Multicomponent bi-superHamiltonian KdV systems

It is shown that a new class of classical multicomponent super KdV equations is bi-superHamiltonian by extending the method for the verification of graded Jacobi identity. The multicomponent extension of super mKdV equations is obtained by using the super Miura transformation

Comparison of normal values of Duplex indices of vertebral arteries in young and elderly adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Considering the role of aging in brain atrophy and cerebral vascular demand, we carried out this study to clarify the role of aging in duplex indices of vertebral arteries.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From June 2005 to June 2006, 96 volunteers with age range of 20 to 95 years, were evaluated with color doppler for duplex indices of vertebral arteries. Sever hemodynamic stenosis was excluded in all of these patients. These volunteers were subdivided in two groups: younger and older than 60 year old. In all of these patients we measured diameter, peak systolic velocity (PSV), resistive index (RI), and flow volume (FV) of vertebral arteries in right and left sides.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was no significant difference in diameter, PSV, RI and FV between two groups. We have clarified that in patients younger than 60 year old, comparing right and left vertebral arteries, PSV and FV were higher in left side.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Duplex indices of vertebral arteries are age independent in adults.</p

Investigation of superconducting and normal-state properties of the filled-skutterudite system PrPt4Ge12−xSbx

We report a study of the superconducting and normal-state properties of the filled-skutterudite system PrPt4Ge12−xSbx . Polycrystalline samples with Sb concentrations up to x = 5 were synthesized and investigated by means of x-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements. We observed a suppression of superconductivity with increasing Sb substitution up to x = 4, above which no signature of superconductivity was observed down to 140 mK. The Sommerfeld coefficient, γ , of superconducting specimens decreases with increasing x up to x = 3, suggesting that superconductivity may depend on the density of electronic states in this system. The specific heat for x = 0.5 exhibits an exponential temperature dependence in the superconducting state, reminiscent of a nodeless superconducting energy gap. We observed evidence for a weak “rattling” mode associated with the Pr ions, characterized by an Einstein temperature ΘE ∼ 60 K for 0 ≤ x ≤ 5; however, the rattling mode may not play any role in suppressing superconductivity

Changes in disease characteristics and response rates among patients in the United Kingdom starting anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy for rheumatoid arthritis between 2001 and 2008

Objectives. Anti-TNF therapy has significantly improved outcomes for patients with severe RA. In the UK, changing financial restrictions and increasing experience with their use may have resulted in changes to the way physicians use anti-TNF therapies. The aim of this analysis was to examine changes in disease characteristics and response rates among patients starting anti-TNF therapy for RA over an 8-year period

Osmoregulators proline and glycine betaine counteract salinity stress in canola

Salt inundation leads to increased salinization of arable land in many arid and semi-arid regions. Until genetic solutions are found farmers and growers must either abandon salt-affected fields or use agronomic treatments that alleviate salt stress symptoms. Here, field experiments were carried out to study the effect of the osmoregulators proline at 200 mg L-1 and glycine betaine at 400 mg L-1 in counteracting the harmful effect of soil salinity stress on canola plants grown in Egypt. We assessed growth characteristics, yield and biochemical constituents. Results show first that all growth characters decreased with increasing salinity stress but applied osmoregulators alleviated these negative effects. Second, salinity stress decreased photosynthetic pigments, K and P contents, whilst increasing proline, soluble sugars, ascorbic acid, Na and Cl contents. Third, application of osmoregulators without salt stress increased photosynthetic pigments, proline, soluble sugars, N, K and P contents whilst decreasing Na and Cl contents. It is concluded that the exogenously applied osmoregulators glycine betaine and proline can fully or partially counteract the harmful effect of salinity stress on growth and yield of canola.© INRA and Springer-Verlag, France 2012

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Turkish breast/ovarian families and young breast cancer patients

To date, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in breast and/or ovarian patients have not been characterized in the Turkish population. We investigated the presence of BRCA mutations in 53 individuals with a personal and family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, and 52 individuals with a personal history of breast cancer diagnosed below age 50 without additional family history. We have identified 11 mutations (nine BRCA1 and two BRCA2) using combined techniques involving protein truncation test, direct sequencing and heteroduplex analysis. We found eight out of 53 patients (15.1%) with a family history to carry BRCA gene mutations (seven BRCA1 and one BRCA2). Of these, four were found in 43 families presenting only breast cancer histories, and four were found in families presenting ovarian cancer with or without breast cancer. We also demonstrated two BRCA1 and one BRCA2 mutations in three out of 52 (5.8%) early-onset breast cancer cases without additional family history. Three of nine BRCA1 and both BRCA2 mutations detected in this study were not reported previously. These mutations may be specific to the Turkish population. The BRCA1 5382insC mutation, specific to Ashkenazi and Russian populations, was found twice in our study group, representing a possible founder mutation in the Turkish population. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

First direct detection of an exoplanet by optical interferometry; Astrometry and K-band spectroscopy of HR8799 e

To date, infrared interferometry at best achieved contrast ratios of a few times $10^{-4}$ on bright targets. GRAVITY, with its dual-field mode, is now capable of high contrast observations, enabling the direct observation of exoplanets. We demonstrate the technique on HR8799, a young planetary system composed of four known giant exoplanets. We used the GRAVITY fringe tracker to lock the fringes on the central star, and integrated off-axis on the HR8799e planet situated at 390 mas from the star. Data reduction included post-processing to remove the flux leaking from the central star and to extract the coherent flux of the planet. The inferred K band spectrum of the planet has a spectral resolution of 500. We also derive the astrometric position of the planet relative to the star with a precision on the order of 100$\,\mu$as. The GRAVITY astrometric measurement disfavors perfectly coplanar stable orbital solutions. A small adjustment of a few degrees to the orbital inclination of HR 8799 e can resolve the tension, implying that the orbits are close to, but not strictly coplanar. The spectrum, with a signal-to-noise ratio of $\approx 5$ per spectral channel, is compatible with a late-type L brown dwarf. Using Exo-REM synthetic spectra, we derive a temperature of $1150\pm50$\,K and a surface gravity of $10^{4.3\pm0.3}\,$cm/s$^{2}$. This corresponds to a radius of $1.17^{+0.13}_{-0.11}\,R_{\rm Jup}$ and a mass of $10^{+7}_{-4}\,M_{\rm Jup}$, which is an independent confirmation of mass estimates from evolutionary models. Our results demonstrate the power of interferometry for the direct detection and spectroscopic study of exoplanets at close angular separations from their stars.Comment: published in A&

Estimates of the coverage of parameter space by Latin Hypercube and Orthogonal Array-based sampling

In this paper we use counting arguments to prove that the expected percentage coverage of a d dimensional parameter space of size n when performing k trials with either Latin Hypercube sampling or Orthogonal Array-based Latin Hypercube sampling is the same. We then extend these results to an experimental design setting by projecting onto a t < d dimensional subspace. These results are confirmed by simulations. The theory presented has both theoretical and practical significance in modelling and simulation science when sampling over high dimensional spaces. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Sebomic identification of sex- and ethnicity-specific variations in residual skin surface components (RSSC) for bio-monitoring or forensic applications

Background: “Residual skin surface components” (RSSC) is the collective term used for the superficial layer of sebum, residue of sweat, small quantities of intercellular lipids and components of natural moisturising factor present on the skin surface. Potential applications of RSSC include use as a sampling matrix for identifying biomarkers of disease, environmental exposure monitoring, and forensics (retrospective identification of exposure to toxic chemicals). However, it is essential to first define the composition of “normal” RSSC. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to characterise RSSC to determine commonalities and differences in RSSC composition in relation to sex and ethnicity. Methods: Samples of RSSC were acquired from volunteers using a previously validated method and analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation–mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS). The resulting data underwent sebomic analysis. Results: The composition and abundance of RSSC components varied according to sex and ethnicity. The normalised abundance of free fatty acids, wax esters, diglycerides and triglycerides was significantly higher in males than females. Ethnicity-specific differences were observed in free fatty acids and a diglyceride. Conclusions: The HPLC-APCI-MS method developed in this study was successfully used to analyse the normal composition of RSSC. Compositional differences in the RSSC can be attributed to sex and ethnicity and may reflect underlying factors such as diet, hormonal levels and enzyme expression.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio