Development of an infinite input impedance fluidic amplifier

Two-phase analog infinite input impedance high stable gain fluid amplifie

Critical view of the claimed Θ+\Theta^+ pentaquark

We use a theoretical model of the $\gamma ~d \to ~K^+ K^- ~n ~p$ reaction adapted to the experiment done at LEPS where a peak was observed and associated to the $\Theta^{+}(1540)$ pentaquark. The study shows that the method used in the experiment to associate momenta to the undetected proton and neutron, together with the chosen cuts, necessarily creates an artificial broad peak in the assumed $K^+ n$ invariant mass in the region of the claimed $\Theta^{+}(1540)$. It is shown that the LEPS fit to the data, used to make the claim of the $\Theta^{+}(1540)$, grossly distorts the background. An alternative fit, assuming a background plus a fluctuation, returns a background practically equal to the theoretical one and a fluctuation identical to the one seen in the experimental $K^- p$ spectrum of 2$\sigma$ significance.Comment: Conference Proceedin

An analytic Pade-motivated QCD coupling

We consider a modification of the Minimal Analytic (MA) coupling of Shirkov and Solovtsov. This modified MA (mMA) coupling reflects the desired analytic properties of the space-like observables. We show that an approximation by Dirac deltas of its discontinuity function $\rho$ is equivalent to a Pad\'e (rational) approximation of the mMA coupling that keeps its analytic structure. We propose a modification to mMA that, as preliminary results indicate, could be an improvement in the evaluation of low-energy observables compared with other analytic couplings.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure (double), to appear in the Proceedings of the VIII Latin American Symposium on Nuclear Physics and Applications, Santiago, Chile, 15-19 December 2009. Poster presented by H. E. Martine

The Presence of GC-C in Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Colorectal Cancer Cells

Background: Guanylyl Cyclase C (GC-C) is a membrane-bound protein found on intestinal epithelial cells involved in the activation of CFTR. This protein has previously been involved in the development of colorectal cancer. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are bilayered vesicles of varying size (30 to 1,000 + nm in diameter) that believed to be secreted by all cells in the human body. In the past decade, EVs have garnered attention due to their impact in the field of oncology, where they have been shown to potentially serve as biomarkers for various cancers. In this study, we looked at the EVs secreted by GC-C+ and GC-C- cell lines. We expected GC-C to be present on the EVs secreted by GC-C+ cell lines and that this finding may intake a role for GC-C at tissues distal to the intestinal epithelial cells. Methods: GC-C+ cells lines (T84 and CT26-hGCC) and GC-C- cell lines (SW480 and CT26-WT) were cultured and their media was harvested, then ultracentrifuged to extract the EVs from the media. These EVs were then checked for the presence and absence of various markers (GC-C, Calnexin, TSG101) via Western Blot. Exosome size was assessed via NTA to further provide evidence for the identity of these EVs. Results: Western blot confirmed the presence of TSG101 in both EV types samples, as well as the presence of GC-C in EVs derived from GC-C+ cell lines, but not from GC-C- cell lines. Calnexin was found to be absent in EV samples, excluding the possibility of lysate contamination. NTA analysis confirmed the correct size for the exosomes in sample. Discussion: This study assessed the contents of EVs secreted by colorectal cancer cell lines. Our findings indicate the presence of GC-C on exosomes and microvesicles. Further studies will need to be conducted in order to assess the function of these GC-C+ EVs in the setting of colorectal cancer

Automatic Generation of Cognitive Theories using Genetic Programming

Cognitive neuroscience is the branch of neuroscience that studies the neural mechanisms underpinning cognition and develops theories explaining them. Within cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience focuses on modeling behavior, using theories expressed as computer programs. Up to now, computational theories have been formulated by neuroscientists. In this paper, we present a new approach to theory development in neuroscience: the automatic generation and testing of cognitive theories using genetic programming. Our approach evolves from experimental data cognitive theories that explain “the mental program” that subjects use to solve a specific task. As an example, we have focused on a typical neuroscience experiment, the delayed-match-to-sample (DMTS) task. The main goal of our approach is to develop a tool that neuroscientists can use to develop better cognitive theories