With missing title of the paper. Overrelaxation Algorithm for coupled Gauge-Higgs systems

In this letter we extent the overrelaxation algorithm, known to be very efficient in gauge theories, to coupled gauge-Higgs systems with a particular emphasis on the update of the radial mode of the Higgs field. Our numerical tests of the algorithm show that the autocorrelation times can be reduced substantially.Comment: 10pages, DESY-95-04

Selective molecular transport in nanopore systems

A detailed characterization of the physics of novel nanopore systems has the potential to revolutionize water filtration, nanofluidics, and biomolecule detection technologies. I give my characterizations of five nanopore systems as my dissertation. First, I present my study of nanopores in polyethylene terephthalate (PET), revealing the mechanism for variance in current rectification based on cation species. Second, I demonstrate the mechanism of selective probe capture in bacterial toxin protein α-hemolysin (aHL) using dielectrophoresis. Third, I introduce the first simulation of molecular artificial water channel pillar[5]arene (PAP) and uncover the mechanics of its water transport and self-aggregation properties. Fourth, I characterize the water permeability and ion rejection of truncated human membrane protein aquaporin-1 (AQP) in simulation. Finally, I present MD simulation of truncated AQP as a voltage-gated ionic diode and as the functional element of a double-membrane ionic pump

Revalidatie na een voorstekruisbandletsel: met of zonder kniebrace?

Revalidatie na een voorstekruisbandherstel dient vroeg en op een intensieve manier te gebeuren. Vooral spierversterkende oefeningen spelen een belangrijke rol in dit proces. De plaats van kniebracing hierbij is echter nog steeds een punt van discussie. Functionele braces hebben wel een mechanisch effect, maar enkel bij een lage belasting (en dus niet bij dagelijkse bewegingen en sport). Bracing heeft een negatief effect op de hamstrings, die, als voorstekruisbandagonisten, een belangrijke rol hebben in het revalidatieproces. Een correcte plaatsing van het transplantaat in een anatomische positie, goede en sterke fixatie, behandeling van bijkomende blessures van de ligamenten en de meniscus en de aanwezigheid van een gecontroleerde revalidatieomgeving zijn dan ook veel belangrijker voor een goed klinisch resultaat in het algemeen en van een goede kniestabiliteit in het bijzonder. Bracing heeft, los van het soort brace (dus ook placebobrace), een positief effect op de proprioceptie. Door de brace ontstaat een subjectief gevoel van veiligheid, wat bij sommige patiënten het revalidatieproces gunstig zal beïnvloeden; dit kan echter ook een te veilig gevoel geven waardoor de patiënt te roekeloos wordt en een grotere kans bestaat op een herval van de blessure

Murine interleukin 1 stimulates α2-macroglobulin synthesis in rat hepatocyte primary cultures

AbstractIn rat hepatocyte primary cultures recombinant interleukin 1 was found to stimulate α2-macroglobulin synthesis, whereas albumin synthesis was decreased. Although recent experiments gave evidence that a hepato-cyte-stimulating factor distinct from interleukin 1 must exist, we conclude that interleukin 1 exerts a direct effect on hepatocytes by inducing acute-phase protein synthesis.Interleukin 1α2-MacroglobulinRat hepatocyt

Gauge-Independent Analysis of K_L --> e \mu in Left-Right Models

The lepton-flavour-violating decay K_L --> e \mu is studied in detail within the context of SU(2)_R x SU(2)_L x U(1)_(B-L) models, which include heavy Majorana neutrinos. Particular attention is paid to the gauge independence of this decay process to one loop. In analogy with earlier studies on the K^0\bar{K}^0 mixing, it is explicitly shown how restoration of gauge invariance occurs in the decay amplitude containing the box diagrams, when the relevant Higgs-dependent self-energy and vertex graphs are taken into account in the on-shell skeleton renormalization scheme. Based on the analytic expressions so derived, we find that the branching ratio B(K_L --> e \mu) can be considerably enhanced due to the presence of left- and right-handed currents in the loop, and can reach values close to or even larger than the present experimental limit 3.3 x 10^{-11} in the manifest left-right symmetric model. Constraints on the parameter space of typical left-right models are derived from the possible decay K_L --> e \mu and a global analysis of other low-energy data.Comment: 44 pages, LaTeX, six encapsulated figures include

Role of la 5p in Bulk and Quantum-Confined Solids Probed by the la 5p54f13D1Excitonic Final State of Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering

The varied electronic localization of rare earth elements is essential to functional materials and a key to tailoring their properties. We establish with unprecedented spectral resolution the excitonic nature of the lanthanum 5p54f13D1and 3D2final states of resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) at the La N4,5edges. We extract the intrinsic lifetime, energy distance, and relative intensity ratio from single crystal LaAlO3and construct an empirical model. With help of the model, we precisely determine the RIXS 3D1final state position and identify La 5p as a descriptor of covalency with the host material. For metallic lanthanum, La3+ions in mixed-covalent-ionic simple oxides and phosphates, and ionic salts alike, we find a sizable chemical shift, indicating band-like and free-ion-like La. The different electronic relaxation of the La 5p5hole and the La 4f1electron is discussed with local and nonlocal screening contributions. In addition, the energetics of the excitonic La 5p54f1Coulomb attraction is quantified in its variation from lanthanum metal to mixed-covalent-ionic La2O3and the ionic LaF3salt

Anti-TNF-Alpha Therapy Enhances the Effects of Enzyme Replacement Therapy in Rats with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI

Although enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is available for several lysosomal storage disorders, the benefit of this treatment to the skeletal system is very limited. Our previous work has shown the importance of the Toll-like receptor 4/TNF-alpha inflammatory pathway in the skeletal pathology of the mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), and we therefore undertook a study to examine the additive benefit of combining anti-TNF-alpha therapy with ERT in a rat model of MPS type VI.MPS VI rats were treated for 8 months with Naglazyme® (recombinant human N-acetyl-galactosamine-4-sulfatase), or by a combined protocol using Naglazyme® and the rat-specific anti-TNF-alpha drug, CNTO1081. Both protocols led to markedly reduced serum levels of TNF-alpha and RANKL, although only the combined treatment reduced TNF-alpha in the articular cartilage. Analysis of cultured articular chondrocytes showed that the combination therapy also restored collagen IIA1 expression, and reduced expression of the apoptotic marker, PARP. Motor activity and mobility were improved by ERT, and these were significantly enhanced by combination treatment. Tracheal deformities in the MPS VI animals were only improved by combination therapy, and there was a modest improvement in bone length. Ceramide levels in the trachea also were markedly reduced. MicroCT analysis did not demonstrate any significant positive effects on bone microarchitecture from either treatment, nor was there histological improvement in the bone growth plates.The results demonstrate that combining ERT with anti-TNF-alpha therapy improved the treatment outcome and led to significant clinical benefit. They also further validate the usefulness of TNF-alpha, RANKL and other inflammatory molecules as biomarkers for the MPS disorders. Further evaluation of this combination approach in other MPS animal models and patients is warranted