A stability result for a class of nonlinear integrodifferential equations with L1 kernels

We study the generation of analytic semigroups in the L-2 topology by second order elliptic operators in divergence form, that may degenerate at the boundary of the space domain. Our results, that hold in two space dimensions, guarantee that the solutions of the corresponding evolution problems support integration by parts. So, this paper provides the basis for deriving Carleman type estimates for degenerate parabolic operators

Boundary Controllability and Observability of a Viscoelastic String

In this paper we consider an integrodifferential system, which governs the vibration of a viscoelastic one-dimensional object. We assume that we can act on the system at the boundary and we prove that it is possible to control both the position and the velocity at every point of the body and at a certain time $T$, large enough. We shall prove this result using moment theory and we shall prove that the solution of this problem leads to identify a Riesz sequence which solves controllability and observability. So, the result as presented here are constructive and can lead to simple numerical algorithms

The three-dimensional wake behind an obstacle on a flat plate

Three dimensional incompressible wake behind blunt obstacle located at leading edge of flat plat

Genetic drift at expanding frontiers promotes gene segregation

Competition between random genetic drift and natural selection plays a central role in evolution: Whereas non-beneficial mutations often prevail in small populations by chance, mutations that sweep through large populations typically confer a selective advantage. Here, however, we observe chance effects during range expansions that dramatically alter the gene pool even in large microbial populations. Initially well-mixed populations of two fluorescently labeled strains of Escherichia coli develop well-defined, sector-like regions with fractal boundaries in expanding colonies. The formation of these regions is driven by random fluctuations that originate in a thin band of pioneers at the expanding frontier. A comparison of bacterial and yeast colonies (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) suggests that this large-scale genetic sectoring is a generic phenomenon that may provide a detectable footprint of past range expansions.Comment: Please visit http://www.pnas.org/content/104/50/19926.abstract for published articl

Measurement of Dielectric Suppression of Bremsstrahlung

In 1953, Ter-Mikaelian predicted that the bremsstrahlung of low energy photons in a medium is suppressed because of interactions between the produced photon and the electrons in the medium. This suppression occurs because the emission takes place over on a long distance scale, allowing for destructive interference between different instantaneous photon emission amplitudes. We present here measurements of bremsstrahlung cross sections of 200 keV to 20 MeV photons produced by 8 and 25 GeV electrons in carbon and gold targets. Our data shows that dielectric suppression occurs at the predicted level, reducing the cross section up to 75 percent in our data.Comment: 11 pages, format is postscript file, gzip-ed, uuencode-e

Enhanced Grazing Management Assessment Using Drone-Based Lidar Measurements

Globally, there is an urgent need of research-based technologies for small ruminant producers to benefit from rapidly growing market demands for ruminant meat and related food products from forage-based operations. However, effective forage-based animal production requires a rapid assessment, and monitoring of grazing management needs to adjust stocking rates and/or spatial animal distribution in a timely manner. Applicability of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for grazing management offers opportunities to rapidly estimate biomass build-ups, ground coverage, and monitor animal behaviour. The reliability of drone-based laser scanning (DLS) for monitoring warm-season grass responses to simulated grazing intensities was assessed at Virginia State University. Aerial DLS point-cloud data were collected from pure and mixed native warm-season grass stands at early- and mid-season post-harvest regrowth in early May and June, respectively, along with ground-based estimates of yield and ground cover. Animal behavioural responses to drone activity at different heights were also recorded. The aerial estimates from DLS point cloud characteristics were compared with matching ground-based measurements of forage biomass, sward heights, and ground cover. Discernible correlations between the point cloud-based estimates and actual measurements for forage biomass, ground cover and sward heights were observed. Goats showed no changes in activity due to drone flights at ≥15 m above ground but demonstrated curiosity to drone presence between 10 & 15 m. These preliminary results suggest reliable applicability of DLS for expedited assessment of plant and animal responses to grazing management

Effect of Maillard induced glycation on protein hydrolysis by lysine/arginine and non-lysine/arginine specific proteases

Enzymatic protein hydrolysis is sensitive to modifications of protein structure, e.g. Maillard reaction. In early stages of the reaction glycation takes place, modifying the protein primary structure. In later stages protein aggregation occurs. The specific effect of glycation on protein hydrolysis was studied using α-lactalbumin glycated with D-glucose at 50 °C (0–10 h). This resulted in proteins with different degrees of glycation (DG = 0–63%) without changes in secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure. These glycated proteins were hydrolyzed by lysine/arginine specific proteases (bovine and porcine trypsin) or by non-lysine/arginine specific proteases (Bacillus licheniformis protease (BLP), α-chymotrypsin and subtilisin A). For bovine and porcine trypsin, the maximal degree of hydrolysis decreased linearly with 65% from untreated to maximal glycated protein (DG = 63%). This means trypsin cannot hydrolyze glycated cleavage sites. BLP and subtilisin A hydrolyses were independent of glycation, while α-chymotrypsin cannot hydrolyze cleavage sites with glycated binding sites. This means for non-lysine/arginine specific proteases, the effect of glycation depends on the enzyme sensitivity towards modifications on binding sites. Since not all cleavage sites are efficiently used by the enzymes, the extent of the effects depends on the enzyme selectivity towards cleavage sites (for trypsin) or cleavage sites near glycation sites (for α-chymotrypsin). Combining the results of all proteases, an equation was derived describing the effect of modification of protein primary structure on the extent of hydrolysis based on the enzyme specificity, selectivity and binding site sensitivity

Inference of population splits and mixtures from genome-wide allele frequency data

Many aspects of the historical relationships between populations in a species are reflected in genetic data. Inferring these relationships from genetic data, however, remains a challenging task. In this paper, we present a statistical model for inferring the patterns of population splits and mixtures in multiple populations. In this model, the sampled populations in a species are related to their common ancestor through a graph of ancestral populations. Using genome-wide allele frequency data and a Gaussian approximation to genetic drift, we infer the structure of this graph. We applied this method to a set of 55 human populations and a set of 82 dog breeds and wild canids. In both species, we show that a simple bifurcating tree does not fully describe the data; in contrast, we infer many migration events. While some of the migration events that we find have been detected previously, many have not. For example, in the human data we infer that Cambodians trace approximately 16% of their ancestry to a population ancestral to other extant East Asian populations. In the dog data, we infer that both the boxer and basenji trace a considerable fraction of their ancestry (9% and 25%, respectively) to wolves subsequent to domestication, and that East Asian toy breeds (the Shih Tzu and the Pekingese) result from admixture between modern toy breeds and "ancient" Asian breeds. Software implementing the model described here, called TreeMix, is available at http://treemix.googlecode.comComment: 28 pages, 6 figures in main text. Attached supplement is 22 pages, 15 figures. This is an updated version of the preprint available at http://precedings.nature.com/documents/6956/version/

Unexpected one-pot synthesis of highly conjugated pentacyclic diquinoid compounds

A new class of pentacyclic diquinoid compounds has been synthesized with a facile one-pot reaction of two molecules of 2-hydroxynaphthoquinone and 1-bromoalkanes in the presence of ferrocene. These molecules were isolated as enol tautomers that exhibit intramolecular hydrogen bond and extended electronic conjugation as proved by the intense absorption spectrum with a broad band between 400 and 600 nm. The spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of this new class of compounds has been performed. One of the synthesized diquinoid derivatives showed a significant cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 25−50 μM against Cisplatin-Resistant SKOV3 and colon carcinoma SW480 cell lines. The results of our study provide a valuable tool to a one-pot synthesis of highly conjugated polyquinones, analogous to important biological systems, with significant antitumoral activity

New Variant of the Treatment of Acromion-Clavicular Dislocation With TightRope ® System in a Mini - Open Approach: A Preliminary Clinical Study

Background: Many different surgical techniques have been described to stabilize the acromion-clavicular (AC) dislocations. So far many of these procedures are performed only in arthroscopy. Objectives: In this study, we describe a new technique that utilizes the tightrope with a mini-invasive open approach for the acute stabilization of the acromion-clavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation. Patients and Methods: We set an prospective study aimed to verify the efficacy of this new surgical technique. We treated 28 patients with acute ACJ dislocation with ACJ TightRope ® System with dual mini access. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 34 patients treated with arthroscopic technique. They were considered as the control group. Results: At 6 month’s follow-up, all the 28 patients showed a stable joint during clinical examination and obtained an average Constant score of 98.62/100, with a complete recovery of ROM and strength in abduction. The mean operation time was of 33.7 minutes. The mean recovery duration was 102.8 days. No significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Results of this trial suggest the effectiveness of this new mini-invasive surgical technique in producing clinical and functional recovery in patients with ACJ dislocations