123 research outputs found
On Two Theorems About Symplectic Reflection Algebras
We give a new proof and an improvement of two Theorems of J. Alev, M.A.
Farinati, T. Lambre and A.L. Solotar : the first one about Hochschild
cohomology spaces of some twisted bimodules of the Weyl algebra W and the
second one about Hochschild cohomology spaces of the smash product G * W (G a
finite subgroup of SP(2n)), and as an application, we then give a new proof of
a Theorem of P. Etingof and V. Ginzburg, which shows that the Symplectic
Reflection Algebras are deformations of G * W (and, in fact, all possible
ones).Comment: corrected typo
Multi-criteria assessment of household preferences for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: an analysis of household survey data from four European cities
In a study of households living in mid-size cities in France, Germany, Norway and Sweden we assessed preferences (among 65 possible actions) for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Each GHG reduction action was compared in terms of three objective criteria – CO2e emissions, health impact and cost – using scores which gave alternative priority weightings to each. The multi-criteria scores were then compared with the proportion of respondents declaring their willingness to implement each action. Actions that respondents were often willing to implement and scored highly on the three assessment criteria included measures with likely ancillary benefits for health such as eating 30% more vegetarian food, walking and cycling instead of using public transport, and improvements of roof and window insulation. Although most householders appeared willing to make appreciable changes to their lifestyle and home in order to help achieve GHG emissions reductions, relatively few signaled their willingness to adopt major changes, such as becoming entirely vegetarian or giving up use of the car, even if there were appreciable health benefits. The evidence of these analyses provides insights into household preferences for actions that may help achieve important mitigation and health benefits
On Deformations of n-Lie algebras
The aim of this paper is to review the deformation theory of -Lie
algebras. We summarize the 1-parameter formal deformation theory and provide a
generalized approach using any unital commutative associative algebra as a
deformation base. Moreover, we discuss degenerations and quantization of
-Lie algebras.Comment: Proceeding of the conference Dakar's Workshop in honor of Pr Amin
Kaidi. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:hep-th/9602016 by other
author
Magic Angle Spinning NMR Structure Determination of Proteins from Pseudocontact Shifts
The -786T>C promoter polymorphism of the NOS3 gene is associated with prostate cancer progression
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is no biological or epidemiological data on the association between <it>NOS3 </it>promoter polymorphisms and prostate cancer. The polymorphisms in the promoter region of <it>NOS3 </it>gene may be responsible for variations in the plasma NO, which may promote cancer progression by providing a selective growth advantage to tumor cells by angiogenic stimulus and by direct DNA damage.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study aimed evaluating the <it>NOS3 </it>promoter polymorphisms by PCR-SSCP and sequencing, associating genotypes and haplotypes with <it>NOS3 </it>expression levels through semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and with <it>PCA</it>3 mRNA detection, a specific tumor biomarker, in the peripheral blood of pre-surgical samples from 177 patients; 83 PCa and 94 BPH.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three novel SNPs were identified -764A>G, -714G>T and -649G>A in the <it>NOS3 </it>gene promoter region, which together with the -786T>C generated four haplotypes (N, T, C, A). <it>NOS3 </it>gene expression levels were affected by the -786T>C polymorphism, and there was a 2-fold increase in <it>NOS3 </it>levels favored by the incorporation of each C allele. <it>NOS3 </it>levels higher than 80% of the constitutive gene expression level (<it>B2M</it>) presented a 4-fold increase in PCa occurrence.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The -786T>C polymorphism was the most important promoter alteration of the <it>NOS3 </it>gene that may affect the PCa progression, but not its occurrence, and the incorporation of the C allele is associated with increased levels of <it>NOS3 </it>transcripts. The <it>NOS3 </it>transcript levels presented a bimodal behavior in tumor development and may be used as a biomarker together with the <it>PCA3 </it>marker for molecular staging of the prostate cancer.</p
Deficient Signaling via Alk2 (Acvr1) Leads to Bicuspid Aortic Valve Development
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital cardiac anomaly in humans. Despite recent advances, the molecular basis of BAV development is poorly understood. Previously it has been shown that mutations in the Notch1 gene lead to BAV and valve calcification both in human and mice, and mice deficient in Gata5 or its downstream target Nos3 have been shown to display BAVs. Here we show that tissue-specific deletion of the gene encoding Activin Receptor Type I (Alk2 or Acvr1) in the cushion mesenchyme results in formation of aortic valve defects including BAV. These defects are largely due to a failure of normal development of the embryonic aortic valve leaflet precursor cushions in the outflow tract resulting in either a fused right- and non-coronary leaflet, or the presence of only a very small, rudimentary non-coronary leaflet. The surviving adult mutant mice display aortic stenosis with high frequency and occasional aortic valve insufficiency. The thickened aortic valve leaflets in such animals do not show changes in Bmp signaling activity, while Map kinase pathways are activated. Although dysfunction correlated with some pro-osteogenic differences in gene expression, neither calcification nor inflammation were detected in aortic valves of Alk2 mutants with stenosis. We conclude that signaling via Alk2 is required for appropriate aortic valve development in utero, and that defects in this process lead to indirect secondary complications later in life
Microarray Analyses of Inflammation Response of Human Dermal Fibroblasts to Different Strains of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto
In Lyme borreliosis, the skin is the key site of bacterial inoculation by the infected tick, and of cutaneous manifestations, erythema migrans and acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. We explored the role of fibroblasts, the resident cells of the dermis, in the development of the disease. Using microarray experiments, we compared the inflammation of fibroblasts induced by three strains of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto isolated from different environments and stages of Lyme disease: N40 (tick), Pbre (erythema migrans) and 1408 (acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans). The three strains exhibited a similar profile of inflammation with strong induction of chemokines (CXCL1 and IL-8) and IL-6 cytokine mainly involved in the chemoattraction of immune cells. Molecules such as TNF-alpha and NF-κB factors, metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -3 and -12) and superoxide dismutase (SOD2), also described in inflammatory and cellular events, were up-regulated. In addition, we showed that tick salivary gland extracts induce a cytotoxic effect on fibroblasts and that OspC, essential in the transmission of Borrelia to the vertebrate host, was not responsible for the secretion of inflammatory molecules by fibroblasts. Tick saliva components could facilitate the early transmission of the disease to the site of injury creating a feeding pit. Later in the development of the disease, Borrelia would intensively multiply in the skin and further disseminate to distant organs
EPIdemiology of Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) : Study protocol for a multicentre, observational trial
More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369
Large-Scale Production of Microcrystals and Precipitates of Proteins and Their Complexes
Huge Photoresistance in Transparent and Conductive Indium Titanium Oxide Films Prepared by Electron Beam–Physical Vapor Deposition
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