Antiviral Effector RTP4 Bats against Flaviviruses

Bats harbor diverse viruses and manifest distinct antiviral immune responses. Recently in Cell Host & Microbe, Boys et al. demonstrated that bat receptor transporter protein 4 (RTP4) is an innate antiviral effector that inhibits flavivirus replication, revealing an evolutionary arms race between flaviviruses and their hosts

Methods for integrated use of fisheries research survey information in understanding marine fish population ecology and better management advice : improving methods for evaluation of research survey information under consideration of survey fish detection and catch efficiency

Summary The thesis developed and improved methods for the integrated analysis of different types of fishery independent research surveys (trawl surveys, acoustic surveys, hydrographical surveys, and gillnet surveys) to study the distribution, density, abundance, migration and biological population dynamic parameters of marine fish species. The topics in the thesis addressed different combinations of trawl, hydro-acoustic, gillnet, and hydrographical data and application of different survey data analysis methods under consideration of factors influencing the survey catch and detection efficiency. Each topic was investigated in one of more case studies. One thesis topic has been to provide more precise estimates of fish distribution and density patterns from survey data (Chapter 2). The 1st case study applied advanced statistical methods to Baltic trawl data and hydro-acoustic survey data in combination with survey sampled hydrographical data to estimate distri­bution and density patterns of juvenile 0-group Baltic cod. These patterns were largely unknown. In the 2nd case study new methodology was developed for analyzing trawl research survey data for Baltic cod and whiting including the corre­la­tion in distribution and density according to space, time, size, and species. The more precise density estimates improve the knowledge of the stock-recruitment relationship of Baltic cod and can improve the Baltic multi-species stock assessment. Furthermore, it will enable more precise marine management and spatial planning involving fish stocks and fisheries in the Baltic Sea. In context of Baltic cod stock assessment, the 3rd case study developed a new method for inter-calibration of trawl survey CPUE data by fish size group exemplified by Baltic cod (and flounder) where the concept of disturbance by one trawl haul in relation to the next have been developed and quantified when calibrating new research survey trawl gears with the former ones. These results have been based on introduction of a new international ICES BITS trawl research survey design. A second topic was to improve and develop hydroacoustic research survey methods for more precise detection and discrimination of fish species according to fish size and orientation in the water (Chapter 3). Here, the 4th case study focused on more precise acoustic target strength estimation of juvenile cod, while the 5th case study has focused on acoustic discrimination of juvenile gadoid fish in particular juvenile Baltic cod. This enables more efficient research survey estimation of juvenile cod (gadoid) density patterns to be used in stock recruitment estimates and stock assessment. The third topic was to estimate more precisely fish mortality, maturity, and growth parameters for small forage fish species using research survey information (Chapter 4). Associated to this, the 5th case study analysed these population dynamic parameters using trawl survey data taking into account spatial variation. This study provided more precise estimates and deeper understanding of Norway pout mortality, maturity, and growth dynamics. The more precise population dynamic parameters have been implemented in and improved the North Sea Norway pout stock assessment, management advice, management, and long term management plan evaluations. The fourth topic was to develop methodology to integrate hydroacoustic, gillnet, and hydro­gra­phi­cal research survey data to investigate pelagic fish migration patterns (Chapter 5). The methods were applied in the 6th case study to evaluate Western Baltic herring feeding and spawning migra­tion based on distribution and density estimates in a narrow over-wintering area of the stock. The more precise information on migration patterns gives better possibility for acoustic monitoring of the full stock abundance in different areas and seasons og the year to be used in stock assessment and marine spatial planning. Also, it increases knowledge on biological interactions and mixing with other stocks and species.   In the final synthesis Chapter 6, the thesis reviews relevant analysis methods of research survey data and underlying data distributions, survey design and stratification, trawl survey inter-calibration and standardization, as well as estimation procedures and data processing methods in context of the obtained results and methods developed in the thesis. This is done with focus on survey precision and uncertainty (bias, sources of errors) for trawl and acoustic surveys and factors affecting it.       &nbsp

Single-mode photonic crystal fiber with an effective area of 600 square-micron and low bending loss

A single-mode all-silica photonic crystal fiber with an effective area of 600 square-micron and low bending loss is demonstrated. The fiber is characterized in terms of attenuation, chromatic dispersion and modal properties.Comment: 10 pages including 3 figures. Accepted for Electronics Letter

Weakly bound states of polar molecules in bilayers

We investigate a system of two polarized molecules in a layered trap. The molecules reside in adjacent layers and interact purely via the dipole-dipole interaction. We determine the properties of the ground state of the system as a function of the dipole moment and polarization angle. A bound state is always present in the system and in the weak binding limit the bound state extends to a very large distance and shows universal behavior.Comment: Presented at the 21st European Conference on Few-Body Problems in Physics, Salamanca, Spain, 30 August - 3 September 201

Improved results for N=(2,2) super Yang-Mills theory using supersymmetric discrete light-cone quantization

We consider the (1+1)-dimensional ${\cal N}=(2,2)$ super Yang--Mills theory which is obtained by dimensionally reducing ${\cal N}=1$ super Yang--Mills theory in four dimension to two dimensions. We do our calculations in the large-$N_c$ approximation using Supersymmetric Discrete Light Cone Quantization. The objective is to calculate quantities that might be investigated by researchers using other numerical methods. We present a precision study of the low-mass spectrum and the stress-energy correlator $$. We find that the mass gap of this theory closes as the numerical resolution goes to infinity and that the correlator in the intermediate $r$ region behaves like $r^{-4.75}$.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figure

Randomized controlled trial of intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy in aerobically fit and unfit patients having major colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative fluid therapy regimens using oesophageal Doppler monitoring (ODM) to optimize stroke volume (SV) (goal-directed fluid therapy, GDT) have been associated with a reduction in length of stay (LOS) and complication rates after major surgery. We hypothesized that intraoperative GDT would reduce the time to surgical readiness for discharge (RfD) of patients having major elective colorectal surgery but that this effect might be less marked in aerobically fit patients. METHODS: In this double-blinded controlled trial, 179 patients undergoing major open or laparoscopic colorectal surgery were characterized as aerobically 'fit' (n=123) or 'unfit' (n=56) on the basis of their performance during a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Within these fitness strata, patients were randomized to receive a standard fluid regimen with or without ODM-guided intraoperative GDT. RESULTS: GDT patients received an average of 1360 ml of additional intraoperative colloid. The mean cardiac index and SV at skin closure were significantly higher in the GDT group than in controls. Times to RfD and LOS were longer in GDT than control patients but did not reach statistical significance (median 6.8 vs 4.9 days, P=0.09, and median 8.8 vs 6.7 days, P=0.09, respectively). Fit GDT patients had an increased RfD (median 7.0 vs 4.7 days; P=0.01) and LOS (median 8.8 vs 6.0 days; P=0.01) compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative SV optimization conferred no additional benefit over standard fluid therapy. In an aerobically fit subgroup of patients, GDT was associated with detrimental effects on the primary outcome. TRIAL REGISTRY: UK NIHR CRN 7285, ISRCTN 14680495. http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/Search/StudyDetail.aspx?StudyID=7285

Universal physics of 2+1 particles with non-zero angular momentum

The zero-energy universal properties of scattering between a particle and a dimer that involves an identical particle are investigated for arbitrary scattering angular momenta. For this purpose, we derive an integral equation that generalises the Skorniakov - Ter-Martirosian equation to the case of non-zero angular momentum. As the mass ratio between the particles is varied, we find various scattering resonances that can be attributed to the appearance of universal trimers and Efimov trimers at the collisional threshold.Comment: 6 figure

Thermal leptogenesis in a model with mass varying neutrinos

In this paper we consider the possibility of neutrino mass varying during the evolution of the Universe and study its implications on leptogenesis. Specifically, we take the minimal seesaw model of neutrino masses and introduce a coupling between the right-handed neutrinos and the dark energy scalar field, the Quintessence. In our model, the right-handed neutrino masses change as the Quintessence scalar evolves. We then examine in detail the parameter space of this model allowed by the observed baryon number asymmetry. Our results show that it is possible to lower the reheating temperature in this scenario in comparison with the case that the neutrino masses are unchanged, which helps solve the gravitino problem. Furthermore, a degenerate neutrino mass patten with $m_i$ larger than the upper limit given in the minimal leptogenesis scenario is permitted.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, version to appear in PR

QuTiP: An open-source Python framework for the dynamics of open quantum systems

We present an object-oriented open-source framework for solving the dynamics of open quantum systems written in Python. Arbitrary Hamiltonians, including time-dependent systems, may be built up from operators and states defined by a quantum object class, and then passed on to a choice of master equation or Monte-Carlo solvers. We give an overview of the basic structure for the framework before detailing the numerical simulation of open system dynamics. Several examples are given to illustrate the build up to a complete calculation. Finally, we measure the performance of our library against that of current implementations. The framework described here is particularly well-suited to the fields of quantum optics, superconducting circuit devices, nanomechanics, and trapped ions, while also being ideal for use in classroom instruction.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figure