Simple Applications of q-Bosons

A deformation of the harmonic oscillator algebra associated with the Morse potential and the SU(2) algebra is derived using the quantum analogue of the anharmonic oscillator. We use the quantum oscillator algebra or $q$-boson algebra which is a generalisation of the Heisenberg-Weyl algebra obtained by introducing a deformation parameter $q$. Further, we present a new algebraic realization of the $q$-bosons, for the case of $q$ being a root of unity, which corresponds to a periodic structure described by a finite-dimensional representation. We show that this structure represents the symmetry of a linear lattice with periodic boundary conditions.Comment: LATEX2e, 10 pages, v2: few misprints corrected, added Journal-re

Generalized Heisenberg Algebras and Fibonacci Series

We have constructed a Heisenberg-type algebra generated by the Hamiltonian, the step operators and an auxiliar operator. This algebra describes quantum systems having eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian depending on the eigenvalues of the two previous levels. This happens, for example, for systems having the energy spectrum given by Fibonacci sequence. Moreover, the algebraic structure depends on two functions f(x) and g(x). When these two functions are linear we classify, analysing the stability of the fixed points of the functions, the possible representations for this algebra.Comment: 24 pages, 2 figures, subfigure.st

Adaptive strategy of halophytic plants Polygonum maritimum and Euphorbia paralias

The leaf surface microstructure, pigments spectrum, phytohormones content, and lipids composition of halophytes with various metabolic and physiological strategies of adaptation to salinity of Polygonum maritimum L. and Euphorbia paralias L. grown under natural conditions on dunes of the Pomorie Lake (Bulgaria) are compared. P. maritimum stomata are located on the leaf both sides below the cuticle level, whereas, in E. рaralias, stomata are present only on the abaxial side, and they are surrounded with hump-shaped cuticle constructions. A high amount of carotenoids (as compared with chlorophylls) in P. maritimum leaves indicates that these pigments have a light-collecting function and could transfer an additional energy to chlorophylls. In leaves of E. paralias and P. maritimum, free abscisic acid and conjugated indole-3-acetic acid prevailed. The inactive cytokinins (cis-zeatin and zeatin-O-glucoside) dominated in E. paralias leaves, whereas P. maritimum leaves contained a significant quantity of isopentenyl-type cytokinins. The presence of a large amount of saturated fatty acids provides a decrease of membrane permeability and better resistance against soil salinity. It is concluded that the ecological strategy of halophytes involves the complex of structural and functional adaptations and determines a successful existence under salinity conditions.Проведено порівняння мікроструктури листкової поверхні, пігментного спектра, вмісту фітогормонів і складу ліпідів у галофітів з різною метаболічною і фізіологічною стратегіями адаптації до засолення Polygonum maritimum L. та Euphorbia paralias L., які зростали у природних умовах на дюнах Поморійського озера (Болгарія). У P. maritimum продихи знаходяться по обидва боки листка нижче рівня кутикули, тоді як у E. paralias — лише на абаксіальному боці й оточені складками кутикули. Значна кількість каротиноїдів (порівняно з хлорофілами) у листках P. maritimum указує на те, що ці пігменти виконують світлозбиральну функцію і можуть передавати додаткову енергію на хлорофіли. У листках E. paralias і P. maritimum переважають вільна абсцизова кислота і кон'югована індоліл-3-оцтова кислота. Неактивні цитокініни (цисзеатин і зеатин-О-глюкозид) домінують у листках E. paralias, тоді як у листках P. maritimum міститься значна кількість ізопентенільних форм цитокінінів. Наявність великої концентрації насичених жирних кислот забезпечує зменшення проникності мембран і кращу солестійкість. Зроблено висновок, що екологічна стратегія галофітів поєднує комплекс структурних та функціональних пристосувань і визначає успішне існування в умовах засолення.Проведено сравнение микроструктуры листовой поверхности, пигментного спектра, содержания фитогормонов и состава липидов у галофитов с различной метаболической и физиологической стратегиями адаптации к засолению Polygonum maritimum L. и Euphorbia paralias L., произраставших в естественных условиях на дюнах Поморийского озера (Болгария). У P. maritimum устьица находятся по обе стороны листа ниже уровня кутикулы, тогда как у E. paralias — только на абаксиальной стороне и окружены складками кутикулы. Значительное количество каротиноидов (относительно хлорофиллов) в листьях P. maritimum указывает на то, что эти пигменты выполняют светособирающую функцию и могут передавать дополнительную энергию на хлорофиллы. В листьях E. paralias и P. maritimum преобладают свободная абсцизовая кислота и конъюгированная индолил-3-уксусная кислота. Неактивные цитокинины (цис-зеатин и зеатин-О-глюкозид) доминируют в листьях E. paralias, в то время как в листьях P. maritimum содержится значительное количество изопентенильных форм цитокининов. Наличие высокой концентрации насыщенных жирных кислот обеспечивает уменьшение проницаемости мембран и улучшает солеустойчивость. Сделан вывод, что экологическая стратегия галофитов объединяет комплекс структурных и функциональных приспособлений и определяет успешное существование в условиях засоления

Raman study of self-assembled InAs/InP quantum wire stacks with varying spacer thickness

Self-assembled InAs/InP (001) quantum wire stacks have been investigated by means of Raman scattering. The characteristics of the observed vibrational modes show clear evidence of confinement and atomic intermixing between As and P atoms from the wire and the spacer. The change in the intermixing with spacer layer thickness and growth temperature is investigated. Likewise, the effect of annealing on the exchange of As and P atoms is also studied. Resonance effects in confined and interface phonons are discussed for excitation in the vicinity of the InAs E1 critical point. Finally, the energy of the interface modes is related to the structural characteristics of the wires by comparing the experimental data with a lattice dynamic calculation based on the dielectric continuum [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Monomeric alpha-synuclein exerts a physiological role in brain ATP synthase

Misfolded α-synuclein is a key factor in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, knowledge about a physiological role for the native, unfolded α-synuclein is limited. Using brains of mice lacking α-, β-, and γ-synuclein, we report that extracellular monomeric α-synuclein enters neurons and localizes to mitochondria, interacts with ATP synthase subunit α, and modulates ATP synthase function. Using a combination of biochemical, live-cell imaging and mitochondrial respiration analysis, we found that brain mitochondria of α-, β-, and γ-synuclein knock-out mice are uncoupled, as characterized by increased mitochondrial respiration and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, synuclein deficiency results in reduced ATP synthase efficiency and lower ATP levels. Exogenous application of low unfolded α-synuclein concentrations is able to increase the ATP synthase activity that rescues the mitochondrial phenotypes observed in synuclein deficiency. Overall, the data suggest that α-synuclein is a previously unrecognized physiological regulator of mitochondrial bioenergetics through its ability to interact with ATP synthase and increase its efficiency. This may be of particular importance in times of stress or PD mutations leading to energy depletion and neuronal cell toxicity

An Algebraic q-Deformed Form for Shape-Invariant Systems

A quantum deformed theory applicable to all shape-invariant bound-state systems is introduced by defining q-deformed ladder operators. We show these new ladder operators satisfy new q-deformed commutation relations. In this context we construct an alternative q-deformed model that preserve the shape-invariance property presented by primary system. q-deformed generalizations of Morse, Scarf, and Coulomb potentials are given as examples

Neuraminidase Inhibitor Susceptibility of Influenza Viruses Circulating in Bulgaria during the Last Four Consecutive Epidemic Seasons (2011/12 to 2014/15)

Emergence of resistant influenza virus progeny to currently approved antiviral drugs determines the need for antiviral susceptibility monitoring. The aim of the present study is to analyze neuraminidase inhibitor susceptibility of influenza viruses circulating in Bulgaria during the 2011/2012, 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 flu seasons. A phenotypic fluorescence-based assay with MUNANA substrate was conducted with 93 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and type B isolates. Screening of 352 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses was carried out using a Real Time RT-PCR discrimination assay for detection of the H275Y oseltamivir resistance point mutation. Phenotypic (IC50) evidence for resistance or reduced susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitors was not found for any of the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and type B viruses screened. Only one (0,3%) influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus carrying the H275Y substitution was detected. Real Time RT-PCR assay could be applied to screen large numbers of clinical A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus positive samples for oseltamivir resistance. The present study highlights the importance of continued influenza antiviral susceptibility monitoring in clinical specimens

Mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinsonian mesenchymal stem cells impairs differentiation

Sporadic cases account for 90-95% of all patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Atypical Parkinsonism comprises approximately 20% of all patients with parkinsonism. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) belongs to the atypical parkinsonian diseases and is histopathologically classified as a tauopathy. Here, we report that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from the bone marrow of patients with PSP exhibit mitochondrial dysfunction in the form of decreased membrane potential and inhibited NADH-dependent respiration. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction in PSP-MSCs led to a significant increase in mitochondrial ROS generation and oxidative stress, which resulted in decrease of major cellular antioxidant GSH. Additionally, higher basal rate of mitochondrial degradation and lower levels of biogenesis were found in PSP-MSCs, together leading to a reduction in mitochondrial mass. This phenotype was biologically relevant to MSC stemness properties, as it heavily impaired their differentiation into adipocytes, which mostly rely on mitochondrial metabolism for their bioenergetic demand. The defect in adipogenic differentiation was detected as a significant impairment of intracellular lipid droplet formation in PSP-MSCs. This result was corroborated at the transcriptional level by a significant reduction of PPARγ and FABP4 expression, two key genes involved in the adipogenic molecular network. Our findings in PSP-MSCs provide new insights into the etiology of 'idiopathic' parkinsonism, and confirm that mitochondrial dysfunction is important to the development of parkinsonism, independent of the type of the cell