A discriminant rule under transformation

We present a new rule for discriminating among continuous populations which are not multivariate normal. The basic idea is to construct the sample maximum likelihood discriminant rule after transforming the data by a suitable multivariate transformation to normalit

A discriminant rule under transformation.

We present a new rule for discriminating among continuous populations which are not multivariate normal. The basic idea is to construct the sample maximum likelihood discriminant rule after transforming the data by a suitable multivariate transformation to normalityCross-validation; Multivariate Box-Cox Transformation;

Statins increase the frequency of circulating CD4+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in healthy individuals

RESUMEN: Las estatinas se han demostrado para modular el número y la función supresora de células T CD4 + FOXP3 (Treg) en condiciones inflamatorias. Sin embargo, no está bien establecido si estatinas también podría afectar Treg en ausencia de inflamación. Para abordar esta cuestión, dieciocho sujetos masculinos normocolesterolémicos fueron tratados con lovastatina o atorvastatina al día durante 45 días. La frecuencia y el fenotipo de circulación Treg se evaluaron en los días 0, 7, 30, y 45. Los niveles de ARNm de FOXP3, IDO, TGF-β, e IL-10 se midieron en las células T CD4 +. Se encontró que tanto los que aumenta significativamente los niveles de ARNm y de frecuencia de Treg FOXP3 en el día 30. En el día 45, los números de Treg volvieron a los valores basales; Sin embargo, el TGF-β y los niveles de ARNm de FOXP3 se mantuvo alta, acompañada por el aumento de los porcentajes de CTLA-4 y GITR que expresan Treg. Treg expresión de Ki-67 se redujo tras el tratamiento con estatinas. la frecuencia de Treg correlacionó positivamente con los niveles plasmáticos de colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL-C), lo que sugiere un papel para el HDL-C en la homeostasis de Treg. Por lo tanto, las estatinas parecen tener efectos inmunomoduladores inflamación independiente. Por lo tanto, el aumento de la frecuencia de Treg células probablemente contribuye a inmunomoduladores efecto de las estatinas, incluso en individuos sanos.ABSTRACT: Statins have been shown to modulate the number and the suppressive function of CD4+FOXP3+ T cells (Treg) in inflammatory conditions. However, it is not well established whether statin could also affect Treg in absence of inflammation. To address this question, eighteen normocholesterolemic male subjects were treated with lovastatin or atorvastatin daily for 45 days. The frequency and phenotype of circulating Treg were evaluated at days 0, 7, 30, and 45. mRNA levels of FOXP3, IDO, TGF-β, and IL-10 were measured in CD4+ T cells. We found that both statins significantly increased Treg frequency and FOXP3 mRNA levels at day 30. At day 45, Treg numbers returned to baseline values; however, TGF-β and FOXP3 mRNA levels remained high, accompanied by increased percentages of CTLA-4- and GITR-expressing Treg. Treg Ki-67 expression was decreased upon statin treatment. Treg frequency positively correlated with plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), suggesting a role for HDL-c in Treg homeostasis. Therefore, statins appear to have inflammation-independent immune-modulatory effects. Thus, the increase in Treg cells frequency likely contributes to immunomodulatory effect of statins, even in healthy individual

Commuting time and sickness absence of US workers

This paper analyzes the relationship between commuting time and days of sickness absence of US workers. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics for the years 2011 to 2017, we find that a 1% increase in the daily commute of workers is associated with an increase of 0.018 and 0.027% in the days of sickness absence per year of male and female workers, respectively. These results are robust for women when sample selection, missing variables, and health status are explored. Further exploration of this relationship shows that the positive relationship between commuting and sickness absence is concentrated in urban areas only, and is present in the intensive margin (hours) for men and the extensive margin (participation) for women. By uncovering how commuting time is related to sickness absenteeism, we contribute to the literature on the negative correlation between commuting and workers’ health and well-being

Clues to NaCN formation

ALMA is providing us essential information on where certain molecules form. Observing where these molecules emission arises from, the physical conditions of the gas, and how this relates with the presence of other species allows us to understand the formation of many species, and to significantly improve our knowledge of the chemistry that occurs in the space. We studied the molecular distribution of NaCN around IRC +10216, a molecule detected previously, but whose origin is not clear. High angular resolution maps allow us to model the abundance distribution of this molecule and check suggested formation paths. We modeled the emission of NaCN assuming local thermal equilibrium (LTE) conditions. These profiles were fitted to azimuthal averaged intensity profiles to obtain an abundance distribution of NaCN. We found that the presence of NaCN seems compatible with the presence of CN, probably as a result of the photodissociation of HCN, in the inner layers of the ejecta of IRC +10216. However, similar as for CH 3 CN, current photochemical models fail to reproduce this CN reservoir. We also found that the abundance peak of NaCN appears at a radius of 3 x 10 15 cm, approximately where the abundance of NaCl, suggested to be the parent species, starts to decay. However, the abundance ratio shows that the NaCl abundance is lower than that obtained for NaCN. We expect that the LTE assumption might result in NaCN abundances higher than the real ones. Updated photochemical models, collisional rates, and reaction rates are essential to determine the possible paths of the NaCN formation.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A letter

Through the magnifying glass: ALMA acute viewing of the intricate nebular architecture of OH231.8+4.2

We present continuum and molecular line emission ALMA observations of OH 231.8+4.2, a well studied bipolar nebula around an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star. The high angular resolution (~0.2-0.3 arcsec) and sensitivity of our ALMA maps provide the most detailed and accurate description of the overall nebular structure and kinematics of this object to date. We have identified a number of outflow components previously unknown. Species studied in this work include 12CO, 13CO, CS, SO, SO2, OCS, SiO, SiS, H3O+, Na37Cl, and CH3OH. The molecules Na37Cl and CH3OH are first detections in OH 231.8+4.2, with CH3OH being also a first detection in an AGB star. Our ALMA maps bring to light the totally unexpected position of the mass-losing AGB star (QX Pup) relative to the large-scale outflow. QX Pup is enshrouded within a compact (<60 AU) parcel of dust and gas (clump S) in expansion (V~5-7 km/s) that is displaced by 0.6arcsec to the south of the dense equatorial region (or waist) where the bipolar lobes join. Our SiO maps disclose a compact bipolar outflow that emerges from QX Pup's vicinity. This outflow is oriented similarly to the large-scale nebula but the expansion velocities are about ten times lower (~35 km/s). We deduce short kinematical ages for the SiO outflow, ranging from ~50-80 yr, in regions within ~150 AU, to ~400-500 yr at the lobe tips (~3500 AU). Adjacent to the SiO outflow, we identify a small-scale hourglass-shaped structure (mini-hourglass) that is probably made of compressed ambient material formed as the SiO outflow penetrates the dense, central regions of the nebula. The lobes and the equatorial waist of the mini-hourglass are both radially expanding with a constant velocity gradient. The mini-waist is characterized by extremely low velocities, down to ~1 km/s at ~150 AU, which tentatively suggest the presence of a stable structure. (abridged

Synthesis of zeolite A using raw kaolin from Ethiopia and its application in removal of Cr(III) from tannery wastewater

BACKGROUND: The commercial production of zeolite A mainly involves costly synthetic chemicals. However, cheaper raw materials such as clay minerals, coal ashes, natural zeolites, solid wastes and industrial sludge have been tested. Based on this, the objective of the present study is synthesis of zeolite A from two sources of raw kaolins (Ansho and Bombowha) from Ethiopia and evaluation of its application in tannery wastewater treatment. RESULTS: The synthesis result indicated high crystallinity (&gt;90%) of zeolite A using Ansho kaolin. Lower grade Bombowha kaolin yielded zeolite A with crystallinity of 80%. In the tannery wastewater treatment study, a real sample having chromium concentration of 2036 mg L-1 was treated, obtaining 99.8% removal and about 200 mg g-1 adsorption capacity of Cr(III) using 100 g L-1 and 5 g L-1 adsorbent dose, respectively. This indicated that the synthesized zeolite A has great potential for Cr(III) removal from tannery wastewater. CONCLUSION: In this study, zeolite A has been synthesized from two sources of kaolin from Ethiopia and has been evaluated in tannery wastewater treatment. The synthesis result indicated the formation of crystals of zeolite A with optimum crystallinity of 91% and the material exhibited chromium removal efficiency of 99.8%

Evaluation of ethyl tert-butyl ether biodegradation in a contaminated aquifer by compound specific isotope analysis and in situ microcosms

Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) is an upcoming groundwater pollutant in Europe whose environmental fate has been less investigated thus far. In the present study, we investigated the in situ biodegradation of ETBE in a fuel-contaminated aquifer using compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) and in situ microcosms in combination with total lipid fatty acid (TLFA)-stable isotope probing (SIP). In a first field investigation, CSIA revealed no significant carbon isotope fractionation but low hydrogen isotope fractionation of up to +14 ¿ along the prevailing anoxic ETBE plume suggesting biodegradation of ETBE. Ten months later, oxygen injection was conducted to enhance the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons (PH) at the field site. Within the framework of this remediation measure, in situ microcosms loaded with [13C6]-ETBE (BACTRAP®s) were exposed for 119 days in selected groundwater wells to assess the biodegradation of ETBE by TLFA-SIP under the following conditions: (i) ETBE as main contaminant; (ii) ETBE as main contaminant subjected to oxygen injection; (iii) ETBE plus other PH; (iv) ETBE plus other PH subjected to oxygen injection. Under all conditions investigated, significant 13C-incorporation into microbial total lipid fatty acids extracted from the in situ microcosms was found, providing clear evidence of ETBE biodegradation