Eigenvalue Separation in Some Random Matrix Models

The eigenvalue density for members of the Gaussian orthogonal and unitary ensembles follows the Wigner semi-circle law. If the Gaussian entries are all shifted by a constant amount c/Sqrt(2N), where N is the size of the matrix, in the large N limit a single eigenvalue will separate from the support of the Wigner semi-circle provided c > 1. In this study, using an asymptotic analysis of the secular equation for the eigenvalue condition, we compare this effect to analogous effects occurring in general variance Wishart matrices and matrices from the shifted mean chiral ensemble. We undertake an analogous comparative study of eigenvalue separation properties when the size of the matrices are fixed and c goes to infinity, and higher rank analogues of this setting. This is done using exact expressions for eigenvalue probability densities in terms of generalized hypergeometric functions, and using the interpretation of the latter as a Green function in the Dyson Brownian motion model. For the shifted mean Gaussian unitary ensemble and its analogues an alternative approach is to use exact expressions for the correlation functions in terms of classical orthogonal polynomials and associated multiple generalizations. By using these exact expressions to compute and plot the eigenvalue density, illustrations of the various eigenvalue separation effects are obtained.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures include

Editorial

The Volume 43(1) editorial of the "New Zealand Journal of Counselling" reflects on the past year, highlighting local and global concerns such as COVID-19's impact, civil unrest, conflicts, and climate change. Looking ahead, the editorial stresses acknowledging climate change's reality and ongoing conflicts while seeking optimism. The editorial notes the privilege of witnessing innovative research by counseling students and colleagues that addresses global crises' effects. It underscores the importance of informed practitioners backed by robust research and theory. The issue presents five research pieces showcasing diverse counseling methodologies. These include Māori approaches to trauma, Pākehā exploration through pepeha, clients' spirituality in adversity, mind-body interactions in counseling, and supervision amid events like pandemics. One article discusses Māori trauma approaches, reconnecting wairua (spirit) and whakapapa (ancestral lineage) to address trauma. Another explores how Pākehā can confront colonization roles using pepeha. Clients' spiritual experiences during challenging events are analyzed in another article, employing Māori and Celtic metaphors. Mind-body interactions in counseling education and practice are investigated, emphasizing integrating body-oriented psychotherapies and nutrition. Lastly, supervision during COVID-19 is studied, exploring its impact on relationships and suggesting growth opportunities. The editorial concludes by noting the New Zealand Association of Counselling's website improvements, aiming to enhance journal access. It acknowledges Dr. Jan Wilson's passing, a significant contributor to New Zealand's counseling research, and encourages engagement with research and journal contributions

Subcapsular Orchiectomy in the Primary Therapy of Patients with Bone Metastasis in Advanced Prostate Cancer: An Anachronistic Intervention?

Background. The therapeutic impact of palliative androgen deprivation in metastatic prostate cancer is indisputable. Bilateral orchiectomy represents the traditional method of AD but was reduced during the last years in favor for treatment with LHRH analogues. Due to limited economic resources of the health care system, the economically priced definite surgical castration might experience a renaissance. Methods. In this single-center retrospective study, 83 consecutive patients with osseous metastasized prostate cancer were evaluated, who had primarily been treated by subcapsular bilateral orchiectomy. Response to therapy, time until therapy failure, overall survival time, psychological disorders due to loss of organ, and disease-associated and postoperative surgical complications were recorded. The median followup was 35 months (IQR: 26–46). Results. Patients' mean age at surgery was 72.1 (54–91) years. Six patients (7.2%) displayed immediate tumor progression after orchiectomy. Median time of tumor remission and overall survival time were 29 and 36 months, respectively. 14% of the study group showed minor postoperative complications. No psychological problems occurred following bilateral orchiectomy. Conclusion. Due to an effective and persistent oncological effectiveness, less morbidity, and absence of psychological implications, bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy seems to be a practicable and advisable alternative in the first-line therapy of metastasized PCa

Mechanistic role of a disease-associated genetic variant within the ADAM33 asthma susceptibility gene

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>ADAM33 has been identified as an asthma-associated gene in an out-bred population. Genetic studies suggested that the functional role of this metalloprotease was in airway remodeling. However, the mechanistic roles of the disease-associated SNPs have yet to be elucidated especially in the context of the pathophysiology of asthma. One disease-associated SNP, BC+1, which resides in intron BC toward the 5' end of ADAM33, is highly associated with the disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The region surrounding this genetic variant was cloned into a model system to determine if there is a regulatory element within this intron that influences transcription.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The BC+1 protective allele did not impose any affect on the transcription of the reporter gene. However, the at-risk allele enforced such a repressive affect on the promoter that no protein product from the reporter gene was detected. These results indicated that there exists within intron BC a regulatory element that acts as a repressor for gene expression. Moreover, since SNP BC+1 is a common genetic variant, this region may interact with other undefined regulatory elements within ADAM33 to provide a rheostat effect, which modulates pre-mRNA processing. Thus, SNP BC+1 may have an important role in the modulation of ADAM33 gene expression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data provide for the first time a functional role for a disease-associated SNP in ADAM33 and begin to shed light on the deregulation of this gene in the pathophysiology of asthma.</p

Filipino Use of Designer and Luxury Perfumes: A Pilot Study of Consumer Behavior

This study investigates the usage patterns and purposes of designer perfumes among Filipino consumers, employing purposive and snowball sampling methods as non-probability sampling techniques. Data was collected using Google Forms, and the majority of respondents purchased full bottles of designer perfumes from retailers, wholesalers, and physical stores, with occasional "blind purchases." Daily usage was common, with respondents applying an average of 5.88 sprays in the morning, favoring fresh scent notes and Eau De Parfum concentration. They tended to alternate perfumes daily, selecting different scent profiles according to the Philippine climate. The study reveals that Filipino respondents primarily use designer perfumes to achieve a pleasant and fresh fragrance. Additionally, these perfumes play a role in boosting self-esteem, elevating mood, and enhancing personal presentation. Some respondents reported fewer common applications, such as using perfume to address insomnia and migraines. Overall, the research highlights the significant role of perfume in the grooming routine of Filipino consumers. This study represents the first attempt to comprehend perfume usage patterns and purposes specifically within the Filipino context. Consequently, its findings are invaluable for manufacturers and marketers targeting the Filipino market, providing insights into consumer preferences and motivations.Comment: 14 pages, 4 tables, journal article, peer-reviewe

The Physical Basis for Long-lived Electronic Coherence in Photosynthetic Light Harvesting Systems

The physical basis for observed long-lived electronic coherence in photosynthetic light-harvesting systems is identified using an analytically soluble model. Three physical features are found to be responsible for their long coherence lifetimes: i) the small energy gap between excitonic states, ii) the small ratio of the energy gap to the coupling between excitonic states, and iii) the fact that the molecular characteristics place the system in an effective low temperature regime, even at ambient conditions. Using this approach, we obtain decoherence times for a dimer model with FMO parameters of $\approx$ 160 fs at 77 K and $\approx$ 80 fs at 277 K. As such, significant oscillations are found to persist for 600 fs and 300 fs, respectively, in accord with the experiment and with previous computations. Similar good agreement is found for PC645 at room temperature, with oscillations persisting for 400 fs. The analytic expressions obtained provide direct insight into the parameter dependence of the decoherence time scales.Comment: 5 figures; J. Phys. Chem. Lett. (2011

Resolving physical interactions between bacteria and nanotopographies with focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy

To robustly assess the antibacterial mechanisms of nanotopographies, it is critical to analyze the bacteria-nanotopography adhesion interface. Here, we utilize focused ion beam milling combined with scanning electron microscopy to generate three-dimensional reconstructions of Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli interacting with nanotopographies. For the first time, 3D morphometric analysis has been exploited to quantify the intrinsic contact area between each nanostructure and the bacterial envelope, providing an objective framework from which to derive the possible antibacterial mechanisms of synthetic nanotopographies. Surfaces with nanostructure densities between 36 and 58 per μm(2) and tip diameters between 27 and 50 nm mediated envelope deformation and penetration, while surfaces with higher nanostructure densities (137 per μm(2)) induced envelope penetration and mechanical rupture, leading to marked reductions in cell volume due to cytosolic leakage. On nanotopographies with densities of 8 per μm(2) and tip diameters greater than 100 nm, bacteria predominantly adhered between nanostructures, resulting in cell impedance

Academic neurosurgery in the UK: present and future directions.

Academic neurosurgery encompasses basic science and clinical research efforts to better understand and treat diseases of relevance to neurosurgical practice, with the overall aim of improving treatment and outcome for patients. In this article, we provide an overview of the current and future directions of British academic neurosurgery. Training pathways are considered together with personal accounts of experiences of structured integrated clinical academic training and unstructured academic training. Life as an academic consultant is also described. Funding is explored, for the specialty as a whole and at the individual level. UK academic neurosurgical organisations are highlighted. Finally, the UK's international standing is considered