A consistent model for leptogenesis, dark matter and the IceCube signal

We discuss a left-right symmetric extension of the Standard Model in which the three additional right-handed neutrinos play a central role in explaining the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, the dark matter abundance and the ultra energetic signal detected by the IceCube experiment. The energy spectrum and neutrino flux measured by IceCube are ascribed to the decays of the lightest right-handed neutrino $N_1$, thus fixing its mass and lifetime, while the production of $N_1$ in the primordial thermal bath occurs via a freeze-in mechanism driven by the additional $SU(2)_R$ interactions. The constraints imposed by IceCube and the dark matter abundance allow nonetheless the heavier right-handed neutrinos to realize a standard type-I seesaw leptogenesis, with the $B-L$ asymmetry dominantly produced by the next-to-lightest neutrino $N_2$. Further consequences and predictions of the model are that: the $N_1$ production implies a specific power-law relation between the reheating temperature of the Universe and the vacuum expectation value of the $SU(2)_R$ triplet; leptogenesis imposes a lower bound on the reheating temperature of the Universe at 7\times10^9\,\mbox{GeV}. Additionally, the model requires a vanishing absolute neutrino mass scale $m_1\simeq0$.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures. Constraints from cosmic-ray antiprotons and gamma rays added, with hadrophobic assignment of the matter multiplets to satisfy bounds. References added. Matches version published in JHE

Collagen-hyaluronic acid scaffolds for adipose tissue engineering.

Three-dimensional (3-D) in vitro models of the mammary gland require a scaffold matrix that supports the development of adipose stroma within a robust freely permeable matrix. 3-D porous collagen-hyaluronic acid (HA: 7.5% and 15%) scaffolds were produced by controlled freeze-drying technique and crosslinking with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride. All scaffolds displayed uniform, interconnected pore structure (total porosity approximately 85%). Physical and chemical analysis showed no signs of collagen denaturation during the formation process. The values of thermal characteristics indicated that crosslinking occurred and that its efficiency was enhanced by the presence of HA. Although the crosslinking reduced the swelling of the strut material in water, the collagen-HA matrix as a whole tended to swell more and show higher dissolution resistance than pure collagen samples. The compressive modulus and elastic collapse stress were higher for collagen-HA composites. All the scaffolds were shown to support the proliferation and differentiation 3T3-L1 preadipocytes while collagen-HA samples maintained a significantly increased proportion of cycling cells (Ki-67+). Furthermore, collagen-HA composites displayed significantly raised Adipsin gene expression with adipogenic culture supplementation for 8 days vs. control conditions. These results indicate that collagen-HA scaffolds may offer robust, freely permeable 3-D matrices that enhance mammary stromal tissue development in vitro.This was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Zero gravity and cardiovascular homeostasis. The relationship between endogenous hyperprolactinemia and plasma aldosterone

Prolactin, thyrotropin and aldosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay and plasma renin activity by the radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I in normal women before and after the intravenous injection of 200 micrograms of thyrotropin releasing hormone. Prolactin increased at 15 minutes following thyrotropin releasing hormone. Plasma renin activity was not different from control levels during the first hour following the administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone, nor did the plasma aldosterone concentration differ significantly from the control levels during this period. However, with upright posture, an increase in aldosterone and in plasma renin activity was noted, demonstrating a normal capacity to secrete aldosterone. Similarly, no change in aldosterone was seen in 9 patients with primary hypothyroidism given thyrotropin releasing hormone, despite the fact that the increase in prolactin was greater than normal. These data demonstrate that acutely or chronically elevated serum prolactin levels do not result in increased plasma aldosterone levels in humans

Enumerating Cyclic Orientations of a Graph

Acyclic and cyclic orientations of an undirected graph have been widely studied for their importance: an orientation is acyclic if it assigns a direction to each edge so as to obtain a directed acyclic graph (DAG) with the same vertex set; it is cyclic otherwise. As far as we know, only the enumeration of acyclic orientations has been addressed in the literature. In this paper, we pose the problem of efficiently enumerating all the \emph{cyclic} orientations of an undirected connected graph with $n$ vertices and $m$ edges, observing that it cannot be solved using algorithmic techniques previously employed for enumerating acyclic orientations.We show that the problem is of independent interest from both combinatorial and algorithmic points of view, and that each cyclic orientation can be listed with $\tilde{O}(m)$ delay time. Space usage is $O(m)$ with an additional setup cost of $O(n^2)$ time before the enumeration begins, or $O(mn)$ with a setup cost of $\tilde{O}(m)$ time

The a-number of hyperelliptic curves

It is known that for a smooth hyperelliptic curve to have a large $a$-number, the genus must be small relative to the characteristic of the field, $p>0$, over which the curve is defined. It was proven by Elkin that for a genus $g$ hyperelliptic curve $C$ to have $a_C=g-1$, the genus is bounded by $g<\frac{3p}{2}$. In this paper, we show that this bound can be lowered to $g <p$. The method of proof is to force the Cartier-Manin matrix to have rank one and examine what restrictions that places on the affine equation defining the hyperelliptic curve. We then use this bound to summarize what is known about the existence of such curves when $p=3,5$ and $7$.Comment: 7 pages. v2: revised and improved the proof of the main theorem based on suggestions from the referee. To appear in the proceedings volume of Women in Numbers Europe-

Is alveolar ridge preservation an overtreatment?

The morphology and dimensions of the postextraction alveolar ridge are important for the surgical and restorative phases of implant treatment. Adequate new bone formation and preservation of alveolar ridge dimensions following extraction will facilitate installation of the implant in a restorative position, while preservation of soft tissue contour and volume is essential for an aesthetic and implant-supported restoration with healthy peri-implant tissues. Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) refers to any procedure that aims to: (i) limit dimensional changes in the alveolar ridge after extraction facilitating implant placement without additional extensive bone and soft tissue augmentation procedures (ii) promote new bone formation in the healing alveolus, and (iii) promote soft tissue healing at the entrance of the alveolus and preserve the alveolar ridge contour. Although ARP is a clinically validated and safe approach, in certain clinical scenarios, the additional clinical benefit of ARP over unassisted socket healing has been debated and it appears that for some clinicians may represent an overtreatment. The aim of this critical review was to discuss the evidence pertaining to the four key objectives of ARP and to determine where ARP can lead to favorable outcomes when compared to unassisted socket healing

Elasto-plastic damage modelling of beams and columns with mechanical degradation

© 2017 Techno-Press, Ltd. Within the context of continuum mechanics, inelastic behaviours of constitutive responses are usually modelled by using phenomenological approaches. Elasto-plastic damage modelling is extensively used for concrete material in the case of progressive strength and stiffness deterioration. In this paper, a review of the main features of elasto-plastic damage modelling is presented for uniaxial stress-strain relationship. It has been reported in literature that the influence of Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) can lead to severe degradations in the modulus of elasticity and compression strength of the concrete material. In order to incorporate the effects of ASR related degradation, in this paper the constitutive model of concrete is based on the coupled damage-plasticity approach where degradation in concrete properties can be captured by adjusting the yield and damage criteria as well as the hardening moduli related parameters within the model. These parameters are adjusted according to results of concrete behaviour from the literature. The effect of ASR on the dynamic behaviour of a beam and a column are illustrated under moving load and cyclic load cases

Cancer mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives: regional differences, 1994-1998.

This monograph delineates cancer mortality rates among American Indians and Alaska Native within the different regions served by the Indian Health Service (IHS). The table and charts depict broader geographic regions than in previous IHS cancer mortality monographs. The estimated IHS service population for each region and the cancer mortality rates from 1994 to 1998 are presented. Comparisons are made to the general U.S. population for the same time period. The intention of this publication is to provide detailed information about thew impact of cancer among Native American peoples, with a focus on the regional variability of cancer incidence for this population. (IHS Pub.No. 97-615-28