A Fortran Code for Null Geodesic Solutions in the Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi Spacetime

This paper describes the Fortran 77 code SIMU, version 1.1, designed for numerical simulations of observational relations along the past null geodesic in the Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) spacetime. SIMU aims at finding scale invariant solutions of the average density, but due to its full modularity it can be easily adapted to any application which requires LTB's null geodesic solutions. In version 1.1 the numerical output can be read by the GNUPLOT plotting package to produce a fully graphical output, although other plotting routines can be easily adapted. Details of the code's subroutines are discussed, and an example of its output is shown.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, LaTeX. Fortran code included with the LaTeX source code (also available at http://www.if.ufrj.br/~mbr/codes). Accepted for publication in "Computer Physics Communications

Somatosensory neurons integrate the geometry of skin deformation and mechanotransduction channels to shape touch sensing.

Touch sensation hinges on force transfer across the skin and activation of mechanosensitive ion channels along the somatosensory neurons that invade the skin. This skin-nerve sensory system demands a quantitative model that spans the application of mechanical loads to channel activation. Unlike prior models of the dynamic responses of touch receptor neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans (Eastwood et al., 2015), which substituted a single effective channel for the ensemble along the TRNs, this study integrates body mechanics and the spatial recruitment of the various channels. We demonstrate that this model captures mechanical properties of the worm's body and accurately reproduces neural responses to simple stimuli. It also captures responses to complex stimuli featuring non-trivial spatial patterns, like extended or multiple contacts that could not be addressed otherwise. We illustrate the importance of these effects with new experiments revealing that skin-neuron composites respond to pre-indentation with increased currents rather than adapting to persistent stimulation

(3+3)-Annulation of Carbonyl Ylides with Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes: Synergistic Dirhodium(II) and Lewis Acid Catalysis

The first (3+3)-annulation process of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes using synergistic catalysis is reported. The Rh2 (OAc)4 -catalyzed decomposition of diazo carbonyl compounds generated carbonyl ylides in situ. These 1,3-dipoles were converted with donor-acceptor cyclopropanes, activated by Lewis acid catalysis, to afford multiply substituted pyran scaffolds in high yield and diastereoselectivity. Extensive optimization studies enabled access to 9-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2-one and 10-oxabicyclo[4.3.1]decen-2-ol cores, exploiting solvent effects on intermediate reactivity

Blood and CSF Biomarker Dynamics in Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for Data Interpretation

Background. Disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) is related to neuroaxonal degeneration. A reliable blood biomarker for neuroaxonal degeneration is needed. Objectives. To explore the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum concentrations of a protein biomarker for neuroaxonal degeneration, the neurofilaments heavy chain (NfH). Methods. An exploratory cross-sectional (n = 51) and longitudinal (n = 34) study on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum NfH phosphoform levels in patients with MS. The expanded disability status scale (EDSS), CSF, and serum levels of NfH-SMI34 and NfH-SMI35 were quantified at baseline. Disability progression was assessed at 3-year followup. Results. At baseline, patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS, EDSS 6) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS, EDSS 6) were more disabled compared to patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS, EDSS 2, P < .0001). Serum and CSF NfH phosphoform levels were not correlated. Baseline serum levels of the NfH-SMI34 were significantly (P < .05) higher in patients with PPMS (2.05 ng/mL) compared to SPMS (0.03 ng/mL) and RRMS (1.56 ng/mL). In SPMS higher serum than CSF NfH-SMI34 levels predicted disability progression from baseline (ΔEDSS 2, P < .05). In RRMS higher CSF than serum NfH-SMI35 levels predicted disability progression (ΔEDSS 2, P < .05). Conclusion. Serum and CSF NfH-SMI34 and NfH-SMI35 levels did not correlate with each other in MS. The quantitative relationship of CSF and serum NfH levels suggests that neuroaxonal degeneration of the central nervous system is the likely cause for disability progression in RRMS. In more severely disabled patients with PP/SPMS, subtle pathology of the peripheral nervous system cannot be excluded as an alternative source for blood NfH levels. Therefore, the interpretation of blood protein biomarker data in diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) should consider the possibility that pathology of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) may influence the results

Adaptation by Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to Bt Maize: Inheritance, Fitness Costs, and Feeding Preference

We examined inheritance of resistance, feeding behavior, and fitness costs for a laboratory-selected strain of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with resistance to maize (Zea maize L.) producing the Bacillus thuringiensisBerliner (Bt) toxin Cry3Bb1. The resistant strain developed faster and had increased survival on Bt maize relative to a susceptible strain. Results from reciprocal crosses of the resistant and susceptible strains indicated that inheritance of resistance was nonrecessive. No fitness costs were associated with resistance alleles in the presence of two entomopathogenic nematode species, Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar. Larval feeding studies indicated that the susceptible and resistant strains did not differ in preference for Bt and non-Bt root tissue in choice assays

Some exact non-vacuum Bianchi VI0 and VII0 instantons

We report some new exact instantons in general relativity. These solutions are K\"ahler and fall into the symmetry classes of Bianchi types VI0 and VII0, with matter content of a stiff fluid. The qualitative behaviour of the solutions is presented, and we compare it to the known results of the corresponding self-dual Bianchi solutions. We also give axisymmetric Bianchi VII0 solutions with an electromagnetic field.Comment: latex, 15 pages with 3 eps figure

Isotropization of Bianchi-Type Cosmological Solutions in Brans-Dicke Theory

The cosmic, general analitic solutions of the Brans--Dicke Theory for the flat space of homogeneous and isotropic models containing perfect, barotropic, fluids are seen to belong to a wider class of solutions --which includes cosmological models with the open and the closed spaces of the Friedmann--Robertson--Walker metric, as well as solutions for models with homogeneous but anisotropic spaces corresponding to the Bianchi--Type metric clasification-- when all these solutions are expressed in terms of reduced variables. The existence of such a class lies in the fact that the scalar field, $\phi$, times a function of the mean scale factor or ``volume element'', $a^3 = a_1 a_2 a_3$, which depends on time and on the barotropic index of the equation of state used, can be written as a function of a ``cosmic time'' reduced in terms of another function of the mean scale factor depending itself again on the barotropic index but independent of the metrics here employed. This reduction procedure permites one to analyze if explicitly given anisotropic cosmological solutions ``isotropize'' in the course of their time evolution. For if so can happen, it could be claimed that there exists a subclass of solutions that is stable under anisotropic perturbations.Comment: 15 pages, Late

Electrocatalytic Activation of Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes and Cyclobutanes: An Alternative C(sp 3 )−C(sp 3 ) Cleavage Mode

We describe the first electrochemical activation of D–A cyclopropanes and D–A cyclobutanes leading after C(sp3)−C(sp3) cleavage to the formation of highly reactive radical cations. This concept is utilized to formally insert molecular oxygen after direct or DDQ-assisted anodic oxidation of the strained carbocycles, delivering β- and γ-hydroxy ketones and 1,2-dioxanes electrocatalytically. Furthermore, insights into the mechanism of the oxidative process, obtained experimentally and by additional quantum-chemical calculations are presented. The synthetic potential of the reaction products is demonstrated by diverse derivatizations

A connexin/ifi30 pathway bridges HSCs with their niche to dampen oxidative stress

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent a by-product of metabolism and their excess is toxic for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). During embryogenesis, a small number of HSPCs are produced from the hemogenic endothelium, before they colonize a transient organ where they expand, for example the fetal liver in mammals. In this study, we use zebrafish to understand the molecular mechanisms that are important in the caudal hematopoietic tissue (equivalent to the mammalian fetal liver) to promote HSPC expansion. High levels of ROS are deleterious for HSPCs in this niche, however this is rescued by addition of antioxidants. We show that Cx41.8 is important to lower ROS levels in HSPCs. We also demonstrate a new role for ifi30, known to be involved in the immune response. In the hematopoietic niche, Ifi30 can recycle oxidized glutathione to allow HSPCs to dampen their levels of ROS, a role that could be conserved in human fetal liver