Experimental Investigation of Long-Lived Rydberg States in Ultracold Argon

We report on our investigation of the formation and survival of long-lived Rydberg states in argon produced by pulsed laser excitation of ultracold metastable state argon atoms in a magneto-optical trap. The states studied have a 2P1/2 core. Low angular momentum Rydberg states with this core normally autoionize rapidly. If, however, atoms are excited in the presence of electric fields, higher angular momentum states, traditionally termed ZEKE states (ZEKE is derived from zero kinetic energy) can be formed. The lifetime of these states can be orders of magnitude greater than low angular momentum states. In this paper, we report on the time dependence of ZEKE Rydberg state population in an ultracold environment

Controlling spin-polarized electron transport through a molecule: The role of molecular conformation

We investigate theoretically the spin-polarized electron transport through a complex organic molecule coupled to magnetic contacts. Our focus is on how low-energy deformations of the molecule affect the current-voltage characteristics and the magnetotransport of this molecular-scale device. We find that fairly modest deformations, costing only a few tens of meVs, can substantially change the tunneling current—by factors of 2 or more. Such deformations have still larger impact on the magnetoresistance, with small changes in molecular conformation even leading to changes in the sign of the magnetoresistance

Influence of environmental temperature cycles on vitamin levels of milk and blood of cows

This bulletin reports on Department of Dairy Husbandry Research Project 246, Ruminant Bacteriology--P. [2].Digitized 2007 AES.Includes bibliographical references (pages 25-28)

Influence of temperature on vitamin levels in bovine blood : a study of B-vitamins and vitamin C levels in the blood of Brahman, Santa Gertrudis and Shorthorn heifers reared under different environmental temperature conditions

... This bulletin reports on Department of Dairy Husbandry Research Project 246, Ruminant Bacteriology--P. [2].Digitized 2007 AES.Includes bibliographical references (pages 30-37)

Extended Tuning of an Injection-Locked Diode Laser

We have investigated the application of an electronic feedback technique recently reported by Repasky, et.al. [Appl. Opt. 45, 9013 (2006)] to an injection-locked semiconductor diode laser. We find that without electronic feedback, the injection-locked slave laser will only follow the master for less than 1 GHz, but once the electronic feedback is applied, the slave laser is capable of following for more than 20 GHz, corresponding to the full scan range of the master laser

An automated proteomic data analysis workflow for mass spectrometry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mass spectrometry-based protein identification methods are fundamental to proteomics. Biological experiments are usually performed in replicates and proteomic analyses generate huge datasets which need to be integrated and quantitatively analyzed. The Sequest™ search algorithm is a commonly used algorithm for identifying peptides and proteins from two dimensional liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (2-D LC ESI MS²) data. A number of proteomic pipelines that facilitate high throughput 'post data acquisition analysis' are described in the literature. However, these pipelines need to be updated to accommodate the rapidly evolving data analysis methods. Here, we describe a proteomic data analysis pipeline that specifically addresses two main issues pertinent to protein identification and differential expression analysis: 1) estimation of the probability of peptide and protein identifications and 2) non-parametric statistics for protein differential expression analysis. Our proteomic analysis workflow analyzes replicate datasets from a single experimental paradigm to generate a list of identified proteins with their probabilities and significant changes in protein expression using parametric and non-parametric statistics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The input for our workflow is Bioworks™ 3.2 Sequest (or a later version, including cluster) output in XML format. We use a decoy database approach to assign probability to peptide identifications. The user has the option to select "quality thresholds" on peptide identifications based on the P value. We also estimate probability for protein identification. Proteins identified with peptides at a user-specified threshold value from biological experiments are grouped as either control or treatment for further analysis in ProtQuant. ProtQuant utilizes a parametric (ANOVA) method, for calculating differences in protein expression based on the quantitative measure ΣXcorr. Alternatively ProtQuant output can be further processed using non-parametric Monte-Carlo resampling statistics to calculate P values for differential expression. Correction for multiple testing of ANOVA and resampling P values is done using Benjamini and Hochberg's method. The results of these statistical analyses are then combined into a single output file containing a comprehensive protein list with probabilities and differential expression analysis, associated P values, and resampling statistics.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>For biologists carrying out proteomics by mass spectrometry, our workflow facilitates automated, easy to use analyses of Bioworks (3.2 or later versions) data. All the methods used in the workflow are peer-reviewed and as such the results of our workflow are compliant with proteomic data submission guidelines to public proteomic data repositories including PRIDE. Our workflow is a necessary intermediate step that is required to link proteomics data to biological knowledge for generating testable hypotheses.</p

CASE REPORT: Chorangiophagus Parasiticus: A Rare Case Report

Malformations are common in twin pregency compared to singleton pregnancy. One such rare anomaly is Chorangiophagus parasiticus also known as twin to twin transfusion which is an asymmetric abnormality of monozygotic twins, where asymmetric twin survive by parasitisizing normal twin. It’s a rare condition with an incidence of 1 in 35.000 deliveries. We report such a case with complete autopsy findings

Group treatments for sensitive health care problems : a randomised controlled trial of group versus individual physiotherapy sessions for female urinary incontinence

Background: The aim was to compare effectiveness of group versus individual sessions of physiotherapy in terms of symptoms, quality of life, and costs, and to investigate the effect of patient preference on uptake and outcome of treatment. Methods: A pragmatic, multi-centre randomised controlled trial in five British National Health Service physiotherapy departments. 174 women with stress and/or urge incontinence were randomised to receive treatment from a physiotherapist delivered in a group or individual setting over three weekly sessions. Outcome were measured as Symptom Severity Index; Incontinence-related Quality of Life questionnaire; National Health Service costs, and out of pocket expenses. Results: The majority of women expressed no preference (55%) or preference for individual treatment (36%). Treatment attendance was good, with similar attendance with both service delivery models. Overall, there were no statistically significant differences in symptom severity or quality of life outcomes between the models. Over 85% of women reported a subjective benefit of treatment, with a slightly higher rating in the individual compared with the group setting. When all health care costs were considered, average cost per patient was lower for group sessions (Mean cost difference £52.91 95%, confidence interval (£25.82 - £80.00)). Conclusion: Indications are that whilst some women may have an initial preference for individual treatment, there are no substantial differences in the symptom, quality of life outcomes or non-attendance. Because of the significant difference in mean cost, group treatment is recommended

Photoassociative Spectroscopy of Ultracold Metastable Argon

We present results of photoassociative spectroscopy performed on ultracold metastable argonatoms in a magneto-optical trap. Ion spectra are obtained with laser detuning up to a few gigahertz below the 4s[3/2]2 → 4p[5/2]3 trapping transition at 811 nm and with intensities in a range of ~(102-105)ISat. We also compute dipole-dipole potentials for both singly and doubly excited diatomic molecules and use a Leroy-Bernstein analysis to determine the approximate vibrational spacings in the (s+p) and (p+p) manifolds. Based on this theoretical framework, we explain a broad background feature in our data and suggest that double-excitation mechanisms are likely responsible for sharp dips in the ion signal

Extracellular Vesicles from Human Papilloma Virus-Infected Cervical Cancer Cells Enhance HIV-1 Replication in Differentiated U1 Cell Line

In the current study, we hypothesized that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from human papilloma virus (HPV)-infected cervical cancer cells exacerbate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 replication in differentiated U1 cell line through an oxidative stress pathway. To test the hypothesis, we treated an HIV-1-infected macrophage cell line (U1) with HPV-infected Caski cell culture supernatant (CCS). We observed a significant increase in HIV-1 replication, which was associated with an increase in the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYPs 1A1 and 2A6) in the CCS-treated U1 cells. Furthermore, we isolated EVs from CCS (CCS-EVs), which showed the presence of CYPs (1A1, 2A6), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and HPV oncoproteins HPV16 E6. CCS-EVs when exposed to the U1 cells also significantly increased HIV-1 replication. Treatment of antioxidant, CYP1A1 and CYP2A6 inhibitors, and chemodietary agents with antioxidant properties significantly reduced the CCS and CCS-EVs mediated HIV-1 replication in U1 cells. Altogether, we demonstrate that cervical cancer cells exacerbate HIV-1 replication in differentiated U1 cell line via transferring CYPs and HPV oncoproteins through EVs. We also show that the viral replication occurs via CYP and oxidative stress pathways, and the viral replication is also reduced by chemodietary agents. This study provides important information regarding biological interactions between HPV and HIV-1 via EVs leading to enhanced HIV-1 replication