Contact and Momentum Distribution of the Unitary Fermi Gas.

A key quantity in strongly interacting resonant Fermi gases is the contact C, which characterizes numerous properties such as the momentum distribution at large momenta or the pair correlation function at short distances. The temperature dependence of C was measured at unitarity, where existing theoretical predictions differ substantially even at the qualitative level. We report accurate data for the contact and the momentum distribution of the unitary gas in the normal phase, obtained by bold diagrammatic Monte Carlo and Borel resummation. Our results agree with experimental data within error bars and provide crucial benchmarks for the development of advanced theoretical treatments and precision measurements.

MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF NEW SOURCES OF RESISTANCE TO Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk. et Curt.) Rostovzev in CUCUMBER.

Downy mildew of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk. et Curt.) Rostovzev, is one of the most important foliar diseases of cucurbit crops. Two parental lines resistant PI 197085, susceptible PI 175695 and their F2 generation were used in our study. Inheritance of resistance to Pseudoperonospora cubensis in PI 197085 was quantitative. JoiMap 4.1 and MapQTL 6.0 software was used for a linkage groups construction and QTL mapping. Three QTL were detected: DM1, DM2, DM3. The loci were mapped on chromosome 5 of cucumber genome. Molecular analysis confirmed results of classical quantitative genetics indicating that resistance to Pseudoperonospora cubensis in PI 197085 is polygenic trait.

Quantitative determination of temperature in the approach to magnetic order of ultracold fermions in an optical lattice.

We perform a quantitative simulation of the repulsive Fermi-Hubbard model using an ultracold gas trapped in an optical lattice. The entropy of the system is determined by comparing accurate measurements of the equilibrium double occupancy with theoretical calculations over a wide range of parameters. We demonstrate the applicability of both high-temperature series and dynamical mean-field theory to obtain quantitative agreement with the experimental data. The reliability of the entropy determination is confirmed by a comprehensive analysis of all systematic errors. In the center of the Mott insulating cloud we obtain an entropy per atom as low as 0.77k(B) which is about twice as large as the entropy at the Néel transition. The corresponding temperature depends on the atom number and for small fillings reaches values on the order of the tunneling energy.

Presence of t(14;18) positive cells in blood and bone marrow does not predict outcome in follicular lymphoma.

Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index-FLIPI is an established clinical predictor for outcome in follicular lymphoma. The role of molecular abnormalities in blood and bone marrow of follicular lymphoma patients including t(14;18) is less clear. Seventy-five patients from a single institution diagnosed with follicular lymphoma between1999 and 2005 were included into the study. Diagnosis was based on lymph node biopsy in 62 cases (83%). Thirty-nine patients (52%) had G1 histological grade and 47 (63%) had entirely follicular growth pattern, as well as 9 patients (12%) had systemic symptoms and 33 (44%) were assigned to a good risk according to FLIPI. Median age of patients was 53 years. During a median observation time of 3 years 63 patients (84%) required initiating anti-lymphoma treatment. Seventy-five samples of peripheral blood and 65 samples of bone marrow were collected at the diagnosis. Bcl2 rearrangements including major breakpoint region and minor breakpoint cluster region were investigated using nested polymerase chain reaction technique. The primary end points of the study were time to first line lymphoma treatment and progression-free survival. Cells carrying t(14;18) were found in 31 cases (41%) including 29 samples of peripheral blood and 26 samples of bone marrow. Detection of t(14;18) in blood and bone marrow at diagnosis had no influence on clinical outcome. Age, follicular growth pattern systemic symptoms, and FLIPI score above 1 were predictive for initiation of the first lymphoma therapy. Follicular growth pattern, initial nodal involvement, serum LDH level, and FLIPI score above 1 were predictive for longer progression-free survival.

Towards the introducing of resistance to powdery mildew from Lycopersicon hirsutum into L. esculentum.

Genes of resistance to Oidium lycopersicum from Lycopersicon hirsutum LA 1775 were introduced to L. esculentum. Breeding procedures were based on a one-way programme up to the F2 generation and then four different methods were adopted to obtain F4 and BC4 populations. Screening tests among those hybrid populations were performed in a greenhouse and showed segregation for resistance to powdery mildew due to different genetic backgrounds of the families derived from four breeding methods that changed the status of the gene/genes responsible for resistance to powdery mildew. F4 and BC4 populations varied in relation to morphological traits (fruit size and weight, seed and fruit productivity, number of locules). There was a significant progress in breeding in comparison to L. hirsutum regarding fruit size and weight, and the number of locules. Values of two other traits: seed and fruit productivity, that are correlated with self- and cross-compatibility, were low and similar to L. hirsutum. Therefore, another one or two backcrosses will probably improve seed and fruit productivity.