From nonassociativity to solutions of the KP hierarchy

A recently observed relation between 'weakly nonassociative' algebras A (for which the associator (A,A^2,A) vanishes) and the KP hierarchy (with dependent variable in the middle nucleus A' of A) is recalled. For any such algebra there is a nonassociative hierarchy of ODEs, the solutions of which determine solutions of the KP hierarchy. In a special case, and with A' a matrix algebra, this becomes a matrix Riccati hierarchy which is easily solved. The matrix solution then leads to solutions of the scalar KP hierarchy. We discuss some classes of solutions obtained in this way.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, International Colloquium 'Integrable Systems and Quantum Symmetries', Prague, 15-17 June 200

Jumping, lying, wandering: Analysis of suicidal behaviour patterns in 1,004 suicidal acts on the German railway net.

Current knowledge on behavioural patterns and personal characteristics of subjects who choose the railway as means of suicide is sparse. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of three distinct behaviour patterns (jumping, lying, wandering) in railway suicides and to explore associated variables. Cases were derived from the National Central Registry of person accidents on the German railway net covering the period from 2002 to 2006. A retrospective analysis of registry protocols of all 4127 suicidal acts allowed classification of behaviour patterns in 1004 cases. Types of suicidal behaviour occurred with nearly equal frequencies; jumping in 32.2%, lying in 32.6% and wandering in 34.2% of cases. Age and sex were not associated with type of suicidal behaviour. The proportion of jumping was highest during 9:01 am to 6:00 pm while at night, lying was used most frequently. Jumping predominated in the station area, while lying and wandering on the open track. Fatality was highest in liers and lowest in jumpers. The frequency of jumping decreased during the study period by 12.6% (p < .05). These findings may help to elucidate differential risk features of this highly lethal suicide method

Safety and Tolerability of Duloxetine at 60 mg Once Daily in Elderly Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Objective: To compare the safety and tolerability profile of duloxetine versus placebo in elderly (>=65 years) patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Patients were randomized (2:1) to duloxetine 60 mg/d (once daily) (n = 207) or placebo (n = 104) for 8 weeks. Safety and tolerability measures were analyzed in the total cohort of patients, as well as in subgroups defined by age and preexisting hypertension. Results: Patients had a median age of 72 years (65-90 years). No deaths occurred in the study. Discontinuation rates due to adverse events were similar for duloxetine and placebo (9.7% vs 8.7%). Treatment-emergent dry mouth, nausea, and diarrhea occurred significantly (P <= 0.05) more frequently with duloxetine compared with placebo. Changes in supine and standing blood pressure (BP) and pulse and in corrected QT (QTc) interval were not significantly different between duloxetine and placebo, except for change in orthostatic systolic BP (-2.45 vs 0.93 mm Hg; P = .017). Incidences of sustained elevation in BP and treatment-emergent orthostatic hypotension were similar for duloxetine compared with placebo (0.5% vs 1.0% and 15.6% vs 20.5%, respectively). The duloxetine group showed significant weight loss compared with the placebo group (-0.73 kg vs -0.13 kg; P = 0.009). Of 5 hepatic analytes, the only significant difference was an increase in alkaline phosphatase in duloxetine compared with placebo (P = 0.017); this difference was not considered clinically relevant. The incidence of 1 or more discontinuation-emergent adverse events was not significantly different between the duloxetine and placebo groups (17.3% vs 11.3%). Conclusions: This study suggests that duloxetine is safe and well tolerated in elderly patients with major depressive disorder

Efeito da seleção para peso pós-desmama sobre indicadores da eficiência produtiva de vacas da raça Nelore Effects of selection for post weaning weight on Nellore cow productivity efficiency indicators

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar indicadores da eficiência produtiva de vacas Nelore selecionadas para peso pós-desmama, enfocados nas relações peso bezerro e peso da vaca, nos rebanhos controle (NeC), não-selecionados para peso pós-desmama, seleção (NeS) e tradicional (NeT). As análises envolveram 3929 e 3906 pesos dos bezerros aos 120 (P120) e 210 (P210) dias de idade, respectivamente. Os pesos das vacas àquelas idades também foram considerados, obtendo-se 3824 (PV120) e 3777 (PV210) registros, respectivamente, para 120 e 210 dias. A análise incluiu 183, 375 e 554 vacas dos rebanhos NeC, NeS e NeT, respectivamente. Para as análises utilizou-se o procedimento GLM/SAS, em modelos que incluíram os efeitos fixos de rebanho, ano e mês de nascimento, sexo do bezerro, idade da vaca ao parto e as interações rebanho x ano de nascimento e ano x mês de nascimento. Todos os efeitos foram significativos. Os resultados mostraram respostas correlacionadas positivas na seleção para peso pós-desmama nos pesos dos bezerros e, em menor magnitude, no peso das vacas. As relações peso bezerro e peso da vaca apresentaram valores médios ajustados de 249,0±2,1; 253,7±1,6; e 255,8±1,2 g/kg para R120 e 362,9±2,8; 368,5±2,1; e 374,6±1,7 para NeC, NeS e NeT em R210, respectivamente, indicando que, nas duas idades, os rebanhos NeS e NeT produziram mais quilogramas de bezerro por quilogramas de vaca, quando comparados ao NeC.<br>The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity efficiency indicators of cows selected for post-weaning weight, with emphasis in the calf-cow weight ratios, in a controlled herd (NeC), unselected for post-weaning weight, selection (NeS) and conventional (NeT). The analysis involved 3929 and 3906 calves weights at the 120 (P120) and 210 (P210) days of age, respectively. The cow weights at those ages were also considered, and the recorded numbers were 3824 (PV120) and 3777 (PV210), respectively, for 120 and 210 days. The analysis included 183, 375 and 554 cows from NeC, NeS and NeT, respectively. The SAS/GLM procedure was used in the data analyses. The model included the effects of herd, year and month of birth, and sex of calf, age of cow at calving, and the interactions herd x year, and year x month of birth. All effects were significant. The results showed a positive correlated response in the selection for post weaning on the calf weights and, low response, on cow weights. The calf weight/cow weight ratios showed average adjusted values of 249.0±2.1, 253.7±1.6 and 255.8±1.2 g/kg for R120, and 362.9±2.8, 368.5±2.1 and 374.6±1.7 g/kg for NeC, NeS and NeT at R210, respectively, and indicated that, at both ages, the NeS and NeT herds produced more kg of calf by kg of cow when compared to NeC