On wild ramification in quaternion extensions

Quaternion extensions are often the smallest extensions to exhibit special properties. In the setting of the Hasse-Arf Theorem, for instance, quaternion extensions are used to illustrate the fact that upper ramification numbers need not be integers. These extensions play a similar role in Galois module structure. To better understand these examples, we catalog the ramification filtrations that are possible in totally ramified extensions of dyadic number fields. Interestingly, we find that the catalog depends, for sharp lower bounds, upon the refined ramification filtration, which is associated with the biquatratic subfield. Moreover these examples, as counter-examples to the conclusion of Hasse-Arf, occur only when the refined filtration is, in two different ways, extreme.Comment: 19 pages. This is an extensive revision of the earlier draf

Temperature sensitivity of the pyloric neuromuscular system and its modulation by dopamine

We report here the effects of temperature on the p1 neuromuscular system of the stomatogastric system of the lobster (Panulirus interruptus). Muscle force generation, in response to both the spontaneously rhythmic in vitro pyloric network neural activity and direct, controlled motor nerve stimulation, dramatically decreased as temperature increased, sufficiently that stomach movements would very unlikely be maintained at warm temperatures. However, animals fed in warm tanks showed statistically identical food digestion to those in cold tanks. Applying dopamine, a circulating hormone in crustacea, increased muscle force production at all temperatures and abolished neuromuscular system temperature dependence. Modulation may thus exist not only to increase the diversity of produced behaviors, but also to maintain individual behaviors when environmental conditions (such as temperature) vary

How effective are opioids for chronic low back pain?

Q: How effective are opioids for chronic low back pain? Evidence-based answer: Short-term (<4 months) treatment with opioids provides modest relief of chronic low back pain, but only minimal improvement in function compared with placebo (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, systematic review of lower-quality randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). Tramadol isn't superior to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief (SOR: A, consistent results from RCTs). In addition, oxycodone with titrated morphine isn't better than naproxen for relieving pain or improving function (SOR: C, a low-quality RCT). Although no long-term RCTs have been done, cohort studies have shown that 6 to 12 months of opioid use is associated with a small decrease in pain and either very minimal improvement in, or worsening of, disability (SOR: B, prospective cohort trials)

Predicting C-H/π\pi interactions with nonlocal density functional theory

We examine the performance of a recently developed nonlocal density functional in predicting a model noncovalent interaction, the weak bond between an aromatic $\pi$ system and an aliphatic C-H group. The new functional is a significant improvement over traditional density functionals, providing results which compare favorably to high-level quantum-chemistry techniques but at considerably lower computational cost. Interaction energies in several model C-H/$\pi$ systems are in generally good agreement with coupled-cluster calculations, though equilibrium distances are consistently overpredicted when using the revPBE functional for exchange. The new functional correctly predicts changes in energy upon addition of halogen substituents.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

A comparison of boundary element and finite element methods for modeling axisymmetric polymeric drop deformation

A modified boundary element method (BEM) and the DEVSS-G finite element method (FEM) are applied to model the deformation of a polymeric drop suspended in another fluid subjected to start-up uniaxial extensional flow. The effects of viscoelasticity, via the Oldroyd-B differential model, are considered for the drop phase using both FEM and BEM and for both the drop and matrix phases using FEM. Where possible, results are compared with the linear deformation theory. Consistent predictions are obtained among the BEM, FEM, and linear theory for purely Newtonian systems and between FEM and linear theory for fully viscoelastic systems. FEM and BEM predictions for viscoelastic drops in a Newtonian matrix agree very well at short times but differ at longer times, with worst agreement occurring as critical flow strength is approached. This suggests that the dominant computational advantages held by the BEM over the FEM for this and similar problems may diminish or even disappear when the issue of accuracy is appropriately considered. Fully viscoelastic problems, which are only feasible using the FEM formulation, shed new insight on the role of viscoelasticity of the matrix fluid in drop deformation

Templated Growth of a Spin-Frustrated Cluster Fragment of MnBr2 in a Metal−Organic Framework

17 USC 105 interim-entered record; under review.The article of record as published may be found at https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01345The metal−organic framework Zr6O4(OH)4(bpydc)6 (bpydc2− = 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate) is used to template the growth of a cluster fragment of the two-dimensional solid MnBr2, which was predicted to exhibit spin frustration. Single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses reveal a cluster with 19 metal ions arranged in a triangular lattice motif. Static magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate antiferromagnetic coupling between the high-spin (S = 5/2) MnII centers, and dynamic magnetic susceptibility data suggest population of low-lying excited states, consistent with magnetic frustration. Density functional theory calculations are used to determine the energies for a subset of thousands of magnetic configurations available to the cluster. The Yamaguchi generalized spin-projection method is then employed to construct a model for magnetic coupling interactions within the cluster, enabling facile determination of the energy for all possible magnetic configurations. The confined cluster is predicted to possess a doubly degenerate, highly geometrically frustrated ground state with a total spin of STotal = 5/2.This research was supported through a Multidisciplinary University Research Initiatives Program funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Naval Research, under Award N00014-15-1-2681. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments were performed at Beamline 11.3.1 at the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The Advanced Light Source is supported by the Director, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy, under Contract DE-AC02-05CH11231

Expression and regulation of drug transporters in vertebrate neutrophils.

There remains a need to identify novel pro-resolution drugs for treatment of inflammatory disease. To date, there are no neutrophil-specific anti-inflammatory treatments in clinical use, perhaps due to our lack of understanding of how drugs access this complex cell type. Here we present the first comprehensive description and expression of both major classes of drug transporters, SLC and ABC, in resting human blood neutrophils. Moreover, we have studied the expression of these carriers in the tractable model system, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), additionally examining the evolutionary relationship between drug transporters in zebrafish and humans. We anticipate that this will be a valuable resource to the field of inflammation biology and will be an important asset in future anti-inflammatory drug design

Density Functional Theory of Simple Polymers in a Slit Pore: 2. The Role of Compressibility and Field Type

Simple tangent, hard site chains near a hard wall are modeled with a Density Functional (DF) theory that uses the direct correlation function, c(r), as its ''input''. Two aspects of this DF theory are focused upon: (1) the consequences of variations in c(r)'s detailed form; and (2) the correct way to introduce c(r) into the DF formalism. The most important aspect of c(r) is found to be its integrated value, {cflx c}(0). Indeed, it appears that, for fixed {cflx c}(0), all reasonable guesses of the detailed shape of c(r) result in surprisingly similar density distributions, {rho}(r). Of course, the more accurate the c(r), the better the {rho}(r). As long as the length scale introduced by c(r) is roughly the hard site diameter and as long as the solution remains liquid-like, the {rho}(r) is found to be in good agreement with simulation results. The c(r) is used in DF theory to calculate the medium-induced-potential, U{sub M}(r) from the density distribution, {rho}(r). The form of U{sub M}(r) can be chosen to be one of a number of different forms. It is found that the forms for U{sub M}(r), which yield the most accurate results for the wall problem, are also those which were suggested as accurate in previous, related studies

Building Information Modelling adoption in the European Union: An overview

Building information modelling (BIM) is one of the most promising recent developments in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operation (AECO) industry. However, its adoption remains a challenge for the AECO industry because it requires a shift to a new way of working, leading to a current discrepancy in the adoption of BIM in the EU. The paper aims at assessing the gaps in the BIM adoption between the 28 EU countries and the barriers related to its implementation. The methodology adopted here is twofold: first, secondary data are given by a systematic literature review, completed with the review of current projects funded by the European Commission, and dealing with fostering the BIM adoption. Second, primary data are provided by a questionnaire survey to classify BIM initiatives regarding policies, the level of adoption and the barriers encountered in the 28 EU countries. In order to grade the heterogeneity of BIM adoption in the EU, we have classified the countries into four categories with different levels of awareness, from early adopters (BIM already mandated) to countries without any plan. The survey has enabled the analysis of twenty barriers to BIM adoption using the four grades in relation to the respondent country. We found barriers that are acknowledged by all countries irrespective of their level of BIM adoption. Other barriers have been already tackled by the early adopters but not by the newcomers who have yet to experience some of these issues. Finally, the assessment of the disparities of BIM adoption within the EU can help the European Commission towards unifying European standard on BIM