66 research outputs found
Skyrmions in quantum Hall ferromagnets as spin-waves bound to unbalanced magnetic flux quanta
A microscopic description of (baby)skyrmions in quantum Hall ferromagnets is
derived from a scattering theory of collective (neutral) spin modes by a bare
quasiparticle. We start by mapping the low lying spectrum of spin waves in the
uniform ferromagnet onto that of free moving spin excitons, and then we study
their scattering by the defect of charge. In the presence of this disturbance,
the local spin stiffness varies in space, and we translate it into an
inhomogeneus metric in the Hilbert space supporting the excitons. An attractive
potencial is then required to preserve the symmetry under global spin
rotations, and it traps the excitons around the charged defect. The
quasiparticle now carries a spin texture. Textures containing more than one
exciton are described within a mean-field theory, the interaction among the
excitons being taken into account through a new renormalization of the metric.
The number of excitons actually bound depends on the Zeeman coupling, that
plays the same role as a chemical potencial. For small Zeeman energies, the
defect binds many excitons which condensate. As the bound excitons have a unit
of angular momentum, provided by the quantum of magnetic flux left unbalanced
by the defect of charge, the resulting texture turns out to be a topological
excitation of charge 1. Its energy is that given by the non-linear sigma model
for the ground state in this topological sector, i.e. the texture is a
skyrmion.Comment: 17 pages, 1 figur
The Role of Presenilin and its Interacting Proteins in the Biogenesis of Alzheimer’s Beta Amyloid
The biogenesis and accumulation of the beta amyloid protein (Aβ) is a key event in the cascade of oxidative and inflammatory processes that characterises Alzheimer’s disease. The presenilins and its interacting proteins play a pivotal role in the generation of Aβ from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). In particular, three proteins (nicastrin, aph-1 and pen-2) interact with presenilins to form a large multi-subunit enzymatic complex (γ-secretase) that cleaves APP to generate Aβ. Reconstitution studies in yeast and insect cells have provided strong evidence that these four proteins are the major components of the γ-secretase enzyme. Current research is directed at elucidating the roles that each of these protein play in the function of this enzyme. In addition, a number of presenilin interacting proteins that are not components of γ-secretase play important roles in modulating Aβ production. This review will discuss the components of the γ-secretase complex and the role of presenilin interacting proteins on γ-secretase activity
Increased expression of receptor phosphotyrosine phosphatase-β/ζ is associated with molecular, cellular, behavioral and cognitive schizophrenia phenotypes
Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic mental disorder, in which both genetic and environmental factors have a role in the development of the disease. Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) is one of the most established genetic risk factors for schizophrenia, and disruption of NRG1 signaling has been reported in this disorder. We reported previously that NRG1/ErbB4 signaling is inhibited by receptor phosphotyrosine phosphatase-β/ζ (RPTP β/ζ) and that the gene encoding RPTPβ/ζ (PTPRZ1) is genetically associated with schizophrenia. In this study, we examined the expression of RPTPβ/ζ in the brains of patients with schizophrenia and observed increased expression of this gene. We developed mice overexpressing RPTPβ/ζ (PTPRZ1-transgenic mice), which showed reduced NRG1 signaling, and molecular and cellular changes implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, including altered glutamatergic, GABAergic and dopaminergic activity, as well as delayed oligodendrocyte development. Behavioral analyses also demonstrated schizophrenia-like changes in the PTPRZ1-transgenic mice, including reduced sensory motor gating, hyperactivity and working memory deficits. Our results indicate that enhanced RPTPβ/ζ signaling can contribute to schizophrenia phenotypes, and support both construct and face validity for PTPRZ1-transgenic mice as a model for multiple schizophrenia phenotypes. Furthermore, our results implicate RPTPβ/ζ as a therapeutic target in schizophrenia
Specific decrease of the immunological reactivity in adult mice after injection with lymphocytes from mls-antigen incompatible donors.
Graft-versus-host response, measured by splenomegaly assay, by populations of allosensitized mouse lymphocytes.
Search for specific effector functions of c3hxcba lymphocytes which have proliferated in the spleens of irradiated cba mice.
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