Non-relativistic Matrix Inflation

We reconsider a string theoretic inflationary model, where inflation is driven by $n$ multiple coincident $D3$-branes in the finite $n$ limit. We show that the finite $n$ action can be continued to the limit of large $n$, where it converges to the action for a wrapped $D5$-brane with $n$ units of U(1) flux. This provides an important consistency check of the scenario and allows for more control over certain back-reaction effects. We determine the most general form of the action for a specific sub-class of models and examine the non-relativistic limits of the theory where the branes move at speeds much less than the speed of light. The non-Abelian nature of the world-volume theory implies that the inflaton field is matrix valued and this results in modifications to the slow-roll parameters and Hubble-flow equations. A specific small field model of inflation is investigated where the branes move out of an AdS throat, and observational constraints are employed to place bounds on the background fluxes.Comment: 25 page

Genetic variation in APOE, GRN, and TP53 are phenotype modifiers in frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a clinical, genetic, and pathologic heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the role of APO\u1904, rs5848 in GRN, and rs1042522 in TP53 gene as disease risk factors and/or phenotype modifiers in 440 FTD patients, including 175 C9orf72 expansion carriers. We found that the C9orf72 expansion carriers showing an earlier age at onset (p < 0.001). Among the clinical groups, the FTD-MND (motoneuron disease) showed the lowest survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.12), and the progressive nonfluent aphasia group showed the highest onset age (p = 0.03). In our cohort, the rs1042522 in TP53 was associated with disease onset (p = 0.02) and survival (HR = 1.73) and rs5848 GRN with a significantly shorter survival in CC homozygous patients (HR = 1.98). The frequency of APO\u1904 carriers was significantly increased in the C9orf72 noncarriers (p = 0.022). Although validation of our findings is necessary, our results suggest that TP53, GRN, and APOE genes may act as phenotype modifiers in FTD and should be considered in future clinical trials

Vito Flaker@Boj za (2012): Direktno socialno delo, (Oranžna zbirka). Ljubljana: Založba /*cf. 372 str. ISBN 978-961-257-047-7

The yields of NO from combustion of bituminous coal, lignite, and biomass chars were investigated in O₂/N₂ and O₂/CO₂ atmospheres. The experiments were performed in a laboratory-scale fixed-bed reactor in the temperature range of 850–1150 °C. To minimize thermal deactivation during char preparation, the chars were generated by in situ pyrolysis at the reaction temperature. The NO yield clearly decreased and the CO yield increased when the atmosphere was altered from O₂/N₂ to O₂/CO₂ at 850 °C, but only small differences in NO and CO yields were observed between the two atmospheres at 1050–1150 °C. To examine how CO influences the NO yield, the effect of CO on NO reduction over char as well as NO reduction by CO over ash was investigated in the fixed-bed reactor. Furthermore, the influence of CO on the homogeneous oxidation of HCN, possibly a product of the char-N oxidation, was evaluated using a detailed chemical kinetic model. The results indicate that CO influences the NO yield from char combustion through two paths at 850 °C: (1) CO accelerates NO reduction over char and (2) CO accelerates HCN oxidation, increasing the possibility of NO reduction over char. Both effects were more pronounced at 850 °C than at 1050–1150 °C. The present work indicates that the effect of CO₂ on NO formation in oxy-fuel combustion in fluidized beds can partly be attributed to heterogeneous reactions, whereas for high-temperature pulverized fuel combustion, CO₂ mainly affects the volatile chemistry

Pathogenic Huntingtin Repeat Expansions in Patients with Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Using large-scale whole-genome sequencing, Dewan et al. identify pathogenic HTT repeat expansions in patients diagnosed with FTD/ALS neurodegenerative disorders. Autopsies confirm the TDP-43 pathology expected in FTD/ALS and show polyglutamine inclusions within the frontal cortices but no striatal degeneration. These data broaden the phenotype resulting from HTT repeat expansions