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Autocorrelation of Photoemission Self Energy to Quasiparticle Interference in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+Ī“
Molecular mechanisms that regulate the coupled period of the mammalian circadian clock
In mammals, most cells in the brain and peripheral tissues generate circadian
(~24hr) rhythms autonomously. These self-sustained rhythms are coordinated and
entrained by a master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).
Within the SCN, the individual rhythms of each neuron are synchronized through
intercellular signaling. One important feature of SCN is that the synchronized
period is close to the cell population mean of intrinsic periods. In this way,
the synchronized period of the SCN stays close to the periods of cells in
peripheral tissues. This is important for SCN to entrain cells throughout the
body. However, the mechanism that drives the period of the coupled SCN cells to
the population mean is not known. We use mathematical modeling and analysis to
show that the mechanism of transcription repression plays a pivotal role in
regulating the coupled period. Specifically, we use phase response curve
analysis to show that the coupled period within the SCN stays near the
population mean if transcriptional repression occurs via protein sequestration.
In contrast, the coupled period is far from the mean if repression occurs
through highly nonlinear Hill-type regulation (e.g. oligomer- or
phosphorylation-based repression). Furthermore, we find that the timescale of
intercellular coupling needs to be fast compared to that of intracellular
feedback to maintain the mean period. These findings reveal the important
relationship between the intracellular transcriptional feedback loop and
intercellular coupling. This relationship explains why transcriptional
repression appears to occur via protein sequestration in multicellular
organisms, mammals and Drosophila, in contrast with the phosphorylation-based
repression in unicellular organisms. That is, transition to protein
sequestration is essential for synchronizing multiple cells with a period close
to the population mean (~24hr).Comment: 21 pages, 16 figure
Investigation of Nondestructive Testing Methods for Friction Stir Welding
Friction stir welding is a method of materials processing that enables the joining of similar and dissimilar materials. The process, as originally designed by The Welding Institute (TWI), provides a unique approach to manufacturingāwhere materials can be joined in many designs and still retain mechanical properties that are similar to, or greater than, other forms of welding. This process is not free of defects that can alter, limit, and occasionally render the resulting weld unusable. Most common amongst these defects are kissing bonds, wormholes and cracks that are often hidden from visual inspection. To identify these defects, various nondestructive testing methods are being used. This paper presents background to the process of friction stir welding and identifies major process parameters that affect the weld properties, the origin, and types of defects that can occur, and potential nondestructive methods for ex-situ detection and in-situ identification of these potential defects, which can then allow for corrective action to be taken
Long-term biocompatibility, imaging appearance and tissue effects associated with delivery of a novel radiopaque embolization bead for image-guided therapy
The objective of this study was to undertake a comprehensive long-term biocompatibility and imaging assessment of a new intrinsically radiopaque bead (LC Bead LUMIā¢) for use in transarterial embolization. The sterilized device and its extracts were subjected to the raft of ISO10993 biocompatibility tests that demonstrated safety with respect to cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, blood contact, irritation, sensitization, systemic toxicity and tissue reaction. Intra-arterial administration was performed in a swine model of hepatic arterial embolization in which 0.22ā1 mL of sedimented bead volume was administered to the targeted lobe(s) of the liver. The beads could be visualized during the embolization procedure with fluoroscopy, DSA and single X-ray snapshot imaging modalities. CT imaging was performed before and 1 h after embolization and then again at 7, 14, 30 and 90 days. LC Bead LUMIā¢ could be clearly visualized in the hepatic arteries with or without administration of IV contrast and appeared more dense than soluble contrast agent. The CT density of the beads did not deteriorate during the 90 day evaluation period. The beads embolized predictably and effectively, resulting in areas devoid of contrast enhancement on CT imaging suggesting ischaemia-induced necrosis nearby the sites of occlusion. Instances of off target embolization were easily detected on imaging and confirmed pathologically. Histopathology revealed a classic foreign body response at 14 days, which resolved over time leading to fibrosis and eventual integration of the beads into the tissue, demonstrating excellent long-term tissue compatibility
A comparative study of WASP-67b and HAT-P-38b from WFC3 data
Atmospheric temperature and planetary gravity are thought to be the main
parameters affecting cloud formation in giant exoplanet atmospheres. Recent
attempts to understand cloud formation have explored wide regions of the
equilibrium temperature-gravity parameter space. In this study, we instead
compare the case of two giant planets with nearly identical equilibrium
temperature ( ) and gravity (. During Cycle 23, we collected WFC3/G141
observations of the two planets, WASP-67 b and HAT-P-38 b. HAT-P-38 b, with
mass 0.42 M and radius 1.4 , exhibits a relatively
clear atmosphere with a clear detection of water. We refine the orbital period
of this planet with new observations, obtaining . WASP-67 b, with mass 0.27 M and radius 0.83
, shows a more muted water absorption feature than that of
HAT-P-38 b, indicating either a higher cloud deck in the atmosphere or a more
metal-rich composition. The difference in the spectra supports the hypothesis
that giant exoplanet atmospheres carry traces of their formation history.
Future observations in the visible and mid-infrared are needed to probe the
aerosol properties and constrain the evolutionary scenario of these planets.Comment: 16 pages, 17 figures, 8 tables, accepted for publication in The
Astronomical Journa
Electromagnetic Evidence that SSS17a is the Result of a Binary Neutron Star Merger
11 hours after the detection of gravitational wave source GW170817 by the
Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory and Virgo Interferometers,
an associated optical transient SSS17a was discovered in the galaxy NGC 4993.
While the gravitational wave data indicate GW170817 is consistent with the
merger of two compact objects, the electromagnetic observations provide
independent constraints of the nature of that system. Here we synthesize all
optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of SSS17a collected by
the One-Meter Two-Hemisphere collaboration. We find that SSS17a is unlike other
known transients. The source is best described by theoretical models of a
kilonova consisting of radioactive elements produced by rapid neutron capture
(the r-process). We find that SSS17a was the result of a binary neutron star
merger, reinforcing the gravitational wave result.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures, accepted to Scienc
Endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomal Ca2+ stores are remodelled in GBA1-linked Parkinson disease patient fibroblasts.
Mutations in Ī²-glucocerebrosidase (encoded by GBA1) cause Gaucher disease (GD), a lysosomal storage disorder, and increase the risk of developing Parkinson disease (PD). The pathogenetic relationship between the two disorders is unclear. Here, we characterised Ca2+ release in fibroblasts from type I GD and PD patients together with age-matched, asymptomatic carriers, all with the common N370S mutation in Ī²-glucocerebrosidase. We show that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release was potentiated in GD and PD patient fibroblasts but not in cells from asymptomatic carriers. ER Ca2+ signalling was also potentiated in fibroblasts from aged healthy subjects relative to younger individuals but not further increased in aged PD patient cells. Chemical or molecular inhibition of Ī²-glucocerebrosidase in fibroblasts and a neuronal cell line did not affect ER Ca2+ signalling suggesting defects are independent of enzymatic activity loss. Conversely, lysosomal Ca2+ store content was reduced in PD fibroblasts and associated with age-dependent alterations in lysosomal morphology. Accelerated remodelling of Ca2+ stores by pathogenic GBA1 mutations may therefore feature in PD
West Nile Virus Epidemics in North America Are Driven by Shifts in Mosquito Feeding Behavior
West Nile virus (WNV) has caused repeated large-scale human epidemics in North America since it was first detected in 1999 and is now the dominant vector-borne disease in this continent. Understanding the factors that determine the intensity of the spillover of this zoonotic pathogen from birds to humans (via mosquitoes) is a prerequisite for predicting and preventing human epidemics. We integrated mosquito feeding behavior with data on the population dynamics and WNV epidemiology of mosquitoes, birds, and humans. We show that Culex pipiens, the dominant enzootic (bird-to-bird) and bridge (bird-to-human) vector of WNV in urbanized areas in the northeast and north-central United States, shifted its feeding preferences from birds to humans by 7-fold during late summer and early fall, coinciding with the dispersal of its preferred host (American robins, Turdus migratorius) and the rise in human WNV infections. We also show that feeding shifts in Cx. tarsalis amplify human WNV epidemics in Colorado and California and occur during periods of robin dispersal and migration. Our results provide a direct explanation for the timing and intensity of human WNV epidemics. Shifts in feeding from competent avian hosts early in an epidemic to incompetent humans after mosquito infection prevalences are high result in synergistic effects that greatly amplify the number of human infections of this and other pathogens. Our results underscore the dramatic effects of vector behavior in driving the transmission of zoonotic pathogens to humans
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