Laplaza Sets, or How to Select Coherence Diagrams for Pseudo Algebras

We define a general concept of pseudo algebras over theories and 2-theories. A more restrictive such notion was introduced by Hu and Kriz, but as noticed by M. Gould, did not capture the desired examples. The approach taken in this paper corrects the mistake by introducing a more general concept, allowing more flexibility in selecting coherence diagrams for pseudo algebras.Comment: 21 pages. To appear in the Advances of Mathematics. Exposition improved, notion of operad with degeneracies removed as a simplification, definition of pseudo algebra improved

Tunneling between helical Majorana modes and helical Luttinger liquids

We propose and study the charge transport through single and double quantum point contacts setup between helical Majorana modes and an interacting helical Luttinger liquid. We show that the differential conductance decreases for stronger repulsive interactions and that the point contacts become insulating above a critical interaction strength. For a single point contact, the differential conductance as a function of bias voltage shows a series of peaks due to Andreev reflection of electrons in the Majorana modes. In the case of two point contacts, interference phenomena make the structure of the individual resonance peaks less universal and show modulations with different separation distance between the contacts. For small separation distance the overall features remain similar to the case of a single point contact.Comment: v.2: 14 pages, 11 figures; adding one figure, an appendix, and some minor change

A Monte Carlo Analysis of the Mincycle Algorithm for Generating Minimal Perfect Hash Functions

In this paper, several minimal perfect hashing function generating methods are examined. One of them, the mincycle method by Sager is evaluated by the Monte Carlo method. The results are represented in graphs and tables

Common bursting relationships underlie eukaryotic transcription dynamics

Transcription commonly occurs in bursts resulting from alternating productive (ON) and quiescent (OFF) periods. Yet how transcriptional bursts are regulated to determine spatiotemporal transcriptional activity remains unclear. Here we perform live transcription imaging of key developmental genes in the fly embryo, with single polymerase sensitivity. Quantification of single allele transcription rates and multi-polymerase bursts reveals shared bursting relationships among all genes, across time and space, as well as cis- and trans-perturbations. We identify the allele's ON-probability as the main determinant of the transcription rate, while changes in the transcription initiation rate are limited. Any given ON-probability determines a specific combination of mean ON and OFF times, preserving a constant characteristic bursting time scale. Our findings point to a convergence of various regulatory processes that predominantly affect the ON-probability, thereby controlling mRNA production rather than mechanism-specific modulation of ON and OFF times. Our results thus motivate and guide new investigations into the mechanisms implementing these bursting rules and governing transcriptional regulation

Using molecular dynamics simulations as an aid in the prediction of domain swapping of computationally designed protein variants

In standard implementations of computational protein design, a positive-design approach is used to predict sequences that will be stable on a given backbone structure. Possible competing states are typically not considered, primarily because appropriate structural models are not available. One potential competing state, the domain-swapped dimer, is especially compelling because it is often nearly identical to its monomeric counterpart, differing by just a few mutations in a hinge region. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide a computational method to sample different conformational states of a structure. Here, we tested whether MD simulations could be used as a post-design screening tool to identify sequence mutations leading to domain-swapped dimers. We hypothesized that a successful computationally-designed sequence would have backbone structure and dynamics characteristics similar to that of the input structure, and that in contrast, domain-swapped dimers would exhibit increased backbone flexibility and/or altered structure in the hinge-loop region to accommodate the large conformational change required for domain swapping. While attempting to engineer a homodimer from a 51 amino acid fragment of the monomeric protein engrailed homeodomain (ENH), we had instead generated a domain-swapped dimer (ENH_DsD). MD simulations on these proteins showed increased MD simulation derived B factors in the hinge loop of the ENH_DsD domain-swapped dimer relative to monomeric ENH. Two point mutants of ENH_DsD designed to recover the monomeric fold were then tested with an MD simulation protocol. The MD simulations suggested that one of these mutants would adopt the target monomeric structure, which was subsequently confirmed by X-ray crystallography

A Data Hiding Method Based on Partition Variable Block Size with Exclusive-or Operation on Binary Image

In this paper, we propose a high capacity data hiding method applying in binary images. Since a binary image has only two colors, black or white, it is hard to hide data imperceptible. The capacities and imperception are always in a trade-off problem. Before embedding we shuffle the secret data by a pseudo-random number generator to keep more secure. We divide the host image into several non-overlapping (2n+1) by (2n+1) sub-blocks in an M by N host image as many as possible, where n can equal 1, 2, 3 , …, or min(M,N). Then we partition each sub-block into four overlapping (n+1) by (n+1) sub-blocks. We skip the all blacks or all whites in each (2n+1) by (2n+1) sub-blocks. We consider all four (n+1) by (n+1) sub-blocks to check the XOR between the non overlapping parts and center pixel of the (2n+1) by (2n+1) sub-block, it embed n 2 bits in each (n+1) by (n+1) sub-block, totally are 4*n 2 . The entire host image can be embedded 4×n 2×M/(2n+1)×N/(2n+1) bits. The extraction way is simply to test the XOR between center pixel with their non-overlapping part of each sub-block. All embedding bits are collected and shuffled back to the original order. The adaptive means the partitioning sub-block may affect the capacities and imperception that we want to select. The experimental results show that the method provides the large embedding capacity and keeps imperceptible and reveal the host image lossless

Autonomous response of a third-order digital filter with two’s complement arithmetic realized in parallel form

This paper investigates the output and state trajectories of a third-order digital filter with two’s complement arithmetic realized in parallel form. Although the output of the third-order digital filter seems to behave randomly, some regular patterns can be displayed on the plot of versus , where those regular patterns are similar to the second-order case. When the first-order subsystem is operated at the marginally stable points, the output of the third-order system is still mainly dependent on the behaviors of the corresponding second-order digital filter, even though overflow occurs. Explicit equations relating the trajectories of the system to the filter parameters and the initial conditions provide further insights into the behaviors of the system

Does the aldosterone: renin ratio predict the efficacy of spironolactone over bendroflumethiazide in hypertension? A clinical trial protocol for RENALDO (RENin-ALDOsterone) study

<p>Background: High blood pressure is an important determinant of cardiovascular disease risk. Treated hypertensives do not attain a risk level equivalent to normotensives. This may be a consequence of suboptimal blood pressure control to which indiscriminate use of antihypertensive drugs may contribute. Indeed the recent ALLHAT[1]study suggests that thiazides should be given first to virtually all hypertensives. Whether this is correct or whether different antihypertensive therapies should be targeted towards different patients is a major unresolved issue, which we address in this study.</p> <p>The measurement of the ratio of aldosterone: renin is used to identify hypertensive subjects who may respond well to treatment with the aldosterone antagonist spironolactone. It is not known if subjects with a high ratio have aldosteronism or aldosterone-sensitive hypertension is debated but it is important to know whether spironolactone is superior to other diuretics such as bendroflumethiazide in this setting.</p> <p>Methods/design: The study is a double-blind, randomised, crossover, controlled trial that will randomise 120 hypertensive subjects to 12 weeks treatment with spironolactone 50 mg once daily and 12 weeks treatment with bendroflumethiazide 2.5 mg once daily. The 2 treatment periods are separated by a 2-week washout period. Randomisation is stratified by aldosterone: renin ratio to include equal numbers of subjects with high and low aldosterone: renin ratios.</p> <p>Primary Objective – To test the hypothesis that the aldosterone: renin ratio predicts the antihypertensive response to spironolactone, specifically that the effect of spironolactone 50 mg is greater than that of bendroflumethiazide 2.5 mg in hypertensive subjects with high aldosterone: renin ratios.</p> <p>Secondary Objectives – To determine whether bendroflumethiazide induces adverse metabolic abnormalities, especially in subjects with high aldosterone: renin ratios and if baseline renin measurement predicts the antihypertensive response to spironolactone and/or bendrofluazide.</p> <p>Discussion: The numerous deleterious effects of hypertension dictate the need for a systematic approach for its treatment. In spite of various therapies, resistant hypertension is widely prevalent. Among various factors, primary aldosteronism is an important cause of resistant hypertension and is now more commonly recognised. More significantly, hypertensives with primary aldosteronism are also exposed to various other deleterious effects of excess aldosterone. Hence treating hypertension with specific aldosterone antagonists may be a better approach in this group of patients. It may lead on to better blood pressures with fewer medications.</p&gt

Tunable Localized Surface Plasmon-Enabled Broadband Light-Harvesting Enhancement for High-Efficiency Panchromatic Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

In photovoltaic devices, light harvesting (LH) and carrier collection have opposite relations with the thickness of the photoactive layer, which imposes a fundamental compromise for the power conversion efficiency (PCE). Unbalanced LH at different wavelengths further reduces the achievable PCE. Here, we report a novel approach to broadband balanced LH and panchromatic solar energy conversion using multiple-core–shell structured oxide-metal-oxide plasmonic nanoparticles. These nanoparticles feature tunable localized surface plasmon resonance frequencies and the required thermal stability during device fabrication. By simply blending the plasmonic nanoparticles with available photoactive materials, the broadband LH of practical photovoltaic devices can be significantly enhanced. We demonstrate a panchromatic dye-sensitized solar cell with an increased PCE from 8.3% to 10.8%, mainly through plasmon-enhanced photoabsorption in the otherwise less harvested region of solar spectrum. This general and simple strategy also highlights easy fabrication, and may benefit solar cells using other photoabsorbers or other types of solar-harvesting devices.Eni-MIT Energy Initiative Founding Member ProgramNational Science Foundation (U.S.) (ECCS Award 1028568)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR MURI Award FA9550-12-1-0488