Koszul duality and mixed Hodge modules

We prove that on a certain class of smooth complex varieties (those with "affine even stratifications"), the category of mixed Hodge modules is "almost" Koszul: it becomes Koszul after a few unwanted extensions are eliminated. We also give an equivalence between perverse sheaves on such a variety and modules for a certain graded ring, obtaining a formality result as a corollary. For flag varieties, these results were proved earlier by Beilinson-Ginzburg-Soergel using a rather different construction.Comment: 26 pages. v4: added Proposition 3.9; streamlined Section 4; other minor correction

Micro-Analysis of D/H Ratios in Mantle Minerals by Carrier-Gas Mass Spectrometry

Isotopic analysis of water released by vacuum heating of hydrous minerals and sub-marine basaltic glasses indicates that they vary in δD_(SMOW) between ca. +10 and -115 per mil (e.g., [1]). However, with few exceptions variations within that range are not well correlated with other geochemical and geologic properties and it is debated whether they reflect isotopic heterogeneity in the mantle, fractionations produced during ascent to the surface, or sub-solidus alteration. This ambiguity is at least partly due to the large sample size and slow rate of conventional analyses, which precludes linking isotopic ranges to grain-scale petrographic variables or constructing large data bases (many 10’s of samples) in a reasonable period of time. Ion microprobe methods provide one solution to these problems, although they suffer from analytical uncertainties nominally 5 to 10 times worse than conventional measurements and large fractionations that can be a source of systematic error

Development of cavernous haemangioma following radical chemo-radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective: We report an adult case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with radical chemo-radiotherapy, with subsequent development of a histologically proved temporal cavernous haemangioma within the radiation field. Method: Case report and review of the current literature concerning radiation-induced, secondary, space-occupying lesions. Conclusion: The increasing role of radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment, together with improved patient survival, is likely to lead to radiation-induced, secondary, space-occupying lesions being encountered more frequently. We emphasise the need to be vigilant for this important but relatively rare complication, which has significant associated morbidity

Effect of nitriding time on the structural evolution and properties of austenitic stainless steel nitrided using high power pulsed DC glow discharge Ar/N2 plasma

A high power pulsed DC glow discharge plasma (HPPGDP) system was employed to perform fast nitriding of AISI 316 austenitic stainless steel in Ar and N2 atmosphere. In-situ optical emission spectroscopy and Infrared pyrometer measurements were used during the plasma nitriding to investigate the effect of dynamic plasma on the nitriding behaviour. SEM and EDX, XRD, Knoop indentation, and tribo-tests were used to characterise microstructures and properties of the nitrided austenitic stainless steel samples. HPPGDP produced high ionization of both Ar and N2 in the plasma that corresponded to dense ion bombardment on the biased steel samples to induce effective plasma surface heating and to form high nitrogen concentration on the biased steel surfaces, and therefore fast nitriding (> 10µm/hour) was achieved. Various phases were identified on the nitrided stainless steel samples formed from a predominantly a single phase of nitrogen supersaturated austenite to a multi-phase structure comprising chromium nitride, iron nitride and ferrite dependent on the nitriding time. All the nitrided AISI 316 austenitic stainless steel samples were evaluated with high hardness (up to 17.3 GPa) and exceptional sliding wear resistance against hardened steel balls and tungsten carbide balls

Epidrug mediated re-expression of miRNA targeting the HMGA transcripts in pituitary cells

Transgenic mice overexpressing the high mobility group A (HMGA) genes, Hmga1 or Hmga2 develop pituitary tumours and their overexpression is also a frequent finding in human pituitary adenomas. In some cases, increased expression of HMGA2 but not that of HMGA1 is consequent to genetic perturbations. However, recent studies show that down-regulation of microRNA (miRNA), that contemporaneously target the HMGA1 and HMGA2 transcripts, are associated with their overexpression. In a cohort of primary pituitary adenoma we determine the impact of epigenetic modifications on the expression of HMGA-targeting miRNA. For these miRNAs, chromatin immunoprecipitations showed that transcript down-regulation is correlated with histone tail modifications associated with condensed silenced genes. The functional impact of epigenetic modification on miRNA expression was determined in the rodent pituitary cell line, GH3. In these cells, histone tail, miRNA-associated, modifications were similar to those apparent in human adenoma and likely account for their repression. Indeed, challenge of GH3 cells with the epidrugs, zebularine and TSA, led to enrichment of the histone modification, H3K9Ac, associated with active genes, and depletion of the modification, H3K27me3, associated with silent genes and re-expression of HMGA-targeting miRNA. Moreover, epidrugs challenges were also associated with a concomitant decrease in hmga1 transcript and protein levels and concurrent increase in bmp-4 expression. These findings show that the inverse relationship between HMGA expression and targeting miRNA is reversible through epidrug interventions. In addition to showing a mechanistic link between epigenetic modifications and miRNA expression these findings underscore their potential as therapeutic targets in this and other diseases

XTE J0111.2-7317 : a nebula-embedded X-ray binary in the SMC

The observed characteristics of the nebulosity surrounding the SMC High Mass X-ray Binary XTE J0111.2-7317 are examined in the context of three possible nebular types: SNR, bowshock and HII region. Observational evidence is presented which appears to support the interpretation that the nebulosity surrounding XTE J0111.2-7317 is an HII region. The source therefore appears to be a normal SMC Be X-ray binary (BeXRB) embedded in a locally enhanced ISM which it has photoionised to create an HII region. This is supported by observations of the X-ray outburst seen with BATSE and RXTE in 1998-1999. It exhibited characteristics typical of a giant or type II outburst in a BeXRB including large spin-up rates, Lx~10E38 erg/sq.cm-s, and a correlation between spin-up rate and pulsed flux. However, the temporal profile of the outburst was unusual, consisting of two similar intensity peaks, with the first peak of shorter duration than the second.Comment: Accepted for publication by MNRA

Sceptical Employees as CSR Ambassadors in Times of Financial Uncertainty

This chapter offers new insights into the understanding of internal (employee) perceptions of organizational corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and strategies. This study explores the significance of employees’ involvement and scepticism upon CSR initiatives and focuses on the effects it may have upon word of mouth (WOM) and the development of employee–organisation relationships. Desk research introduces the research questions. Data for the research questions were gathered through a self-completion questionnaire distributed in a hardcopy form to the sample. An individual’s level of scepticism and involvement appears to affect the development of a positive effect on employees’ WOM. Involvement with the domain of the investment may be a central factor affecting relationship building within the organization, and upon generation of positive WOM. The chapter offers a conceptual framework to public relations (PR) and corporate communications practitioners, which may enrich their views and understanding of the use and value of CSR for communication strategies and practices. For-profit organisations are major institutions in today’s society. CSR is proffered as presenting advantages for (at macro level) society and (micro level) the organization and its employees. Concepts, such as involvement and scepticism, which have not been rigorously examined in PR and corporate communication literature, are addressed. By examining employee perceptions, managers and academic researchers gain insights into the acceptance, appreciation and effectiveness of CSR policies and activities upon the employee stakeholder group. This will affect current and future CSR communication strategies. The knowledge acquired from this chapter may be transferable outside the for-profit sector

Don\u27t Break the Safety Valve\u27s Heart: How the Seventh Circuit Superimposes Substantial Assistance on the Mandatory Minimum Safety Valve\u27s Complete Truthful Disclosure Requirement

Congress passed the safety valve to mitigate the disparate and often harsh sentences mandatory minimums impose on low-level drug defendants. But judicial interpretation continues to impose disparate sentences. In 2014, in United States v. Acevedo-Fitz, the Seventh Circuit reaffirmed its position in an ongoing circuit split regarding the safety valve. The safety valve requires defendants to meet five criteria, the fifth—sometimes called the heart of the safety valve—requires defendants provide complete truthful disclosure to prosecutors prior to sentencing. Judges interpret this requirement as imposing a burden on defendants to prove they met all five criteria without requiring the government to prove a defendant failed to provide complete truthful disclosure. The circuit split regards whether a defendant may lie before telling the truth and still qualify for the safety valve. The Seventh Circuit holds one lie precludes safety valve relief. It imposes an additional restriction, essentially adding a prerequisite that defendants substantially assist prosecutors. However, Congress passed the safety valve because the substantial assistance provision failed to assist low-level defendants, and the plain language of the safety valve imposes no requirements that the truthful disclosure assist the government. This reading frustrates Congressional intent, as many other circuits recognize. To comport with Congressional intent, the Seventh Circuit should utilize a plain-language reading of the statute, and not superimpose a substantial assistance prerequisite on the fifth element of the safety valve

Don\u27t Break the Safety Valve\u27s Heart: How the Seventh Circuit Superimposes Substantial Assistance on the Mandatory Minimum Safety Valve\u27s Complete Truthful Disclosure Requirement

Congress passed the safety valve to mitigate the disparate and often harsh sentences mandatory minimums impose on low-level drug defendants. But judicial interpretation continues to impose disparate sentences. In 2014, in United States v. Acevedo-Fitz, the Seventh Circuit reaffirmed its position in an ongoing circuit split regarding the safety valve. The safety valve requires defendants to meet five criteria, the fifth—sometimes called the heart of the safety valve—requires defendants provide complete truthful disclosure to prosecutors prior to sentencing. Judges interpret this requirement as imposing a burden on defendants to prove they met all five criteria without requiring the government to prove a defendant failed to provide complete truthful disclosure. The circuit split regards whether a defendant may lie before telling the truth and still qualify for the safety valve. The Seventh Circuit holds one lie precludes safety valve relief. It imposes an additional restriction, essentially adding a prerequisite that defendants substantially assist prosecutors. However, Congress passed the safety valve because the substantial assistance provision failed to assist low-level defendants, and the plain language of the safety valve imposes no requirements that the truthful disclosure assist the government. This reading frustrates Congressional intent, as many other circuits recognize. To comport with Congressional intent, the Seventh Circuit should utilize a plain-language reading of the statute, and not superimpose a substantial assistance prerequisite on the fifth element of the safety valve