Isotopic liftings of Clifford algebras and applications in elementary particle mass matrices

Isotopic liftings of algebraic structures are investigated in the context of Clifford algebras, where it is defined a new product involving an arbitrary, but fixed, element of the Clifford algebra. This element acts as the unit with respect to the introduced product, and is called isounit. We construct isotopies in both associative and non-associative arbitrary algebras, and examples of these constructions are exhibited using Clifford algebras, which although associative, can generate the octonionic, non-associative, algebra. The whole formalism is developed in a Clifford algebraic arena, giving also the necessary pre-requisites to introduce isotopies of the exterior algebra. The flavor hadronic symmetry of the six u,d,s,c,b,t quarks is shown to be exact, when the generators of the isotopic Lie algebra su(6) are constructed, and the unit of the isotopic Clifford algebra is shown to be a function of the six quark masses. The limits constraining the parameters, that are entries of the representation of the isounit in the isotopic group SU(6), are based on the most recent limits imposed on quark masses.Comment: 19 page

Isotopic Grand Unification with the Inclusion of Gravity (revised version)

We introduce a dual lifting of unified gauge theories, the first characterized by the isotopies, which are axiom- preserving maps into broader structures with positive-definite generalized units used for the representation of matter under the isotopies of the Poincare' symmetry, and the second characterized by the isodualities, which are anti-isomorphic maps with negative-definite generalized units used for the representation of antimatter under the isodualities of the Poincare' symmetry. We then submit, apparently for the first time, a novel grand unification with the inclusion of gravity for matter embedded in the generalized positive-definite units of unified gauge theories while gravity for antimatter is embedded in the isodual isounit. We then show that the proposed grand unification provides realistic possibilities for a resolution of the axiomatic incompatibilities between gravitation and electroweak interactions due to curvature, antimatter and the fundamental space-time symmetries.Comment: 20 pages, Latex, revised in various details and with added reference

Invariant variational principle for Hamiltonian mechanics

It is shown that the action for Hamiltonian equations of motion can be brought into invariant symplectic form. In other words, it can be formulated directly in terms of the symplectic structure $\omega$ without any need to choose some 1-form $\gamma$, such that $\omega= d \gamma$, which is not unique and does not even generally exist in a global sense.Comment: final version; to appear in J.Phys.A; 17 pages, 2 figure

Leading Meaningful Change

While strategic planning is often approached from a theoretical perspective, it is in the implementation that the rubber hits the road. The importance of leadership in this shift from a theoretical plan to actual implementation cannot be underestimated. Change agents from a variety of institutional types—community college, public institution, and private institution—will discuss strategies used to inspire and guide others toward the achievement of shared objectives while managing institutional complexities. You will learn about issues leaders must successfully address to implement a meaningful strategic planning process

A probabilistic approach to the evaluation of seismic resilience in road asset management

Road networks are classified as critical infrastructure systems. Their loss of functionality not only hinders residential and commercial activities, but also compromises evacuation and rescue after disasters. Dealing with risks to key strategic objectives is not new to asset management, and risk management is considered one of the core elements of asset management. Risk analysis has recently focused on understanding and designing strategies for resilience, especially in the case of seismic events that present a significant hazard to highway transportation networks. Following a review of risk and resilience concepts and metrics, an innovative methodology to stochastically assess the economic resources needed to restore damaged infrastructures, one that is a relevant and complementary element within a wider resilience-based framework, is proposed. The original methodology is based on collecting and analyzing ex post reconstruction and hazard data and was calibrated on data measured during the earthquake that struck central Italy in 2016 and collected in the following recovery phase. Although further improvements are needed, the proposed approach can be used effectively by road managers to provide useful information in developing seismic retrofitting plans

Long-term Intrinsic Rhythm Evaluation in Dogs with Atrioventricular Block

Background: Atrioventricular block (AVB) is a conduction abnormality along the atrioventricular node that, depending on etiology, may lead to different outcomes. Objectives: To evaluate variations of intrinsic rhythm (IR) in dogs that underwent pacemaker implantation (PMI). Animals: Medical records of 92 dogs affected by 3rd degree atrioventricular block (3AVB), advanced 2nd degree AVB (2AVB), paroxysmal 3AVB, 2:1 2AVB, or 3AVB with atrial fibrillation (AF) were retrospectively reviewed. Method: The patient IR was documented with telemetry on the day of 1 - (95% CI, 1-2), 33 - (95% CI, 28-35), 105 - (95%CI, 98-156), and 275 days (95%CI, 221-380) after PMI. According to AVB grade at different examinations, AVB was defined as progressed, regressed, or unchanged. Results: In 48 dogs, 3AVB remained unchanged, whereas in 7 it regressed. Eight cases of 2AVB progressed, 3 regressed and 2 remained unchanged. Eight cases of paroxysmal 3AVB progressed and 3 remained unchanged. Four dogs affected by 2:1 2AVB progressed, 2 regressed, and 1 remained unchanged. All cases with 3AVB with AF remained unchanged. Regression occurred within 30 days after PMI, whereas progression was documented at any time. Variations in IR were associated with type of AVB (P <03) and time of follow-up (P <0001). Conclusions and clinical importance: The degree of AVB assessed at the time of PMI should not be considered definitive because more than one-third of the cases in this study either progressed or regressed. Additional studies would be necessary to elucidate possible causes for transient AVB in dogs

Differential Transgene Silencing of Myeloid-Specific Promoters in the AAVS1 Safe Harbor Locus of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Myeloid Cells

Targeted integration into a genomic safe harbor, such as the AAVS1 locus on chromosome 19, promises predictable transgene expression and reduces the risk of insertional mutagenesis in the host genome. The application of gamma-retroviral LTR-driven vectors, which semi-randomly integrate into the genome, has previously caused severe adverse events in some clinical studies due to transactivation of neighboring proto-oncogenes. Consequently, the site-specific integration of a therapeutic transgene into a genomic safe harbor locus would allow stable genetic correction with a reduced risk of insertional mutagenesis. However, recent studies revealed that transgene silencing, especially in case of weaker cell type-specific promoters, can occur in the AAVS1 locus of human pluripotent stem cells (PSC) and can impede transgene expression during differentiation. In this study, we aimed to correct p47phox-deficiency, which is the second most common cause of chronic granulomatous disease, by insertion of a therapeutic p47phox transgene into the AAVS1 locus of human induced PSC (iPSC) using CRISPR-Cas9. We analyzed transgene expression and functional correction from three different myeloid-specific promoters (miR223, CatG/cFes and MRP8). Upon myeloid differentiation of corrected iPSC clones, we observed that the miR223 and CatG/cFes promoter achieved therapeutic-relevant levels of p47phox expression and NADPH oxidase activity, whereas the MRP8 promoter was less efficient. Analysis of the different promoters revealed high CpG methylation of the MRP8 promoter in differentiated cells, which correlated with the transgene expression data. In summary, we identified the miR223 and CatG/cFes promoters as cell type-specific promoters that allow stable transgene expression in the AAVS1 locus of iPSC-derived myeloid cells. Our findings further indicate that promoter silencing can occur in the AAVS1 safe harbor locus in differentiated hematopoietic cells and that a comparison of different promoters is necessary to achieve optimal transgene expression for therapeutic application of iPSC-derived cells

Comment to "ultrasonic assessment of females with carpal tunnel syndrome proved by nerve conduction study"

Letter to the Edito

The Moyal-Lie Theory of Phase Space Quantum Mechanics

A Lie algebraic approach to the unitary transformations in Weyl quantization is discussed. This approach, being formally equivalent to the $\star$-quantization, is an extension of the classical Poisson-Lie formalism which can be used as an efficient tool in the quantum phase space transformation theory.Comment: 15 pages, no figures, to appear in J. Phys. A (2001

Physicochemical implications of cyanobacteria oxidation with Fe(VI)

Increases in harmful algal blooms has negatively impacted many surface-sourced drinking water utilities. To control these blooms, many water utilities implement pre-oxidation with ozone, chlorine, or permanganate; however, pre-oxidation of algae has both positive and negative water quality outcomes. This study investigated ferrate (Fe(VI)) as an alternative oxidant by measuring its effect on cell lysing, surface characteristics, and coagulation in waters containing the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa. Bench scale studies were conducted to examine the complex combination of processes in a Fe(VI)-algae system. These processes were characterized by fluorescence index, surface charge, collision frequency modeling, particle counts and sphericity, total nitrogen, and ferrate decomposition measurements. Results showed that Fe(VI) lysed algal cells, but further oxidation of released organic matter is possible. The presence of algae did not significantly impact the rate of Fe(VI) decomposition. Fe(VI) pre-oxidation may also be capable of decreasing the formation of nitrogenated disinfection byproducts through subsequent oxidation of released nitrogen rich organic matter. Streaming current and zeta potential results indicate destabilization of the resulting algae and iron suspension was incomplete under most conditions. Particle collision frequency modeling indicates fluid shear to be an important aggregation mechanism of the resulting suspension. Overall, Fe(VI) is a viable alternative to other strong oxidants for water utilities struggling with harmful algal blooms, but the final fate of the resulting organic matter must be further studied