Compton Scattering and Photo-absorption Sum Rules on Nuclei

We revisit the photo-absorption sum rule for real Compton scattering from the proton and from nuclear targets. In analogy with the Thomas-Reiche-Kuhn sum rule appropriate at low energies, we propose a new "constituent quark model" sum rule that relates the integrated strength of hadronic resonances to the scattering amplitude on constituent quarks. We study the constituent quark model sum rule for several nuclear targets. In addition we extract the $\alpha=0$ pole contribution for both proton and nuclei. Using the modern high energy proton data we find that the $\alpha=0$ pole contribution differs significantly from the Thomson term, in contrast with the original findings by Damashek and Gilman.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables; typos corrected; submitted to PR

Isovector Giant Dipole Resonance from the 3D Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory for Superfluid Nuclei

A fully symmetry unrestricted Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory extended to include pairing correlations is used to calculate properties of the isovector giant dipole resonances of the deformed open-shell nuclei 172Yb (axially deformed), 188Os (triaxially deformed), and 238U (axially deformed), and to demonstrate good agreement with experimental data on nuclear photo-absorption cross-sections for two different Skyrme force parametrizations of the energy density functional: SkP and SLy4.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, published versio

Nonaqueous polar solvents in reverse micelle systems

The self-assembly of amphiphiles in the absence of water is studied. The assembly of amphiphiles into microemulsions and reverse micelles in nonpolar solvents while sequestering a polar nonaqueous core is discussed. Fletcher et al. used dynamic light scattering (DLS) and viscosimetry to study thermodynamically stable AOT stabilized dispersions of GY in n-heptane. Sarkar and co-workers have probed GY/AOT/isooctane reverse micelles through steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of two solvatochromic dyes, coumarin 480 and coumarin 490. Martino and Kaler reported the effect on microemulsion phase behavior and microstructure occurring when replacing water with PG, GY, and their mixtures in systems made with the nonionic surfactants pentaethylene glycol mono-n-decyl ether (C10E5). Mehta et al. have explored phase diagrams for several nonaqueous polar solvents in AOT/hexane.Fil: Correa, Nestor Mariano. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Instituto para el Desarrollo Agroindustrial y de la Salud. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto para el Desarrollo Agroindustrial y de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Silber, Juana J.. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Riter, Ruth E.. Agnes Scott College. Department of Chemistry; Estados UnidosFil: Levinger, Nancy E.. Colorado State University ; Estados Unido

Tethered Domains and Flexible Regions in tRNase ZL, the Long Form of tRNase Z

tRNase Z, a member of the metallo-β-lactamase family, endonucleolytically removes the pre-tRNA 3′ trailer in a step central to tRNA maturation. The short form (tRNase ZS) is the only one found in bacteria and archaebacteria and is also present in some eukaryotes. The homologous long form (tRNase ZL), exclusively found in eukaryotes, consists of related amino- and carboxy-domains, suggesting that tRNase ZL arose from a tandem duplication of tRNase ZS followed by interdependent divergence of the domains. X-ray crystallographic structures of tRNase ZS reveal a flexible arm (FA) extruded from the body of tRNase Z remote from the active site that binds tRNA far from the scissile bond. No tRNase ZL structures have been solved; alternative biophysical studies are therefore needed to illuminate its functional characteristics. Structural analyses of tRNase ZL performed by limited proteolysis, two dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry establish stability of the amino and carboxy domains and flexibility of the FA and inter-domain tether, with implications for tRNase ZL function

Deuteron tensor polarization component T_20(Q^2) as a crucial test for deuteron wave functions

The deuteron tensor polarization component T_20(Q^2) is calculated by relativistic Hamiltonian dynamics approach. It is shown that in the range of momentum transfers available in to-day experiments, relativistic effects, meson exchange currents and the choice of nucleon electromagnetic form factors almost do not influence the value of T_20(Q^2). At the same time, this value depends strongly on the actual form of the deuteron wave function, that is on the model of NN-interaction in deuteron. So the existing data for T_20(Q^2) provide a crucial test for deuteron wave functions.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

A Novel Exercise Initiative for Seniors to Improve Balance and Physical Function.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility, effectiveness, and short-term effects of an exercise intervention using a novel exercise park in improving seniors' balance, physical function, and quality of life. METHOD: Randomized controlled trial with pre- and post-intervention design (baseline and 18-week intervention) was used. Outcome measures included measures of balance, strength, and function, as well as quality of life and fear of falling. MANCOVA was used to assess differences between groups (control and exercise intervention) over time. RESULTS: Intervention group showed significant improvement on single leg stance (p = .02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [-8.35, -0.549]), knee strength (p < .01, 95% CI = [-29.14, -5.86]), 2-min walk (p = 0.02, 95% CI = [-19.13, -0.859]), and timed sit to stand (p = .03, 95% CI = [-2.26, -0.143]) tests. DISCUSSION: The exercise park program improved physical function and had high adherence and participation rate. Such intervention has been shown to be safe and therefore might enhance participation in exercise programs for older adults

Optimization and characterization of tRNA-shRNA expression constructs

Expression of short hairpin RNAs via the use of PolIII-based transcription systems has proven to be an effective mechanism for triggering RNAi in mammalian cells. The most popular promoters for this purpose are the U6 and H1 promoters since they are easily manipulated for expression of shRNAs with defined start and stop signals. Multiplexing (the use of siRNAs against multiple targets) is one strategy that is being developed by a number of laboratories for the treatment of HIV infection since it increases the likelihood of suppressing the emergence of resistant virus in applications. In this context, the development of alternative small PolIII promoters other than U6 and H1 would be useful. We describe tRNALys3-shRNA chimeric expression cassettes which produce siRNAs with comparable efficacy and strand selectivity to U6-expressed shRNAs, and show that their activity is consistent with processing by endogenous 3′ tRNAse. In addition, our observations suggest general guidelines for expressing effective tRNA-shRNAs with the potential for graded response, to minimize toxicities associated with competition for components of the endogenous RNAi pathway in cells

What doesn’t kill you makes you fitter: A systematic review of high-intensity interval exercise for patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases

High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) has gained popularity in recent years for patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Despite potential benefits, concerns remain about the safety of the acute response (during and/or within 24 hours postexercise) to a single session of HIIE for these cohorts. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a systematic review to evaluate the safety of acute HIIE for people with cardiometabolic diseases. Electronic databases were searched for studies published prior to January 2015, which reported the acute responses of patients with cardiometabolic diseases to HIIE (≥80% peak power output or ≥85% peak aerobic power, VO2peak). Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 156; clinically stable, aged 27–66 years), with 13 adverse responses reported (~8% of individuals). The rate of adverse responses is somewhat higher compared to the previously reported risk during moderate-intensity exercise. Caution must be taken when prescribing HIIE to patients with cardiometabolic disease. Patients who wish to perform HIIE should be clinically stable, have had recent exposure to at least regular moderate-intensity exercise, and have appropriate supervision and monitoring during and after the exercise session