Generating-function method for tensor products

This is the first of two articles devoted to a exposition of the generating-function method for computing fusion rules in affine Lie algebras. The present paper is entirely devoted to the study of the tensor-product (infinite-level) limit of fusions rules. We start by reviewing Sharp's character method. An alternative approach to the construction of tensor-product generating functions is then presented which overcomes most of the technical difficulties associated with the character method. It is based on the reformulation of the problem of calculating tensor products in terms of the solution of a set of linear and homogeneous Diophantine equations whose elementary solutions represent ``elementary couplings''. Grobner bases provide a tool for generating the complete set of relations between elementary couplings and, most importantly, as an algorithm for specifying a complete, compatible set of ``forbidden couplings''.Comment: Harvmac (b mode : 39 p) and Pictex; this is a substantially reduced version of hep-th/9811113 (with new title); to appear in J. Math. Phy

Global metabolite analysis of the land snail Theba pisana hemolymph during active and aestivated states

The state of metabolic dormancy has fascinated people for hundreds of years, leading to research exploring the identity of natural molecular components that may induce and maintain this state. Many animals lower their metabolism in response to high temperatures and/or arid conditions, a phenomenon called aestivation. The biological significance for this is clear; by strongly suppressing metabolic rate to low levels, animals minimize their exposure to stressful conditions. Understanding blood or hemolymph metabolite changes that occur between active and aestivated animals can provide valuable insights relating to those molecular components that regulate hypometabolism in animals, and how they afford adaptation to their different environmental conditions. In this study, we have investigated the hemolymph metabolite composition from the land snail Theba pisana, a remarkably resilient mollusc that displays an annual aestivation period. Using LC-MS-based metabolomics analysis, we have identified those hemolymph metabolites that show significant changes in relative abundance between active and aestivated states. We show that certain metabolites, including some phospholipids [e.g. LysoPC(14:0)], and amino acids such as l-arginine and l-tyrosine, are present at high levels within aestivated snails. Further investigation of our T. pisana RNA-sequencing data elucidated the entire repertoire of phospholipid-synthesis genes in the snail digestive gland, as a precursor towards future comparative investigation between the genetic components of aestivating and non-aestivating species. In summary, we have identified a large number of metabolites that are elevated in the hemolymph of aestivating snails, supporting their role in protecting against heat or desiccation

Genetic merit for fertility traits in Holstein cows: VI. Oocyte developmental competence and embryo development

peer-reviewedThe hypothesis of this study was that cows with good genetic merit for fertility traits (Fert+) would produce oocytes and embryos of greater quality than cows with poor genetic merit for fertility traits (Fert−) and that mRNA expression of candidate genes would reflect the observed differences in quality. The aim of the study, therefore, was to determine the effect of genetic merit for fertility traits on morphological classification and mRNA abundance of key genes in immature oocytes and cumulus cells following ovum pick-up and in embryos following superovulation, artificial insemination (AI), and uterine flushing. In experiment 1, 17 Fert+ and 11 Fert− cows, ranging from 54 to 84 d in milk, were submitted to ovum pick-up on 4 occasions during a 2-wk period. Recovered cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were morphologically graded. Oocytes and cumulus cells were separated, and mRNA abundance of genes associated with oocyte developmental competence was measured. There was no effect of genotype on the distribution of COC grades or on the mRNA abundance of the candidate genes in grade 1 COC. In experiment 2, 20 Fert+ and 19 Fert− cows, ranging from 71 to 189 d in milk, were submitted to superovulation and AI. The uteri of cows that responded to the superovulation protocol (17 Fert+ and 16 Fert− cows) were nonsurgically flushed 7 d postovulation. Recovered embryos were morphologically graded, and mRNA abundance of genes associated with embryo development was measured in grade 1 blastocysts. The response to the superovulation protocol was assessed by counting the number of codominant follicles on the day of AI, which was similar for both genotypes (22.0 ± 9.7 and 19.8 ± 8.2 for Fert+ and Fert− cows, respectively). There was no effect of genotype on the proportion of transferable embryos recovered or on the mRNA abundance of the candidate genes tested in the grade 1 blastocysts. Of the total embryos classified as blastocysts, however, the Fert+ cows tended to have a greater proportion of grade 1 blastocysts compared with Fert− cows (90% vs. 64%, respectively). In conclusion, genetic merit for fertility traits had a no effect on mRNA abundance of the candidate genes that were examined in immature oocytes and cumulus cells and in embryos recovered after superovulation. The observed differences in morphological blastocyst quality following superovulation would suggest that the superior reproductive performance of Fert+ cows could arise during the later stages of embryo development from d 7 until maternal recognition of pregnancy

Test of mode coupling theory for a supercooled liquid of diatomic molecules. II. q-dependent orientational correlators

Using molecular dynamics computer simulations we study the dynamics of a molecular liquid by means of a general class of time-dependent correlators S_{ll'}^m(q,t) which explicitly involve translational (TDOF) and orientational degrees of freedom (ODOF). The system is composed of rigid, linear molecules with Lennard- Jones interactions. The q-dependence of the static correlators S_{ll'}^m(q) strongly depend on l, l' and m. The time dependent correlators are calculated for l=l'. A thorough test of the predictions of mode coupling theory (MCT) is performed for S_{ll}^m(q,t) and its self part S_{ll}^{(s)m}(q,t), for l=1,..,6. We find a clear signature for the existence of a single temperature T_c, at which the dynamics changes significantly. The first scaling law of MCT, which involves the critical correlator G(t), holds for l>=2, but no critical law is observed. Since this is true for the same exponent parameter lambda as obtained for the TDOF, we obtain a consistent description of both, the TDOF and ODOF, with the exception of l=1. This different behavior for l \ne 1 and l=1 can also be seen from the corresponding susceptibilities (chi'')_{ll}^m(q,omega) which exhibit a minimum at about the same frequency omega_{min} for all q and all l \ne 1, in contrast to (chi'')_{11}^m(q,omega) for which omega'_{min} approx 10 omega_{min} . The asymptotic regime, for which the first scaling law holds, shrinks with increasing l. The second scaling law of MCT (time-temperature superposition principle) is reasonably fulfilled for l \ne 1 but not for l=1. Furthermore we show that the q- and (l,m)-dependence of the self part approximately factorizes, i.e. S_{ll}^{(s)m}(q,t) \cong C_l^{(s)}(t) F_s(q,t) for all m.Comment: 11 pages of RevTex, 16 figure

An investigation into CLIL-related sections of EFL coursebooks : issues of CLIL inclusion in the publishing market

The current ELT global coursebook market has embraced CLIL as a weak form of bilingual education and an innovative component to include in General English coursebooks for EFL contexts. In this paper I investigate how CLIL is included in ELT coursebooks aimed at teenaged learners, available to teachers in Argentina. My study is based on the content analysis of four series which include a section advertised as CLIL-oriented. Results suggest that such sections are characterised by (1) little correlation between featured subject specific content and school curricula in L1, (2) oversimplification of contents, and (3) dominance of reading skills development and lower-order thinking tasks. Through this study, I argue that CLIL components become superficial supplements rather than a meaningful attempt to promote weak forms of bilingual education

Submerged in the mainstream? A case study of an immigrant learner in a New Zealand primary classroom

Immigrant children from diverse language backgrounds face not only linguistic challenges when enrolled in mainstream English-medium classrooms, but also difficulties adjusting to an unfamiliar learning community. The culture of primary school classrooms in New Zealand typically reflects conventions across three dimensions: interactional, instructional task performance and cognitive-academic development. All three dimensions are underpinned by the culturally specific discourse conventions involved in language socialisation. New learners may be helped by classmates or their teacher to understand and successfully use these conventions, but left on their own they may sink rather than swim. This is a case study of one Taiwanese 11-year old boy, 'John', who entered a New Zealand primary classroom midway through the school year. John's basic conversational ability was sound, but he did not possess the interactive classroom skills needed to operate in the new culture of learning. Selected from a wider study of the classroom, transcript data from audio-recorded excerpts of John's interactions over several months with his teacher and classmates are interpreted from perspectives derived from sociocultural and language socialisation theories. The article concludes with a brief consideration of the extent to which John constructed, or was constrained from constructing meaningful learning experiences, and suggestions for further research and reflection

Topological Orthoalgebras

We define topological orthoalgebras (TOAs) and study their properties. While every topological orthomodular lattice is a TOA, the lattice of projections of a Hilbert space is an example of a lattice-ordered TOA that is not a toplogical lattice. On the other hand, we show that every compact Boolean TOA is a topological Boolean algebra. We also show that a compact TOA in which 0 is an isolated point is atomic and of finite height. We identify and study a particularly tractable class of TOAs, which we call {\em stably ordered}: those in which the upper-set generated by an open set is open. This includes all topological OMLs, and also the projection lattices of Hilbert spaces. Finally, we obtain a topological version of the Foulis-Randall representation theory for stably ordered TOAsComment: 16 pp, LaTex. Minor changes and corrections in sections 1; more substantial corrections in section

Acoustic and relaxation processes in supercooled o-ter-phenyl by optical-heterodyne transient grating experiment

The dynamics of the fragile glass-forming o-ter-phenyl is investigated by time-resolved transient grating experiment with an heterodyne detection technique in a wide temperature range. We investigated the dynamics processes of this glass-former over more then 6 decades in time with an excellent signal/noise. Acoustic, structural and thermal relaxations have been clearly identify and measured in a time-frequency window not covered by previous spectroscopic investigations. A detailed comparison with the density response function, calculated on the basis of generalized hydrodynamics model, has been worked out

Excellent overall and chronic graft-versus-host-disease-free event-free survival in Fanconi anaemia patients undergoing matched related- and unrelated-donor bone marrow transplantation using alemtuzumab–Flu–Cy: the UK experience

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the only curative option in Fanconi anaemia (FA). We analysed the outcome of children transplanted for FA between 1999 and 2018 in the UK. A total of 94 transplants were performed in 82 patients. Among the donors, 51·2% were matched related donors (MRD) while the remainder were alternative donors. Most patients received a fludarabine–cyclophosphamide (Flu–Cy)‐based conditioning regimen (86·6%) and in vivo T‐cell depletion with alemtuzumab (69·5%). Five‐year overall survival (OS) was 85·4% [70·4–93.2] with MRD, 95·7% [72·9–99.4] with matched unrelated donors (MUD), 44·4% [6·6–78.5] with mismatched unrelated donors (MMUD) and 44·4% [13·6–71.9] with mismatched related donors (MMRD) (P < 0·001). Other factors significantly impacting OS were pre‐transplant bone marrow status, source of stem cells, cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus, preparation with Flu–Cy, use of total body irradiation (TBI) and alemtuzumab as serotherapy. In multivariate analysis, absence of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or leukaemia, bone marrow as source of stem cells, cytomegalovirus (CMV) other than +/− (Recipient/Donor) and Flu–Cy were protective factors for five‐year OS. Five‐year chronic graft‐versus‐host‐disease (cGVHD)‐free event‐free survival was 75·4% with the same risk factors except for CMV serostatus. Five‐year non‐relapse mortality was 13·8% [7·3–22.3]. Only five patients (6·1%) developed grade II–IV acute GVHD and two patients chronic GVHD. These data confirm the excellent outcome of matched related or unrelated HSCT in children with FA