66 research outputs found
Enhanced Supersymmetry of Nonrelativistic ABJM Theory
We study the supersymmetry enhancement of nonrelativistic limits of the ABJM
theory for Chern-Simons level . The special attention is paid to the
nonrelativistic limit (known as `PAAP' case) containing both particles and
antiparticles. Using supersymmetry transformations generated by the monopole
operators, we find additional 2 kinematical, 2 dynamical, and 2 conformal
supercharges for this case. Combining with the original 8 kinematical
supercharges, the total number of supercharges becomes maximal: 14
supercharges, like in the well-known PPPP limit. We obtain the corresponding
super Schr\"odinger algebra which appears to be isomorphic to the one of the
PPPP case. We also discuss the role of monopole operators in supersymmetry
enhancement and partial breaking of supersymmetry in nonrelativistic limit of
the ABJM theory.Comment: 22 pages, references added, version to appear in JHE
Challenging fear: Chemical alarm signals are not causing morphology changes in crucian carp (Carassius carassius)
Crucian carp develops a deep body in the presence of chemical cues from predators, which makes the fish less vulnerable to gape-limited predators. The active components originate in conspecifics eaten by predators, and are found in the filtrate of homogenised conspecific skin. Chemical alarm signals, causing fright reactions, have been the suspected inducers of such morphological changes. We improved the extraction procedure of alarm signals by collecting the supernatant after centrifugation of skin homogenates. This removes the minute particles that normally make a filtered sample get turbid. Supernatants were subsequently diluted and frozen into ice-cubes. Presence of alarm signals was confirmed by presenting thawed ice-cubes to crucian carp in behaviour tests at start of laboratory growth experiments. Frozen extracts were added further on three times a week. Altogether, we tested potential body-depth-promoting properties of alarm signals twice in the laboratory and once in the field. Each experiment lasted for a minimum of 50 days. Despite growth of crucian carp in all experiments, no morphology changes were obtained. Accordingly, we conclude that the classical alarm signals that are releasing instant fright reactions are not inducing morphological changes in this species. The chemical signals inducing a body-depth increase are suspected to be present in the particles removed during centrifugation (i.e., in the precipitate). Tissue particles may be metabolized by bacteria in the intestine of predators, resulting in water-soluble cues. Such latent chemical signals have been found in other aquatic organisms, but hitherto not reported in fishe
Vertical Heterophoria and Postural Control in Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain
The purpose of this study was to test postural control during quiet standing in
nonspecific chronic low back pain (LBP) subjects with vertical heterophoria (VH)
before and after cancellation of VH; also to compare with healthy subjects with,
and without VH. Fourteen subjects with LBP took part in this study. The postural
performance was measured through the center of pressure displacements with a
force platform while the subjects fixated on a target placed at either 40 or 200
cm, before and after VH cancellation with an appropriate prism. Their postural
performance was compared to that of 14 healthy subjects with VH and 12 without
VH (i.e. vertical orthophoria) studied previously in similar conditions. For LBP
subjects, cancellation of VH with a prism improved postural performance. With
respect to control subjects (with or without VH), the variance of speed of the
center of pressure was higher, suggesting more energy was needed to stabilize
their posture in quiet upright stance. Similarly to controls, LBP subjects
showed higher postural sway when they were looking at a target at a far distance
than at a close distance. The most important finding is that LBP subjects with
VH can improve their performance after prism-cancellation of their VH. We
suggest that VH reflects mild conflict between sensory and motor inputs involved
in postural control i.e. a non optimal integration of the various signals. This
could affect the performance of postural control and perhaps lead to pain.
Nonspecific chronic back pain may results from such prolonged conflict
The Genome Sequence of the Leaf-Cutter Ant Atta cephalotes Reveals Insights into Its Obligate Symbiotic Lifestyle
Leaf-cutter ants are one of the most important herbivorous insects in the Neotropics, harvesting vast quantities of fresh leaf material. The ants use leaves to cultivate a fungus that serves as the colony's primary food source. This obligate ant-fungus mutualism is one of the few occurrences of farming by non-humans and likely facilitated the formation of their massive colonies. Mature leaf-cutter ant colonies contain millions of workers ranging in size from small garden tenders to large soldiers, resulting in one of the most complex polymorphic caste systems within ants. To begin uncovering the genomic underpinnings of this system, we sequenced the genome of Atta cephalotes using 454 pyrosequencing. One prediction from this ant's lifestyle is that it has undergone genetic modifications that reflect its obligate dependence on the fungus for nutrients. Analysis of this genome sequence is consistent with this hypothesis, as we find evidence for reductions in genes related to nutrient acquisition. These include extensive reductions in serine proteases (which are likely unnecessary because proteolysis is not a primary mechanism used to process nutrients obtained from the fungus), a loss of genes involved in arginine biosynthesis (suggesting that this amino acid is obtained from the fungus), and the absence of a hexamerin (which sequesters amino acids during larval development in other insects). Following recent reports of genome sequences from other insects that engage in symbioses with beneficial microbes, the A. cephalotes genome provides new insights into the symbiotic lifestyle of this ant and advances our understanding of host–microbe symbioses
Iron Behaving Badly: Inappropriate Iron Chelation as a Major Contributor to the Aetiology of Vascular and Other Progressive Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases
The production of peroxide and superoxide is an inevitable consequence of
aerobic metabolism, and while these particular "reactive oxygen species" (ROSs)
can exhibit a number of biological effects, they are not of themselves
excessively reactive and thus they are not especially damaging at physiological
concentrations. However, their reactions with poorly liganded iron species can
lead to the catalytic production of the very reactive and dangerous hydroxyl
radical, which is exceptionally damaging, and a major cause of chronic
inflammation. We review the considerable and wide-ranging evidence for the
involvement of this combination of (su)peroxide and poorly liganded iron in a
large number of physiological and indeed pathological processes and
inflammatory disorders, especially those involving the progressive degradation
of cellular and organismal performance. These diseases share a great many
similarities and thus might be considered to have a common cause (i.e.
iron-catalysed free radical and especially hydroxyl radical generation). The
studies reviewed include those focused on a series of cardiovascular, metabolic
and neurological diseases, where iron can be found at the sites of plaques and
lesions, as well as studies showing the significance of iron to aging and
longevity. The effective chelation of iron by natural or synthetic ligands is
thus of major physiological (and potentially therapeutic) importance. As
systems properties, we need to recognise that physiological observables have
multiple molecular causes, and studying them in isolation leads to inconsistent
patterns of apparent causality when it is the simultaneous combination of
multiple factors that is responsible. This explains, for instance, the
decidedly mixed effects of antioxidants that have been observed, etc...Comment: 159 pages, including 9 Figs and 2184 reference
Self-generated sounds of locomotion and ventilation and the evolution of human rhythmic abilities
Meso- and bathypelagic distribution and abundance of chaetognaths in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean
Aggregation of polyphagous predators in response to multiple prey: ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) foraging in alfalfa
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