km east of Wenchuan. The landslide has exhibited creep deformation for nearly 30 years. Field investigations indicated that the slope deformation was caused by the combined effects of unfavorable topographic and geological conditions and earthquakes. The sliding surface is along a contact between silty clay and mudstone. The Wenchuan earthquake accelerated the creep, causing bulging of the ground surface. Shear test results of the silty clay near the sliding surface indicated that the residual strength is consistent with the stability state of the landslide. The factors of safety were calculated using the limit equilibrium method (LEM) and the method of fast Lagrangian analysis of continua in two dimensions. The results using the LEM indicate that the stability is clearly affected by seismic shaking, and when the peak ground acceleration is 0.08 g, the slope reaches the limit state. The shear failure surface given by numerical simulation develops on the contact between the clay and silty mudstone, which confirmed the assumed sliding surfaces' location using the LEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents new methodology for correcting interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) deformation maps using GPS observables and products. The methodology presents a sequential procedure for correcting the errors presented in InSAR deformation maps such as troposphere delay, ionosphere delay and baseline error. The main target of this research is to measure land deformations with geodetic accuracy using only one L-band interferogram with the aid of GPS observables and products. The proposed methodology was tested on Tokyo bay area which has been affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The results were verified against deformations detected by GPS stations and geodetic triangulation network showing a standard deviation of 5.6 and 10.5mm, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Due to the difficulties encountered during the preparation of representative cores from fragile/intercalated/weathered/jointed rock masses for laboratory-scale testing, various in-situ test methods, such as pressuremeter, dilatometer, plate loading, plate jacking, Goodman jacking, flat jack, cable jacking tests, etc., have been developed for determining the deformation modulus of rock masses. However, almost all of these in-situ tests require time-consuming procedures, have operational difficulties, and have high costs. Therefore, rock mass classification systems and empirical equations have been developed for estimation of parameters such as the deformation modulus. In this study, dispersible, fragile, intercalated and heavily jointed chert rock mass, supporting several large-scale structures under construction in Manisa (Turkey), was classified based on RMR, GSI, and UCS as input parameters for estimation of deformation modulus using some of well-known empirical equations. Three chert rock masses with different geomechanical qualities were identified. Point load tests were performed to determine the UCS of the cherts to characterize the rock masses. The deformation modulus obtained from the Menard pressuremeter tests was compared to the modulus estimated using empirical equations. In addition, an attempt also was made to examine the dependency of the deformation modulus of the studied chert rock masses to the confining stress. Empirical relationships and equations with high correlation were obtained for predicting the deformation modulus by using input parameters such as RMR, GSI, UCS, and confining stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]