Quasideterminant solutions of a non-Abelian Hirota-Miwa equation

A non-Abelian version of the Hirota-Miwa equation is considered. In an earlier paper [Nimmo (2006) J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. \textbf{39}, 5053-5065] it was shown how solutions expressed as quasideterminants could be constructed for this system by means of Darboux transformations. In this paper we discuss these solutions from a different perspective and show that the solutions are quasi-Pl\"{u}cker coordinates and that the non-Abelian Hirota-Miwa equation may be written as a quasi-Pl\"{u}cker relation. The special case of the matrix Hirota-Miwa equation is also considered using a more traditional, bilinear approach and the techniques are compared

On a direct approach to quasideterminant solutions of a noncommutative KP equation

A noncommutative version of the KP equation and two families of its solutions expressed as quasideterminants are discussed. The origin of these solutions is explained by means of Darboux and binary Darboux transformations. Additionally, it is shown that these solutions may also be verified directly. This approach is reminiscent of the wronskian technique used for the Hirota bilinear form of the regular, commutative KP equation but, in the noncommutative case, no bilinearising transformation is available.Comment: 11 page

The contribution of OCTN1/2 variants within the IBD5 locus to disease susceptibility and severity in Crohn's disease

Background and Aims: Recent data suggest that polymorphisms in the organic cation transporter (OCTN) genes OCTN1 (SLC22A4) and OCTN2 (SLC22A5) represent disease-causing mutations within the IBD5 locus (chromosome 5q31). We investigated associations with disease susceptibility, phenotype, and evidence for epistasis with CARD15 in 679 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: A total of 374 patients with CD, 305 patients with UC, and 294 healthy controls (HCs) were studied. Genotyping for single nucleotide polymorphisms IGR2096, IGR2198, and IGR2230, OCTN1 variant (SLC22A4 1672C→T), and OCTN2 variant (SLC22A5 −207G→C) was performed using the TaqMan system. Results: The IBD5 OCTN1 and OCTN2 polymorphisms were in strong linkage disequilibrium (D′, >0.959). IGR2198 variant allele frequency (49.1% vs 40.8%; P = .0046) and homozygosity (21% vs 14.8%; P = .044) were associated with CD versus HCs. Variant allelic frequency of OCTN1 (53.6% vs 43%; P = .0008) and OCTN2 (56.1% vs 48.4%; P = .0092) polymorphisms and homozygosity for the OCTN1/2-TC haplotype (28.4% vs 16%; P = .0042) were associated with CD versus HCs. IGR2198 homozygosity and TC homozygosity were associated with stricturing/penetrating disease at follow-up (P = .011 and P = .011, respectively) and disease progression (P = .038 and P = .049, respectively) on univariate analysis and with need for surgery on multivariate analysis (P = .016 and P = .004, respectively). In the absence of the IBD5 risk haplotype, no association of OCTN1/2 variants with CD was detected. No associations were seen with UC. Conclusions: The IBD5 locus influences susceptibility, progression, and need for surgery in CD. However, the contribution of OCTN1/2 variants is not independent of the IBD5 haplotype; a causative role for these genes remains plausible but is not yet proven. Further genetic, functional, and expression data are now required. </p

EFFECT OF MATERNAL DIETARY ENERGY SOURCE ON GLUCOSE HOMEOSTASIS, LIVER GLYCOGEN AND CARCASS LIPID IN THE NEONATAL PIG

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementary dietary energy (carbohydrate versus fat) fed to sows during late gestation on energy storage and glucose homeostasis in neonatal pigs. In the first experiment, 28 crossbred sows received one of two dietary treatments that were initiated on day 100 of gestation. The control group was fed daily 1.82 kg of a corn-soybean meal-based diet plus an additional .18 kg of cornstarch. Their counterparts were fed 1.82 kg of a cornsoybean meal diet containing 8% bleachable fancy tallow. The effect of maternal dietary energy source during late gestation on glucose homeostasis was evaluated by fasting pigs from birth (t0), whereas the gestation-lactation effect was evaluated by fasting pigs after they had nursed the sow for 24 hr (t24). Pigs on the tallow treatment responded differently to the to fast, as determined by the patterns of plasma glucose (treatment x time, P\u3c.05) and free fatty acids (treatment x time, P\u3c.10). The tallow group maintained a slightly higher glucose concentration during the initial 24 hr, after which no difference was observed. Control pigs reached a peak free fatty acid (FFA) concentration by 12 hr, whereas the tallow group reached a maximum by 24 hr, which corresponded with declining glucose concentration. Pigs on the t24 tallow treatment maintained a slightly higher plasma glucose concentration during the initial 24 hr of fasting (12 hr - 68.3 vs 63.2 mg/l00 ml; 24 hr - 67.1 vs 56.3 mg/100 ml); however, no significant treatment effect or treatment x time interaction was observed. Pigs on the tallow treatment maintained a higher, although not significantly different, plasma FFA concentration during the fast (144 / μeq/liter) than pigs in the control group (126 / μeq/liter). In the second experiment, progeny of 12 sows were sacrificed immediately after birth. The respective carcass lipid (percentage) and liver glycogen (milligrams/ gram) concentrations for pigs from sows fed the control and tallow diets were 1.48, 229.1 vs 1.50, 234.9. The liver glycogen to body weight ratio (milligrams:gram) was 7.1 and 7.8 for the control and tallow groups, respectively

Response of Different Genetic Lines of Boars to Varying Levels of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of various levels of dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) on performance, soundness and blood and bone parameters of different genetic lines of boars fed under variable environmental conditions. The first experiment compared different genetic lines of boars fed two levels of dietary Ca and P. Forty purebred (Large White) and Nebraska Gene Pool boars were allotted by breed and initial weight to two levels of dietary Ca and P (.65 Ca/.50% P and 1.3% Ca/1.0% P)

Vertical migration maintains phytoplankton position in a tidal channel with residual flow

A tidal channel can retain phytoplankton, despite a residual flow, if the phytoplankton migrate vertically with a daily rhythm. Tidal currents are slowed down by bed friction and so plankton experience faster flow when higher in the water column. The lateral movement of the plankton depends on the nature of the vertical migration, particularly the time spent near the surface and the phase of the tide. A model of this process accorded with observations of chlorophyll derived from in situ fluorescence at a mooring in a tidal channel. Peaks in chlorophyll at the end of the flood tide indicated the presence of a phytoplankton bloom downstream of the mooring. Peaks in chlorophyll at the ends of the morning flood tides were 3 to 4 times larger than at the ends of the evening floods, over several days. In contrast, well-mixed particulates were removed from the channel by the residual flow in just 2 d. Both the day-night asymmetry and the sustained presence of chlorophyll were explained by allowing for vertical migration of the phytoplankton and constraining the period during which they were near the surface. Tidal channels retaining phytoplankton that migrate vertically can be ecologically more diverse and yield higher commercial output of farmed bivalves. The natural timings of some phytoplankton blooms in tidal channels are controlled by the nature of the migration. Although a by-product of vertical migration, longer residence in the tidal channel affords the phytoplankton more nutrients than phytoplankton that advect offshore

Assessment and parameter identification of simplified models to describe the kinetics of semi continuous biomethane production from anaerobic digestion of green and food waste

Biochemical reactions occurring during anaerobic digestion have been modelled using reaction kinetic equations such as first-order, Contois and Monod which are then combined to form mechanistic models. This work considers models which include between one and three biochemical reactions to investigate if the choice of the reaction rate equation, complexity of the model structure as well as the inclusion of inhibition plays a key role in the ability of the model to describe the methane production from the semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of green waste (GW) and food waste (FW). A parameter estimation method was used to investigate the most important phenomena influencing the biogas production process. Experimental data were used to numerically estimate the model parameters and the quality of fit was quantified. Results obtained reveal that the model structure (i.e. number of reactions, inhibition) has a much stronger influence on the quality of fit compared with the choice of kinetic rate equations. In the case of GW there was only a marginal improvement when moving from a one to two reaction model, and none with inclusion of inhibition or three reactions. However, the behaviour of FW digestion was more complex and required either a two or three reaction model with inhibition functions for both ammonia and volatile fatty acids. Parameter values for the best fitting models are given for use by other authors

Representation of Instantaneous and Short-Term Loudness in the Human Cortex.

Acoustic signals pass through numerous transforms in the auditory system before perceptual attributes such as loudness and pitch are derived. However, relatively little is known as to exactly when these transformations happen, and where, cortically or sub-cortically, they occur. In an effort to examine this, we investigated the latencies and locations of cortical entrainment to two transforms predicted by a model of loudness perception for time-varying sounds: the transforms were instantaneous loudness and short-term loudness, where the latter is hypothesized to be derived from the former and therefore should occur later in time. Entrainment of cortical activity was estimated from electro- and magneto-encephalographic (EMEG) activity, recorded while healthy subjects listened to continuous speech. There was entrainment to instantaneous loudness bilaterally at 45, 100, and 165 ms, in Heschl's gyrus, dorsal lateral sulcus, and Heschl's gyrus, respectively. Entrainment to short-term loudness was found in both the dorsal lateral sulcus and superior temporal sulcus at 275 ms. These results suggest that short-term loudness is derived from instantaneous loudness, and that this derivation occurs after processing in sub-cortical structures.This work was supported by an ERC Advanced Grant (230570, ‘Neurolex’) to WMW, and by MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (CBU) funding to WMW (U.1055.04.002.00001.01). Computing resources were provided by the MRC-CBU.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Frontiers via http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2016.0018

Evidence gathering in support of sustainable Scottish inshore fisheries: work package (8) final report: establishing a dedicated information resource base for Scottish inshore fisheries – a pilot study

[Extract from Executive Summary] This study was undertaken by Poseidon and Acoura for the Scottish Sustainable Inshore Fisheries (SSIF) Project and was completed from July 2014 to June 2015. The objectives of the project were met as it delivered: 1. A searchable database of information for Scottish inshore fisheries; 2. The database was populated to identify information shortfalls, updated information and additional information of relevance to the IFG management plans; 3. The potential and specification for a shared information platform.Publisher PD