Simple Applications of q-Bosons

A deformation of the harmonic oscillator algebra associated with the Morse potential and the SU(2) algebra is derived using the quantum analogue of the anharmonic oscillator. We use the quantum oscillator algebra or $q$-boson algebra which is a generalisation of the Heisenberg-Weyl algebra obtained by introducing a deformation parameter $q$. Further, we present a new algebraic realization of the $q$-bosons, for the case of $q$ being a root of unity, which corresponds to a periodic structure described by a finite-dimensional representation. We show that this structure represents the symmetry of a linear lattice with periodic boundary conditions.Comment: LATEX2e, 10 pages, v2: few misprints corrected, added Journal-re

Diffusion of water from a range of conservation treatment gels into paint films studied by unilateral NMR: Part I: Acrylic emulsion paint

Unilateral NMR was used to monitor the penetration of water into acrylic emulsion paint-outs on canvas during cleaning simulations with five thickened conservation treatment systems – agarose gels, methylcellulose paste, Pemulen-TR2, poly(vinyl alcohol)-borax gels, and Velvesil Plus – and water-moistened swabs. Studies were also carried out to measure the rate of water penetration from the different treatment methods into acrylic paints during continuous exposure. Unilateral NMR is shown to be an effective technique for comparing depth penetration of water during cleaning treatments; the volume of paint occupied by water can be extracted from these measurements. The results show that young paint films (1 month) are more prone to swelling than aged paint films (2–50 years), with light aged paints having the highest resistance to water penetration during treatments. Aged organic pigmented acrylic paint (Hansa yellow light) shows a higher propensity for swelling during cleaning than aged titanium dioxide white paint. Cleaning simulations using water-moistened swabs and agar gels deposit approximately equivalent amounts of water into the paint films, whilst all other gel systems tested, with the exception of Velvesil Plus, tend to allow approximately 50% more water into the paint films. None of the aqueous thickened cleaning systems tested reduced the quantity of water which entered the paint films relative to swab cleaning

Generalized Heisenberg Algebras and Fibonacci Series

We have constructed a Heisenberg-type algebra generated by the Hamiltonian, the step operators and an auxiliar operator. This algebra describes quantum systems having eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian depending on the eigenvalues of the two previous levels. This happens, for example, for systems having the energy spectrum given by Fibonacci sequence. Moreover, the algebraic structure depends on two functions f(x) and g(x). When these two functions are linear we classify, analysing the stability of the fixed points of the functions, the possible representations for this algebra.Comment: 24 pages, 2 figures, subfigure.st

Age-related changes in the energy of human mesenchymal stem cells

Aging is a physiological process that leads to a higher risk for the most devastating diseases. There are a number of theories of human aging proposed, and many of them are directly or indirectly linked to mitochondria. Here, we used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from young and older donors to study age-related changes in mitochondrial metabolism. We have found that aging in MSCs is associated with a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and lower NADH levels in mitochondria. Mitochondrial DNA content is higher in aged MSCs, but the overall mitochondrial mass is decreased due to increased rates of mitophagy. Despite the higher level of ATP in aged cells, a higher rate of ATP consumption renders them more vulnerable to energy deprivation compared to younger cells. Changes in mitochondrial metabolism in aged MSCs activate the overproduction of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria which is compensated by a higher level of the endogenous antioxidant glutathione. Thus, energy metabolism and redox state are the drivers for the aging of MSCs/mesenchymal stromal cells

Chlamydia psittaci genotype B in a pigeon (Columba livia) inhabiting a public place in San José, Costa Rica

Human chlamydiosis is a zoonotic disease of avian origin caused by Chlamydia psittaci. The highest infection rates have been detected in parrots (Psittacidae) and pigeons (Columbiformes), the latter most frequently carry the genotypes B and E. These genotypes have been shown to also infect humans. Because pigeons (Columba livia) cohabit with humans in urban areas, C. psittaci present in the dust from dry feces of infected pigeons may be transmitted by inhalation and represent a significant public health problem. Between 2012 and 2013 a total of 120 fecal samples were collected from pigeons at four public places (Plaza de la Cultura, Parque Morazán, Parque Central de Guadalupe, Plaza de las Garantías Sociales) in San José, Costa Rica. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify a region of the outer membrane protein A gene of C. psittaci. Only one sample was positive in PCR and the positive sample was further subjected to sequencing and genotyping. Sequencing identified this sample as C. psittaci genotype B. This study is the first report to show the presence of this organism in pigeons of Costa Rica, and shows that the infected pigeons may represent a significant risk for humans who visit public places that are inhabited by pigeons

Adaptive strategy of halophytic plants Polygonum maritimum and Euphorbia paralias

The leaf surface microstructure, pigments spectrum, phytohormones content, and lipids composition of halophytes with various metabolic and physiological strategies of adaptation to salinity of Polygonum maritimum L. and Euphorbia paralias L. grown under natural conditions on dunes of the Pomorie Lake (Bulgaria) are compared. P. maritimum stomata are located on the leaf both sides below the cuticle level, whereas, in E. рaralias, stomata are present only on the abaxial side, and they are surrounded with hump-shaped cuticle constructions. A high amount of carotenoids (as compared with chlorophylls) in P. maritimum leaves indicates that these pigments have a light-collecting function and could transfer an additional energy to chlorophylls. In leaves of E. paralias and P. maritimum, free abscisic acid and conjugated indole-3-acetic acid prevailed. The inactive cytokinins (cis-zeatin and zeatin-O-glucoside) dominated in E. paralias leaves, whereas P. maritimum leaves contained a significant quantity of isopentenyl-type cytokinins. The presence of a large amount of saturated fatty acids provides a decrease of membrane permeability and better resistance against soil salinity. It is concluded that the ecological strategy of halophytes involves the complex of structural and functional adaptations and determines a successful existence under salinity conditions.Проведено порівняння мікроструктури листкової поверхні, пігментного спектра, вмісту фітогормонів і складу ліпідів у галофітів з різною метаболічною і фізіологічною стратегіями адаптації до засолення Polygonum maritimum L. та Euphorbia paralias L., які зростали у природних умовах на дюнах Поморійського озера (Болгарія). У P. maritimum продихи знаходяться по обидва боки листка нижче рівня кутикули, тоді як у E. paralias — лише на абаксіальному боці й оточені складками кутикули. Значна кількість каротиноїдів (порівняно з хлорофілами) у листках P. maritimum указує на те, що ці пігменти виконують світлозбиральну функцію і можуть передавати додаткову енергію на хлорофіли. У листках E. paralias і P. maritimum переважають вільна абсцизова кислота і кон'югована індоліл-3-оцтова кислота. Неактивні цитокініни (цисзеатин і зеатин-О-глюкозид) домінують у листках E. paralias, тоді як у листках P. maritimum міститься значна кількість ізопентенільних форм цитокінінів. Наявність великої концентрації насичених жирних кислот забезпечує зменшення проникності мембран і кращу солестійкість. Зроблено висновок, що екологічна стратегія галофітів поєднує комплекс структурних та функціональних пристосувань і визначає успішне існування в умовах засолення.Проведено сравнение микроструктуры листовой поверхности, пигментного спектра, содержания фитогормонов и состава липидов у галофитов с различной метаболической и физиологической стратегиями адаптации к засолению Polygonum maritimum L. и Euphorbia paralias L., произраставших в естественных условиях на дюнах Поморийского озера (Болгария). У P. maritimum устьица находятся по обе стороны листа ниже уровня кутикулы, тогда как у E. paralias — только на абаксиальной стороне и окружены складками кутикулы. Значительное количество каротиноидов (относительно хлорофиллов) в листьях P. maritimum указывает на то, что эти пигменты выполняют светособирающую функцию и могут передавать дополнительную энергию на хлорофиллы. В листьях E. paralias и P. maritimum преобладают свободная абсцизовая кислота и конъюгированная индолил-3-уксусная кислота. Неактивные цитокинины (цис-зеатин и зеатин-О-глюкозид) доминируют в листьях E. paralias, в то время как в листьях P. maritimum содержится значительное количество изопентенильных форм цитокининов. Наличие высокой концентрации насыщенных жирных кислот обеспечивает уменьшение проницаемости мембран и улучшает солеустойчивость. Сделан вывод, что экологическая стратегия галофитов объединяет комплекс структурных и функциональных приспособлений и определяет успешное существование в условиях засоления

Raman study of self-assembled InAs/InP quantum wire stacks with varying spacer thickness

Self-assembled InAs/InP (001) quantum wire stacks have been investigated by means of Raman scattering. The characteristics of the observed vibrational modes show clear evidence of confinement and atomic intermixing between As and P atoms from the wire and the spacer. The change in the intermixing with spacer layer thickness and growth temperature is investigated. Likewise, the effect of annealing on the exchange of As and P atoms is also studied. Resonance effects in confined and interface phonons are discussed for excitation in the vicinity of the InAs E1 critical point. Finally, the energy of the interface modes is related to the structural characteristics of the wires by comparing the experimental data with a lattice dynamic calculation based on the dielectric continuum [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Monomeric alpha-synuclein exerts a physiological role in brain ATP synthase

Misfolded α-synuclein is a key factor in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, knowledge about a physiological role for the native, unfolded α-synuclein is limited. Using brains of mice lacking α-, β-, and γ-synuclein, we report that extracellular monomeric α-synuclein enters neurons and localizes to mitochondria, interacts with ATP synthase subunit α, and modulates ATP synthase function. Using a combination of biochemical, live-cell imaging and mitochondrial respiration analysis, we found that brain mitochondria of α-, β-, and γ-synuclein knock-out mice are uncoupled, as characterized by increased mitochondrial respiration and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, synuclein deficiency results in reduced ATP synthase efficiency and lower ATP levels. Exogenous application of low unfolded α-synuclein concentrations is able to increase the ATP synthase activity that rescues the mitochondrial phenotypes observed in synuclein deficiency. Overall, the data suggest that α-synuclein is a previously unrecognized physiological regulator of mitochondrial bioenergetics through its ability to interact with ATP synthase and increase its efficiency. This may be of particular importance in times of stress or PD mutations leading to energy depletion and neuronal cell toxicity