Surprisingly Little Population Genetic Structure In A Fungus-Associated Beetle Despite Its Exploitation Of Multiple Hosts

In heterogeneous environments, landscape features directly affect the structure of genetic variation among populations by functioning as barriers to gene flow. Resource-associated population genetic structure, in which populations that use different resources (e.g., host plants) are genetically distinct, is a well-studied example of how environmental heterogeneity structures populations. However, the pattern that emerges in a given landscape should depend on its particular combination of resources. If resources constitute barriers to gene flow, population differentiation should be lowest in homogeneous landscapes, and highest where resources exist in equal proportions. In this study, we tested whether host community diversity affects population genetic structure in a beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus) that exploits three sympatric host fungi. We collected B.cornutus from plots containing the three host fungi in different proportions and quantified population genetic structure in each plot using a panel of microsatellite loci. We found no relationship between host community diversity and population differentiation in this species; however, we also found no evidence of resource-associated differentiation, suggesting that host fungi are not substantial barriers to gene flow. Moreover, we detected no genetic differentiation among B.cornutus populations separated by several kilometers, even though a previous study demonstrated moderate genetic structure on the scale of a few hundred meters. Although we found no effect of community diversity on population genetic structure in this study, the role of host communities in the structuring of genetic variation in heterogeneous landscapes should be further explored in a species that exhibits resource-associated population genetic structure

A case of episcleral tattooing – an emerging body modification trend

In 2007 an article was published describing the first forays into the practice of episcleral tattooing. Currently only a handful of people worldwide have undergone this procedure, whereby a needle is used to inject dye under the bulbar conjunctiva. To date there have been no previous reports of the risks and complications of this emerging practice in the medical literature. We present a case involving a complication that arose in one of the few people in Britain to have undergone episcleral tattooing for cosmetic purposes

A proposal for a new type of thin-film field-emission display by edge breakdown of MIS structure

A new type of field emission display(FED) based on an edge-enhance electron emission from metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) thin film structure is proposed. The electrons produced by an avalanche breakdown in the semiconductor near the edge of a top metal electrode are initially injected to the thin film of an insulator with a negative electron affinity (NEA), and then are injected into vacuum in proximity to the top electrode edge. The condition for the deep-depletition breakdown near the edge of the top metal electrode is analytically found in terms of ratio of the insulator thickness to the maximum (breakdown) width of the semiconductor depletition region: this ratio should be less than 2/(3 \pi - 2) = 0.27. The influence of a neighboring metal electrode and an electrode thickness on this condition are analyzed. Different practical schemes of the proposed display with a special reference to M/CaF_2/Si structure are considered.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

The Globular Cluster System of the Virgo Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy VCC 1087

We have analysed the globular cluster (GC) system of the nucleated dwarf elliptical galaxy VCC 1087 in the Virgo cluster, based on Keck/LRIS spectroscopy and archival HST/ACS imaging. We estimate VCC 1087 hosts a total population of 77+/-19 GCs, which corresponds to a relatively high V-band specific frequency of 5.8+/-1.4. The g-z color distribution of the GCs shows a blue (metal-poor) peak with a tail of redder (metal-rich) clusters similar in color to those seen in luminous ellipticals. Spectroscopy of a subsample of 12 GCs suggests that the GC system is old and coeval (~10 Gyr), with a fairly broad metallicity distribution (-1.8<[m/H]<-0.8). In contrast, an integrated spectrum of the underlying galaxy starlight reveals that its optical luminosity is dominated by metal-rich, intermediate-aged stars. Radial velocities of the GCs suggest rotation close to the major axis of the galaxy, and this rotation is dynamically significant with (v/sigma)^* >1. A compilation of the kinematics of the GC systems of 9 early-type galaxies shows surprising diversity in the v/sigma parameter for GC systems. In this context, the GC system of VCC 1087 exhibits the most significant rotation to velocity dispersion signature. Modeling the velocity dispersion profile of the GCs and galaxy stars suggest fairly constant mass-to-light ratios of ~3 out to 6.5 kpc. The present observations can entertain both baryonic and non-baryonic solutions, and GC velocities at larger radii would be most valuable with regard to this issue. We discuss the evolution of VCC 1087 in terms of the galaxy ``harassment'' scenario, and conclude that this galaxy may well be the remains of a faded, tidally perturbed Sc spiral [abridged].Comment: 17 pages, 13 figures, to appear in the A

Symmetry-projected variational approach for ground and excited states of the two-dimensional Hubbard model

We present a symmetry-projected configuration mixing scheme to describe ground and excited states, with well defined quantum numbers, of the two-dimensional Hubbard model with nearestneighbor hopping and periodic boundary conditions. Results for the half-filled 2{\times}4, 4{\times}4, and 6{\times}6 lattices, as well as doped 4 {\times} 4 systems, compare well with available results, both exact and from other state-of-the-art approximations. We report spectral functions and density of states obtained from a well-controlled ansatz for the (Ne {\pm} 1)-electron system. Symmetry projected methods have been widely used for the many-body nuclear physics problem but have received little attention in the solid state community. Given their relatively low (mean-field) computational cost and the high quality of results here reported, we believe that they deserve further scrutiny

The True NTH prostate cancer survivorship care programme: development and evaluation of a model for delivering follow up care to men with prostate cancer

42 Background: Increasing use of prostate specific antigen (PSA), improvements in treatment and aging population have led to the escalating incidence of prostate cancer. 5 year survival rate is relatively high and men who have completed treatment require long-term follow-up to detect recurrence or progression of disease, monitor adverse effects of treatment and identify and address psychosocial needs. Studies demonstrate men have a range of unmet physical and psychosocial needs, and health services are struggling to cope with the growing numbers. Changes is critical for long-term sustainability of the health system in many developed nations Methods: This presentation presents a model of follow up care centered on remote surveillance of PSA combined with promoting patient self-management. This initiative is part of the True NTH programme of developments initiated in the UK with funding from Movember Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK. Traditional face to face clinic follow up consultations are replaced with: patient directed individually tailored care and surveillance programme which involves: a 4 hour preparatory patient workshop, remote assessment of unmet needs and symptoms and surveillance of PSA, patient information resources, survivorship care plan, communication of treatment summary and management plan to primary care, and rapid recall system for assessment in secondary care should the need arise. The care programme is mediated through clinician and patient access to an IT portal enabling communication. Results: The second part of the presentation will describe the evaluation protocol. A historical cohort design is comparing a group of men receiving clinic follow up care (N = 300) with men enrolled on the care programme (N = 300) in 3 centers. Patient-reported outcomes are collected at baseline, 4 months and 8 months. Health economic evaluation will compare costs of clinic based follow up with those of the care programme from both a health service and patient perspective. Conclusions: The evaluation will generate data on impact, acceptability and cost of this model of follow-up care. </jats:p

Three-point Green function of the stress-energy tensor in the AdS/CFT correspondence

We compute the 3-point function of the stress-energy tensor in the d-dimensional CFT from the AdS_{d+1} gravity. For d=4 the coefficients of the three linearly independent conformally covariant forms entering the 3-point function are exactly the same as given by the free field computations in the ${\cal N}=4$ SYM just as expected from the known renormalization theorems. For d=3 and d=6 our results give the value of the corresponding 3-point function in the theories of strongly coupled ${\cal N}=8$ superconformal scalar and (2,0) tensor multiplets respectively.Comment: Latex, 13 pages, eq. (2.10) is correcte