Knuth-Bendix algorithm and the conjugacy problems in monoids

We present an algorithmic approach to the conjugacy problems in monoids, using rewriting systems. We extend the classical theory of rewriting developed by Knuth and Bendix to a rewriting that takes into account the cyclic conjugates.Comment: This is a new version of the paper 'The conjugacy problems in monoids and semigroups'. This version will appear in the journal 'Semigroup forum

Influence of a temperature-dependent shear viscosity on the azimuthal asymmetries of transverse momentum spectra in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions

We study the influence of a temperature-dependent shear viscosity over entropy density ratio $\eta/s$, different shear relaxation times $\tau_\pi$, as well as different initial conditions on the transverse momentum spectra of charged hadrons and identified particles. We investigate the azimuthal flow asymmetries as a function of both collision energy and centrality. The elliptic flow coefficient turns out to be dominated by the hadronic viscosity at RHIC energies. Only at higher collision energies the impact of the viscosity in the QGP phase is visible in the flow asymmetries. Nevertheless, the shear viscosity near the QCD transition region has the largest impact on the collective flow of the system. We also find that the centrality dependence of the elliptic flow is sensitive to the temperature dependence of $\eta/s$.Comment: 13 pages, 20 figure

Counting Hamilton cycles in sparse random directed graphs

Let D(n,p) be the random directed graph on n vertices where each of the n(n-1) possible arcs is present independently with probability p. A celebrated result of Frieze shows that if $p\ge(\log n+\omega(1))/n$ then D(n,p) typically has a directed Hamilton cycle, and this is best possible. In this paper, we obtain a strengthening of this result, showing that under the same condition, the number of directed Hamilton cycles in D(n,p) is typically $n!(p(1+o(1)))^{n}$. We also prove a hitting-time version of this statement, showing that in the random directed graph process, as soon as every vertex has in-/out-degrees at least 1, there are typically $n!(\log n/n(1+o(1)))^{n}$ directed Hamilton cycles

Changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards cytomegalovirus in pregnancy through film-based antenatal education: a feasibility randomised controlled trial of a digital educational intervention

Background Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection globally, however information about CMV is not routinely included in antenatal education in the United Kingdom. This feasibility study aimed to gather the essential data needed to design and power a large randomised controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the efficacy of a digital intervention in reducing the risk of CMV acquisition in pregnancy. In order to do this, we carried out a single-centre RCT, which explored the knowledge, attitudes and risk reduction behaviours in women in the intervention and treatment as usual groups, pre- and post-intervention. Methods CMV seronegative women living with a child less than four years old, receiving antenatal care at a single UK tertiary centre, were randomised to the digital intervention or ‘treatment as usual’ groups. Participants completed questionnaires before the digital intervention and after and at 34 gestational weeks, and responses within groups and between groups were compared using tailored randomisation tests. CMV serology was tested in the first trimester and at the end of pregnancy. Results Of the 878 women screened, 865 samples were analysed with 43% (n = 372) being CMV seronegative and therefore eligible to take part in the RCT; of these, 103 (27.7%) women were enrolled and 87 (84%) of these completed the study. Most participants (n = 66; 64%) were unfamiliar with CMV at enrolment, however at 34 gestational weeks, women in the intervention group (n = 51) were more knowledgeable about CMV compared to the treatment as usual group (n = 52) and reported engaging in activities that may increase the risk of CMV transmission less frequently. The digital intervention was highly acceptable to pregnant women. Overall, four participants seroconverted over the course of the study: two from each study group. Conclusions A large multi-centre RCT investigating the efficacy of a CMV digital intervention is feasible in the United Kingdom; this study has generated essential data upon which to power such a study. This single-centre feasibility RCT demonstrates that a digital educational intervention is associated with increase in knowledge about CMV and can result in behaviour change which may reduce the risk of CMV acquisition in pregnancy

Vortex solutions in axial or chiral coupled non-relativistic spinor- Chern-Simons theory

The interaction of a spin 1/2 particle (described by the non-relativistic "Dirac" equation of L\'evy-Leblond) with Chern-Simons gauge fields is studied. It is shown, that similarly to the four dimensional spinor models, there is a consistent possibility of coupling them also by axial or chiral type currents. Static self dual vortex solutions together with a vortex-lattice are found with the new couplings.Comment: Plain TEX, 10 page

Investigation of the in-vitro loading on an artificial spinal disk prosthesis

Spinal diseases imposes considerable burden to both patients and society. In recent years, much surgical efforts have been made in advancing the treatment of neck and back pain. Of particular prominence is the increasing clinical acceptance and use of intervertebral artificial disk prosthesis for the treatment of discogenic back pain. Despite this increased use of such disks, their in-vivo monitoring remains rudimentary. In an effort to develop an intelligent artificial spinal disk where the in-vivo loading of the spine can by studied for the first time an experimental set up has been created in order to initially study the in-vitro loading on an artificial disc prosthesis. Eight strain gauges and two piezoresistive sensors were used and placed suitably in the artificial disk prosthesis. The results from the in-vitro loading showed linear relationship between loading and the outputs from the sensors with good repeatability and less hysteresis

Pathophysiological implications of urinary peptides in hepatocellular carcinoma

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In this study, the application of capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry enabled identification of 31 urinary peptides significantly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and prognosis. Further assessment of these peptides lead to prediction of cellular proteases involved in their development namely Meprin A subunit α and Kallikrein-6. Subsequent identification of the proteases was verified by immunohistochemistry in normal liver, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Histopathological assessment of the proteases revealed numerical gradient staining signifying their involvement in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma formation. The discovered urinary peptides offered a potential noninvasive tool for diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. ABSTRACT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known to be associated with protein alterations and extracellular fibrous deposition. We investigated the urinary proteomic profiles of HCC patients in this prospective cross sectional multicentre study. 195 patients were recruited from the UK (Coventry) and Germany (Hannover) between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2019. Out of these, 57 were HCC patients with a background of liver cirrhosis (LC) and 138 were non-HCC controls; 72 patients with LC, 57 with non-cirrhotic liver disease and 9 with normal liver function. Analysis of the urine samples was performed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). Peptide sequences were obtained and 31 specific peptide markers for HCC were identified and further integrated into a multivariate classification model. The peptide model demonstrated 79.5% sensitivity and 85.1% specificity (95% CI: 0.81–0.93, p < 0.0001) for HCC and 4.1-fold increased risk of death (95% CI: 1.7–9.8, p = 0.0005). Proteases potentially involved in HCC progression were mapped to the N- and C-terminal sequence motifs of the CE-MS peptide markers. In silico protease prediction revealed that kallikrein-6 (KLK6) elicits increased activity, whilst Meprin A subunit α (MEP1A) has reduced activity in HCC compared to the controls. Tissue expression of KLK6 and MEP1A was subsequently verified by immunohistochemistry

Decadal changes of the Western Arabian sea ecosystem

Historical data from oceanographic expeditions and remotely sensed data on outgoing longwave radiation, temperature, wind speed and ocean color in the western Arabian Sea (1950–2010) were used to investigate decadal trends in the physical and biochemical properties of the upper 300 m. 72 % of the 29,043 vertical profiles retrieved originated from USA and UK expeditions. Increasing outgoing longwave radiation, surface air temperatures and sea surface temperature were identified on decadal timescales. These were well correlated with decreasing wind speeds associated with a reduced Siberian High atmospheric anomaly. Shoaling of the oxycline and nitracline was observed as well as acidification of the upper 300 m. These physical and chemical changes were accompanied by declining chlorophyll-a concentrations, vertical macrofaunal habitat compression, declining sardine landings and an increase of fish kill incidents along the Omani coast