ENHANCING THE TUMOR FIGHTING CAPACITY OF NK CELLS THROUGH THE USE OF SOYPEPTIDE

poster abstractNatural killer or (NK) cells are important components of the innate immune system, which play a major role in the rejection of tumors, and virally in-fected cells. By producing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-gamma, NK cells are able to exert immunoregulatory functions that influence the adaptive immunity of other immune cells. Due to its critical role in tumor inhibition, researchers, utilizing various cytokines, including IL-12 and IL-2, have fervently pursued the manipulation of NK activity. NK cells respond to cytokines in a dose-dependent manner; however, the toxicity of certain cy-tokines (like IL-2) in high doses prohibits their widespread clinical use. Therefore, efforts to activate NK cells without requiring high doses of cyto-kines is warranted. We recently exploited a soy derived dietary peptide called lunasin to improve the immune functions. The hypothesis was that the lunasin peptide has stimulatory effects on immune cells. To test this hy-pothesis, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy do-nors were stimulated with and without lunasin in combination with cytokines IL-12 or IL-2. Our results showed that the lunasin peptide exerts a robust synergistic effect when combined with the selected cytokines. This effect ap-pears to regulate the expression of a number of genes that are important for NK activity. Our findings support the potential clinical use of lunasin in com-bination with cytokine to enhance the tumor fighting capacity of NK cells

Bubble collisions and measures of the multiverse

To compute the spectrum of bubble collisions seen by an observer in an eternally-inflating multiverse, one must choose a measure over the diverging spacetime volume, including choosing an "initial" hypersurface below which there are no bubble nucleations. Previous calculations focused on the case where the initial hypersurface is pushed arbitrarily deep into the past. Interestingly, the observed spectrum depends on the orientation of the initial hypersurface, however one's ability observe the effect rapidly decreases with the ratio of inflationary Hubble rates inside and outside one's bubble. We investigate whether this conclusion might be avoided under more general circumstances, in particular placing the observer's bubble near the initial hypersurface. We find that it is not. As a point of reference, a substantial appendix reviews relevant aspects of the measure problem of eternal inflation.Comment: 24 pages, two figures, plus 16-page appendix with one figure; v2: minor improvements and clarifications, conclusions unchanged (version to appear in JCAP

Testing the SOC hypothesis for the magnetosphere

As noted by Chang, the hypothesis of Self-Organised Criticality provides a theoretical framework in which the low dimensionality seen in magnetospheric indices can be combined with the scaling seen in their power spectra and the recently-observed plasma bursty bulk flows. As such, it has considerable appeal, describing the aspects of the magnetospheric fuelling:storage:release cycle which are generic to slowly-driven, interaction-dominated, thresholded systems rather than unique to the magnetosphere. In consequence, several recent numerical "sandpile" algorithms have been used with a view to comparison with magnetospheric observables. However, demonstration of SOC in the magnetosphere will require further work in the definition of a set of observable properties which are the unique "fingerprint" of SOC. This is because, for example, a scale-free power spectrum admits several possible explanations other than SOC. A more subtle problem is important for both simulations and data analysis when dealing with multiscale and hence broadband phenomena such as SOC. This is that finite length systems such as the magnetosphere or magnetotail will by definition give information over a small range of orders of magnitude, and so scaling will tend to be narrowband. Here we develop a simple framework in which previous descriptions of magnetospheric dynamics can be described and contrasted. We then review existing observations which are indicative of SOC, and ask if they are sufficient to demonstrate it unambiguously, and if not, what new observations need to be made?Comment: 29 pages, 0 figures. Based on invited talk at Spring American Geophysical Union Meeting, 1999. Journal of Atmospheric and Solar Terrestrial Physics, in pres

Chern-Simons Theory for Magnetization Plateaus of Frustrated J1J_1-J2J_2 Heisenberg model

The magnetization curve of the two-dimensional spin-1/2 $J_1$-$J_2$ Heisenberg model is investigated by using the Chern-Simons theory under a uniform mean-field approximation. We find that the magnetization curve is monotonically increasing for $J_2/J_1 < 0.267949$, where the system under zero external field is in the antiferromagnetic N\'eel phase. For larger ratios of $J_2/J_1$, various plateaus will appear in the magnetization curve. In particular, in the disordered phase, our result supports the existence of the $M/M_{\rm sat}=1/2$ plateau and predicts a new plateau at $M/M_{\rm sat}=1/3$. By identifying the onset ratio $J_2/J_1$ for the appearance of the 1/2-plateau with the boundary between the N\'eel and the spin-disordered phases in zero field, we can determine this phase boundary accurately by this mean-field calculation. Verification of these interesting results would indicate a strong connection between the frustrated antiferromagnetic system and the quantum Hall system.Comment: RevTeX 4, 4 pages, 3 EPS figure

Water vapour diffusion resistance factor of Phyllostachys edulis (Moso bamboo)

This study measured the water vapour diffusion resistance factor of the Moso bamboo specimens in all directions of the cylindrical coordinate system at both internode parts and node parts. The measurement was conducted by the dry cup method. Major findings included three aspects. The water vapour diffusion resistance factor results of Moso bamboo specimens present a decreasing trend from the external surface to the internal surface in the radial directions. This fact may be attributed to the more densified fibre cells and low quantity of pits at the external surface. The water vapour diffusion resistance factor of bamboo specimens is remarkably lower in the longitudinal direction than in the radial and tangential directions. The large diameter, high interconnectivity and straight structure of the vascular bundle vessel influence the lower water vapour diffusion resistance factor in the longitudinal direction. The majority of the node specimens demonstrated lower water vapour diffusion resistance factor values than the internode specimens in the radial and tangential directions. The irregular orientation of vascular bundle vessels in different directions can be considered as the reason

Particle Physics Implications for CoGeNT, DAMA, and Fermi

Recent results from the CoGeNT collaboration (as well as the annual modulation reported by DAMA/LIBRA) point toward dark matter with a light (5-10 GeV) mass and a relatively large elastic scattering cross section with nucleons (\sigma ~ 10^{-40} cm^2). In order to possess this cross section, the dark matter must communicate with the Standard Model through mediating particles with small masses and/or large couplings. In this Letter, we explore with a model independent approach the particle physics scenarios that could potentially accommodate these signals. We also discuss how such models could produce the gamma rays from the Galactic Center observed in the data of the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope. We find multiple particle physics scenarios in which each of these signals can be accounted for, and in which the dark matter can be produced thermally in the early Universe with an abundance equal to the measured cosmological density.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Gamma Ray Line Constraints on Effective Theories of Dark Matter

A monochromatic gamma ray line results when dark matter particles in the galactic halo annihilate to produce a two body final state which includes a photon. Such a signal is very distinctive from astrophysical backgrounds, and thus represents an incisive probe of theories of dark matter. We compare the recent null results of searches for gamma ray lines in the galactic center and other regions of the sky with the predictions of effective theories describing the interactions of dark matter particles with the Standard Model. We find that the null results of these searches provide constraints on the nature of dark matter interactions with ordinary matter which are complementary to constraints from other observables, and stronger than collider constraints in some cases.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figure

Transport spectroscopy in a time-modulated open quantum dot

We have investigated the time-modulated coherent quantum transport phenomena in a ballistic open quantum dot. The conductance $G$ and the electron dwell time in the dots are calculated by a time-dependent mode-matching method. Under high-frequency modulation, the traversing electrons are found to exhibit three types of resonant scatterings. They are intersideband scatterings: into quasibound states in the dots, into true bound states in the dots, and into quasibound states just beneath the subband threshold in the leads. Dip structures or fano structures in $G$ are their signatures. Our results show structures due to 2$\hbar\omega$ intersideband processes. At the above scattering resonances, we have estimated, according to our dwell time calculation, the number of round-trip scatterings that the traversing electrons undertake between the two dot openings.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Validation of remote mapping of cochlear implants

Recipients of cochlear implants need to attend regular mapping sessions to adjust their speech processors.We developed a PC-based system for remote mapping, which employed voice, video and text communication. Eleven implant recipients had their implant electrodes programmed (mapped) both by conventional methods and remotely. Speech tests, conducted by a family member or research assistant, were used to test the outcome of the programming during the remote consultation. The recipient and audiologist were surveyed regarding aspects of the teleconsultation. There were no significant differences between conventionally and remotely programmed electrode settings. The speech test results were perfect in most cases. The average time to complete the conventional mapping session was 37 min and the average time for the remote mapping session was 42 min (P_0.034). Recipients and the audiologist reported favourably on most aspects of the consultations. Lack of synchronisation between voice and video was the most common problem, which disrupted communication. The assistant was important to overcome this problem. All but one participant indicated they would be willing to use tele-mapping in the future. Remote programming of cochlear implants can be conducted reliably with relatively simple equipment, potentially in the homes of remotely located patients assisted by a family member.Med-el and ESIA’s Gift of Hearinghttp://jtt.sagepub.comam201

Energy-momentum and angular momentum of Goedel universes

We discuss the Einstein energy-momentum complex and the Bergmann-Thomson angular momentum complex in general relativity and calculate them for space-time homogeneous Goedel universes. The calculations are performed for a dust acausal model and for a scalar-field causal model. It is shown that the Einstein pseudotensor is traceless, not symmetric, the gravitational energy is "density" is negative and the gravitational Poynting vector vanishes. Significantly, the total (gravitational and matter) energy "density" fro the acausal model is zero while for the casual model it is negative.The Bergmann-Thomson angular momentum complex does not vanish for both G\"odel models.Comment: an amended version, 24 pages, accepted to PR