Dobrushin states in the \phi^4_1 model

We consider the van der Waals free energy functional in a bounded interval with inhomogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions imposing the two stable phases at the endpoints. We compute the asymptotic free energy cost, as the length of the interval diverges, of shifting the interface from the midpoint. We then discuss the effect of thermal fluctuations by analyzing the \phi^4_1-measure with Dobrushin boundary conditions. In particular, we obtain a nontrivial limit in a suitable scaling in which the length of the interval diverges and the temperature vanishes. The limiting state is not translation invariant and describes a localized interface. This result can be seen as the probabilistic counterpart of the variational convergence of the associated excess free energy.Comment: 34 page

Schroedinger's Interpolating Dynamics and Burgers' Flows

We discuss a connection (and a proper place in this framework) of the unforced and deterministically forced Burgers equation for local velocity fields of certain flows, with probabilistic solutions of the so-called Schr\"{o}dinger interpolation problem. The latter allows to reconstruct the microscopic dynamics of the system from the available probability density data, or the input-output statistics in the phenomenological situations. An issue of deducing the most likely dynamics (and matter transport) scenario from the given initial and terminal probability density data, appropriate e.g. for studying chaos in terms of densities, is here exemplified in conjunction with Born's statistical interpretation postulate in quantum theory, that yields stochastic processes which are compatible with the Schr\"{o}dinger picture free quantum evolution.Comment: Latex file, to appear in "Chaos, Solitons and Fractals

Unconventional experimental technologies used for phase change materials (PCM) characterization: part2 morphological and structural characterization, physico-chemical stability and mechanical properties

Due to the high interest of appropriate characterization of PCM and hybrid PCM composites, different research centres and universities are using several material characterization techniques not commonly used with PCM, to study the structure and morphology of these materials. Likewise, physico-chemical stability is a crucial parameter for the performance of latent storage materials during time and its evaluation has been done by using molecular spectroscopy, chemiluminiscence or calorimetric tests. Atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation are also reported to characterize hybrid PCM composites

The comorbidity profiles and medication issues of patients with multiple system atrophy:a systematic cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a complex and fatal neurodegenerative movement disorder. Understanding the comorbidities and drug therapy is crucial for MSA patients' safety and management.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the pattern of comorbidities and aspects of drug therapy in MSA patients.METHODS: Cross-sectional data of MSA patients according to Gilman et al. (2008) diagnostic criteria and control patients without neurodegenerative diseases (non-ND) were collected from German, multicenter cohorts. The prevalence of comorbidities according to WHO ICD-10 classification and drugs administered according to WHO ATC system were analyzed. Potential drug-drug interactions were identified using AiDKlinik®.RESULTS: The analysis included 254 MSA and 363 age- and sex-matched non-ND control patients. MSA patients exhibited a significantly higher burden of comorbidities, in particular diseases of the genitourinary system. Also, more medications were prescribed MSA patients, resulting in a higher prevalence of polypharmacy. Importantly, the risk of potential drug-drug interactions, including severe interactions and contraindicated combinations, was elevated in MSA patients. When comparing MSA-P and MSA-C subtypes, MSA-P patients suffered more frequently from diseases of the genitourinary system and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.CONCLUSIONS: MSA patients face a substantial burden of comorbidities, notably in the genitourinary system. This, coupled with increased polypharmacy and potential drug interactions, highlights the complexity of managing MSA patients. Clinicians should carefully consider these factors when devising treatment strategies for MSA patients.</p

The comorbidity and co-medication profile of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy

BackgroundProgressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is usually diagnosed in elderly. Currently, little is known about comorbidities and the co-medication in these patients.ObjectivesTo explore the pattern of comorbidities and co-medication in PSP patients according to the known different phenotypes and in comparison with patients without neurodegenerative disease.MethodsCross-sectional data of PSP and patients without neurodegenerative diseases (non-ND) were collected from three German multicenter observational studies (DescribePSP, ProPSP and DANCER). The prevalence of comorbidities according to WHO ICD-10 classification and the prevalence of drugs administered according to WHO ATC system were analyzed. Potential drug-drug interactions were evaluated using AiDKlinik (R).ResultsIn total, 335 PSP and 275 non-ND patients were included in this analysis. The prevalence of diseases of the circulatory and the nervous system was higher in PSP at first level of ICD-10. Dorsopathies, diabetes mellitus, other nutritional deficiencies and polyneuropathies were more frequent in PSP at second level of ICD-10. In particular, the summed prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher in PSP patients. More drugs were administered in the PSP group leading to a greater percentage of patients with polypharmacy. Accordingly, the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions was higher in PSP patients, especially severe and moderate interactions.ConclusionsPSP patients possess a characteristic profile of comorbidities, particularly diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The eminent burden of comorbidities and resulting polypharmacy should be carefully considered when treating PSP patients

Unconventional experimental technologies used for phase change materials (PCM) characterization: part 2 – morphological and structural characterization, physico-chemical stability and mechanical properties

Due to the high interest of appropriate characterization of PCM and hybrid PCM composites, different research centres and universities are using several material characterization techniques not commonly used with PCM, to study the structure and morphology of these materials. Likewise, physico-chemical stability is a crucial parameter for the performance of latent storage materials during time and its evaluation has been done by using molecular spectroscopy, chemiluminiscence or calorimetric tests. Atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation are also reported to characterize hybrid PCM composites. Other chemical aspects studied are related with the compatibility of the PCM and its container and also considered in this compilation of characterization work.The work is partially funded by the European Union (COST Action COST TU0802) and the Spanish government (ENE2011- 28269-C03-01, ENE2011-28269-C03-02 and ENE2011-22722). The authors would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to their research group GREA (2014 SGR 123) and their research group DIOPMA (2014 SGR 1543). Aran Solé would like to thank the Departament d’Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació de la Generalitat de Catalunya for her research fellowship

MAPT mutation associated with frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism (FTDP-17)

We present a 56-year-old patient suffering from frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). The history included a three-generation pedigree and the patient was found to be a mutation carrier. The diagnosis was hindered by late appearance of the hypokinetic movement disorder. For clinicians, it is important to consider rare neurodegenerative disease variants in early-onset familial dementia syndromes with behavioral, cognitive, and motor symptom

Structure of the molybdenum-cofactor biosynthesis protein MoaB ofEscherichia coli

The moaABC operon of Escherichia coli is involved in early steps of the biosynthesis of the molybdenum-binding cofactor molybdopterin, but the precise functions of the cognate proteins are not known. The crystal structure of the MoaB protein from E. coli was determined by multiple anomalous dispersion at 2.1 Å resolution and refined to an R factor of 20.4% (Rfree = 25.0%). The protein is a 32-symmetric hexamer, with the monomers consisting of a central [beta]-sheet flanked by helices on both sides. The overall fold of the monomer is similar to those of the MogA protein of E. coli, the G-domains of rat and human gephyrin and the G-domains of Cnx1 protein from A. thaliana, all of which are involved in the insertion of an unknown molybdenum species into molybdopterin to form the molybdenum cofactor. Furthermore, the MoaB protein shows significant sequence similarity to the cinnamon protein from Drosophila melanogaster. In addition to other functions, all these proteins are involved in the biosynthesis of the molybdenum cofactor and have been shown to bind molybdopterin. The close structural homology to MogA and the gephyrin and Cnx1 domains suggests that MoaB may bind a hitherto unidentified pterin compound, possibly an intermediate in molybdopterin biosynthesis