Interface roughness, valley-orbit coupling and valley manipulation in quantum dots

We present a systematic study of interface roughness and its effect on coherent dynamical processes in quantum dots. The potential due to a sharp, flat interface lifts the degeneracy of the lowest energy valleys and yields a set of valley eigenstates. Interface roughness is characterized by fluctuations in the location of the interface and in the magnitude of the potential step. Variations in the position of the interface, which are expected to occur on the length scale of the lattice constant, reduce the magnitude of the valley-orbit coupling. Variations in the size of the interface potential step alter the magnitude of the valley-orbit coupling and induce transitions between different valley eigenstates in dynamics involving two (or more) dots. Such transitions can be studied experimentally by manipulating the bias between two dots and can be detected by charge sensing. However, if the random variable characterizing the position of the interface is correlated over distances of the order of a quantum dot, which is unlikely but possible, the phase of the valley-orbit coupling may be different in adjacent dots. In this case tunneling between like and opposite valley eigenstates is in effect a random variable and cannot be controlled. We suggest a resonant tunneling experiment that can identify the matrix elements for tunneling between like and opposite valley eigenstates.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure

N-Alpha-Acetylation of α-Synuclein Increases Its Helical Folding Propensity, GM1 Binding Specificity and Resistance to Aggregation

A switch in the conformational properties of α-synuclein (αS) is hypothesized to be a key step in the pathogenic mechanism of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Whereas the beta-sheet-rich state of αS has long been associated with its pathological aggregation in PD, a partially alpha-helical state was found to be related to physiological lipid binding; this suggests a potential role of the alpha-helical state in controlling synaptic vesicle cycling and resistance to β-sheet rich aggregation. N-terminal acetylation is the predominant post-translational modification of mammalian αS. Using circular dichroism, isothermal titration calorimetry, and fluorescence spectroscopy, we have analyzed the effects of N-terminal acetylation on the propensity of recombinant human αS to form the two conformational states in interaction with lipid membranes. Small unilamellar vesicles of negatively charged lipids served as model membranes. Consistent with previous NMR studies using phosphatidylserine, we found that membrane-induced α-helical folding was enhanced by N-terminal acetylation and that greater exothermic heat could be measured upon vesicle binding of the modified protein. Interestingly, the folding and lipid binding enhancements with phosphatidylserine in vitro were weak when compared to that of αS with GM1, a lipid enriched in presynaptic membranes. The resultant increase in helical folding propensity of N-acetylated αS enhanced its resistance to aggregation. Our findings demonstrate the significance of the extreme N-terminus for folding nucleation, for relative GM1 specificity of αS-membrane interaction, and for a protective function of N-terminal-acetylation against αS aggregation mediated by GM1

Heavy flavor resonances and QED radiative corrections

An application of high precision QED against experimental data is presented. When the corrections to ψ and Υ families are improved according to the method described below, the masses and widths of the resonances below open flavor threshold change by up to three standard deviations from presently accepted experimental values.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87625/2/326_1.pd

What do people affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis want from health communications? Evidence from the ALS Talk project

Introduction/aims: Health communication is central to effective, supportive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinical care. Guidance for ALS communication is limited, focuses on diagnosis disclosure, and frequently relies on expert consensus and/or reviews. Patient-based evidence is needed to guide ALS health communication. We investigated how the experiences of ALS patients and family caregivers can inform effective communication practices from diagnosis to end-of-life.Methods: Data were drawn from the ALS Talk Project, an asynchronous, online focus group study. Seven focus groups and five interviews (105 participants) were conducted. Data were qualitatively analyzed using directed content analysis and the constant-comparative approach.Results: We found four primary themes: communication content, communication circumstances, information sufficiency, and communication manner. Data indicate participants relied on clinicians for medical information but also wanted practical information; health communication should attend to the circumstances within which conversations occur; information must be sufficient for individual needs, without overwhelming; and an empathetic, direct, and honest manner facilitated trust. Participants identified communication challenges and strategies to improve communication across major themes, including stepwise approaches and conversations tailored to individuals and their heterogeneous disease experiences.Discussion: Healthcare professionals should discuss patient/caregiver communication preferences early in the therapeutic relationship, co-develop a communication agreement, and update the agreement in response to changing needs and disease progression. This will foster regular discussion of information needs and promote timely discussions of challenging topics, including advance care, while giving patients and families a sense of control. Findings may have implications for other neuromuscular disease and/or seriously ill populations

City Branding: Strategi Pemasaran Pariwisata Kota Padang

Suatu kota dianggap memiliki kualifikasi brand yang kuat jika mempunyai sejarah, kualitas tempat, gaya hidup, budaya, dan keragaman yang layak jual sebagai destinasi wisata dan investasi. Kota Padang dinilai memiliki hampir semua kualifikasi tersebut, namun cara pemasaran daerahnya dinilai kurang efektif dan kurang dipahami oleh investor. Kendala utamanya adalah pilihan produk yang tidak sesuai dan cara mengkomunikasikannya yang tidak mengacu pada branding communication dan city branding. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat strategi pemasaran pariwisata di Kota Padang melalui city branding dan apa saja faktor penghambat dan pendukung dalam upaya pelaksanaan city branding tersebut. Metode penelitian yang diterapkan adalah metode kualitatif. Metode yang bersifat deskriptif ini cenderung menggunakan analisis. Penelitian ini lebih menonjolkan proses dan makna (perspektif subjek). Landasan teori dimanfaatkan sebagai pemandu agar penelitian tetap fokus dan sesuai dengan fakta di lapangan. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) digunakan sebagai metode pengumpulan data. Hasil penelitian ini, city branding tidak diterapkan sesuai dengan proses kerjanya, lebih bersifat spontanitas tanpa perencanaan. Akibatnya, visi, misi, dan tujuan pemerintah kurang konsisten dengan brand yang mereka susun. Sebagian besar birokrat Sumbar belum mampu menjelaskan konsekuensi dan pemahaman mereka terhadap city branding. Di sisi lain, keikutsertaan masyarakat untuk mempromosikan city branding mereka juga tidak begitu terlihat. Kata Kunci: pemasaran pariwisata, branding, branding communication, city branding, branding strateg

Asynchronous online focus groups for research with people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and family caregivers: Usefulness, acceptability and lessons learned

Background: People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) face disability- and travel-related barriers to research participation. We investigate the usefulness and acceptability of asynchronous, online focus groups (AOFGs) for research involving people affected by ALS (patients and family caregivers) and outline lessons learned.Methods: The ALS Talk Project, consisting of seven AOFGs and 100 participants affected by ALS, provided context for this investigation. Hosted on the secure itracks Board™ platform, participants interacted in a threaded web forum structure. Moderators posted weekly discussion questions and facilitated discussion. Data pertaining to methodology, participant interaction and experience, and moderator technique were analyzed using itracks and NVivo 12 analytics (quantitative) and conventional content analysis and the constant-comparative approach (qualitative).Results: There was active engagement within groups, with post lengths averaging 111.48 words and a complex network of branching interactions between participants. One third of participant responses included individual reflections without further interaction. Participants affirmed their co-group members, offered practical advice, and discussed shared and differing perspectives. Moderators responded to all posts, indicating presence and probing answers. AOFGs facilitated qualitative and quantitative data-gathering and flexible response to unanticipated events. Although total participation fell below 50% after 10–12 weeks, participants valued interacting with peers in an inclusive, confidential forum. Participants used a variety of personal devices, browsers, and operating systems when interacting on the online platform.Conclusions: This methodological examination of AOFGs for patient-centred investigations involving people affected by ALS demonstrates their usefulness and acceptability, and advances knowledge of online research methodologies. Lessons learned include: early identification of research goals and participant needs is critical to selecting an AOFG platform; although duration longer than 10–12 weeks may be burdensome in this population, participants were positive about AOFGs; AOFGs offer real world flexibility enabling response to research challenges and opportunities; and, AOGFs can effectively foster safe spaces for sharing personal perspectives and discussing sensitive topics. With moderators playing an important role in fostering engagement, AOFGs facilitated rich data gathering and promoted reciprocity by fostering the exchange of ideas and interaction between peers. Findings may have implications for research involving other neurologically impaired and/or medically vulnerable populations

Effects of environmental factors on development of Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) apothecia on oilseed rape debris

Publication no. P-2001-0221-01R. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 2001The development of Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) apothecia was studied on petiole debris from artificially infected oilseed rape leaves incubated at temperatures from 6 to 22 degreesC under different wetness regimes and in 16 h light/8 h dark or continuous darkness. There was no significant difference between light treatments in numbers of apothecia that developed. Mature apothecia developed at temperatures from 5 to 18 degreesC but not at 22 degreesC. The rate of apothecial development decreased as temperature decreased from 18 to 5 degreesC; mature apothecia were first observed after 5 days at 18 degreesC and after 15 days at 6 degreesC. Models were fitted to estimates of the time (days) for 50% of the maximum number of apothecia to develop (t(1); model 1, t(1) = 7.6 + 55.8(0.839)(T)) and the time for 50% of the maximum number of apothecia to decay (t(2); model 2, t(2) = 24.2 + 387(0.730)(T)) at temperatures (T) from 6 to 18 degreesC. An interruption in wetness of the petiole debris for 4 days after 4, 7, or 10 days of wetness delayed the time to observation of the first mature apothecia for approximate to4 days and decreased the number of apothecia produced (by comparison with continuous wetness). A relationship was found between water content of pod debris and electrical resistance measured by a debris-wetness sensor. The differences between values of tl predicted by model 1 and observed values of t(1) were 1 to 9 days. Model 2 did not predict t(2); apothecia decayed more quickly under natural conditions than predicted by model 2.Peer reviewe

Averages of b-hadron Properties at the End of 2005

This article reports world averages for measurements on b-hadron properties obtained by the Heavy Flavor Averaging Group (HFAG) using the available results as of at the end of 2005. In the averaging, the input parameters used in the various analyses are adjusted (rescaled) to common values, and all known correlations are taken into account. The averages include lifetimes, neutral meson mixing parameters, parameters of semileptonic decays, branching fractions of B meson decays to final states with open charm, charmonium and no charm, and measurements related to CP asymmetries

Polar Smectic Films

We report on a new experimental procedure for forming and studying polar smectic liquid crystal films. A free standing smectic film is put in contact with a liquid drop, so that the film has one liquid crystal/liquid interface and one liquid crystal/air interface. This polar environment results in changes in the textures observed in the film, including a boojum texture and a previously unobserved spiral texture in which the winding direction of the spiral reverses at a finite radius from its center. Some aspects of these textures are explained by the presence of a Ksb term in the bulk elastic free energy density that favors a combination of splay and bend deformations.Comment: 4 pages, REVTeX, 3 figures, submitted to PR

Pan-active imidazolopiperazine antimalarials target the Plasmodium falciparum intracellular secretory pathway.

A promising new compound class for treating human malaria is the imidazolopiperazines (IZP) class. IZP compounds KAF156 (Ganaplacide) and GNF179 are effective against Plasmodium symptomatic asexual blood-stage infections, and are able to prevent transmission and block infection in animal models. But despite the identification of resistance mechanisms in P. falciparum, the mode of action of IZPs remains unknown. To investigate, we here combine in vitro evolution and genome analysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with molecular, metabolomic, and chemogenomic methods in P. falciparum. Our findings reveal that IZP-resistant S. cerevisiae clones carry mutations in genes involved in Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-based lipid homeostasis and autophagy. In Plasmodium, IZPs inhibit protein trafficking, block the establishment of new permeation pathways, and cause ER expansion. Our data highlight a mechanism for blocking parasite development that is distinct from those of standard compounds used to treat malaria, and demonstrate the potential of IZPs for studying ER-dependent protein processing