163 research outputs found
Electronic polarons in an extended Falicov-Kimball model
We examine the one-dimensional spinless Falicov-Kimball model extended by a
hybridization potential between the localized and itinerant electron states.
Below half-filling we find a crossover from a mixed-valence metal to an
integer-valence phase separated state with increasing on-site Coulomb
repulsion. This crossover regime is characterized by local competition between
the strong- and weak-coupling behaviour, manifested by the formation of an
electronic polaron liquid. We identify this intermediate-coupling regime as a
charge-analogy of the Griffiths phase; a phase diagram is presented and
discussed in detail.Comment: RevTex, 10 pages, 1 figure; revised discussio
Fluoxetine: a case history of its discovery and preclinical development
Introduction: Depression is a multifactorial mood disorder with a high prevalence worldwide. Until now, treatments for depression have focused on the inhibition of monoaminergic reuptake sites, which augment the bioavailability of monoamines in the CNS. Advances in drug discovery have widened the therapeutic options with the synthesis of so-called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine.
Areas covered: The aim of this case history is to describe and discuss the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of fluoxetine, including its acute effects and the adaptive changes induced after long-term treatment.
Furthermore, the authors review the effect of fluoxetine on neuroplasticity and adult neurogenesis. In addition, the article summarises the preclinical behavioural data available on fluoxetine’s effects on depressive-like behaviour,
anxiety and cognition as well as its effects on other diseases. Finally, the article describes the seminal studies validating the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine.
Expert opinion: Fluoxetine is the first selective SSRI that has a recognised clinical efficacy and safety profile. Since its discovery, other molecules that mimic its mechanism of action have been developed, commencing a new
age in the treatment of depression. Fluoxetine has also demonstrated utility in the treatment of other disorders for which its prescription has now been approved
Evidence for a Nodeless Gap from the Superfluid Density of Optimally Doped Pr_{1.855}Ce_{0.145}CuO_{4-y} Films
We present measurements of the ab-plane magnetic penetration depth,
\lambda(T), in five optimally doped Pr_{1.855}Ce_{0.145}CuO_{4-y} films for 1.6
K \leq T \leq T_c \sim 24 K. Low resistivities, high superfluid densities
n_s(T)\propto \lambda^{-2}(T), high T_c's, and small transition widths are
reproducible and indicative of excellent film quality. For all five films,
\lambda^{-2}(T)/\lambda^{-2}(0) at low T is well fitted by an exponential
temperature dependence with a gap, \Delta_{min}, of 0.85 k_B T_c. This behavior
is consistent with a nodeless gap and is incompatible with d-wave
superconductivity.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, reorganized for clarit
Phase separation and the segregation principle in the infinite-U spinless Falicov-Kimball model
The simplest statistical-mechanical model of crystalline formation (or alloy
formation) that includes electronic degrees of freedom is solved exactly in the
limit of large spatial dimensions and infinite interaction strength. The
solutions contain both second-order phase transitions and first-order phase
transitions (that involve phase-separation or segregation) which are likely to
illustrate the basic physics behind the static charge-stripe ordering in
cuprate systems. In addition, we find the spinodal-decomposition temperature
satisfies an approximate scaling law.Comment: 19 pages and 10 figure
Effect of thermal phase fluctuations on the superfluid density of two-dimensional superconducting films
High precision measurements of the complex sheet conductivity of
superconducting Mo77Ge23 thin films have been made from 0.4 K through Tc. A
sharp drop in the inverse sheet inductance, 1/L(T), is observed at a
temperature, Tc, which lies below the mean-field transition temperature, Tco.
Just below Tc, the suppression of 1/L(T) below its mean-field value indicates
that longitudinal phase fluctuations have nearly their full classical
amplitude, but they disappear rapidly as T decreases. We argue that there is a
quantum crossover at about 0.94 Tco, below which classical phase fluctuations
are suppressed.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures. Subm. to PR
Phase fluctuations, dissipation and superfluid stiffness in d-wave superconductors
We study the effect of dissipation on quantum phase fluctuations in d-wave
superconductors. Dissipation, arising from a nonzero low frequency optical
conductivity which has been measured in experiments below , has two
effects: (1) a reduction of zero point phase fluctuations, and (2) a reduction
of the temperature at which one crosses over to classical thermal fluctuations.
For parameter values relevant to the cuprates, we show that the crossover
temperature is still too large for classical phase fluctuations to play a
significant role at low temperature. Quasiparticles are thus crucial in
determining the linear temperature dependence of the in-plane superfluid
stiffness. Thermal phase fluctuations become important at higher temperatures
and play a role near .Comment: Presentation improved, new references added (10 latex pages, 3 eps
figures). submitted to PR
Systematics of two-component superconductivity in from microwave measurements of high quality single crystals
Systematic microwave surface impedance measurements of YBCO single crystals
grown in crucibles reveal new properties that are not directly seen
in similar measurements of other YBCO samples. Two key observations obtained
from complex conductivity are: a new normal conductivity peak at around 80K and
additional pairing below 65K. High pressure oxygenation of one of the crystals
still yields the same results ruling out any effect of macroscopic segregation
of O-deficient regions. A single complex order parameter cannot describe these
data, and the results suggest at least two superconducting components.
Comparisons with model calculations done for various decoupled two-component
scenarios (i.e. s+d, d+d) are presented. Systematics of three single crystals
show that the 80K quasiparticle peak is correlated with the normal state
inelastic scattering rate. Close to Tc, the data follow a mean-field behavior.
Overall, our results strongly suggest the presence of multiple pairing
temperature and energy scales in .Comment: 14 pages, 2-column, Revtex, 5 embedded postscript figures, uses
graphicx. Postscript version also available at
http://sagar.physics.neu.edu/preprints.htm
Dynamic simulations on the mitochondrial fatty acid Beta-oxidation network
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The oxidation of fatty acids in mitochondria plays an important role in energy metabolism and genetic disorders of this pathway may cause metabolic diseases. Enzyme deficiencies can block the metabolism at defined reactions in the mitochondrion and lead to accumulation of specific substrates causing severe clinical manifestations. Ten of the disorders directly affecting mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation have been well-defined, implicating episodic hypoketotic hypoglycemia provoked by catabolic stress, multiple organ failure, muscle weakness, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Additionally, syndromes of severe maternal illness (HELLP syndrome and AFLP) have been associated with pregnancies carrying a fetus affected by fatty acid oxidation deficiencies. However, little is known about fatty acids kinetics, especially during fasting or exercise when the demand for fatty acid oxidation is increased (catabolic stress).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A computational kinetic network of 64 reactions with 91 compounds and 301 parameters was constructed to study dynamic properties of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation. Various deficiencies of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase were simulated and verified with measured concentrations of indicative metabolites of screened newborns in Middle Europe and South Australia. The simulated accumulation of specific acyl-CoAs according to the investigated enzyme deficiencies are in agreement with experimental data and findings in literature. Investigation of the dynamic properties of the fatty acid β-oxidation reveals that the formation of acetyl-CoA – substrate for energy production – is highly impaired within the first hours of fasting corresponding to the rapid progress to coma within 1–2 hours. LCAD deficiency exhibits the highest accumulation of fatty acids along with marked increase of these substrates during catabolic stress and the lowest production rate of acetyl-CoA. These findings might confirm gestational loss to be the explanation that no human cases of LCAD deficiency have been described.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In summary, this work provides a detailed kinetic model of mitochondrial metabolism with specific focus on fatty acid β-oxidation to simulate and predict the dynamic response of that metabolic network in the context of human disease. Our findings offer insight into the disease process (e.g. rapid progress to coma) and might confirm new explanations (no human cases of LCAD deficiency), which can hardly be obtained from experimental data alone.</p
The E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM25 regulates adipocyte differentiation via proteasomemediated degradation of PPAR gamma
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR??) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that regulates adipocyte differentiation and glucose homeostasis. The transcriptional activity of PPAR?? is regulated not only by ligands but also by post-translational modifications (PTMs). In this study, we demonstrate that a novel E3 ligase of PPAR??, tripartite motif-containing 25 (TRIM25), directly induced the ubiquitination of PPAR??, leading to its proteasome-dependent degradation. During adipocyte differentiation, both TRIM25 mRNA and protein expression significantly decreased and negatively correlated with the expression of PPAR??. The stable expression of TRIM25 reduced PPAR?? protein levels and suppressed adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. In contrast, the specific knockdown of TRIM25 increased PPAR?? protein levels and stimulated adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, TRIM25-knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) exhibited an increased adipocyte differentiation capability compared with wild-type MEFs. Taken together, these data indicate that TRIM25 is a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase of PPAR?? and that TRIM25 is a novel target for PPAR??-associated metabolic diseases
Effect of Thermal Phase Fluctuations on the Inductances of Josephson Junctions, Arrays of Junctions, and Superconducting Films
We calculate the factor by which thermal phase fluctuations, as distinct from
phase-slip fluctuations, increase the inductance, LJ, of a resistively-shunted
Josephson junction (JJ) above its mean-field value, L0. We find that quantum
mechanics suppresses fluctuations when T drops below a temperature, TQ =
h/kBGL0, where G is the shunt conductance. Examination of the calculated sheet
inductance, LA(T)/L0(T), of arrays of JJ's reveals that 2-D interconnections
halve fluctuation effects, while reducing phase-slip effects by a much larger
factor. Guided by these results, we calculate the sheet inductance,
LF(T)/L0(T), of 2-D films by treating each plasma oscillation mode as an
overdamped JJ. In disordered s-wave superconductors, quantum suppression is
important for LF(0)/LF(T) > 0.14, (or, T/TC0 < 0.94). In optimally doped YBCO
and BSCCO quantum suppression is important for l2(0)/l2(T) > 0.25, where l is
the penetration depth.Comment: 15 pages; 4 figures. Submitted to Physical Review B, May 199
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