Lyapunov stabilization for nonlocal traffic flow models

Using a nonlocal second-order traffic flow model we present an approach to control the dynamics towards a steady state. The system is controlled by the leading vehicle driving at a prescribed velocity and also determines the steady state. Thereby, we consider both, the microscopic and macroscopic scales. We show that the fixed point of the microscopic traffic flow model is asymptotically stable for any kernel function. Then, we present Lyapunov functions for both, the microscopic and macroscopic scale, and compute the explicit rates at which the vehicles influenced by the nonlocal term tend towards the stationary solution. We obtain the stabilization effect for a constant kernel function and arbitrary initial data or concave kernels and monotone initial data. Numerical examples demonstrate the theoretical results

Covariant Helicity-Coupling Amplitudes: A New Formulation

We have worked out covariant amplitudes for any two-body decay of a resonance with an arbitrary non-zero mass, which involves arbitrary integer spins in the initial and the final states. One key new ingredient for this work is the application of the total intrinsic spin operator $\vec S$ which is given directly in terms of the generators of the Poincar\'e group. Using the results of this study, we show how to explore the Lorentz factors which appear naturally, if the momentum-space wave functions are used to form the covariant decay amplitudes. We have devised a method of constructing our covariant decay amplitudes, such that they lead to the Zemach amplitudes when the Lorentz factors are set one

Molekulare Analyse der metabolischen Resistenz in Acker-Fuchsschwanz

Um Kandidatengene für die metabolische Herbizid-Resistenz zu erfassen, wurde mithilfe eines „Transcriptomics“-Ansatz ein quantitativer Vergleich der Genexpression zwischen sensitiven und resistenten Biotypen des Acker-Fuchsschwanzs (ALOMY) durchgeführt. Ausgehend von einem metabolisch resistenten Biotyp wurde im ersten Schritt mithilfe eines „paired-end“ RNA-Seq Protokolls ein Referenz-Transkriptom für ALOMY aus unbehandelten und Herbizid-behandelten Pflanzen erstellt. Im zweiten Schritt wurde die Genexpression in verschiedenen metabolisch resistenten ALOMY-Biotypen sowie in einer repräsentativen Auswahl an sensitiven Wildtyp-Biotypen mithilfe einer 3´-spezifischen RNA-Sequenzierung bestimmt und mit dem Referenztranskriptom abgeglichen. Durch Vergleich der Expressionshöhe einzelner Gene in Wildtyp und resistenten ALOMY Biotypen wurden Kandidatengene aus der Gruppe der Glutathion-Transferasen identifiziert. Weitere Analysen werden notwendig sein, um eine enge Korrelation mit der metabolischen Resistenz zu verifizieren. Stichwörter: ALOMY, Acker-Fuchsschwanz, Glutathion S-Transferase, MACE, metabolische Resistenz, Referenztranskriptom Molecular analysis of metabolic resistance in blackgrass Abstract A transcriptomics approach was chosen in order to determine candidate genes for metabolic herbicide resistance in a quantitative comparison of expressed genes in sensitive wild type and resistant blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides = ALOMY) plants. Firstly a reference transcriptome for blackgrass was established by means of a paired-end RNA-Seq protocol prepared from control and herbicide treated plants from a metabolic resistant biotype. Secondly gene expression was measured in different metabolic resistant ALOMY biotypes and a representative selection of sensitive wild type plants using a 3´-specific RNA sequencing strategy and related to the reference transcriptome. By comparing expression levels for individual genes in wild type and resistant blackgrass biotypes candidate genes from the group of glutathione transferases were identified. Further analyses will be necessary in order to verify a close correlation with the metabolic resistance. Keywords: ALOMY, blackgrass, MACE, non-target site resistance, reference transcriptome, RNA-Se

Influence of Age on Postoperative Neurological Outcomes after Surgery of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection

BackgroundAcute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is considered a fatal disease which requires an emergent surgical intervention. This study focuses onthe neurological outcome after surgical repair in cases of AAAD in comparison between elderly and young patients.Methodsa retrospective analysis of 368 consecutive patients who underwent emergency surgery of ascending aorta in moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (MHCA) (20-24 °C) and antegrade cerebral perfusion after AAAD between 2001 and 2016. Patients were divided into two groups: those aged 75 years and older (68 (18.5%)) and those younger than 75 years (300 (81.5%)).ResultsComparing both groups, average age was 79.0 ± 3.2 vs. 59.2 ± 10.7 years (p < 0.001); female gender represents 58.8% of elderly patients vs. 28.7% in younger patients (p < 0.001). Intraoperatively, cardiopulmonary bypass time (155 min (131; 187) vs. 171 min (137; 220); p = 0.012), cross-clamping time (79 min (60; 105) vs. 93 min (71; 134); p = 0.001] and circulatory arrest time (29 min (22; 40) vs. 33 min (26; 49); p = 0.011) were significantly shorter in elderly than younger group. Postoperatively, there was no significant difference in delirium (11.8% vs. 20.5%; p = 0.0968) or stroke (11.8% vs. 16.1%; p = 0.369). The 30-day mortality was satisfactory for both groups but significantly higher in the elderly group (27.9% vs. 14.3%; p = 0.007).ConclusionThe current study concluded that surgical treatment of AAAD in elderly patients can be applied safely without increasing risk of neurological complication. However, minimizing operation time may help limit the occurrence of postoperative neurological complication

Podocytic PKC-Alpha Is Regulated in Murine and Human Diabetes and Mediates Nephrin Endocytosis

Background: Microalbuminuria is an early lesion during the development of diabetic nephropathy. The loss of high molecular weight proteins in the urine is usually associated with decreased expression of slit diaphragm proteins. Nephrin, is the major component of the glomerular slit diaphragm and loss of nephrin has been well described in rodent models of experimental diabetes as well as in human diabetic nephropathy. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this manuscript we analyzed the role of PKC-alpha (PKCa) on endocytosis of nephrin in podocytes. We found that treatment of diabetic mice with a PKCa-inhibitor (GÖ6976) leads to preserved nephrin expression and reduced proteinuria. In vitro, we found that high glucose stimulation would induce PKCa protein expression in murine and human podocytes. We can demonstrate that PKCa mediates nephrin endocytosis in podocytes and that overexpression of PKCa leads to an augmented endocytosis response. After PKC-activation, we demonstrate an inducible association of PKCa, PICK1 and nephrin in podocytes. Moreover, we can demonstrate a strong induction of PKCa in podocytes of patients with diabetic nephropathy. Conclusions/Significance: We therefore conclude that activation of PKCa is a pathomechanistic key event during the development of diabetic nephropathy. PKCa is involved in reduction of nephrin surface expression and therefore PKC