1,380 research outputs found

    A new model for the double well potential

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    A new model for the double well potential is presented in the paper. In the new potential, the exchanging rate could be easily calculated by the perturbation method in supersymmetric quantum mechanics. It gives good results whether the barrier is high or sallow. The new model have many merits and may be used in the double well problem.Comment: 3pages, 3figure

    High glucose enhances store-operated calcium entry by upregulating ORAI/STIM via calcineurin-NFAT signalling

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    © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Abstract: ORAI and stromal interaction molecule (STIM) are store-operated channel molecules that play essential roles in human physiology through a coupling mechanism of internal Ca 2+ store to Ca 2+ influx. However, the roles of ORAI and STIM in vascular endothelial cells under diabetic conditions remain unknown. Here, we investigated expression and signalling pathways of ORAI and STIM regulated by high glucose or hyperglycaemia using in vitro cell models, in vivo diabetic mice and tissues from patients. We found that ORAI1-3 and STIM1-2 were ubiquitously expressed in human vasculatures. Their expression was upregulated by chronic treatment with high glucose (HG, 25 mM d-glucose), which was accompanied by enhanced store-operated Ca 2+ influx in vascular endothelial cells. The increased expression was also observed in the aortae from genetically modified Akita diabetic mice (C57BL/6-Ins2 Akita /J) and streptozocin-induced diabetic mice, and aortae from diabetic patients. HG-induced upregulation of ORAI and STIM genes was prevented by the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporin A and NFATc3 siRNA. Additionally, in vivo treatment with the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) inhibitor A-285222 prevented the gene upregulation in Akita mice. However, HG had no direct effects on ORAI1-3 currents and the channel activation process through cytosolic STIM1 movement in the cells co-expressing STIM1-EYFP/ORAIs. We concluded that upregulation of STIM/ORAI through Ca 2+ -calcineurin-NFAT pathway is a novel mechanism causing abnormal Ca 2+ homeostasis and endothelial dysfunction under hyperglycaemia. Key message: ORAI1-3 and STIM1-2 are ubiquitously expressed in vasculatures and upregulated by high glucose.Increased expression is confirmed in Akita (Ins2 Akita /J) and STZ diabetic mice and patients.Upregulation mechanism is mediated by Ca 2+ /calcineurin/NFATc3 signalling.High glucose has no direct effects on ORAI1-3 channel activity and channel activation process

    Levinson's Theorem for the Klein-Gordon Equation in Two Dimensions

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    The two-dimensional Levinson theorem for the Klein-Gordon equation with a cylindrically symmetric potential V(r)V(r) is established. It is shown that Nmπ=π(nm+nm)=[δm(M)+β1][δm(M)+β2]N_{m}\pi=\pi (n_{m}^{+}-n_{m}^{-})= [\delta_{m}(M)+\beta_{1}]-[\delta_{m}(-M)+\beta_{2}], where NmN_{m} denotes the difference between the number of bound states of the particle nm+n_{m}^{+} and the ones of antiparticle nmn_{m}^{-} with a fixed angular momentum mm, and the δm\delta_{m} is named phase shifts. The constants β1\beta_{1} and β2\beta_{2} are introduced to symbol the critical cases where the half bound states occur at E=±ME=\pm M.Comment: Revtex file 14 pages, submitted to Phys. Rev.

    A novel nucleo-cytoplasmic hybrid clone formed via androgenesis in polyploid gibel carp

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Unisexual vertebrates have been demonstrated to reproduce by gynogenesis, hybridogenesis, parthenogenesis, or kleptogenesis, however, it is uncertain how the reproduction mode contributes to the clonal diversity. Recently, polyploid gibel carp has been revealed to possess coexisting dual modes of unisexual gynogenesis and sexual reproduction and to have numerous various clones. Using sexual reproduction mating between clone D female and clone A male and subsequent 7 generation multiplying of unisexual gynogenesis, we have created a novel clone strain with more than several hundred millions of individuals. Here, we attempt to identify genetic background of the novel clone and to explore the significant implication for clonal diversity contribution.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Several nuclear genome markers and one cytoplasmic marker, the mitochondrial genome sequence, were used to identify the genetic organization of the randomly sampled individuals from different generations of the novel clone.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Chromosome number, <it>Cot</it>-1 repetitive DNA banded karyotype, microsatellite patterns, AFLP profiles and transferrin alleles uniformly indicated that nuclear genome of the novel clone is identical to that of clone A, and significantly different from that of clone D. However, the cytoplasmic marker, its complete mtDNA genome sequence, is same to that of clone D, and different from that of clone A.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present data indicate that the novel clone is a nucleo-cytoplasmic hybrid between the known clones A and D, because it originates from the offspring of gonochoristic sexual reproduction mating between clone D female and clone A male, and contains an entire nuclear genome from the paternal clone A and a mtDNA genome (cytoplasm) from the maternal clone D. It is suggested to arise via androgenesis by a mechanism of ploidy doubling of clone A sperm in clone D ooplasm through inhibiting the first mitotic division. Significantly, the selected nucleo-cytoplasmic hybrid female still maintains its gynogenetic ability. Based on the present and previous findings, we discuss the association of rapid genetic changes and high genetic diversity with various ploidy levels and multiple reproduction modes in several unisexual and sexual complexes of vertebrates and even other invertebrates.</p

    Doxycycline Stabilizes Vulnerable Plaque via Inhibiting Matrix Metalloproteinases and Attenuating Inflammation in Rabbits

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    Enhanced matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity is implicated in the process of atherosclerotic plaque instability. We hypothesized that doxycycline, a broad MMPs inhibitor, was as effective as simvastatin in reducing the incidence of plaque disruption. Thirty rabbits underwent aortic balloon injury and were fed a high-fat diet for 20 weeks. At the end of week 8, the rabbits were divided into three groups for 12-week treatment: a doxycycline-treated group that received oral doxycycline at a dose of 10 mg/kg/d, a simvastatin-treated group that received oral simvastatin at a dose of 5 mg/kg/d, and a control group that received no treatment. At the end of week 20, pharmacological triggering was performed to induce plaque rupture. Biochemical, ultrasonographic, pathologic, immunohistochemical and mRNA expression studies were performed. The results showed that oral administration of doxycycline resulted in a significant increase in the thickness of the fibrous cap of the aortic plaque whereas there was a substantial reduction of MMPs expression, local and systemic inflammation, and aortic plaque vulnerability. The incidence of plaque rupture with either treatment (0% for both) was significantly lower than that for controls (56.0%, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between doxycycline-treated group and simvastatin-treated group in any serological, ultrasonographic, pathologic, immunohistochemical and mRNA expression measurement except for the serum lipid levels that were higher with doxycycline than with simvastatin treatment. In conclusion, doxycycline at a common antimicrobial dose stabilizes atherosclerotic lesions via inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases and attenuating inflammation in a rabbit model of vulnerable plaque. These effects were similar to a large dose of simvastatin and independent of serum lipid levels

    Intraoperative device closure of atrial septal defects in the Older Population

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>This study sought to prove the safety and feasibility of intraoperative device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) with transthoracic minimal invasion in the older patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From January 2006 to December 2009, 47 patients aged 50 years or more and suffered from atrial septal defect were enrolled in our institution. Patients were divided into two groups, 27 of which in group I with intraoperative device closure and the other 20 in group II with surgical closure. In group I, the method involved a minimal intercostal incision, which was performed after full evaluation of the atrial septal defect by transthoracic echocardiography, and the insertion of the device through the delivery sheath to occlude the atrial septal defect.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In group I, implantation was ultimately successful in all patients. The complete closure rate at 24 hours and 1 year were 81.5% and 100% respectively. In 6 of 27 patients, minor complications occurred: transient arrhythmia (n = 5) and blood transfusion (n = 3). In group II, all patients were closured successfully; almost all of them needed blood transfusion and suffered from various minor complications though. During a follow-up period of 1 to 5 years, no residual shunt, noticeable mitral regurgitation, significant arrhythmias, thrombosis, or device failure were found. In our comparative studies, group II had significantly longer ICU stay and hospital stay than group I (p < 0.05). The cost of group I was less than that of group II(p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Minimally invasive transthoracic device closure of the atrial septal defect at advanced age with a domestically made device without cardiopulmonary bypass is safe and feasible under transthoracic echocardiographic guidance. It was cost-savings, yielding better cosmetic results and leaving fewer traumas than surgical closure. Early and mid-term results are encouraging. However, it is necessary to evaluate the long-term results.</p

    Observation of two new Ξb\Xi_b^- baryon resonances

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    Two structures are observed close to the kinematic threshold in the Ξb0π\Xi_b^0 \pi^- mass spectrum in a sample of proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb1^{-1} recorded by the LHCb experiment. In the quark model, two baryonic resonances with quark content bdsbds are expected in this mass region: the spin-parity JP=12+J^P = \frac{1}{2}^+ and JP=32+J^P=\frac{3}{2}^+ states, denoted Ξb\Xi_b^{\prime -} and Ξb\Xi_b^{*-}. Interpreting the structures as these resonances, we measure the mass differences and the width of the heavier state to be m(Ξb)m(Ξb0)m(π)=3.653±0.018±0.006m(\Xi_b^{\prime -}) - m(\Xi_b^0) - m(\pi^{-}) = 3.653 \pm 0.018 \pm 0.006 MeV/c2/c^2, m(Ξb)m(Ξb0)m(π)=23.96±0.12±0.06m(\Xi_b^{*-}) - m(\Xi_b^0) - m(\pi^{-}) = 23.96 \pm 0.12 \pm 0.06 MeV/c2/c^2, Γ(Ξb)=1.65±0.31±0.10\Gamma(\Xi_b^{*-}) = 1.65 \pm 0.31 \pm 0.10 MeV, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The width of the lighter state is consistent with zero, and we place an upper limit of Γ(Ξb)<0.08\Gamma(\Xi_b^{\prime -}) < 0.08 MeV at 95% confidence level. Relative production rates of these states are also reported.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figure

    Constraints on the unitarity triangle angle γ\gamma from Dalitz plot analysis of B0DK+πB^0 \to D K^+ \pi^- decays

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    The first study is presented of CP violation with an amplitude analysis of the Dalitz plot of B0DK+πB^0 \to D K^+ \pi^- decays, with DK+πD \to K^+ \pi^-, K+KK^+ K^- and π+π\pi^+ \pi^-. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to 3.0fb13.0\,{\rm fb}^{-1} of pppp collisions collected with the LHCb detector. No significant CP violation effect is seen, and constraints are placed on the angle γ\gamma of the unitarity triangle formed from elements of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa quark mixing matrix. Hadronic parameters associated with the B0DK(892)0B^0 \to D K^*(892)^0 decay are determined for the first time. These measurements can be used to improve the sensitivity to γ\gamma of existing and future studies of the B0DK(892)0B^0 \to D K^*(892)^0 decay.Comment: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://lhcbproject.web.cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/LHCbProjectPublic/LHCb-PAPER-2015-059.html; updated to correct figure 9 (numerical results unchanged

    Observation of the Bs0J/ψϕϕB_s^0 \rightarrow J/\psi \phi \phi decay

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    The Bs0J/ψϕϕB_s^0 \rightarrow J/\psi \phi \phi decay is observed in pppp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb1^{-1} recorded by the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7 TeV and 8 TeV. This is the first observation of this decay channel, with a statistical significance of 15 standard deviations. The mass of the Bs0B_s^0 meson is measured to be 5367.08±0.38±0.155367.08\,\pm \,0.38\,\pm\, 0.15 MeV/c2^2. The branching fraction ratio B(Bs0J/ψϕϕ)/B(Bs0J/ψϕ)\mathcal{B}(B_s^0 \rightarrow J/\psi \phi \phi)/\mathcal{B}(B_s^0 \rightarrow J/\psi \phi) is measured to be 0.0115\,\pm\, 0.0012\, ^{+0.0005}_{-0.0009}. In both cases, the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. No evidence for non-resonant Bs0J/ψϕK+KB_s^0 \rightarrow J/\psi \phi K^+ K^- or Bs0J/ψK+KK+KB_s^0 \rightarrow J/\psi K^+ K^- K^+ K^- decays is found.Comment: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://lhcbproject.web.cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/LHCbProjectPublic/LHCb-PAPER-2015-033.htm

    Search for hidden-sector bosons in B0 ⁣K0μ+μB^0 \!\to K^{*0}\mu^+\mu^- decays

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    A search is presented for hidden-sector bosons, χ\chi, produced in the decay B0 ⁣K(892)0χ{B^0\!\to K^*(892)^0\chi}, with K(892)0 ⁣K+πK^*(892)^0\!\to K^{+}\pi^{-} and χ ⁣μ+μ\chi\!\to\mu^+\mu^-. The search is performed using pppp-collision data corresponding to 3.0 fb1^{-1} collected with the LHCb detector. No significant signal is observed in the accessible mass range 214m(χ)4350214 \leq m({\chi}) \leq 4350 MeV, and upper limits are placed on the branching fraction product B(B0 ⁣K(892)0χ)×B(χ ⁣μ+μ)\mathcal{B}(B^0\!\to K^*(892)^0\chi)\times\mathcal{B}(\chi\!\to\mu^+\mu^-) as a function of the mass and lifetime of the χ\chi boson. These limits are of the order of 10910^{-9} for χ\chi lifetimes less than 100 ps over most of the m(χ)m(\chi) range, and place the most stringent constraints to date on many theories that predict the existence of additional low-mass bosons.Comment: All figures and tables, along with supplementary material, are available at https://lhcbproject.web.cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/LHCbProjectPublic/LHCb-PAPER-2015-036.htm
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