Andreev reflection at QGP/CFL interface

In this letter we address the question of the phenomena of Andreev reflection between the cold quark-gluon plasma phase and CFL color superconductor. We show that there are two different types of reflections connected to the structure of the CFL phase. We also calculate the probability current at the interface and we show that it vanishes for energy of scattering quarks below the superconducting gap.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. Minor changes in the "Conclusions

Reduction of circulating cholesterol and apolipoprotein levels during sepsis

Sepsis with multiple organ failure is frequently associated with a substantial decrease of cholesterol levels. This decrease of cholesterol is strongly associated with mortality suggesting a direct relation between inflammatory conditions and altered cholesterol homeostasis. The host response during sepsis is mediated by cytokines and growth factors, which are capable of influencing lipid metabolism. Conversely lipoproteins are also capable of modulating cytokine production during the inflammatory response. Therefore the decrease in circulating cholesterol levels seems to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. In this review the interaction between cytokines and lipid metabolism and its clinical consequences will be discussed

Canine NAPEPLD-associated models of human myelin disorders

Canine leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP) is a juvenile-onset neurodegenerative disorder of the CNS white matter currently described in Rottweiler and Leonberger dogs. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) allowed us to map LEMP in a Leonberger cohort to dog chromosome 18. Subsequent whole genome re-sequencing of a Leonberger case enabled the identification of a single private homozygous non-synonymous missense variant located in the highly conserved metallo-beta-lactamase domain of the N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPEPLD) gene, encoding an enzyme of the endocannabinoid system. We then sequenced this gene in LEMP-affected Rottweilers and identified a different frameshift variant, which is predicted to replace the C-terminal metallo-beta-lactamase domain of the wild type protein. Haplotype analysis of SNP array genotypes revealed that the frameshift variant was present in diverse haplotypes in Rottweilers, and also in Great Danes, indicating an old origin of this second NAPEPLD variant. The identification of different NAPEPLD variants in dog breeds affected by leukoencephalopathies with heterogeneous pathological features, implicates the NAPEPLD enzyme as important in myelin homeostasis, and suggests a novel candidate gene for myelination disorders in people

Simulation of VSPT Experimental Cascade Under High and Low Free-Stream Turbulence Conditions

Variable-Speed Power Turbines (VSPT) for rotorcraft applications operate at low Reynolds number and over a wide range in incidence associated with shaft speed change. A comprehensive linear cascade data set obtained includes the effects of Reynolds number, free-stream turbulence and incidence is available and this paper concerns itself with the presentation and numerical simulation of conditions resulting in a selected set of those data. As such, post-dictions of blade pressure loading, total-pressure loss and exit flow angles under conditions of high and low turbulence intensity for a single Reynolds number are presented. Analyses are performed with the three-equation turbulence models of Walters- Leylek and Walters and Cokljat. Transition, loading, total-pressure loss and exit angle variations are presented and comparisons are made with experimental data as available. It is concluded that at the low freestream turbulence conditions the Walters-Cokljat model is better suited to predictions while for high freestream conditions the two models generate similar predications that are generally satisfactory

An optical survey for space debris on highly eccentric and inclined MEO orbits

Optical surveys for space debris in high-altitude orbits have been conducted since more than ten years. Originally these efforts concentrated mainly on the geostationary region (GEO). Corresponding observation strategies, processing techniques and cataloguing approaches have been developed and successfully applied. The ESA GEO surveys, e.g., resulted in the detection of a significant population of small-size debris and later in the discovery of high area-to-mass ratio objects in GEO-like orbits. Comparably less experience (both, in terms of practical observation and strategy definition) is available for eccentric orbits that (at least partly) are in the MEO region, in particular for the Molniya-type orbits. Different survey and follow-up strategies for searching space debris objects in highly-eccentric MEO orbits, and to acquire orbits which are sufficiently accurate to catalog such objects and to maintain their orbits over longer time spans were developed. Simulations were performed to compare the performance of different survey and cataloguing strategies. Eventually, optical observations were conducted in the framework of an ESA study using ESA’s Space Debris Telescope (ESASDT) the 1-m Zeiss telescope located at the Optical Ground Station (OGS) at the Teide Observatory at Tenerife, Spain. Thirteen nights of surveys of Molniya-type orbits were performed between January and August 2013. Eventually 255 surveys were performed during these thirteen nights corresponding to about 47 h of observations. In total 30 uncorrelated faint objects were discov- ered. On average one uncorrelated object was found every 100 min of observations. Some of these objects show a considerable brightness variation and have a high area-to-mass ratio as determined in the orbit estimation process

Inducible viral receptor, A possible concept to induce viral protection in primitive immune animals

A pseudolysogen (PL) is derived from the lysogenic Vibrio harveyi (VH) which is infected with the VHS1 (Vibrio harveyi Siphoviridae-like 1) bacteriophage. The lysogenic Vibrio harveyi undergoes an unequivalent division of the extra-chromosomal VHS1 phage genome and its VH host chromosome and produces a true lysogen (TL) and pseudolysogen (PL). The PL is tolerant to super-infection of VHS1, as is of the true lysogen (TL), but the PL does not contain the VHS1 phage genome while the TL does. However, the PL can become susceptible to VHS1 phage infection if the physiological state of the PL is changed. It is postulated that this is due to a phage receptor molecule which can be inducible to an on-and-off regulation influence by an alternating condition of the bacterial host cell. This characteristic of the PL leads to speculate that this phenomenon can also occur in high organisms with low immunity such as shrimp. This article proposes a hypothesis that the viral receptor molecule on the target cell can play a crucial role in which the invertebrate aquaculture animals can become tolerant to viral infection. A possible mechanism may be that the target cell disrupts the viral receptor molecule to prevent super infection. This concept can explain a mechanism for the prevention of viral infection in invertebrate animals which do not have acquired immunity in response to pathogens. It can guide us to develop a mechanism of immunity to viral infection in low-evolved-immune animals. Also, it can be an additional mechanism that exists in high immune organism, as in human for the prevention of viral infectio

Clinical Course and Diagnostic Findings of Biopsy Controlled Presumed Immune-Mediated Polyneuropathy in 70 European Cats

There is a paucity of information on the clinical course and outcome of young cats with polyneuropathy. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical features, diagnostic investigations, and outcome of a large cohort of cats with inflammatory polyneuropathy from several European countries. Seventy cats with inflammatory infiltrates in intramuscular nerves and/or peripheral nerve biopsies were retrospectively included. Information from medical records and follow up were acquired via questionnaires filled by veterinary neurologists who had submitted muscle and nerve biopsies (2011-2019). Median age at onset was 10 months (range: 4-120 months). The most common breed was British short hair (25.7%), followed by Domestic short hair (24.3%), Bengal cat (11.4%), Maine Coon (8.6%) and Persian cat (5.7%), and 14 other breeds. Male cats were predominantly affected (64.3%). Clinical signs were weakness (98.6%) and tetraparesis (75.7%) in association with decreased withdrawal reflexes (83.6%) and, less commonly, cranial nerve signs (17.1%), spinal pain/hyperesthesia (12.9%), and micturition/defecation problems (14.3%). Onset was sudden (30.1%) or insidious (69.1%), and an initial progressive phase was reported in 74.3%. Characteristic findings on electrodiagnostic examination were presence of generalized spontaneous electric muscle activity (89.6%), decreased motor nerve conduction velocity (52.3%), abnormal F-wave studies (72.4%), pattern of temporal dispersion (26.1%) and unremarkable sensory tests. The clinical course was mainly described as remittent (49.2%) or remittent-relapsing (34.9%), while stagnation, progressive course or waxing and waning were less frequently reported. Relapses were common and occurred in 35.7% of the cats' population. An overall favorable outcome was reported in 79.4% of patients. In conclusion, young age at the time of diagnosis and sudden onset of clinical signs were significantly associated with recovery (p < 0.05). Clinical and electrodiagnostic features and the remittent-relapsing clinical course resembles juvenile chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), as seen in human (children/adolescents), in many aspects

Improving biosecurity: A necessity for aquaculture sustainability

The implementation of biosecurity measures is vital to the future development of aquaculture, if the culture of aquatic species is to make it possible to feed the global human population by 2030. Biosecurity includes control of the spread of aquatic plant and animal diseases and invasive pests, and the production of products that are safe to eat. For controls on diseases and invasive pests, it is necessary to implement programmes that involve all regional countries. Lessons from measures implemented in Asia need to be expanded/upscaled in Latin America, Africa and other emerging aquaculture regions. Such development will make countries more self sufficient and will feed local populations. Globally, there is good evidence that aquatic animal diseases and invasive animal and plant pests are being spread by hull fouling and ballast water in shipping, and serious aquatic animal diseases by the international trade in ornamental fish. While there has been a growing awareness of the danger of ballast water transfer, hull fouling remains a serious problem. It is widely recognized that ornamental fish present a disease risk, but individual countries have tried to address this alone, and there has not been an international effort to control the trade. Developments in genetics and molecular biology hold great potential for disease control, either by breeding for disease resistance, or by the use of rapid, specific, culture site testing. Currently, there is no evidence that the use of antibiotics in aquaculture poses a threat to human health or that antibiotic-resistant strains have developed; however, the future use of genetically modified aquatic organisms (GMOs) may negate the need for chemotherapy. Cultured aquatic organisms, selected for disease resistance or rapid growth, are likely to become more acceptable, and probably necessary, to feed the rapidly growing global population. Most global aquaculture occurs in developing Asian countries, in which aquaculture products can harbor zoonotic parasites, and there is a need to treat such products to negate the threat of parasitic zoonoses and permit international export. Climate change is likely to be a major influence on aquaculture in the future, with impacts on coastal aquaculture through increased sea levels affecting coastlines, and acidification. To feed the growing global population, it will be necessary to culture new species, for which research on diseases and invasiveness will be necessary to acquire the information necessary to implement biosecurity measures