Detection of molecular microwave transitions in the 3 mm wavelength range in comet Kohoutek (1973f)

Observations of comet Kohoutek made with a 3-mm line receiver mounted on the 11-m NRAO radio dish at Kitt Peak are presented. The detection of line transitions of hydrogen cyanide and methyl cyanide is reported and discussed along with the variability of neutral gas jets. Microwave transitions in molecules of cometary origin are also examined

The whole story: treatment outcomes with Symbicort®

AbstractAsthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that has a considerable socioeconomic impact. Asthma management guidelines have been introduced to help provide better long-term control of asthma. Although recommended guidelines may increase the direct medication costs, the overall direct costs of asthma may be reduced due to fewer exacerbations. In addition, indirect costs due to lost productivity and mortality are reduced and patients have an improved quality of life. Inhaled corticosteroids are first-line therapy in the treatment of persistent asthma. Against this background, we have assessed the cost-effectiveness of Symbicort® (budesonide and formoterol in a single inhaler), atreatmentthat provides better control of asthma compared with budesonide alone.While the prescribing costs of Symbicort® were found to be higher than for budesonide alone, these were partially offset by reduced costs due to fewer asthma exacerbations and a reduced need for other medications. Combined long-term therapy with budesonide and formoterol also improves patient quality of life compared with budesonide alone. Two other factors associated with asthma treatment success and cost-effectiveness are patient/physician education and good patient adherence to prescribed therapy. The introduction of a single inhaler that is easy to use in simple treatment regimens may improve patient adherence to prescribed medication, thus resulting in improved asthma control and fewer exacerbations.Treatment with Symbicort® is more cost-effective than treatment with budesonide alone

Distinct magnetotransport and orbital fingerprints of chiral bobbers

While chiral magnetic skyrmions have been attracting significant attention in the past years, recently, a new type of a chiral particle emerging in thin films $-$ a chiral bobber $-$ has been theoretically predicted and experimentally observed. Here, based on theoretical arguments, we provide a clear pathway to utilizing chiral bobbers for the purposes of future spintronics by uncovering that these novel chiral states possess inherent transport fingerprints that allow for their unambiguous electrical detection in systems comprising several types of chiral states. We reveal that unique transport and orbital characteristics of bobbers root in the non-trivial magnetization distribution in the vicinity of the Bloch points, and demonstrate that tuning the details of the Bloch point topology can be used to drastically alter the emergent response properties of chiral bobbers to external fields, which bears great potential for engineering chiral dynamics and cognitive computing.Comment: Supplementary available upon reques

Estimating good discrete partitions from observed data: symbolic false nearest neighbors

A symbolic analysis of observed time series data requires making a discrete partition of a continuous state space containing observations of the dynamics. A particular kind of partition, called ``generating'', preserves all dynamical information of a deterministic map in the symbolic representation, but such partitions are not obvious beyond one dimension, and existing methods to find them require significant knowledge of the dynamical evolution operator or the spectrum of unstable periodic orbits. We introduce a statistic and algorithm to refine empirical partitions for symbolic state reconstruction. This method optimizes an essential property of a generating partition: avoiding topological degeneracies. It requires only the observed time series and is sensible even in the presence of noise when no truly generating partition is possible. Because of its resemblance to a geometrical statistic frequently used for reconstructing valid time-delay embeddings, we call the algorithm ``symbolic false nearest neighbors''

A role for fast rhythmic bursting neurons in cortical gamma oscillations in vitro

Basic cellular and network mechanisms underlying gamma frequency oscillations (30–80 Hz) have been well characterized in the hippocampus and associated structures. In these regions, gamma rhythms are seen as an emergent property of networks of principal cells and fast-spiking interneurons. In contrast, in the neocortex a number of elegant studies have shown that specific types of principal neuron exist that are capable of generating powerful gamma frequency outputs on the basis of their intrinsic conductances alone. These fast rhythmic bursting (FRB) neurons (sometimes referred to as "chattering" cells) are activated by sensory stimuli and generate multiple action potentials per gamma period. Here, we demonstrate that FRB neurons may function by providing a large-scale input to an axon plexus consisting of gap-junctionally connected axons from both FRB neurons and their anatomically similar counterparts regular spiking neurons. The resulting network gamma oscillation shares all of the properties of gamma oscillations generated in the hippocampus but with the additional critical dependence on multiple spiking in FRB cells

Cardiac arrhythmias and electrolyte disturbances in colic horses

BACKGROUND: Despite increased focus on cardiac arrhythmias in horses, the nature and prevalence is still poorly described. Case reports suggest that arrhythmias occurring secondary to systemic disease are seen more commonly in the clinic than arrhythmias caused by cardiac disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of arrhythmias in colic horses referred for hospital treatment. Associations between electrolyte disturbances and arrhythmias were also investigated. The study population consisted of eight control horses and 22 referred colic horses. A Holter electrocardiography (ECG) was recorded during the first 24 hours of admission. The ECG’s were analysed by a software program followed by manual visual inspection. Arrhythmias registered included second degree atrioventricular (AV) blocks, supraventricular premature complexes (SVPCs), and ventricular premature complexes (VPCs). Blood was collected at admission and again between 12 and 24 hours after ECG was applied, and analysed for concentrations of potassium, sodium, ionised calcium, chloride, glucose, and L-lactate. RESULTS: Heart rate was 37.4 ± 3.7 bpm in the control group, and 51.6 ± 11.8 bpm, in the colic group, which was significantly different (P < 0.0001). AV blocks and SVPCs were found in both groups, however only colic horses showed VPCs. No significant difference between the two groups was found for AV blocks, SVPCs, and VPCs (P = 0.08 - 0.76). The mean levels of potassium, sodium, ionized calcium, and chloride were significantly lower in the colic group compared to the control group at admission. Mean levels of glucose and L-lactate were significantly elevated in the colic group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study describes prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias and electrolytes concentrations in colic horses compared to healthy controls. Although we only observed VPCs in the colic horses, no significant differences between colic horses and controls were found. Despite the colic horses having electrolyte changes at admission no correlation was found between the electrolyte disturbances and cardiac arrhythmias. Although no clear conclusions can be drawn from the present study, the results indicate that relatively mild colic per se is not pro-arrhythmogenic, whereas severe colic probably are more likely to result in ventricular arrhythmia