Strict Detailed Balance is Unnecessary in Monte Carlo Simulation

Detailed balance is an overly strict condition to ensure a valid Monte Carlo simulation. We show that, under fairly general assumptions, a Monte Carlo simulation need satisfy only the weaker balance condition. Not only does our proof show that sequential updating schemes are correct, but also it establishes the correctness of a whole class of new methods that simply leave the Boltzmann distribution invariant.Comment: 8 pages. LaTeX style. To appear in J. Chem. Phy

Assessment and Management of Hypertension among Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

Approximately 7%-10% of patients with ESKD worldwide undergo peritoneal dialysis (PD) as kidney replacement therapy. The continuous nature of this dialytic modality and the absence of acute shifts in pressure and volume parameters is an important differentiation between PD and in-center hemodialysis. However, the burden of hypertension and prognostic association of BP with mortality follow comparable patterns in both modalities. Although management of hypertension uses similar therapeutic principles, long-term preservation of residual diuresis and longevity of peritoneal membrane function require particular attention in the prescription of the appropriate dialysis regimen among those on PD. Dietary sodium restriction, appropriate use of icodextrin, and limited exposure of peritoneal membrane to bioincompatible solutions, as well as adaptation of the PD regimen to the peritoneal transport characteristics, are first-line therapeutic strategies to achieve adequate volume control with a potential long-term benefit on technique survival. Antihypertensive drug therapy is a second-line therapeutic approach, used when BP remains unresponsive to the above volume management strategies. In this article, we review the available evidence on epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension among patients on PD and discuss similarities and differences between PD and in-center hemodialysis. We conclude with a call for randomized trials aiming to elucidate several areas of uncertainty in management of hypertension in the PD population

Metabolomic analysis of salmonella enterica cells in vitro and in situ

In the present study a comparison of metabolomics, on laboratory medium, on rocket extract, of S. Tymphimurium (ST) CDC 6516-60, as well as on the developed biofilm on rocket tissue was investigated

Hierarchal object-oriented models for management of narrow passageways

Narrow passageways are a significant source of traffic congestion and delay in transportation networks. With traffic volumes expected to increase significantly in the foreseeable future, the effective management of these passageways is needed to mitigate the undesirable impact of these bottlenecks on transportation system safety, performance and cost. In an effort to address the significant challenges associated with the analysis, design, and implementation of appropriate management operations for narrow passageways, an object-based model for the management of narrow passageways in the transportation network is developed. The object model is developed in two steps. The first step identifies high-level management functionality, objects, and associated data/information sources that are common to all narrow passageway applications. In the second step, functionality of the object model is customized to the specific needs of the narrow passageway application domain (e.g., waterways and work zones).peer-reviewe

THE EFFECT OF STATIC STRETCHING ON MAXIMAL VOLUNTARY CONTRACTION AND FORCE-TIME CURVE CHARACTERISTICS

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of static stretching of the lower limbs on maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and isometric force-time curve characteristics (IFTC) of leg extensor muscles and integrated electromyographic activity of rectus femoris (EMGRF), biceps femoris (EMGBF) and gastrocnemius (EMGGS) muscles. Ten healthy physical education students were tested for MVC, IFTC, and EMG activity of the above muscles after a jogging and a jogging/stretch protocol of the lower limbs. There were no significant changes in MVC, IFTC, EMGBF, and EMGGS between jogging and jogging/stretch measurements. A significant decrease was observed in EMGRF. The results of this study indicated that a moderate volume of static stretching of the lower limbs did not impact significantly the majority of the variables examined

Neutrophil Mechanosignaling Promotes Integrin Engagement With Endothelial Cells and Motility Within Inflamed Vessels

Neutrophils are the most motile of mammalian cells, a feature that enables them to protect the host against the rapid spread of pathogens from tissue into the circulatory system. A critical process is the recruitment of neutrophils to inflamed endothelium within post-capillary venules. This occurs through cooperation between at least four families of adhesion molecules and G-protein coupled signaling receptors. These adhesion molecules convert the drag force induced by blood flow acting on the cell surface into bond tension that resists detachment. A common feature of selectin-glycoprotein tethering and integrin-ICAM bond formation is the mechanics by which force acting on these specific receptor-ligand pairs influences their longevity, strength, and topographic organization on the plasma membrane. Another distinctly mechanical aspect of neutrophil guidance is the capacity of adhesive bonds to convert external mechanical force into internal biochemical signals through the transmission of force from the outside-in at focal sites of adhesive traction on inflamed endothelium. Within this region of the plasma membrane, we denote the inflammatory synapse, Ca2+ release, and intracellular signaling provide directional cues that guide actin assembly and myosin driven motive force. This review provides an overview of how bond formation and outside-in signaling controls neutrophil recruitment and migration relative to the hydrodynamic shear force of blood flow