MaLeS: A Framework for Automatic Tuning of Automated Theorem Provers

MaLeS is an automatic tuning framework for automated theorem provers. It provides solutions for both the strategy finding as well as the strategy scheduling problem. This paper describes the tool and the methods used in it, and evaluates its performance on three automated theorem provers: E, LEO-II and Satallax. An evaluation on a subset of the TPTP library problems shows that on average a MaLeS-tuned prover solves 8.67% more problems than the prover with its default settings

CBBN in the CMSSM

Catalyzed big bang nucleosynthesis (CBBN) can lead to an overproduction of ^6Li in gravitino dark matter scenarios in which the lighter stau is the lightest Standard Model superpartner. Based on a treatment using the state-of-the-art result for the catalyzed ^6Li production cross section, we update the resulting constraint within the framework of the constrained minimal supersymmetric Standard Model (CMSSM). We confront our numerical findings with recently derived conservative limits on the gaugino mass parameter and the reheating temperature.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures; Submitted for the SUSY07 proceeding

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, which can cause cartilage and bone damage as well as disability. Early diagnosis is key to optimal therapeutic success, particularly in patients with well-characterised risk factors for poor outcomes such as high disease activity, presence of autoantibodies, and early joint damage. Treatment algorithms involve measuring disease activity with composite indices, applying a treatment-to-target strategy, and use of conventional, biological, and newz non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. After the treatment target of stringent remission (or at least low disease activity) is maintained, dose reduction should be attempted. Although the prospects for most patients are now favourable, many still do not respond to current therapies. Accordingly, new therapies are urgently required. In this Seminar, we describe current insights into genetics and aetiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, assessment, therapeutic agents, and treatment strategies together with unmet needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Regulation of Peripheral Molecular Clocks in Mammalian Tissues and In Vitro Skeletal Muscle Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase via AICAR

Most organisms possess a common molecular machinery that governs cellular and tissue circadian rhythmicity through a roughly 24-hour transcription-translation feedback loop. It is estimated that up to 15 percent of human genes are influenced by the core clock machinery. It is likely, however, that the metabolic networks affected by the molecular clock differ according to body tissue. Recent evidence suggests that peripheral molecular clocks are governed to a greater extent by energy availability than by light and dark cycles. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) acts as a cellular fuel gauge within the cell and is activated in response to exercise and fasting. AMPK can also be pharmacologically activated by 5-amino-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-imidazole-4-carboxamide (AICAR). AMPK likely serves as an intermediary between metabolism and the molecular clock due to its activation of the rate-limiting enzyme in Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis, Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), and its role in PER and CRY degradation. The NAD-dependent histone deacetylase SIRT 1 inhibits the BMAL1-CLOCK complex in a NAMPT-dependent manner.The complex interplay between metabolism and peripheral clocks mediated by AMPK is beginning to be unraveled. AMPK’s tissue-specific influence on the molecular clock in skeletal muscles and other mammalian tissues requires further elucidation as it may provide insight into the etiology and treatment of metabolic disease. [excerpt

Potential of line varieties of winter oilseed rape within organic growing technology

Different responses of winter oilseed rape (WOSR) varieties to various growing locality conditions as well as to the intensity of technological inputs are known. Organic grower-need varieties provide sufficient yield even within extensive growing conditions. Ten commonly grown line varieties in the Czech Republic were tested using extensive organic growing technology. These varieties were evaluated for the occurrence of fungal diseases by ripening and seed yield. Some of OSR tested varieties proved to have higher resistance to fungal diseases as well as significantly higher seed yields. Higher resistance against Phoma lingam proved varieties Caracas, Ontario, Liprima, Cando and Manitoba. Higher resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum proved varieties Ontario, Smart and Oponent. The highest yield within a two-year average was produced by the Caracas, Manitoba and Ontario varieties. These varieties are more likely to be recommended for practical organic growing

Application of STARFLEET Velocimetry in the NASA Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel

Selective two-photon absorptive resonance femtosecond laser electronic excitation tagging (STARFLEET) velocimetry is demonstrated for the first time in a NASA Langley wind tunnel with high repetition-rate and single-shot imaging. Experiments performed in the 0.3-meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (TCT) allowed for testing at 300 K over a range of pressures (124 to 517 kPa) and Mach numbers (0.2-0.8) for freestream conditions and flow behind a cylindrical model. Measurement precision and accuracy are determined for the current set of experiments, as are signal intensity and lifetime. Precisions of 3-5 m/s (based on one standard deviation) were typical in the experiment; precisions better than 2% of the mean velocity were obtained for some of the highest velocity conditions. Agreement within a mean error of 3 m/s between STARFLEET freestream velocity measurements and facility DAS readings is demonstrated. STARFLEET is also shown to return spatially-resolved velocity profiles, though some binning of the signal is required

Numerical simulation of growth of Escherichia coli in unsaturated porous media

A model for the aerobic and anaerobic growth of Escherichia coli (HB101 K12 pGLO) depending on the concentration of oxygen and DOC as substrate has been developed based on laboratory batch experiments. Using inverse modelling to obtain optimal sets of parameters, it could be shown that a model based on a modified double Contois kinetic can predict cell densities, organic carbon utilisation, oxygen transfer and utilisation rates for a large number of experiments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions with a single unique set of parameters. The model was extended to describe growth of E. coli in unsaturated porous media, combining diffusion, phase exchange and microbiological growth. Experiments in a Hele-Shaw cell, filled with quartz sand, were conducted to study bacterial growth in the capillary fringe above a saturated porous medium. Cell density profiles in the Hele-Shaw cell were predicted with the growth model and the parameters from the batch experiments without any further calibration. They showed a very good qualitative and quantitative agreement with cell densities determined from samples taken from the Hele-Shaw cell by re-suspension and subsequent counting. Thus it could be shown, that it is possible to successfully transfer growth parameters from batch experiments to porous media for both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.Comment: Minor changes in conclusions, results unchange