The emission line near 1319 A in solar and stellar spectra

An emission line near 1319 A is one of the strongest unidentified lines in the ultraviolet spectra of cool dwarf stars. In most line lists it is identified as a transition in N I, although its intensity would then be anomalous and the observed wavelength does not fit precisely that expected for N I. The line is also observed in cool giant stars. The measured wavelength of the line in stellar spectra is 1318.94 (+,- 0.01) A. Observations of giant stars provide further evidence that this line is not due to N I. It is proposed that this line is a decay from a previously unknown level in S I, which lies above the first ionization limit. This is identified with the 3d singlet D (odd parity) term. The previous tentative assignment of this term to the S I line at 1309.3 A then needs to be revised. The 1309.3 A line has been identified here for the first time in an astrophysical source. The singlet D (odd parity) level could, in principle, be populated by collisions from nearby autoionizing levels that have large number-densities, through population by di-electronic capture. Spin-orbit interaction with the autoionizing triplet D (odd parity) term might also lead to di-electronic capture into the singlet D (odd parity) level. A line at 1309.87 A observed in cool giant stars is identified as a transition in P II, pumped by the O I resonance lines.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ

Therapeutic potential of endothelin receptor type A and bradykinin receptor B1 dual antagonism in osteoarthritis treatment

Nous avons préalablement démontré que l'endothéline-1 (ET-1), un peptide vasoconstricteur de 21 acides aminés, joue un rôle central dans le métabolisme des tissus articulaires et a des fonctions cataboliques sur le cartilage articulaire dans l'ostéoarthrose, en liant son récepteur de type A (ETA). Suite à la relâche du nonapeptide vasodilatateur bradykinine (BK), et l'augmentation d'expression du récepteur B1 des kinines (BKB1), ces médiateurs engendrent un cycle d'inflammation, une destruction du cartilage, et une douleur articulaire. Lors de cette étude, l'efficacité thérapeutique des antagonistes spécifiques du ETA et/ou BKB1 dans un modèle animal d'ostéoarthrose a été testée. Notre hypothèse est que l'antagonisme va diminuer la progression de la pathologie et de la douleur articulaire. L'ostéoarthrose a été induite chez des rats par rupture chirurgicale du ligament croisé antérieur. Les animaux ont été traités par injections intra articulaire hebdomadaires des antagonistes peptidiques spécifiques du ETA et/ou BKB1. La douleur articulaire a été évaluée par le test d'incapacitance statique durant les deux mois postopératoires ; la morphologie articulaire a été examinée post mortem par radiologie et histologie. On constate que le traitement a diminué la douleur et a préservé la morphologie articulaire ; la double inhibition a été plus efficace que la simple inhibition. En conclusion, l'antagonisme double d'ETA et BKB1 améliore la douleur chronique et prévient la dégradation articulaire dans l'ostéoarthrose, ce qui suggère que ces récepteurs peuvent être des cibles thérapeutiques potentiels pour le traitement de cette pathologie.The author's laboratory has previously shown that endothelin-1 (ET-1), a 21-residue vasoconstrictive peptide, plays a central role in joint tissue metabolism, and has a catabolic function in matrix collagen degradation in osteoarthritis. These effects occur primarily through ligation of the endothelin-1 receptor A subtype (ETA). The subsequent release of the nonapeptide vasodilator bradykinin (BK) in the joint microenvironment, and up-regulation of bradykinin receptor B1 (BKB1) expression, engenders a vicious cycle of synovial membrane inflammation, articular cartilage destruction, and joint pain. In the present work, we describe a preclinical study of the efficacy of treatment of surgically induced osteoarthritis with ETA and/or BKB1 specific peptide antagonists. We hypothesize that antagonism will diminish osteoarthritis progress and articular pain. Osteoarthritis was surgically induced in rats by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament. Animals were subsequently treated with weekly intra-articular injections of specific peptide antagonists of ETA and BKB1. Hind limb pain was measured by the static weight bearing test for two months post-operatively. Post-mortem, knee joints were analyzed radiologically and histologically. Local antagonist treatment diminished overall limb pain, and accelerated postoperative recovery, after disease induction. Treatment also protected joint radiomorphology and histomorphology, with dual antagonism being slightly more protective. ETA and BKB1 dual antagonism improves chronic pain and prevents joint degradation in osteoarthritis. They therefore represent a novel therapeutic target: specific receptor dual antagonism may prove beneficial in disease management

Optimal Control of Parallel Queues for Managing Volunteer Convergence

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163497/2/poms13224.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163497/1/poms13224_am.pd

Silicone migration to the contralateral axillary lymph nodes and breast after highly cohesive silicone gel implant failure: a case report

Highly cohesive silicone gel implants are advertised for aesthetic and safety advantages. Our case is the fourth report describing early implant rupture and contralateral migration of siliconoma. Despite the greater degree of gel cohesiveness, a continued vigilance for signs and symptoms of migration is highly recommended

O CARMA E O PROBLEMA DO MAL: UMA RESPOSTA AOS CRÍTICOS

Meu objetivo em “O Carma, a Reencarnação e o Problema do Mal” era estimular a discussão sobre o carma e a reencarnação como uma solução para o problema do sofrimento inocente no mundo. Como tal, agradeço a oportunidade de ouvir críticos como Chadha e Trakakis e estou feliz em tentar uma resposta. Em sua crítica, eles tentam me retratar como ignorante das muitas sutilezas e refinamentos precisos da filosofia do carma e, portanto, incapaz de julgá-la. Entretanto, como declarei em meu artigo original, meu propósito não é apresentar uma síntese historicamente baseada na doutrina do carma e da reencarnação, mas sim tentar, usando a interpretação mais caridosa possível e não estando rigidamente vinculado às tradições ou textos doutrinários, uma reconstrução ativa do melhor caso para uma teodiceia sistemática baseada no carma, a fim de ver se ela pode explicar com sucesso a origem do mal. Mas eu também sugeriria que, muitas vezes, há uma certa vantagem em ter uma perspectiva imparcial sobre um assunto, uma vez que alguém que está muito envolvido com o assunto pode falhar em atingir a objetividade sobre ele e estar sujeito à aceitação dogmática de doutrinas, mesmo quando elas desafiam o bom senso. Mas deixe o leitor decidir: apresentarei brevemente minhas reações às críticas deles às minhas seis principais objeções ao carma e a reencarnação