Coalescent simulation in continuous space:Algorithms for large neighbourhood size

Many species have an essentially continuous distribution in space, in which there are no natural divisions between randomly mating subpopulations. Yet, the standard approach to modelling these populations is to impose an arbitrary grid of demes, adjusting deme sizes and migration rates in an attempt to capture the important features of the population. Such indirect methods are required because of the failure of the classical models of isolation by distance, which have been shown to have major technical flaws. A recently introduced model of extinction and recolonisation in two dimensions solves these technical problems, and provides a rigorous technical foundation for the study of populations evolving in a spatial continuum. The coalescent process for this model is simply stated, but direct simulation is very inefficient for large neighbourhood sizes. We present efficient and exact algorithms to simulate this coalescent process for arbitrary sample sizes and numbers of loci, and analyse these algorithms in detail

Nucleon-Nucleon Interactions from Dispersion Relations: Coupled Partial Waves

We consider nucleon-nucleon interactions from chiral effective field theory applying the N/D method. The case of coupled partial waves is now treated, extending Ref. [1] where the uncoupled case was studied. As a result three N/D elastic-like equations have to be solved for every set of three independent partial waves coupled. As in the previous reference the input for this method is the discontinuity along the left-hand cut of the nucleon-nucleon partial wave amplitudes. It can be calculated perturbatively in chiral perturbation theory because it involves only irreducible two-nucleon intermediate states. We apply here our method to the leading order result consisting of one-pion exchange as the source for the discontinuity along the left-hand cut. The linear integral equations for the N/D method must be solved in the presence of L - 1 constraints, with L the orbital angular momentum, in order to satisfy the proper threshold behavior for L>= 2. We dedicate special attention to satisfy the requirements of unitarity in coupled channels. We also focus on the specific issue of the deuteron pole position in the 3S1-3D1 scattering. Our final amplitudes are based on dispersion relations and chiral effective field theory, being independent of any explicit regulator. They are amenable to a systematic improvement order by order in the chiral expansion.Comment: 11 pages. Extends the work of uncoupled partial waves of M. Albaladejo and J. A. Oller, Phys. Rev. C 84, 054009 (2011) to the case of coupled partial waves. This version matches the published version. Discussion about the deuteron enlarged. Some references adde

Exploring the cellular accumulation of metal complexes

Transition metal complexes offer great potential as diagnostic and therapeutic agents, and a growing number of biological applications have been explored. To be effective, these complexes must reach their intended target inside the cell. Here we review the cellular accumulation of metal complexes, including their uptake, localization, and efflux. Metal complexes are taken up inside cells through various mechanisms, including passive diffusion and entry through organic and metal transporters. Emphasis is placed on the methods used to examine cellular accumulation, to identify the mechanism(s) of uptake, and to monitor possible efflux. Conjugation strategies that have been employed to improve the cellular uptake characteristics of metal complexes are also described

Older Adults at Risk for Atrial Fibrillation Lack Knowledge and Confidence to Seek Treatment for Signs and Symptoms.

Early detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is crucial for averting AF-related stroke and heart failure, but treatment is delayed when AF is not recognized. The critical need for early detection and treatment requires education to promote AF awareness. Knowledge deficits, attitudes, and beliefs about AF that should be addressed to improve awareness and reduce treatment-seeking delay in older adults at risk for developing AF have not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to describe knowledge, treatment-seeking attitudes, and beliefs about AF in adults ⩾ 65 years old and identify demographic characteristics associated with knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Patients with no history of AF recruited from an academic medical center were interviewed using the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs about Atrial Fibrillation Survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t tests. Participants (N = 180) were 63% male with a mean age of ±3.± 6.0 years, and 52% held ⩾ 4-year college degree. About one third could not identify common symptoms of AF including palpitations (31%), chest pain (36%), dyspnea (30%), and fatigue (35%). A majority (84%) lacked confidence to recognize AF, and 58% were not sure when they should seek care for AF symptoms. Nearly a third (32%) believed palpitations are always present with AF, and 74% believed that low energy would not be their only symptom of AF. Higher scores for AF Symptom Knowledge (p = .02) were observed in females, and General Knowledge about AF was greater for younger participants (p < .001). Participants lacked knowledge and confidence to aid decision-making for treatment-seeking for symptoms of AF and held inaccurate beliefs about AF that could hinder early treatment-seeking. Programs to promote AF awareness should explain the spectrum of symptoms that may be manifested by AF and include action plans for responding to symptoms

Amniotic Fluid Ingestion Enhances\ud Opioid-Mediated But Not\ud Nonopioid-Mediated Analgesia

Ingestion of amniotic fluid or placenta by rats has been shown to enhance several types of opioid-mediated analgesia: that induced by morphine, footshock, vaginal/cervical stimulation, and late pregnancy. This enhancement has also been blocked by administration of opioid antagonists. The present study was designed to examine further the specificity of the enhancement effect for opioid-mediated analgesia by testing for enhancement following administration of aspirin, a nonopioid analgesic. The formalin test was used as the pain threshold assay. Amniotic fluid or beef bouillon was administered by orogastric tube to rats that were treated either with morphine sulfate or saline. or pretreated with naltrexone, then treated with aspirin or vehicle. Both morphine and aspirin treatments produced analgesia. Amniotic fluid significantly enhanced the analgesia produced by morphine, but did not enhance the analgesia produced by aspirin, further suggesting that the enhancing effect of amniotic fluid ingestion is specific for opioid-mediated analgesia, such as that existing at the start of parturition

Low-background temperature sensors fabricated on parylene substrates

Temperature sensors fabricated from ultra-low radioactivity materials have been developed for low-background experiments searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay and the interactions of WIMP dark matter. The sensors consist of electrical traces photolithographically-patterned onto substrates of vapor-deposited parylene. They are demonstrated to function as expected, to do so reliably and robustly, and to be highly radio-pure. This work is a proof-of-concept study of a technology that can be applied to broad class of electronic circuits used in low-background experiments

Clustering in Real Estate Prices: Determinants and Consequences

We examine the determinants and consequences of price clustering. Real estate list and transaction prices exhibit two price-ending characteristics: even (000-ending) and just-below-even (900-ending). The use of even-ending prices is negatively related to the precision of the price estimates and the cost of rounding. However, the tendency to use just-below-even-ending prices is related to the cost of rounding and to listing agency characteristics. The transaction price and the number of days on market are associated with list price clustering and with listing agency characteristics. Most properties are listed at just-below-even-ending prices, but those listed at even-ending prices sell faster and at a higher price. Finally, better transaction outcomes are positively associated with the number of area-properties listed by the seller?s real-estate agency.

A Search for Low Surface Brightness Structure Around Compact Narrow Emission Line Galaxies

As the most extreme members of the rapidly evolving faint blue galaxy population at intermediate redshift, the compact narrow emission line galaxies (CNELGs) are intrinsically luminous (-22 < M_B < -18) with narrow emission linewidths (30 < \sigma < 125 km/s). Their nature is heavily debated: they may be low-mass starbursting galaxies that will fade to present-day dwarf galaxies or bursts of star formation temporarily dominating the flux of more massive galaxies, possibly related to in situ bulge formation or the formation of cores of galaxies. We present deep, high-quality (~0.6 - 0.8 arcsec) images with CFHT of 27 CNELGs. One galaxy shows clear evidence for a tidal tail; the others are not unambiguously embedded in galactic disks. Approximately 55% of the CNELGS have sizes consistent with local dwarfs of small-to-intermediate sizes, while 45% have sizes consistent with large dwarfs or disks galaxies. At least 4 CNELGs cannot harbor substantial underlying disk material; they are low-luminosity galaxies at the present epoch (M_B > -18). Conversely, 15 are not blue enough to fade to low-luminosity dwarfs (M_B > -15.2). The majority of the CNELGs are consistent with progenitors of intermediate-luminosity dwarfs and low-luminosity spiral galaxies with small disks. CNELGs are a heterogeneous progenitor population with significant fractions (up to 44%) capable of fading into today's faint dwarfs (M_B > -15.2), while 15 to 85% may only experience an apparently extremely compact CNELG phase at intermediate redshift but remain more luminous galaxies at the present epoch.Comment: 16 pages, 14 figures, emulateapj, published in Ap