More on the universal equation for Efimov states

Efimov states are a sequence of shallow three-body bound states that arise when the two-body scattering length is much larger than the range of the interaction. The binding energies of these states are described as a function of the scattering length and one three-body parameter by a transcendental equation involving a universal function of one angular variable. We provide an accurate and convenient parametrization of this function. Moreover, we discuss the effective treatment of range corrections in the universal equation and compare with a strictly perturbative scheme.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Identification of T-cell receptor a-chain genes in the chicken

T-cell receptor (TCR) -chain (TCR) and ß-chain (TCRß) genes are well characterized in mammals, while only TCRß genes have been identified in other vertebrates. To identify avian TCR genes, we used monoclonal anti-CD3 antibodies to isolate chicken TCR for peptide sequence analysis. Degenerate oligonucleotide probes were then used to isolate a candidate TCR cDNA clone that hybridized with a 1.7-kb mRNA species present only in ß T cells and in tissues populated by these cells. Southern blot analysis revealed gene rearrangement in thymocytes and ß T-cell lines. The TCR cDNA candidate encoded an openreading frame of 275 amino acids, the predicted variable (V)-, joining (J)-, and constant (C)-region amino acid sequences of which shared 40%, 60%, and 25% homology with corresponding mammalian sequences. A single C gene and 25 V genes were identified by using region-specific probes. The V cDNA probe isolated from a Vß1+ cell line reacted with transcripts from one of five Vß2+ cell lines, suggesting shared use of V genes by Vß1+ and Vß2+ T cells and the existence of other V gene families. A genomic V sequence was flanked by classical recombination signal sequences but, unlike previously defined V genes, the leader and V region were encoded by a single exon. The data indicate evolutionary conservation of the basic TCR gene structure in birds and mammal

A Gas Generating System for Complex Gas Mixtures – Multifunctional Application in PTR Method Optimization and Downstream Methanol Synthesis

The multifunctional applicability of a gas mixing system is presented within the scope of Carbon2Chem® for the simulation of steel mill flue gases and their application in downstream processes. A special focus is set on the parallel operation of the gas mixing system to enable PTR-MS method optimization and methanol synthesis with simulated real gas matrices. Information is gathered for the design of downstream processes and their application, where methanol synthesis is chosen as a model reaction. A proof-of-principle study is presented where operation of a catalytic reactor setup in combination with the gas mixing system and a compressor generate reproducible results. The addition of potential trace components in methanol synthesis is exemplarily demonstrated using ammonia. With respect to the PTR-MS application, the dosing of two calibration gas standards, toluene and carbonyl sulfide, via the gas mixing system were analyzed in detail. The obtained results give insight into its applicability to simulate traces and enables the further development of analytical methods for the analysis of trace impurities in the ppb and ppt range in complex gas mixtures

Low-cost chamber design for simultaneous CO₂ and O₂ flux measurements between tree stems and the atmosphere

Abstract Tree stem CO2 efflux is an important component of ecosystem carbon fluxes and has been the focus of many studies. While CO2 efflux can easily be measured, a growing number of studies have shown that it is not identical with actual in situ respiration. Complementing measurements of CO2 flux with simultaneous measurements of O2 flux provides an additional proxy for respiration, and the combination of both fluxes can potentially help getting closer to actual measures of respiratory fluxes. To date, however, the technical challenge to measure relatively small changes in O2 concentration against its high atmospheric background has prevented routine O2 measurements in field applications. Here, we present a new and low-cost field-tested device for autonomous real-time and quasi-continuous long-term measurements of stem respiration by combining CO2 (NDIR-based) and O2 (quenching-based) sensors in a tree stem chamber. Our device operates as a cyclic-closed system and measures changes in both CO2 and O2 concentration within the chamber over time. The device is battery powered with a >1-week power independence, and data acquisition is conveniently achieved by an internal logger. Results from both field and laboratory tests document that our sensors provide reproducible measurements of CO2 and O2 exchange fluxes under varying environmental conditions.Abstract Tree stem CO2 efflux is an important component of ecosystem carbon fluxes and has been the focus of many studies. While CO2 efflux can easily be measured, a growing number of studies have shown that it is not identical with actual in situ respiration. Complementing measurements of CO2 flux with simultaneous measurements of O2 flux provides an additional proxy for respiration, and the combination of both fluxes can potentially help getting closer to actual measures of respiratory fluxes. To date, however, the technical challenge to measure relatively small changes in O2 concentration against its high atmospheric background has prevented routine O2 measurements in field applications. Here, we present a new and low-cost field-tested device for autonomous real-time and quasi-continuous long-term measurements of stem respiration by combining CO2 (NDIR-based) and O2 (quenching-based) sensors in a tree stem chamber. Our device operates as a cyclic-closed system and measures changes in both CO2 and O2 concentration within the chamber over time. The device is battery powered with a >1-week power independence, and data acquisition is conveniently achieved by an internal logger. Results from both field and laboratory tests document that our sensors provide reproducible measurements of CO2 and O2 exchange fluxes under varying environmental conditions

Stochastic optimization of a cold atom experiment using a genetic algorithm

We employ an evolutionary algorithm to automatically optimize different stages of a cold atom experiment without human intervention. This approach closes the loop between computer based experimental control systems and automatic real time analysis and can be applied to a wide range of experimental situations. The genetic algorithm quickly and reliably converges to the most performing parameter set independent of the starting population. Especially in many-dimensional or connected parameter spaces the automatic optimization outperforms a manual search.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Botulinum toxin type A in the prophylactic treatment of chronic tension-type headache: A multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study

We studied the safety and efficacy of 0 U, 50 U, 100 U, 150 U (five sites), 86 Usub and 100 Usub (three sites) botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA; BOTOX); Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) for the prophylaxis of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). Three hundred patients (62.3% female; mean age 42.6 years) enrolled. For the primary endpoint, the mean change from baseline in the number of TTH-free days per month, there was no statistically significant difference between placebo and four BoNTA groups, but a significant difference favouring placebo vs. BoNTA 150 was observed (4.5 vs. 2.8 tension headache-free days/month; P = 0.007). All treatment groups improved at day 60. Although efficacy was not demonstrated for the primary endpoint, at day 90, more patients in three BoNTA groups had \u3eor=50% decrease in tension headache days than did placebo (

The Turkey Ig-like receptor family: identification, expression and function.

The chicken leukocyte receptor complex located on microchromosome 31 encodes the chicken Ig-like receptors (CHIR), a vastly expanded gene family which can be further divided into three subgroups: activating CHIR-A, bifunctional CHIR-AB and inhibitory CHIR-B. Here, we investigated the presence of CHIR homologues in other bird species. The available genome databases of turkey, duck and zebra finch were screened with different strategies including BLAST searches employing various CHIR sequences, and keyword searches. We could not identify CHIR homologues in the distantly related zebra finch and duck, however, several partial and complete sequences of CHIR homologues were identified on chromosome 3 of the turkey genome. They were designated as turkey Ig-like receptors (TILR). Using cDNA derived from turkey blood and spleen RNA, six full length TILR could be amplified and further divided according to the typical sequence features into one activating TILR-A, one inhibitory TILR-B and four bifunctional TILR-AB. Since the TILR-AB sequences all displayed the critical residues shown to be involved in binding to IgY, we next confirmed the IgY binding using a soluble TILR-AB1-huIg fusion protein. This fusion protein reacted with IgY derived from various gallinaceous birds, but not with IgY from other bird species. Finally, we tested various mab directed against CHIR for their crossreactivity with either turkey or duck leukocytes. Whereas no staining was detectable with duck cells, the CHIR-AB1 specific mab 8D12 and the CHIR-A2 specific mab 13E2 both reacted with a leukocyte subpopulation that was further identified as thrombocytes by double immunofluorescence employing B-cell, T-cell and thrombocyte specific reagents. In summary, although the turkey harbors similar LRC genes as the chicken, their distribution seems to be distinct with predominance on thrombocytes rather than lymphocytes