Non-reversibility and self-joinings of higher orders for ergodic flows

By studying the weak closure of multidimensional off-diagonal self-joinings we provide a criterion for non-isomorphism of a flow with its inverse, hence the non-reversibility of a flow. This is applied to special flows over rigid automorphisms. In particular, we apply the criterion to special flows over irrational rotations, providing a large class of non-reversible flows, including some analytic reparametrizations of linear flows on the two torus, so called von Neumann's flows and some special flows with piecewise polynomial roof functions.. A topological counterpart is also developed with the full solution of the problem of the topological self-similarity of continuous special flows over irrational rotations. This yields examples of continuous special flows over irrational rotations without topological self-similarities and having all non-zero real numbers as scales of measure-theoretic self-similarities.Comment: 49 pages, 2 figur

Mild mixing property for special flows under piecewise constant functions

We give a condition on a piecewise constant roof function and an irrational rotation by $\alpha$ on the circle to give rise to a special flow having the mild mixing property. Such flows will also satisfy Ratner's property. As a consequence we obtain a class of mildly mixing singular flows on the two-torus that arise from quasi-periodic Hamiltonians flows by velocity changes.Comment: Accepted for publication in Discrete Contin. Dyn. Sys

A realization of the Hecke algebra on the space of period functions for Gamma_0(n)

The standard realization of the Hecke algebra on classical holomorphic cusp forms and the corresponding period polynomials is well known. In this article we consider a nonstandard realization of the Hecke algebra on Maass cusp forms for the Hecke congruence subgroups Gamma_0(n). We show that the vector valued period functions derived recently by Hilgert, Mayer and Movasati as special eigenfunctions of the transfer operator for Gamma_0(n) are indeed related to the Maass cusp forms for these groups. This leads also to a simple interpretation of the ``Hecke like'' operators of these authors in terms of the aforementioned non standard realization of the Hecke algebra on the space of vector valued period functions.Comment: 30 pages; corrected typos and fixed incomplete proofs in section

Analysis of the microstructure evolution during thermo-mechanical treatment of the steel plates in grade X80-X100

In the work the results of the physical modeling of plate rolling process of HSLA steel were presented. The simulations were carried out using the Gleeble 3800 device and the anvils set for plane strain compression study. The aim of the simulation were a determination of a influence of changes in chemical composition of steel on obtained final structure and tensile strength of specimens after controlled deformation and accelerated cooling to room temperature. During investigation three grades of steels with a little different chemical composition were examined

Corticosteroid treatment is associated with increased filamentous fungal burden in allergic fungal disease

Background Allergic diseases caused by fungi are common. The best understood conditions are allergic bronchopulmonaryaspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS). Our knowledge of the fungal microbiome (mycobiome) is limited to a few studies involving healthy individuals, asthmatics and smokers. No study has yet examined the mycobiome in fungal lung disease. Objectives The main aim of this study was to determine the mycobiome in lungs of individuals with well characterised fungal disease. A secondary objective was to determine possible effects of treatment on the mycobiome. Methods After bronchoscopy, ITS1 DNA was amplified and sequenced and fungal load determined by RT-PCR. Clinical and treatment variables were correlated with the main species identified. ABPA (n=16), SAFS (n=16), severe asthma not sensitised to fungi, (n=9), mild asthma patients(n=7) and 10 healthy controls were studied. Results The mycobiome was highly varied with severe asthmatics carrying higher loads of fungus. Healthy individuals had low fungal loads, mostly poorly characterised Malasezziales.The most common fungus in asthmatics was Aspergillus fumigatus complex and this taxon accounted for the increased burden of fungus in the high level samples. Corticosteroid treatment was significantly associated with increased fungal load (p<0.01). Conclusions The mycobiome is highly variable. Highest loads of fungus are observed in severe asthmatics and the most common fungus is Aspergillus fumigatus complex. Individuals receiving steroid therapy had significantly higher levels of Aspergillus and total fungus in their BAL

Laser-related spectroscopic parameters of NV colour centres in diamond

One of the most common impurities in synthetic diamond is single substitutional nitrogen, which is incorporated in the diamond lattice substituting a carbon atom [1]. If the nitrogen is adjacent to a vacancy in the diamond lattice, it forms the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) colour centre (CC) [1]. The negatively charged state of this CC, NV-, is particularly well studied since its quantum properties are suitable for applications such as quantum information processing, single-photon sources and optical magnetometry [2]. NV CCs in the neutral state (NV0) are less widely studied. This CC exhibits broadband luminescence at slightly shorter wavelengths than NV-, and hence is also potentially of interest for tuneable and ultrafast visible laser applications. In this report, we present a detailed study of the laser-related spectroscopic properties of a diamond containing NV0 and NV- CCs

New paradigms for understanding and step changes in treating active and chronic, persistent apicomplexan infections

Toxoplasma gondii, the most common parasitic infection of human brain and eye, persists across lifetimes, can progressively damage sight, and is currently incurable. New, curative medicines are needed urgently. Herein, we develop novel models to facilitate drug development: EGS strain T. gondii forms cysts in vitro that induce oocysts in cats, the gold standard criterion for cysts. These cysts highly express cytochrome b. Using these models, we envisioned, and then created, novel 4-(1H)-quinolone scaffolds that target the cytochrome bc1 complex Qi site, of which, a substituted 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolin-4-one inhibits active infection (IC50, 30 nM) and cysts (IC50, 4 μM) in vitro, and in vivo (25 mg/kg), and drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum (IC50, <30 nM), with clinically relevant synergy. Mutant yeast and co-crystallographic studies demonstrate binding to the bc1 complex Qi site. Our results have direct impact on improving outcomes for those with toxoplasmosis, malaria, and ~2 billion persons chronically infected with encysted bradyzoites

Author Correction: New paradigms for understanding and step changes in treating active and chronic, persistent apicomplexan infections

Correction to: Scientific Reports https://doi.org/10.1038/srep29179, published online 14 July 201