The neutron star inner crust and symmetry energy

The cell structure of clusters in the inner crust of a cold \beta-equilibrium neutron star is studied within a Thomas Fermi approach and compared with other approaches which include shell effects. Relativistic nuclear models are considered. We conclude that the symmetry energy slope L may have quite dramatic effects on the cell structure if it is very large or small. Rod-like and slab-like pasta clusters have been obtained in all models except one with a large slope L.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure

Determining physical properties of the cell cortex

Actin and myosin assemble into a thin layer of a highly dynamic network underneath the membrane of eukaryotic cells. This network generates the forces that drive cell and tissue-scale morphogenetic processes. The effective material properties of this active network determine large-scale deformations and other morphogenetic events. For example,the characteristic time of stress relaxation (the Maxwell time)in the actomyosin sets the time scale of large-scale deformation of the cortex. Similarly, the characteristic length of stress propagation (the hydrodynamic length) sets the length scale of slow deformations, and a large hydrodynamic length is a prerequisite for long-ranged cortical flows. Here we introduce a method to determine physical parameters of the actomyosin cortical layer (in vivo). For this we investigate the relaxation dynamics of the cortex in response to laser ablation in the one-cell-stage {\it C. elegans} embryo and in the gastrulating zebrafish embryo. These responses can be interpreted using a coarse grained physical description of the cortex in terms of a two dimensional thin film of an active viscoelastic gel. To determine the Maxwell time, the hydrodynamic length and the ratio of active stress and per-area friction, we evaluated the response to laser ablation in two different ways: by quantifying flow and density fields as a function of space and time, and by determining the time evolution of the shape of the ablated region. Importantly, both methods provide best fit physical parameters that are in close agreement with each other and that are similar to previous estimates in the two systems. We provide an accurate and robust means for measuring physical parameters of the actomyosin cortical layer.It can be useful for investigations of actomyosin mechanics at the cellular-scale, but also for providing insights in the active mechanics processes that govern tissue-scale morphogenesis.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figure

Electronic structure of unidirectional superlattices in crossed electric and magnetic fields and related terahertz oscillations

We have studied Bloch electrons in a perfect unidirectional superlattice subject to crossed electric and magnetic fields, where the magnetic field is oriented ``in-plane'', i.e. in parallel to the sample plane. Two orientation of the electric field are considered. It is shown that the magnetic field suppresses the intersubband tunneling of the Zener type, but does not change the frequency of Bloch oscillations, if the electric field is oriented perpendicularly to both the sample plane and the magnetic field. The electric field applied in-plane (but perpendicularly to the magnetic field) yields the step-like electron energy spectrum, corresponding to the magnetic-field-tunable oscillations alternative to the Bloch ones.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Assessment of the genetic diversity of native apple cultivars in the south eastern ranges of the Alps with three selected microsatellite loci

The regional diversity of native apple cultivars in parts of the south eastern ranges of the Alps (Styria, Austria and northern parts of Slovenia) was examined. As the application of conventional pomological methods to characterise cultivars may sometimes be ambiguous, we regard the application of molecular methods to be essential for thorough cultivar diversity assessments. Five hundred samples were collected from different climatic and edaphic regions and analysed using three selected microsatellite loci. With this approach we were able to distinguish 190 named varieties at which we chose 50 as reference varieties. The high diversity of native races suggests that the Southern alpine ranges represent a „hot spot“ of cultivar diversity. This can be attributed to historical effects and the local persistence of a traditional management practice with orchards of widely spaced and old-grown trees of various races. Because these „old“ native races could harbour interesting genetic traits (pathogen resistance, taste, etc.) that will be important in future food production, measures for their conservation are overdue. Our approach will not only show which local cultivars/genotypes require rapid action for their protection, but due to the international nature of our project we can also show which old and untraceable local names in different languages correspond with the same cultivars

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes Among Individuals With Spinal Implant Infections: A Descriptive Study.

Little is known about the clinical presentation and outcomes associated with spinal implant infections. Here, we describe a single center's experience in a retrospective cohort of 109 individuals with spinal implant infections, including clinical, microbiological, therapeutic, and outcome data

Thermal extraction of volatiles from the lunar regolith simulant NU-LHT-2M: preparations for in-situ analyses on the Moon

The present work describes the end-to-end demonstration of enriching the lunar highland regolith simulant NU-LHT-2M with loosely adsorbed water, releasing this and other volatile compounds by thermal treatment in high-vacuum, and identifying the released volatile species through mass spectrometry. This demonstration was performed to characterise how different sample conditions will affect the in-situ measurements performed by the ProSPA gas analysis instrument that is to operate at the lunar south pole on board the Russian Luna-27 lander. A laboratory breadboard was set up that allows testing of variable parameter combinations, such as different initial water contents, particle sizes, quantities, and bulk densities of the sample, as well as different heating rates. Three distinct temperature-dependent phases of outgassing were identified. Between -50 °C and 300 °C loosely adsorbed volatiles, mainly water in a mass fraction of around 0.1 % to 0.2 %, were released from the samples. Above that the samples showed mineral decomposition which led to the release of trapped water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. It was shown that the gas pressure produced by outgassing of the volatile species in a continuously pumped system is noticeably higher if the sample is larger, contains smaller particles, or if a higher heating rate is applied

Frameworks for Estimating Causal Effects in Observational Settings: Comparing Confounder Adjustment and Instrumental Variables

To estimate causal effects, analysts performing observational studies in health settings utilize several strategies to mitigate bias due to confounding by indication. There are two broad classes of approaches for these purposes: use of confounders and instrumental variables (IVs). Because such approaches are largely characterized by untestable assumptions, analysts must operate under an indefinite paradigm that these methods will work imperfectly. In this tutorial, we formalize a set of general principles and heuristics for estimating causal effects in the two approaches when the assumptions are potentially violated. This crucially requires reframing the process of observational studies as hypothesizing potential scenarios where the estimates from one approach are less inconsistent than the other. While most of our discussion of methodology centers around the linear setting, we touch upon complexities in non-linear settings and flexible procedures such as target minimum loss-based estimation (TMLE) and double machine learning (DML). To demonstrate the application of our principles, we investigate the use of donepezil off-label for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We compare and contrast results from confounder and IV methods, traditional and flexible, within our analysis and to a similar observational study and clinical trial

Pulsatory Patterns in Active Fluids

We show that pulsatory patterns arise in thin active films in which two chemical species regulate active stress. The regulating species diffuse within the film and are advected by self-generated flows resulting from active stress gradients. Spontaneous pulsatory patterns emerge when the following conditions are met: (i) the fast-diffusing species up-regulates and the slow-diffusing species down-regulates active stress, or (ii) the active stress up-regulator turns over faster compared to the active stress down-regulator. Our study, motivated by pulsatory patterns in the actomyosin cortex in cells and tissues, provides a simple generic mechanism for oscillatory patterns in active fluids

Tim Bartness, Ph.D. (1953-2015)

Tim Bartness (Fig. 1) was a friend, mentor, collaborator and leader to many scientists, younger and older, across a variety of disciplines. He died September 24, 2015 at the age of 62 after a one-year battle with multiple myeloma. Tim not only helped educate many of us, but also challenged us to think critically and to laugh heartily about both the bad and the good we experienced in life. Tim was dedicated to science and to those around him. He worked diligently on his research right up the very end until he no longer could