83 research outputs found
3-dimensional Cauchy-Riemann structures and 2nd order ordinary differential equations
The equivalence problem for second order ODEs given modulo point
transformations is solved in full analogy with the equivalence problem of
nondegenerate 3-dimensional CR structures. This approach enables an analog of
the Feffereman metrics to be defined. The conformal class of these (split
signature) metrics is well defined by each point equivalence class of second
order ODEs. Its conformal curvature is interpreted in terms of the basic point
invariants of the corresponding class of ODEs
Twistor Bundles, Einstein Equations and Real Structures
We consider sphere bundles P and P' of totally null planes of maximal
dimension and opposite self-duality over a 4-dimensional manifold equipped with
a Weyl or Riemannian geometry. The fibre product PP' of P and P' is found to be
appropriate for the encoding of both the selfdual and the Einstein-Weyl
equations for the 4-metric. This encoding is realized in terms of the
properties of certain well defined geometrical objects on PP'. The formulation
is suitable for both complex- and real-valued metrics. It unifies results for
all three possible real signatures. In the purely Riemannian positive definite
case it implies the existence of a natural almost hermitian structure on PP'
whose integrability conditions correspond to the self-dual Einstein equations
of the 4-metric. All Einstein equations for the 4-metric are also encoded in
the properties of this almost hermitian structure on PP'.Comment: Paper accepted in Classical and Quantum Gravity, Special issue in
honour of Professor Andrzej Trautma
Effects of past and current crop management on soil microbial biomass and activity
As soil biota is influenced by a number of factors, including land use and management techniques, changing management practices could have significant effects on the soil microbial properties and processes. An experiment was conducted to investigate differences in soil microbiological properties caused by long- and short-term management practices. Intact monolith lysimeters (0.2 m2 surface area) were taken from two sites of the same soil type that had been under long-term organic or conventional crop management and were then subjected to the same 2½-year crop rotation (winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), maize (Zea mais L.), lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) rape (Brassica napus L. ssp. oleifera)) and two fertiliser regimes (following common organic and conventional practices). Soil samples were taken after crop harvest and analysed for microbial biomass C and N, microbial activity (fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, arginine deaminase activity, dehydrogenase activity) and total C and N. The incorporation of the green manure stimulated growth and activity of the microbial communities in soils of both management histories. Soil microbial properties did not show any differences between organically and conventionally fertilised soils, indicating that crop rotation and plant type had a larger influence on the microbial biomass and enzyme activities than fertilisation. Initial differences in microbial biomass declined, while the effects of farm management history were still evident in enzyme activities and total C and N. Links between enzyme activities and microbial biomass C varied depending on treatment indicating differences in microbial community composition
Stimulant Reduction Intervention using Dosed Exercise (STRIDE) - CTN 0037: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is a need for novel approaches to the treatment of stimulant abuse and dependence. Clinical data examining the use of exercise as a treatment for the abuse of nicotine, alcohol, and other substances suggest that exercise may be a beneficial treatment for stimulant abuse, with direct effects on decreased use and craving. In addition, exercise has the potential to improve other health domains that may be adversely affected by stimulant use or its treatment, such as sleep disturbance, cognitive function, mood, weight gain, quality of life, and anhedonia, since it has been shown to improve many of these domains in a number of other clinical disorders. Furthermore, neurobiological evidence provides plausible mechanisms by which exercise could positively affect treatment outcomes. The current manuscript presents the rationale, design considerations, and study design of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network (CTN) CTN-0037 Stimulant Reduction Intervention using Dosed Exercise (STRIDE) study.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>STRIDE is a multisite randomized clinical trial that compares exercise to health education as potential treatments for stimulant abuse or dependence. This study will evaluate individuals diagnosed with stimulant abuse or dependence who are receiving treatment in a residential setting. Three hundred and thirty eligible and interested participants who provide informed consent will be randomized to one of two treatment arms: Vigorous Intensity High Dose Exercise Augmentation (DEI) or Health Education Intervention Augmentation (HEI). Both groups will receive TAU (i.e., usual care). The treatment arms are structured such that the quantity of visits is similar to allow for equivalent contact between groups. In both arms, participants will begin with supervised sessions 3 times per week during the 12-week acute phase of the study. Supervised sessions will be conducted as one-on-one (i.e., individual) sessions, although other participants may be exercising at the same time. Following the 12-week acute phase, participants will begin a 6-month continuation phase during which time they will attend one weekly supervised DEI or HEI session.</p> <p>Clinical Trials Registry</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov, <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01141608">NCT01141608</a></p> <p><url>http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01141608?term=Stimulant+Reduction+Intervention+using+Dosed+Exercise&rank=1</url></p
Proton NMR characterization of intact primary and metastatic melanoma cells in 2D & 3D cultures
Condition-dependent trade-offs between sexual traits, body condition and immunity: the effect of novel habitats
The Neisseria gonorrhoeae Obg protein is an essential ribosome-associated GTPase and a potential drug target
Infiltración meningea por leucemia a celulas plasmáticas y por linfoma no Hodgkin: estudio citomorfologico en el liquido cefalo-raquideo
Son presentadas las características citomorfológicas anormales encontradas en el LCR de dos pacientes, uno de ellos sufriendo de leucemia aguda a células plasmáticas y otro de linfoma mixto no Hodgkin. Se enfatiza la importancia del estudio del LCR en estas patologias
Identification of penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Chile during clinical and microbiological study of gonococcal susceptibility to antimicrobial agents.
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