Projective Group Representations in Quaternionic Hilbert Space

We extend the discussion of projective group representations in quaternionic Hilbert space which was given in our recent book. The associativity condition for quaternionic projective representations is formulated in terms of unitary operators and then analyzed in terms of their generator structure. The multi--centrality and centrality assumptions are also analyzed in generator terms, and implications of this analysis are discussed.Comment: 16 pages, no figures, plain Te

Reduction of Soil-Borne Plant Pathogens Using Lime and Ammonia Evolved from Broiler Litter

In laboratory and micro-plots simulations and in a commercial greenhouse, soil ammonia (NH3) and pH were manipulated as means to control soil-borne fungal pathogens and nematodes. Soil ammonification capacity was increased by applying low C/N ratio broiler litter at 1–8% (w/w). Soil pH was increased using lime at 0.5–1% (w/w). This reduced fungi (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi and Sclerotium rolfsii) and root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) in lab tests below detection. In a commercial greenhouse, broiler litter (25 Mg ha−1) and lime (12.5 Mg ha−1) addition to soil in combination with solarization significantly reduced M. javanica induced root galling of tomato test plants from 47% in the control plots (solarization only) to 7% in treated plots. Root galling index of pepper plants, measured 178 days after planting in the treated and control plots, were 0.8 and 1.5, respectively, which was statistically significantly different. However, the numbers of nematode juveniles in the root zone soil counted 83 and 127 days after pepper planting were not significantly different between treatments. Pepper fruit yield was not different between treatments. Soil disinfection and curing was completed within one month, and by the time of bell-pepper planting the pH and ammonia values were normal

Successful mycophenolate mofetil therapy in nine patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis

Objective. To assess the therapeutic benefit of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF). Methods. MMF 2 g/day and prednisone 1 mg/kg were initiated in nine patients with radiological (9/9) and histological verification (2/9) of idiopathic RF. Out of nine patients, seven needed bilateral ureteral stenting due to extensive hydronephrosis. Results. All patients experienced regression of radiological extension. Out of seven patients, five were free of ureteral catheters after a mean of 5.6 months and two remained on stenting due to secondary stenosis. Within 6 months mean creatinine and CRP fell from 2.5 to 1.2 mg/dl and from 4.0 to 1.4 mg/dl, respectively. MMF was discontinued after a mean of 27 months. Prednisone was tapered to zero after a mean of 7 months. Side-effects were urinary tract infections in 7/9 patients and impaired glucose tolerance in 3/9. No recurrence occurred after withdrawal of glucocorticoids and MMF in 7/9 patients after a mean overall follow-up of 55 months (range 12-120). Conclusions. Treatment with MMF and glucocorticoids was successful in inducing partial or complete and lasting remission in RF. The results suggest the use of MMF as additional immunosuppressive optio

Topologies of nodal sets of random band limited functions

It is shown that the topologies and nestings of the zero and nodal sets of random (Gaussian) band limited functions have universal laws of distribution. Qualitative features of the supports of these distributions are determined. In particular the results apply to random monochromatic waves and to random real algebraic hyper-surfaces in projective space.Comment: 62 pages. Major revision following referee repor

Evolution of magnetic component in Yang-Mills condensate dark energy models

The evolution of the electric and magnetic components in an effective Yang-Mills condensate dark energy model is investigated. If the electric field is dominant, the magnetic component disappears with the expansion of the Universe. The total YM condensate tracks the radiation in the earlier Universe, and later it becomes $w_y\sim-1$ thus is similar to the cosmological constant. So the cosmic coincidence problem can be avoided in this model. However, if the magnetic field is dominant, $w_y>1/3$ holds for all time, suggesting that it cannot be a candidate for the dark energy in this case.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, minor typos correcte

Emergence of SCC mec Type IV as the Most Common Type of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a University Hospital

Abstract : Background: : The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has dramatically changed over the last decade by the emergence of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). Recent studies indicate that these strains have already spread to hospitals. To evaluate if SCCmec type IV and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) are unambiguous markers of CA-MRSA, we analyzed 77 sporadic MRSA strains isolated, in our low MRSA incidence university hospital, from inpatients between 2000 and 2004. Methods: : MRSA strains were analyzed by staphylococcal cassette chromosome mmecec (SCCmec) typing, PCR for PVL genes and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). MRSA was classified in HA-MRSA or CA-MRSA according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using microbroth dilution method following CLSI recommendations. Results: : Among 77 sporadic single-patient strains, SCCmec types I-IV and four subtypes were identified. Type IV/IVA was most common (42.9%).The distribution of SCCmec types changed over the years. Type IV/IVA strains increased from 33.3% in 2000 to 57.9% in 2004. Type IV strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin in 81.8%, and in 9.1% to tobramycin while type IVA strains were 100% resistant to both antimicrobials. In contrast, non-type IV/IVA strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin in 86.4%, and in 75.0% to tobramycin. Only one strain was PVL positive and harbored SCCmec type III variant. By PFGE analysis, the 33 SCCmec type IV/IVA strains comprised 12 distinct genotypes. 36.4% of 11 CA-MRSA and 43.9% of 66 HA-MRSA harbored SCCmec type IV/IVA. Conclusion: : Type IV/IVA has become the most common SCCmec type in inpatients of our university hospital. The SCCmec type IV/IVA is present in both CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA limiting its use as a marker for CA-MRS

Online-Bestimmungshilfe für Schadorganismen für das Internetportal www.oekolandbau.de

Organic plant protection can be supported by diagnostic aids for pest organisms. A concept for a user-friendly, scientifically founded diagnostic aid for agriculturally relevant pest organisms is presented, which is based on a flexible filter structure and conclusive images. To provide practical information on biology and regulation options along with the diagnosis, recent scientific results and market availability of regulation options in organic farming are being reviewed. The on-going research and transfer project has launched the first section on storage pests in 2016 at: www.oekolandbau.de/erzeuger/pflanzenbau/allgemeiner-pflanzenbau/pflanzenschut

Elliptic flow of thermal photons and dileptons

In this talk we describe the recently discovered rich phenomenology of elliptic flow of electromagnetic probes of the hot matter created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Using a hydrodynamic model for the space-time dynamics of the collision fireball created in Au+Au collisions at RHIC, we compute the transverse momentum spectra and elliptic flow of thermal photons and dileptons. These observables are shown to provide differential windows into various stages of the fireball expansion.Comment: 8 pages, including 9 figures. Invited talk at the Hard Probes 2006 Conference (Asilomar, June 9-16, 2006), to appear in the Proceedings (Elsevier

The tropical shadow-vertex algorithm solves mean payoff games in polynomial time on average

We introduce an algorithm which solves mean payoff games in polynomial time on average, assuming the distribution of the games satisfies a flip invariance property on the set of actions associated with every state. The algorithm is a tropical analogue of the shadow-vertex simplex algorithm, which solves mean payoff games via linear feasibility problems over the tropical semiring $(\mathbb{R} \cup \{-\infty\}, \max, +)$. The key ingredient in our approach is that the shadow-vertex pivoting rule can be transferred to tropical polyhedra, and that its computation reduces to optimal assignment problems through Pl\"ucker relations.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures, appears in 41st International Colloquium, ICALP 2014, Copenhagen, Denmark, July 8-11, 2014, Proceedings, Part

Interface Roughening in a Hydrodynamic Lattice-Gas Model with Surfactant

Using a hydrodynamic lattice-gas model, we study interface growth in a binary fluid with various concentrations of surfactant. We find that the interface is smoothed by small concentrations of surfactant, while microemulsion droplets form for large surfactant concentrations. To assist in determining the stability limits of the interface, we calculate the change in the roughness and growth exponents $\alpha$ and $\beta$ as a function of surfactant concentration along the interface.Comment: 4 pages with 4 embedded ps figures. Requires psfig.tex. Will appear in PRL 14 Oct 199