76 research outputs found
Spin chain integrability in non-supersymmetric Wilson loops
We study the 1-loop dilatation operator for insertions of composite operators in a generalized Wilson loop in N = 4 super Yang-Mills, which interpolates between the supersymmetric Wilson-Maldacena loop and the ordinary Wilson loop with no scalar coupling. For SO(6) scalar insertions, we show that the 1-loop dilatation operator is integrable for the endpoints of the interpolation, i.e. either for the Wilson-Maldacena or the ordinary Wilson loop. Moreover, we also show that integrability persists for SU(2|3) insertions in the ordinary Wilson loop, even when the term making the spin chain length dynamical is included.Instituto de Física La Plat
Spin chain integrability in non-supersymmetric Wilson loops
We study the 1-loop dilatation operator for insertions of composite operators in a generalized Wilson loop in N = 4 super Yang-Mills, which interpolates between the supersymmetric Wilson-Maldacena loop and the ordinary Wilson loop with no scalar coupling. For SO(6) scalar insertions, we show that the 1-loop dilatation operator is integrable for the endpoints of the interpolation, i.e. either for the Wilson-Maldacena or the ordinary Wilson loop. Moreover, we also show that integrability persists for SU(2|3) insertions in the ordinary Wilson loop, even when the term making the spin chain length dynamical is included.Instituto de Física La Plat
Evolution of the methodological quality of controlled clinical trials for myofascial trigger point treatments for the period 1978–2015: A systematic review
Abstract Background The methodological quality of controlled clinical trials (CCTs) of physiotherapeutic treatment modalities for myofascial trigger points (MTrP) has not been investigated yet. Objectives To detect the methodological quality of CCTs for physiotherapy treatments of MTrPs and demonstrating the possible increase over time. Design Systematic review. Methods A systematic search was conducted in two databases, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Medicine Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System online (MEDLINE), using the same keywords and selection procedure corresponding to pre-defined inclusion criteria. The methodological quality, assessed by the 11-item PEDro scale, served as outcome measure. The CCTs had to compare at least two interventions, where one intervention had to lay within the scope of physiotherapy. Participants had to be diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome or trigger points (active or latent). Results A total of n = 230 studies was analysed. The cervico-thoracic region was the most frequently treated body part (n = 143). Electrophysical agent applications was the most frequent intervention. The average methodological quality reached 5.5 on the PEDro scale. A total of n = 6 studies scored the value of 9. The average PEDro score increased by 0.7 points per decade between 1978 and 2015. Conclusions The average PEDro score of CCTs for MTrP treatments does not reach the cut-off of 6 proposed for moderate to high methodological quality. Nevertheless, a promising trend towards an increase of the average methodological quality of CCTs for MTrPs was recorded. More high-quality CCT studies with thorough research procedures are recommended to enhance methodological quality
Antibodies to soluble liver antigen and α-enolase in patients with autoimmune hepatitis
BACKGROUND: Antibodies to a cytosolic soluble liver antigen (SLA) are specifically detected in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The target of anti-SLA has been identified as a ~50 kDa UGA serine tRNA-associated protein complex (tRNP((Ser)Sec)), through the screening of cDNA libraries. A recent report questioned the identity of tRNP((Ser)Sec )as the real SLA antigen. The latter study identified α-enolase as a major anti-SLA target, through proteomic analysis. METHODS: In an attempt to explain the observed discrepancy we have investigated reactivity of SLA positive sera against α-enolase and tRNP((Ser)Sec )using rat and primate liver homogenate and the recombinant antigens. Thirty-three serum samples, 11 from SLA-positive patients and 22 from SLA negative controls were investigated. SLA antibodies were detected by an inhibition ELISA and confirmed by immunoblot using human liver homogenate. Autoantibody reactivity was further evaluated using preparations of primate and rat liver homogenates. Anti-α-enolase antibody reactivity has been tested by immunoblot using recombinant α-enolase. An affinity purified goat polyclonal anti-α-enolase IgG antibody was used as reference serum sample. Anti-tRNP((Ser)Sec )antibody reactivity was detected by ELISA or dot blot using recombinant tRNP((Ser)Sec )antigen. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The affinity purified IgG antibody directed to human α-enolase gave a band of approximately 48 kDa in both human and rat liver homogenates. A high titre anti-tRNP((Ser)Sec )antibody serum gave a single band of ~50 kDa in both liver preparations. All but one anti-SLA antibody positive sera reacted with a ~50 kDa but none immunofixed a 48 kDa band. All anti-SLA antibody positive sera reacted strongly with the recombinant full length tRNP((Ser)Sec )protein. None of the anti-SLA negative sera reacted with tRNP((Ser)Sec). Anti-SLA positive, and anti-SLA negative sera reacted equally against recombinant α-enolase by immunoblot. Pre-incubation of anti-SLA positive sera with tRNP((Ser)Sec )completely abolished the 50 kDa band. The findings of the present study indicate that α-enolase and tRNP((Ser)Sec )are both expressed in primate and rat liver and have a respective MW of 48 and 50 kDa. They also show that anti-tRNP((Ser)Sec )– but not anti-α-enolase – correlates with anti-SLA antibody reactivity. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that tRNP((Ser)Sec )is the most likely target of anti-SLA
Optimization of Multiple Responses in Quench Hardening and Tempering Process in Steel Wires by Means Design of Experiments and Desirability Method
Stretching optimization for lower limb posterior chain: comparison between two different executions of the same exercise
Stretching of the posterior kinetic chain muscles, especially the hamstrings, is one of the most practiced exercises in all types of physical activity and postural rehabilitation protocols (1). Objective of our experimental trial was to compare the performance of two different variants of muscle stretching (A and B), highlighting for each one the regions of the posterior kinetic chain (lumbar region, gluteus muscles, hamstrings) most affected by the exercise. 161 selected subjects reported on a specific Body Chart the localization of the stretching sensation; the software Pain-drawing (2) was employed for the analysis of the stretching sensation felt by each subject (75 men and 86 women) aged between 20 and 80 years old, with different lifestyles but subjected to defined exclusion criteria (prosthesis, artificial implants, crippling arthritis, flare–up pain, recent surgical procedures). Stretching A is the generally accepted practice available in the literature. The proposed variant (Stretching B) is the experimental suggested procedure which adapts the execution of the exercise on biomechanical reasoning, in order to focus the stretching sensation on the hamstrings muscles and, at the same time, decreasing the stress in the lumbar region. In stretching B, subjects were positioned with lower limb in neutral position, knee with approximately 18° of feeble bending (variable depth, compact rolls in various size, behind popliteal fossa. Notably, results show that the same area has not been affected; when subjects performed Stretching B exercise avoids both the pre-tension of the hamstrings and the lever created by the arms stretched forward, focusing the stretching sensation on the hamstrings muscles and gastrocnemius and affecting only marginally the lumbar region and never the back region. This appears particularly relevant for the prevention of lower back pain and for situation when the stretching of the posterior kinetic chain is performed as a cool-down following physical activity or for rehabilitation purposes
Spin dynamics of Dy2 molecules deposited onto micro-SQUID sensors
Resumen del trabajo presentado al APS March Meeting, celebrado en Chicago (USA) del 14 al 18 de marzo de 2022.We acknowledge support from EU (FATMOLS FETOPEN-RIA-2019-01 862893, QUANTERA SUMO), Spanish MCIU/AEI/FEDER (RTI-2018-096075-B C21, PCI2018-093116) and CSIC Research Platform PTI-001N
Search for Na in novae supported by a novel method for measuring femtosecond nuclear lifetimes
Classical novae are thermonuclear explosions in stellar binary systems, and
important sources of Al and Na. While gamma rays from the decay
of the former radioisotope have been observed throughout the Galaxy, Na
remains untraceable. The half-life of Na (2.6 yr) would allow the
observation of its 1.275 MeV gamma-ray line from a cosmic source. However, the
prediction of such an observation requires good knowledge of the nuclear
reactions involved in the production and destruction of this nucleus. The
Na()Mg reaction remains the only source of large
uncertainty about the amount of Na ejected. Its rate is dominated by a
single resonance on the short-lived state at 7785.0(7) keV in Mg. In the
present work, a combined analysis of particle-particle correlations and
velocity-difference profiles is proposed to measure femtosecond nuclear
lifetimes. The application of this novel method to the study of the Mg
states, combining magnetic and highly-segmented tracking gamma-ray
spectrometers, places strong limits on the amount of Na produced in
novae, explains its non-observation to date in gamma rays (flux < 2.5x
ph/(cms)), and constrains its detectability with future space-borne
observatories.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl
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