Partial Ovoids and Partial Spreads of Classical Finite Polar Spaces

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 05B25, 51E20.We survey the main results on ovoids and spreads, large maximal partial ovoids and large maximal partial spreads, and on small maximal partial ovoids and small maximal partial spreads in classical finite polar spaces. We also discuss the main results on the spectrum problem on maximal partial ovoids and maximal partial spreads in classical finite polar spaces.The research of the fourth author was also supported by the Project Combined algorithmic and the oretical study of combinatorial structur es between the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders-Belgium (FWO-Flanders) and the Bulgarian Academy of Science

SU(4) symmetry in the extended proton-neutron interacting boson model: multiplets and symmetry breaking

The manifestation of $SU(4)$ symmetry within an interacting boson model including particle-like and hole-like $\pi$- and $\nu$-bosons is shown for light nuclei around the Z=N=8 shell. We also present a consistent description of the particle-hole (intruder spin or $I$ spin) multiplets in the Extended Interacting Boson Model (EIBM) and of $\pi$-$\nu$ ($F$ spin) multiplets in the IBM-2 as a breaking of this $SU(4)$ symmetry

New particle-hole symmetries and the extended interacting boson model

We describe shape coexistence and intruder many-particle-hole (mp-nh)excitations in the extended interacting boson model EIBM and EIBM-2,combining both the particle-hole and the charge degree of freedom.Besides the concept of I-spin multiplets and subsequently $SU(4)$ multiplets, we touch upon the existence of particle-hole mixed symmetry states. We furthermore describe regular and intrudermany-particle-hole excitations in one nucleus on an equal footing, creating (annihilating) particle-hole pairs using the K-spin operatorand studying possible mixing between these states. As a limiting case,we treat the coupling of two IBM-1 Hamiltonians, each decribing the regular and intruder excitations respectively, in particular lookingat the $U(5)$-$SU(3)$ dynamical symmetry coupling. We apply such coupling scheme to the Po isotopes

Shape coexistence in atomic nuclei and its spectroscopic fingerprints

In the present discussion we concentrate on shape coexistence asobtained within a deformed single-particle field as well as startingfrom the spherical shell-model, incorporating deformationeffects via the residual proton-neutron quadrupole interaction. Wediscuss in particular the appearance of shape coexisting phenomena inthe Pb region. In a second part then, we present a number ofexperimental fingerprints that allow to recognize the appearance ofshape coexisting phenomena or of shape mixing through the use ofselective experiments (e.g. band structure, spectroscopic factors,static moments, E0 properties and alpha-decay)

Using machine learning to characterize heart failure across the scales

Heart failure is a progressive chronic condition in which the heart undergoes detrimental changes in structure and function across multiple scales in time and space. Multiscale models of cardiac growth can provide a patient-specific window into the progression of heart failure and guide personalized treatment planning. Yet, the predictive potential of cardiac growth models remains poorly understood. Here, we quantify predictive power of a stretch-driven growth model using a chronic porcine heart failure model, subject-specific multiscale simulation, and machine learning techniques. We combine hierarchical modeling, Bayesian inference, and Gaussian process regression to quantify the uncertainty of our experimental measurements during an 8-week long study of volume overload in six pigs. We then propagate the experimental uncertainties from the organ scale through our computational growth model and quantify the agreement between experimentally measured and computationally predicted alterations on the cellular scale. Our study suggests that stretch is the major stimulus for myocyte lengthening and demonstrates that a stretch-driven growth model alone can explain 52.7% of the observed changes in myocyte morphology. We anticipate that our approach will allow us to design, calibrate, and validate a new generation of multiscale cardiac growth models to explore the interplay of various subcellular-, cellular-, and organ-level contributors to heart failure. Using machine learning in heart failure research has the potential to combine information from different sources, subjects, and scales to provide a more holistic picture of the failing heart and point toward new treatment strategies

miRNAs from inflamed gingiva link gene signaling to increased MET expression

Several array-based microRNA (miRNA) expression studies independently showed increased expression of miRNAs hsa-miR-130a-3p, -142-3p, -144-3p, -144-5p, -223-3p, -17-5p, and -30e-5p in gingiva affected by periodontal inflammation. We aimed to determine direct target genes and signaling pathways regulated by these miRNAs to identify processes relevant to gingival inflammatory responses and tissue homeostasis. We transfected miRNA mimics (mirVana) for each of the 7 miRNAs separately into human primary gingival fibroblasts cultured from 3 different donors. Following RNA sequencing, differential gene expression and second-generation gene set enrichment analyses were performed. miRNA inhibition and upregulation was validated at the transcript and protein levels using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and reporter gene assays. All 7 miRNAs significantly increased expression of the gene MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET). Expression of known periodontitis risk genes CPEB1, ABCA1, and ATP6V1C1 was significantly repressed by hsa-miR-130a-3p, -144-3p, and -144-5p, respectively. The genes WASL, ENPP5, ARL6IP1, and IDH1 showed the most significant and strongest downregulation after hsa-miR-142-3p, -17-5p, -223-3p, and -30e-5p transfection, respectively. The most significantly regulated gene set of each miRNA related to cell cycle (hsa-miRNA-144-3p and -5p [P(adj) = 4 × 10(-40) and P(adj) = 4 × 10(-6)], -miR-17-5p [P(adj) = 9.5 × 10(-23)], -miR-30e-5p [P(adj) = 8.2 × 10(-18)], -miR-130a-3p [P(adj) = 5 × 10(-15)]), integrin cell surface interaction (-miR-223-3p [P(adj) = 2.4 × 10(-7)]), and interferon signaling (-miR-142-3p [P(adj) = 5 × 10(-11)]). At the end of acute inflammation, gingival miRNAs bring together complex regulatory networks that lead to increased expression of the gene MET. This underscores the importance of mesenchymal cell migration and invasion during gingival tissue remodeling and proliferation in restoring periodontal tissue homeostasis after active inflammation. MET, a receptor of the mitogenic hepatocyte growth factor fibroblast secreted, is a core gene of this process

Mdct imaging before transcutanous aortic valve implantation: rationale and measurements

Since its introduction in 2002, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has assumed growing importance in the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), because it offers a much less invasive alternative for those in high risk for surgery. Good early results and advances in percutaneous valve technology have led to a substantial increase in procedural success rate and number of patients undergoing this less invasive treatment. Pre-procedural screening of several anatomic factors to assess the feasibility of this technique is important. Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) is the technique of choice in assessing these factors. This technical note aims to describe and illustrate the key elements that need to be evaluated before the procedure

Renal Normothermic Machine Perfusion:The Road Toward Clinical Implementation of a Promising Pretransplant Organ Assessment Tool

The increased utilization of high-risk renal grafts for transplantation requires optimization of pretransplant organ assessment strategies. Current decision-making methods to accept an organ for transplantation lack overall predictive power and always contain an element of subjectivity. Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) creates near-physiological conditions, which might facilitate a more objective assessment of organ quality prior to transplantation. NMP is rapidly gaining popularity, with various transplant centers developing their own NMP protocols and renal viability criteria. However, to date, no validated sets of on-pump viability markers exist nor are there unified NMP protocols. This review provides a critical overview of the fundamentals of current renal NMP protocols and proposes a framework to approach further development of ex vivo organ evaluation. We also comment on the potential logistical implications of routine clinical use of NMP, which is a more complex procedure compared to static cold storage or even hypothermic machine perfusion. Supplemental Visual Abstract; http://links.lww.com/TP/C232