Berry-Esseen type bounds for the Left Random Walk on GL d (R) under polynomial moment conditions

Let $A_n= \varepsilon_n \cdots \varepsilon_1$, where $(\varepsilon_n)_{n \geq 1}$ is a sequence of independent random matrices taking values in $GL_d(\mathbb R)$, $d \geq 2$, with common distribution $\mu$. In this paper, under standard assumptions on $\mu$ (strong irreducibility and proximality), we prove Berry-Esseen type theorems for $\log ( \Vert A_n \Vert)$ when $\mu$ has a polynomial moment. More precisely, we get the rate $((\log n) / n)^{q/2-1}$ when $\mu$ has a moment of order $q \in ]2,3]$ and the rate $1/ \sqrt{n}$ when $\mu$ has a moment of order $4$, which significantly improves earlier results in this setting

Rates in almost sure invariance principle for nonuniformly hyperbolic maps

We prove the Almost Sure Invariance Principle (ASIP) with close to optimal error rates for nonuniformly hyperbolic maps. We do not assume exponential contraction along stable leaves, therefore our result covers in particular slowly mixing invertible dynamical systems as Bunimovich flowers, billiards with flat points as in Chernov and Zhang (2005) and Wojtkowski' (1990) system of two falling balls. For these examples, the ASIP is a new result, not covered by prior works for various reasons, notably because in absence of exponential contraction along stable leaves, it is challenging to employ the so-called Sinai's trick (Sinai 1972, Bowen 1975) of reducing a nonuniformly hyperbolic system to a nonuniformly expanding one. Our strategy follows our previous papers on the ASIP for nonuniformly expanding maps, where we build a semiconjugacy to a specific renewal Markov shift and adapt the argument of Berkes, Liu and Wu (2014). The main difference is that now the Markov shift is two-sided, the observables depend on the full trajectory, both the future and the past

Photoinduced ligand exchange dynamics of a polypyridyl ruthenium complex in aqueous solution

The understanding of photoinduced ligand exchange mechanisms in polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes operating in aqueous solution is of crucial importance to rationalize their photoreactivity. Herein, we demonstrate that a synergetic use of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and static calculations, both conducted at the DFT level, can provide a full understanding of photosubstitution mechanisms of a monodentate ligand by a solvent water molecule in archetypal ruthenium complexes in explicit water. The simulations show that the photoinduced loss of a monodentate ligand generates an unreactive 16-electron species in a hitherto undescribed pentacoordinated triplet excited state that converts, via an easily accessible crossing point, to a reactive 16-electron singlet ground state, which combines with a solvent water molecule to yield the experimentally observed aqua complex in less than 10 ps. This work paves the way for the rational design of novel photoactive metal complexes relevant for biological applications.Metals in Catalysis, Biomimetics & Inorganic Material

Міхал Бобжинський: суспільно-політична діяльність

Розглянута суспільно-політична діяльність визначного представника краківської історичної школи М. Бобжинського. Акцентовано увагу на зв’язку наукових поглядів історика з його політичною практикою. Охарактеризовано дискусії, які досьогодні точаться серед науковців щодо оцінки результатів його діяльності.Рассмотрена общественно-политическая деятельность выдающегося представителя краковской исторической школы М. Бобжинского. Акцентировано внимание на связи научных взглядов историка с его политической практикой. Охарактеризованы дискуссии, которые досегодня ведутся среди ученых относительно оценки результатов его деятельности.The socio-political activities of M. Bobzhynski – a prominent representative of the Krakow historical school – are reviewed. Attention is given to the connection of the historian scholarly views with his political practice. The discussions that until now are going on among scholars in evaluating the results of his work are characterised

Managing housing needs in post conflict housing reconstruction in Sri Lanka: gaps versus recommendations

Addressing housing needs in post conflict housing reconstruction leads to successful housing reconstruction. As part of a study of investigating how the housing needs can be effectively addressed in post conflict housing reconstruction, this paper identifies the gaps in managing housing needs in post conflict housing reconstruction within the context of Sri Lanka and presents the recommendations to minimise such gaps. Data was collected through un-structured interviews conducted with 37 participants, comprising policy makers, practitioners, academics and beneficiaries who engaged in post conflict housing reconstruction in Sri Lanka. Gaps were mainly found in conflict sensitivity, measures related to physical housing, performance of implementing agencies, policy and practice issues. On the job training, application of ‘do no harm’ principles, enhanced beneficiary participation, enhanced accountability, effective monitoring, enhanced knowledge sharing, adequate drinking water facilities, irrigation development and initiatives for material manufacturing were suggested as recommendations to minimise these gaps. Identification of gaps in managing housing needs in post conflict housing reconstruction and recommendations to minimise them inform policy makers to address the housing needs effectively through incorporating these aspects into the related policies. This in turn enhances the sustainability in housing development after conflicts

Imaging Oxygen Distribution in Marine Sediments. The Importance of Bioturbation and Sediment Heterogeneity

The influence of sediment oxygen heterogeneity, due to bioturbation, on diffusive oxygen flux was investigated. Laboratory experiments were carried out with 3 macrobenthic species presenting different bioturbation behaviour patterns:the polychaetes Nereis diversicolor and Nereis virens, both constructing ventilated galleries in the sediment column, and the gastropod Cyclope neritea, a burrowing species which does not build any structure. Oxygen two-dimensional distribution in sediments was quantified by means of the optical planar optode technique. Diffusive oxygen fluxes (mean and integrated) and a variability index were calculated on the captured oxygen images. All species increased sediment oxygen heterogeneity compared to the controls without animals. This was particularly noticeable with the polychaetes because of the construction of more or less complex burrows. Integrated diffusive oxygen flux increased with oxygen heterogeneity due to the production of interface available for solute exchanges between overlying water and sediments. This work shows that sediment heterogeneity is an important feature of the control of oxygen exchanges at the sediment–water interface

Identifying key amino acid residues that affect alpha-conotoxin AuIB inhibition of alpha3beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Background: -Conotoxin AuIB interacts with 34 nAChRs and GABA(B) receptors, but structural determinants of these interactions are unknown. Results: Using alanine scanning mutagenesis and molecular dynamics, we identified residues crucial for AuIB34 nAChR interaction. Conclusion: We identified the key residues that mediate AuIB34 nAChR interaction. Significance: Ability to direct -conotoxin binding to nAChRs or GABA(B) receptors will improve analgesic conopeptides

Nasal Colonization of Humans with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) CC398 with and without Exposure to Pigs

Background: Studies in several European countries and in North America revealed a frequent nasal colonization of livestock with MRSA CC398 and also in humans with direct professional exposure to colonized animals. The study presented here addresses the question of further transmission to non exposed humans. Methods: After selecting 47 farms with colonized pigs in different regions of Germany we sampled the nares of 113 humans working daily with pigs and of their 116 non exposed family members. The same was performed in 18 veterinarians attending pig farms and in 44 of their non exposed family members. For investigating transmission beyond families we samples the nares of 462 pupils attending a secondary school in a high density pig farming area. MRSA were detected by direct culture on selective agar. The isolates were typed by means of spa-sequence typing and classification of SCCmec elements. For attribution of spa sequence types to clonal lineages as defined by multi locus sequence typing we used the BURP algorithm. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by microbroth dilution assay. Results: At the farms investigated 86% of humans exposed and only 4.3% of their family members were found to carry MRSA exhibiting spa-types corresponding to clonal complex CC398. Nasal colonization was also found in 45% of veterinarians caring for pig farms and in 9% of their non exposed family members. Multivariate analysis revealed that antibiotic usage prior to sampling beard no risk with respect to colonization. From 462 pupils only 3 were found colonized, all 3 were living on pig farms. Conclusion: These results indicate that so far the dissemination of MRSA CC398 to non exposed humans is infrequent and probably does not reach beyond familial communities