286 research outputs found
Dynamics of systems with isotropic competing interactions in an external field: a Langevin approach
We study the Langevin dynamics of a ferromagnetic Ginzburg-Landau Hamiltonian
with a competing long-range repulsive term in the presence of an external
magnetic field. The model is analytically solved within the self consistent
Hartree approximation for two different initial conditions: disordered or zero
field cooled (ZFC), and fully magnetized or field cooled (FC). To test the
predictions of the approximation we develop a suitable numerical scheme to
ensure the isotropic nature of the interactions. Both the analytical approach
and the numerical simulations of two-dimensional finite systems confirm a
simple aging scenario at zero temperature and zero field. At zero temperature a
critical field is found below which the initial conditions are relevant
for the long time dynamics of the system. For a logarithmic growth of
modulated domains is found in the numerical simulations but this behavior is
not captured by the analytical approach which predicts a growth law at
Beta cell dysfunction induced by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 is associated with histone modifications and decreased NeuroD1 chromatin binding
Insufficient insulin secretion is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes and has been attributed to beta cell identity loss characterized by decreased expression of several key beta cell genes. The pro-inflammatory factor BMP-2 is upregulated in islets of Langerhans from individuals with diabetes and acts as an inhibitor of beta cell function and proliferation. Exposure to BMP-2 induces expression of Id1-4, Hes-1, and Hey-1 which are transcriptional regulators associated with loss of differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which BMP-2 induces beta cell dysfunction and loss of cell maturity. Mouse islets exposed to BMP-2 for 10 days showed impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and beta cell proliferation. BMP-2-induced beta cell dysfunction was associated with decreased expression of cell maturity and proliferation markers specific to the beta cell such as Ins1, Ucn3, and Ki67 and increased expression of Id1-4, Hes-1, and Hey-1. The top 30 most regulated proteins significantly correlated with corresponding mRNA expression. BMP-2-induced gene expression changes were associated with a predominant reduction in acetylation of H3K27 and a decrease in NeuroD1 chromatin binding activity. These results show that BMP-2 induces loss of beta cell maturity and suggest that remodeling of H3K27ac and decreased NeuroD1 DNA binding activity participate in the effect of BMP-2 on beta cell dysfunction
Robust 3D Reconstruction and Mean-Shift Clustering of Motoneurons from Serial Histological Images
A regional database management systemâthe fisheries resource information system and tools (FiRST): Its design, utility and future directions
Modeling the Subsurface Structure of Sunspots
While sunspots are easily observed at the solar surface, determining their
subsurface structure is not trivial. There are two main hypotheses for the
subsurface structure of sunspots: the monolithic model and the cluster model.
Local helioseismology is the only means by which we can investigate
subphotospheric structure. However, as current linear inversion techniques do
not yet allow helioseismology to probe the internal structure with sufficient
confidence to distinguish between the monolith and cluster models, the
development of physically realistic sunspot models are a priority for
helioseismologists. This is because they are not only important indicators of
the variety of physical effects that may influence helioseismic inferences in
active regions, but they also enable detailed assessments of the validity of
helioseismic interpretations through numerical forward modeling. In this paper,
we provide a critical review of the existing sunspot models and an overview of
numerical methods employed to model wave propagation through model sunspots. We
then carry out an helioseismic analysis of the sunspot in Active Region 9787
and address the serious inconsistencies uncovered by
\citeauthor{gizonetal2009}~(\citeyear{gizonetal2009,gizonetal2009a}). We find
that this sunspot is most probably associated with a shallow, positive
wave-speed perturbation (unlike the traditional two-layer model) and that
travel-time measurements are consistent with a horizontal outflow in the
surrounding moat.Comment: 73 pages, 19 figures, accepted by Solar Physic
Dissodactylus crinitichelis Moreira, 1901 and Leodia sexiesperforata (Leske, 1778): first record of this symbiosis in Brazil
O gĂȘnero Vaucheria D.C. (Vaucheriaceae, Xanthophyceae) no sul do Brasil: aspectos taxonĂŽmicos e ecolĂłgicos
Gene-educational attainment interactions in a multi-population genome-wide meta-analysis identify novel lipid loci
Introduction: Educational attainment, widely used in epidemiologic studies as a surrogate for socioeconomic status, is a predictor of cardiovascular health outcomes. Methods: A two-stage genome-wide meta-analysis of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels was performed while accounting for gene-educational attainment interactions in up to 226,315 individuals from five population groups. We considered two educational attainment variables: âSome Collegeâ (yes/no, for any education beyond high school) and âGraduated Collegeâ (yes/no, for completing a 4-year college degree). Genome-wide significant (p < 5 Ă 10â8) and suggestive (p < 1 Ă 10â6) variants were identified in Stage 1 (in up to 108,784 individuals) through genome-wide analysis, and those variants were followed up in Stage 2 studies (in up to 117,531 individuals). Results: In combined analysis of Stages 1 and 2, we identified 18 novel lipid loci (nine for LDL, seven for HDL, and two for TG) by two degree-of-freedom (2 DF) joint tests of main and interaction effects. Four loci showed significant interaction with educational attainment. Two loci were significant only in cross-population analyses. Several loci include genes with known or suggested roles in adipose (FOXP1, MBOAT4, SKP2, STIM1, STX4), brain (BRI3, FILIP1, FOXP1, LINC00290, LMTK2, MBOAT4, MYO6, SENP6, SRGAP3, STIM1, TMEM167A, TMEM30A), and liver (BRI3, FOXP1) biology, highlighting the potential importance of brain-adipose-liver communication in the regulation of lipid metabolism. An investigation of the potential druggability of genes in identified loci resulted in five gene targets shown to interact with drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including genes with roles in adipose and brain tissue. Discussion: Genome-wide interaction analysis of educational attainment identified novel lipid loci not previously detected by analyses limited to main genetic effects.</p
Splenectomy for splenomegaly and secondary hypersplenism
Splenomegaly and secondary hypersplenism may be associated with acute and chronic infections, autoimmune states, portal hypertension or splenic vein thrombosis, and a number of infiltrative and neoplastic conditions involving the spleen. Our experience and that of others with these various conditions demonstrates that the decision to perform splenectomy should be based on well-defined and often strictly limited indications. Except for idiopathic splenomegaly, the presence and severity of secondary hypersplenism or severely symptomatic splenomegaly should be well documented. In each case, the potential for palliation and known mean duration of expected response must be weighed against the increased morbidity and mortality of splenectomy (as compared to operation for âprimaryâ hypersplenism) . La splĂ©nomĂ©galie avec hypersplĂ©nisme secondaire relĂšve de multiples causes: infection aigue ou chronique, Ă©tats autoimmunologiques, hypertension portale, thrombose de la veine splĂ©nique, lĂ©sions tumorales splĂ©niques. L'expĂ©rience de l'auteur qui rejoint celle de nombreux collĂšgues lui permet d'affirmer que les indications de la splĂ©nectomie doivent ĂȘtre bien dĂ©finies et sont strictement limitĂ©es. A l'exception de la splĂ©nomĂ©galie idiopathique, l'existence et l'intensitĂ© de l'hypersplĂ©nisme, l'importance des symptomes provoquĂ©s par la splĂ©nomĂ©galie doivent ĂȘtre aprrĂ©ciĂ©es avec prĂ©cision. Dans chaque cas le potentiel de la rĂ©mission de l'affection et la durĂ©e de la rĂ©mission doivent ĂȘtre pris en considĂ©ration en fonction de l'Ă©ventuelle morbiditĂ© et de l'Ă©ventuelle mortalitĂ© de la splĂ©nectomie (par comparaison avec la splĂ©nectomie pour hypersplĂ©nisme primaire). Eplenomegalia e hiperesplenismo secundario pueden estar asociados con infecciones agudas y crĂłnicas, estados autoinmunes (sĂndrome de Felty, lupus eritematoso sistĂ©mico), âesplenomegalia congestivaâ por hipertensiĂłn portal o trombosis de la vena esplĂ©nica y con una variedad de entidades de tipo infiltrativo y neoplĂĄsico que afectan al bazo (sarcoidosis, enfermedad de Gaucher, varios desĂłrdenes mieloproliferativos y linfomas). Nuestra experiencia, y aquella de otros autores, con tales condiciones demuestra que la decisiĂłn de realizar esplenectomĂa debe estar fundamentada en indicaciones bien definidas y estrictamente limitadas. Excepto en casos de esplenomegalia idiopĂĄtica, la presencia y severidad del hiperesplenismo secundario o de esplenomegalia severamente sintomĂĄtica debe ser bien documentada. En cada caso debe determinarse el potencial de paliaciĂłn y la duraciĂłn de la respuesta que se espera obtener frente a la incrementada morbilidad y mortalidad de la esplenectomĂa (en comparaciĂłn con la operaciĂłn que se realiza por hiperesplenismo âprimarioâ).Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41318/1/268_2005_Article_BF01655279.pd
All-sky search for long-duration gravitational wave transients with initial LIGO
We present the results of a search for long-duration gravitational wave transients in two sets of data collected by the LIGO Hanford and LIGO Livingston detectors between November 5, 2005 and September 30, 2007, and July 7, 2009 and October 20, 2010, with a total observational time of 283.0 days and 132.9 days, respectively. The search targets gravitational wave transients of duration 10-500 s in a frequency band of 40-1000 Hz, with minimal assumptions about the signal waveform, polarization, source direction, or time of occurrence. All candidate triggers were consistent with the expected background; as a result we set 90% confidence upper limits on the rate of long-duration gravitational wave transients for different types of gravitational wave signals. For signals from black hole accretion disk instabilities, we set upper limits on the source rate density between 3.4Ă10-5 and 9.4Ă10-4 Mpc-3 yr-1 at 90% confidence. These are the first results from an all-sky search for unmodeled long-duration transient gravitational waves. © 2016 American Physical Society
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