N-flation: multifield inflationary dynamics and perturbations

We carry out numerical investigations of the dynamics and perturbations in the Nflation model of Dimopoulos et al. (2005). This model features large numbers of scalar fields with different masses, which can cooperate to drive inflation according to the assisted inflation mechanism. We extend previous work to include random initial conditions for the scalar fields, and explore the predictions for density perturbations and the tensor-to-scalar ratio. The tensor-to-scalar ratio depends only on the number of e-foldings and is independent of the number of fields, their masses, and their initial conditions. It therefore always has the same value as for a single massive field. By contrast, the scalar spectral index has significant dependence on model parameters. While normally multifield inflation models make predictions for observable quantities which depend also on the unknown field initial conditions, we find evidence of a “thermodynamic“ regime whereby the predicted spectral index becomes independent of initial conditions if there are enough fields. Only in parts of parameter space where the mass spectrum of the fields is extremely densely packed is the model capable of satisfying the tight observational constraints from WMAP3 observations

Additional file 1: of Comparison of the clinical performance of the flexible laryngeal mask airway in pediatric patients under general anesthesia with or without a muscle relaxant: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

SPIRIT checklist. (DOC 123 kb

van der Waals Interactions in Layered Lithium Cobalt Oxides

The role of van der Waals (vdW) interactions in density functional theory (DFT) + <i>U</i> calculations of the layered lithium-ion battery cathode Li_<i>x</i>CoO₂ (<i>x</i> = 0–1) is investigated using (i) dispersion corrections in the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) generalized gradient approximation functional, (ii) vdW density functionals, and (iii) the Bayesian error estimation functional with vdW correlation. We find that combining vdW corrections or functionals with DFT+<i>U</i> can yield lithiation voltages, relative stabilities, and structural properties that are in much better agreement with experiments for the phases O1-CoO₂, O3-CoO₂, layered-Li_0.5CoO₂, spinel-Li_0.5CoO₂, and LiCoO₂ than using DFT+<i>U</i> or vdW-inclusive methods alone or using the hybrid Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof functional. Contributions of vdW interactions to the lithiation voltages are estimated to have a similar magnitude with that of applying a typical <i>U</i> in the range 2–4 eV for cobalt, each accounting for 5–10% of calculated voltages relative to PBE. Relative stabilities of O1 and O3-CoO₂ as well as layered- and spinel-Li_0.5CoO₂ are correctly predicted with vdW-inclusive methods combined with the +<i>U</i> correction

Additional file 1: of Partial nephrogenic diabetes insipidus associated with Castleman’s disease

Figure S1.Vasopressin challenge test. (TIF 4946 kb

Additional file 1 of Pan PPAR agonist stimulation of induced MSCs produces extracellular vesicles with enhanced renoprotective effect for acute kidney injury

Additional file 1:Table S1 Primer sequences used for qRT-PCR. Table S2 Information on the antibodies used for immunohistochemical staining. Table S3 Information on the antibodies used for immunoblotting

Additional file 2: of Aberrantly hypermethylated tumor suppressor genes were identified in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

Table S1. Selected gene primers for MSP, bisulfite sequencing, and RT-PCR analyses. (DOCX 13 kb

Additional file 1: of Aberrantly hypermethylated tumor suppressor genes were identified in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

Figure S1. Correlation between transcriptional expression by qRT-PCR and the promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes by MSP analysis in OSCC cell lines. Related to Fig. 1a. Figure S2. Protein expression levels of TFPI2, SOX17, and GATA4 in additional set of primary OSCC tumors and normal oral mucosa. Related to Fig. 5. (PPTM 3917 kb

Additional file 1 of Cargo proteins in extracellular vesicles: potential for novel therapeutics in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Additional file 1: Fig. S1. Protein expression of PPARs in iMSCs. PPARα/γ/δprotein expression in iMSCs treated with pan PPAR agonist. Human adipocyte is used as positive control. Fig. S2. Validation of gene expression in iMSCs and pan PPAR-iMSCs.Data are represented as mean ± SD. n = 4.*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01. Fig. S3. No effect of mitochondrial β-oxidation under treatment with pan PPAR-iMSC-EVs. mRNA expression of mitochondrial β-oxidation-related genes (LCAD, CPT1α, and Acsl1) in MCD-diet mouse injected pan PPAR-iMSC-EVs. Data are represented as the mean ± SD. Normal; n = 6, MCD-diet; n = 5.*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01 vs. Normal. Table S1. Sequences of primers used for real-time qPCR analysis. Table S2. Effects of the alteration of pan PPAR-iMSC-EVs treatment on serum metabolic parameters in MCD-diet mice at 4 weeks of treatment

Additional file 1: of Beyond dichotomy: patterns and amplitudes of SSEPs and neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest

Figure S1. Patterns of diffusion-weighted imaging. (DOCX 923 kb