An edition (with a commentary, full glossary, and an introduction to the language of the text) of the Middle English life of St. Etheldreda in MS B.M Faustina B 111

This edition of the Middle English verse legend of St. Etheldreda comprises the following items :1) a list of abbreviations, 2) a Bibliography, 3) an Introduction, comprising; a.) a description of the B.M MS Faustina B 111, in general terms, together with a more detailed consideration of that section containing the Life of St. Etheldreda, in which account is taken of binding, foliation, scribal practice, and any points of interest, or peculiarities, b) a discussion of the possible sources for this version of the saint's life, in which it is concluded that the Middle English legend is not directly derived from Bede, or the Latin Vita, but should probably be referred to a lost, intermediate version. c) a brief consideration of the metrical and literary points of interest in the legend, d) A discussion of the language of the poem, falling into two main sections; - Spellings, where the material is set out, and Discussion, where the forms of the text are considered, in relation to the rhymes, and it is suggested that the legend may be of South-western provenance, with Midland features, introduced by a scribe, 4) the text of St. Etheldreda, preceded by a short explanation of editorial procedure, a Commentary, which points out, details of literary, historical and grammatical interest in the text, and remarks, where appropriate, on emendations, 6.) an appendix, where differences between the text, as presented here, and that of Horstmann, are noted, 7) a. Glossary, giving meanings and etymologies to most of the words in the text, 8) a list, with, line-references, of proper names

Statistical modelling of transcript profiles of differentially regulated genes

Background: The vast quantities of gene expression profiling data produced in microarray studies, and the more precise quantitative PCR, are often not statistically analysed to their full potential. Previous studies have summarised gene expression profiles using simple descriptive statistics, basic analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the clustering of genes based on simple models fitted to their expression profiles over time. We report the novel application of statistical non-linear regression modelling techniques to describe the shapes of expression profiles for the fungus Agaricus bisporus, quantified by PCR, and for E. coli and Rattus norvegicus, using microarray technology. The use of parametric non-linear regression models provides a more precise description of expression profiles, reducing the "noise" of the raw data to produce a clear "signal" given by the fitted curve, and describing each profile with a small number of biologically interpretable parameters. This approach then allows the direct comparison and clustering of the shapes of response patterns between genes and potentially enables a greater exploration and interpretation of the biological processes driving gene expression. Results: Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR-derived time-course data of genes were modelled. "Splitline" or "broken-stick" regression identified the initial time of gene up-regulation, enabling the classification of genes into those with primary and secondary responses. Five-day profiles were modelled using the biologically-oriented, critical exponential curve, y(t) = A + (B + Ct)Rt + ε. This non-linear regression approach allowed the expression patterns for different genes to be compared in terms of curve shape, time of maximal transcript level and the decline and asymptotic response levels. Three distinct regulatory patterns were identified for the five genes studied. Applying the regression modelling approach to microarray-derived time course data allowed 11% of the Escherichia coli features to be fitted by an exponential function, and 25% of the Rattus norvegicus features could be described by the critical exponential model, all with statistical significance of p < 0.05. Conclusion: The statistical non-linear regression approaches presented in this study provide detailed biologically oriented descriptions of individual gene expression profiles, using biologically variable data to generate a set of defining parameters. These approaches have application to the modelling and greater interpretation of profiles obtained across a wide range of platforms, such as microarrays. Through careful choice of appropriate model forms, such statistical regression approaches allow an improved comparison of gene expression profiles, and may provide an approach for the greater understanding of common regulatory mechanisms between genes

New approaches to investigating the function of mycelial networks

Fungi play a key role in ecosystem nutrient cycles by scavenging, concentrating, translocating and redistributing nitrogen. To quantify and predict fungal nitrogen redistribution, and assess the importance of the integrity of fungal networks in soil for ecosystem function, we need better understanding of the structures and processes involved. Until recently nitrogen translocation has been experimentally intractable owing to the lack of a suitable radioisotope tracer for nitrogen, and the impossibility of observing nitrogen translocation in real time under realistic conditions. We have developed an imaging method for recording the magnitude and direction of amino acid flow through the whole mycelial network as it captures, assimilates and channels its carbon and nitrogen resources, while growing in realistically heterogeneous soil microcosms. Computer analysis and modeling, based on these digitized video records, can reveal patterns in transport that suggest experimentally testable hypotheses. Experimental approaches that we are developing include genomics and stable isotope NMR to investigate where in the system nitrogen compounds are being acquired and stored, and where they are mobilized for transport or broken down. The results are elucidating the interplay between environment, metabolism, and the development and function of transport networks as mycelium forages in soil. The highly adapted and selected foraging networks of fungi may illuminate fundamental principles applicable to other supply networks

Linear Scaling Solution of the Coulomb problem using wavelets

The Coulomb problem for continuous charge distributions is a central problem in physics. Powerful methods, that scale linearly with system size and that allow us to use different resolutions in different regions of space are therefore highly desirable. Using wavelet based Multi Resolution Analysis we derive for the first time a method which has these properties. The power and accuracy of the method is illustrated by applying it to the calculation of of the electrostatic potential of a full three-dimensional all-electron Uranium dimer

Quantized Maxwell Theory in a Conformally Invariant Gauge

Maxwell theory can be studied in a gauge which is invariant under conformal rescalings of the metric, and first proposed by Eastwood and Singer. This paper studies the corresponding quantization in flat Euclidean 4-space. The resulting ghost operator is a fourth-order elliptic operator, while the operator P on perturbations of the potential is a sixth-order elliptic operator. The operator P may be reduced to a second-order non-minimal operator if a dimensionless gauge parameter tends to infinity. Gauge-invariant boundary conditions are obtained by setting to zero at the boundary the whole set of perturbations of the potential, jointly with ghost perturbations and their normal derivative. This is made possible by the fourth-order nature of the ghost operator. An analytic representation of the ghost basis functions is also obtained.Comment: 8 pages, plain Tex. In this revised version, the calculation of ghost basis functions has been amended, and the presentation has been improve

Type 2 diabetes does not account for ethnic differences in exercise capacity or skeletal muscle function in older adults

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to compare exercise capacity, strength and skeletal muscle perfusion during exercise, and oxidative capacity between South Asians, African Caribbeans and Europeans, and determine what effect ethnic differences in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has on these functional outcomes. METHODS: In total, 708 participants (aged [mean±SD] 73 ± 7 years, 56% male) were recruited from the Southall and Brent Revisited (SABRE) study, a UK population-based cohort comprised of Europeans (n = 311) and South Asian (n = 232) and African Caribbean (n = 165) migrants. Measurements of exercise capacity using a 6 min stepper test (6MST), including measurement of oxygen consumption (V˙O_{2}) and grip strength, were performed. Skeletal muscle was assessed using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS); measures included changes in tissue saturation index (∆TSI%) with exercise and oxidative capacity (muscle oxygen consumption recovery, represented by a time constant [τ]). Analysis was by multiple linear regression. RESULTS: When adjusted for age and sex, in South Asians and African Caribbeans, exercise capacity was reduced compared with Europeans (V˙O_{2} [ml min^{-1}kg^{-1}]: β = −1.2 [95% CI –1.9, −0.4], p = 0.002, and β −1.7 [95% CI –2.5, −0.8], p < 0.001, respectively). South Asians had lower and African Caribbeans had higher strength compared with Europeans (strength [kPa]: β = −9 [95% CI –12, −6), p < 0.001, and β = 6 [95% CI 3, 9], p < 0.001, respectively). South Asians had greater decreases in TSI% and longer τ compared with Europeans (∆TSI% [%]: β = −0.9 [95% CI –1.7, −0.1), p = 0.024; τ [s]: β = 11 [95% CI 3, 18], p = 0.006). Ethnic differences in V˙O_{2} and grip strength remained despite adjustment for type 2 diabetes or HbA_{1c} (and fat-free mass for grip strength). However, the differences between Europeans and South Asians were no longer statistically significant after adjustment for other possible mediators or confounders (including physical activity, waist-to-hip ratio, cardiovascular disease or hypertension, smoking, haemoglobin levels or β-blocker use). The difference in ∆TSI% between Europeans and South Asians was marginally attenuated after adjustment for type 2 diabetes or HbA_{1c} and was also no longer statistically significant after adjusting for other confounders; however, τ remained significantly longer in South Asians vs Europeans despite adjustment for all confounders. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Reduced exercise capacity in South Asians and African Caribbeans is unexplained by higher rates of type 2 diabetes. Poorer exercise tolerance in these populations, and impaired muscle function and perfusion in South Asians, may contribute to the higher morbidity burden of UK ethnic minority groups in older age

On the Brightness and Waiting-time Distributions of a Type III Radio Storm observed by STEREO/WAVES

Type III solar radio storms, observed at frequencies below approximately 16 MHz by space borne radio experiments, correspond to the quasi-continuous, bursty emission of electron beams onto open field lines above active regions. The mechanisms by which a storm can persist in some cases for more than a solar rotation whilst exhibiting considerable radio activity are poorly understood. To address this issue, the statistical properties of a type III storm observed by the STEREO/WAVES radio experiment are presented, examining both the brightness distribution and (for the first time) the waiting-time distribution. Single power law behavior is observed in the number distribution as a function of brightness; the power law index is approximately 2.1 and is largely independent of frequency. The waiting-time distribution is found to be consistent with a piecewise-constant Poisson process. This indicates that during the storm individual type III bursts occur independently and suggests that the storm dynamics are consistent with avalanche type behavior in the underlying active region.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letter