Finding All Solutions of Equations in Free Groups and Monoids with Involution

The aim of this paper is to present a PSPACE algorithm which yields a finite graph of exponential size and which describes the set of all solutions of equations in free groups as well as the set of all solutions of equations in free monoids with involution in the presence of rational constraints. This became possible due to the recently invented emph{recompression} technique of the second author. He successfully applied the recompression technique for pure word equations without involution or rational constraints. In particular, his method could not be used as a black box for free groups (even without rational constraints). Actually, the presence of an involution (inverse elements) and rational constraints complicates the situation and some additional analysis is necessary. Still, the recompression technique is general enough to accommodate both extensions. In the end, it simplifies proofs that solving word equations is in PSPACE (Plandowski 1999) and the corresponding result for equations in free groups with rational constraints (Diekert, Hagenah and Gutierrez 2001). As a byproduct we obtain a direct proof that it is decidable in PSPACE whether or not the solution set is finite.Comment: A preliminary version of this paper was presented as an invited talk at CSR 2014 in Moscow, June 7 - 11, 201

Morphologic examination of the temporal bone by cone beam computed tomography: Comparison with multislice helical computed tomography

SummaryIntroductionHigh-resolution CT imaging is essential to diagnosis and follow-up of temporal bone pathology. Morphologically, CT is the reference examination. The requirement of long-term follow-up thus exposes patients to cumulative radiation doses. Limiting exposure to ionizing radiation is an increasing concern of public health authorities. The principal advantage of Cone Beam CT (CBCT) lies in a significant reduction in radiation dose. The main objective of the present study was to assess the morphologic concordance between CBCT and Multislice Helical Computed Tomography (MSCT) on 20 anatomic landmarks corresponding to regions of interest in clinical practice. The secondary objectives were to compare the two techniques qualitatively in stapes and footplate assessment and measurement of footplate thickness, and quantitatively in terms of dosimetry.Material and methodsAn experimental anatomical study was performed on 12 temporal bones from fresh human cadavers of unknown clinical history. Each underwent CBCT and MSCT.ResultsThere was no significant difference in morphologic assessment of the temporal bones on the two techniques. Exploration of the stapes, incudostapedial joint, anterior stapediovestibular joint and footplate was qualitatively more precise on CBCT, and footplate thickness showed less overestimation than on MSCT. CBCT delivered 22 times less radiation than MSCT under the present experimental conditions.ConclusionCBCT provides reliable morphologic assessment of temporal bone, thanks to higher spatial resolution than on MSCT, with significantly reduced radiation dose

Emergence of Anaplasma Species Related to A. phagocytophilum and A. platys in Senegal

The genus Anaplasma (Anaplasmataceae, Rickettsiales) includes tick-transmitted bacterial species of importance to both veterinary and human medicine. Apart from the traditionally recognized six Anaplasma species (A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, A. bovis, A. ovis, A. centrale, A. marginale), novel strains and candidate species, also of relevance to veterinary and human medicine, are emerging worldwide. Although species related to the zoonotic A. platys and A. phagocytophilum have been reported in several African and European Mediterranean countries, data on the presence of these species in sub-Saharan countries are still lacking. This manuscript reports the investigation of Anaplasma strains related to zoonotic species in ruminants in Senegal by combining different molecular tests and phylogenetic approaches. The results demonstrated a recent introduction of Candidatus (Ca) Anaplasma turritanum, a species related to the pathogenic A. platys, possibly originating by founder effect. Further, novel undetected strains related to Candidatus (Ca) Anaplasma cinensis were detected in cattle. Based on groEL and gltA molecular comparisons, we propose including these latter strains into the Candidatus (Ca) Anaplasma africanum species. Finally, we also report the emergence of Candidatus (Ca) A. boleense in Senegal. Collectively, results confirm that Anaplasma species diversity is greater than expected and should be further investigated, and that Anaplasma routine diagnostic procedures and epidemiological surveillance should take into account specificity issues raised by the presence of these novel strains, suggesting the use of a One Health approach for the management of Anaplasmataceae in sub-Saharan Africa

Study of the bryological flora at the archaeological site of Chellah, Morocco

The Chellah archaeological site in Rabat, listed as a cultural asset since 2012 on UNESCO's World Heritage List, is subject to significant biodeterioration. The aim of this study is to identify the bryophytes that have an important impact on the destruction of the substrate. For this purpose, three prospectionswere carried out in autumn 2014, spring 2015 and winter 2016. The systematic sampling carried out allowed us to identify 20 species of bryophytes belonging to 10 botanical families, of which 4are dominant with 13 species equivalent to 65% of the total. The four families are Pottiaceae, Brachyceciaceae, Funariaceae and Bryaceae; they belong to the class of Muscinae. The liverworts are represented by only 6 species, representing 30% of the total population. Among the 20 species inventoried, 3 are newly observed in the region of Rabat: Entosthodon pulchellus (H. Philib.) Brugués; Dydimodon Fallax Hedw. and Trichostomum crispulum Bruch. When bryophytes settle on substrates, a preliminary soilis initiated to the detriment of the quality of materials and their durability

Propofol induces MAPK/ERK cascade dependant expression of cFos and Egr-1 in rat hippocampal slices

Background: Propofol is a commonly used intravenous anesthetic agent, which produce rapid induction of and recovery from general anesthesia. Numerous clinical studies reported that propofol can potentially cause amnesia and memory loss in human subjects. The underlying mechanism for this memory loss is unclear but may potentially be related to the induction of memory-associated genes such as c-Fos and Egr-1 by propofol. This study explored the effects of propofol on c-Fos and Egr-1 expression in rat hippocampal slices. Findings: Hippocampal brain slices were exposed to varying concentrations of propofol at multiple time intervals. The transcription of the immediate early genes, c-Fos and Egr-1, was quantified using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). MAPK/ERK inhibitors were used to investigate the mechanism of action. We demonstrate that propofol induced the expression of c-Fos and Egr-1 within 30 and 60 min of exposure time. At 16.8 μM concentration, propofol induced a 110% increase in c-Fos transcription and 90% decrease in the transcription of Egr-1. However, at concentrations above 100 μM, propofol failed to induce expression of c-Fos but did completely inhibit the transcription of Egr-1. Propofol-induced c-Fos and Egr-1 transcription was abolished by inhibitors of RAS, RAF, MEK, ERK and p38-MAPK in the MAPK/ERK cascade. Conclusions: Our study shows that clinically relevant concentrations of propofol induce c-Fos and down regulated Egr-1 expression via an MAPK/ERK mediated pathway. We demonstrated that propofol induces a time and dose dependant transcription of IEGs c-Fos and Egr-1 in rat hippocampal slices. We further demonstrate for the first time that propofol induced IEG expression was mediated via a MAPK/ERK dependant pathway. These novel findings provide a new avenue to investigate transcription-dependant mechanisms and suggest a parallel pathway of action with an unclear role in the activity of general anesthetics

Combining scanning probe microscopy and x-ray spectroscopy

A new versatile tool, combining Shear Force Microscopy and X-Ray Spectroscopy was designed and constructed to obtain simultaneously surface topography and chemical mapping. Using a sharp optical fiber as microscope probe, it is possible to collect locally the visible luminescence of the sample. Results of tests on ZnO and on ZnWO4 thin layers are in perfect agreement with that obtained with other conventional techniques. Twin images obtained by simultaneous acquisition in near field of surface topography and of local visible light emitted by the sample under X-Ray irradiation in synchrotron environment are shown. Replacing the optical fibre by an X-ray capillary, it is possible to collect local X-ray fluorescence of the sample. Preliminary results on Co-Ti sample analysis are presented

Effective-Range Expansion of the Neutron-Deuteron Scattering Studied by a Quark-Model Nonlocal Gaussian Potential

The S-wave effective range parameters of the neutron-deuteron (nd) scattering are derived in the Faddeev formalism, using a nonlocal Gaussian potential based on the quark-model baryon-baryon interaction fss2. The spin-doublet low-energy eigenphase shift is sufficiently attractive to reproduce predictions by the AV18 plus Urbana three-nucleon force, yielding the observed value of the doublet scattering length and the correct differential cross sections below the deuteron breakup threshold. This conclusion is consistent with the previous result for the triton binding energy, which is nearly reproduced by fss2 without reinforcing it with the three-nucleon force.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures and 6 tables, submitted to Prog. Theor. Phy