378 research outputs found
Adsorption of polyampholytes on charged surfaces
We have studied the adsorption of neutral polyampholytes on model charged
surfaces that have been characterized by contact angle and streaming current
measurements. The loop size distributions of adsorbed polymer chains have been
obtained using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and compared to recent theoretical
predictions. We find a qualitative agreement with theory; the higher the
surface charge, the smaller the number of monomers in the adsorbed layer, in
agreement with theory. We propose an original scenario for the adsorption of
polyampholytes on surfaces covered with both neutral long-chain and charged
short-chain thiols.Comment: 11 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in EPJ
Stick-slip instability for viscous fingering in a gel
The growth dynamics of an air finger injected in a visco-elastic gel (a
PVA/borax aqueous solution) is studied in a linear Hele-Shaw cell. Besides the
standard Saffmann-Taylor instability, we observe - with increasing finger
velocities - the existence of two new regimes: (a) a stick-slip regime for
which the finger tip velocity oscillates between 2 different values, producing
local pinching of the finger at regular intervals, (b) a ``tadpole'' regime
where a fracture-type propagation is observed. A scaling argument is proposed
to interpret the dependence of the stick-slip frequency with the measured
rheological properties of the gel.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to Europhysics Letter
Pinning of a solid--liquid--vapour interface by stripes of obstacles
We use a macroscopic Hamiltonian approach to study the pinning of a
solid--liquid--vapour contact line on an array of equidistant stripes of
obstacles perpendicular to the liquid. We propose an estimate of the density of
pinning stripes for which collective pinning of the contact line happens. This
estimate is shown to be in good agreement with Langevin equation simulation of
the macroscopic Hamiltonian. Finally we introduce a 2--dimensional mean field
theory which for small strength of the pinning stripes and for small capillary
length gives an excellent description of the averaged height of the contact
line.Comment: Plain tex, 12 pages, 3 figures available upon reques
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An unusual ascospore shape and a new species, Umbilicaria nodulospora (Umbilicariaceae), from California and Oregon
We describe Umbilicaria nodulospora, a distinctive new species occurring on steep rock faces on old lava flows in California and Oregon. The species is unusual among lichenized ascomycetes in consistently having one or two shallowly bulging knobs at one end of each ascospore, suggesting a T, Y, or L shape; otherwise they are consistent with the appearance of ascospores in most Umbilicaria species. The species is readily distinguished in the field by a grayish tone to the brown upper surface, in combination with a thickly rhizinate lower surface. Distinctiveness of the species was supported by analysis of the ITS and LSU regions of nrDNA. No close relative or sister taxon was found. Umbilicaria nodulospora is so far known only from geologically recent flood basalts in central Oregon to northeastern California.Keywords: lichenized fungi, LSU, California, Oregon, western North America, Lecanorales, lichen systematics, ITS, rDNA, lichenized ascomycetes, Umbilicariacea
Deformation and flow of a two-dimensional foam under continuous shear
We investigate the flow properties of a two-dimensional aqueous foam
submitted to a quasistatic shear in a Couette geometry. A strong localization
of the flow (shear banding) at the edge of the moving wall is evidenced,
characterized by an exponential decay of the average tangential velocity.
Moreover, the analysis of the rapid velocity fluctuations reveals self-similar
dynamical structures consisting of clusters of bubbles rolling as rigid bodies.
To relate the instantaneous (elastic) and time-averaged (plastic) components of
the strain, we develop a stochastic model where irreversible rearrangements are
activated by local stress fluctuations originating from the rubbing of the
wall. This model gives a complete description of our observations and is also
consistent with data obtained on granular shear bands by other groups.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure
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Biodiversity and ecology of lichens of Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks and Preserves, Alaska
We inventoried lichens in Lake Clark (LACL) and Katmai (KATM) National Parks and Preserves. We assembled the known information on lichens in these parks by combining field, herbarium, and literature studies. Our results provide baseline data on lichen occurrence that may be used in resource condition assessments, vulnerability assessments, long-term ecological monitoring, and resource management. We report a total of 896 taxa of lichenized fungi from the Parks, adding 889 taxa to the total of seven taxa reported for the Parks by the National Park Service database and including ten new species first published elsewhere. An additional 15 lichenicolous fungi are reported here. Seven non-lichenized fungi associated with young living twigs of particular host species are also included. Sixteen species are new to Alaska, and six species new to North America (Caloplaca fuscorufa, Lecanora leucococca s.l., Ochrolechia brodoi, Protoparmelia memnonia, and Rhizocarpon leptolepis). Four new combinations are made, Cetraria minuscula, Enchylium millegranum var. bachmanianum, Lathagrium undulatum var. granulosum, and Protomicarea alpestris. Additional new species based on collections from the Parks have been described in separate publications
Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor dampens the severity of inflammatory skin conditions
Environmental stimuli are known to contribute to psoriasis pathogenesis and that of other autoimmune diseases, but the mechanisms are largely unknown. Here we show that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a transcription factor that senses environmental stimuli, modulates pathology in psoriasis. AhR-activating ligands reduced inflammation in the lesional skin of psoriasis patients, whereas AhR antagonists increased inflammation. Similarly, AhR signaling via the endogenous ligand FICZ reduced the inflammatory response in the imiquimod-induced model of skin inflammation and AhR-deficient mice exhibited a substantial exacerbation of the disease, compared to AhR-sufficient controls. Nonhematopoietic cells, in particular keratinocytes, were responsible for this hyperinflammatory response, which involved upregulation of AP-1 family members of transcription factors. Thus, our data suggest a critical role for AhR in the regulation of inflammatory responses and open the possibility for novel therapeutic strategies in chronic inflammatory disorders
Callersâ attitudes and experiences of UK breastfeeding helpline support
Background: Breastfeeding peer support, is considered to be a key intervention for increasing breastfeeding duration rates. Whilst a number of national organisations provide telephone based breastfeeding peer support, to date there have been no published evaluations into callersâ experiences and attitudes of this support. In this study we report on the descriptive and qualitative insights provided by 908 callers as part of an evaluation of UK-based breastfeeding helpline(s).
Methods: A structured telephone interview, incorporating Likert scale responses and open-ended questions was undertaken with 908 callers over May to August, 2011 to explore callersâ experiences of the help and support received via the breastfeeding helpline(s).
Results: Overall satisfaction with the helpline was high, with the vast majority of callersâ recalling positive experiences of the help and support received. Thematic analysis was undertaken on all qualitative and descriptive data recorded during the evaluation, contextualised within the main areas addressed within the interview schedule in terms of âcontact with the helplinesâ; âexperiences of the helpline serviceâ, âperceived effectiveness of support provisionâ and âimpact on caller wellbeingâ.
Conclusion: Callers valued the opportunity for accessible, targeted, non-judgmental and convenient support. Whilst the telephone support did not necessarily influence womenâs breastfeeding decisions, the support they received left them feeling reassured, confident and more determined to continue breastfeeding. We recommend extending the helpline service to ensure support can be accessed when needed, and ongoing training and support for volunteers. Further advertising and promotion of the service within wider demographic groups is warranted
Postmitotic Hoxa5 Expression Specifies Pontine Neuron Positional Identity and Input Connectivity of Cortical Afferent Subsets
The mammalian precerebellar pontine nucleus (PN) has a main role in relaying cortical information to the cerebellum. The molecular determinants establishing ordered connectivity patterns between cortical afferents and precerebellar neurons are largely unknown. We show that expression of Hox5 transcription factors is induced in specific subsets of postmitotic PN neurons at migration onset. Hox5 induction is achieved by response to retinoic acid signaling, resulting in Jmjd3-dependent derepression of Polycomb chromatin and 3D conformational changes. Hoxa5 drives neurons to settle posteriorly in the PN, where they are monosynaptically targeted by cortical neuron subsets mainly carrying limb somatosensation. Furthermore, Hoxa5 postmigratory ectopic expression in PN neurons is sufficient to attract cortical somatosensory inputs regardless of position and avoid visual afferents. Transcriptome analysis further suggests that Hoxa5 is involved in circuit formation. Thus, Hoxa5 coordinates postmitotic specification, migration, settling position, and subcircuit assembly of PN neuron subsets in the cortico-cerebellar pathway.Peer reviewe
Roughening Transition in a Moving Contact Line
The dynamics of the deformations of a moving contact line on a disordered
substrate is formulated, taking into account both local and hydrodynamic
dissipation mechanisms. It is shown that both the coating transition in contact
lines receding at relatively high velocities, and the pinning transition for
slowly moving contact lines, can be understood in a unified framework as
roughening transitions in the contact line. We propose a phase diagram for the
system in which the phase boundaries corresponding to the coating transition
and the pinning transition meet at a junction point, and suggest that for
sufficiently strong disorder a receding contact line will leave a
Landau--Levich film immediately after depinning. This effect may be relevant to
a recent experimental observation in a liquid Helium contact line on a Cesium
substrate [C. Guthmann, R. Gombrowicz, V. Repain, and E. Rolley, Phys. Rev.
Lett. {\bf 80}, 2865 (1998)].Comment: 16 pages, 6 encapsulated figure
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