Thickness dependence of microstructures in La0.8Ca0.2MnO3 thin films

The thickness dependence of microstructures of La0.8Ca0.2MnO3 (LCMO)/SrTiO3 (STO) thin films was investigated by high-resolution x-ray diffraction, small angle x-ray reflection, grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The results show that all the LCMO films are well oriented in (00l) direction perpendicular to the substrate surface. Self-organized crystalline grains with a tetragonal shape are uniformly distributed on the film surface, indicating the deposition condition being of benefit to the formation of the crystalline grains. With increasing the film thickness, the crystalline quality of the LCMO film is improved, while the surface becomes rougher. There exists a nondesigned cap layer on the upper surface of the LCMO layer for all the samples. The mechanism is discussed briefly.published_or_final_versio

Monetary policy uncertainty spillovers in time and frequency domains

We use the recently created monthly Interest Rate Uncertainty measure, to investigate monetary policy uncertainty across the US, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, Canada, and Sweden in both the time and frequency domains. We find that the largest spillover indices are from innovations in the country itself; however, there are some instances where spillover indices between countries are large. These relationships change over time and we observe large variances in pairwise spillovers during the global financial crisis. We find that most of the volatility is confined to the crisis period. Policy makers should consider accounting for the spillovers from the US, Germany, France and Spain, as we found that they are the most consistent net transmitters of monetary policy uncertainty

Air ambulance services in the Arctic 1999-2009 : a Norwegian study.

Air ambulance services in the Arctic have to deal with remote locations, long distances, rough weather conditions and seasonable darkness. Despite these challenges, the people living in the area expect a high quality of specialist health care. The objective of this study was to analyse the air ambulance operations performed in the Norwegian Arctic and study variations in diagnoses and flight patterns around the year. A retrospective analysis. All air ambulance operations performed during the time 1999 – 2009 period were analysed. The subjects were patients transported and flights performed. The primary outcome measures were patients’ diagnoses and task patterns around the year. A total of 345 patients were transported and 321 flights performed. Coronary heart and vascular disease, bone fractures and infections were the most common diagnoses. Most patients (85%) had NACA score 3 or 4. Half of all fractures occurred in April and August. Most patients were males (66%), and one fourth was not Norwegian. The median flying time (one way) was 3 h 33 m. Ten percent of the flights were delayed, and only 14% were performed between midnight and 8.00 AM. The period April to August was the busiest one (58% of operations). Norway has run a safe air ambulance service in the Arctic for the last 11 years. In the future more shipping and polar adventure operations may influence the need for air ambulances, especially during summer and autumn

Time series analysis of dengue fever and weather in Guangzhou, China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Monitoring and predicting dengue incidence facilitates early public health responses to minimize morbidity and mortality. Weather variables are potential predictors of dengue incidence. This study explored the impact of weather variability on the transmission of dengue fever in the subtropical city of Guangzhou, China.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Time series Poisson regression analysis was performed using data on monthly weather variables and monthly notified cases of dengue fever in Guangzhou, China for the period of 2001-2006. Estimates of the Poisson model parameters was implemented using the Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) approach; the quasi-likelihood based information criterion (QICu) was used to select the most parsimonious model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two best fitting models, with the smallest QICu values, are selected to characterize the relationship between monthly dengue incidence and weather variables. Minimum temperature and wind velocity are significant predictors of dengue incidence. Further inclusion of minimum humidity in the model provides a better fit.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Minimum temperature and minimum humidity, at a lag of one month, are positively associated with dengue incidence in the subtropical city of Guangzhou, China. Wind velocity is inversely associated with dengue incidence of the same month. These findings should be considered in the prediction of future patterns of dengue transmission.</p

A transcriptomic snapshot of early molecular communication between Pasteuria penetrans and Meloidogyne incognita

© The Author(s). 2018Background: Southern root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919), Chitwood, 1949 is a key pest of agricultural crops. Pasteuria penetrans is a hyperparasitic bacterium capable of suppressing the nematode reproduction, and represents a typical coevolved pathogen-hyperparasite system. Attachment of Pasteuria endospores to the cuticle of second-stage nematode juveniles is the first and pivotal step in the bacterial infection. RNA-Seq was used to understand the early transcriptional response of the root-knot nematode at 8 h post Pasteuria endospore attachment. Results: A total of 52,485 transcripts were assembled from the high quality (HQ) reads, out of which 582 transcripts were found differentially expressed in the Pasteuria endospore encumbered J2 s, of which 229 were up-regulated and 353 were down-regulated. Pasteuria infection caused a suppression of the protein synthesis machinery of the nematode. Several of the differentially expressed transcripts were putatively involved in nematode innate immunity, signaling, stress responses, endospore attachment process and post-attachment behavioral modification of the juveniles. The expression profiles of fifteen selected transcripts were validated to be true by the qRT PCR. RNAi based silencing of transcripts coding for fructose bisphosphate aldolase and glucosyl transferase caused a reduction in endospore attachment as compared to the controls, whereas, silencing of aspartic protease and ubiquitin coding transcripts resulted in higher incidence of endospore attachment on the nematode cuticle. Conclusions: Here we provide evidence of an early transcriptional response by the nematode upon infection by Pasteuria prior to root invasion. We found that adhesion of Pasteuria endospores to the cuticle induced a down-regulated protein response in the nematode. In addition, we show that fructose bisphosphate aldolase, glucosyl transferase, aspartic protease and ubiquitin coding transcripts are involved in modulating the endospore attachment on the nematode cuticle. Our results add new and significant information to the existing knowledge on early molecular interaction between M. incognita and P. penetrans.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Pneumocystis murina colonization in immunocompetent surfactant protein A deficient mice following environmental exposure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Pneumocystis spp</it>. are opportunistic pathogens that cause pneumonia in immunocompromised humans and animals. <it>Pneumocystis </it>colonization has also been detected in immunocompetent hosts and may exacerbate other pulmonary diseases. Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is an innate host defense molecule and plays a role in the host response to <it>Pneumocystis</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To analyze the role of SP-A in protecting the immunocompetent host from <it>Pneumocystis </it>colonization, the susceptibility of immunocompetent mice deficient in SP-A (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice to <it>P. murina </it>colonization was analyzed by reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR (qPCR) and serum antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Detection of <it>P. murina </it>specific serum antibodies in immunocompetent WT and KO mice indicated that the both strains of mice had been exposed to <it>P. murina </it>within the animal facility. However, P. <it>murina </it>mRNA was only detected by qPCR in the lungs of the KO mice. The incidence and level of the mRNA expression peaked at 8–10 weeks and declined to undetectable levels by 16–18 weeks. When the mice were immunosuppressed, <it>P. murina </it>cyst forms were also only detected in KO mice. <it>P. murina </it>mRNA was detected in <it>SCID </it>mice that had been exposed to KO mice, demonstrating that the immunocompetent KO mice are capable of transmitting the infection to immunodeficient mice. The pulmonary cellular response appeared to be responsible for the clearance of the colonization. More CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells were recovered from the lungs of immunocompetent KO mice than from WT mice, and the colonization in KO mice depleted CD4+ cells was not cleared.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data support an important role for SP-A in protecting the immunocompetent host from <it>P. murina </it>colonization, and provide a model to study <it>Pneumocystis </it>colonization acquired via environmental exposure in humans. The results also illustrate the difficulties in keeping mice from exposure to <it>P. murina </it>even when housed under barrier conditions.</p

The Cluster Variation Method for Efficient Linkage Analysis on Extended Pedigrees

BACKGROUND: Computing exact multipoint LOD scores for extended pedigrees rapidly becomes infeasible as the number of markers and untyped individuals increase. When markers are excluded from the computation, significant power may be lost. Therefore accurate approximate methods which take into account all markers are desirable. METHODS: We present a novel method for efficient estimation of LOD scores on extended pedigrees. Our approach is based on the Cluster Variation Method, which deterministically estimates likelihoods by performing exact computations on tractable subsets of variables (clusters) of a Bayesian network. First a distribution over inheritances on the marker loci is approximated with the Cluster Variation Method. Then this distribution is used to estimate the LOD score for each location of the trait locus. RESULTS: First we demonstrate that significant power may be lost if markers are ignored in the multi-point analysis. On a set of pedigrees where exact computation is possible we compare the estimates of the LOD scores obtained with our method to the exact LOD scores. Secondly, we compare our method to a state of the art MCMC sampler. When both methods are given equal computation time, our method is more efficient. Finally, we show that CVM scales to large problem instances. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the Cluster Variation Method is as accurate as MCMC and generally is more efficient. Our method is a promising alternative to approaches based on MCMC sampling

Dynamical Mean-Field Theory

The dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) is a widely applicable approximation scheme for the investigation of correlated quantum many-particle systems on a lattice, e.g., electrons in solids and cold atoms in optical lattices. In particular, the combination of the DMFT with conventional methods for the calculation of electronic band structures has led to a powerful numerical approach which allows one to explore the properties of correlated materials. In this introductory article we discuss the foundations of the DMFT, derive the underlying self-consistency equations, and present several applications which have provided important insights into the properties of correlated matter.Comment: Chapter in "Theoretical Methods for Strongly Correlated Systems", edited by A. Avella and F. Mancini, Springer (2011), 31 pages, 5 figure

High-risk HPV type-specific clearance rates in cervical screening

We assessed clearance rates of 14 high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) types in hrHPV-positive women with normal cytology and borderline/mild dyskaryosis (BMD) in a population-based cervical screening cohort of 44 102 women. The 6-month hrHPV type-specific clearance rates, that is, clearance of the same type as detected at baseline, in women with normal and BMD smears were 43% (95% confidence interval (CI) 39–47) and 29% (95% CI 24–34), respectively. Corresponding 18-month clearance rates were markedly higher, namely 65% (95% CI 60–69) and 41% (95% CI 36–47), respectively. The lowest clearance rates in women with normal cytology were observed for HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, and HPV33. Significantly reduced 18-month clearance rates at a significance level of 1% were observed for HPV16 (49%, 95% CI 41–59) and HPV31 (50%, 95% CI 39–63) in women with normal cytology, and for HPV16 (19%, 95% CI 12–29) in women with BMD. Among women who did not clear hrHPV, women with HPV16 persistence displayed an increased detection rate of ⩾CIN3 (normal P<0.0001; BMD, P=0.005). The type-specific differences in clearance rates indicate the potential value of hrHPV genotyping in screening programs. Our data support close surveillance (i.e. referral directly, or within 6 months) of women with HPV16 and are inconclusive for surveillance of women with HPV18, HPV31, and HPV33. For the other hrHPV-positive women, it seems advisable to adopt a conservative management with a long waiting period, as hrHPV clearance is markedly higher after 18 months than after 6 months and the risk for ⩾CIN3 is low

Effect of a weight loss intervention on anthropometric measures and metabolic risk factors in pre- versus postmenopausal women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The present study examines changes in body weight, fat mass, metabolic and hormonal parameters in overweight and obese pre- and postmenopausal women who participated in a weight loss intervention.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventy-two subjects were included in the analysis of this single arm study (premenopausal: 22 women, age 43.7 ± 6.4 years, BMI 31.0 ± 2.4 kg/m²; postmenopausal: 50 women, age 58.2 ± 5.1 years, BMI 32.9 ± 3.7 kg/m²). Weight reduction was achieved by the use of a meal replacement and fat-reduced diet. In addition, from week 6 to 24 participants attended a guided exercise program. Body composition was analyzed with the Bod Pod^®. Blood pressures were taken at every visit and blood was collected at baseline and closeout of the study to evaluate lipids, insulin, cortisol and leptin levels.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>BMI, fat mass, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, glucose, leptin and cortisol were higher in the postmenopausal women at baseline.</p> <p>Both groups achieved a substantial and comparable weight loss (pre- vs. postmenopausal: 6.7 ± 4.9 vs 6.7 ± 4.4 kg; n.s.). However, in contrast to premenopausal women, weight loss in postmenopausal women was exclusively due to a reduction of fat mass (-5.3 ± 5.1 vs -6.6 ± 4.1 kg; p < 0.01). In premenopausal women 21% of weight loss was attributed to a reduction in lean body mass.</p> <p>Blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and glucose improved significantly only in postmenopausal women whereas total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were lowered significantly in both groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Both groups showed comparable weight loss and in postmenopausal women weight loss was associated with a pronounced improvement in metabolic risk factors thereby reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.</p