Constraint algorithm for k-presymplectic Hamiltonian systems. Application to singular field theories

The k-symplectic formulation of field theories is especially simple, since only tangent and cotangent bundles are needed in its description. Its defining elements show a close relationship with those in the symplectic formulation of mechanics. It will be shown that this relationship also stands in the presymplectic case. In a natural way, one can mimick the presymplectic constraint algorithm to obtain a constraint algorithm that can be applied to $k$-presymplectic field theory, and more particularly to the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of field theories defined by a singular Lagrangian, as well as to the unified Lagrangian-Hamiltonian formalism (Skinner--Rusk formalism) for k-presymplectic field theory. Two examples of application of the algorithm are also analyzed.Comment: 22 p

Upfront docetaxel with androgen deprivation therapy in the elderly patient with metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer: Single institution experience

Upfront docetaxel with androgen deprivation therapy in the elderly patient with metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer: Single institution experienc

Pre-multisymplectic constraint algorithm for field theories

We present a geometric algorithm for obtaining consistent solutions to systems of partial differential equations, mainly arising from singular covariant first-order classical field theories. This algorithm gives an intrinsic description of all the constraint submanifolds. The field equations are stated geometrically, either representing their solutions by integrable connections or, what is equivalent, by certain kinds of integrable m-vector fields. First, we consider the problem of finding connections or multivector fields solutions to the field equations in a general framework: a pre-multisymplectic fibre bundle (which will be identified with the first-order jet bundle and the multimomentum bundle when Lagrangian and Hamiltonian field theories are considered). Then, the problem is stated and solved in a linear context, and a pointwise application of the results leads to the algorithm for the general case. In a second step, the integrability of the solutions is also studied. Finally, the method is applied to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian field theories and, for the former, the problem of finding holonomic solutions is also analized.Comment: 30 pp. Presented in the International Workshop on Geometric Methods in Modern Physics (Firenze, April 2005

Promotion of macrophage activation by Tie2 in the context of the inflamed synovia of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis patients

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of Tie2 signalling in macrophage activation within the context of the inflammatory synovial microenvironment present in patients with RA and PsA. METHODS: Clinical responses and macrophage function were examined in wild-type and Tie2-overexpressing (Tie2-TG) mice in the K/BxN serum transfer model of arthritis. Macrophages derived from peripheral blood monocytes from healthy donors, RA and PsA patients, and RA and PsA synovial tissue explants were stimulated with TNF (10 ng/ml), angiopoietin (Ang)-1 or Ang-2 (200 ng/ml), or incubated with an anti-Ang2 neutralizing antibody. mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory mediators was analysed by quantitative PCR, ELISA and Luminex. RESULTS: Tie2-TG mice displayed more clinically severe arthritis than wild-type mice, accompanied by enhanced joint expression of IL6, IL12B, NOS2, CCL2 and CXCL10, and activation of bone marrow-derived macrophages in response to Ang-2 stimulation. Ang-1 and Ang-2 significantly enhanced TNF-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in macrophages from healthy donors differentiated with RA and PsA SF and peripheral blood-derived macrophages from RA and PsA patients. Both Ang-1 and Ang-2 induced the production of IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-8 and CCL-3 in synovial tissue explants of RA and PsA patients, and Ang-2 neutralization suppressed the production of IL-6 and IL-8 in the synovial tissue of RA patients. CONCLUSION: Tie2 signalling enhances TNF-dependent activation of macrophages within the context of ongoing synovial inflammation in RA and PsA, and neutralization of Tie2 ligands might be a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of these diseases

Mathematical models for immunology:current state of the art and future research directions

The advances in genetics and biochemistry that have taken place over the last 10 years led to significant advances in experimental and clinical immunology. In turn, this has led to the development of new mathematical models to investigate qualitatively and quantitatively various open questions in immunology. In this study we present a review of some research areas in mathematical immunology that evolved over the last 10 years. To this end, we take a step-by-step approach in discussing a range of models derived to study the dynamics of both the innate and immune responses at the molecular, cellular and tissue scales. To emphasise the use of mathematics in modelling in this area, we also review some of the mathematical tools used to investigate these models. Finally, we discuss some future trends in both experimental immunology and mathematical immunology for the upcoming years

Zawartość pierwiastków śladowych w glebach regla górnego Szrenicy i Kowarskiego Grzbietu w Karkonoszach

New regular examination of soil contamination with trace elements (Pb, Zn, Cu) in the upper zone of spruce forest in the western (Mount Szrenica) and eastern (Kowarski Grzbiet range) Karkonosze Mountains was carried out as part of the monitoring network of forest ecosystems in the Karkonosze Mountains National Park. Soil samples were taken at the following three depths: forest litter (the whole layer), 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm. Clearly raised concentrations of lead were found, particularly in forest litter (mean 83.2 mg⋅kg-1) and in horizons 0-10 cm (mean 73.3 mg⋅kg-1). Copper and zinc occurred in smaller amounts, in the ectohumus layer 47.5 mg Zn⋅kg-1 and 23.8 mg Cu⋅kg-1 (mean concentrations), and in the layer 0-10 cm – 33.7 mg Zn⋅kg-1 and 19.9 mg Cu⋅kg-1. Zinc and copper concentrations in soils of the upper spruce forest zone did not increase with altitude above mean sea level, and were slightly higher in the eastern part of Karkonosze Mts. (the Kowarski Grzbiet). Concentrations of lead were apparently higher in the western part of the Karkosze Mts. and increased with altitude AMSL.W strefie regla górnego Karkonoszy zachodnich (Szrenica) i wschodnich (Kowarski Grzbiet) przeprowadzono analizę zanieczyszczenia gleb pierwiastkami śladowymi (Pb, Zn, Cu) opartą na monitoringu ekosystemów leśnych Karkonoskiego Parku Narodowego. W tym celu pobrano próbki z trzech głębokości: próchnicę nadkładową (w całej miąższości), 0-10 cm i 10-20 cm. Stwierdzono wyraźnie podwyższoną zawartość ołowiu, szczególnie w próchnicach nadkładowych (średnio 83,2 mg⋅kg-1) i warstwie 0-10 cm (średnio 73,3 mg⋅kg-1). Miedź i cynk występują w mniejszych ilościach, w ektohumusie średnio 47,5 mg Zn⋅kg-1 i 23,8 mg Cu⋅kg-1, a w warstwie 0-10 cm średnio 33,7 mg Zn⋅kg-1 i 19,9 mg Cu⋅kg-1. Zawartość cynku i miedzi w glebach regla górnego nie zwiększa się z wysokością n.p.m. i jest nieco wyższa we wschodniej części Karkonoszy (Kowarski Grzbiet) niż w zachodniej (Szrenica). Zawartość ołowiu jest wyraźnie wyższa w zachodniej części Karkonoszy i zwiększa się z wysokością n.p.m

Heave metals in soils on the area of Szczytnicki park in Wroclaw

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań nad zawartością wybranych metali ciężkich: Pb, Cu, Zn i Cd w glebach na obszarze Parku Szczytnickiego, popularnego miejsca wypoczynku i rekreacji wrocławian. Próbki gleby pobrano z głębokości 0-20 cm w punktach położonych wzdłuż transektu północ-południe, łączącego dwie ruchliwe ulice Różyckiego i Mickiewicza. Oznaczono podstawowe właściwości pobranych gleb i określono w nich całkowite zawartości metali ciężkich. Dodatkowo w wybranych punktach pobrane zostały próbki liści świeżo opadłych z drzew, głównie liści dębu, w których także oznaczono zawartość metali ciężkich. W południowej części parku zawartości wszystkich analizowanych metali były wyraźnie wyższe niż w części północnej. Jednak najsilniejsze zanieczyszczenie metalami, odpowiadające III-V stopniowi zanieczyszczenia, wg wytycznych IUNG, stwierdzono w jednym z centralnych punktów parku. Świadczy to prawdopodobnie o niejednorodnym pochodzeniu materiału glebowego lub materiałów użyźniających stosowanych na obszarze parku. W pobranych próbkach liści kadm i ołów występowały w podwyższonych ilościach, co wskazuje na zanieczyszczenie powietrza atmosferycznego pyłami zawierającymi te metale, przy czym najwyższe zawartości Cd i Pb stwierdzono w liściach pobranych w najbliższym sąsiedztwie obu ulic.Paper presents the results of research on concentration of heavy metals: Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd in soils on the area of Szczytnicki Park, a favourite leisure and recreation place of Wrocław inhabitants. Soil samples were collected from the depth of 0-20 cm in the sites situated along the north-south transect linking two busy streets - Różyckiego and Mickiewicza. Basic soil properties and total concentrations of heavy metals in soils were examined. Additionally, the samples of fallen oak leaves were collected in selected sites and examined for concentration of heavy metals. Concentrations of all metals examined in soil were much higher in southern part than those in the northern part of the park. The highest soil pollution with heavy metals was observed at the site situated in central part of the park. This fact apparently proves a high heterogeneity of soil parent material and fertilizing ingredients being applied to soil in the past. Enhanced concentrations of lead and cadmium were found in collected leaves, what confirms the fact of air pollution with dust containing heavy metals. The highest concentrations of Pb and Cd in leaves were found in the samples collected in the nearest neighbourhood of both streets

Skład frakcyjny próchnicy wybranych gleb leśnych Karkonoszy

This paper describes the fractions of humus compounds present in the organic and mineral horizons of the forest soils in the area of the Karkonosze Mountains. Soil profiles that represented the mountain Podzols and Dystric Cambisol were located on the northern slope along an altitude gradient from 890 to 1255 m a.s.l. Two soils were located under the spruce forest, and one in the subalpine meadow. Soil samples were taken both from the surface organic layers (the ectohumus layer) and from the mineral horizons. Fractionation of humus compounds was made using the modified Turin method. The soils had the texture of loamy sand and sandy loam, an acidic or strongly acidic reaction, low base saturation, and the predomination of aluminum among exchangeable cations. A significant increase in the fulvic fraction (Ia) with depth in the soil profiles was observed that confirmed the high mobility of this fraction in the acid mountain soils, higher in the forest soils, and lower in the meadow soils. The content of fraction I decreased generally with depth in the soil profile; however, a secondary increase was observed in an illuvial Bh horizon of the Podzols. Fulvic acids predominated over the humic acids and this predominance increased with depth in the soil profile. The ratio of the humic to the fulvic acids in fraction I in the ectohumus horizons was influenced by the composition of a biomass inflow. TheCHA:CFA ratio had the highest values under a spruce forest compared to a mixed stand and a subalpine meadow. In the surface horizons of the forest soils, a predominance of humic over fulvic acids was always observed, while in the subalpine meadow soils, the fulvic acids predominated over the humic acids in all soil horizons. Based on this study, it can be stated that the vegetation type and the dominant soil-forming process rather than simply climate factors influence the fractional composition of humus in the mountain soils of the Karkonosze Mountains

Detection of Clostridioides difficile in hospital environment by using C diff Banana Broth (TM)

116 environmental samples from a 504 bed clinical hospital obtained in 2017/19 were inoculated into C diff Banana Broth (TM). Six C. difficile and 12 C. pefringens strains were isolated. Antibiotic-resistant Clostridium spp. dominated in hospital environment. To determine Clostridium spp. in hospital environment suitable medium like C diff Banana Broth (TM) should be used. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.Molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis, virulence factors and antibiotic resistanc