33,503 research outputs found
The adaptive nature of the bone-periodontal ligament-cementum complex in a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model.
The novel aspect of this study involves illustrating significant adaptation of a functionally loaded bone-PDL-cementum complex in a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model. Following 4, 8, and 15 days of ligation, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF- α and RANKL), a mineral resorption indicator (TRAP), and a cell migration and adhesion molecule for tissue regeneration (fibronectin) within the complex were localized and correlated with changes in PDL-space (functional space). At 4 days of ligation, the functional space of the distal complex was widened compared to controls and was positively correlated with an increased expression of TNF- α. At 8 and 15 days, the number of RANKL(+) cells decreased near the mesial alveolar bone crest (ABC) but increased at the distal ABC. TRAP(+) cells on both sides of the complex significantly increased at 8 days. A gradual change in fibronectin expression from the distal PDL-secondary cementum interfaces through precementum layers was observed when compared to increased and abrupt changes at the mesial PDL-cementum and PDL-bone interfaces in ligated and control groups. Based on our results, we hypothesize that compromised strain fields can be created in a diseased periodontium, which in response to prolonged function can significantly alter the original bone and apical cementum formations
VI-Band Follow-Up Observations of Ultra-Long-Period Cepheid Candidates in M31
The ultra-long period Cepheids (ULPCs) are classical Cepheids with pulsation
periods exceeding days. The intrinsic brightness of ULPCs are ~1
to ~3 mag brighter than their shorter period counterparts. This makes them
attractive in future distance scale work to derive distances beyond the limit
set by the shorter period Cepheids. We have initiated a program to search for
ULPCs in M31, using the single-band data taken from the Palomar Transient
Factory, and identified eight possible candidates. In this work, we presented
the VI-band follow-up observations of these eight candidates. Based on our
VI-band light curves of these candidates and their locations in the
color-magnitude diagram and the Period-Wesenheit diagram, we verify two
candidates as being truly ULPCs. The six other candidates are most likely other
kinds of long-period variables. With the two confirmed M31 ULPCs, we tested the
applicability of ULPCs in distance scale work by deriving the distance modulus
of M31. It was found to be mag. The large error
in the derived distance modulus, together with the large intrinsic dispersion
of the Period-Wesenheit (PW) relation and the small number of ULPCs in a given
host galaxy, means that the question of the suitability of ULPCs as standard
candles is still open. Further work is needed to enlarge the sample of
calibrating ULPCs and reduce the intrinsic dispersion of the PW relation before
re-considering ULPCs as suitable distance indicators.Comment: 13 pages, with 14 Figures and 4 Tables (one online table). AJ
accepte
Graphene microwave transistors on sapphire substrates
We have developed metal-oxide graphene field-effect transistors (MOGFETs) on
sapphire substrates working at microwave frequencies. For monolayers, we obtain
a transit frequency up to ~ 80 GHz for a gate length of 200 nm, and a power
gain maximum frequency of about ~ 3 GHz for this specific sample. Given the
strongly reduced charge noise for nanostructures on sapphire, the high
stability and high performance of this material at low temperature, our MOGFETs
on sapphire are well suited for a cryogenic broadband low-noise amplifier
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