Charge 4/3 leptons in cosmic rays

A cosmic ray counter telescope has been operated at zenith angles of 0, 40, 44, and 60 degs in order to look for charge 4/3 particles. A few million clean single cosmic rays of each zenith angle are analyzed

Spatial distribution read-out system for thermoluminescence sheets

A spatial distribution read-out system of thermoluminescence (TL) sheets is developed. This system consists of high gain image intensifier, a CCD-TV camera, a video image processor and a host computer. This system has been applied to artificial TL sheets (BaSO4:Eu doped) for detecting high energy electromagnetic shower and heavy nuclei tracks

Comparison of responsiveness of the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand version of the carpal tunnel syndrome instrument to surgical treatment with DASH, SF-36, and physical findings

AbstractBackgroundThe Japanese Society for Surgery of -the Hand version of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Instrument (CTSI-JSSH), which consists of two parts — one for symptom severity (CTSI-SS) and the other for functional status (CTSI-FS) — is a self-administered questionnaire specifically designed for carpal tunnel syndrome. The responsiveness of the CTSI-JSSH was compared with that of the JSSH version of the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH), the official Japanese version of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36, version 1.2), and physical examinations to elucidate the role of the CTSI-JSSH for evaluating patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.MethodsPreoperatively, a series of 60 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome completed the CTSI-JSSH, DASH, and SF-36. Results of physical examinations, including grip strength, pulp pinch, and static two-point discrimination of the thumb, index, and long fingers, were recorded. Three months after carpal tunnel release surgery the patients were asked to fill out the same questionnaires, and the physical examinations were repeated. The responsiveness of all the instruments was examined by calculating the standardized response mean (SRM) and effect size (ES). Correlation coefficients were calculated between questionnaire change scores and patient satisfaction scores as well as between the CTSI change scores and those of the DASH and SF-36.ResultsThe largest responsiveness was observed in the CTSI-SS (SRM/ES: −1.00/−1.08) followed by the CTSI-FS (−0.76/−0.63), and bodily pain subscale of SF-36 (SF−36−BP, 0.45/0.55), and the DASH (−0.46/−0.47). Only the change scores of the CTSI-SS had significant correlation with patient satisfaction (r = 0.34, P < 0.01). An absolute value of Spearman’s correlation coefficient of >0.5 was observed between the change scores of the CTSI-SS and the DASH, the CTSI-SS and the SF-36-BP, the CTSI-FS and the DASH, and the DASH and the SF-36-BP.ConclusionThe CTSI-JSSH was proven to be more sensitive to clinical changes after carpal tunnel release than the other outcome measures and should be used to evaluate patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who speak Japanese as their native language

Sedeonic relativistic quantum mechanics

We represent sixteen-component values "sedeons", generating associative noncommutative space-time algebra. We demonstrate a generalization of relativistic quantum mechanics using sedeonic wave functions and sedeonic space-time operators. It is shown that the sedeonic second-order equation for the sedeonic wave function, obtained from the Einstein relation for energy and momentum, describes particles with spin 1/2. We show that for the special types of wave functions the sedeonic second-order equation can be reduced to the set of sedeonic first-order equations analogous to the Dirac equation. At the same time it is shown that these sedeonic equations differ in space-time properties and describe several types of massive and corresponding massless particles. In particular we proposed four different equations, which could describe four types of neutrinos.Comment: 22 pages, 3 table

Generalized Gravi-Electromagnetism

A self consistant and manifestly covariant theory for the dynamics of four charges (masses) (namely electric, magnetic, gravitational, Heavisidian) has been developed in simple, compact and consistent manner. Starting with an invariant Lagrangian density and its quaternionic representation, we have obtained the consistent field equation for the dynamics of four charges. It has been shown that the present reformulation reproduces the dynamics of individual charges (masses) in the absence of other charge (masses) as well as the generalized theory of dyons (gravito - dyons) in the absence gravito - dyons (dyons). key words: dyons, gravito - dyons, quaternion PACS NO: 14.80H

Imaginary in all directions: an elegant formulation of special relativity and classical electrodynamics

A suitable parameterization of space-time in terms of one complex and three quaternionic imaginary units allows Lorentz transformations to be implemented as multiplication by complex-quaternionic numbers rather than matrices. Maxwell's equations reduce to a single equation.Comment: 8 page

Bifunctional Ligands Allow Deliberate Extrinsic Reprogramming of the Glucocorticoid Receptor

Therapies based on conventional nuclear receptor ligands are extremely powerful, yet their broad and long-term use is often hindered by undesired side effects that are often part of the receptor\u27s biological function. Selective control of nuclear receptors such as the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) using conventional ligands has proven particularly challenging. Because they act solely in an allosteric manner, conventional ligands are constrained to act via cofactors that can intrinsically partner with the receptor. Furthermore, effective means to rationally encode a bias for specific coregulators are generally lacking. Using the (GR) as a framework, we demonstrate here a versatile approach, based on bifunctional ligands, that extends the regulatory repertoire of GR in a deliberate and controlled manner. By linking the macrolide FK506 to a conventional agonist (dexamethasone) or antagonist (RU-486), we demonstrate that it is possible to bridge the intact receptor to either positively or negatively acting coregulatory proteins bearing an FK506 binding protein domain. Using this strategy, we show that extrinsic recruitment of a strong activation function can enhance the efficacy of the full agonist dexamethasone and reverse the antagonist character of RU-486 at an endogenous locus. Notably, the extrinsic recruitment of histone deacetylase-1 reduces the ability of GR to activate transcription from a canonical GR response element while preserving ligand-mediated repression of nuclear factor-κB. By providing novel ways for the receptor to engage specific coregulators, this unique ligand design approach has the potential to yield both novel tools for GR study and more selective therapeutics

Effect of Shear Flow on the Stability of Domains in Two Dimensional Phase-Separating Binary Fluids

We perform a linear stability analysis of extended domains in phase-separating fluids of equal viscosity, in two dimensions. Using the coupled Cahn-Hilliard and Stokes equations, we derive analytically the stability eigenvalues for long wavelength fluctuations. In the quiescent state we find an unstable varicose mode which corresponds to an instability towards coarsening. This mode is stabilized when an external shear flow is imposed on the fluid. The effect of the shear is seen to be qualitatively similar to that found in experiments.Comment: 13 pages, RevTeX, 8 eps figures included. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Phase separation transition in liquids and polymers induced by electric field gradients

Spatially uniform electric fields have been used to induce instabilities in liquids and polymers, and to orient and deform ordered phases of block-copolymers. Here we discuss the demixing phase transition occurring in liquid mixtures when they are subject to spatially nonuniform fields. Above the critical value of potential, a phase-separation transition occurs, and two coexisting phases appear separated by a sharp interface. Analytical and numerical composition profiles are given, and the interface location as a function of charge or voltage is found. The possible influence of demixing on the stability of suspensions and on inter-colloid interaction is discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Special issue of the J. Phys. Soc. Ja