Deformations of Multiparameter Quantum gl(N)

Multiparameter quantum gl(N) is not a rigid structure. This paper defines an essential deformation as one that cannot be interpreted in terms of a similarity transformation, nor as a perturbation of the parameters. All the equivalence classes of first order essential deformations are found, as well as a class of exact deformations. This work provides quantization of all the classical Lie bialgebra structures (constant r-matrices) found by Belavin and Drinfeld for sl(n). A special case, that requires the Hecke parameter to be a cubic root of unity, stands out.Comment: 15 pages. Plain Te

No classical limit of quantum decay for broad states

Though the classical treatment of spontaneous decay leads to an exponential decay law, it is well known that this is an approximation of the quantum mechanical result which is a non-exponential at very small and large times for narrow states. The non exponential nature at large times is however hard to establish from experiments. A method to recover the time evolution of unstable states from a parametrization of the amplitude fitted to data is presented. We apply the method to a realistic example of a very broad state, the sigma meson and reveal that an exponential decay is not a valid approximation at any time for this state. This example derived from experiment, shows the unique nature of broad resonances

Developing Novel Nanoparticulated Imaging System using Luminescence Enhancement of Eu(III) and TB(III) by Single-Strand DNA Encapsulation

Non-toxic biosensors are encountering an increase in attention for use in understanding the fate of cells and as a diagnostic tool. Development and incorporation of suitable fluorophores into biological molecules is the key for monitoring proteins in vivo research. This study investigated the enhanced emission of Eu (III) and Tb (III) upon binding to the four DNA bases and their respective nucleotides, found the best ratio for effective energy transfer, and developing nanoparticles to deliver the biosensor into the cells. It is well known that Eu (III) and Tb (III) exhibit very distinctive photo-characteristics. The luminescence of these two lanthanides is weak due to low absorption cross sections. Conversely, the emission of both trivalent ions, upon irradiation, in aqueous solution, is strong when bound to complex ligand systems. The luminescent enhancement is the result of energy transfer (EnT) and the binding with single-stranded DNA, making these ions perfect candidates for luminescent probes (1). The emission lanthanides theory by G.A. Crosby establishes that the intramolecular energy transfer in a lanthanide complex is when the lowest triplet state energy level of the complex equals or lies above the resonance level of the lanthanide (2) To overcome the inherently low absorption of lanthanide ions, researchers have developed sensitizing fluorophores that upon excitation, transfer energy to the lanthanide (3) (4). One problem with luminescence in an aqueous solution is that another pathway is available for deactivation of the excited state of the lanthanide, in the form of vibrational energy transfer to water molecules (1). Early research shows that quenching of luminescence is minimized by using ligands which tended to encapsulate the lanthanide ion (1). Longer emission lifetimes and greater quantum yield intensities can be accomplished by either chelation by ligands (5)or encapsulation of the lanthanides. We ascertained the maximum enhancement for the lanthanide ions occurred through the interaction with the base guanine or its nucleotide guanosine 5’-monophosphate disodium salt. The research initially pursued the encapsulation of the lanthanide ions by single-strand oligonucleotides as a biosensor. However, an alternative delivery method based on inverse micelles and liposomes was developed and it proved to be economical and simple to encapsulate and deliver the biosensor into the cells. The creation of a double emulsion, or water-oil-water system, and the encapsulation (using palmitic acid as surfactant) of the water soluble biosensors were successful. This thesis determined the particle size achieved of 75nm, for both lanthanides had fallen into the nanoemulsions range. Their small size permits the nanoparticles to be injected intravenously(6). The in vitro toxicity of the nanoparticles, with both luminescence biosensors, was assessed by BCA assay. Results supported both luminescence nanoparticles biosensors were non toxic to human cells. Therefore, these NP’s have a potential to provide a unique detection signature as a contrast agent suitable for medical applications (7). It has been published that nanoparticles (NPs) can rapidly be transported to the liver (about 90%), then kidneys and other organs (8). After a period of time, the NPs are expelled from the human body through feces and urine, unless the size of the NPs is larger than 200 nm, in which case the NPs are retained / trapped by the liver. The particle size obtained in this research, 75nm, is a good indication that the biosensor will have a safe disposal from the body

Shell Utilization Pattern by the Hermit Crab Isocheles sawayai Forest and Saint Laurent, 1968 (Anomura, Diogenidae) from Margarita Island, Caribbean Sea, Venezuela

Isocheles sawayai is a hermit crab that is occasionally mentioned in the literature, and recently its distribution was extended to Venezuelan waters. Because no information on the biology and shell use patterns of this species inhabiting Caribbean waters is available, we provide the first information on shell occupation patterns of I. sawayai from Venezuela. Specimens were collected monthly from January to December 2000 along the sandy shore of Margarita Island, Venezuela. The 942 specimens collected showed different shell use patterns between the sexes and according to the reproductive condition of the females. The gastropods Leucozonia nassa (37.37%), Engoniophos unicinctus (25.37%), Nassarius vibex (4.88%), Melongena melongena (4.25%), and Stramonita haemastoma (3.82%) represent 76% of the total occupied shells. Of the total of 26 different shell species occupied by I. sawayai, males were found occupying 21, while females were found occupying all 26 shell species. In general, both sexes most frequently occupied L. nassa and E. unicinctus. However, the percentage of females occupying these shells was significantly higher than that of the males. Regression analyses showed the best correlation between crab size, shell aperture width, and shell internal volume. The current comparative investigation, in combination with other South Atlantic populations of I. sawayai, provided further evidence of shell use adaptation in hermit crabs from different areas, and increases our insight into shell use of shallow-water hermit crabs

Octopus maya white body show sex-specific transcriptomic profiles during the reproductive phase, with high differentiation in signaling pathways

White bodies (WB), multilobulated soft tissue that wraps the optic tracts and optic lobes, have been considered the hematopoietic organ of the cephalopods. Its glandular appearance and its lobular morphology suggest that different parts of the WB may perform different functions, but a detailed functional analysis of the octopus WB is lacking. The aim of this study is to describe the transcriptomic profile of WB to better understand its functions, with emphasis on the difference between sexes during reproductive events. Then, validation via qPCR was performed using different tissues to find out tissue-specific transcripts. High differentiation in signaling pathways was observed in the comparison of female and male transcriptomic profiles. For instance, the expression of genes involved in the androgen receptor-signaling pathway were detected only in males, whereas estrogen receptor showed higher expression in females. Highly expressed genes in males enriched oxidation-reduction and apoptotic processes, which are related to the immune response. On the other hand, expression of genes involved in replicative senescence and the response to cortisol were only detected in females. Moreover, the transcripts with higher expression in females enriched a wide variety of signaling pathways mediated by molecules like neuropeptides, integrins, MAPKs and receptors like TNF and Toll-like. In addition, these putative neuropeptide transcripts, showed higher expression in females' WB and were not detected in other analyzed tissues. These results suggest that the differentiation in signaling pathways in white bodies of O. maya influences the physiological dimorphism between females and males during the reproductive phase