Attainable lengths for circular binary words avoiding k-powers

We show that binary circular words of length n avoiding 7/3+ powers exist for every sufficiently large n. This is not the case for binary circular words avoiding k+ powers with k < 7/3https://projecteuclid.org/download/pdf_1/euclid.bbms/113379334

The Number of Ternary Words Avoiding Abelian Cubes Grows Exponentially

We show that the number of ternary words of length n avoiding abelian cubes grows faster than r^n, where r = 2^{1/24}NSERCcs.uwaterloo.ca/journals/JIS/VOL7/Currie/currie18.pd

Analyses of strain localisation in hdpe butterfly specimen during biaxial tests using digital image correlation

This work presents a study of high density polyethylene (hdpe) strain under biaxial loading. An Arcan apparatus is achieved in order to load a newly-designed flat specimen called “butterfly specimen” to various combinations of tensile and shear loading.These specimens have a central region with a minimal thickness (1mm); witch constitutes a small area where the strain and the stress should be uniform before necking. All tests are conducted on an Instrone tensile machine at constant speed of the upper cross-head (v = 0,5 mm/min) at the ambient temperature. Displacement fields are measured in the central area of the specimens, during the tests, by coupling digital image correlation (DIC) with imaging using high-speed CCD cameras placed in front of the specimen. The experimental results show a strain localisation in the specimen gauge section

Sperm motility parameters of Barbus barbus callensis throughout the reproduction season: Computer aided semen analysis and gametes motility duration

The present study investigated the existing relationship between computer assisted semen motility parameters and gametes motility duration, known to express semen quality and fertilizing capacity in fish. The objective was particularly to identify computer aided semen analysis (CASA) parameters that could be used as potential fertility predictors. Semen samples were collected from the beginning to the end of the spawning season of Barbus barbus callensis, a freshwater fish abundantly distributed throughout North Africa. Semen was simultaneously analyzed using optical microscopy including semen motility duration (SMD) measurement, by the aid of a computer-assisted semen analyzer. The measured CASA parameters were: straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), beat cross frequency (BCF), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), linearity and straightness. The results showed that motility duration evolved in a similar manner as several CASA parameters. Significant correlation coefficients expressed these relationships with r = 0.74, 0.32, 0.16 and 0.45 for VSL, VAP, VCL and BCF, respectively. No correlations were observed when studying relationships between motility duration, STR, LIN and ALH, with r = 0.08, 0.06 and 0.006, respectively. The present results showed that CASA motility parameters are strongly related to motility duration. VSL was revealed as the main parameter being highly correlated to motility duration (r = 0.74). This quantitatively and objectively measured parameter is revealed to be a useful indicator of semen quality and could serve as a potential indicator of fertility outputs in fish

On control of discrete-time state-dependent jump linear systems with probabilistic constraints: A receding horizon approach

In this article, we consider a receding horizon control of discrete-time state-dependent jump linear systems, particular kind of stochastic switching systems, subject to possibly unbounded random disturbances and probabilistic state constraints. Due to a nature of the dynamical system and the constraints, we consider a one-step receding horizon. Using inverse cumulative distribution function, we convert the probabilistic state constraints to deterministic constraints, and obtain a tractable deterministic receding horizon control problem. We consider the receding control law to have a linear state-feedback and an admissible offset term. We ensure mean square boundedness of the state variable via solving linear matrix inequalities off-line, and solve the receding horizon control problem on-line with control offset terms. We illustrate the overall approach applied on a macroeconomic system

Deregulation of the endometrial stromal cell secretome precedes embryo implantation failure

STUDY QUESTION Is implantation failure following ART associated with a perturbed decidual response in endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs)? SUMMARY ANSWER Dynamic changes in the secretome of decidualizing EnSCs underpin the transition of a hostile to a supportive endometrial microenvironment for embryo implantation; perturbation in this transitional pathway prior to ART is associated with implantation failure. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Implantation is the rate-limiting step in ART, although the contribution of an aberrant endometrial microenvironment in IVF failure remains ill defined. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION In vitro characterization of the temporal changes in the decidual response of primary EnSCs isolated prior to a successful or failed ART cycle. An analysis of embryo responses to secreted cues from undifferentiated and decidualizing EnSCs was performed. The primary clinical outcome of the study was a positive urinary pregnancy test 14 days after embryo transfer. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Primary EnSCs were isolated from endometrial biopsies obtained prior to IVF treatment and cryopreserved. EnSCs from 10 pregnant and 10 non-pregnant patients were then thawed, expanded in culture, subjected to clonogenic assays, and decidualized for either 2 or 8 days. Transcript levels of decidual marker gene [prolactin (PRL), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD11B1)] were analysed using real-time quantitative PCR and temporal secretome changes of 45 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were measured by multiplex suspension bead immunoassay. The impact of the EnSC secretome on human blastocyst development was scored morphologically; and embryo secretions in response to EnSC cues analyzed by multiplex suspension bead immunoassay. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Clonogenicity and induction of decidual marker genes were comparable between EnSC cultures from pregnant and non-pregnant group groups (P > 0.05). Analysis of 23 secreted factors revealed that successful implantation was associated with co-ordinated secretome changes in decidualizing EnSCs, which were most pronounced on Day 2 of differentiation: 17 differentially secreted proteins on Day 2 of decidualization relative to undifferentiated (Day 0) EnSCs (P 0.05)