Jost Function for Singular Potentials

An exact method for direct calculation of the Jost function and Jost solutions for a repulsive singular potential is presented. Within this method the Schrodinger equation is replaced by an equivalent system of linear first-order differential equations, which after complex rotation, can easily be solved numerically. The Jost function can be obtained to any desired accuracy for all complex momenta of physical interest, including the spectral points corresponding to bound and resonant states. The method can also be used in the complex angular-momentum plane to calculate the Regge trajectories. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated using the Lennard-Jones (12,6) potential. The spectral properties of the realistic inter-atomic He4-He4 potentials HFDHE2 and HFD-B of Aziz and collaborators are also investigated.Comment: 12 pages, latex, 2 eps-figures, submitted to Phys.Rev.

Moscow-type NN-potentials and three-nucleon bound states

A detailed description of Moscow-type (M-type) potential models for the NN interaction is given. The microscopic foundation of these models, which appear as a consequence of the composite quark structure of nucleons, is discussed. M-type models are shown to arise naturally in a coupled channel approach when compound or bag-like six-quark states, strongly coupled to the NN channel, are eliminated from the complete multiquark wave function. The role of the deep-lying bound states that appear in these models is elucidated. By introducing additional conditions of orthogonality to these compound six-quark states, a continuous series of almost on-shell equivalent nonlocal interaction models, characterized by a strong reduction or full absence of a local repulsive core (M-type models), is generated. The predictions of these interaction models for 3N systems are analyzed in detail. It is shown that M-type models give, under certain conditions, a stronger binding of the 3N system than the original phase-equivalent model with nodeless wave functions. An analysis of the 3N system with the new versions of the Moscow NN potential describing also the higher even partial waves is presented. Large deviations from conventional NN force models are found for the momentum distribution in the high momentum region. In particular, the Coulomb displacement energy for nuclei ^3He - ^3H displays a promising agreement with experiment when the ^3H binding energy is extrapolated to the experimental value.Comment: 23 pages Latex, 9 figures, to appear in Phys.Rev.

Low-Energy Universality in Atomic and Nuclear Physics

An effective field theory developed for systems interacting through short-range interactions can be applied to systems of cold atoms with a large scattering length and to nucleons at low energies. It is therefore the ideal tool to analyze the universal properties associated with the Efimov effect in three- and four-body systems. In this "progress report", we will discuss recent results obtained within this framework and report on progress regarding the inclusion of higher order corrections associated with the finite range of the underlying interaction.Comment: Commissioned article for Few-Body Systems, 47 pp, 16 fig

FLT3 mutations in canine acute lymphocytic leukemia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a commonly mutated protein in a variety of human acute leukemias. Mutations leading to constitutively active FLT3, including internal tandem duplications of the juxtamembrane domain (ITD), result in continuous cellular proliferation, resistance to apoptotic cell death, and a poorer prognosis. A better understanding of the molecular consequences of FLT3 activation would allow improved therapeutic strategies in these patients. Canine lymphoproliferative diseases, including lymphoma and acute leukemias, share evolutionarily conserved chromosomal aberrations and exhibit conserved mutations within key oncogenes when compared to their human counterparts. A small percentage of canine acute lymphocytic leukemias (ALL) also exhibit <it>FLT3 </it>ITD mutations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We molecularly characterized <it>FLT3 </it>mutations in two dogs and one cell line, by DNA sequencing, gene expression analysis via quantitative real-time PCR, and sensitivity to the FLT3 inhibitor lestaurtinib via <it>in vitro </it>proliferation assays. FLT 3 and downstream mediators of FLT3 activation were assessed by Western blotting.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The canine B-cell leukemia cell line, GL-1, and neoplastic cells from 2/7 dogs diagnosed cytologically with ALL were found to have <it>FLT3 </it>ITD mutations and <it>FLT3 </it>mRNA up-regulation. Lestaurtinib, a small molecule FLT3 inhibitor, significantly inhibited the growth of GL-1 cells, while not affecting the growth of two other canine lymphoid cell lines without the <it>FLT3 </it>mutation. Finally, western blots were used to confirm the conserved downstream mediators of <it>FLT3 </it>activating mutations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results show that ALL and FLT3 biology is conserved between canine and human patients, supporting the notion that canine ALL, in conjunction with the GL-1 cell line, will be useful in the development of a relevant large animal model to aid in the study of human FLT3 mutant leukemias.</p

Clinical relationship between histopathological necrotic/partial necrotic findings and disease condition of gallbladder mucoceles in dogs

Gallbladder mucocele (GM) is a common extrahepatic biliary disease recognized in dogs and is defined as the expansion and extension of the gallbladder by an accumulation of semi-solid bile or bile acid. Histopathological diagnosis of necrotizing cholecystitis and transmural coagulative necrosis of the gallbladder wall shows poor prognosis. Conversely, histopathological diagnosis with partial necrotic findings is often achieved. We hypothesized that histopathological partial necrosis of the gallbladder wall is the primary lesion of necrotic cholecystitis or transmural ischemic necrosis. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between histopathological necrosis/ partial necrosis findings and their clinical conditions. We retrospectively analyzed 55 dogs diagnosed with GM that had undergone cholecystectomy at the Yamaguchi University Animal Medical Center. The group with histopathological necrosis/partial necrosis of the gallbladder wall showed elevated levels of preoperative white blood cells, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase, total bilirubin, and C-reactive protein compared to the non-necrotic group. Partial necrosis of the gallbladder wall may affect the progression of the disease and hematological abnormalities. Additionally, all death cases until 2 weeks were included in the histopathological necrosis/partial necrosis group. In this study, we found that poor prognosis factors were associated with partial necrosis of the gallbladder wall. Furthermore, these cases of partial necrosis showed elevated levels of blood test parameters. These results suggest that necrosis of the gallbladder wall is associated with poor prognosis and poor pathophysiological conditions