834 research outputs found
Involvement of a putative intercellular signal-recognizing G protein-coupled receptor in the engulfment of Salmonella by the protozoan Tetrahymena
In an effort to investigate the molecular basis of protozoa engulfment-mediated hypervirulence of Salmonella in cattle, we evaluated protozoan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as transducers of Salmonella engulfment by the model protozoanTetrahymena. Our laboratory previously demonstrated that non-pathogenic protozoa (including Tetrahymena) engulf Salmonella and then exacerbate its virulence in cattle, but the mechanistic details of the phenomenon are not fully understood. GPCRs were investigated since these receptors facilitate phagocytosis of particulates byTetrahymena, and a GPCR apparently modulates bacterial engulfment for the pathogenic protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. A database search identified three putative Tetrahymena GPCRs, based on sequence homologies and predicted transmembrane domains, that were the focus of this study. Salmonella engulfment by Tetrahymenawas assessed in the presence of suramin, a non-specific GPCR inhibitor. Salmonella engulfment was also assessed in Tetrahymena in which expression of putative GPCRs was knocked-down using RNAi. A candidate GPCR was then expressed in a heterologous yeast expression system for further characterization. Our results revealed that Tetrahymena were less efficient at engulfing Salmonella in the presence of suramin. Engulfment was reduced concordantly with a reduction in the density of protozoa. RNAi-based studies revealed that knock-down of one the Tetrahymena GPCRs caused diminished engulfment of Salmonella. Tetrahymena lysates activated this receptor in the heterologous expression system. These data demonstrate that the Tetrahymena receptor is a putative GPCR that facilitates bacterial engulfment by Tetrahymena. Activation of the putative GPCR seemed to be related to protozoan cell density, suggesting that its cognate ligand is an intercellular signaling molecule
Cluster size distributions in particle systems with asymmetric dynamics
We present exact and asymptotic results for clusters in the one-dimensional
totally asymmetric exclusion process (TASEP) with two different dynamics. The
expected length of the largest cluster is shown to diverge logarithmically with
increasing system size for ordinary TASEP dynamics and as a logarithm divided
by a double logarithm for generalized dynamics, where the hopping probability
of a particle depends on the size of the cluster it belongs to. The connection
with the asymptotic theory of extreme order statistics is discussed in detail.
We also consider a related model of interface growth, where the deposited
particles are allowed to relax to the local gravitational minimum.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, RevTe
Prompt photon and associated heavy quark production at hadron colliders with kt-factorization
In the framework of the kt-factorization approach, the production of prompt
photons in association with a heavy (charm or beauty) quarks at high energies
is studied. The consideration is based on the O(\alpha \alpha_s^2) off-shell
amplitudes of gluon-gluon fusion and quark-(anti)quark interaction
subprocesses. The unintegrated parton densities in a proton are determined
using the Kimber-Martin-Ryskin prescription. The analysis covers the total and
differential cross sections and extends to specific angular correlations
between the produced prompt photons and muons originating from the semileptonic
decays of associated heavy quarks. Theoretical uncertainties of our evaluations
are studied and comparison with the results of standard NLO pQCD calculations
is performed. Our numerical predictions are compared with the recent
experimental data taken by the D0 and CDF collaborations at the Tevatron.
Finally, we extend our results to LHC energies.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figure
A Magnetic Transition Probed by the Ce Ion in Square-Lattice Antiferromagnet CeMnAsO
We examined the magnetic properties of the square-lattice antiferromagnets
CeMnAsO and LaMnAsO and their solid solutions La1-xCexMnAsO by resistivity,
magnetic susceptibility, and heat capacity measurements below room temperature.
A first-order phase transition is observed at 34.1 K, below which the
ground-state doublet of the Ce ion splits by 3.53 meV. It is likely that Mn
moments already ordered above room temperature are reoriented at the
transition, as reported for related compounds, such as NdMnAsO and PrMnSbO.
This transition generates a large internal magnetic field at the Ce site in
spite of the fact that simple Heisenberg interactions should be cancelled out
at the Ce site owing to geometrical frustration. The transition takes place at
nearly the same temperature with the substitution of La for Ce up to 90%. The
Ce moment does not undergo long-range order by itself, but is parasitically
induced at the transition, serving as a good probe for detecting the magnetism
of Mn spins in a square lattice.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, to be published in J. Phys. Soc. Jp
The state of workplace union reps organisation in Britain today
This article provides a brief evaluation of the state of workplace union reps’ organization in Britain as we approach the second decade of the 2000s. It documents the severe weakening of workplace union organization over the last 25 years, which is reflected in the declining number of reps, reduced bargaining power and the problem of bureaucratization. But it also provides evidence of the continuing resilience, and even combativity in certain areas of employment, of workplace union reps organization, and considers the future potential for a revival of fortunes
Precise Stellar Radial Velocities of an M Dwarf with a Michelson Interferometer and a Medium-resolution Near-infrared Spectrograph
Precise near-infrared radial velocimetry enables efficient detection and
transit verification of low-mass extrasolar planets orbiting M dwarf hosts,
which are faint for visible-wavelength radial velocity surveys. The TripleSpec
Exoplanet Discovery Instrument, or TEDI, is the combination of a variable-delay
Michelson interferometer and a medium-resolution (R=2700) near-infrared
spectrograph on the Palomar 200" Hale Telescope. We used TEDI to monitor GJ
699, a nearby mid-M dwarf, over 11 nights spread across 3 months. Analysis of
106 independent observations reveals a root-mean-square precision of less than
37 m/s for 5 minutes of integration time. This performance is within a factor
of 2 of our expected photon-limited precision. We further decompose the
residuals into a 33 m/s white noise component, and a 15 m/s systematic noise
component, which we identify as likely due to contamination by telluric
absorption lines. With further development this technique holds promise for
broad implementation on medium-resolution near-infrared spectrographs to search
for low-mass exoplanets orbiting M dwarfs, and to verify low-mass transit
candidates.Comment: 55 pages and 13 figures in aastex format. Accepted by PAS
The CCFM Monte Carlo generator CASCADE 2.2.0
CASCADE is a full hadron level Monte Carlo event generator for ep, \gamma p
and p\bar{p} and pp processes, which uses the CCFM evolution equation for the
initial state cascade in a backward evolution approach supplemented with off -
shell matrix elements for the hard scattering. A detailed program description
is given, with emphasis on parameters the user wants to change and variables
which completely specify the generated events
Solution of the Kwiecinski evolution equations for unintegrated parton distributions using the Mellin transform
The Kwiecinski equations for the QCD evolution of the unintegrated parton
distributions in the transverse-coordinate space (b) are analyzed with the help
of the Mellin-transform method. The equations are solved numerically in the
general case, as well as in a small-b expansion which converges fast for b
Lambda_QCD sufficiently small. We also discuss the asymptotic limit of large bQ
and show that the distributions generated by the evolution decrease with b
according to a power law. Numerical results are presented for the pion
distributions with a simple valence-like initial condition at the low scale,
following from chiral large-N_c quark models. We use two models: the Spectral
Quark Model and the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model. Formal aspects of the equations,
such as the analytic form of the b-dependent anomalous dimensions, their
analytic structure, as well as the limits of unintegrated parton densities at x
-> 0, x -> 1, and at large b, are discussed in detail. The effect of spreading
of the transverse momentum with the increasing scale is confirmed, with
growing asymptotically as Q^2 alpha(Q^2). Approximate formulas for
for each parton species is given, which may be used in practical
applications.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, RevTe
Single-center task analysis and user-centered assessment of physical space impacts on emergency Cesarean delivery
Cesarean delivery is the most common surgery performed in the United States, accounting for approximately 32% of all births. Emergency Cesarean deliveries are performed in the event of critical maternal or fetal distress and require effective collaboration and coordination of care by a multidisciplinary team with a high level of technical expertise. It is not well understood how the physical environment of the operating room (OR) impacts performance and how specialties work together in the space. Objective This study aimed to begin to address this gap using validated techniques in human factors to perform a participatory user-centered analysis of physical space during emergency Cesarean. Methods This study employed a mixed-methods design. Focus group interviews and surveys were administered to a convenience sample (n = 34) of multidisciplinary obstetric teams. Data collected from focus group interviews were used to perform a task and equipment analysis. Survey data were coded and mapped by specialty to identify reported areas of congestion and time spent, and to identify themes related to physical space of the OR and labor and delivery unit. Results Task analysis revealed complex interdependencies between specialties. Thirty task groupings requiring over 20 pieces of equipment were identified. Perceived areas of congestion and areas of time spent in the OR varied by clinical specialty. The following categories emerged as main challenges encountered during an emergency Cesarean: 1) size of physical space and equipment, 2) layout and orientation, and 3) patient transport. Conclusion User insights on physical space and workflow processes during emergency Cesarean section at the institution studied revealed challenges related to getting the patients into the OR expediently and having space to perform tasks without crowding or staff injury. By utilizing human factors techniques, other institutions may build upon our findings to improve safety during emergency situations on labor and delivery
Three design heuristics for enhancing the use of video to improve teaching practice
The use of video tools to support teacher learning has become increasingly widespread. While evidence points to the multiple affordances of video to enhance teacher learning, specific design principles that can guide the use of current video-based tools have not been well articulated. With the ultimate goal of developing a framework with shared design heuristics for the use of video to improve teaching practice, this paper describes the design strategies used by four research and development projects concerned with the use of video to support teacher learning in STEM subjects. Based on a review of the literature and inductive analyses of common design features across the four projects, three key design heuristics were identified. We describe the three heuristics including both a discussion of relevant literature and detailed examples of how the heuristics were implemented across the four projects. Altogether, the three design heuristics illustrate various ways to use video as a tool for teacher learning and yield insights that can inform the design of future video-based professional learning experiences
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