25 research outputs found

    Nuclear Alpha-Particle Condensates

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    The α\alpha-particle condensate in nuclei is a novel state described by a product state of α\alpha's, all with their c.o.m. in the lowest 0S orbit. We demonstrate that a typical α\alpha-particle condensate is the Hoyle state (Ex=7.65E_{x}=7.65 MeV, 02+0^+_2 state in 12^{12}C), which plays a crucial role for the synthesis of 12^{12}C in the universe. The influence of antisymmentrization in the Hoyle state on the bosonic character of the α\alpha particle is discussed in detail. It is shown to be weak. The bosonic aspects in the Hoyle state, therefore, are predominant. It is conjectured that α\alpha-particle condensate states also exist in heavier nαn\alpha nuclei, like 16^{16}O, 20^{20}Ne, etc. For instance the 06+0^+_6 state of 16^{16}O at Ex=15.1E_{x}=15.1 MeV is identified from a theoretical analysis as being a strong candidate of a 4α4\alpha condensate. The calculated small width (34 keV) of 06+0^+_6, consistent with data, lends credit to the existence of heavier Hoyle-analogue states. In non-self-conjugated nuclei such as 11^{11}B and 13^{13}C, we discuss candidates for the product states of clusters, composed of α\alpha's, triton's, and neutrons etc. The relationship of α\alpha-particle condensation in finite nuclei to quartetting in symmetric nuclear matter is investigated with the help of an in-medium modified four-nucleon equation. A nonlinear order parameter equation for quartet condensation is derived and solved for α\alpha particle condensation in infinite nuclear matter. The strong qualitative difference with the pairing case is pointed out.Comment: 71 pages, 41 figures, review article, to be published in "Cluster in Nuclei (Lecture Notes in Physics) - Vol.2 -", ed. by C. Beck, (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2011

    Actin-interacting and flagellar proteins in Leishmania spp.: Bioinformatics predictions to functional assignments in phagosome formation

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    Several motile processes are responsible for the movement of proteins into and within the flagellar membrane, but little is known about the process by which specific proteins (either actin-associated or not) are targeted to protozoan flagellar membranes. Actin is a major cytoskeleton protein, while polymerization and depolymerization of parasite actin and actin-interacting proteins (AIPs) during both processes of motility and host cell entry might be key events for successful infection. For a better understanding the eukaryotic flagellar dynamics, we have surveyed genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes of pathogenic Leishmania spp. to identify pertinent genes/proteins and to build in silico models to properly address their putative roles in trypanosomatid virulence. In a search for AIPs involved in flagellar activities, we applied computational biology and proteomic tools to infer from the biological meaning of coronins and Arp2/3, two important elements in phagosome formation after parasite phagocytosis by macrophages. Results presented here provide the first report of Leishmania coronin and Arp2/3 as flagellar proteins that also might be involved in phagosome formation through actin polymerization within the flagellar environment. This is an issue worthy of further in vitro examination that remains now as a direct, positive bioinformatics-derived inference to be presented

    Increased growth hormone (GH), growth hormone receptor (GHR), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) gene transcription after hyperosmotic stress in the Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus

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    Growth hormone (GH) action is the result of an intracellular cascade initiated just after its interaction with the growth hormone receptor (GHR)located on the surface of target cells. This cascade culminates with the transcription of target genes, such as the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), which are responsible for most GH biological effects. In addition to its central role in growth, fish GH is also involved with osmoregulatory control. Within this context, the objective of the present work was to isolate GH, GHR, and IGF-I cDNAs from the Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus and evaluate whether these genes are induced by hyperosmotic stress. The obtained results indicated that GH mRNA had a significant peak only 24 h after yperosmotic stress. In gills, GHR mRNA was significantly increased after 7 days. In liver, GHR and IGF-I mRNAs were significantly increased in 72 h and both reached even higher levels after 7 days. These results indicate that hyperosmotic stress can increase GH sensitivity in the gills and liver of P. orbignyanus and, consequently, improve IGF-I production. The management of this parameter could be useful in achieving better growth performance for this and other commercially important species in which GH has a direct correlation with osmoregulatory mechanisms
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