201 research outputs found
Systematic thermal reduction of neutronization in core-collapse supernovae
We investigate to what extent the temperature dependence of the nuclear
symmetry energy can affect the neutronization of the stellar core prior to
neutrino trapping during gravitational collapse. To this end, we implement a
one-zone simulation to follow the collapse until beta equilibrium is reached
and the lepton fraction remains constant. Since the strength of electron
capture on the neutron-rich nuclei associated to the supernova scenario is
still an open issue, we keep it as a free parameter. We find that the
temperature dependence of the symmetry energy consistently yields a small
reduction of deleptonization, which corresponds to a systematic effect on the
shock wave energetics: the gain in dissociation energy of the shock has a small
yet non-negligible value of about 0.4 foe (1 foe = 10^51 erg) and this result
is almost independent from the strength of nuclear electron capture. The
presence of such a systematic effect and its robustness under changes of the
parameters of the one-zone model are significative enough to justify further
investigations with detailed numerical simulations of supernova explosions.Comment: 15 pages, 2 tables, 3 figure
Fluctuating Elastic Rings: Statics and Dynamics
We study the effects of thermal fluctuations on elastic rings. Analytical
expressions are derived for correlation functions of Euler angles, mean square
distance between points on the ring contour, radius of gyration, and
probability distribution of writhe fluctuations. Since fluctuation amplitudes
diverge in the limit of vanishing twist rigidity, twist elasticity is essential
for the description of fluctuating rings. We find a crossover from a small
scale regime in which the filament behaves as a straight rod, to a large scale
regime in which spontaneous curvature is important and twist rigidity affects
the spatial configurations of the ring. The fluctuation-dissipation relation
between correlation functions of Euler angles and response functions, is used
to study the deformation of the ring by external forces. The effects of inertia
and dissipation on the relaxation of temporal correlations of writhe
fluctuations, are analyzed using Langevin dynamics.Comment: 43 pages, 9 Figure
Thresholds of biodiversity and ecosystem function in a forest ecosystem undergoing dieback
Ecological thresholds, which represent points of rapid change in ecological properties, are of major scientific and societal concern. However, very little research has focused on empirically testing the occurrence of thresholds in temperate terrestrial ecosystems. To address this knowledge gap, we tested whether a number of biodiversity, ecosystem functions and ecosystem condition metrics exhibited thresholds in response to a gradient of forest dieback, measured as changes in basal area of living trees relative to areas that lacked recent dieback. The gradient of dieback was sampled using 12 replicate study areas in a temperate forest ecosystem. Our results provide novel evidence of several thresholds in biodiversity (namely species richness of ectomycorrhizal fungi, epiphytic lichen and ground flora); for ecological condition (e.g. sward height, palatable seedling abundance) and a single threshold
for ecosystem function (i.e. soil respiration rate). Mechanisms for these thresholds are explored. As climate-induced forest dieback is increasing worldwide, both in scale and speed, these results imply that threshold responses may become increasingly widespread
The impact of deep-sea fisheries and implementation of the UNGA Resolutions 61/105 and 64/72. Report of an international scientific workshop
The scientific workshop to review fisheries management, held in Lisbon in May 2011, brought together 22 scientists and fisheries experts from around the world to consider the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions on high seas bottom fisheries: what progress has been made and what the outstanding issues are. This report summarises the workshop conclusions, identifying examples of good practice and making recommendations in areas where it was agreed that the current management measures fall short of their target
Two distinct lithium diffusive species for polymer gel electrolytes containing LiBFâ, propylene carbonate (PC) and PVDF
Polymer gel electrolytes have been prepared using lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBFâ), propylene carbonate (PC) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) at 20% and 30% concentration by mass. Self diffusion coefficients have been measured using pulse field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG-NMR) for the cation and anion using â·Li and ÂčâčF resonant frequencies respectively. It was found that lithium ion diffusion was slow compared to the much larger fluorine anion likely resulting from a large solvation shell of the lithium. Lithium ion diffusion measurements exhibited two distinct diffusive species, whereas the fluorine ions exhibited only a single diffusive species
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The effect of aspirin and eicosapentaenoic acid on urinary biomarkers of prostaglandin E2 synthesis and platelet activation in participants of the seAFOod polyp prevention trial
Urinary prostaglandin (PG) E metabolite (PGE-M) and 11-dehydro (d)-thromboxane (TX) B2 are biomarkers of cyclooxygenase-dependent prostanoid synthesis. We investigated (1) the effect of aspirin 300âmg daily and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 2000âmg daily, alone and in combination, on urinary biomarker levels and, (2) whether urinary biomarker levels predicted colorectal polyp risk, during participation in the seAFOod polyp prevention trial. Urinary PGE-M and 11-d-TXB2 were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The relationship between urinary biomarker levels and colorectal polyp outcomes was investigated using negative binomial (polyp number) and logistic (% with one or more polyps) regression models. Despite wide temporal variability in PGE-M and 11-d-TXB2 levels within individuals, both aspirin and, to a lesser extent, EPA decreased levels of both biomarkers (74% [Pââ€â.001] and 8% [Pââ€â.05] reduction in median 11-d-TXB2 values, respectively). In the placebo group, a high (quartile [Q] 2-4) baseline 11-d-TXB2 level predicted increased polyp number (incidence rate ratio [IRR] [95% CI] 2.26 [1.11,4.58]) and risk (odds ratio [95% CI] 3.56 [1.09,11.63]). A low (Q1) on-treatment 11-d-TXB2 level predicted reduced colorectal polyp number compared to placebo (IRR 0.34 [0.12,0.93] for combination aspirin and EPA treatment) compared to high on-treatment 11-d-TXB2 values (0.61 [0.34,1.11]). Aspirin and EPA both inhibit PGE-M and 11-d-TXB2 synthesis in keeping with shared in vivo cyclooxygenase inhibition. Colorectal polyp risk and treatment response prediction by 11-d-TXB2 is consistent with a role for platelet activation during early colorectal carcinogenesis. The use of urinary 11-d-TXB2 measurement for a precision approach to colorectal cancer risk prediction and chemoprevention requires prospective evaluation
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Plasma and rectal mucosal oxylipin levels during aspirin and eicosapentaenoic acid treatment in the seAFOod polyp prevention trial
Background
Aspirin and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have colorectal polyp prevention activity, alone and in combination. This study measured levels of plasma and rectal mucosal oxylipins in participants of the seAFOod 2 Ă 2 factorial, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, who received aspirin 300 mg daily and EPA 2000 mg free fatty acid, alone and in combination, for 12 months.
Methods
Resolvin (Rv) E1, 15-epi-lipoxin (LX) A4 and respective precursors 18-HEPE and 15-HETE (with chiral separation) were measured by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in plasma taken at baseline, 6 months and 12 months, as well as rectal mucosa obtained at trial exit colonoscopy at 12 months, in 401 trial participants.
Results
Despite detection of S- and R- enantiomers of 18-HEPE and 15-HETE in ng/ml concentrations, RvE1 or 15âepi-LXA4 were not detected above a limit of detection of 20 pg/ml in plasma or rectal mucosa, even in individuals randomised to both aspirin and EPA. We have confirmed in a large clinical trial cohort that prolonged (12 months) treatment with EPA is associated with increased plasma 18-HEPE concentrations (median [inter-quartile range] total 18-HEPE 0.51 [0.21â1.95] ng/ml at baseline versus 0.95 [0.46â4.06] ng/ml at 6 months [P<0.0001] in those randomised to EPA alone), which correlate strongly with respective rectal mucosal 18-HEPE levels (r = 0.82; P<0.001), but which do not predict polyp prevention efficacy by EPA or aspirin.
Conclusion
Analysis of seAFOod trial plasma and rectal mucosal samples has not provided evidence of synthesis of the EPA-derived specialised pro-resolving mediator RvE1 or aspirin-trigged lipoxin 15âepi-LXA4. We cannot rule out degradation of individual oxylipins during sample collection and storage but readily measurable precursor oxylipins argues against widespread degradation
Supernova Bounds on Majoron-emitting decays of light neutrinos
Neutrino masses arising from the spontaneous violation of ungauged
lepton-number are accompanied by a physical Goldstone boson, generically called
Majoron. In the high-density supernova medium the effects of Majoron-emitting
neutrino decays are important even if they are suppressed in vacuo by small
neutrino masses and/or small off-diagonal couplings. We reconsider the
influence of these decays on the neutrino signal of supernovae in the light of
recent Super-Kamiokande data on solar and atmospheric neutrinos. We find that
majoron-neutrino coupling constants in the range 3\times 10^{-7}\lsim g\lsim
2\times 10^{-5} or g \gsim 3 \times 10^{-4} are excluded by the observation
of SN1987A. Then we discuss the potential of Superkamiokande and the Sudbury
Neutrino Observatory to detect majoron neutrino interactions in the case of a
future galactic supernova. We find that these experiments could probe majoron
neutrino interactions with improved sensitivity.Comment: 28 pages, 5 figure
NĂveis de triptofano digestĂvel em raçÔes para suĂnos machos castrados de alto potencial genĂ©tico na fase dos 97 aos 125 kg
Genome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation analysis provide insights into the pathogenesis of heart failure
Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A small proportion of HF cases are attributable to monogenic cardiomyopathies and existing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have yielded only limited insights, leaving the observed heritability of HF largely unexplained. We report results from a GWAS meta-analysis of HF comprising 47,309 cases and 930,014 controls. Twelve independent variants at 11 genomic loci are associated with HF, all of which demonstrate one or more associations with coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, or reduced left ventricular function, suggesting shared genetic aetiology. Functional analysis of non-CAD-associated loci implicate genes involved in cardiac development (MYOZ1, SYNPO2L), protein homoeostasis (BAG3), and cellular senescence (CDKN1A). Mendelian randomisation analysis supports causal roles for several HF risk factors, and demonstrates CAD-independent effects for atrial fibrillation, body mass index, and hypertension. These findings extend our knowledge of the pathways underlying HF and may inform new therapeutic strategies
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