Demographic noise can lead to the spontaneous formation of species

When a collection of phenotypically diverse organisms compete with each other for limited resources, the population can evolve into tightly localised clusters. Past studies have neglected the effects of demographic noise and studied the population on a macroscopic scale, where cluster formation is found to depend on the shape of the curve describing the decline of competition strength with phenotypic distance. Here we show how including the effects of demographic noise leads to a radically different conclusion. Two situations are identified: a weak-noise regime in which the population exhibits patterns of fluctuation around the macroscopic description, and a strong-noise regime where clusters appear spontaneously even in the case that all organisms have equal fitness. editor's choice Copyright (C) EPLA, 2012

High-capacity hydrogen and nitric oxide adsorption and storage in a metal-organic framework

Gas adsorption experiments have been carried out on a copper benzene tricarboxylate metal-organic framework material, HKUST-1. Hydrogen adsorption at 1 and 10 bar (both 77 K) gives an adsorption capacity of 11.16 mmol H-2 per g of HKUST-1 (22.7 mg g(-1), 2.27 wt %) at 1 bar and 18 mmol per g (36.28 mg g(-1), 3.6 wt %) at 10 bar. Adsorption of D-2 at 1 bar (77 K) is between 1.09 (at 1 bar) and 1.20(at < 100 mbar) times the H-2 values depending on the pressure, agreeing with the theoretical expectations. Gravimetric adsorption measurements of NO on HKUST-1 at 196 K (1 bar) gives a large adsorption capacity of similar to 9 mmol g(-1), which is significantly greater than any other adsorption capacity reported on a porous solid. At 298 K the adsorption capacity at 1 bar is just over 3 mmol g(-1). Infra red experiments show that the NO binds to the empty copper metal sites in HKUST-1. Chemiluminescence and platelet aggregometry experiments indicate that the amount of NO recovered on exposure of the resulting complex to water is enough to be biologically active, completely inhibiting platelet aggregation in platelet rich plasma.

Superluminal electromagnetic solitary waves in electron-positron plasmas

The propagation of an electromagnetic wave packet in an electron-positron plasma, in the form of coupled localized electromagnetic excitations, is investigated, from first principles. By means of the Poincare section method, a special class of superluminal localized nonlinear stationary solutions, existing along a separatrix curve, are proposed as intrinsic electromagnetic modes in a relativistic electron-positron plasma. The ratio of the envelope time scale to the carrier wave time scale of these envelope solitary waves critically depends on the carrier's phase velocity. In the strongly superluminal regime, v(ph)/c >> 1, the large difference between the envelope and carrier time scales enables us to carry out a multiscale perturbative analysis resulting in an analytical form of the solution envelope. The analytical prediction thus obtained is shown to be in agreement with the solution obtained via a direct numerical integration. Copyright (c) EPLA, 2012

Entanglement control via reservoir engineering in ultracold atomic gases

We study the entanglement of two impurity qubits immersed in a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) reservoir. This open quantum system model allows for interpolation between a common dephasing scenario and an independent dephasing scenario by modifying the wavelength of the superlattice superposed to the BEC, and how this influences the dynamical properties of the impurities. We demonstrate the existence of rich dynamics corresponding to different values of reservoir parameters, including phenomena such as entanglement trapping, revivals of entanglement, and entanglement generation. In the spirit of reservoir engineering, we present the optimal BEC parameters for entanglement generation and trapping, showing the key role of the ultracold-gas interactions. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2013

Intensive temperature and quantum correlations for refined quantum measurements

We consider the concept of temperature in a setting beyond the standard thermodynamics prescriptions. Namely, rather than restricting to standard coarse-grained measurements, we consider observers able to master any possible quantum measurement -a scenario that might be relevant at nanoscopic scales. In this setting, we focus on quantum systems of coupled harmonic oscillators and study the question of whether the temperature is an intensive quantity, in the sense that a block of a thermal state can be approximated by an effective thermal state at the same temperature as the whole system. Using the quantum fidelity as figure of merit, we identify instances in which this approximation is not valid, as the block state and the reference thermal state are distinguishable for refined measurements. Actually, there are situations in which this distinguishability even increases with the block size. However, we also show that the two states do become less distinguishable with the block size for coarse-grained measurements -thus recovering the standard picture. We then go further and construct an effective thermal state which provides a good approximation of the block state for any observables and sizes. Finally, we point out the role that entanglement plays in this scenario by showing that, in general, the thermodynamic paradigm of local intensive temperature applies whenever entanglement is not present in the system. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2012

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and fetal macrosomia in uncomplicated pregnancies: A prospective cohort study

Objective: to explore maternal energy balance, incorporating free living physical activity and sedentary behaviour, in uncomplicated pregnancies at risk of macrosomia.

Methods: a parallel-group cross-sectional analysis was conducted in healthy pregnant women predicted to deliver infants weighing Z4000 g (study group) or o4000 g (control group). Women were recruited in a 1:1 ratio from antenatal clinics in Northern Ireland. Women wore a SenseWears Body Media Pro3 physical activity armband and completed a food diary for four consecutive days in the third trimester. Physical activity was measured in Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks (METs) where 1 MET¼1 kcal per kilogram of body weight per hour. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was employed using the General Linear Model to adjust for potential confounders.

Findings: of the 112 women recruited, 100 complete datasets were available for analysis. There was no significant difference in energy balance between the two groups. Intensity of free living physical activity (average METs) of women predicted to deliver macrosomic infants (n¼50) was significantly lower than that of women in the control group (n¼50) (1.3 (0.2) METs (mean, standard deviation) versus 1.2 (0.2) METs; difference in means 0.1 METs (95% confidence interval: 0.19, 0.01); p¼0.021). Women predicted to deliver macrosomic infants also spent significantly more time in sedentary behaviour (r1 MET) than the control group (16.1 (2.8) hours versus 13.8 (4.3) hours; 2.0 hours (0.3, 3.7), p¼0.020).

Key conclusions and implications for practice: although there was no association between predicted fetal macrosomia and energy balance, those women predicted to deliver a macrosomic infant exhibited increased sedentary behaviour and reduced physical activity in the third trimester of pregnancy. Professionals caring for women during pregnancy have an important role in promoting and supporting more active lifestyles amongst women who are predicted to deliver a macrosomic infant given the known associated risks.

Nuclear trafficking and functions of endocytic proteins implicated in oncogenesis

A subset of proteins predominantly associated with early endosomes or implicated in clathrin-mediated endocytosis can shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Although the endocytic functions of these proteins have been extensively studied, much less effort has been expended in exploring their nuclear roles. Membrane trafficking proteins can affect signalling and proliferation and this can be achieved either at a nuclear or endocytic level. Furthermore, some proteins, such as Huntingtin interacting protein 1, are known as cancer biomarkers. This review will highlight the limits of our understanding of their nuclear functions and the relevance of this to signalling and oncogenesis.

Development of a sheep vertebroplasty model for bioceramic materials assessment

Development of a sheep vertebroplasty model for bioceramic materials assessment Sheep has been widely used as an animal orthopaedic model. Although several studies report anatomic and biomechanical similarities as well as distinctions of ovine lumbar vertebrae when compared to human’s, only a few studies describe its actual use as a vertebroplasty model. Due to distinct anatomic features, sheep lumbar vertebrae pose a challenge when developing a minimally invasive procedure for vertebroplasty material testing, under conditions meant to be the most similar to clinical procedure. The present work describes the development of an appropriate surgical percutaneous vertebroplasty model in the lumbar spine of sheep, applicable in vivo, that minimizes the risk of post-surgical complications. This model was mechanically evaluated ex-vivo regarding its safety, and used to evaluate the injectability and radiopacity of two new bioceramic materials when compared to a commercial bioceramic bone substitute (Cerament™ SpineSupport). Microtomography techniques helped in the development of the model and results assessment. Under fluoroscopic guidance, a defect was created through a bilateral modified parapedicular access in the cranial hemivertebrae of 30 sheep lumbar vertebrae (L4, L5 and L6). The manually drilled defect had an average volume of 1209 ±226 mm3 and allowed the novel materials injection through a standardized injection cannula placed in one of the entrance points. Adequate defect filling was observed with all tested materials. No mechanical failure was observed under loads higher than the physiological.

Relationship of milk intake and physical activity to abdominal obesity among adolescents

Background: Diet and physical activity (PA) are recognized as important factors to prevent abdominal obesity (AO), which is strongly associated with chronic diseases. Some studies have reported an inverse association between milk consumption and AO. Objective: This study examined the association between milk intake, PA and AO in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1209 adolescents, aged 15–18 from the Azorean Archipelago, Portugal in 2008. AO was defined by a waist circumference at or above the 90th percentile. Adolescent food intake was measured using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and milk intake was categorized as ‘low milk intake’ (<2 servings per day) or ‘high milk intake’ ( 2 servings per day). PA was assessed via a self-report questionnaire, and participants were divided into active (>10 points) and low-active groups ( 10 points) on the basis of their reported PA. They were then divided into four smaller groups, according to milk intake and PA: (i) low milk intake/low active; (ii) low milk intake/active; (iii) high milk intake/low active and (iv) high milk intake/active. The association between milk intake, PA and AO was evaluated using logistic regression analysis, and the results were adjusted for demographic, body mass index, pubertal stage and dietary confounders. Results: In this study, the majority of adolescents consumed semi-skimmed or skimmed milk (92.3%). The group of adolescents with high level of milk intake and active had a lower proportion of AO than did other groups (low milk intake/low active: 34.2%; low milk intake/active: 26.9%; high milk intake/low active: 25.7%; high milk intake/active: 21.9%, P = 0.008). After adjusting for confounders, low-active and active adolescents with high levels of milk intake were less likely to have AO, compared with low-active adolescents with low milk intake (high milk intake/low active, odds ratio [OR] = 0.412, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.201– 0.845; high milk intake/active adolescents, OR = 0.445, 95% CI: 0.235–0.845).Conclusion: High milk intake seems to have a protective effect on AO, regardless of PA level

L'Écho de Paris

1887/07/09 (Numéro 1209).

Mélanges historiques sur la Champagne, l'Artois et la Picardie.

Contient : Extraits d'un livre de réception des chanoines de l'église de Troyes ; Ligues des nobles de Champagne, Vermandois, Beauvaisis, etc ; Extraits de l'obituaire de Saint-Étienne de Troyes ; Extraits des chartes de Montier-la-Celle ; Accord entre Blanche, comtesse de Champagne, et Érard de Brienne ; Pièces relatives à l'abbaye de Signy ; Accord entre Jean de Châtillon, comte de Porcien, et l'abbaye de Saint-Hubert en Ardennes ; Chartes des seigneurs de Bazoches ; Extraits du cartulaire de l'abbaye du Charme-aux-Nonnains ; Charte de Gisla pour Sainte-Gertrude de Nivelles ; Extrait du martyrologe de l'église de Laon ; Bulles et chartes relatives à la même église ; Notice sur Gaudri, évêque de Laon ; Chartes de Saint-Jean de Laon ; Chartes concernant le diocèse de Laon ; Fondation de la chapelle de La Neuville-en-Hez ; Notice d'une donation faite par Guillaume le Conquérant à Saint-Étienne de Caen ; Diplôme de Robert le Pieux pour Saint-Vaast, daté de 1039 ; Chartes concernant les comtés de Boulogne et de Ponthieu ; Extraits de chartes concernant le diocèse d'Arras ; Extraits concernant les comtes de Saint-Pol ; Extrait des titres de Saint-Vaast d'Arras ; Extraits concernant les comtes de Flandre ; Diplôme d'Eudes pour Saint-Vaast ; Charte du comte Albert pour l'abbaye de Saint-Quentin ; Charte de Baudouin, comte de Flandre, pour Saint-Pierre au Mont-Blandin ; Extraits du cartulaire du Mont-Saint-Martin ; Épitaphes diverses de l'Artois ; Funérailles de Louis de Male, comte de Flandre

Mélanges. — Extraits de cartulaires.

Contient : Extrait du testament d'Étienne, comte de Montbéliard ; Charte de Louis, comte de Ferrette, pour l'abbaye de Pairis ; Couronnement de Charles le Chauve à Metz (869), etc ; Donation faite par Louis de Luxembourg, comte de Saint-Pol, à Antoine Villiers de l'Isle-Adam ; Mandement de Louis XI à Jacques Villiers de l'Isle-Adam de prendre possession de la ville de Paris ; Extraits du cartulaire de Brioude ; Charte du vicomte Néel pour l'abbaye de Jumièges ; Historia Selebiensis, Eboracensis dioceseos (cf. Labbe, Bibl. Nova, I, p. 594) ; Extraits d'un obituaire de l'église du Mans ; Donation de Louis, duc de Bourbon, à la même église ; Extraits du cartulaire de Saint-Aubin d'Angers ; Généalogie des fondateurs de l'abbaye de Jouarre, d'après un martyrologe ; Notice sur les origines de Ferrières en Gâtinais ; Liste des bulles pontificales de Fontevrault ; Chartes de Vernon ; Charte de Robert, duc de Normandie, pour le monastère de Montivilliers ; Extraits de l'obituaire d'Hérivaux ; Tableau des filiales de Clairvaux ; Extraits du cartulaire d'Auberive, au diocèse de Langres ; Extraits du cartulaire de Longuay ; Extraits du cartulaire de Montiérender ; Extraits du cartulaire de l'Isle-en-Barrois ; Extraits du cartulaire de Beaulieu en Limousin ; Extraits d'un cartulaire de l'évêché de Langres ; Extraits d'un cartulaire de l'église d'Angers ; Extraits d'un cartulaire de Royaumont ; Extraits d'un registre de Saint-Merri de Paris ; Chartes d'Angers ; Extraits de l'inventaire des titres de Notre-Dame-des-Clairets ; Accord entre Robert, comte de Dreux, et l'évêque de Paris (1209 ; — il y en a une autre copie au fol. 150) ; Extraits du cartulaire de la forêt de Halatte ; Chartes de Vierzon ; Extraits du cartulaire de Massay ; Généalogie des seigneurs de Vierzon ; Diplôme de Louis d'Outre-Mer pour Saint-Merri ; Extraits des cartulaires de l'évêché de Paris ; Chartes de Grammont ; Extraits du cartulaire de Maubuisson ; Extraits de l'obituaire de Sainte-Croix d'Orléans ; Extraits du cartulaire de la chapelle de Saint-Lazare de Blois ; Extraits du cartulaire de Notre-Dame du Bourg-Moyen de Blois. [Ms. Vatic. Ottoboni 2960] ; Extrait des titres de l'abbaye de l'Étoile (de Poitiers) ; Chartes de La Merci-Dieu ; Extraits du cartulaire de Saint-Martin-des-Champs concernant les seigneurs du Puiset ; Extraits d'un cartulaire de Saint-Père de Chartres ; Extraits d'un martyrologe de l'église de Chartres ; Extraits des cartulaires de Saint-Père ; Lettre de Manassès, archevêque de Reims, à Hugues de Die ; Extrait d'un obituaire de Saint-Barthélemi de Béthune ; Charte de Baudouin V, comte de Flandre, pour l'abbaye de Marchiennes ; Échange entre l'abbaye de Saint-Vaast d'Arras et Robert, comte de Flandre ; Charte de Philippe I pour l'église Saint-Pierre d'Aire ; Charte de Hugues, châtelain de Cambrai, pour l'abbaye du Mont-Saint-Éloi ; Charte d'Enguerrand, comte de Saint-Pol, pour l'abbaye de Marchiennes ; Charte de Thierri, comte de Flandre, pour Enguerrand, comte de Saint-Pol ; Chartes d'Eaucourt en Artois ; Charte de Jean, êvêque de Thérouanne, pour l'église Saint-Pierre de Lille ; Note sur le mariage d'Isabeau de Barbazan ; Inventaire de reliques, extrait d'un processionnaire de l'église de Soissons ; Extrait d'un cartulaire du prieuré de Donchery ; Catalogue des abbés de Montiéramey ; Catalogue des abbesses de Notre-Dame-du-Lys ; Charte de Brunon, abbé de Montiéramey ; Extraits du cartulaire d'Uzerche ; Extraits de chartes de la Couture du Mans ; Extraits du cartulaire de Bonlieu en Limousin ; Notes sur la maison de Mercoeur ; Extraits d'un martyrologe de Saint-Séverin de Paris ; Extraits du cartulaire de Vendôme ; Extraits du cartulaire de Saint-Pierre de Beauvais ; Extraits du cartulaire de Saint-Rémi de Reims ; Catalogue des abbés de la Chaise-Dieu ; Extraits du cartulaire de Saint-Nicaise de Meulan ; Extraits de la chronique de Saint-Mihiel de Verdun ; Serment prêté par l'hérésiarque Bérenger ; Extraits d'obituaires du Mont-Saint-Michel ; Extraits des titres de Saint-Ulface ; Extraits du cartulaire de Saint-Vincent du Mans ; Extraits du cartulaire de Nogent-le-Rotrou ; Extrait du cartulaire de Pont-aux-Dames (de Meaux) ; Chartes du prieuré de Lavardin ; Extraits d'un cartulaire de Saint-Vincent de Laon ; Extraits du cartulaire rouge de l'église de Laon ; Chartes de Saint-Quentin près Beauvais ; Extraits du cartulaire de Vierzon ; Extraits du cartulaire de Beaulieu ; Notes sur les chartes de Subiaco ; Extraits du cartulaire de Saint-Thierry de Reims ; Extraits d'un martyrologe de Saint-Avold ; Chartes de Saint-Martin d'Épernay ; Chartes de Saint-Vincent-au-Bois ; Extraits du cartulaire de Tiron ; Extraits des archives de Saint-Bavon de Gand ; Extraits du cartulaire de Marchiennes ; Extraits des archives de Saint-Pierre de Gand ; Charte de Robert, comte de Flandre, pour l'église de Tronchiennes ; Charte de Baudouin, comte de Flandre, pour l'abbaye d'Einham ; Extraits des archives de l'évêché de Gand ; Extraits de cartulaires de Saint-Bavon ; Extraits des cartulaires et registres de Fontevrault ; Extraits des titres de Beaugerais ; Chartes de Villeloin ; Extraits d'un cartulaire de l'église d'Amiens ; Extraits du cartulaire de Clairmarais ; Titres de Saint-Bertin ; Charte de Baudouin, comte de Flandre, pour l'abbaye de Marchiennes