WKB Approximation and Krall-Type Orthogonal Polynomials

We give a unified approach to the Krall-type polynomials orthogonal withrespect to a positive measure consisting of an absolutely continuous one‘perturbed’ by the addition of one or more Dirac deltafunctions. Some examples studied by different authors are considered from aunique point of view. Also some properties of the Krall-type polynomials arestudied. The three-term recurrence relation is calculated explicitly, aswell as some asymptotic formulas. With special emphasis will be consideredthe second order differential equations that such polynomials satisfy. Theyallow us to obtain the central moments and the WKB approximation of thedistribution of zeros. Some examples coming from quadratic polynomialmappings and tridiagonal periodic matrices are also studied

The Hahn Quantum Variational Calculus

We introduce the Hahn quantum variational calculus. Necessary and sufficient optimality conditions for the basic, isoperimetric, and Hahn quantum Lagrange problems, are studied. We also show the validity of Leitmann's direct method for the Hahn quantum variational calculus, and give explicit solutions to some concrete problems. To illustrate the results, we provide several examples and discuss a quantum version of the well known Ramsey model of economics.Comment: Submitted: 3/March/2010; 4th revision: 9/June/2010; accepted: 18/June/2010; for publication in Journal of Optimization Theory and Application

Oxidative Damage, Inflammation, and Toll-Like Receptor 4 Pathway Are Increased in Preeclamptic Patients: A Case-Control Study

Problem. There was no direct correlation between plasma and placental oxidative damage parameters and inflammation and evidence of TLR4 pathway activation in the placenta in preeclamptic (PE) patients. Method of Study. 33 PE patients and 33 normotensive pregnant women were included. The maternal section of the placenta and blood were collected to the determination of oxidative damage markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive species and protein carbonyls), inflammatory response (interleukin-6 and myeloperoxidase activity), and activation of the TLR-4-NF-kB pathway. Results. An increase of IL-6 levels in both plasma and placenta was observed, but myeloperoxidase activity was not significantly different comparing the groups. Oxidative damage parameters were increased in plasma and placenta in PE patients. A significant increase of the protein levels of TLR-4 and NF-kB was observed in the placenta. Conclusion. The TLR4-NF-kB pathway is upregulated in PE, probably generating local and systemic inflammatory response that is followed by local and systemic oxidative damage

Post-match recovery in soccer with far-infrared emitting ceramic material or cold-water immersion

We investigated the effects of two common recovery methods; far-infrared emitting ceramic materials (Bioceramic) or cold-water immersion on muscular function and damage after a soccer match. Twenty-five university-level soccer players were randomized into Bioceramic (BIO; n = 8), Cold-water immersion (CWI; n = 9), or Control (CON; n = 8) groups. Heart rate [HR], rating of perceived exertion [RPE], and activity profile through Global Positioning Satellite Systems were measured during the match. Biochemical (thiobarbituric acid reactive species [TBARS], superoxide dismutase [SOD], creatine kinase [CK], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]), neuromuscular (countermovement [CMJ] and squat jump [SJ], sprints [20-m]), and perceptual markers (delayed-onset muscle soreness [DOMS], and the perceived recovery scale [PRS]) were assessed at pre, post, 24 h, and 48 h postmatch. One-way ANOVA was used to compare anthropometric and match performance data. A two-way ANOVA with post-hoc tests compared the timeline of recovery measures. No significant differences existed between groups for anthropometric or match load measures (P > 0.05). Significant post-match increases were observed in SOD, and decreases in TBARS in all groups (p 0.05). Significant increases in CK, LDH, quadriceps and hamstring DOMS (p 0.05). Despite the expected post-match muscle damage and impaired performance, neither Bioceramic nor CWI interventions improved post-match recovery

Application of 1,2,3-triazolylidenes as versatile NHC-type ligands: synthesis, properties, and application in catalysis and beyond

Triazolylidenes have rapidly emerged as a powerful subclass of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for transition metals. They are readily available through regioselective [2 + 3] cycloaddition of alkynes and azides and subsequent metallation according to procedures established for related carbenes. Due to their mesoionic character, triazolylidenes are stronger donors than Arduengo-type imidazol-2-ylidenes. Spurred by these attractive attributes and despite their only recent emergence, triazolylidenes have shown major implications in catalysis. This feature article summarises the synthetic accessibility of triazolylidene metal complexes and their electronic and structural characteristics, and it compiles their applications, in particular, as catalyst precursors for various bond forming and redox reactions, as well as first approaches into photophysical and biochemical domains