A New Method to Calculate the Spin-Glass Order Parameter of the Two-Dimensional +/-J Ising Model

A new method to numerically calculate the $n$th moment of the spin overlap of the two-dimensional $\pm J$ Ising model is developed using the identity derived by one of the authors (HK) several years ago. By using the method, the $n$th moment of the spin overlap can be calculated as a simple average of the $n$th moment of the total spins with a modified bond probability distribution. The values of the Binder parameter etc have been extensively calculated with the linear size, $L$, up to L=23. The accuracy of the calculations in the present method is similar to that in the conventional transfer matrix method with about $10^{5}$ bond samples. The simple scaling plots of the Binder parameter and the spin-glass susceptibility indicate the existence of a finite-temperature spin-glass phase transition. We find, however, that the estimation of $T_{\rm c}$ is strongly affected by the corrections to scaling within the present data ($L\leq 23$). Thus, there still remains the possibility that $T_{\rm c}=0$, contrary to the recent results which suggest the existence of a finite-temperature spin-glass phase transition.Comment: 10 pages,8 figures: final version to appear in J. Phys.

A Digital Approach to Immediate-Load, Full-Arch Implant Dentistry: A Case Report.

Conventional approaches to full-arch implant dentistry require a verified master model created by luting together impression jigs. This process involves numerous steps and is sometimes prone to errors that require subsequent correction. A novel approach involving an extraoral scanning technique using an Imetric 4D Imaging system demonstrates an alternative for same-day delivery of printed full-arch prosthetics. Advantages include the ability to offer a same-day provisional restoration without needing to verify an analog master cast

Sero-epidemioloical survey on African horse sickness virus among horses in Khartoum State, Central Sudan

Abstract Background African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is an infectious non contagious insect-transmitted double-stranded (ds) RNA orbivirus of the family Reoviridae. AHSV causes an often fatal hemorrhagic infection with high mortality among selected breeds of Arabian horses. This study was conducted to avail some information with regard to the prevalence and associated risk factors of AHSV among ecotype breeds of horses in central Sudan. Methods Sera were collected from 320 horses, which were selected randomly from four localities and employed in the study. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was used to screen sampled sera for AHSV-specific immunoglobulin G (Ig G) antibodies. Results Seropositivity to AHSV Ig G was detected in 275 out of the 320 horse sera, thus accounting for a prevalence rate of 85.9%. Potential risk factors to AHSV infection were reported to be associated with horse breed (OR = 5.0, CI = 0.07–2.104, p-value = 0.039) and activity of the horse (OR = 3.21, CI = 0.72–1.48, p- value = 0.008). Conclusions The high prevalence of AHSV in Khartoum State of Central Sudan necessitates the need for continuous surveillance for AHSV infection to prevent a possible disease outbreak in this region of the African continent

Neuronal-epithelial cross-talk drives acinar specification via NRG1-ERBB3-mTORC2 signaling

Acinar cells are the principal secretory units of multiple exocrine organs. A single-cell, layered, lumenized acinus forms from a large cohort of epithelial progenitors that must initiate and coordinate three cellular programs of acinar specification, namely, lineage progression, secretion, and polarization. Despite this well-known outcome, the mechanism(s) that regulate these complex programs are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that neuronal-epithelial cross-talk drives acinar specification through neuregulin (NRG1)-ERBB3-mTORC2 signaling. Using single-cell and global RNA sequencing of developing murine salivary glands, we identified NRG1-ERBB3 to precisely overlap with acinar specification during gland development. Genetic deletion of Erbb3 prevented cell lineage progression and the establishment of lumenized, secretory acini. Conversely, NRG1 treatment of isolated epithelia was sufficient to recapitulate the development of secretory acini. Mechanistically, we found that NRG1-ERBB3 regulates each developmental program through an mTORC2 signaling pathway. Thus, we reveal that a neuronal-epithelial (NRG1/ERBB3/mTORC2) mechanism orchestrates the creation of functional acini

Long-term functional regeneration of radiation-damaged salivary glands through delivery of a neurogenic hydrogel.

Salivary gland acinar cells are severely depleted after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, leading to loss of saliva and extensive oro-digestive complications. With no regenerative therapies available, organ dysfunction is irreversible. Here, using the adult murine system, we demonstrate that radiation-damaged salivary glands can be functionally regenerated via sustained delivery of the neurogenic muscarinic receptor agonist cevimeline. We show that endogenous gland repair coincides with increased nerve activity and acinar cell division that is limited to the first week after radiation, with extensive acinar cell degeneration, dysfunction, and cholinergic denervation occurring thereafter. However, we found that mimicking cholinergic muscarinic input via sustained local delivery of a cevimeline-alginate hydrogel was sufficient to regenerate innervated acini and retain physiological saliva secretion at nonirradiated levels over the long term (>3 months). Thus, we reveal a previously unknown regenerative approach for restoring epithelial organ structure and function that has extensive implications for human patients

Crystal engineering rescues a solution organic synthesis in a cocrystallization that confirms the configuration of a molecular ladder

Treatment of an achiral molecular ladder of C2h symmetry composed of five edge-sharing cyclobutane rings, or a [5]-ladderane, with acid results in cis- to trans-isomerization of end pyridyl groups. Solution NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations support the isomerization to generate two diastereomers. The NMR data, however, could not lead to unambiguous configurational assignments of the two isomers. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was employed to determine each configuration. One isomer readily crystallized as a pure form and X-ray diffraction revealed the molecule as being achiral based on Ci symmetry. The second isomer resisted crystallization under a variety of conditions. Consequently, a strategy based on a cocrystallization was developed to generate single crystals of the second isomer. Cocrystallization of the isomer with a carboxylic acid readily afforded single crystals that confirmed a chiral ladderane based on C2 symmetry. The chiral ladderane and acid self-assembled to generate a five-component hydrogen-bonded complex that packs to form large solvent-filled homochiral channels of nanometer-scale dimensions. Whereas cocrystallizations are frequently applied to structure determinations of proteins, our study represents the first application of a cocrystallization to confirm the relative configuration of a small-molecule diastereomer generated in a solution-phase organic synthesis