Twist-3 T-odd fragmentation functions G⊥G^\perp and G~⊥\tilde{G}^\perp in a spectator model

We present a calculation of the twist-3 T-odd chiral-even fragmentation functions $G^{\perp}$ and $\tilde{G}^{\perp}$ using a spectator model. We consider the effect gluon exchange to calculate all necessary one-loop diagrams for the quark-quark and quark-gluon-quark correlation functions. We find that the gluon loops corrections generate non-zero contribution to these two fragmentation function. We numerically calculate their half-$k_T$ moments by integrating over the transverse momentum and also verify the equation of motion relation among $G^{\perp}$, $\tilde{G}^{\perp}$ and the Collins function.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, match the version published in PL

Double Collins effect in e+e−→ΛΛˉXe^+ e^-\to\Lambda \bar\Lambda X process in a diquark spectator model

We study the Collins function $H^\perp_{1}$ of the $\Lambda$ hyperon, which describes the fragmentation of a transversely polarized quark into an unpolarized $\Lambda$ hyperon. We calculate $H^\perp_{1}$ for light quarks of the $\Lambda$ hyperon, in the diquark spectator model with a Gaussian form factor for the hyperon-quark-diquark vertex. The model calculation includes contributions from both the scalar diquark and vector diquark spectators. Using the model result, we estimate the weighted $\cos2\phi_0$ asymmetry in the process $e^+e^- \to \Lambda\bar{\Lambda}X$ contributed by the coupling of two Collins functions. The QCD evolution effects for the first $k_T$-moment of the Collins function and the unpolarized fragmentation function $D_1(z)$ are also included. The results show that asymmetry is sizable and measurable at the kinematical configurations of Belle and BaBar experiments. We also find that the evolution effects play an important role in the phenomenological analysis.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Optimization of Protein-Protein Interaction Measurements for Drug Discovery Using AFM Force Spectroscopy

Increasingly targeted in drug discovery, protein-protein interactions challenge current high throughput screening technologies in the pharmaceutical industry. Developing an effective and efficient method for screening small molecules or compounds is critical to accelerate the discovery of ligands for enzymes, receptors and other pharmaceutical targets. Here, we report developments of methods to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for screening protein-protein interactions using atomic force microscopy (AFM) force spectroscopy. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of these developments on detecting the binding process between focal adhesion kinases (FAK) with protein kinase B (Akt1), which is a target for potential cancer drugs. These developments include optimized probe and substrate functionalization processes and redesigned probe-substrate contact regimes. Furthermore, a statistical-based data processing method was developed to enhance the contrast of the experimental data. Collectively, these results demonstrate the potential of the AFM force spectroscopy in automating drug screening with high throughput

The oligopeptide ABC transporter OppA4 negatively regulates the virulence factor OspC production of the Lyme disease pathogen

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the agent of Lyme disease, exists in nature through a complex enzootic life cycle that involves both ticks and mammals. The B. burgdorferi genome encodes five Oligopeptide ABC transporters (Opp) that are predicted to be involve in transport of various nutrients. Previously, it was reported that OppA5 is important for the optimal production of OspC, a major virulence factor of B. burgdorferi. In this study, possible role of another Oligopeptide ABC transporter, OppA4 in ospC expression was investigated by construction of an oppA4 deletion mutant and the complemented strain. Inactivation of oppA4 resulted an increased production of OspC, suggesting that OppA4 has a negative impact on ospC expression. Expression of ospC is controlled by Rrp2-RpoN-RpoS, the central pathway essential for mammal infection. We showed that increased ospC expression in the oppA4 mutant was due to an increased rpoS expression. We then further investigated how OppA4 negatively regulates this pathway. Two regulators, BosR and BadR, are known to positively and negatively, respectively, regulate the Rrp2-RpoN-RpoS pathway. We found that deletion of oppA4 resulted in an increased level of BosR. Previous reports showed that bosR is mainly regulated at the post-transcriptional level by other factors. However, OppA4 appears to negatively regulate bosR expression at the transcriptional level. The finding of OppA4 involved in regulation of the Rrp2-RpoN-RpoS pathway further reinforces the importance of nutritional virulence to the enzootic cycle of B. burgdorferi