5 research outputs found
Chemotactic predator-prey dynamics
A discrete chemotactic predator-prey model is proposed in which the prey
secrets a diffusing chemical which is sensed by the predator and vice versa.
Two dynamical states corresponding to catching and escaping are identified and
it is shown that steady hunting is unstable. For the escape process, the
predator-prey distance is diffusive for short times but exhibits a transient
subdiffusive behavior which scales as a power law with time and
ultimately crosses over to diffusion again. This allows to classify the
motility and dynamics of various predatory bacteria and phagocytes. In
particular, there is a distinct region in the parameter space where they prove
to be infallible predators.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Two-dimensional melting under quenched disorder
We study the influence of quenched disorder on the two-dimensional melting
behavior by using both video-microscopy of superparamagnetic colloidal
particles and computer simulations of repulsive parallel dipoles. Quenched
disorder is provided by pinning a fraction of the particles. We confirm the
occurrence of the Kosterlitz-Thouless-Halperin-Nelson-Young scenario with an
intermediate hexatic phase. While the fluid-hexatic transition remains largely
unaffected by disorder, the hexatic-solid transition shifts towards lower
temperatures for increasing disorder resulting in a significantly broadened
stability range of the hexatic phase. In addition, we observe spatio-temporal
critical(-like) fluctuations consistent with the continuous character of the
phase transitions.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Soft repulsive mixtures under gravity: brazil-nut effect, depletion bubbles, boundary layering, nonequilibrium shaking
A binary mixture of particles interacting via long-ranged repulsive forces is
studied in gravity by computer simulation and theory. The more repulsive
A-particles create a depletion zone of less repulsive B-particles around them
reminiscent to a bubble. Applying Archimedes' principle effectively to this
bubble, an A-particle can be lifted in a fluid background of B-particles. This
"depletion bubble" mechanism explains and predicts a brazil-nut effect where
the heavier A-particles float on top of the lighter B-particles. It also
implies an effective attraction of an A-particle towards a hard container
bottom wall which leads to boundary layering of A-particles. Additionally, we
have studied a periodic inversion of gravity causing perpetual mutual
penetration of the mixture in a slit geometry. In this nonequilibrium case of
time-dependent gravity, the boundary layering persists. Our results are based
on computer simulations and density functional theory of a two-dimensional
binary mixture of colloidal repulsive dipoles. The predicted effects also occur
for other long-ranged repulsive interactions and in three spatial dimensions.
They are therefore verifiable in settling experiments on dipolar or charged
colloidal mixtures as well as in charged granulates and dusty plasmas.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure
SOCIUS Mentoring—A Novel Course to Encourage Students for a Career as Surgical Oncologists
Surgical disciplines are affected by an increasing shortage of young doctors. Studies show that formerly interested students decide against a career in surgical disciplines at the end of their studies or during practical year. Measures to counteract this development are urgently needed. As a joint project between gynecology, urology, and general surgery, SOCIUS mentoring was designed to prepare and encourage students for a career in surgical oncology. The structured curriculum of SOCIUS mentoring contains six modules, including surgical skills, soft skills, mentoring, theory, clinical visitation, and congress participation and runs over one year. Effects on confidence towards physician skills and plans for a future career were evaluated with questionnaires. After participation, students reported increased confidence in surgical and soft skills. In addition, participants noted that they have specified their career goals and gained more confidence in surgery, as well as seeing more development potential for a career in surgery. We describe the implementation of a novel extracurricular program for motivated students that combines individual mentoring with surgical and soft skills training. Due to its modular structure, this concept can easily be transferred to other disciplines. SOCIUS mentoring, with its combination of mentoring and skills training, is a promising measure to prepare and motivate students for their surgical career and thus counteract the shortage of young talent
Association between genetic variants of the cholinergic system and postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients
Background Postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) are frequent and serious complications after surgery. We aim to investigate the association between genetic variants in cholinergic candidate genes according to the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes - pathway: cholinergic neurotransmission with the development of POD or POCD in elderly patients. Methods This analysis is part of the European BioCog project (), a prospective multicenter observational study with elderly surgical patients. Patients with a Mini-Mental-State-Examination score <= 23 points were excluded. POD was assessed up to seven days after surgery using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale, Confusion Assessment Method and a patient chart review. POCD was assessed three months after surgery with a neuropsychological test battery. Genotyping was performed on the Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array. Associations with POD and POCD were analyzed using logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, comorbidities and duration of anesthesia (for POCD analysis additionally for education). Odds ratios (OR) refer to minor allele counts (0, 1, 2). Results 745 patients could be included in the POD analysis, and 452 in the POCD analysis. The rate of POD within this group was 20.8% (155 patients), and the rate of POCD was 10.2% (46 patients). In a candidate gene approach three genetic variants of the cholinergic genes CHRM2 and CHRM4 were associated with POD (OR [95% confidence interval], rs8191992: 0.61[0.46; 0.80]; rs8191992: 1.60[1.22; 2.09]; rs2067482: 1.64[1.10; 2.44]). No associations were found for POCD. Conclusions We found an association between genetic variants of CHRM2 and CHRM4 and POD. Further studies are needed to investigate whether disturbances in acetylcholine release and synaptic plasticity are involved in the development of POD. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02265263