Five-Dimensional Unification of the Cosmological Constant and the Photon Mass

Using a non-Riemannian geometry that is adapted to the 4+1 decomposition of space-time in Kaluza-Klein theory, the translational part of the connection form is related to the electromagnetic vector potential and a Stueckelberg scalar. The consideration of a five-dimensional gravitational action functional that shares the symmetries of the chosen geometry leads to a unification of the four-dimensional cosmological term and a mass term for the vector potential.Comment: 8 pages, LaTe

Probing single molecule orientations in model lipid membranes with near-field scanning optical microscopy

This is the published version, also available here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.481367.Single molecule near-field fluorescence measurements are utilized to characterize the molecular level structure in Langmuir–Blodgett monolayers of L-α-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC).Monolayers incorporating 3×10−4 mol % of the fluorescent lipid analog N-(6-tetramethylrhodaminethiocarbamoyl)-1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn- glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, triethylammonium salt (TRITC–DHPE) are transferred onto a freshly cleaved mica surface at low (π=8 mN/m) and high (π=30 mN/m)surfacepressures. The near-field fluorescence images exhibit shapes in the single molecule images that are indicative of the lipid analog probe orientation within the films. Modeling the fluorescence patterns yields the single molecule tilt angle distribution in the monolayers which indicates that the majority of the molecules are aligned with their absorption dipole moment pointed approximately normal to the membrane plane. Histograms of the data indicate that the average orientation of the absorption dipole moment is 2.2° (σ=4.8°) in monolayers transferred at π=8 mN/m and 2.4° (σ=5.0°) for monolayers transferred at π=30 mN/m. There is no statistical difference in the mean tilt angle or distribution for the two monolayer conditions studied. The insensitivity of tilt angle to filmsurfacepressure may arise from small chromophore doped domains of trapped liquid-expanded lipid phase remaining at high surfacepressure. There is no evidence in the near-field fluorescence images for probe molecules oriented with their dipole moment aligned parallel with the membrane plane. We do, however, find a small but significant population of probe molecules (∼13%) with tilt angles greater than 16°. Comparison of the simultaneously collected near-field fluorescence and force images suggests that these large angle orientations are not the result of significant defects in the films. Instead, this small population may represent a secondary insertion geometry for the probe molecule into the lipidmonolayer

A connectome and analysis of the adult Drosophila central brain.

The neural circuits responsible for animal behavior remain largely unknown. We summarize new methods and present the circuitry of a large fraction of the brain of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Improved methods include new procedures to prepare, image, align, segment, find synapses in, and proofread such large data sets. We define cell types, refine computational compartments, and provide an exhaustive atlas of cell examples and types, many of them novel. We provide detailed circuits consisting of neurons and their chemical synapses for most of the central brain. We make the data public and simplify access, reducing the effort needed to answer circuit questions, and provide procedures linking the neurons defined by our analysis with genetic reagents. Biologically, we examine distributions of connection strengths, neural motifs on different scales, electrical consequences of compartmentalization, and evidence that maximizing packing density is an important criterion in the evolution of the fly's brain

The state of play of blockchain technology in the financial services sector: A systematic literature review

The modern trends of digitalization have completely transformed and reshaped business practices, whole businesses, and even a number of industries. Blockchain technology is believed to be the latest advancement in industries such as the financial sector, where trust is of prime significance. Blockchain technology is a decentralized and coded security system which provides the capability for new digital services and platforms to be created through this emerging technology. This research presents a systematic review of scholarly articles on blockchain technology in the financial sector. We commenced by considering 227 articles and subsequently filtered this list down to 87 articles. From this, we present a classification framework that has three dimensions: blockchain-enabled financial benefits, challenges, and functionality. This research identifies implications for future research and practice within the blockchain paradigm

The Need for College Amenities and Their Benefit to the Student and Institution’s Success

With the ever-increasing cost of higher education, students, families, and taxpayers have begun to scrutinize the factors and expenses that are driving the skyrocketing cost of tuition. Adjusting for inflation, the average cost to attend a university (tuition, room/board, and fees) in 2014 was more than double than it was in 1984 (NCES, 2016). And unfortunately, this is a trend that is unlikely to change. It is projected that college tuition will continue to rise at a rate of 5% each year (Badkar, 2014). While the cost of a four-year degree is currently approximately $77,000, the same degree 18 years from now is projected to cost a staggering$185,000. To put this into perspective, both the median home price in the Midwestern United States (NAR, 2016) and cost of a Ferrari sports car are approximately $175,000. To this end, students and their families are justifiably questioning the cost of higher education

Prosthetic valve endocarditis from Mycobacterium chimaera infection causing granulomatous interstitial nephritis

Mycobacterium chimaera is a rare infection associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. We describe a case of granulomatous interstitial nephritis caused by M. chimaera in a patient with prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis. A 63-year-old female with a mechanical aortic valve replacement developed fatigue, 20 lbs. weight loss, anemia, and an elevated creatinine. Fat pad aspirate at an outside hospital was suspicious for amyloidosis which prompted hematology referral at our institution. Bone marrow biopsy revealed a single granuloma, negative for amyloid or acid fast bacillus (AFB). She was admitted to our hospital for worsening kidney function refractory to intravenous fluid challenge. Transesophageal echocardiogram showed aortic root abscess and valve vegetation with negative blood cultures at seven days. Renal biopsy showed granulomatous interstitial nephritis and negative AFB stain. Prednisone 40 mg was started and renal function partially improved. Blood cultures obtained before biopsy subsequently grew M. chimaera. Three-drug antimicrobial therapy was initiated and prednisone discontinued. One month later, creatinine improved and follow up echocardiogram showed no lesion. Our case highlights this rare infection inducing granulomatous interstitial nephritis despite lack of positive AFB or gram stains on renal biopsy

Self-Assessment of Hunger among ED Patients with Abdominal Pain: Lack of Association with Disease Severity

Abdominal pain is a common emergency department (ED) chief concern. A variety of features have been used to assess patients including history, comorbid conditions, physical examination, laboratory testing, and radiographic testing

Measures Derived from Panoramic Ultrasonography and Animal-Based Protein Intake Are Related to Muscular Performance in Middle-Aged Adults

Ultrasonography advantageously measures skeletal muscle size and quality, but some muscles may be too large to capture with standardized brightness mode (B-mode) imaging. Panoramic ultrasonography can capture more complete images and may more accurately measure muscle size. We investigated measurements made using panoramic compared to B-mode ultrasonography images of the rectus femoris with muscular performance. Concurrently, protein intake plays an important role in preventing sarcopenia; therefore, we also sought to investigate the association between animal-based protein intake (ABPI) and muscular performance. Ninety-one middle-aged adults were recruited. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and thickness were obtained using B-mode and panoramic ultrasound and analyzed with Image J software. Muscular performance was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry, a 30-s chair test, and handgrip strength. Three-day food diaries estimated dietary intakes. Linear regression models determined relationships between measures from ultrasonography and muscular performance. Mixed linear models were used to evaluate the association between ABPI and muscular performance. Muscle CSA from panoramic ultrasonography and ABPI were positively associated with lower-body strength (β ± S.E.; CSA, 42.622 ± 20.024, p = 0.005; ABPI, 65.874 ± 19.855, p = 0.001), lower-body endurance (β ± S.E.; CSA, 595 ± 200.221, p = 0.001; ABPI, 549.944 ± 232.478, p = 0.020), and handgrip strength (β ± S.E.; CSA, 6.966 ± 3.328, p = 0.004; ABPI, 0.349 ± 0.171, p = 0.045). Panoramic ultrasound shows promise as a method for assessing sarcopenia. ABPI is related to better muscular performance