50 research outputs found
Exact vortex solutions in a CP^N Skyrme-Faddeev type model
We consider a four dimensional field theory with target space being CP^N
which constitutes a generalization of the usual Skyrme-Faddeev model defined on
CP^1. We show that it possesses an integrable sector presenting an infinite
number of local conservation laws, which are associated to the hidden
symmetries of the zero curvature representation of the theory in loop space. We
construct an infinite class of exact solutions for that integrable submodel
where the fields are meromorphic functions of the combinations (x^1+i x^2) and
(x^3+x^0) of the Cartesian coordinates of four dimensional Minkowski
space-time. Among those solutions we have static vortices and also vortices
with waves traveling along them with the speed of light. The energy per unity
of length of the vortices show an interesting and intricate interaction among
the vortices and waves.Comment: 21 pages, plain latex, no figure
Dynamics of a Quantum Phase Transition and Relaxation to a Steady State
We review recent theoretical work on two closely related issues: excitation
of an isolated quantum condensed matter system driven adiabatically across a
continuous quantum phase transition or a gapless phase, and apparent relaxation
of an excited system after a sudden quench of a parameter in its Hamiltonian.
Accordingly the review is divided into two parts. The first part revolves
around a quantum version of the Kibble-Zurek mechanism including also phenomena
that go beyond this simple paradigm. What they have in common is that
excitation of a gapless many-body system scales with a power of the driving
rate. The second part attempts a systematic presentation of recent results and
conjectures on apparent relaxation of a pure state of an isolated quantum
many-body system after its excitation by a sudden quench. This research is
motivated in part by recent experimental developments in the physics of
ultracold atoms with potential applications in the adiabatic quantum state
preparation and quantum computation.Comment: 117 pages; review accepted in Advances in Physic
Bioinformatic Analysis Reveals High Diversity of Bacterial Genes for Laccase-Like Enzymes
Fungal laccases have been used in various fields ranging from processes in wood and paper industries to environmental applications. Although a few bacterial laccases have been characterized in recent years, prokaryotes have largely been neglected as a source of novel enzymes, in part due to the lack of knowledge about the diversity and distribution of laccases within Bacteria. In this work genes for laccase-like enzymes were searched for in over 2,200 complete and draft bacterial genomes and four metagenomic datasets, using the custom profile Hidden Markov Models for two- and three- domain laccases. More than 1,200 putative genes for laccase-like enzymes were retrieved from chromosomes and plasmids of diverse bacteria. In 76% of the genes, signal peptides were predicted, indicating that these bacterial laccases may be exported from the cytoplasm, which contrasts with the current belief. Moreover, several examples of putatively horizontally transferred bacterial laccase genes were described. Many metagenomic sequences encoding fragments of laccase-like enzymes could not be phylogenetically assigned, indicating considerable novelty. Laccase-like genes were also found in anaerobic bacteria, autotrophs and alkaliphiles, thus opening new hypotheses regarding their ecological functions. Bacteria identified as carrying laccase genes represent potential sources for future biotechnological applications
Assessment of endogenous fibrinolysis in clinical using novel tests - Ready for clinical roll-out?
© The Author(s) 2021. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.The occurrence of thrombotic complications, which can result in excess mortality and morbidity, represent an imbalance between the pro-thrombotic and fibrinolytic equilibrium.The mainstay treatment of these complications involves the use of antithrombotic agents but despite advances in pharmacotherapy, there remains a significant proportion of patients who continue to remain at risk.Endogenous fibrinolysis is a physiological counter-measure against lasting thrombosis and may be measured using several techniques to identify higher risk patients who may benefit from more aggressive pharmacotherapy. However, the assessment of the fibrinolytic systemis not yet accepted into routine clinical practice.In this review, we will revisit the different methods of assessing endogenous fibrinolysis (factorial assays, turbidimetric lysis assays, viscoelastic and the global thrombosis tests), including the strengths, limitations, correlation to clinical outcomes of each method and howwe might integrate the assessment of endogenous fibrinolysis into clinical practice in the future.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio
Diet and food strategies in a southern al-Andalusian urban environment during Caliphal period, ecija, Sevilla
The Iberian medieval period is unique in European history due to the widespread socio-cultural changes that took place after the
arrival of Arabs, Berbers and Islam in 711 AD. Recently, isotopic research has been insightful on dietary shifts, status, resource
availability and the impact of environment. However, there is no published isotopic research exploring these factors in southern
Iberian populations, and as the history of this area differs to the northern regions, this leaves a significant lacuna in our
knowledge. This research fills this gap via isotopic analysis of human (n = 66) and faunal (n = 13) samples from the 9th to the
13th century Écija, a town renowned for high temperatures and salinity. Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes were
assessed from rib collagen, while carbon (δ13C) values were derived from enamel apatite. Human diet is consistent with C3 plant
consumption with a very minor contribution of C4 plants, an interesting feature considering the suitability of Écija to C4 cereal
production. δ15N values vary among adults, which may suggest variable animal protein consumption or isotopic variation within
animal species due to differences in foddering. Consideration of δ13C collagen and apatite values together may indicate sugarcane
consumption, while moderate δ15N values do not suggest a strong aridity or salinity effect. Comparison with other Iberian groups
shows similarities relating to time and location rather than by religion, although more multi-isotopic studies combined with
zooarchaeology and botany may reveal subtle differences unobservable in carbon and nitrogen collagen studies alone.OLC is funded by Plan Galego I2C mod.B (ED481D 2017/014). The research was partially funded by the projects “Galician Paleodiet” and by Consiliencia network (ED 431D2017/08) Xunta de GaliciaS
The epidemiology of enterococci
The enterococci are emerging as a significant cause of nosocomial infections, accounting for approximately 10 % of hospital acquired infections. They are found as normal inhabitants of the human gastrointestinal tract, but may also colonize the oropharynx, vagina, perineal region and soft tissue wounds of asymtomatic patients. Until recently, evidence indicated that most enterococcal infections arose from patients' own endogenous flora. Recent studies, however, suggest that exogeneous acquisition may occur and that person-to-person spread, probably on the hands of medical personnel, may be a significant mode of transmission of resistant enterococci within the hospital. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, especially cephalosporins, is another major factor in the increasing incidence of enterococcal infections. These findings suggest that barrier precautions, as applied with other resistant nosocomial pathogens, along with more judicial use of antibiotics may be beneficial in preventing nosocomial spread of resistant enterococci.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47899/1/10096_2005_Article_BF01963631.pd
Osteological, Biomolecular and Geochemical Examination of an Early Anglo-Saxon Case of Lepromatous Leprosy
We have examined a 5th to 6th century inhumation from Great Chesterford, Essex, UK. The incomplete remains are those of a young male, aged around 21-35 years at death. The remains show osteological evidence of lepromatous leprosy (LL) and this was confirmed by lipid biomarker analysis and ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis, which provided evidence for both multi-copy and single copy loci from the Mycobacterium leprae genome. Genotyping showed the strain belonged to the 3I lineage, but the Great Chesterford isolate appeared to be ancestral to 3I strains found in later medieval cases in southern Britain and also continental Europe. While a number of contemporaneous cases exist, at present, this case of leprosy is the earliest radiocarbon dated case in Britain confirmed by both aDNA and lipid biomarkers. Importantly, Strontium and Oxygen isotope analysis suggest that the individual is likely to have originated from outside Britain. This potentially sheds light on the origins of the strain in Britain and its subsequent spread to other parts of the world, including the Americas where the 3I lineage of M. leprae is still found in some southern states of America
Osteological, Biomolecular and Geochemical Examination of an Early Anglo-Saxon Case of Lepromatous Leprosy
We have examined a 5th to 6th century inhumation from Great Chesterford, Essex, UK. The incomplete remains are those of a young male, aged around 21-35 years at death. The remains show osteological evidence of lepromatous leprosy (LL) and this was confirmed by lipid biomarker analysis and ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis, which provided evidence for both multi-copy and single copy loci from the Mycobacterium leprae genome. Genotyping showed the strain belonged to the 3I lineage, but the Great Chesterford isolate appeared to be ancestral to 3I strains found in later medieval cases in southern Britain and also continental Europe. While a number of contemporaneous cases exist, at present, this case of leprosy is the earliest radiocarbon dated case in Britain confirmed by both aDNA and lipid biomarkers. Importantly, Strontium and Oxygen isotope analysis suggest that the individual is likely to have originated from outside Britain. This potentially sheds light on the origins of the strain in Britain and its subsequent spread to other parts of the world, including the Americas where the 3I lineage of M. leprae is still found in some southern states of America
Production of hyperfragments from the interactions of 1.3 GeV/c and 1.5 GeV/c K- mesons with emulsion nuclei
SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe