On the minimal penalty for Markov order estimation

We show that large-scale typicality of Markov sample paths implies that the likelihood ratio statistic satisfies a law of iterated logarithm uniformly to the same scale. As a consequence, the penalized likelihood Markov order estimator is strongly consistent for penalties growing as slowly as log log n when an upper bound is imposed on the order which may grow as rapidly as log n. Our method of proof, using techniques from empirical process theory, does not rely on the explicit expression for the maximum likelihood estimator in the Markov case and could therefore be applicable in other settings.Comment: 29 page

The class of the locus of intermediate Jacobians of cubic threefolds

We study the locus of intermediate Jacobians of cubic threefolds within the moduli space of complex principally polarized abelian fivefolds, and its generalization to arbitrary genus - the locus of abelian varieties with a singular odd two-torsion point on the theta divisor. Assuming that this locus has expected codimension (which we show to be true for genus up to 5), we compute the class of this locus, and of is closure in the perfect cone toroidal compactification, in the Chow, homology, and the tautological ring. We work out the cases of genus up to 5 in detail, obtaining explicit expressions for the classes of the closures of the locus of products of an elliptic curve and a hyperelliptic genus 3 curve, in moduli of principally polarized abelian fourfolds, and of the locus of intermediate Jacobians in genus 5. In the course of our computation we also deal with various intersections of boundary divisors of a level toroidal compactification, which is of independent interest in understanding the cohomology and Chow rings of the moduli spaces.Comment: v2: new section 9 on the geometry of the boundary of the locus of intermediate Jacobians of cubic threefolds. Final version to appear in Invent. Mat

Matter profile effect in neutrino factory

We point out that the matter profile effect --- the effect of matter density fluctuation on the baseline --- is very important to estimate the parameters in a neutrino factory with a very long baseline. To make it clear, we propose the method of the Fourier series expansion of the matter profile. By using this method, we can take account of both the matter profile effect and its ambiguity. For very long baseline experiment, such as L=7332km, in the analysis of the oscillation phenomena we need to introduce a new parameter $a_{1}$--- the Fourier coefficient of the matter profile --- as a theoretical parameter to deal with the matter profile effects.Comment: 21 pages, 15 figure

The Kr2Det project: Search for mass-3 state contribution |U_{e3}|^2 to the electron neutrino using a one reactor - two detector oscillation experiment at Krasnoyarsk underground site

The main physical goal of the project is to search with reactor antineutrinos for small mixing angle oscillations in the atmospheric mass parameter region around {\Delta}m^{2}_{atm} ~ 2.5 10^{-3} eV^2 in order to find the element U_{e3} of the neutrino mixing matrix or to set a new more stringent constraint (U_{e3} is the contribution of mass-3 state to the electron neutrino flavor state). To achieve this we propose a "one reactor - two detector" experiment: two identical antineutrino spectrometers with $\sim$50 ton liquid scintillator targets located at ~100 m and ~1000 m from the Krasnoyarsk underground reactor (~600 mwe). In no-oscillation case ratio of measured positron spectra of the \bar{{\nu}_e} + p \to e^{+} + n reaction is energy independent. Deviation from a constant value of this ratio is the oscillation signature. In this scheme results do not depend on the exact knowledge of the reactor power, nu_e spectra, burn up effects, target volumes and, which is important, the backgrounds can periodically be measured during reactor OFF periods. In this letter we present the Krasnoyarsk reactor site, give a schematic description of the detectors, calculate the neutrino detection rates and estimate the backgrounds. We also outline the detector monitoring and calibration procedures, which are of a key importance. We hope that systematic uncertainties will not accede 0.5% and the sensitivity U^{2}_{e3} ~4 10^{-3} (at {\Delta}m^{2} = 2.5 10^{-3} eV^2) can be achieved.Comment: Latex 2e, 9 pages and 5 ps figure

Curves on Heisenberg invariant quartic surfaces in projective 3-space

This paper is about the family of smooth quartic surfaces $X \subset \mathbb{P}^3$ that are invariant under the Heisenberg group $H_{2,2}$. For a very general such surface $X$, we show that the Picard number of $X$ is 16 and determine its Picard group. It turns out that the general Heisenberg invariant quartic contains 320 smooth conics and that in the very general case, this collection of conics generates the Picard group.Comment: Updated references, corrected typo

Wolfram Syndrome protein, Miner1, regulates sulphydryl redox status, the unfolded protein response, and Ca2+ homeostasis.

Miner1 is a redox-active 2Fe2S cluster protein. Mutations in Miner1 result in Wolfram Syndrome, a metabolic disease associated with diabetes, blindness, deafness, and a shortened lifespan. Embryonic fibroblasts from Miner1(-/-) mice displayed ER stress and showed hallmarks of the unfolded protein response. In addition, loss of Miner1 caused a depletion of ER Ca(2+) stores, a dramatic increase in mitochondrial Ca(2+) load, increased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, an increase in the GSSG/GSH and NAD(+)/NADH ratios, and an increase in the ADP/ATP ratio consistent with enhanced ATP utilization. Furthermore, mitochondria in fibroblasts lacking Miner1 displayed ultrastructural alterations, such as increased cristae density and punctate morphology, and an increase in O2 consumption. Treatment with the sulphydryl anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine reversed the abnormalities in the Miner1 deficient cells, suggesting that sulphydryl reducing agents should be explored as a treatment for this rare genetic disease

The use of stretching devices for treatment of trismus in head and neck cancer patients:a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of two stretching devices, the TheraBite® Jaw Motion Rehabilitation System™ and the Dynasplint Trismus System®, on maximal mouth opening in head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to one of two exercise groups: the TheraBite® Jaw Motion Rehabilitation System™ group or the Dynasplint Trismus System® group. Patients performed stretching exercises for 3 months. During the three study visits, maximal mouth opening was measured and the patients completed questionnaires on mandibular function and quality of life. RESULTS: In our study population (n = 27), five patients did not start the exercise protocol, eight patients discontinued exercises, and two patients were lost to follow-up. No significant differences regarding the change in mouth opening between the two devices were found. Patients had an increase in MMO of 3.0 mm (IQR - 2.0; 4.0) using the TheraBite® Jaw Motion Rehabilitation System™ and 1.5 mm (IQR 1.0; 3.0) using the Dynasplint Trismus System®. Exercising with either stretching device was challenging for the patients due to the intensive exercise protocol, pain during the exercises, fitting problems with the stretching device, and overall deterioration of their medical condition. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of the two stretching devices did not differ significantly in our study population. The factors described, influencing the progression of stretching exercises, need to be taken into account when prescribing a similar stretching regimen for trismus in head and neck cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NTR - Dutch Trial Register number: 5589

Hadronic effects in leptonic systems: muonium hyperfine structure and anomalous magnetic moment of muon

Contributions of hadronic effects to the muonium physics and anomalous magnetic moment of muon are considered. Special attention is paid to higher-order effects and the uncertainty related to the hadronic contribution to the hyperfine structure interval in the ground state of muonium.Comment: Presented at PSAS 2002 (St. Petersburg

Criterion for trismus in head and neck cancer patients:a verification study

Several cut-off points for trismus in head and neck cancer patients have been used. A mouth opening of 35 mm or less is most frequently used as cut-off point. Due to the variation in cut-off points, prevalence, risk factors and treatment outcomes of trismus cannot be studied in a uniform manner. To provide uniformity, we aimed to verify the cut-off point of 35 mm or less. Additionally, we aimed to determine associated covariates with reported difficulties when opening the mouth