25,095 research outputs found
High-resolution crystal structure of C-Phycocyanin and polarized optical spectra of single crystals
Ontogeny of purinergic receptor-regulated Ca2+ signaling in mouse cortical collecting duct epithelium
Changes in ATP-induced increase in {[}Ca2+], during collecting duct ontogeny were studied in primary monolayer cultures of mouse ureteric bud (UB) and cortical collecting duct (CCD) cells by Fura-PE3 fluorescence ratio imaging. In UB (embryonic day E14 and postnatal day P1) the ATIP-stimulated increase (EC50 approximate to 1 muM) in fluorescence ratio (DeltaR(ATP)) was independent of extracellular Ca2+ and insensitive to the P2 purinoceptor-antagonist suramin (1 mM). From day P7 onward when CCD morphogenesis had been completed DeltaR(ATP) increased and became dependent on extracellular Ca2+. This ATP-stimulated Ca2+ entry into CCD cells was non-capacitative and suramin (11 mM)insensitive, but sensitive to nifedipine (30 muM) and enhanced by Bay K8644 (15 muM), a blocker and an agonist of L-type Ca2+ channels, respectively. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated similar mRNA expression of L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1-subunit, P2Y(1), P2Y(2), and P2X(4b) purinoceptors in UB and CCD monolayers while the abundance of P2X(4) mRNA increased with CCD morphogenesis. In conclusion, both embryonic and postnatal cells express probably P2Y(2)-stimulated Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. With development, the CCD epithelium acquires ATP-stimulated Ca2+ entry via L-type Ca2+ channels. This pathway might by mediated by the increasing expression of P2X(4)-receptors resulting in an increasing ATP-dependent membrane depolarization and activation of L-type Ca2+ channels. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
Relative Riemann-Zariski spaces
In this paper we study relative Riemann-Zariski spaces attached to a morphism
of schemes and generalizing the classical Riemann-Zariski space of a field. We
prove that similarly to the classical RZ spaces, the relative ones can be
described either as projective limits of schemes in the category of locally
ringed spaces or as certain spaces of valuations. We apply these spaces to
prove the following two new results: a strong version of stable modification
theorem for relative curves; a decomposition theorem which asserts that any
separated morphism between quasi-compact and quasi-separated schemes factors as
a composition of an affine morphism and a proper morphism. (In particular, we
obtain a new proof of Nagata's compactification theorem.)Comment: 30 pages, the final version, to appear in Israel J. of Mat
Cosmological Constant, Gauge Hierarchy and Warped Geometry
It is suggested that the mechanism responsible for the resolution of the
gauge hierarchy problem within the warped geometry framework can be generalized
to provide a new explanation of the extremely tiny vacuum energy density rho_V
suggested by recent observations. We illustrate the mechanism with some 5D
examples in which the true vacuum energy is assumed to vanish, and rho_V is
associated with a false vacuum energy such that rho_V^{1/4} ~ TeV^2/M_{Pl} ~
10^{-3} eV, where M_{Pl} denotes the reduced Planck mass. We also consider a
quintessence-like solution to the dark energy problem.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 2 figures, section on quantum corrections added,
version to appear in Phys. Rev.
ZZE-Configuration of chromophore ß-153 in C-phycocyanin from Mastigocladus laminosus
The photochemistry of C-phycocyanin has been studied after denaturation in the dark. It shows
an irreversible reaction which has characteristics of a Ζ,Ζ,Ε- to Z,Z,Z-isomerization of dihydrobilins.
Its amplitude depends on the reaction conditions, with a maximum corresponding to 15%
conversion of one of the three PC chromophores. This chromophore is suggested to be ß-153, for
which recent X-ray data T. Schirmer, W. Bode, and R. Huber, J. Mol. Biol., submitted, show
ring D being highly twisted out of the plane of the other rings. During unfolding, there is thus a
probability of falling into the photochemically labile Z,Z,^-configuration
Mapping out the time-evolution of exoplanet processes
There are many competing theories and models describing the formation,
migration and evolution of exoplanet systems. As both the precision with which
we can characterize exoplanets and their host stars, and the number of systems
for which we can make such a characterization increase, we begin to see
pathways forward for validating these theories. In this white paper we identify
predicted, observable correlations that are accessible in the near future,
particularly trends in exoplanet populations, radii, orbits and atmospheres
with host star age. By compiling a statistically significant sample of
well-characterized exoplanets with precisely measured ages, we should be able
to begin identifying the dominant processes governing the time-evolution of
exoplanet systems.Comment: Astro2020 white pape
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