Threshold corrections in bottom and charm quark hadroproduction at next-to-next-to-leading order.

We calculate threshold soft-gluon corrections to total cross sections and transverse momentum distributions for bottom and charm quark production in fixed-target experiments, considering both pp and −p interactions. We investigate the quality of the near threshold soft-gluon approximation at next-to-leading order (NLO) and calculate next-to-nextto- leading order (NNLO) corrections through next-to-next-to-next-to-leading-logarithmic (NNNLL) accuracy, including some virtual terms. We find that the NNLO threshold corrections reduce the factorization and renormalization scale dependence of the cross sections

Prepotentials for local mirror symmetry via Calabi-Yau fourfolds

In this paper, we first derive an intrinsic definition of classical triple intersection numbers of K_S, where S is a complex toric surface, and use this to compute the extended Picard-Fuchs system of K_S of our previous paper, without making use of the instanton expansion. We then extend this formalism to local fourfolds K_X, where X is a complex 3-fold. As a result, we are able to fix the prepotential of local Calabi-Yau threefolds K_S up to polynomial terms of degree 2. We then outline methods of extending the procedure to non canonical bundle cases.Comment: 42 pages, 7 figures. Expanded, reorganized, and added a theoretical background for the calculation

The Washington University Multimedia System

The Washington University Multimedia System (MMS) is a complete multimedia system capable of transmitting and receiving video, audio, and radiological images, in addition to normal network traffic, over the Washingon University broadband ATM network. The MMS consists of an ATMizer and three multimedia subsystems. The ATMizer implements the host interface, the interface to the ATM network, and the interface to the three multimedia subsystems. The video sybsystem encodes and decodes JPEG compressed video using two hardware compression engines. The audio subsystem encodes and decodes CD-quality stereo audio. The high-speed radiological image subsystem reformats radiological image data transmitted by a dedicated ATMizer for presentation on a high-resolution monochrome display. Although the MMS can be easily modified to operate with any host, the current implementation is based on a NeXT computer. This paper describes the architecture of the MMS, the software used with the system, and the applications which have been developed to demonstrate the capability and applicability of broadband ATM networks for multimedia applications

Challenges for Opioid Receptor Nomenclature

Recent developments in the study of the structure and function of opioid receptors raise significant challenges for the definition of individual receptor types and the development of a nomenclature that precisely describes isoforms that may subserve different functions in vivo. Presentations at the 2013 meeting of the International Narcotics Research Conference in Cairns, Australia, considered some of the new discoveries that are now unravelling the complexities of opioid receptor signalling. Variable processing of opioid receptor messenger RNAs may lead to the presence of several isoforms of the μ receptor. Each opioid receptor type can function either as a monomer or as part of a homo- or heterodimer or higher multimer. Additionally, recent evidence points to the existence of agonist bias in the signal transduction pathways activated through μ receptors, and to the presence of regulatory allosteric sites on the receptors. This brief review summarizes the recent discoveries that raise challenges for receptor definition and the characterization of signal transduction pathways activated by specific receptor forms. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2.NHMRC 104596

Orbifold Resolution by D-Branes

We study topological properties of the D-brane resolution of three-dimensional orbifold singularities, C^3/Gamma, for finite abelian groups Gamma. The D-brane vacuum moduli space is shown to fill out the background spacetime with Fayet--Iliopoulos parameters controlling the size of the blow-ups. This D-brane vacuum moduli space can be classically described by a gauged linear sigma model, which is shown to be non-generic in a manner that projects out non-geometric regions in its phase diagram, as anticipated from a number of perspectives.Comment: 26 pages, 2 figures (TeX, harvmac big, epsf

Artificial Light Increases Local Predator Abundance, Predation Rates, and Herbivory.

Human activity is rapidly increasing the radiance and geographic extent of artificial light at night (ALAN) leading to alterations in the development, behavior, and physiological state of many organisms. A limited number of community-scale studies investigating the effects of ALAN have allowed for spatial aggregation through positive phototaxis, the commonly observed phenomenon of arthropod movement toward light. We performed an open field study (without restricted arthropod access) to determine the effects of ALAN on local arthropod community composition, plant traits, and local herbivory and predation rates. We found strong positive phototaxis in 10 orders of arthropods, with increased (159% higher) overall arthropod abundance under ALAN compared to unlit controls. The arthropod community under ALAN was more diverse and contained a higher proportion of predaceous arthropods (15% vs 8%). Predation of immobilized flies occurred 3.6 times faster under ALAN; this effect was not observed during the day. Contrary to expectations, we also observed a 6% increase in herbivory under ALAN. Our results highlight the importance of open experimental field studies in determining community-level effects of ALAN

Production Quality Video Over Broadband Networks: A Description of the System and Two Interactive Applications

The Washington University MultiMedia eXplorer (MMX) is a complete, host-independent multimedia system capable of transmitting and receiving JPEG-compressed video, CD-quality audio, and high-resolution radiographic images over the Washington University broadband ATM network. If the host is equipped with an ATM interface card, normal network traffic can be supported via an ATM extension port on the MMX. The major components of the MMX are an ATMizer and three multimedia channels. The ATMizer implements the host interface, the interface to the ATM network, and hte interface to the three multimdeia channels. This paper describes the architecture of the MMX, the software used with the system, and two applications which have been developed to demonstrate the capability of broadband ATM networks for multimedia applications

The Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Comorbid Back Pain in Shoulder Instability: A Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Shoulder Instability Cohort Study.

Background:Understanding predictors of pain is critical, as recent literature shows that comorbid back pain is an independent risk factor for worse functional and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) as well as increased opioid dependence after total joint arthroplasty. Purpose/Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether comorbid back pain would be predictive of pain or self-reported instability symptoms at the time of stabilization surgery. We hypothesized that comorbid back pain will correlate with increased pain at the time of surgery as well as with worse scores on shoulder-related PRO measures. Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods:As part of the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Shoulder Instability cohort, patients consented to participate in pre- and intraoperative data collection. Demographic characteristics, injury history, preoperative PRO scores, and radiologic and intraoperative findings were recorded for patients undergoing surgical shoulder stabilization. Patients were also asked, whether they had any back pain. Results:The study cohort consisted of 1001 patients (81% male; mean age, 24.1 years). Patients with comorbid back pain (158 patients; 15.8%) were significantly older (28.1 vs 23.4 years; P < .001) and were more likely to be female (25.3% vs 17.4%; P = .02) but did not differ in terms of either preoperative imaging or intraoperative findings. Patients with self-reported back pain had significantly worse preoperative pain and shoulder-related PRO scores (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index) (P < .001), more frequent depression (22.2% vs 8.3%; P < .001), poorer mental health status (worse scores for the RAND 36-Item Health Survey Mental Component Score, Iowa Quick Screen, and Personality Assessment Screener) (P < .01), and worse preoperative expectations (P < .01). Conclusion:Despite having similar physical findings, patients with comorbid back pain had more severe preoperative pain and self-reported symptoms of instability as well as more frequent depression and lower mental health scores. The combination of disproportionate shoulder pain, comorbid back pain and mental health conditions, and inferior preoperative expectations may affect not only the patient's preoperative state but also postoperative pain control and/or postoperative outcomes

Elf5-centered transcription factor hub controls trophoblast stem cell self-renewal and differentiation through stoichiometry sensitive shifts in target gene networks

Latos, P. A., Sienerth, A. R., Murray, A., Senner, C. E., Muto, M., Ikawa, M., . . . Hemberger, M. (2015). Elf5-centered transcription factor hub controls trophoblast stem cell self-renewal and differentiation through stoichiometry sensitive shifts in target gene networks. Genes and Development, 29(23), 2435-2448. doi:10.1101/gad.268821.11

Stochastic virtual tests for fiber composites

We will describe a Virtual Test system for continuous fiber composites. The virtual test draws from a new wave of advanced experiments and theory that address physical, mathematical, and engineering aspects of material definition and failure prediction. The methods go far beyond currently standard tests and conventional FEM analysis to challenge our conception of what can constitute a practicable engineering approach. Emphasis will be given to high temperature ceramic matrix composites with textile reinforcement, which have been the subject material of the National Hypersonic Science Center, Materials and Structures, a joint AFOSR/NASA program. However, thematic topics also address generic fiber composites. Development has been organized as a “pipeline” that links the separate disciplinary efforts of groups housed in seven institutions spread across the United States. The main research steps are: high resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the microstructure, statistical characterization of the microstructure, formulation of a probabilistic generator for creating virtual specimens that replicate the measured statistics, creation of a computational model for a virtual specimen that allows general representation of discrete damage events, calibration of the model using room and high temperature tests, simulation of failure, and model validation. Key new experiments include digital surface image correlation and µm-resolution 3D computed tomography imaging of the microstructure and evolving damage, both executed at temperatures exceeding 1500°C. Conceptual advances include using both geometry and topology to characterize stochastic microstructures. Computational methods include new probabilistic algorithms for generating stochastic virtual specimens and a new Augmented Finite Element Method that yields extreme efficiency in dealing with arbitrary cracking in heterogeneous materials. The challenge of relating variance in engineering properties to stochastic microstructure in a computationally tractable manner, while retaining necessary physical details in models, will be discussed