Long-Range Energy-Level Interaction in Small Metallic Particles

We consider the energy level statistics of non-interacting electrons which diffuse in a $d$-dimensional disordered metallic conductor of characteristic Thouless energy $E_c.$ We assume that the level distribution can be written as the Gibbs distribution of a classical one-dimensional gas of fictitious particles with a pairwise additive interaction potential $f(\varepsilon ).$ We show that the interaction which is consistent with the known correlation function of pairs of energy levels is a logarithmic repulsion for level separations $\varepsilon <E_c,$ in agreement with Random Matrix Theory. When $\varepsilon >E_c,$ $f(\varepsilon )$ vanishes as a power law in $\varepsilon /E_c$ with exponents $-{1 \over 2},-2,$ and $-{3 \over 2}$ for $d=1,2,$ and 3, respectively. While for $d=1,2$ the energy-level interaction is always repulsive, in three dimensions there is long-range level attraction after the short-range logarithmic repulsion.Comment: Saclay-s93/014 Email: [email protected] [2017: missing figure included

Effects of Particle Size in Forage Samples for Protein Breakdown Studies

Coupling ruminal processes of hydrolysis and synthesis continues to be a research issue where more progress is needed. This requires the development of good protein assessment methods, particularly when representing the breakdown processes that occur in fresh pastures eaten by herbivores. Laboratory analyses need to deal with small and homogeneous samples, but the mechanical reduction of particle size may not reflect the actual digestion kinetics occurring when the original fresh forage is consumed. Such physical traits may alter the release of non-structural compounds and the penetration of microbial enzymes (Boudon et al., 2002). The objective of this work was to assess in fresh samples the effect of reducing particle size upon the in vitro breakdown of proteins during the early rumen fermentation period

Ericson fluctuations in an open, deterministic quantum system: theory meets experiment

We provide numerically exact photoexcitation cross sections of rubidium Rydberg states in crossed, static electric and magnetic fields, in quantitative agreement with recent experimental results. Their spectral backbone underpins a clear transition towards the Ericson regime.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Ruminal Proteolysis in Forages with Distinct Endopeptidases Activities

Improving livestock efficiency in utilisation of nitrogen resources continues to be a major environmental and economic objective. Zhu et al. (1999) have shown that plant endopeptidases are activated as a response to cutting stress. Previous work in our laboratory explored over 300 entries of forage genotypes and found a broad diversity in enzymatic activity by means of hydrolysis in gelatine and direct autolysis assays in forage tissues. The objective of this work was to assess if the species previously identified as having high or low endopeptidase activity, would behave consistently when exposed to ruminal microbial proteolysis

Physiological functions should be considered as true end points of nutritional intervention studies

With the beginning of this millennium it has become fashionable to only follow ‘evidence-based' practices. This generally-accepted approach cruelly negates experience or intelligent interpretation of pathophysiology. Another problem is that the great ‘meta-analysts' of the present era only accept end points that they consider ‘hard'. In the metabolic and nutritional field these end points are infection-related morbidity and mortality, and all other end points are considered ‘surrogate'. The aim of this presentation is to prove that this claim greatly negates the contribution of more-fundamentally-oriented research, the fact that mortality has multifactorial causes, and that infection is a crude measure of immune function. The following problems should be considered: many populations undergoing intervention have low mortality, requiring studies with thousands of patients to demonstrate effects of intervention on mortality; nutrition is only in rare cases primary treatment, and in many populations is a prerequisite for survival rather than a therapeutic modality; once the effect of nutritional support is achieved, the extra benefit of modulation of the nutritional support regimen can only be modest; cost-benefit is not a valid end point, because the better it is done the more it will cost; morbidity and mortality are crude end points for the effect of nutritional intervention, and are influenced by many factors. In fact, it is a yes or no factor. In the literature the most important contributions include new insights into the pathogenesis of disease, the diminution of disease-related adverse events and/or functional improvement after therapy. In nutrition research the negligence of these end points has precluded the development and validation of functional end points, such as muscle, immune and cognitive functions. Disability, quality of life, morbidity and mortality are directly related to these functional variables. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to validate functional end points and to consider them as primary rather than surrogate end point

Supplemental parenteral nutrition in intensive care patients: A cost saving strategy.

The Swiss supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) study demonstrated that optimised energy provision combining enteral nutrition (EN) and SPN reduces nosocomial infections in critically ill adults who fail to achieve targeted energy delivery with EN alone. To assess the economic impact of this strategy, we performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using data from the SPN study. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to characterise the relationships between SPN, cumulative energy deficit, nosocomial infection, and resource consumption. The results were used as inputs for a deterministic simulation model evaluating the cost-effectiveness of SPN administered on days 4-8 in patients who fail to achieve ≥60% of targeted energy delivery with EN by day 3. Cost data were derived primarily from Swiss diagnosis-related case costs and official labour statistics. Provision of SPN on days 4-8 was associated with a mean decrease of 2320 ± 338 kcal in cumulative energy deficit compared with EN alone (p &lt; 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that each 1000 kcal decrease in cumulative energy deficit was associated with a 10% reduction in the risk of nosocomial infection (odds ratio 0.90; 95% confidence interval 0.83-0.99; p &lt; 0.05). The incremental cost per avoided infection was -63,048 CHF, indicating that the reduction in infection was achieved at a lower cost. Optimisation of energy provision using SPN is a cost-saving strategy in critically ill adults for whom EN is insufficient to meet energy requirements

Ségrégation intergranulaire des éléments de la famille du soufre dans le fer pur

Les mécanismes de ségrégation intergranulaire des éléments soufre, sélénium et tellure ont été étudiés en utilisant d'une part nos propres mesures de ségrégation obtenues par rétrodiffusion élastique d'ions accélérés dans le cas des éléments sélénium et tellure, d'autre part quelques résultats de la littérature obtenus par spectroscopie Auger dans le cas des ségrégations de soufre. L'ensemble des résultats montre que la ségrégation intergranulaire des trois métalloïdes obéit aux mêmes lois. Il s'agit essentiellement d'une ségrégation d'équilibre, réversible et activée thermiquement qui n'est pas modifiée par la présence de carbone ségrégé aux joints de grains. Une équation générale est proposée. Elle permet de décrire nos résultats ainsi que certains résultats de la littérature

Fat-free mass change to weightchange ratio during refeeding following lungtransplantation

Abstract. : Malnutrition occurs frequently prior to lung transplantation (LTR), but patients gain weight after LTR. The study aimed to determine the ratio changes of fat-free mass (ΔFFM): changes of body weight (ΔBW) during refeeding. A total of 37 LTR patients were measured for weight and FFM and body fat by bioimpedance analysis at 1 month post-LTR, then annually for 3 years. Linear regressions determined the ratio ΔFFM:ΔBW during refeeding. ΔFFM was: year- 1=1.822+0.389* ΔBW, r 2=0.397; yr-2=0.611+0.246* ΔBW, r 2=0.441; yr-3=-0.17+0.208 * ΔBW, r 2=0.319. Refeeding during year-1 in thin subjects resulted in a ratio ΔFFM:ΔBW of 0.389, whereas the change in ratio ΔFFM:ΔBW during year- 2 and 3 was 0.246 and 0.208, respectively. Refeeding resulted in a larger ratio ΔFFM:ΔBW in thin subjects versus normal and overweight subjects. Thus, refeeding in underweight LTR patients is geared to normalizing depleted FFM, whereas later FFM gains were similar to FFM gains in normal and overweight subject

Parenteral nutrition in the intensive care unit: cautious use improves outcome.

Critical illness is characterised by nutritional and metabolic disorders, resulting in increased muscle catabolism, fat-free mass loss, and hyperglycaemia. The objective of the nutritional support is to limit fat-free mass loss, which has negative consequences on clinical outcome and recovery. Early enteral nutrition is recommended by current guidelines as the first choice feeding route in ICU patients. However, enteral nutrition alone is frequently associated with insufficient coverage of the energy requirements, and subsequently energy deficit is correlated to worsened clinical outcome. Controlled trials have demonstrated that, in case of failure or contraindications to full enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition administration on top of insufficient enteral nutrition within the first four days after admission could improve the clinical outcome, and may attenuate fat-free mass loss. Parenteral nutrition is cautious if all-in-one solutions are used, glycaemia controlled, and overnutrition avoided. Conversely, the systematic use of parenteral nutrition in the ICU patients without clear indication is not recommended during the first 48 hours. Specific methods, such as thigh ultra-sound imaging, 3rd lumbar vertebra-targeted computerised tomography and bioimpedance electrical analysis, may be helpful in the future to monitor fat-free mass during the ICU stay. Clinical studies are warranted to demonstrate whether an optimal nutritional management during the ICU stay promotes muscle mass and function, the recovery after critical illness and reduces the overall costs