Resonance phenomena in ultracold dipole-dipole scattering

Elastic scattering resonances occurring in ultracold collisions of either bosonic or fermionic polar molecules are investigated. The Born-Oppenheimer adiabatic representation of the two-bodydynamics provides both a qualitative classification scheme and a quantitative WKB quantization condition that predicts several sequences of resonant states. It is found that the near-threshold energy dependence of ultracold collision cross sections varies significantly with the particle exchange symmetry, with bosonic systems showing much smoother energy variations than their fermionic counterparts. Resonant variations of the angular distributions in ultracold collisions are also described.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures, revtex4, submitted to J. Phys.

A comparison of consumer sensory acceptance and value of domestic beef steaks and steaks from a branded, Argentine beef program

To determine consumer sensory acceptance and value of branded, Argentine (grass-finished, aged 30+ d) and domestic (U.S. grain-finished beef, aged 9 d) strip loins were paired based on similar Warner-Bratzler shear force values (P = 0.34) and similar marbling levels (P = 0.82). Consumers in Chicago, IL, and San Francisco, CA (n = 124 per city), evaluated one pair of Argentine and domestic steaks, and had the opportunity to participate in a silent, sealed-bid auction to purchase steaks matching the taste panel samples. Consumers were categorized into three groups based on overall acceptability ratings: 1) those who found Argentine steaks more acceptable, 2) those who found domestic steaks more acceptable, and 3) those who were indifferent. Consumers rated domestic steaks higher (P < 0.05) in juiciness, tenderness, flavor, and overall acceptability. Consumers in both Chicago and San Francisco were willing to pay more (P < 0.05) for domestic steaks ($0.86 and$0.52 per 0.45 kg, respectively). In both cities, consumers who found Argentine samples more acceptable were willing to pay more (P < 0.05) for Argentine steaks ($0.74 per 0.45 kg in Chicago and$1.82 per 0.45 kg in San Francisco), and consumers who found domestic samples more acceptable were willing to pay more (P < 0.05) for domestic steaks ($1.66 per 0.45 kg in Chicago and$1.34 per 0.45 kg in San Francisco). Consumers who were indifferent were willing to pay similar (P = 0.99) amounts for Argentine and domestic steaks. Although some consumers found Argentine beef more acceptable than domestic beef (19.7 and 16.5% in Chicago and San Francisco, respectively) and were willing to pay more for it, most consumers found domestic beef to be more acceptable (59.0% in Chicago and 61.5% in San Francisco) and were willing to pay more to obtain a more acceptable product

IL-13 Stimulates Proliferation and Expression of Mucin and Immunomodulatory Genes in Cultured Conjunctival Goblet Cells

Citation: Tukler Henriksson J, Coursey TG, Corry DB, De Paiva CS, Pflugfelder SC. IL-13 stimulates proliferation and expression of mucin and immunomodulatory genes in cultured conjunctival goblet cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015;56:4186-4197. DOI:10.1167/iovs.14-15496 PURPOSE. To investigate the effects of IL-13 on goblet cell proliferation, differentiation, and expression of mucin and immunomodulatory genes. METHODS. Explants were excised from the conjunctiva of young C57BL/6 mice. Cultures received 200 lL per week of either Keratinocyte media (KSFM) or KSFM supplemented with 10 ng/mL IL-13 and were incubated for 3 (D3), 7 (D7), or 14 (D14) days. Subsequently, cell proliferation was assessed or cultures were immunostained, collected for dot blot, or for reverse transcription (RT) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) or for RT-PCR gene array. RESULTS. The cultured conjunctival epithelium expressed goblet cell associated keratin 7 and mucins MUC5AC and MUC2 and when stimulated with IL-13 showed increased proliferation at D3 and D7 (P &lt; 0.05) compared with control. MUC5AC expression was increased in the IL-13-treated group at D3 and D14 (P &lt; 0.05). IL-13-treated cultures showed increased chemokine ligand 26 (CCL26), chloride channel calcium activated channel 3 (CLCA3), fas ligand (FasL), and Relm-b at D7. All conjunctival cultures expressed MUC2, and its expression was decreased at D3 (P &lt; 0.05) and increased at D14 (P &lt; 0.05) with IL-13 treatment. CONCLUSIONS. This study demonstrated that conjunctival goblet cells are IL-13 responsive cells that produce factors known to maintain epithelial barrier, stimulate mucin production, and modulate immune response in nonocular mucosa when treated with IL-13. The functional significance of IL-13-stimulated factors remains to be determined. Keywords: conjunctiva, goblet cells, interleukin-13, cell culture T he conjunctiva covers two-thirds of the ocular surface and functions as a support tissue for cornea. 2,3 Conjunctival goblet cells are surrounded by lymphocytes and dendritic cells and their density has been found to change in certain ocular surface immune/inflammatory conditions. 4 Goblet cell density has been reported to decrease in aqueous tear deficiency, a condition where T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells infiltrate the conjunctiva, and increase in atopic keratoconjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis, predominantly Th2-mediated diseases. 5-8 The mucus stimulating activity of the Th2 cytokine IL-13 has been reported to have a defensive role in the intestines by eliminating helminthic parasites and in the airways by protecting from particles or allergens. 9,10 However, excessive IL-13 expression is associated with goblet cell hyperplasia and mucous hypersecretion, both in the gut and in the airways where it can result in airway obstruction. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the Th2 cytokine IL-13 can modulate proliferation, differentiation, and expression of mucin and immunomodulatory gene

Linking the Divergent and Convergent Processes of Collaborative Creativity: The Impact of Expertise Levels and Elaboration Processes

We examined the impact of task-relevant expertise level in groups on the idea sharing and elaboration process and on idea development. Participants were assigned to low, heterogeneous, and high expertise groups and were asked to generate ideas for the development of a new sport. Following two asynchronous divergent ideation phases using an electronic discussion board for ideational exchanges, groups completed a synchronous convergent discussion phase in which they selected and refined their ideas for a new sport. The number of ideas and their novelty during the divergent phase did not influence the outcome of the convergent phase. However, consistent with our theoretical model final product novelty was influenced by the number and novelty of the replies in the divergent phase. Although group expertise level was associated with various performance outcomes in the divergent ideation phase, it did not impact the novelty of the final product. Low expertise groups demonstrated the most novelty in the divergent phase. Final product novelty was also associated with sports words used in discussions during the convergent phase

Maximum static inspiratory and expiratory pressures with different lung volumes

BACKGROUND: Maximum pressures developed by the respiratory muscles can indicate the health of the respiratory system, help to determine maximum respiratory flow rates, and contribute to respiratory power development. Past measurements of maximum pressures have been found to be inadequate for inclusion in some exercise models involving respiration. METHODS: Maximum inspiratory and expiratory airway pressures were measured over a range of lung volumes in 29 female and 19 male adults. A commercial bell spirometry system was programmed to occlude airflow at nine target lung volumes ranging from 10% to 90% of vital capacity. RESULTS: In women, maximum expiratory pressure increased with volume from 39 to 61 cmH(2)O and maximum inspiratory pressure decreased with volume from 66 to 28 cmH(2)O. In men, maximum expiratory pressure increased with volume from 63 to 97 cmH(2)O and maximum inspiratory pressure decreased with volume from 97 to 39 cmH(2)O. Equations describing pressures for both sexes are: P(e)/P(max )= 0.1426 Ln( %VC) + 0.3402 R(2 )= 0.95 P(i)/P(max )= 0.234 Ln(100 - %VC) - 0.0828 R(2 = )0.96 CONCLUSION: These results were found to be consistent with values and trends obtained by other authors. Regression equations may be suitable for respiratory mechanics models

Cooling effect in emissions of 103mRh excited by bremsstrahlung

Nonlinear characteristic emissions of K alpha, K beta and gamma with a significant triplet splitting at room temperature are observed from the long-lived nuclear state of 103mRh excited by bremsstrahlung irradiation. A pronounced phase-transition-like narrowing of the emission profiles occurs immediately after the sample is cooled down to 77 K. The room temperature profiles reappear again abruptly and almost reversibly as the temperature drifts freely back to approximately the ice point after the filling of liquid nitrogen is stopped. These emission properties at 300 K and at low temperature may indicate that the 103mRh nuclei are in collective states

Tensorial form and matrix elements of the relativistic nuclear recoil operator

Within the lowest-order relativistic approximation ($\sim v^2/c^2$) and to first order in $m_e/M$, the tensorial form of the relativistic corrections of the nuclear recoil Hamiltonian is derived, opening interesting perspectives for calculating isotope shifts in the multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock framework. Their calculation is illustrated for selected Li-, B- and C-like ions. The present work underlines the fact that the relativistic corrections to the nuclear recoil are definitively necessary for getting reliable isotope shift values.Comment: 22 pages, no figures, submitted to J. Phys.