159 research outputs found
Distributed LTL Model Checking with Hash Compaction
AbstractWe extend a distributed-memory explicit-state LTL model checking algorithm (OWCTY) with hash compaction. We provide a detailed description of the improved algorithm and a correctness argument in the theoretical part of the paper. Additionally, we deliver an implementation of the algorithm as part of out parallel and distributed-memory model checker DiVinE, and use this implementation for a practical evaluation of the approach, on which we report in the experimental part of the paper
On Representations of sl(n, C) Compatible with a Z2-grading
This paper extends existing Lie algebra representation theory related to Lie algebra gradings. The notion of a representation compatible with a given grading is applied to finite-dimensional representations of sl(n,C) in relation to its Z2-gradings. For representation theory of sl(n,C) the Gel’fand-Tseitlin method turned out very efficient. We show that it is not generally true that every irreducible representation can be compatibly graded
Increased incidence of traffic accidents in Toxoplasma-infected military drivers and protective effect RhD molecule revealed by a large-scale prospective cohort study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Latent toxoplasmosis, protozoan parasitosis with prevalence rates from 20 to 60% in most populations, is known to impair reaction times in infected subjects, which results, for example, in a higher risk of traffic accidents in subjects with this life-long infection. Two recent studies have reported that RhD-positive subjects, especially RhD heterozygotes, are protected against latent toxoplasmosis-induced impairment of reaction times. In the present study we searched for increased incidence of traffic accidents and for protective effect of RhD positivity in 3890 military drivers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Male draftees who attended the Central Military Hospital in Prague for regular entrance psychological examinations between 2000 and 2003 were tested for <it>Toxoplasma </it>infection and RhD phenotype at the beginning of their 1 to1.5-year compulsory military service. Subsequently, the data on <it>Toxoplasma </it>infection and RhD phenotype were matched with those on traffic accidents from military police records and the effects of RhD phenotype and <it>Toxoplasma </it>infection on probability of traffic accident was estimated with logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We confirmed, using for the first time a prospective cohort study design, increased risk of traffic accidents in <it>Toxoplasma</it>-infected subjects and demonstrated a strong protective effect of RhD positivity against the risk of traffic accidents posed by latent toxoplasmosis. Our results show that RhD-negative subjects with high titers of anti-<it>Toxoplasma </it>antibodies had a probability of a traffic accident of about 16.7%, i.e. a more than six times higher rate than <it>Toxoplasma</it>-free or RhD-positive subjects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results showed that a common infection by <it>Toxoplasma gondii </it>could have strong impact on the probability of traffic accident in RhD negative subjects. The observed effects could provide not only a clue to the long-standing evolutionary enigma of the origin of RhD polymorphism in humans (the effect of balancing selection), but might also be the missing piece in the puzzle of the physiological function of the RhD molecule.</p
Decrease of psychomotor performance in subjects with latent 'asymptomatic' toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma gondii is known to induce specific behavioural changes in its intermediate hosts. This is usually considered to be an evolutionary adaptation aimed to increase the probability of transmission of the parasite into its definitive host, the cat, by predation. In rodents an increase of reaction time as well as many other specific behavioural patterns have been observed. Here we report the results of our double blind study showing the significantly longer reaction times of 60 subjects with latent toxoplasmosis in comparison with those of 56 controls. Moreover, the existence of a positive correlation between length of infection and mean reaction time suggested that slow and cumulative effects of latent toxoplasmosis rather than a one-step (and possibly transient) effect of acute toxoplasmosis disease are responsible for the decrease of psychomotor performance of infected subjects. To our knowledge, this is the first study confirming the existence of such parasite-induced changes in human behaviour that could be considered in evolutionary history of the human species as adaptive from the point of view of parasite transmission
The -boson-fermion realizations of quantum suprealgebra
We show that our construction of realizations for Lie algebras and quantum
algebras can be generalized to quantum superalgebras, too. We study an example
of quantum superalgebra and give the boson-fermion realization
with respect to one pair od q-deformed boson operator and 2 pairs of fermions.Comment: 8 page
Downsizing the Channel Length of Vertical Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are promising building blocks for bioelectronic devices such as While the majority of OECTs use simple planar geometry, there is interest in exploring how these devices operate with much shorter channels on the submicron scale. Here, we show a practical route toward the minimization of the channel length of the transistor using traditional photolithography, enabling large-scale utilization. We describe the fabrication of such transistors using two types of conducting polymers. First, commercial solution-processed poly(dioxyethylenethiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate), PEDOT:PSS. Next, we also exploit the short channel length to support easy in situ electropolymerization of poly(dioxyethylenethiophene):tetrabutyl ammonium hexafluorophosphate, PEDOT:PF6. Both variants show different promising features, leading the way in terms of transconductance (gm), with the measured peak gm up to 68 mS for relatively thin (280 nm) channel layers on devices with the channel length of 350 nm and with widths of 50, 100, and 200 m. This result suggests that the use of electropolymerized semiconductors, which can be easily customized, is viable with vertical geometry, as uniform and thin layers can be created. Spin-coated PEDOT:PSS lags behind with the lower values of gm; however, it excels in terms of the speed of the device and also has a comparably lower off current (300 nA), leading to unusually high on/off ratio, with values up to 8.6 Ă— 104. Our approach to vertical gap devices is simple, scalable, and can be extended to other applications where small electrochemical channels are desired
OpenFermion: The Electronic Structure Package for Quantum Computers
Quantum simulation of chemistry and materials is predicted to be an important
application for both near-term and fault-tolerant quantum devices. However, at
present, developing and studying algorithms for these problems can be difficult
due to the prohibitive amount of domain knowledge required in both the area of
chemistry and quantum algorithms. To help bridge this gap and open the field to
more researchers, we have developed the OpenFermion software package
(www.openfermion.org). OpenFermion is an open-source software library written
largely in Python under an Apache 2.0 license, aimed at enabling the simulation
of fermionic models and quantum chemistry problems on quantum hardware.
Beginning with an interface to common electronic structure packages, it
simplifies the translation between a molecular specification and a quantum
circuit for solving or studying the electronic structure problem on a quantum
computer, minimizing the amount of domain expertise required to enter the
field. The package is designed to be extensible and robust, maintaining high
software standards in documentation and testing. This release paper outlines
the key motivations behind design choices in OpenFermion and discusses some
basic OpenFermion functionality which we believe will aid the community in the
development of better quantum algorithms and tools for this exciting area of
research.Comment: 22 page
Psychology of Fragrance Use: Perception of Individual Odor and Perfume Blends Reveals a Mechanism for Idiosyncratic Effects on Fragrance Choice
Cross-culturally, fragrances are used to modulate body odor, but the psychology of fragrance choice has been largely overlooked. The prevalent view is that fragrances mask an individual's body odor and improve its pleasantness. In two experiments, we found positive effects of perfume on body odor perception. Importantly, however, this was modulated by significant interactions with individual odor donors. Fragrances thus appear to interact with body odor, creating an individually-specific odor mixture. In a third experiment, the odor mixture of an individual's body odor and their preferred perfume was perceived as more pleasant than a blend of the same body odor with a randomly-allocated perfume, even when there was no difference in pleasantness between the perfumes. This indicates that fragrance use extends beyond simple masking effects and that people choose perfumes that interact well with their own odor. Our results provide an explanation for the highly individual nature of perfume choice
New calix[4]arene-based amides - Their synthesis, conformation, complexation
New chiral calix[4]arene-based diol-diamides 1a, 1b, tetraamides 2a, 2b and 7 as well as achiral diamide 3 and tetraamides 4-6 were prepared. The conformation of 1 has been studied in solution by NMR and in solid state by X-ray crystallography. The pinched-cone conformation of the calix[4]arene skeleton in 1 was found to be stabilized by a circular array of hydrogen bonds formed by two phenolic O-H and two amidic N-H bonds at lower rim. Whereas no significant complexation of Na+ was observed in solution for diamides 1 and 3, tetraamides 2, 4, 5, and 6 give strong complexes with Na+ as confirmed by NMR titrations of 2 and 4. The influence of anions and the solvents used on complexation ability of 2 towards Na+ is negligible
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