125 research outputs found
Relative "-Numerical Ranges for Applications in Quantum Control and Quantum Information
Motivated by applications in quantum information and quantum control, a new
type of "-numerical range, the relative "-numerical range denoted
, is introduced. It arises upon replacing the unitary group U(N) in
the definition of the classical "-numerical range by any of its compact and
connected subgroups .
The geometric properties of the relative "-numerical range are analysed in
detail. Counterexamples prove its geometry is more intricate than in the
classical case: e.g. is neither star-shaped nor simply-connected.
Yet, a well-known result on the rotational symmetry of the classical
"-numerical range extends to , as shown by a new approach based on
Lie theory. Furthermore, we concentrate on the subgroup , i.e. the -fold tensor product of SU(2),
which is of particular interest in applications. In this case, sufficient
conditions are derived for being a circular disc centered at
origin of the complex plane. Finally, the previous results are illustrated in
detail for .Comment: accompanying paper to math-ph/070103
Thermotomaculum hydrothermale gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel heterotrophic thermophile within the phylum Acidobacteria from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney in the Southern Okinawa Trough
http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/natsushima/nt08-13/
Novel splice-affecting variants in CYP27A1 gene in two Chilean patients with Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis
Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis (CTX), a rare lipid storage disorder, is caused by recessive loss-of-function mutations
of the 27-sterol hydroxylase (CYP27A1), producing an alteration of the synthesis of bile acids, with an accumulation
of cholestanol. Clinical characteristics include juvenile cataracts, diarrhea, tendon xanthomas, cognitive
impairment and other neurological manifestations. Early diagnosis is critical, because treatment with chenodeoxycholic
acid may prevent neurological damage. We studied the CYP27A1 gene in two Chilean CTX patients by
sequencing its nine exons, exon-intron boundaries, and cDNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Patient 1 is
a compound heterozygote for the novel substitution c.256-1G > T that causes exon 2 skipping, leading to a premature
stop codon in exon 3, and for the previously-known pathogenic mutation c.1183C > T (p.Arg395Cys). Patient 2 is
homozygous for the novel mutation c.1185-1G > A that causes exon 7 skipping and the generation of a premature
stop codon in exon 8, leading to the loss of the crucial adrenoxin binding domain of CYP27A1
A benzene-degrading nitrate-reducing microbial consortium displays aerobic and anaerobic benzene degradation pathways
All sequence data from this study were deposited at the European Bioinformatics Institute under the accession numbers ERS1670018 to ERS1670023. Further, all assigned genes, taxonomy, function, sequences of contigs, genes and proteins can be found in Table S3.In this study, we report transcription of genes involved in aerobic and anaerobic benzene degradation pathways in a benzene-degrading denitrifying continuous culture. Transcripts associated with the family Peptococcaceae dominated all samples (2136% relative abundance) indicating their key role in the community. We found a highly transcribed gene cluster encoding a presumed anaerobic benzene carboxylase (AbcA and AbcD) and a benzoate-coenzyme A ligase (BzlA). Predicted gene products showed >96% amino acid identity and similar gene order to the corresponding benzene degradation gene cluster described previously, providing further evidence for anaerobic benzene activation via carboxylation. For subsequent benzoyl-CoA dearomatization, bam-like genes analogous to the ones found in other strict anaerobes were transcribed, whereas gene transcripts involved in downstream benzoyl-CoA degradation were mostly analogous to the ones described in facultative anaerobes. The concurrent transcription of genes encoding enzymes involved in oxygenase-mediated aerobic benzene degradation suggested oxygen presence in the culture, possibly formed via a recently identified nitric oxide dismutase (Nod). Although we were unable to detect transcription of Nod-encoding genes, addition of nitrite and formate to the continuous culture showed indication for oxygen production. Such an oxygen production would enable aerobic microbes to thrive in oxygen-depleted and nitrate-containing subsurface environments contaminated with hydrocarbons.This study was supported by a grant of BE-Basic-FES funds from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. The research of A.J.M. Stams is supported by an ERC grant (project 323009) and the gravitation grant âMicrobes for Health and Environmentâ (project 024.002.002) of the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. F. Hugenholtz was supported by the same gravitation grant (project 024.002.002). B. Hornung is supported by Wageningen University and the Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research (WIMEK) through the IP/OP program Systems Biology (project KB-17-003.02-023).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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