Distributional fixed point equations for island nucleation in one dimension: a retrospective approach for capture zone scaling

The distributions of inter-island gaps and captures zones for islands nucleated on a one-dimensional substrate during submonolayer deposition are considered using a novel retrospective view. This provides an alternative perspective on why scaling occurs in this continuously evolving system. Distributional fixed point equations for the gaps are derived both with and without a mean field approximation for nearest neighbour gap size correlation. Solutions to the equations show that correct consideration of fragmentation bias justifies the mean field approach which can be extended to provide closed-from equations for the capture zones. Our results compare favourably to Monte Carlo data for both point and extended islands using a range of critical island size $i=0,1,2,3$. We also find satisfactory agreement with theoretical models based on more traditional fragmentation theory approaches.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures and 1 tabl

Limit curve theorems in Lorentzian geometry

The subject of limit curve theorems in Lorentzian geometry is reviewed. A general limit curve theorem is formulated which includes the case of converging curves with endpoints and the case in which the limit points assigned since the beginning are one, two or at most denumerable. Some applications are considered. It is proved that in chronological spacetimes, strong causality is either everywhere verified or everywhere violated on maximizing lightlike segments with open domain. As a consequence, if in a chronological spacetime two distinct lightlike lines intersect each other then strong causality holds at their points. Finally, it is proved that two distinct components of the chronology violating set have disjoint closures or there is a lightlike line passing through each point of the intersection of the corresponding boundaries.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figure. v2: Misprints fixed, matches published versio

Serial diverse imagining task: A new remedy for bedtime complaints of worrying and other sleep-disruptive mental activity

Introduction: A racing mind, worries, and uncontrollable thoughts are common bedtime complaints among poor sleepers. Beaudoin created a Serial Diverse Imagining task (SDIT) that can be used at bedtime to divert attention away from sleep interfering thoughts, An app randomly presents recordings of relatively concrete words one at a time with an 8-second interval between recordings during which the person creates and maintains a mental image of the word until the next recording prompts the next image and so on. Our study is an experimental test of SDIT compared to the standard treatment of Structured Problem-solving (SP) and to the combination of both treatments. A key feature of SP is that it must be done earlier than bedtime and requires about 15 minutes to do it.  SDIT, which is done at bedtime, does not have those constraints.  Method: 154 university students (137 female) who complained of excessive cognitive pre-sleep arousal were randomly assigned to receive SDIT, SP, or both.  At baseline, they completed Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (Somatic and Cognitive), Sleep Quality Scale, Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale and Sleep Hygiene Index.  Depending on the measure, participants redid it one week and/or one month after starting the intervention.  (They also completed sleep diaries and appraisals of the interventions, which are omitted due to space). Results: Repeated measures ANOVAs indicated that cognitive and somatic pre-sleep arousal , sleep effort, and sleep quality improved significantly relative to baseline (p  < .001; Partial η2 = .43 to .71) even though sleep hygiene worsened ( p  < .001; Partial η2 =  .23). The latter finding is not unexpected because the baseline was done at the start of the academic term before the onset of academic pressures. The fact that we found sleep and arousal improvements in this context are notable. Conclusion: Beaudoin’s Serial Diverse  Imagining Task (SDIT) was as effective as Structured Problem-Solving (SP) in reducing pre-sleep arousal, sleep effort, and poor sleep quality.  One advantage of SDIT is that it can be done at bedtime, unlike SP.&nbsp

RNAi-mediated abrogation of trehalase expression does not affect trehalase activity in sugarcane

To engineer trehalose metabolism in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) two transgenes were introduced to the genome: trehalose-6-phosphate synthase- phosphatase (TPSP), to increase trehalose biosynthesis and an RNAi transgene specific for trehalase, to abrogate trehalose catabolism. In RNAi-expressing lines trehalase expression was abrogated in many plants however no decrease in trehalase activity was observed. In TPSP lines trehalase activity was significantly higher. No events of co-integration of TPSP and RNAi transgenes were observed. We suggest trehalase activity is essential to mitigate embryonic lethal effects of trehalose metabolism and discuss the implications for engineering trehalose metabolism

Integration of the Friedmann equation for universes of arbitrary complexity

An explicit and complete set of constants of the motion are constructed algorithmically for Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) models consisting of an arbitrary number of non-interacting species. The inheritance of constants of the motion from simpler models as more species are added is stressed. It is then argued that all FLRW models admit what amounts to a unique candidate for a gravitational epoch function (a dimensionless scalar invariant derivable from the Riemann tensor without differentiation which is monotone throughout the evolution of the universe). The same relations that lead to the construction of constants of the motion allow an explicit evaluation of this function. In the simplest of all models, the $\Lambda$CDM model, it is shown that the epoch function exists for all models with $\Lambda > 0$, but for almost no models with $\Lambda \leq 0$.Comment: Final form to appear in Physical Review D1

Measurement of the shear strength of a charge-density wave

We have explored the shear plasticity of charge density waves (CDWs) in niobium triselenide samples with cross-sections having a single micro-fabricated thickness step. Shear stresses along the step result from thickness-dependent CDW pinning. For small thickness differences the CDW depins elastically at the volume average depinning field. For large thickness differences the thicker, more weakly pinned side depins first via plastic shear. A simple model describes the qualitative features of our data, and yields a value for the CDW's shear strength of approximately 9.5*10^3 N/m^2 and a lower bound for the elastic shear modulus of 2.1*10^4 N/m^2. These values are orders of magnitude smaller than the CDW's longitudinal modulus but are much larger than corresponding values for flux-line lattices, and may explain the relative coherence of the CDW response.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

West Highland White Terriers under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2016: demography, mortality and disorders

The West Highland White Terrier (WHWT) is a relatively common breed in the UK, although Kennel Club registrations have declined in recent years. The VetCompass™ Programme collates de-identified clinical data from primary-care veterinary practices in the UK for epidemiological research. Using VetCompass clinical data, this study aimed to characterise the demography, longevity and common disorders of WHWTs under primary veterinary care in the UK

EYM equations in the presence of q-stars

We study Einstein-Yang-Mills equations in the presence of gravitating non-topological soliton field configurations, of q-ball type. We produce numerical solutions, stable with respect to gravitational collapse and to fission into free particles, and we study the effect of the field strength and the eigen-frequency to the soliton parameters. We also investigate the formation of such soliton stars when the spacetime is asymptotically anti de Sitter.Comment: 11 pages, to appear in Phys. Rev.

High-quality draft genome sequence of the causal agent of the current Panama disease epidemic

This is the final version. Available from the American Society for Microbiology via the DOI in this record. We present a high-quality draft genome assembly for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Fusarium odoratissimum), assembled from PacBio reads and consisting of 15 contigs with a total assembly size of 48.59 Mb. This strain appears to belong to vegetative compatibility group complex 01213/16.Medical Research CouncilWellcome TrustBBSR

Epidemiological associations between brachycephaly and upper respiratory tract disorders in dogs attending veterinary practices in England

Background: Brachycephalic dog breeds are increasingly common. Canine brachycephaly has been associated with upper respiratory tract (URT) disorders but reliable prevalence data remain lacking. Using primary-care veterinary clinical data, this study aimed to report the prevalence and breed-type risk factors for URT disorders in dogs. Results: The sampling frame included 170,812 dogs attending 96 primary-care veterinary clinics participating within the VetCompass Programme. Two hundred dogs were randomly selected from each of three extreme brachycephalic breed types (Bulldog, French Bulldog and Pug) and three common small-to medium sized breed types (moderate brachycephalic: Yorkshire Terrier and non-brachycephalic: Border Terrier and West Highland White Terrier). Information on all URT disorders recorded was extracted from individual patient records. Disorder prevalence was compared between groups using the chi-squared test or Fisher’s test, as appropriate. Risk factor analysis used multivariable logistic regression modelling. During the study, 83 (6.9 %) study dogs died. Extreme brachycephalic dogs (median longevity: 8.6 years, IQR: 2.4-10.8) were significantly younger at death than the moderate and non-brachycephalic group of dogs (median 12.7 years, IQR 11.1-15.0) (P \u3c 0.001). A higher proportion of deaths in extreme brachycephalic breed types were associated with URT disorders (4/24 deaths, 16.7 %) compared with the moderate and non-brachycephalic group (0/59 deaths, 0.0 %) (P = 0.001). The prevalence of having at least one URT disorder in the extreme brachycephalic group was higher (22.0 %, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 18.0-26.0) than in the moderate and non-brachycephalic group (9.7 %, 95 % CI: 7.1-12.3, P \u3c 0.001). The prevalence of URT disorders varied significantly by breed type: Bulldogs 19.5 %, French Bulldogs 20.0 %, Pugs 26.5 %, Border Terriers 9.0 %, West Highland White Terriers 7.0 % and Yorkshire Terriers 13.0 % (P \u3c 0.001). After accounting for the effects of age, bodyweight, sex, neutering and insurance, extreme brachycephalic dogs had 3.5 times (95 % CI: 2.4-5.0, P \u3c 0.001) the odds of at least one URT disorder compared with the moderate and non-brachycephalic group. Conclusions: In summary, this study reports that URT disorders are commonly diagnosed in Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, Border Terrier, WHWT and Yorkshire Terrier dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. The three extreme brachycephalic breed types (Bulldog, French Bulldog and Pug) were relatively short-lived and predisposed to URT disorders compared with three other small-to-medium size breed types that are commonly owned (moderate brachycephalic Yorkshire Terrier and non-brachycephalic: Border Terrier and WHWT). Conclusions: In summary, this study reports that URT disorders are commonly diagnosed in Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, Border Terrier, WHWT and Yorkshire Terrier dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. The three extreme brachycephalic breed types (Bulldog, French Bulldog and Pug) were relatively short-lived and predisposed to URT disorders compared with three other small-to-medium size breed types that are commonly owned (moderate brachycephalic Yorkshire Terrier and non-brachycephalic: Border Terrier and WHWT)