Science Verification Results from PMAS

PMAS, the Potsdam Multi-Aperture Spectrophotometer, is a new integral field instrument which was commissioned at the Calar Alto 3.5m Telescope in May 2001. We report on results obtained from a science verification run in October 2001. We present observations of the low-metallicity blue compact dwarf galaxy SBS0335-052, the ultra-luminous X-ray Source X-1 in the Holmberg II galaxy, the quadruple gravitational lens system Q2237+0305 (the "Einstein Cross"), the Galactic planetary nebula NGC7027, and extragalactic planetary nebulae in M31. PMAS is now available as a common user instrument at Calar Alto Observatory.Comment: 4 pages, 9 figures (attached in JPEG format), Euro3D Science Workshop Proceedings, held in Cambridge May 21-23, 2003, to appear in AN (accepted

Spin-wave spectrum of copper metaborate in the commensurate phase 10K<T<21K

We have investigated the spin-wave spectrum of copper metaborate, CuB$_2$O$_4$, by means of inelastic neutron scattering in the commensurate magnetic phase. We have found two branches of spin-wave excitations associated with the two magnetic sublattices Cu(A) and Cu(B), respectively. In the temperature regime $10K \le T \le 21K$, where only the Cu(A) magnetic moments are ordered, the interaction between the two sublattices is found to be negligible. With this approximation we have determined the `easy plane' exchange parameters of the Cu(A) subsystem within standard spin-wave theory.Comment: 4 figure

GnRH Receptor Expression and Reproductive Function Depend on JUN in GnRH Receptor‒Expressing Cells.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus regulates synthesis and secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gonadotropes. LH and FSH are heterodimers composed of a common α-subunit and unique β-subunits, which provide biological specificity and are limiting components of mature hormone synthesis. Gonadotrope cells respond to GnRH via specific expression of the GnRH receptor (Gnrhr). GnRH induces the expression of gonadotropin genes and of the Gnrhr by activation of specific transcription factors. The JUN (c-Jun) transcription factor binds to AP-1 sites in the promoters of target genes and mediates induction of the FSHβ gene and of the Gnrhr in gonadotrope-derived cell lines. To analyze the role of JUN in reproductive function in vivo, we generated a mouse model that lacks JUN specifically in GnRH receptor‒expressing cells (conditional JUN knockout; JUN-cKO). JUN-cKO mice displayed profound reproductive anomalies such as reduced LH levels resulting in lower gonadal steroid levels, longer estrous cycles in females, and diminished sperm numbers in males. Unexpectedly, FSH levels were unchanged in these animals, whereas Gnrhr expression in the pituitary was reduced. Steroidogenic enzyme expression was reduced in the gonads of JUN-cKO mice, likely as a consequence of reduced LH levels. GnRH receptor‒driven Cre activity was detected in the hypothalamus but not in the GnRH neuron. Female, but not male, JUN-cKO mice exhibited reduced GnRH expression. Taken together, our results demonstrate that GnRH receptor‒expression levels depend on JUN and are critical for reproductive function

The effect of cod liver oil and orange juice on the gastric acidity of dogs made anemic by hemorrhage

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Light spin-1/2 or spin-0 Dark Matter particles

We recall and precise how light spin-0 particles could be acceptable Dark Matter candidates, and extend this analysis to spin-1/2 particles. We evaluate the (rather large) annihilation cross sections required, and show how they may be induced by a new light neutral spin-1 boson U. If this one is vectorially coupled to matter particles, the (spin-1/2 or spin-0) Dark Matter annihilation cross section into e+e- automatically includes a v_dm^2 suppression factor at threshold, as desirable to avoid an excessive production of gamma rays from residual Dark Matter annihilations. We also relate Dark Matter annihilations with production cross sections in e+e- scatterings. Annihilation cross sections of spin-1/2 and spin-0 Dark Matter particles are given by exactly the same expressions. Just as for spin-0, light spin-1/2 Dark Matter particles annihilating into e+e- could be responsible for the bright 511 keV gamma ray line observed by INTEGRAL from the galactic bulge.Comment: 10 page

A Ruling Engine for Making Zone Plates

About a century ago the corpuscular theory of light was falling into disfavor among scientific men in general and the wave theory was taking its place. Among the many contributions to the subject we find the writings of Fresnel. It was he especially who struck the decisive blow at the dying hypothesis. That part of his work which is of particular interest to us is his application of Huyghen\u27s principle to phenomena of diffraction

Individual Control of Risk: Seat Belt Use, Subjective Norms and the Theory of Reasoned Action

When faced with a risk for which an inexpensive solution is available, individuals often choose the risk rather than the solution. Protection from certain kinds of risks, e.g., using seat belts or condoms or insulating against radon, is largely under personal control, but individuals often choose not to comply with behaviors which would reduce the risk. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) has been used to predict when individuals will comply. The authors attempted to validate aspects of the TRA by the use of scenarios. Factor analysis of their data supports the theory that intention is a major determinate of behavior but fails to establish the influence of scenarios on subjects\u27 intention to wear seat belts