Search

We study the invariant measure of the transport correlator for a chiral Hamiltonian and analyze its properties. The Jacobian of the invariant measure is a function of random phases. Then we distinguish the invariant measure before and after the phase integration. In the former case we found quantum diffusion of fermions and a uniform zero mode that is associated with particle conservation. After the phase integration the transport correlator reveals two types of evolution processes, namely classical diffusion and back-folded random walks. Which one dominates the other depends on the details of the underlying chiral Hamiltonian and may lead either to classical diffusion or to the suppression of diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study evaluates the regional climate model REMO (v2015) and its new version REMO-iMOVE, including interactive vegetation and plant functional types (PFTs), over two Central Asian domains for the period of 2000–2015 at two different horizontal resolutions (0.44° and 0.11°). Various statistical metrices along with mean bias patterns for precipitation, temperature, and leaf area index have been used for the model evaluation. A better representation of the spatial pattern of precipitation is found at 0.11° resolution over most of Central Asia. Regarding the mean temperature, both model versions show a high level of agreement with the validation data, especially at the higher resolution. This also reduces the biases in maximum and minimum temperature. Generally, REMO-iMOVE shows an improvement regarding the temperature bias but produces a larger precipitation bias compared to the REMO conventional version with interannually static vegetation. Since the coupled version is capable to simulate the mean climate of Central Asia like its parent version, both can be used for impact studies and future projections. However, regarding the new vegetation scheme and its spatiotemporal representation exemplified by the leaf area index, REMO-iMOVE shows a clear advantage over REMO. This better simulation is caused by the implementation of more realistic and interactive vegetation and related atmospheric processes which consequently add value to the regional climate model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Localization by a broken particleâ€"hole (PH) symmetry in a random system of non-interacting quantum particles is studied on a d -dimensional lattice. Our approach is based on a chiral symmetry argument and the corresponding invariant measure, where the latter is described by a Grassmann functional integral. Within a loop expansion we find for small loops diffusion in the case of PH symmetry. Breaking the PH symmetry results in the creation of random dimers, which suppress diffusion and lead to localization on the scale D / | ÎĽ | , where D is the effective diffusion coefficient at PH symmetry and ÎĽ is the parameter related to PH symmetry breaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the evolution of an entangled many-body state in a Josephson tunneling junction and its dependence on the number of bosons and interaction strength. A N00N state, which is a superposition of two complementary Fock states, appears in the evolution with sufficient probability only for a moderate many-body interaction on an intermediate time scale. This time scale is inversely proportional to the tunneling rate. Many-body interaction strongly supports entanglement: The probability for creating an entangled state decays exponentially with the number of particles without many-body interaction, whereas it decays only like the inverse square root of the number of particles in the presence of many-body interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A disordered photonic crystal with spectral degeneracies in the form of Dirac nodes is considered. Disorder can create a random gap at the Dirac nodes, which leads to the formation of random edge modes. We study the distribution of these edge modes and find from symmetry considerations that the discrete anisotropy of the photonic crystal is spontaneously broken for the propagation of photons from a local photon source. This effect can be understood as the spontaneous creation of a ray mode or as the creation of a one-dimensional waveguide in a two-dimensional photonic crystal through strong random scattering. The phenomenon must be distinguished from Anderson localization of photons in a single band crystal and can be considered as angular localization, since it creates geometric states rather than confining the photons to an area of the size of the localization length. The propagation of the photon intensity is described by a Fokker-Planck equation, whose drift term is determined by the spectrum of the photonic crystal near the Dirac node. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The original article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-022-04233-y. B Correction to: Theoretical and Applied Climatology b https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-022-04233-y We noticed an incorrect sentence ("The authors declare competing interests") in the "Declaration of competing interest" part which should be changed to "The authors declare no competing interests" to avoid any confusion or problems related to this in the future. [Extracted from the article]

We study a weakly disordered 2D electron gas with two bands and a spectral node within the weak-localization approach and compare its results with those of Gaussian fluctuations around the self-consistent Born approximation. The appearance of diffusive modes depends on the type of disorder. In particular, we find for a random gap a diffusive mode only from ladder contributions, whereas for a random scalar potential the diffusive mode is created by ladder and by maximally crossed contributions. The ladder (maximally crossed) contributions correspond to fermionic (bosonic) Gaussian fluctuations. We calculate the conductivity corrections from the density–density Kubo formula and find a good agreement with the experimentally observed V-shape conductivity of graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Germany, sugar beet is often rotated with 2 years of cereal. Extensive fallow periods between cereal harvest and autumn primary tillage allow for a weed flora to develop. Broad-leaved weeds could potentially be alternate hosts for the common nematode Heterodera schachtii, one of the most important pests of sugar beet. Between 2009 and 2012, annual weeds developing in cereal stubble fields during July to mid-October in the season prior to sugar beet were surveyed, including known hosts of H. schachtii. Yearly weather patterns and agronomic practices possibly impacted weed species composition and weed population densities. During September, Chenopodium album, Cirsium arvense, Convolvulus arvensis, Mercurialis annua, Polygonum spp., Solanum nigrum and Sonchus spp. occurred at the highest frequencies. Weed hosts of H. schachtii were present, but densities, frequencies and uniformity were limited. In 2010 and 2011, staining for nematodes in roots revealed juvenile penetration of some weeds but few adult stages. No indication of nematode reproduction of H. schachtii was found on these weed hosts. A fairly stable weed flora was detected on stubble fields that could provide some carry over for weed species. An elevated risk for nematode population density build-up on these weeds was not found and management of these weeds at the observed densities during the stubble period for nematological reasons appeared unnecessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We study the properties of the spinor wavefunction in a strongly disordered environment on a two-dimensional lattice. By employing a transfer-matrix calculation we find that there is a transition from delocalized to localized states at a critical value of the disorder strength. We prove that there exists an Anderson localized phase with exponentially decaying correlations for sufficiently strong scattering. Our results indicate that suppressed backscattering is not sufficient to prevent Anderson localization of surface states in topological insulators. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The spectral density of the Rabi model is calculated exactly within a continuedfraction approach. It is shown that the method provides a simple algorithm for the spectral density with convergent solutions. We compare these recursive solutions with the solutions of the Jaynes-Cummings model and discuss the effect of approximations on the spectral properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the scattering dynamics of an n-component spinor wavefunction in a random environment on a two-dimensional lattice. If the particle-hole symmetry of the Hamiltonian is spontaneously broken the dynamics of the quantum particles becomes diffusive on large scales. The latter is described by a non-interacting Grassmann field, indicating a special kind of asymptotic freedom on large scales in d = 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the thermal distribution of phonons in a honeycomb lattice. Due to the two electronic bands there are two out-of-plane phonon modes with respect to the two sublattices. One of these modes undergoes an Ising transition by spontaneously breaking the sublattice symmetry. We calculate the critical point, the renormalization of the phonon frequency and the average lattice distortion. This transition might be observable in doped graphene by Raman scattering and transport experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We consider the problem of mode estimation in the fixed-design regression model, the regression function having a unique non-smooth mode. We estimate the mode by maximization over the curve estimator, which is given as a weighted mean of the observations, including most of the common kernel estimators, such as Gasser–Müller, Priestley–Chao and Nadaraya–Watson. To obtain optimal rates of convergence of the mode estimator, we first derive upper bounds, where we benefit from the contrast of the curve at the mode rather than taking into account the rate of uniform convergence of the curve estimator. In a next step we show that these rates are also optimal. We prove our results for -mixing observations, and a non-smooth regression function that is only assumed to be Hölder continuous. Our method consists in a rather direct evaluation of the mean squared error of the empirical mode, using a recent moment inequality of Rosenthal type due to Yang [2007. Maximal moment inequality for partial sums of strong mixing sequences and application. Acta Math. Sinica 23, 1013–1024] for mixing random variables. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common disturbance in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other higher-level gait disorders. It appears most often during the later stages of PD but is seen also during the initial phases before oral substitution of levodopa has started. The disorder has its own pathophysiology and differs from bradykinesia. It can occur both on and off medication. It interferes with activities of daily life, reduces mobility, and is an important risk factor for falling. While patients with FOG during medication do not reliably respond to pharmacotherapy or deep brain stimulation, external cues have been demonstrated that influence FOG effectively. They are applied as auditory, visual, tactile, or mental cues. This article discusses available pharmacological and physiotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of FOG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Scattering of light by a random stack of dielectric layers represents a one-dimensional scattering problem, where the scattered field is a three-dimensional vector field. We investigate the dependence of the scattering properties (band gaps and Anderson localization) on the wavelength, strength of randomness and relative angle of the incident wave. There is a characteristic angular dependence of Anderson localization for wavelengths close to the thickness of the layers. In particular, the localization length varies non-monotonously with the angle. In contrast to Anderson localization, absorptive layers do not have this characteristic angular dependence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Motivated by recent experiments which found substantial disorder in graphene we discuss transport in the presence of weak and strong disorder on a honeycomb lattice. Assuming that disorder is mostly due to ripples in the graphene sheet, a model for random bonds is studied. Several approaches are discussed and their results in terms of the conductivity are compared. This leads to the conclusion that transport in graphene must be of diffusive nature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A mixture of light and heavy spin-polarized fermionic atoms in an optical lattice is considered. Tunneling of the heavy atoms is neglected such that they are only subject to thermal fluctuations. This results in a complex interplay between light and heavy atoms caused by quantum tunneling of the light atoms. The distribution of the heavy atoms is studied. It can be described by an Ising-like distribution with a first-order transition from homogeneous to staggered order. The latter is caused by an effective nonlocal interaction due to quantum tunneling of light atoms. A second-order transition is also possible between an ordered and a disordered phase of heavy atoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Helmholtz equation is the starting point to study an electromagnetic wave scattered by a random medium. For the special case of local scatterers a random matrix representation is derived. After a brief review of the concepts of weak localization (i.e. coherent backscattering) and strong (or Anderson) localization, an example for localization of electromagnetic waves in a one-dimensional array of scatterers is discussed using a numerical calculation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Hubbard model is used as a starting point for a study of an electronic system with spin ½. Using a functional integral representation at half-filling it is demonstrated that the spin degeneracy is equivalent to dynamic Ising spins coupled to the fermions. A magnetic phase transition of the model is related to a transition of the Ising spins from a paramagnetic to an antiferromagnetic phase. A metal-insulator transition in the paramagnetic phase can be described within this approach by the Green's function of non-interacting fermions, coupled to Ising spins. This picture is compared with the earlier Ising spin representation of the Hubbard model by Hirsch and discussed in terms of a small hopping amplitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT. For a sample taken from an i.i.d, sequence of Poisson point processes with not necessarily finite unknown intensity measure the arithmetic mean is shown to be an estimator which is consistent uniformly on certain classes of functions. The method is a reduction to the case of finite intensity measure, which in turn can be dealt with using empirical process methods. A functional central limit theorem is also established in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-dimensional model for quantum percolation with variable tunnelling range is studied. For this purpose the Lifshitz distribution is considered where the disorder enters the Hamiltonian via the non-diagonal hopping elements. We employ a numerical method to analyse the level statistics of this model. It turns out that the level repulsion is strongest around the percolation threshold. As we go away from the maximum level repulsion a cross-over from a Gaussian orthogonal ensemble type of behaviour to a Poisson-like distribution is revealed. The localization properties are calculated by using the sensitivity to boundary conditions and we find a cross-over from localized to delocalized states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the uptake of taurocholic acid and cholic acid in isolated hepatocytes from rainbow trout. Energy dependence of bile acids; Isosmotic replacement of extracellular Na+ by Li+; Transport efficiency at low temperatures.

Intracavitary application of ultrasound was first performed for diagnostic purposes in 1967; since that time, it has been more and more widely used. As far as the gastrointestinal tract is concerned, endoscopically controlled ultrasonic probes provide visualization of the various layers of the intestinal wall. It is therefore possible to describe lesions of the esophagus, stomach, and the rectum with regard to their nature and depth of infiltration. Furthermore, periesophageal and perigastric organs can be visualized. It has become evident that endosonography is particularly important for pretherapeutic staging of tumors of the esophagus, stomach, and rectum. Here prospective comparative studies confirm the superiority of this new diagnostic procedure when compared to the methods available to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The average density of states in a disordered three-dimensional Weyl system is discussed in the case of a continuous distribution of random scattering. Our results clearly indicate that the average density of states does not vanish, reflecting the absence of a critical point for a metal-insulator transition. This calculation supports recent suggestions of an avoided quantum critical point in the disordered three-dimensional Weyl semimetal. However, the effective density of states can be very small such that the saddle-approximation with a vanishing density of states might be valid for practical cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The average density of states of two- and three-dimensional Weyl fermions is studied in the self-consistent Born approximation (SCBA) and its corrections. The latter have been organized in terms of a 1/N expansion. It turns out that an expansion in terms of the disorder strength is not applicable, as previously mentioned by other authors. Nevertheless, the 1/N expansion provides a justification of the SCBA as the large N limit of Weyl fermions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a method to determine the losses and gain of Q-switched end-pumped lasers. Identification of laser mode overlaps through oscillation frequencies; Analysis of inversion density and intensity distribution in transverse modes; Relevance of inversion distribution for the end-pumped systems.

Northwest Africa (NWA) 8418 is an unusual chondrite whose properties do not exactly match those of any other known chondrite. It has similarities to the CV (Vigarano group), CK (Karoonda group), and CL (Loongana group) chondrites, but its abundance of large calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs) and the low NiO content (<0.2 wt%) of its matrix olivine ally it most closely with the CV group. The absence of grossular, monticellite, wollastonite, and sodalite from the alteration products of the CAIs; the magnesium‐rich nature of the matrix olivines (Fa38) relative to that of the CV3 chondrites (~Fa50); and the presence of secondary Na‐bearing plagioclase and chlorapatite indicate a metamorphic temperature >600 °C. NWA 8418 contains kamacite, taenite, and troilite, and lacks magnetite and pentlandite. We propose that NWA 8418 be reclassified as a reduced CV4 chondrite, which makes it the first CV chondrite of petrologic type 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The restricted tropism of the polyomavirus JC virus (JCV) makes pathogenesis-related studies challenging. Because of the difficulties in cultivating JCV, most pathogenesis studies have employed SV4O-derived cell lines or JCV/SV4O chimeras that utilize composite enhancer sequences from both viruses. The objective was to study the early genes expressed by JCV to better understand viral gene regulation. Subconfluent monolayers of primary human fetal glial cells were transfected with ligated full-length JCV DNA and replication was confirmed at days 5 and 10.

Traditionally, the HIRT extraction method using phenol and chloroform, is employed to selectively extract low-molecular weight DNA to conduct poly- omavirus DNA replication assays. imens. To hasten the procedure of pofyomavirus DNA replicatibn assay and to enhance reproducibility, we compared the DNA quality and yield using Qiagen Spin Column technology and the HIRT extraction method. CV-1 cells were transfected with 5V40 DNA, cells were harvested at days 2, 4 and 6, and DNA was extracted using the Qiagen Spin Column and the HIRT extraction methods.

We study the expansion dynamics of a condensate in a strongly interacting Bose gas in the presence of an obstacle. Our focus is on the generation of shock waves after the Bose gas has passed the obstacle. The strongly interacting Bose gas is described in the slave-boson representation. A saddle-point approximation provides a nonlinear equation of motion for the macroscopic wave function, analogous to the Gross–Pitaevskii equation of a weakly interacting Bose gas but with different nonlinearity. We compare the results with the Gross–Pitaevskii dynamics of a weakly interacting Bose gas and find a similar behavior with a slower behavior of the strongly interacting system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pancreatic enucleation is associated with a low operative mortality and preserved pancreatic parenchyma. However, enucleation is an uncommon operation, and good comparative data with resection are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this analysis was to compare the outcomes of pancreatic enucleation and resection. Material and Methods: From 1998 through 2010, 45 consecutive patients with small (mean, 2.3 cm) pancreatic lesions underwent enucleation. These patients were matched with 90 patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy ( n = 38) or distal pancreatectomy ( n = 52). Serious morbidity was defined in accordance with the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Outcomes were compared with standard statistical analyses. Results: Operative time was shorter (183 vs. 271 min, p < 0.01), and operative blood loss was significantly lower (160 vs. 691 ml, p < 0.01) with enucleation. Fewer patients undergoing enucleation required monitoring in an intensive care unit (20% vs. 41%, p < 0.02). Serious morbidity was less common among patients who underwent enucleation compared to those who had a resection (13% vs. 29%, p = 0.05). Pancreatic endocrine (4% vs. 17%, p = 0.05) and exocrine (2% vs. 17%, p < 0.05) insufficiency were less common with enucleation. Ten-year survival was no different between enucleation and resection. Conclusion: Compared to resection, pancreatic enucleation is associated with improved operative as well as short- and long-term postoperative outcomes. For small benign and premalignant pancreatic lesions, enucleation should be considered the procedure of choice when technically appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the influence of lattice deformations on the optical conductivity of a two-dimensional electron gas. Lattice deformations are taken into account by introducing a non-Abelian gauge field into the Euclidean action of two-dimensional Dirac electrons. This is in analogy to the introduction of gravitation in four-dimensional quantum field theory. We examine the effect of these deformations on the averaged optical conductivity. Within the perturbative theory up to second order we show that corrections of the conductivity due to the deformations cancel each other exactly. We argue that these corrections vanish to any order in perturbative expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We study strongly attractive fermions in an optical lattice superimposed by a trapping potential. We calculate the densities of fermions and condensed bound molecules at zero temperature. There is a competition between dissociated fermions and molecules leading to a reduction of the density of fermions at the trap center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have performed a theoretical study of electronic transport in single and bilayer graphene based on the standard linear-response (Kubo) formalism and continuum-model descriptions of the graphene band structure. We are focusing especially on the interband contribution to the optical conductivity . Analytical results are obtained for a variety of situations, which allow clear identification of features in that are associated with relevant electronic energy scales. Our work extends previous numerical studies and elucidates ways to infer electronic properties of graphene samples from optical-conductivity measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: We report here on a recently classified ungrouped pallasite Hassi el Biod 002 (HeB 002) which is a unique type both in terms of olivine composition and oxygen isotopes. Along with Milton, HeB 002 is the only other ungrouped pallasite that is not a pyroxene pallasite (PP), however Milton and HeB 002 are not paired, and do not have olivine compositions and oxygen isotopes that are similar [1]. History and Physical Characteristics: HeB 002 was found near a dry riverbed approximately 50 km northwest of Foggaret Ezzoua in Salah Province, Algeria in 2020. The total known weight of HeB 002 is approximately 10 kg. Saw cut surfaces show angular cm-sized dark-orange olivine grains set in metal (figure 1). There are also smaller scattered olivines set in the host metal. The modal abundances are approximately 60% metal, 38% olivine, 2% troilite and chromite. Petrography, Geochemistry, Oxygen Isotopes: Electron microprobe analysis and imaging reveal the presence of magnesian olivine, kamacite, and minor troilite and chromite. No other phases were detected with both EPMA and SEM searches. Olivine Fa7.6±0.1, Fe/Mn=24±1, Fe/Mg=0.082±0.001, n=12; metal Fe=95.4±0.4, Ni=5.2±0.1 wt%, n=5; chromite Cr2O3=67.9±0.7, Al2O3=1.6±0.3, FeO=18.2±1.8, MgO=8.0±1.2, MnO=1.1±0.3 wt%, n=3. Oxygen isotopes: 6 acid-washed fragments analyzed by laser fluorination gave d18O= 2.820, 3.390, 3.386, 3.186, 2.910, 3.341; δ17O= 0.338, 0.440, 0.650; Δ17O= -1.151, -1.350, -1.138, -1.165, -1.142, -1.161 (linearized, all per mil, TFL slope=0.528) with mean values δ18O=3.172±0.251, δ17O=0.490±0.122, Δ17O= -1.185±0.082. Unique Pallasite Hassi el Biod 002: HeB 002 clearly possesses all the textural characteristics of a pallasite, however it has unique charcteristics that set it distinctly apart from the Pallasite Main Group (PMG), the Eagle Station Group (ESG), as well other ungrouped or anomalous pallasites. For example, its oxygen isotope values occupy a location in triple oxygen isotope space that is different from other known pallasites. Interestingly, HeB 002 oxygen isotope values are coincident with the acapulcoite-lodranite group, suggesting a possible genetic link (figure 2). HeB 002 also has olivine compositions that are more magnesian than any other known pallasite (Fa7.6±0.1, Fe/Mg=0.082±0.001) with the lowest Fe/Mn values (24±1) ever reported in pallasite olivine [2]. These HeB 002 olivine values resemble the more magneisn members of the acapulcoitelodranite group as well as olivines in winonaites. Chromite elemental values in HeB 002 also appear to be anomalous with respect to other pallasites. In particular Fe/Mn and Al/Cr values are among the lowest ever reported in pallasite chromite. Acapulcoite/Lodranite-Like Parent Body for Hassi el Biod 002: Because Main group pallasites have triple oxygen isotope values similar to HED and mesosiderites it has been proposed that PMGs are possibly derived from Vesta-like parent body [3]. Likewise Eagle Station pallasites and some carbonaceous chondrites appear to have a genetic relationship as seen in similar stable isotope values [4]. In the case of HeB 002, as discussed above, an acapulcoite/lodranite-like parent body seems plausible and more work is needed on HeB 002 to further test this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Metal-rich achondrites include a variety of types, and likely have a variety of origins. Models range from gravitational mixing at the core-mantle boundaries of differentatiated asteroids, to complex impact mixing scenarios. We describe a new type of metal-rich achondrite that might be the first metal-rich ureilite. Sample: Tin-Essako (TE) 001 (~4.3 kg) was found in Mali in 2020 and purchased by Jay Piatek in 2021. It was classified as a metal-rich ungrouped achondrite, with olivine and oxygen isotope (avg. δ18O=8.281‰, δ17O=3.718 ‰, Δ17O=-0.654‰) compositions suggesting affinity to ureilites [1]. We studied one polished section (~188 mm²). Petrography: TE 001 consists of ~60% metal and 40% silicates, heterogeneously distributed (Fig. 1a). The metal is largely fresh, but iron oxides (presumably terrestrial) occur along one edge and in some patches and veins. The silicates are ≥90% olivine, plus melt-textured areas of plagioclase + Si-rich glass. Minor phases are chromite and carbon. Olivine occurs as rounded grains (≤2.5 mm) in metal, commonly with rims of melt-textured plagioclase + glass. Olivine also occurs in massive areas having a "honeycomb" texture (Fig. 1b), with olivine "cells" surrounded by a network of interstitial reduced olivine (full of tiny metal grains) plus melt-textured plagioclase + Sirich glass (Fig. 1c). Chromite occurs as subhedral to rounded grains (~30-500 μm) included in olivine or metal. A carbon phase occurs as lacy-textured (fibrous) rims around olivine grains or patches within metal. Mineral Compositions: The olivine (excluding interstitial areas) is Fo 73.9±0.5, with 0.25±0.02 wt.% CaO, 0.31±0.01 wt.% Cr2O3, 0.01 wt.% NiO, and molar Fe/Mn=49.8±2.2 (53 analyses). Olivine in interstitial areas has Fo up to at least 91. Smaller chromite grains have Fe# (molar Fe/[Fe+Mg]) = 0.54±0.01, Cr# (molar Cr/[Cr+Al]) = 0.52±0.01, 0.52±0.02 wt.% V2O3 and 0.21±0.04 wt.% ZnO (28 analyses). One larger grain is zoned from Fe# = 0.45, Cr# = 0.52 to Fe# = 0.40, Cr# = 0.57, and contains thin Al-rich lamellae not resolved by EMPA. One irregularly shaped patch of chromite in olivine has Fe# = 0.26 and contains no ZnO. Plagioclase laths are An ~53-60, with ≤0.01 wt.% K2O. Glass contains 75-76 wt.% SiO2 and ~16 wt.% Al2O3. The metal contains 5.2±0.2 wt.% Ni, 0.46±0.02 wt.% Co, and 0.01±0.01 wt.% Cr, with Si and P below detection (168 analyses). Discussion: The olivine + chromite assemblage in TE 001 is suggestive of the most ferroan ureilites (Fo ~75-77 [2]), as are the oxygen isotopes [1]. The presence of a carbon phase supports this, though the identity of this phase (graphite as in ureilites?) remains to be determined. The "honeycomb" textured areas, in particular, the presence of "reduction rims," resemble shock-smelted olivine in ureilites [3], but melt-textured areas of plagioclase laths + glass like those in TE 001 have not been reported in such (or any) ureilites. Olivine in TE 001 is marginally more ferroan than in the most ferroan ureilite, with Fe/Mg-Fe/Mn offset from the trend of olivine + low-Ca pyroxene ureilites (similar to augite-bearing ureilites) [2]. CaO and Cr2O3 contents are in the range of those in ureilite olivine [4], though Cr2O3 is at the extreme low end of the range [5]. Chromites (except the unusual one) have similar Fe# to the most ferroan chromites in ureilites [2], but lower Cr# (0.52 vs. 0.71). Metal compositions are in the range for metal in ureilites [6]. The absence of pyroxene and sulfide, and high abundance of metal, in TE 001, are unlike ureilites. One possibility is that a ferroan, chromite-bearing, pyroxene-poor ureilite was invaded (possibly due to impact) by a metallic liquid (the low S content suggests very high temperature), resulting in complete melting of pyroxene and smelting of olivine, with rapid recrystallization of melted silicate as plagioclase + glass. Alternatively, a preexisting metal-rich ureilite assemblage may have been impact melted. Additional types of data will be obtained to evaluate these and other hypotheses (i.e., is the metal indigenous?) and assess affinity to ureilites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Northwest Africa 12380 (NWA 12380) is an L3 chondrite containing a clast with a unique assemblage of minerals produced by pre-terestrial aqueous alteration [1]. Although the host meteorite has experienced significant terrestrial weathering (W3) [2], preliminary petrography and mineral-chemical analysis suggested that the clast originated as an especially wet L3 chondrite lithology prior to incorporation in the host [1]. Results: Major, minor, and trace element data were obtained using ICPMS on both host and clast (Fig. 1). Given the strong similarity between the host and clast siderophile abundances, we conclude that the host and clast are from the same chemical group. Bulk compositions resemble those in L- or LL-chondrites (Fig. 1), consistent with probable L group membership for both [2]. Both clast and (especially) host show the chemical effects of terrestrial weathering, but only the clast is significantly depleted in soluble alkali elements Na, Rb, and Cs (Fig. 1), consistent with the low amount of feldspathic material in the clast [1] and suggesting break-down of feldspathic glass and open-system removal of alkali elements from the clast by pre-terrestrial and pre-brecciation aqueous alteration. The oxygen isotopic composition of clasr aliquots form a mass-dependent trend from an average L-chondrite value, different from the mass-independent trend shown for the host (Fig. 2), which can be explained by dominant aqueous alteration in the clast, and a shift to higher ẟ18O and lower Δ17O caused by terrestrial weathering in a warm climate for the host. Raman spectroscopy confirms the presence [1] in the clast of a saponite/montmorillonite mixture, jarosite, and cronstedtite, with additional identification of laihunite, hematite, goethite, and abundant macromolecular carbon (MMC) distinct from a few flecks of MMC in the host. The occasional flecks of MMC in the host are found only between chondrules. Two forms of MMC appear to be disseminated throughout the clast, both within and between chondrules. Additionally, a fine-grained MMC-rich lump (Fig. 3) appears to be an exogenous clast. Conclusion: A unique clast in NWA 12380 was aqueously-altered on the L-chondrite parent body prior to becoming incorporated in the host. The source for water could have been also a source of macromolecular carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO) is seen as the golden standard treatment in children with cerebral palsy and internal rotation gait. Variable outcomes with cases of over- and undercorrection mainly in the less involved patients have been reported. The determination of the amount of derotation is still inconsistent. 138 patients (age: 11 (±3.3) years) with cerebral palsy and internal rotation gait were examined pre- and 1 year postoperatively after distal or proximal FDO, using standardized clinical examination and 3D gait analysis. Three groups were defined retrospectively depending on the amount of derotation in relation to the mean hip rotation in stance (MHR) during gait analysis: Group A (derotation angle > MHR + 10°), Group B (derotation angle = MHR ± 10°), Group C (derotation angle < MHR − 10°), and compared according to their postoperative mean hip rotation. ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test was used for statistics ( p < 0.05). Group B had the greatest benefit with the highest rate (86%) of good results (postoperative MHR = ±15°). In contrast there were 14% cases of overcorrection and 5% cases of deterioration in Group A with only 81% good results and only 79% good results in Group C. It can be concluded, that it is less likely to have unsatisfactory outcomes if the amount of FDO is defined according to the findings of gait analysis compared with clinical examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the electronic states of graphene in piecewise constant potentials using the continuum Dirac equation appropriate at low energies and a transfer matrix method. For superlattice potentials, we identify patterns of induced Dirac points that are present throughout the band structure and verify for the special case of a particle-hole symmetric potential their presence at zero energy. We also consider the cases of a single trench and a p-n junction embedded in neutral graphene, which are shown to support confined states. An analysis of conductance across these structures demonstrates that these confined states create quantum interference effects, which evidence their presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A collection of 810 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from wine and cider was screened for potential biogenic amine (BA) producers by combining molecular and phenotypic approaches. A newly developed multiplex PCR method allowed for the simultaneous detection of four genes involved in the production of histamine (histidine decarboxylase, hdc), tyramine (tyrosine decarboxylase, tyrdc) and putrescine (via either ornithine decarboxylase, odc, or agmatine deiminase, agdi) while TLC and HPLC analysis allowed for BA-production determination. One hundred and fifty-eight LAB strains were monitored by the molecular/phenotypic double approach and revealed a good correlation between genotypic and phenotypic data. Eighteen per cent of the tested strains were positive for at least one BA target gene with up to three detected simultaneously, in particular amongst Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus hilgardii isolates for the tyrdc and agdi genes. The most frequent gene corresponded to the agdi gene detected in 112 strains (14% of all LAB strains) of 10 different LAB species. The tyrdc gene was detected in 67 strains represented by 7 different LAB species (8% overall), especially those isolated from wine. Lower levels of hdc + (2% of strains) and especially odc + (0.5% of strains) strains were observed. Interestingly, species that have never been described to carry BA-producing pathway genes were identified in this study. Furthermore, only one cadaverine-producer was detected and corresponded to Lactobacillus 30a, a collection strain not found in fermented beverages, although cadaverine is commonly detected in wines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Screening is an unsolved problem for ovarian cancer (OvCA). As late detection is equivalent to poor prognosis, we analysed whether OvCA patients show diagnostically meaningful microRNA (miRNA) patterns in blood cells.Methods: Blood-borne whole miRNome profiles from 24 patients with OvCA and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were biostatistically evaluated.Results: Student's t-test revealed 147 significantly deregulated miRNAs before and 4 after Benjamini-Hochberg adjustment. Although these included miRNAs already linked to OvCA (e.g., miR-16, miR-155), others had never before been connected to specific diseases. A bioinformatically calculated miRNA profile allowed for discrimination between blood samples of OvCA patients and healthy controls with an accuracy of >76%. When only cancers of the serous subtype were considered and compared with an extended control group (n=39), accuracy, specificity and sensitivity all increased to >85%.Conclusion: Our proof-of-principle study strengthens the hypothesis that neoplastic diseases generate characteristic miRNA fingerprints in blood cells. Still, the obtained OvCA-associated miRNA pattern is not yet sensitive and specific enough to permit the monitoring of disease progression or even preventive screening. Microarray-based miRNA profiling from peripheral blood could thus be combined with other markers to improve the notoriously difficult but important screening for OvCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic properties of graphene, a two-dimensional crystal of carbon atoms, are exceptionally novel. For instance, the low-energy quasiparticles in graphene behave as massless chiral Dirac fermions which has led to the experimental observation of many interesting effects similar to those predicted in the relativistic regime. Graphene also has immense potential to be a key ingredient of new devices, such as single molecule gas sensors, ballistic transistors and spintronic devices. Bilayer graphene, which consists of two stacked monolayers and where the quasiparticles are massive chiral fermions, has a quadratic low-energy band structure which generates very different scattering properties from those of the monolayer. It also presents the unique property that a tunable band gap can be opened and controlled easily by a top gate. These properties have made bilayer graphene a subject of intense interest. In this review, we provide an in-depth description of the physics of monolayer and bilayer graphene from a theorist's perspective. We discuss the physical properties of graphene in an external magnetic field, reflecting the chiral nature of the quasiparticles near the Dirac point with a Landau level at zero energy. We address the unique integer quantum Hall effects, the role of electron correlations, and the recent observation of the fractional quantum Hall effect in the monolayer graphene. The quantum Hall effect in bilayer graphene is fundamentally different from that of a monolayer, reflecting the unique band structure of this system. The theory of transport in the absence of an external magnetic field is discussed in detail, along with the role of disorder studied in various theoretical models. Recent experminental observations of a metal-insulator transition in hydrogenated graphene is discussed in terms of a self-consistent theory and compared with related numerical simulations. We highlight the differences and similarities between monolayer and bilayer graphene, and focus on thermodynamic properties such as the compressibility, the plasmon spectra, the weak localization correction, quantum Hall effect and optical properties. Confinement of electrons in graphene is non-trivial due to Klein tunnelling. We review various theoretical and experimental studies of quantum confined structures made from graphene. The band structure of graphene nanoribbons and the role of the sublattice symmetry, edge geometry and the size of the nanoribbon on the electronic and magnetic properties are very active areas of research, and a detailed review of these topics is presented. Also, the effects of substrate interactions, adsorbed atoms, lattice defects and doping on the band structure of finite-sized graphene systems are discussed. We also include a brief description of graphane-gapped material obtained from graphene by attaching hydrogen atoms to each carbon atom in the lattice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart transplantation is commonly considered to be the only option available for patients with congenital heart defects and/or individuals with terminal heart failure. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) can damage the heart and prolong recovery. Common complications of IRI include graft rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy, graft dysfunction, and chronic kidney disease. Solutions of omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids and bear bile acids have been found to attenuate IRI. This study observes the protection conferred by these agents in isolated muscle bundles as well as on ex-vivo perfused hearts Diaphragm skeletal muscle bundles are harvested from swine. Each individual bundle is placed in an isolated tissue bath measuring twitch force. Muscle bundles are stimulated and the force of contraction is recorded. Baseline and pretreatment data is collected for 1 hour each. Following pretreatment nitrogen gas is bubbled to induce hypoxia. Recovery force data is collected for 5 hours. Recorded data is normalized to baseline and analyzed.Additionally, swine hearts were pretreated for 1 hour before explant and subsequent reanimation on the Visible Heart Apparatus. Left ventricular pressure was collected for 2 hours post-reanimation. Preliminary results indicate pretreatment protects and increases muscle contractile function compared to controls. Increased function was observed in bundles that received omega-3 and omega-6 treatment before hypoxia and improved recovery was observed when combined with bear bile acids. Reanimated hearts show an increased left ventricular pressure differential after pretreatment The preliminary investigations in diminishing IRI suggest there are promising applications of omega-3, omega-6, and bear bile acid treatments, specifically in heart transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]