Arithmetic harmonic analysis on character and quiver varieties

We present a conjecture generalizing the Cauchy formula for Macdonald polynomials. This conjecture encodes the mixed Hodge polynomials of the character varieties of representations of the fundamental group of a Riemann surface of genus g to GL_n(C) with fixed generic semi-simple conjugacy classes at k punctures. Using the character table of GL_n(F_q) we calculate the E-polynomial of these character varieties and confirm that it is as predicted by our main conjecture. Then, using the character table of gl_n(F_q), we calculate the E-polynomial of certain associated comet-shaped quiver varieties, the additive analogues of our character variety, and find that it is the pure part of our conjectured mixed Hodge polynomial. Finally, we observe that the pure part of our conjectured mixed Hodge polynomial also equals certain multiplicities in the tensor product of irreducible representations of GL_n(F_q). This implies a curious connection between the representation theory of GL_n(F_q) and Kac-Moody algebras associated with comet-shaped, typically wild, quivers.Comment: To appear in Duke Math. Journal + a section with examples is adde

Topology of character varieties and representations of quivers

In arXiv:0810.2076 we presented a conjecture generalizing the Cauchy formula for Macdonald polynomials. This conjecture encodes the mixed Hodge polynomials of the representation varieties of Riemann surfaces with semi-simple conjugacy classes at the punctures. We proved several results which support this conjecture. Here we announce new results which are consequences of those of arXiv:0810.2076

Identification of plasmids in a Salmonella Typhimurium septicemic isolate without the classical 95 kb virulence plasmid

In this study, we report the characterization of plasmids from a Salmonella Typhimurium strain isolated from a septicemic pig. This isolate did not possess the classical 95 kb plasmid associated with virulence, but contained several low molecular weight plasmids

Stabilization of space–time laser instability through the finite transverse extension of pumping

We investigate the space–time dynamics of a homogeneously broadened single-mode laser when diffraction is taken into account. It is well known that such a laser displays instability when pumping reaches the second laser threshold. We show that the laser dynamics can be stabilized by pumping in a domain of finite width. The analysis of stationary solutions to the Maxwell–Bloch equations (evanescent waves, travelling waves, localized solutions) allows the stabilization mechanism to be explained

Analyse de dynamiques spatio-temporelles d’un laser

La dynamique spatio-temporelle d’un système laser avec diffraction est étudiée. La correspondance entre la structure du portrait de phase et l’organisation relative desdéfauts topologiques dans les diagrammes spatio-temporels est clairement mise en évidence. Ainsi, une dynamique de type chaos toroïdal est associée à des défauts apparaissant périodiquement (dans l’espace et dans le temps). En revanche, il n’y a plus de périodicité des défauts sur les diagrammes spatio-temporels lorsque le régime est un chaos développé

Oral colistin sulfate in pigs: pharmacokinetics and effect on fecal Escherichia coli excretion of weaned pigs challenged with Escherichia coli F4 (K88)

Colistin sulfate (CS), a polymyxin antibiotic, is used in Canada for the treatment of post-weaning diarrhea in pigs as an alternative to neomycin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate some pharmcokinetics parameters of CS and its effect on the evolution of the intestinal Escherichia coli population in pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC): F4

Impacts of colistin sulfate on fecal Escherichia coli resistance and on growth performance of piglets in a post-weaning diarrhea model

Colistin sulfate (CS) is used in Canada for the treatment of post weaning diarrhea (PWD), to overcome conventional therapeutic antibiotics failures. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a conventional oral regimen of CS for the treatment of PWD, on the development of E. coli CS resistance and to evaluate the effect of ETEC: F4 infection on CS intestinal absorption. A total of 48 pigs were used, challenge was carried out by oral administration of 109CFU of a hemolytic ETEC: F4 strain resistant to nalidixic acid. CS was administered at a dose of 50.000 UI/kg twice a day for 5 days. Feces were examined clinically and bacteriologically before and after challenge to evaluate presence of diarrhea and E. coli fecal excretion. ETEC: F4 virulence factors were monitored and CS plasma concentrations were quantified by an HPLC-MS/MS. From one until six days after CS administration, a significant reduction in the fecal excretion of ETEC: F4, total E. coli, ETEC: F4 virulence factors and in diarrhea scores was observed in the challenged treated group compared to the challenged untreated group (p\u3c0.0001). No significant difference in growth performances was observed in treated compared to non-treated pigs (p\u3e0.71). A significant selection pressure on E. coli total population was observed following CS treatment (p\u3c0.0001). Challenge with ETEC: F4 resulted in an increase in intestinal absorption of CS. Our study is the first to demonstrate in an experimental model of PWD, that CS at a dose of 50,000 IU/kg is effective in reducing fecal excretion of E. coli. However, this regimen was associated with a selection pressure on E. coli CS resistance, and did not improve growth performance in challenged pigs. Thus, the use of this antibiotic in pig should be revised

Identification of putative virulence attributes using suppression subtractive hybridization using Salmonella Typhimurium isolates from septicemic and healthy pigs

In this study, we used the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method to identify DNA restriction fragments present in a Salmonella Typhimurium isolate from septicemic pig but absent in a S. Typhimurium isolate recovered from a healthy animal at slaughter. Thirteen different clone inserts were identified and 5 clones had similarities with sequences with predicted functions. Two fragments showed similarities with genes found on plasmids. The putative functions are those of a DNA restriction subunit of a type III restriction and modification system for one clone and a replication protein for the other one. Three fragments showed similarities with genes found on the chromosome. The putative genes are pgtA, stbD and emrB. Seven fragments have unknown function. One plasmid of the septicemic isolate used in the SSH was characterized as it was present in another septicemic isolate that lacked the classical virulence plasmid. It contained several genes of unknown function that will need further investigation to assess their putative role in virulence

Spectral and spatial shaping of a laser-produced ion beam for radiation-biology experiments

International audience; The study of radiation biology on laser-based accelerators is most interesting due to the unique irradiation conditions they can produce, in terms of peak current and duration of the irradiation. In this paper we present the implementation of a beam transport system to transport and shape the proton beam generated by laser-target interaction for in vitro irradiation of biological samples. A set of four permanent magnet quadrupoles is used to transport and focus the beam, efficiently shaping the spectrum and providing a large and relatively uniform irradiation surface. Real time, absolutely calibrated, dosimetry is installed on the beam line, to enable shot-to-shot control of dose deposition in the irradiated volume. Preliminary results of cell sample irradiation are presented to validate the robustness of the full system

Low dimensional behavior in three-dimensional coupled map lattices

The analysis of one-, two-, and three-dimensional coupled map lattices is here developed under a statistical and dynamical perspective. We show that the three-dimensional CML exhibits low dimensional behavior with long range correlation and the power spectrum follows $1/f$ noise. This approach leads to an integrated understanding of the most important properties of these universal models of spatiotemporal chaos. We perform a complete time series analysis of the model and investigate the dependence of the signal properties by change of dimension.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures (revised