Dynamics of an Unbounded Interface Between Ordered Phases

We investigate the evolution of a single unbounded interface between ordered phases in two-dimensional Ising ferromagnets that are endowed with single-spin-flip zero-temperature Glauber dynamics. We examine specifically the cases where the interface initially has either one or two corners. In both examples, the interface evolves to a limiting self-similar form. We apply the continuum time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation and a microscopic approach to calculate the interface shape. For the single corner system, we also discuss a correspondence between the interface and the Young tableau that represents the partition of the integers.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures, 2-column revtex4 format. V2: references added and discussion section expanded slightly. Final version for PRE. V3: A few small additional editorial change

Detector Description and Performance for the First Coincidence Observations between LIGO and GEO

For 17 days in August and September 2002, the LIGO and GEO interferometer gravitational wave detectors were operated in coincidence to produce their first data for scientific analysis. Although the detectors were still far from their design sensitivity levels, the data can be used to place better upper limits on the flux of gravitational waves incident on the earth than previous direct measurements. This paper describes the instruments and the data in some detail, as a companion to analysis papers based on the first data.Comment: 41 pages, 9 figures 17 Sept 03: author list amended, minor editorial change

Cloning of a cDNA encoding bovine erythropoietin and analysis of its transcription in selected tissues

A bobine cDNA encoding erythropoietin (Epo) was isolated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and screening of a bovine kidney cDNA library. The sequenced cDNA has a length of 1312 bp and an open reading frame that encodes a predicted 192-amino-acid (aa) protein, including a putative signal sequence of 25 aa. A mature protein of 167 aa (18.4 kDa) results upon cleavage of the putative signal peptide. The deduced bovine mature Epo peptide exhibits 96, 88, 83, 82 and 79 sequence identity to that of sheep, swine, human, monkey and rat, respectively. The expression of the bovine Epo gene in tissues from a severely anemic calf, bovine fetus and a healthy steer was analysed by a competitive RT-PCR method. In kidneys of the severely anemic calf, Epo mRNA levels increased 60-fold relative to that from the kidneys of the healthy steer. Epo mRNA levels were threefold higher in the liver of the bovine fetus than that in its kidneys. Low levels of Epo transcripts were detected in RNA from spleen of the severely anemic calf and the bovine fetus. No Epo transcripts were detectable in spleen from the healthy steer

Analysis of erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor genes expression in cattle during acute infection with Trypanosoma congolense

Acute Trypanosoma congolense infection induced moderate, transient anemia in N'Dama cattle (trypanotolerant) and severe anemia in Boran cattle (trypanosusceptible). Erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) was cloned and sequenced from the two breeds of cattle. A single position mutation of Tyr in the Boran to His in the N'Dama predicted amino acid sequence was revealed. The mRNA transcription of erythropoietin (Epo) in kidneys and EpoR in the bone marrow of infected cattle was determined by competitive reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Through Epo mRNA transcription increased in the kidneys during infection, the increase was not significantly different (p>0.05) between the two breeds of infected cattle. The level of EpoR transcripts in the bone marrow of infected N'Damas was significantly higher p<0.05) than that detected in the marrows from infected Boran cattle. While infection seem to increase levels of transcription of IL-1 alfa and beta, and TNF alfa in kidneys from both Boran and N'Dama cattle, no significant difference was detected in the level of mRNAs of these cytokines in the kidney from the two breed of cattle. The amount of IFN mRNA transcripts were not changed with infection in N'Dama cattle, while on the contrary a significant higher levels of IFN was found in kidneys from infected Boran cattle as compared to the infected N'Dama cattle. In this study the increease in the level of TNF alfa mRNA in the marrows of the two infected breeds was not different. This implies there is no negative effect of TNF alfa on hematopoiesis during acute infection. These findings suggest that the levels of Epo and EpoR in the infected Boran cattle were inadequate for their degree of anemia, which might be due in part to high expression of IFN during acute infection with T. congolense

Metabolic benefits of 17α-estradiol in liver are partially mediated by ERβ in male mice

Metabolic dysfunction underlies several chronic diseases. Dietary interventions can reverse metabolic declines and slow aging but remaining compliant is difficult. 17α-estradiol (17α-E2) treatment improves metabolic parameters and slows aging in male mice without inducing significant feminization. We recently reported that estrogen receptor α is required for the majority of 17α-E2-mediated benefits in male mice, but that 17α-E2 also attenuates fibrogenesis in liver, which is regulated by estrogen receptor β (ERβ)-expressing hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The current studies sought to determine if 17α-E2-mediated benefits on systemic and hepatic metabolism are ERβ-dependent. We found that 17α-E2 treatment reversed obesity and related systemic metabolic sequela in both male and female mice, but this was partially blocked in female, but not male, ERβKO mice. ERβ ablation in male mice attenuated 17α-E2-mediated benefits on hepatic stearoyl-coenyzme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) production, which play critical roles in HSC activation and liver fibrosis. We also found that 17α-E2 treatment suppresses SCD1 production in cultured hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells, indicating that 17α-E2 directly signals in both cell-types to suppress drivers of steatosis and fibrosis. We conclude that ERβ partially controls 17α-E2-mediated benefits on systemic metabolic regulation in female, but not male, mice, and that 17α-E2 likely signals through ERβ in HSCs to attenuate pro-fibrotic mechanisms. © 2023, The Author(s).Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]