On the transcendence degree of the differential field generated by Siegel modular forms

It is a classical fact that the elliptic modular functions satisfies an algebraic differential equation of order 3, and none of lower order. We show how this generalizes to Siegel modular functions of arbitrary degree. The key idea is that the partial differential equations they satisfy are governed by Gauss--Manin connections, whose monodromy groups are well-known. Modular theta functions provide a concrete interpretation of our result, and we study their differential properties in detail in the case of degree 2.Comment: 21 pages, AmSTeX, uses picture.sty for 1 LaTeX picture; submitted for publicatio

Low temperature structural effects in the (TMTSF)2_2PF6_6 and AsF6_6 Bechgaard salts

We present a detailed low-temperature investigation of the statics and dynamics of the anions and methyl groups in the organic conductors (TMTSF)$_2$PF$_6$ and (TMTSF)$_2$AsF$_6$ (TMTSF : tetramethyl-tetraselenafulvalene). The 4 K neutron scattering structure refinement of the fully deuterated (TMTSF)$_2$PF$_6$-D12 salt allows locating precisely the methyl groups at 4 K. This structure is compared to the one of the fully hydrogenated (TMTSF)$_2$PF$_6$-H12 salt previously determined at the same temperature. Surprisingly it is found that deuteration corresponds to the application of a negative pressure of 5 x 10$^2$ MPa to the H12 salt. Accurate measurements of the Bragg intensity show anomalous thermal variations at low temperature both in the deuterated PF$_6$ and AsF$_6$ salts. Two different thermal behaviors have been distinguished. Low-Bragg-angle measurements reflect the presence of low-frequency modes at characteristic energies {\theta}$_E$ = 8.3 K and {\theta}$_E$ = 6.7 K for the PF$_6$-D12 and AsF$_6$-D12 salts, respectively. These modes correspond to the low-temperature methyl group motion. Large-Bragg-angle measurements evidence an unexpected structural change around 55 K which probably corresponds to the linkage of the anions to the methyl groups via the formation of F...D-CD2 bonds observed in the 4 K structural refinement. Finally we show that the thermal expansion coefficient of (TMTSF)$_2$PF$_6$ is dominated by the librational motion of the PF$_6$ units. We quantitatively analyze the low-temperature variation of the lattice expansion via the contribution of Einstein oscillators, which allows us to determine for the first time the characteristic frequency of the PF6 librations: {\theta}$_E$ = 50 K and {\theta}$_E$ = 76 K for the PF$_6$-D12 and PF$_6$-H12 salts, respectively

Three-dimensional Continuum Radiative Transfer Images of a Molecular Cloud Core Evolution

We analyze a three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulation of an evolving and later collapsing pre-stellar core. Using a three-dimensional continuum radiative transfer program, we generate images at 7 micron, 15 micron, 175 micron, and 1.3 mm for different evolutionary times and viewing angles. We discuss the observability of the properties of pre-stellar cores for the different wavelengths. For examples of non-symmetric fragments, it is shown that, misleadingly, the density profiles derived from a one-dimensional analysis of the corresponding images are consistent with one-dimensional core evolution models. We conclude that one-dimensional modeling based on column density interpretation of images does not produce reliable structural information and that multidimensional modeling is required.Comment: accepted by ApJL, 4 pages, 4 figure

Reproductive biology of Lychnorhiza lucerna (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa: Rhizostomeae): Individual traits related to sexual reproduction

We studied individual traits related with sexual reproduction of Lychnorhiza lucerna and review how sexual maturation has been studied for scyphomedusae, focusing on the particular case of non-brooding species. L. lucerna is a gonochoric species and sexual dimorphism was found in the colour of the gonads. There were no brooding structures or any other distinguishable feature that enable macroscopic determination of sex. Gametogenesis in L. lucerna resembled the descriptions available for other rhizostomes and semaeostomes. Both processes are asynchronous since gametes at all stages of development occurred simultaneously. Oocytes arose from the gastrodermis and maintained contact with it via trophocytes throughout vitellogenesis. Spermatogenesis occurred within the spermatic follicles arising from nested primary spermatogonia in the mesoglea. Population features of sexual reproduction are defined by characterizing and quantifying individuals at different stages of sexual maturity. Regarding sexual maturation in Scyphozoa, sexually mature medusae can be detected by i) the presence of fully-developed gametes in the gonads indicating near future spawning, or ii) by the presence of spent spermatic follicles as evidence of ongoing or recent spawning events. Whereas the former allows getting a more detailed study of sexual reproduction patterns of any species, the later constitutes an option for non-brooders equivalent to the search of fertilized eggs or planulae for brooder species, as exemplified in this work.Fil: Schiariti, Agustin. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Christiansen, Enesto. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; ArgentinaFil: Morandini, Andre Carrara. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: da Silveira, Fabio Lang. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Giberto, Diego Agustin. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Mianzan, Hermes Walter. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Semiclassical thermodynamics of scalar fields

We present a systematic semiclassical procedure to compute the partition function for scalar field theories at finite temperature. The central objects in our scheme are the solutions of the classical equations of motion in imaginary time, with spatially independent boundary conditions. Field fluctuations -- both field deviations around these classical solutions, and fluctuations of the boundary value of the fields -- are resummed in a Gaussian approximation. In our final expression for the partition function, this resummation is reduced to solving certain ordinary differential equations. Moreover, we show that it is renormalizable with the usual 1-loop counterterms.Comment: 24 pages, 5 postscript figure

Marine Strategy Framework Directive - Task Group 11 Report Underwater Noise and Other Forms of Energy

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) (MSFD) requires that the European Commis-sion (by 15 July 2010) should lay down criteria and methodological standards to allow consistency in approach in evaluating the extent to which Good Environmental Status (GES) is being achieved. ICES and JRC were contracted to provide scientific support for the Commission in meeting this obligation. A total of 10 reports have been prepared relating to the descriptors of GES listed in Annex I of the Directive. Eight reports have been prepared by groups of independent experts coordinated by JRC and ICES in response to this contract. In addition, reports for two descriptors (Contaminants in fish and other seafood and Marine Litter) were written by expert groups coordinated by DG SANCO and IFREMER respectively. A Task Group was established for each of the qualitative Descriptors. Each Task Group consisted of selected experts providing experience related to the four marine regions (the Baltic Sea, the North-east Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea) and an appropriate scope of relevant scien-tific expertise. Observers from the Regional Seas Conventions were also invited to each Task Group to help ensure the inclusion of relevant work by those Conventions. This is the report of Task Group 11 Underwater noise and other forms of energy.JRC.DDG.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Interferometric multi-wavelength (sub)millimeter continuum study of the young high-mass protocluster IRAS05358+3543

The young massive star-forming region IRAS05358+3543 was observed at high-spatial resolution in the continuum emission at 3.1 and 1.2mm with the Plateau de Bure Interferometer, and at 875 and 438mum with the Submillimeter Array. We resolve at least four continuum sub-sources that are likely of protostellar nature. Two of them are potentially part of a proto-binary system with a projected separation of 1700AU. Additional (sub)mm continuum peaks are not necessarily harboring protostars but maybe caused by the multiple molecular outflows. The spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the sub-sources show several features. The main power house mm1, which is associated with CH3OH maser emission, a hypercompact HII region and a mid-infrared source, exhibits a typical SED with a free-free emission component at cm and long mm wavelengths and a cold dust component in the (sub)mm part of the spectrum (spectral index between 1.2mm and 438mum alpha~3.6). The free-free emission corresponds to a Lyman continuum flux of an embedded 13Msun B1 star. The coldest source of the region, mm3, has alpha~3.7 between 1.2mm and 875mum, but has lower than expected fluxes in the shorter wavelength 438mum band. This turnover of the Planck-function sets an upper limit on the dust temperature of mm3 of approximately 20K. The uv-data analysis of the density structure of individual sub-cores reveals distributions with power-law indices between 1.5 and 2. This resembles the density distributions of the larger-scale cluster-forming clump as well as those from typical low-mass cores.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, accepted for Astronomy and Astrophysics, a high-resolution version of the paper is also available at http://www.mpia.de/homes/beuther/papers.htm

VERTEBRAL OSTEOMYELITIS IS CHARACTERISED BY INCREASED RANK/OPG AND RANKL/OPG EXPRESSION RATIOS IN VERTEBRAL BODIES AND INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS

Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is an infection of the spine mainly caused by bacterial pathogens. The pathogenesis leading to destruction of intervertebral discs (IVDs) and adjacent vertebral bodies (VBs) is poorly described. The present study aimed at investigating the connection between infection and bone/disc metabolism in VO patients. 14 patients with VO (infection group) and 14 patients with burst fractures of the spine (fracture group; control) were included prospectively. Tissue biopsies from affected IVDs and adjacent VBs were analysed by RT-qPCR for mRNA-expression levels of 18 target genes including chemokines, adipokines and genes involved in bone metabolism. Most importantly, the receptor activator of NF-κB/osteoprotegerin (RANK/OPG) expression ratio was drastically elevated in both VBs and IVDs of the infection group. In parallel, expression of genes of the prostaglandin-E2-dependent prostanoid system was induced. Such genes regulate tissue degradation processes via the triad OPG/RANK/RANKL as well as via the chemokines IL-8 and CCL-20, whose expression was also found to be increased upon infection. The gene expression of the adipokine leptin, which promotes inflammatory tissue degradation, was higher in IVD tissue of the infection group, whereas the transcription of omentin and resistin genes, whose functions are largely unknown in the context of infectious diseases, was lower in infected VBs. In summary, similar expression patterns of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-osteoclastogenic factors were identified in VBs and IVDs of patients suffering from VO. This suggests that common immuno-metabolic pathways are involved in the mechanisms leading to tissue degradation in VBs and IVDs during VO