3,249 research outputs found
In-Medium Spectral Functions of Vector- and Axial-Vector Mesons from the Functional Renormalization Group
In this work we present first results on vector and axial-vector meson
spectral functions as obtained by applying the non-perturbative functional
renormalization group approach to an effective low-energy theory motivated by
the gauged linear sigma model. By using a recently proposed analytic
continuation method, we study the in-medium behavior of the spectral functions
of the and mesons in different regimes of the phase diagram. In
particular, we demonstrate explicitly how these spectral functions degenerate
at high temperatures as well as at large chemical potentials, as a consequence
of the restoration of chiral symmetry. In addition, we also compute the
momentum dependence of the and spectral functions and discuss the
various time-like and space-like processes that can occur.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, 1 tabl
Spectral Functions from the Functional Renormalization Group
We present results for in-medium spectral functions obtained within the
Functional Renormalization Group framework. The analytic continuation from
imaginary to real time is performed in a well-defined way on the level of the
flow equations. Based on this recently developed method, results for the sigma
and the pion spectral function for the quark-meson model are shown at finite
temperature, finite quark-chemical potential and finite spatial momentum. It is
shown how these spectral function become degenreate at high temperatures due to
the restoration of chiral symmetry. In addition, results for vector- and
axial-vector meson spectral functions are shown using a gauged linear sigma
model with quarks. The degeneration of the and the spectral
function as well as the behavior of their pole masses is discussed.Comment: CPOD 2017 Proceeding
Fibrillar Amyloid Plaque Formation Precedes Microglial Activation
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), hallmark alpha-amyloid deposits are characterized by the presence of activated microglia around them. Despite an extensive characterization of the relation of amyloid plaques with microglia, little is known about the initiation of this interaction. In this study, the detailed investigation of very small plaques in brain slices in AD transgenic mice of the line APP-PS1(dE9) revealed different levels of microglia recruitment. Analysing plaques with a diameter of up to 10 mu m we find that only the half are associated with clear morphologically activated microglia. Utilizing in vivo imaging of new appearing amyloid plaques in double-transgenic APP-PS1(dE9) xCX3CR1(+/-) mice further characterized the dynamic of morphological microglia activation. We observed no correlation of morphological microglia activation and plaque volume or plaque lifetime. Taken together, our results demonstrate a very prominent variation in size as well as in lifetime of new plaques relative to the state of microglia reaction. These observations might question the existing view that amyloid deposits by themselves are sufficient to attract and activate microglia in vivo
Absolute Triple Differential Cross Section for Ionization of Helium Near Threshold
Absolute measurements with an accuracy of 22% and theoretical results in a distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA) are reported for the triple-differential cross section for 26.6-eV electron-impact ionization of helium. An apparatus is used that allows all scattering angles to be independently varied for both coplanar and noncoplanar geometries. The measurements are compared with a DWBA calculation that includes exchange distortion in the calculation of the distorted waves, as well as with earlier calculations by Crothers [J. Phys. B 19, 463 (1986)] and Pan and Starace [Phys. Rev. Lett. 67, 185 (1991)]. Emphasis is placed on understanding the mechanisms for near-threshold ionization
Characterization of the ribonuclease activity on the skin surface
The rapid degradation of ribonucleic acids (RNA) by ubiquitous ribonucleases limits the efficacy of new therapies based on RNA molecules. Therefore, our aim was to characterize the natural ribonuclease activities on the skin and in blood plasma i.e. at sites where many drugs in development are applied. On the skin surfaces of Homo sapiens and Mus musculus we observed dominant pyrimidine-specific ribonuclease activity. This activity is not prevented by a cap structure at the 5'-end of messenger RNA (mRNA) and is not primarily of a 5'- or 3'-exonuclease type. Moreover, the ribonuclease activity on the skin or in blood plasma is not inhibited by chemical modifications introduced at the 2'OH group of cytidine or uridine residues. It is, however, inhibited by the ribonuclease inhibitor RNasin(Âź )although not by the ribonuclease inhibitor SUPERase· Inâą. The application of our findings in the field of medical science may result in an improved efficiency of RNA-based therapies that are currently in development
Lipid Droplets Embedded in a Model Cell Membrane Create a Phospholipid Diffusion Barrier
Lipid droplets (LDs) are ubiquitous, cytoplasmic fat storage organelles that originate from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. They are composed of a core of neutral lipids surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer. Proteins embedded into this monolayer membrane adopt a monotopic topology and are crucial for regulated lipid storage and consumption. A key question is, which collective properties of protein-intrinsic and lipid-mediated features determine spatio-temporal protein partitioning between phospholipid bilayer and LD monolayer membranes. To address this question, a freestanding phospholipid bilayer with physiological lipidic composition is produced using microfluidics and micrometer-sized LDs are dispersed around the bilayer that spontaneously insert into the bilayer. Using confocal microscopy, the 3D geometry of the reconstituted LDs is determined with high spatial resolution. The micrometer-sized bilayer-embedded LDs present a characteristic lens shape that obeys predictions from equilibrium wetting theory. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching measurements reveals the existence of a phospholipid diffusion barrier at the monolayerâbilayer interface. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation reveals lipid specific density distributions along the pore rim, which may rationalize the diffusion barrier. The lipid diffusion barrier between the LD covering monolayer and the bilayer may be a key phenomenon influencing protein partitioning between the ER membrane and LDs in living cells
Analysis of Secure Apps for Daily Clinical Use by German Orthopedic Surgeons: Searching for the "Needle in a Haystack"
Background: It is undeniable that appropriate smartphone apps offer enormous opportunities for dealing with future challenges in orthopedic surgery and public health, in general. However, it is still unclear how the apps currently available in the two major app stores can be used in daily clinical routine by German orthopedic surgeons. Objective: This study aimed to gain evidence regarding the quantity and quality of apps available in the two major app stores and their suitability for use by orthopedic surgeons in Germany. Methods: We conducted a systematic, keyword-based app store screening to obtain evidence concerning the quantity and quality of commercially available apps. Apps that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated using the app synopsisâchecklist for users and the German Mobile App Rating Scale for secure use, trustworthiness, and quality. Results: The investigation revealed serious shortcomings regarding legal and medical aspects. Furthermore, most apps turned out to be useless and unsuitable for the clinical field of application (4242/4249, 99.84%). Finally, 7 trustworthy and high-quality apps (7/4249, 0.16%) offering secure usage in the daily clinical routine of orthopedists were identified. These apps mainly focused on education (5/7). None of them were CE (ConformitĂ© EuropĂ©enne) certified. Moreover, there are no studies providing evidence that these apps have any positive use whatsoever. Conclusions: The data obtained in our study suggest that the number of trustworthy and high-quality apps on offer is extremely low. Nowadays, finding appropriate apps in the fast-moving, complex, dynamic, and rudimentarily controlled app stores is most challenging. Promising approaches, for example, systematic app store screenings, app-rating developments, reviews or app libraries, and the creation of consistent standards have been established. However, further efforts are necessary to ensure that these innovative mobile health apps not only provide the correct information but are also safe to use in daily clinical practice
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