On random flights with non-uniformly distributed directions

This paper deals with a new class of random flights $\underline{\bf X}_d(t),t>0,$ defined in the real space $\mathbb{R}^d, d\geq 2,$ characterized by non-uniform probability distributions on the multidimensional sphere. These random motions differ from similar models appeared in literature which take directions according to the uniform law. The family of angular probability distributions introduced in this paper depends on a parameter $\nu\geq 0$ which gives the level of drift of the motion. Furthermore, we assume that the number of changes of direction performed by the random flight is fixed. The time lengths between two consecutive changes of orientation have joint probability distribution given by a Dirichlet density function. The analysis of $\underline{\bf X}_d(t),t>0,$ is not an easy task, because it involves the calculation of integrals which are not always solvable. Therefore, we analyze the random flight $\underline{\bf X}_m^d(t),t>0,$ obtained as projection onto the lower spaces $\mathbb{R}^m,m<d,$ of the original random motion in $\mathbb{R}^d$. Then we get the probability distribution of $\underline{\bf X}_m^d(t),t>0.$ Although, in its general framework, the analysis of $\underline{\bf X}_d(t),t>0,$ is very complicated, for some values of $\nu$, we can provide some results on the process. Indeed, for $\nu=1$, we obtain the characteristic function of the random flight moving in $\mathbb{R}^d$. Furthermore, by inverting the characteristic function, we are able to give the analytic form (up to some constants) of the probability distribution of $\underline{\bf X}_d(t),t>0.$Comment: 28 pages, 3 figure

Submillimetre dust polarisation and opacity in the HD163296 protoplanetary ring system

We present ALMA images of the sub-mm continuum polarisation and spectral index of the protoplanetary ringed disk HD163296. The polarisation fraction at 870{\mu}m is measured to be ~0.9% in the central core and generally increases with radius along the disk major axis. It peaks in the gaps between the dust rings, and the largest value (~4%) is found between rings 1 and 2. The polarisation vectors are aligned with the disk minor axis in the central core, but become more azimuthal in the gaps, twisting by up to +/-9degrees in the gap between rings 1 and 2. These general characteristics are consistent with a model of self-scattered radiation in the ringed structure, without requiring an additional dust alignment mechanism. The 870/1300{\mu}m dust spectral index exhibits minima in the centre and the inner rings, suggesting these regions have high optical depths. However, further refinement of the dust or the disk model at higher resolution is needed to reproduce simultaneously the observed degree of polarisation and the low spectral index.Comment: 5 pages +2 pages supplemental data. v2 - revised figures and final values; conclusions unchange

1H-NMR plasma lipoproteins profile analysis reveals lipid metabolism alterations in HER2-positive breast cancer patients

The lipid tumour demand may shape the host metabolism adapting the circulating lipids composition to its growth and progression needs. This study aims to exploit the straightforward 1 H-NMR lipoproteins analysis to investigate the alterations of the circulating lipoproteins’ fractions in HER2-positive breast cancer and their modulations induced by treatments. The baseline1H-NMR plasma lipoproteins profiles were measured in 43 HER2-positive breast cancer patients and compared with those of 28 healthy women. In a subset of 32 patients, longitudinal measurements were also performed along neoadjuvant chemotherapy, after surgery, adjuvant treatment, and during the two-year follow-up. Differences between groups were assessed by multivariate PLS-DA and by univariate analyses. The diagnostic power of lipoproteins subfractions was assessed by ROC curve, while lipoproteins time changes along interventions were investigated by ANOVA analysis. The PLS-DA model distinguished HER2-positive breast cancer patients from the control group with a sensitivity of 96.4% and specificity of 90.7%, mainly due to the differential levels of VLDLs subfractions that were significantly higher in the patients' group. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy-induced a significant drop in the HDLs after the first three months of treatment and a specific decrease in the HDL-3 and HDL-4 subfractions were found significantly associated with the pathological complete response achievement. These results indicate that HER2-positive breast cancer is characterized by a significant host lipid mobilization that could be useful for diagnostic purposes. Moreover, the lipoproteins profiles alterations induced by the therapeutic interventions could predict the clinical outcome supporting the application of1H-NMR lipoproteins profiles analysis for longitudinal monitoring of HER2-positive breast cancer in large clinical studies

XEN glaucoma treatment system in the management of refractory glaucomas: a short review on trial data and potential role in clinical practice

The recent development of new devices that are significantly less invasive, collectively termed minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, offers new perspective of intraocular pressure reduction with less risk, short operating times, and rapid recovery. The aim of this work is to provide a panoramic review of the currently published clinical data to assess the potential role of XEN gel stent (Allergan PLC, Irvine, CA, USA) in the management of glaucoma, which is the only filtering minimally invasive glaucoma surgery device that allows the subconjunctival filtration. The ab interno placement of the XEN gel stent offers an alternative for lowering intraocular pressure in refractory glaucoma as a final step, and in patients intolerant to medical therapy as an early surgical approach with minimum conjunctival tissue disruption, restricted flow to avoid hypotony, and long-term safety

Toward the Identification of Novel Antimicrobial Agents: One-Pot Synthesis of Lipophilic Conjugates of N-Alkyl d- and l-Iminosugars

In the effort to improve the antimicrobial activity of iminosugars, we report the synthesis of lipophilic iminosugars 10a-b and 11a-b based on the one-pot conjugation of both enantiomeric forms of N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (NBDNJ) and N-nonyloxypentyldeoxynojirimycin (NPDNJ) with cholesterol and a succinic acid model linker. The conjugation reaction was tuned using the established PS-TPP/I2/ImH activating system, which provided the desired compounds in high yields (94-96%) by a one-pot procedure. The substantial increase in the lipophilicity of 10a-b and 11a-b is supposed to improve internalization within the bacterial cell, thereby potentially leading to enhanced antimicrobial properties. However, assays are currently hampered by solubility problems; therefore, alternative administration strategies will need to be devised

Emerging role of metabolomics in ovarian cancer diagnosis

Ovarian cancer is considered a silent killer due to the lack of clear symptoms and efficient diagnostic tools that often lead to late diagnoses. Over recent years, the impelling need for proficient biomarkers has led researchers to consider metabolomics, an emerging omics science that deals with analyses of the entire set of small-molecules (≤1.5 kDa) present in biological systems. Metabolomics profiles, as a mirror of tumor–host interactions, have been found to be useful for the analysis and identification of specific cancer phenotypes. Cancer may cause significant metabolic alterations to sustain its growth, and metabolomics may highlight this, making it possible to detect cancer in an early phase of development. In the last decade, metabolomics has been widely applied to identify different metabolic signatures to improve ovarian cancer diagnosis. The aim of this review is to update the current status of the metabolomics research for the discovery of new diagnostic metabolomic biomarkers for ovarian cancer. The most promising metabolic alterations are discussed in view of their potential biological implications, underlying the issues that limit their effective clinical translation into ovarian cancer diagnostic tools

Mutagenicity evaluation with Ames test of hydro-alcoholic solution of terpenes

Mutagenic properties of terpenes (both synthesis and plant derived) have been tested, up to now, as a single molecule. A terpenes containing hydro-alcoholic solution deriving from frankincense and myrrh resins and hyssop essential oil was assayed for mutagenicity by means of Ames test. Extraction tech- nique conducted with electromagnetic fields at room temperature enabled to obtain a solution of free active molecules that did not undergo thermal degradation and characterized by biocidal activity. In order to verify lack of mutagenic hazard in coming into contact with human, the solution was appropriately diluted and tested with Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA1535 and YG1024 strains, both in absence and in presence of metabolic system S9. For none of the tested conditions a 2-fold increase of induced revertants, as regards to spontaneous, was registered. The ratio between induced and spontaneous His+ revertants (Mutagenic Index) was around 1.00 in all the determinations and no statistically significant differences have been identified comparing the sample and the negative control. A similar result has been obtained for the dose-response curve. In conclusion, we verified that tested terpenes solution lacks of mutagenicity on Salmonella typhimurium with and without metabolic activator so this plant extract can be safely used as biocide

Nursery management in relation to root deformation, sowing and shading

The polybag is widely used for seedling production in the Philippines. Seedlings commonly have root deformation which has adverse effects as they grow and develop into mature trees. This study assessed the influence of potting technique and hardening intensity on the growth performance of seedlings in nursery and field conditions. Seedlings of bagras (Eucalyptus deglupta) and mangium (Acacia mangium) were grown in hiko trays and 4" x 6" polybags at the College of Forestry nursery, Leyte State University (LSU). Kalumpit (Terminalia microcarpa) and pellita (Eucalyptus pellita) were used for a trial in the Conalum Agroforestry Farmers Association (CAFA) nursery in Inopacan, Leyte, aimed at validating LSU results and at the same time evaluating farmers' perceptions on the use of hiko trays and polybags in seedling production. It was found that seedlings of bagras, mangium, kalumpit and pellita grown in hiko trays have smaller diameter and height compared with those in polybags at 12 weeks. Root deformation of seedlings was absent in hiko trays but high with seedlings in polybags. As perceived by both farmers and ACIAR researchers, hiko tray seedlings are of high quality exhibiting sturdy shoot, trained roots and homogenous growth

Majorana and the quasi-stationary states in Nuclear Physics

A complete theoretical model describing artificial disintegration of nuclei by bombardment with alpha-particles, developed by Majorana as early as in 1930, is discussed in detail alongside the basic experimental evidences that motivated it. By following the quantum dynamics of a state resulting from the superposition of a discrete state with a continuum one, whose interaction is described by a given potential term, Majorana obtained (among the other predictions) the explicit expression for the integrated cross section of the nuclear process, which is the direct measurable quantity of interest in the experiments. Though this is the first application of the concept of quasi-stationary states to a Nuclear Physics problem, it seems also that the unpublished Majorana's work anticipates by several years the related seminal paper by Fano on Atomic Physics.Comment: latex, amsart, 13 page