Existence of the Wigner function with correct marginal distributions along tilted lines on a lattice

In order to determine the Wigner function uniquely, we introduce a new condition which ensures that the Wigner function has correct marginal distributions along tilted lines. For a system in $N$ dimensional Hilbert space, whose "phase space" is a lattice with $N^2$ sites, we get different results depending on whether $N$ is odd or even. Under the new condition, the Wigner function is determined if $N$ is an odd number, but it does not exist if $N$ is even.Comment: 18 page

Different formulations of 3He and 3H photodisintegration

Different momentum space Faddeev-like equations and their solutions for the radiative pd-capture and the three-nucleon photodisintegration of 3He are presented. Applications are based on the AV18 nucleon-nucleon and the Urbana IX three nucleon forces. Meson exchange currents are included using the Siegert theorem. A very good agreement has been found in all cases indicating the reliability of the used numerical methods. Predictions for cross sections and polarization observables in the pd-capture and the complete three nucleon breakup of 3He at different incoming deuteron/photon energies are presented.Comment: 18 pages, 9 ps figure

Development of 3D CAD/FEM Analysis System for Natural Teeth and Jaw Bone Constructed from X-Ray CT Images

A three-dimensional finite element model of the lower first premolar, with the three layers of enamel, dentin, and pulp, and the mandible, with the two layers of cortical and cancellous bones, was directly constructed from noninvasively acquired CT images. This model was used to develop a system to analyze the stresses on the teeth and supporting bone structure during occlusion based on the finite element method and to examine the possibility of mechanical simulation

Wigner Functions on a Lattice

The Wigner functions on the one dimensional lattice are studied. Contrary to the previous claim in literature, Wigner functions exist on the lattice with any number of sites, whether it is even or odd. There are infinitely many solutions satisfying the conditions which reasonable Wigner functions should respect. After presenting a heuristic method to obtain Wigner functions, we give the general form of the solutions. Quantum mechanical expectation values in terms of Wigner functions are also discussed.Comment: 11 pages, no figures, REVTE

Identification of an elaborate complex mediating postsynaptic inhibition

Inhibitory synapses dampen neuronal activity through postsynaptic hyperpolarization. The composition of the inhibitory postsynapse and the mechanistic basis of its regulation, however, remains poorly understood. We used an in vivo chemico-genetic proximity-labeling approach to discover inhibitory postsynaptic proteins. Quantitative mass spectrometry not only recapitulated known inhibitory postsynaptic proteins, but also revealed a large network of new proteins, many of which are either implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders or are of unknown function. CRISPR-depletion of one of these previously uncharacterized proteins, InSyn1, led to decreased postsynaptic inhibitory sites, reduced frequency of miniature inhibitory currents, and increased excitability in the hippocampus. Our findings uncover a rich and functionally diverse assemblage of previously unknown proteins that regulate postsynaptic inhibition and might contribute to developmental brain disorders

Kinetoplastid kinetochore proteins KKT14–KKT15 are divergent Bub1/BubR1–Bub3 proteins

Faithful transmission of genetic material is crucial for the survival of all organisms. In many eukaryotes, a feedback control mechanism called the spindle checkpoint ensures chromosome segregation fidelity by delaying cell cycle progression until all chromosomes achieve proper attachment to the mitotic spindle. Kinetochores are the macromolecular complexes that act as the interface between chromosomes and spindle microtubules. While most eukaryotes have canonical kinetochore proteins that are widely conserved, kinetoplastids such as Trypanosoma brucei have a seemingly unique set of kinetochore proteins including KKT1–25. It remains poorly understood how kinetoplastids regulate cell cycle progression or ensure chromosome segregation fidelity. Here, we report a crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of KKT14 from Apiculatamorpha spiralis and uncover that it is a pseudokinase. Its structure is most similar to the kinase domain of a spindle checkpoint protein Bub1. In addition, KKT14 has a putative ABBA motif that is present in Bub1 and its paralogue BubR1. We also find that the N-terminal part of KKT14 interacts with KKT15, whose WD40 repeat beta-propeller is phylogenetically closely related to a direct interactor of Bub1/BubR1 called Bub3. Our findings indicate that KKT14–KKT15 are divergent orthologues of Bub1/BubR1–Bub3, which promote accurate chromosome segregation in trypanosomes

The potential to narrow uncertainty in projections of stratospheric ozone over the 21st century

Future stratospheric ozone concentrations will be determined both by changes in the concentration of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) and by changes in stratospheric and tropospheric climate, including those caused by changes in anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs). Since future economic development pathways and resultant emissions of GHGs are uncertain, anthropogenic climate change could be a significant source of uncertainty for future projections of stratospheric ozone. In this pilot study, using an "ensemble of opportunity" of chemistry-climate model (CCM) simulations, the contribution of scenario uncertainty from different plausible emissions pathways for ODSs and GHGs to future ozone projections is quantified relative to the contribution from model uncertainty and internal variability of the chemistry-climate system. For both the global, annual mean ozone concentration and for ozone in specific geographical regions, differences between CCMs are the dominant source of uncertainty for the first two-thirds of the 21st century, up-to and after the time when ozone concentrations return to 1980 values. In the last third of the 21st century, dependent upon the set of greenhouse gas scenarios used, scenario uncertainty can be the dominant contributor. This result suggests that investment in chemistry-climate modelling is likely to continue to refine projections of stratospheric ozone and estimates of the return of stratospheric ozone concentrations to pre-1980 levels

解剖体において両側性の星状神経節ブロックは頻繁に硬膜外腔への薬液浸潤を起こす

It is well known that epidural infusion of injectate in association with a C6 paratracheal stellate ganglion block (SGB) leads to negative and/or positive side effects for the patient. However, this associated infusion has not been demonstrated experimentally using cadavers. We found that, in postmortem-fixed cadavers, epidural infusion occurred much more frequently in cases of bilateral SGB than in unilateral SGB. The frequency in the bilateral case (36.1%) was far beyond the two times of the unilateral one (7.7%). The injectate (latex resin, 10 ml for one side) was delivered from the prevertebral deposit into the epidural space by way of the spaces around the C8 and/or T1 spinal nerve roots. Thus, the latex spread around and/or in the brachial plexus usually combined with the epidural infusion. We speculate that the amount of injectate spreading into the prevertebral space in the bilateral injection (total 20 ml) was beyond the hypothetical tentative capacity and that the excess amount made the addional, perineural spread. The present results suggests that, in clinical cases, the frequency of epidural infusion depends on the amount of injectate even in the routine unilateral SGB. However, the cadaveric study did not indicate how much amount is the excess for the living patient

The reduced genome of the parasitic microsporidian Enterocytozoon bieneusi lacks genes for core carbon metabolism

© The Authors, 2010. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.5 License. The definitive version was published in Genome Biology and Evolution 2 (2010): 304, doi:10.1093/gbe/evq022.Reduction of various biological processes is a hallmark of the parasitic lifestyle. Generally, the more intimate the association between parasites and hosts the stronger the parasite relies on its host's physiology for survival and reproduction. However, some systems have been held to be indispensable, for example, the core pathways of carbon metabolism that produce energy from sugars. Even the most hardened anaerobes that lack oxidative phosphorylation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle have retained glycolysis and some downstream means to generate ATP. Here we describe the deep-coverage genome resequencing of the pathogenic microsporidiian, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, which shows that this parasite has crossed this line and abandoned complete pathways for the most basic carbon metabolism. Comparing two genome sequence surveys of E. bieneusi to genomic data from four other microsporidia reveals a normal complement of 353 genes representing 30 functional pathways in E. bieneusi, except that only 2 out of 21 genes collectively involved in glycolysis, pentose phosphate, and trehalose metabolism are present. Similarly, no genes encoding proteins involved in the processing of spliceosomal introns were found. Altogether, E. bieneusi appears to have no fully functional pathway to generate ATP from glucose. Therefore, this intracellular parasite relies on transporters to import ATP from its host.This work was supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (MOP-84265), the National Institutes of Health (NIH AI31788, R21 AI52792, and R21 AI064118), and the National Science Foundation (MCB- 0135272). N.C. is a Scholar of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and is supported by a fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation (NSF) (PA00P3- 124166). D.E. is supported by the Swiss NSF. P.J.K. is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and a Senior Scholar of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research

Projecting ozone hole recovery using an ensemble of chemistry-climate models weighted by model performance and independence

Calculating a multi-model mean, a commonly used method for ensemble averaging, assumes model independence and equal model skill. Sharing of model components amongst families of models and research centres, conflated by growing ensemble size, means model independence cannot be assumed and is hard to quantify. We present a methodology to produce a weighted-model ensemble projection, accounting for model performance and model independence. Model weights are calculated by comparing model hindcasts to a selection of metrics chosen for their physical relevance to the process or phenomena of interest. This weighting methodology is applied to the Chemistry-Climate Model Initiative (CCMI) ensemble to investigate Antarctic ozone depletion and subsequent recovery. The weighted mean projects an ozone recovery to 1980 levels, by 2056 with a 95 % confidence interval (2052-2060), 4 years earlier than the most recent study. Perfect-model testing and out-of-sample testing validate the results and show a greater projective skill than a standard multi-model mean. Interestingly, the construction of a weighted mean also provides insight into model performance and dependence between the models. This weighting methodology is robust to both model and metric choices and therefore has potential applications throughout the climate and chemistry-climate modelling communities