The pluricomplex Poisson kernel for strongly convex domains

Let D be a bounded strongly convex domain in the complex space of dimension n. For a fixed point p epsilon partial derivative D, we consider the solution of a homogeneous complex Monge-Ampere equation with a simple pole at p. We prove that such a solution enjoys many properties of the classical Poisson kernel in the unit disc and thus deserves to be called the pluricomplex Poisson kernel of D with pole at p. In particular we discuss extremality properties (such as a generalization of the classical Phragmen-Lindelof theorem), relations with the pluricomplex Green function of D, uniqueness in terms of the associated foliation and boundary behaviors. Finally, using such a kernel we obtain explicit reproducing formulas for plurisubharmonic functions

EPR of Compound I: An Illustrated Revision of the Theoretical Model

Compound I has been postulated to be the reactive species in many heme catalysts, which performs different chemistry and shows different properties in different enzymes. The aim of this review is to present a comprehensive model which has been successfully used to interpret the EPR spectra of various Compound I species. The theoretical approach established by seminal articles will be revisited and its ability to explain experimental results will be illustrated by simulating selected spectra from the literature. Compound I stores two oxidizing equivalents, one in the paramagnetic iron(IV)-oxo moiety, and another one as a free radical on the porphyrin ligand or an amino acid in the protein. To describe the interactions of the two paramagnetic species with each other and with their local environment, the spin Hamiltonian of the system is built step by step. The Fe(IV) center is described using a two-hole model. The effect of the crystal-field and spin–orbit coupling on the energy levels is calculated with this simple approach, which allows to obtain spin Hamiltonian parameters like zero-field splitting and effective g-values for the iron. The magnetic interaction between the Fe(IV) center and the free radical is considered and allowed to vary in sign (ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic) and magnitude to interpret the EPR of Compound I species in different systems. Since orbital overlap is crucial for exchange interaction, special emphasis is made in obtaining the orientation of Fe semi-occupied orbitals by extending the counter-rotation concept, which relates the directions of magnetic, electronic, and molecular axes

Screening of Nuclear Reactions in the Sun and Solar Neutrinos

We quantitatively determine the effect and the uncertainty on solar neutrino production arising from the screening process. We present predictions for the solar neutrino fluxes and signals obtained with different screening models available in the literature and by using our stellar evolution code. We explain these numerical results in terms of simple laws relating the screening factors with the neutrino fluxes. Futhermore we explore a wider range of models for screening, obtained from the Mitler model by introducing and varying two phenomenological parameters, taking into account effects not included in the Mitler prescription. Screening implies, with respect to a no-screening case, a central temperat reduction of 0.5%, a 2% (8%) increase of Beryllium (Boron)-neutrino flux and a 2% (12%) increase of the Gallium (Chlorine) signal. We also find that uncertainties due to the screening effect ar at the level of 1% for the predicted Beryllium-neutrino flux and Gallium signal, not exceeding 3% for the Boron-neutrino flux and the Chlorine signal.Comment: postscript file 11 pages + 4 figures compressed and uuencoded we have replaced the previous paper with a uuencoded file (the text is the same) for any problem please write to [email protected]

Patterns of CT lung injury and toxicity after stereotactic radiotherapy delivered with helical tomotherapy in early stage medically inoperable NSCLC

To evaluate toxicity and patterns of radiologic lung injury on CT images after hypofractionated image-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) delivered with helical tomotherapy (HT) in medically early stage inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Differential cross sections for muonic atom scattering from hydrogenic molecules

The differential cross sections for low-energy muonic hydrogen atom scattering from hydrogenic molecules are directly expressed by the corresponding amplitudes for muonic atom scattering from hydrogen-isotope nuclei. The energy and angular dependence of these three-body amplitudes is thus taken naturally into account in scattering from molecules, without involving any pseudopotentials. Effects of the internal motion of nuclei inside the target molecules are included for every initial rotational-vibrational state. These effects are very significant as the considered three-body amplitudes often vary strongly within the energy interval $\lesssim{}0.1$ eV. The differential cross sections, calculated using the presented method, have been successfully used for planning and interpreting many experiments in low-energy muon physics. Studies of $\mu^{-}$ nuclear capture in $p\mu$ and the measurement of the Lamb shift in $p\mu$ atoms created in H$_2$ gaseous targets are recent examples.Comment: 21 pages, 13 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Representational content of occipitotemporal and parietal tool areas

It is now established that the perception of tools engages a left-lateralized network of frontoparietal and occipitotemporal cortical regions. Nevertheless, the precise computational role played by these areas is not yet well understood. To address this question, we used functional MRI to investigate the distribution of responses to pictures of tools and hands relative to other object categories in the so-called “tool” areas. Although hands and tools are visually not alike and belong to different object categories, these are both functionally linked when considering the common role of hands and tools in object manipulation. This distinction can provide insight into the differential functional role of areas within the “tool” network. Results demonstrated that images of hands and tools activate a common network of brain areas in the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS), left lateral occipitotemporal cortex (LOTC) and ventral occipitotemporal cortex (VOTC). Importantly, multivoxel pattern analysis revealed that the distribution of hand and tool response patterns in these regions differs. These observations provide support for the idea that the left IPS, left LOTC and VOTC might have distinct computational roles with regard to tool use. Specifically, these results suggest that while left IPS supports tool action-related computations and VOTC primarily encodes category specific aspects of objects, left LOTC bridges ventro occipitotemporal perception-related and parietal action-related representations by encoding both types of object information

Immune factors preceding diagnosis of glioma: a Prostate Lung Colorectal Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial nested case-control study.

BackgroundEpidemiological studies of adult glioma have identified genetic and environmental risk factors, but much remains unclear. The aim of the current study was to evaluate anthropometric, disease-related, and prediagnostic immune-related factors for relationship with glioma risk.MethodsWe conducted a nested case-control study among the intervention arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer (PLCO) Screening Trial. One hundred and twenty-four glioma cases were identified and each matched to four controls. Baseline characteristics were collected at enrollment and were evaluated for association with glioma status. Serum specimens were collected at yearly intervals and were analyzed for immune-related factors including TGF-β1, TNF-α, total IgE, and allergen-specific IgE. Immune factors were evaluated at baseline in a multivariate conditional logistic regression model, along with one additional model that incorporated the latest available measurement.ResultsA family history of glioma among first-degree relatives was associated with increased glioma risk (OR = 4.41, P = .002). In multivariate modeling of immune factors at baseline, increased respiratory allergen-specific IgE was inversely associated with glioma risk (OR for allergen-specific IgE > 0.35 PAU/L: 0.59, P = .03). A logistic regression model that incorporated the latest available measurements found a similar association for allergen-specific IgE (P = .005) and showed that elevated TGF-β1 was associated with increased glioma risk (P-value for trend <.0001).ConclusionThe results from this prospective prediagnostic study suggest that several immune-related factors are associated with glioma risk. The association observed for TGF-β1 when sampling closer to the time of diagnosis may reflect the nascent brain tumor's feedback on immune function

A Bacillus subtilis cell fraction (BCF) inducing calcium carbonate precipitation: biotechnological perspectives for monumental stone reinforcement

Abstract Monumental stone decay is a consequence of the weathering action of physical, chemical and biological factors, which induce a progressive increase in porosity. To cope this degradation, bacterial calcium carbonate mineralization has been proposed as a tool for the conservation of monumental calcareous stones. The advantage of this kind of treatment is to obtain a mineral product similar to the stone substrate, mimicking the natural process responsible for stone formation. In this work, the possibility to induce CaCO3 mineralization by a bacteria-mediated system in absence of viable cells was investigated and tested on stone. Our results showed that Bacillus subtilis dead cells as wells as its bacterial cell wall fraction (BCF) can act as calcite crystallization nuclei in solution. BCF consolidating capability was further tested in laboratory on slab stones, and in situ on the Angera Church, a valuable 6th century monumental site. New crystals formation was observed inside pores and significant decrease in water absorption (up to 16.7%) in BCF treated samples. A little cohesion increase was observed in the treated area of the Angera Church, showing the potential of this application, even though further improvements are needed