S matrix of collective field theory

By applying the Lehmann-Symanzik-Zimmermann (LSZ) reduction formalism, we study the S matrix of collective field theory in which fermi energy is larger than the height of potential. We consider the spatially symmetric and antisymmetric boundary conditions. The difference is that S matrices are proportional to momenta of external particles in antisymmetric boundary condition, while they are proportional to energies in symmetric boundary condition. To the order of $g_{st}^2$, we find simple formulas for the S matrix of general potential. As an application, we calculate the S matrix of a case which has been conjectured to describe a "naked singularity".Comment: 19 page, LaTe

Polyethylene wear particles play a role in development of osteoarthritis via detrimental effects on cartilage, meniscus, and synovium

SummaryObjectiveWhile ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear particles are known to cause periprosthetic osteolysis, its interaction with other intra-articular tissues in the case of partial joint arthroplasties is not well understood. We hypothesized that UHMWPE particles per se would interact with intra-articular tissue, which by acting as inflammatory reservoirs, would subsequently induce osteoarthritic (OA) changes. Our goal was to assess the inflammatory response, phagocytic activity, as well as apoptosis of intra-articular cells in the presence of UHMWPE particles in vitro, and the in vivo response of those tissues after intra-articular injection of particles in a murine model.DesignThree cell types were used for the in vitro study; chondrocytes, meniscal fibrochondrocytes, and synoviocytes. Each cell type was cultured with two different concentrations of UHMWPE particles. Pro-inflammatory cytokine production, phagocytosis, and apoptosis were analyzed. In vivo experiments were done by injecting two concentrations of UHMWPE particles into normal and murine OA model knee joints.ResultsIn vitro experiments showed that UHMWPE particles increase pro-inflammatory cytokine and mediator (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, Nitric Oxide, and Prostaglandin E2) production, phagocytosis of particles, and apoptosis in all cell types. In vivo experiment showed degeneration of cartilage and meniscus, as well as synovitis after particle injection.ConclusionsUHMWPE wear particles per se exert detrimental effects in cartilage, synovium, and meniscus of the knee joint resulting in pro-inflammatory cytokine release, phagocytosis of particles and apoptosis. Particles induced and exacerbated OA changes in a murine model

Effect of Carburizing and Shot Peening on the Microstructure and Surface Properties of 17-CrNi6-Mo Steel

Carburizing and shot peening are commonly accepted surface treatment methods used to improve the surface properties of materials. Researchers are making attempts to optimize their application for obtaining superior mechanical properties. However, there are few comprehensive reports on this problem. The combination of carburizing and shot peening is used for the surface treatment of 17-CrNi6-Mo steel. This is followed by detailed analysis employing optical and scanning electron microscopy, microhardness testing, surface roughness measurements, and the measurement of residual stresses using X-ray diffraction. The results show that shot peening can further improve the microstructure and surface properties of carburized specimens since it induced the phase transformation of a carburized layer. Moreover, simulation of the phase composition variation curve along with the change in the carbon content and the continuous cooling transformation (CCT) curve of the specimen is also presented. The results are used to elucidate the carburizing effect on a 17-CrNi6-Mo steel surface microstructure.Цементация и дробеструйная обработка общепринятые методы поверхностной обработки, используемые для улучшения поверхностных свойств материалов. Ученые проводят работы в направлении оптимизации их применения с целью обеспечения высоких механических свойств. Однако существует лишь несколько подробных исследований, посвященных их применению. Комбинацию цементации и дробеструйной обработки используют для поверхностной обработки стали 17-CrNi6-Mo. После обработки проводили подробный анализ поверхности материала с использованием оптической и сканирующей электронной микроскопии, измерений ее микротвердости и шероховатости, а также остаточных напряжений с помощью рентгенографии. Результаты показывают, что дробеструйная обработка может дополнительно улучшить микроструктуру и поверхностные свойства науглероженных образцов, поскольку она вызывает фазовое превращение науглероженного слоя. Выполнено моделирование кривой вариации фазового состава с одновременным изменением содержания углерода, а также кривой превращения при непрерывном охлаждении образца. Полученные результаты используются для установления эффекта влияния цементации на микроструктуру поверхности стали 17-CrNi6-Mo

Novel D-hordein-like HMW glutenin sequences isolated from Psathyrostachys juncea by thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR

New high-molecular-weight glutenin (HMW glutenin) sequences isolated from six Psathyrostachys juncea accessions by thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR differ from previous sequences from this species. They showed novel modifications in all of the structural domains, with unique C-terminal residues, and their N-terminal lengths were the longest among the HMW glutenins reported to date. In their repetitive domains, there were three repeatable motif units: 13-residue [GYWH(/I/Y)YT(/Q)S(/T)VTSPQQ], hexapeptide (PGQGQQ), and tetrapeptide (ITVS). The 13-residue repeats were restricted to the current sequences, while the tetrapeptides were only shared by D-hordein and the current sequences. However, these sequences were not expressed as normal HMW glutenin proteins because an in-frame stop codon located in the C-termini interrupted the intact open reading frames. A phylogenetic analysis supported different origins of the P. juncea HMW glutenin sequences than that revealed by a previous study. The current sequences showed a close relationship with D-hordein but appeared to be more primitive

Characterization of a novel 4.0-kb y-type HMW-GS from Eremopyrum distans

A novel 4.0-kb Fy was sequenced and bacterially expressed. This gene, the largest y-type HMW-GS currently reported, is 4,032-bp long and encodes a mature protein with 1,321 amino acid (AA) residues. The 4.0-kb Fy shows novel modifications in all domains. In the N-terminal, it contains only 67 AA residues, as three short peptides are absent. In the repetitive domain, the undecapeptide RYYPSVTSPQQ is completely lost and the dodecapeptide GSYYPGQTSPQQ is partially absent. A novel motif unit, PGQQ, is present in addition to the two standard motif units PGQGQQ and GYYPTSPQQ. Besides, an extra cysteine residue also occurs in the middle of this domain. The large molecular mass of the 4.0-kb Fy is mainly due to the presence of an extra-long repetitive domain with 1,279 AA residues. The novel 4.0-kb Fy gene is of interest in HMW-GS gene evolution as well as to wheat quality improvement with regard to its longest repetitive domain length and extra cysteines residues

Wnt signalling and cancer stem cells

[Abstract] Intracellular signalling mediated by secreted Wnt proteins is essential for the establishment of cell fates and proper tissue patterning during embryo development and for the regulation of tissue homeostasis and stem cell function in adult tissues. Aberrant activation of Wnt signalling pathways has been directly linked to the genesis of different tumours. Here, the components and molecular mechanisms implicated in the transduction of Wnt signal, along with important results supporting a central role for this signalling pathway in stem cell function regulation and carcinogenesis will be briefly reviewed.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación; SAF2008-0060

Measurements of J/psi --> p \bar{p}

The process J/\psi --> p \bar{p} is studied using 57.7 X 10^6 J/\psi events collected with the BESII detector at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The branching ratio is determined to be Br(J/\psi --> p \bar{p})=(2.26 +- 0.01 +- 0.14) X 10^{-3}, and the angular distribution is well described by \frac{dN}{d cos\theta_p}=1+\alpha\cos^2\theta_p with \alpha = 0.676 +- 0.036 +- 0.042, where \theta_p is the angle between the proton and beam directions. The value of \alpha obtained is in good agreement with the predictions of first-order QCD.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, RevTex4, Submitted to Phys.Lett.