Random walk of second class particles in product shock measures

We consider shock measures in a class of conserving stochastic particle systems on Z. These shock measures have a product structure with a step-like density profile and include a second class particle at the shock position. We show for the asymmetric simple exclusion process, for the exponential bricklayers' process, and for a generalized zero range process, that under certain conditions these shocks, and therefore the second class particles, perform a simple random walk. Some previous results, including random walks of product shock measures and stationary shock measures seen from a second class particle, are direct consequences of our more general theorem. Multiple shocks can also be handled easily in this framework. Similar shock structure is also found in a nonconserving model, the branching coalescing random walk, where the role of the second class particle is played by the rightmost (or leftmost) particle.Comment: Minor changes after referees' comment

Estimation of dominance effects for reproductive, growth and carcass traits of Pannon White rabbits

Authors analysed the reproductive, growth and slaughter records of Pannon White rabbits based on records collected between 1992 and 2014. The examined traits were: average daily gain (ADG), thigh muscle volume (TMV) and litter weight at day 21 (LW21). Genetic parameters were estimated using basic and extended (with dominance effects) single trait animal models using the REML procedure. Heritability estimates ranged between low and moderate for all traits (ADG: 0.25-0.3±0.01, TMV: 0.21-0.24±0.02-0.03, LW21: 0.07-0.19±0.01). Random litter effects were moderate for ADG (0.24-0.25±0.01) but were low for TMV (0.09-0.1±0.01-0.03). Magnitude of permanent environmental effects exceeded that of the heritability values for LW21 in most models. Applying the extended complete models dominance effects were low for ADG and TMV (0.03±0.01-0.02) and moderate for LW21 (0.23±0.01). Among the estimated genetic correlation coefficients, the observed negative value between ADG and TMV (-0.31±0.03) and between TMV and LW21 (-0.38±0.13) were unfavourable. Based on the different models the estimated breeding values showed high stability as their rank correlation coefficients were close to unity (0.93-0.99)

A nagyérvasculitisek képalkotó vizsgálatának lehetőségei és azok jelentősége [The potentials and importance of imaging in large-vessel vasculitis]

According to the nomenclature of the Chapel Hill Consensus Conference, giant-cell arteritis and Takayasu's arteritis belong to the group of large-vessel vasculitis. Recognition of these diseases is primarily based on the clinical assessment and the use of various vascular imaging modalities. With regard to the latter one, significant technological advances have been observed in recent years, which allow not only to make a diagnosis but also to evaluate the extent of the disease and the degree of vascular inflammation. In addition, subsequent complications of vascular inflammation can be examined. Ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron-emission tomography represent imaging modalities that are essential for recognizing affected patients and planning effective treatment and follow-up. The review of this topic may be of interest to a number of medical specialties that are potentially involved in the care of these patients

Tumor-Associated Disialylated Glycosphingolipid Antigen-Revealing Antibodies Found in Melanoma Patients' Immunoglobulin Repertoire Suggest a Two-Direction Regulation Mechanism Between Immune B Cells and the Tumor

There is far less information available about the tumor infiltrating B (TIL-B) cells, than about the tumor infiltrating T cells. We focused on discovering the features and potential role of B lymphocytes in solid tumors. Our project aimed to develop innovative strategies to define cancer membrane structures. We chose two solid tumor types, with variable to considerable B cell infiltration. The strategy we set up with invasive breast carcinoma, showing medullary features, has been introduced and standardized in metastatic melanoma. After detecting B lymphocytes by immunohistochemistry, VH-JH, Vκ-Jκ immunoglobulin rearranged V region genes were amplified by RT-PCR, from TIL-B cDNA. Immunoglobulin variable-region genes of interest were cloned, sequenced, and subjected to a comparative DNA analysis. Single-chain variable (scFv) antibody construction was performed in selected cases to generate a scFv library and to test tumor binding capacity. DNA sequence analysis revealed an overrepresented VH3-1 cluster, represented both in the breast cancer and the melanoma TIL-B immunoglobulin repertoire. We observed that our previously defined anti GD3 ganglioside-binder antibody-variable region genes were present in melanoma as well. Our antibody fragments showed binding potential to disialylated glycosphingolipids (GD3 ganglioside) and their O acetylated forms on melanoma cancer cells. We conclude that our results have a considerable tumor immunological impact, as they reveal the power of TIL-B cells to recognize strong tumor-associated glycosphingolipid structures on melanomas and other solid tumors. As tumor-derived gangliosides affect immune cell functions and reduce the B lymphocytes' antibody production, we suspect an important B lymphocyte and cancer cell crosstalk mechanism. We not only described the isolation and specificity testing of the tumor infiltrating B cells, but also showed the TIL-B cells' highly tumor-associated GD3 ganglioside-revealing potential in melanomas. The present data help to identify new cancer-associated biomarkers that may serve for novel cancer diagnostics. The two-direction regulation mechanism between immune B cells and the tumor could eventually be developed into an innovative cancer treatment strategy

Genes Linking Mitochondrial Function, Cognitive Impairment and Depression are Associated with Endophenotypes Serving Precision Medicine

Mitochondria densely populate cells in central nervous system providing essential energy for neurons and influencing synaptic plasticity. Harm to these organelles can impair cognitive performance through damaged neurotransmission and altered Ca2+ homeostasis. Impaired cognition could be one underlying factor which can characterize major depressive disorder, a huge burden for society marked by depressed mood and anhedonia. A growing body of evidence binds mitochondrial dysfunctions with the disease. Cognitive disturbances with different severity are also observable in several patients, suggesting that damage or inherited alterations of mitochondria may have an important role in depression. Since several different biological and environmental factors can lead to depression, mitochondrial changes may represent a significant subgroup of depressive patients although cognitive correlates can remain undiscovered without a specific focus. Hypothesis driven studies instead of GWAS can pinpoint targets relevant only in a subset of depressed population. This review highlights results mainly from candidate gene studies on nuclear DNA of mitochondrion-related proteins, including TOMM40, MTHFD1L, ATP6V1B2 and MAO genes, also implicated in Alzheimer's disease, and alterations in the mitochondrial genome to argue for endophenotypes where impaired mitochondrial function may be the leading cause for depressive symptomatology and parallel cognitive dysfunction

Combined searches for the production of supersymmetric top quark partners in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A combination of searches for top squark pair production using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb(-1) collected by the CMS experiment, is presented. Signatures with at least 2 jets and large missing transverse momentum are categorized into events with 0, 1, or 2 leptons. New results for regions of parameter space where the kinematical properties of top squark pair production and top quark pair production are very similar are presented. Depending on themodel, the combined result excludes a top squarkmass up to 1325 GeV for amassless neutralino, and a neutralinomass up to 700 GeV for a top squarkmass of 1150 GeV. Top squarks with masses from 145 to 295 GeV, for neutralino masses from 0 to 100 GeV, with a mass difference between the top squark and the neutralino in a window of 30 GeV around the mass of the top quark, are excluded for the first time with CMS data. The results of theses searches are also interpreted in an alternative signal model of dark matter production via a spin-0 mediator in association with a top quark pair. Upper limits are set on the cross section for mediator particle masses of up to 420 GeV

Probing effective field theory operators in the associated production of top quarks with a Z boson in multilepton final states at root s=13 TeV

Peer reviewe

Search for new particles in events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for new particles produced at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV, using events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101 fb(-1), collected in 2017-2018 with the CMS detector. Machine learning techniques are used to define separate categories for events with narrow jets from initial-state radiation and events with large-radius jets consistent with a hadronic decay of a W or Z boson. A statistical combination is made with an earlier search based on a data sample of 36 fb(-1), collected in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed with respect to the standard model background expectation determined from control samples in data. The results are interpreted in terms of limits on the branching fraction of an invisible decay of the Higgs boson, as well as constraints on simplified models of dark matter, on first-generation scalar leptoquarks decaying to quarks and neutrinos, and on models with large extra dimensions. Several of the new limits, specifically for spin-1 dark matter mediators, pseudoscalar mediators, colored mediators, and leptoquarks, are the most restrictive to date.Peer reviewe