Projections from Subvarieties

Let $X\subset P^N$ be an n-dimensional connected projective submanifold of projective space. Let $p : P^N\to P^{N-q-1}$ denote the projection from a linear $P^q\subset P^N$. Assuming that $X\not\subset P^q$ we have the induced rational mapping $\psi:=p_X: X\to P^{N-q-1}$. This article started as an attempt to understand the structure of this mapping when $\psi$ has a lower dimensional image. In this case of necessity we have $Y := X\cap P^q$ is nonempty. We have in this article studied a closely related question, which includes many special cases including the case when the center of the projection \pn q is contained in $X$. PROBLEM. Let $Y$ be a proper connected k-dimensional projective submanifold of an $n$-dimensional projective manifold $X$. Assume that $k>0$. Let $L$ be a very ample line bundle on $X$ such that $L\otimes I_Y$ is spanned by global sections, where $I_Y$ denotes the ideal sheaf of $Y$ in $X$. Describe the structure of $(X,Y,L)$ under the additional assumption that the image of $X$ under the mapping $\psi$ associated to $| L\otimes I_Y|$ is lower dimensional

Metastability and anomalous fixation in evolutionary games on scale-free networks

We study the influence of complex graphs on the metastability and fixation properties of a set of evolutionary processes. In the framework of evolutionary game theory, where the fitness and selection are frequency-dependent and vary with the population composition, we analyze the dynamics of snowdrift games (characterized by a metastable coexistence state) on scale-free networks. Using an effective diffusion theory in the weak selection limit, we demonstrate how the scale-free structure affects the system's metastable state and leads to anomalous fixation. In particular, we analytically and numerically show that the probability and mean time of fixation are characterized by stretched exponential behaviors with exponents depending on the network's degree distribution.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Physical Review Letter

Reduction in finger blood flow induced by hand-transmitted vibration: effect of hand elevation

Objectives This study investigated the effect of hand elevation on reductions in finger blood flow (FBF) induced by hand-transmitted vibration. Methods Fourteen males attended six sessions on six separate days, with a control sessions and a vibration session (125-Hz vibration at 44 ms 2 r.m.s.) with the right hand supported at each of three elevations: 20 cm below heart level (HL), at HL, and 20 cm above HL. Finger blood flow on the left and right hand was measured every 30 s during each 25-minute session comprised of five periods: (i) no force and no vibration (5 minutes), (ii) 2-N force and no vibration (5 minutes), (iii) 2-N force and vibration (5 minutes), (iv) 2-N force and no vibration (5 minutes), and (v) no force and no vibration (5 minutes). Results Without vibration, FBF decreased with increasing elevation of the hand. During vibration of the right hand, FBF reduced on both hands. With elevation of the right hand, the percentage reduction in FBF due to vibration (relative to FBF on the same finger at the same elevation before exposure to vibration) was similar on the middle and little fingers of both hands. After cessation of vibration, there was delayed return of FBF with all three hand heights. Conclusions Vibration of one hand reduces finger blood flow on both exposed and unexposed hands, with the reduction dependent on the elevation of the hand. The mechanisms responsible for vibration-induced reductions in FBF seem to reduce blood flow as a percentage of the blood flow without vibration. Tasks requiring the elevation of the hands will be associated with lower FBF, and the FBF will be reduced further if there is exposure to hand-transmitted vibration

Platelet lysate as a serum substitute for 2D static and 3D perfusion culture of stromal vascular fraction cells from human adipose tissue

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 are key supplements for the culture of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells from adipose tissue, both for typical monolayer (2D) expansion and for streamlined generation of osteogenic-vasculogenic grafts in 3D perfusion culture. The present study investigates whether factors present in human platelet lysate (PL) could substitute for FBS and FGF-2 in 2D and 3D culture models of SVF cells from human lipoaspirates. SVF cells were grown in medium supplemented with 10% FBS+FGF-2 or with 5% PL. In 2D cultures, PL initially supported SVF cell proliferation, but resulted in growth arrest shortly after the first passage. Freshly isolated SVF cells cultured with both media under perfusion for 5 days within 3D ceramic scaffolds induced bone formation after subcutaneous implantation in nude mice. However, blood vessels of donor origin were generated only using FBS+FGF-2-cultured cells. This was unexpected, because the proportion of CD34+/CD31+ endothelial lineage cells was significantly higher with PL than that of FBS+FGF-2 (33% vs. 3%, respectively). These results support the use of PL as a substitute of FBS+FGF-2 for short-term culture of human SVF cells, and indicate that more specific serum-free formulations are required to maintain a functionally vasculogenic fraction of SVF cells expanded under 3D perfusion

A multidisciplinary study of an exceptional prehistoric waste dump in the mountainous inland of Calabria (Italy) : implications for reconstructions of prehistoric land use and vegetation in Southern Italy

The mountainous inland of northern Calabria (Southern Italy) is known for its sparse prehistoric human occupation. Nevertheless, a thorough multidisciplinary approach of field walking, geophysical survey and invasive research led to the discovery of a major archaeological archive. This archive concerns a rich multi-phased dump, spanning about 3000 years (Late Neolithic to Late Imperial Roman Age) and holding two Somma-Vesuvius tephra. Of these, the younger is a distinct layer of juvenile tephra from the Pompeii eruption, while the older concerns reworked tephra from the Bronze Age AP2 eruption (ca. 1700 cal. yr BP). The large dump contains abundant ceramics, faunal remains and charcoal, and most probably originated through long-continued deposition of waste in a former gully like system of depressions. This resulted in an inversed, mound-like relief, whose anthropogenic origin had not been recognized in earlier research. The tephras were found to be important markers that support the reconstruction of the occupational history of the site. The sequence of occupational phases is very similar to that observed in a recent palaeoecological study from nearby situated former lakes (Lago Forano/Fontana Manca). This suggests that this sequence reflects the more regional occupational history of Calabria, which goes back to ca. 3000 BC. Attention is paid to the potential link between this history and Holocene climatic phases, for which no indication was found. The history deviates strongly from histories deduced from the few, but major palaeorecords elsewhere in the inlands of Southern Italy (Lago Grande di Monticchio and Lago Trifoglietti). We conclude that major regional variation occurred in prehistoric land use and its impacts on the vegetation cover of Southern Italy, and studies of additional palaeoarchives are needed to unravel this complex history. Finally, shortcomings of archaeological predictive models are discussed and the advantages of truly integrated multidisciplinary research

Small RNA Expression from the Human Macrosatellite DXZ4

Small noncoding RNAs play several roles in regulating gene expression. In the nucleus, small RNA-Argonaute complexes recruit epigenetic modifying activities to genomic sites. This pathway has been described in mammals primarily for the germline; however, its role in somatic cells is less characterized. Here, we describe in human somatic cells a potential link between the expression of small RNAs from the macrosatellite DXZ4 and Argonaute-dependent DNA methylation of this locus. DXZ4 was found to express a wide range of small RNAs potentially representing several classes of small RNAs. A subpopulation of these RNAs is bound by Argonaute. Moreover, we show AGO association with DXZ4 and that the Argonaute proteins AGO-1 and PIWIL4 may play a role in DNA methylation of DXZ4. We hypothesize that the RNAs are involved in Argonaute-dependent methylation of DXZ4 DNA

STK39 polymorphisms and blood pressure: an association study in British Caucasians and assessment of cis-acting influences on gene expression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Blood pressure (BP) has significant heritability, but the genes responsible remain largely unknown. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the <it>STK39 </it>locus were recently associated with hypertension by genome-wide association in an Amish population; <it>in vitro </it>data from transient transfection experiments using reporter constructs suggested that altered <it>STK39 </it>expression might mediate the effect. However, other large studies have not implicated <it>STK39 </it>in hypertension. We determined whether reported SNPs influenced <it>STK39 </it>expression <it>in vivo</it>, or were associated with BP in a large British Caucasian cohort.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>1372 members of 247 Caucasian families ascertained through a hypertensive proband were genotyped for reported risk variants in <it>STK39 </it>(rs6749447, rs3754777, rs35929607) using Sequenom technology. MERLIN software was used for family-based association testing. <it>Cis</it>-acting influences on expression were assessed <it>in vivo </it>using allelic expression ratios in cDNA from peripheral blood cells in 35 South African individuals heterozygous for a transcribed SNP in <it>STK39 </it>(rs1061471) and quantified by mass spectrometry (Sequenom).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No significant association was seen between the SNPs tested and systolic or diastolic BP in clinic or ambulatory measurements (all p > 0.05). The tested SNPs were all associated with allelic expression differences in peripheral blood cells (p < 0.05), with the most significant association for the intronic SNP rs6749447 (P = 9.9 × 10^-4). In individuals who were heterozygous for this SNP, on average the G allele showed 13% overexpression compared to the T allele.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>STK39 </it>expression is modified by polymorphisms acting in <it>cis </it>and the typed SNPs are associated with allelic expression of this gene, but there is no evidence for an association with BP in a British Caucasian cohort.</p