On asymptotically flat solutions of Einstein's equations periodic in time II. Spacetimes with scalar-field sources

We extend the work in our earlier article [4] to show that time-periodic, asymptotically-flat solutions of the Einstein equations analytic at scri, whose source is one of a range of scalar-field models, are necessarily stationary. We also show that, for some of these scalar-field sources, in stationary, asymptotically-flat solutions analytic at scri, the scalar field necessarily inherits the symmetry. To prove these results we investigate miscellaneous properties of massless and conformal scalar fields coupled to gravity, in particular Bondi mass and its loss.Comment: 29 pages, published in Class. Quant. Grav. Replaced. Typos corrected, version which appeared in Class. Quant.Gra

On quasi-local charges and Newman--Penrose type quantities in Yang--Mills theories

We generalize the notion of quasi-local charges, introduced by P. Tod for Yang--Mills fields with unitary groups, to non-Abelian gauge theories with arbitrary gauge group, and calculate its small sphere and large sphere limits both at spatial and null infinity. We show that for semisimple gauge groups no reasonable definition yield conserved total charges and Newman--Penrose (NP) type quantities at null infinity in generic, radiative configurations. The conditions of their conservation, both in terms of the field configurations and the structure of the gauge group, are clarified. We also calculate the NP quantities for stationary, asymptotic solutions of the field equations with vanishing magnetic charges, and illustrate these by explicit solutions with various gauge groups.Comment: 22 pages, typos corrected, appearing in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Two dimensional Sen connections and quasi-local energy-momentum

The recently constructed two dimensional Sen connection is applied in the problem of quasi-local energy-momentum in general relativity. First it is shown that, because of one of the two 2 dimensional Sen--Witten identities, Penrose's quasi-local charge integral can be expressed as a Nester--Witten integral.Then, to find the appropriate spinor propagation laws to the Nester--Witten integral, all the possible first order linear differential operators that can be constructed only from the irreducible chiral parts of the Sen operator alone are determined and examined. It is only the holomorphy or anti-holomorphy operator that can define acceptable propagation laws. The 2 dimensional Sen connection thus naturally defines a quasi-local energy-momentum, which is precisely that of Dougan and Mason. Then provided the dominant energy condition holds and the 2-sphere S is convex we show that the next statements are equivalent: i. the quasi-local mass (energy-momentum) associated with S is zero; ii.the Cauchy development $D(\Sigma)$ is a pp-wave geometry with pure radiation ($D(\Sigma)$ is flat), where $\Sigma$ is a spacelike hypersurface whose boundary is S; iii. there exist a Sen--constant spinor field (two spinor fields) on S. Thus the pp-wave Cauchy developments can be characterized by the geometry of a two rather than a three dimensional submanifold.Comment: 20 pages, Plain Tex, I

Transform Autism Education - Final Report

The Transform Autism Education (TAE) project focused on the domain of ‘good autism practice’ in the education of pupils with autism in the UK, Greece and Italy with the overall objectives to:• Research good autism practice in education.• Create professional development programmes in Greece and Italy.• Enhance the knowledge and practice of school staff.• Facilitate the inclusion of autistic children in primary schools in those countries.Funded by the European Commission through Erasmus Plus Key Action 2, Strategic Partnerships scheme, and led by Principal Investigator Dr. Karen Guldberg, the project involved a range of Greek, Italian and UK partners. It employed the Autism Education Trust (AET) collaborative training schemes in the UK as a founding model. While the requirements of each country were distinct, and so necessitated careful adaptations of the materials to their specific needs, what united all aspects of the project was a desire to improve the educational inclusion of autistic children, as well as their general experiences in school and their outcomes

T cell lymphoproliferative disorders associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody therapy for ulcerative colitis: literature summary

The enhanced risk of development of lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with inflammatory bowel disease has been attributed to immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory therapies. Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 as an effective therapeutic agent against inflammatory bowel disease. Malignant lymphomas of both B and T cell lineage have been described in patients undergoing therapy involving TNF-α blockade. To date, eight cases of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-negative hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma associated with infliximab have been reported to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System, as well as several other T cell lymphoproliferative disorders with aggressive clinical outcomes. We present the histologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular features of a T cell lymphoproliferative disorder involving the axillary lymph node of a 33-year-old male following infliximab treatment for ulcerative colitis. These EBV-negative lymphomas suggest that lymphoproliferative disorders following infliximab treatment for inflammatory bowel disease may involve EBV-independent immune dysregulation. The spectrum of lymphoproliferative disorders associated with infliximab and the potential mechanisms by which they occur are discussed

Multidirectional Time-Dependent Effect of Sinigrin and Allyl Isothiocyanate on Metabolic Parameters in Rats

Sinigrin (SIN) and allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) are compounds found in high concentrations in Brassica family vegetables, especially in Brussels sprouts. Recently, they have been used as a nutrition supplement for their preventive and medicinal effect on some types of cancer and other diseases. In this research, nutritional significance of parent glucosinolate sinigrin 50 μmol/kg b. w./day and its degradation product allyl isothiocyanate 25 μmol/kg b. w./day and 50 μmol/kg b. w./day was studied by the evaluation of their influence on some parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in an animal rat model in vivo after their single (4 h) and 2 weeks oral administration. Additionally, the aim of this trial was to evaluate the direct action of AITC on basal and epinephrine-induced lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes at concentration 1 μM, 10 μM and 100 μM in vitro. Sole AITC after 4 h of its ingestion caused liver triacylglycerols increment at both doses and glycaemia only at the higher dose. Multiple SIN treatment showed its putative bioconversion into AITC. It was found that SIN and AITC multiple administration in the same way strongly disturbed lipid and carbohydrate homeostasis, increasing esterified and total cholesterol, free fatty acids and lowering tracylglycerols in the blood serum. Additionally, AITC at both doses elevated insulinaemia and liver glycogen enhancement. The in vitro experiment revealed that AITC potentiated basal lipolysis process at 10 μM, and had stimulatory effect on epinephrine action at 1 μM and 10 μM. The results of this study demonstrated that the effect of SIN and AITC is multidirectional, indicating its impact on many organs like liver as well as pancreas, intestine in vivo action and rat adipocytes in vitro. Whilst consumption of cruciferous vegetables at levels currently considered “normal” seems to be beneficial to human health, this data suggest that any large increase in intake could conceivably lead to undesirable effect. This effect is potentiated with time of action of the examined compounds, whose influence is rather adverse for the majority of metabolic pathways (liver steatosis at short duration and insulinaemia, cholesterolaemia at long time treatment). Beneficial action of AITC concerned intensified hydrolysis of TG in the blood serum with a simultaneous lipolysis in adipocytes

New Insights on the Management of Wildlife Diseases Using Multi-State Recapture Models: The Case of Classical Swine Fever in Wild Boar

The understanding of host-parasite systems in wildlife is of increasing interest in relation to the risk of emerging diseases in livestock and humans. In this respect, many efforts have been dedicated to controlling classical swine fever (CSF) in the European Wild Boar. But CSF eradication has not always been achieved even though vaccination has been implemented at a large-scale. Piglets have been assumed to be the main cause of CSF persistence in the wild since they appeared to be more often infected and less often immune than older animals. However, this assumption emerged from laboratory trials or cross-sectional surveys based on the hunting bags.In the present paper we conducted a capture-mark-recapture study in free-ranging wild boar piglets that experienced both CSF infection and vaccination under natural conditions. We used multi-state capture recapture models to estimate the immunization and infection rates, and their variations according to the periods with or without vaccination. According to the model prediction, 80% of the infected piglets did not survive more than two weeks, while the other 20% quickly recovered. The probability of becoming immune did not increase significantly during the summer vaccination sessions, and the proportion of immune piglets was not higher after the autumn vaccination.Given the high lethality of CSF in piglets highlighted in our study, we consider unlikely that piglets could maintain the chain of CSF virus transmission. Our study also revealed the low efficacy of vaccination in piglets in summer and autumn, possibly due to the low palatability of baits to that age class, but also to the competition between baits and alternative food sources. Based on this new information, we discuss the prospects for the improvement of CSF control and the interest of the capture-recapture approach for improving the understanding of wildlife diseases