29,899 research outputs found
Environmental Impact on the Southeast Limb of the Cygnus Loop
We analyze observations from the Chandra X-ray Observatory of the southeast
knot of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant. In this region, the blast wave
propagates through an inhomogeneous environment. Extrinsic differences and
subsequent multiple projections along the line of sight rather than intrinsic
shock variations, such as fluid instabilities, account for the apparent
complexity of the images. Interactions between the supernova blast wave and
density enhancements of a large interstellar cloud can produce the
morphological and spectral characteristics. Most of the X-ray flux arises in
such interactions, not in the diffuse interior of the supernova remnant.
Additional observations at optical and radio wavelengths support this account
of the existing interstellar medium and its role in shaping the Cygnus Loop,
and they demonstrate that the southeast knot is not a small cloud that the
blast wave has engulfed. These data are consistent with rapid equilibration of
electron and ion temperatures behind the shock front, and the current blast
wave velocity v_{bw} approx 330 km/s. Most of this area does not show strong
evidence for non-equilibrium ionization conditions, which may be a consequence
of the high densities of the bright emission regions.Comment: To appear in ApJ, April 1, 200
Particle production and reheating in the inflationary universe
Thermal field theory is applied to particle production rates in inflationary
models, leading to new results for catalysed, or two-stage decay, where massive
fields act as decay channels for the production of light fields. A numerical
investigation of the Bolztmann equation in an expanding universe shows that the
particle distributions produced during small amplitude inflaton oscillations or
alongside slowly moving inflaton fields can thermalise.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures, LaTeX, extra references in v
Quantum Energies of Interfaces
We present a method for computing the one-loop, renormalized quantum energies
of symmetrical interfaces of arbitrary dimension and codimension using
elementary scattering data. Internal consistency requires finite-energy sum
rules relating phase shifts to bound state energies.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, minor changes, Phys. Rev. Lett., in prin
Casimir Effects in Renormalizable Quantum Field Theories
We review the framework we and our collaborators have developed for the study
of one-loop quantum corrections to extended field configurations in
renormalizable quantum field theories. We work in the continuum, transforming
the standard Casimir sum over modes into a sum over bound states and an
integral over scattering states weighted by the density of states. We express
the density of states in terms of phase shifts, allowing us to extract
divergences by identifying Born approximations to the phase shifts with low
order Feynman diagrams. Once isolated in Feynman diagrams, the divergences are
canceled against standard counterterms. Thus regulated, the Casimir sum is
highly convergent and amenable to numerical computation. Our methods have
numerous applications to the theory of solitons, membranes, and quantum field
theories in strong external fields or subject to boundary conditions.Comment: 27 pp., 11 EPS figures, LaTeX using ijmpa1.sty; email correspondence
to R.L. Jaffe ; based on talks presented by the authors at
the 5th workshop `QFTEX', Leipzig, September 200
The Regulation of Aggrecanase ADAMTS-4 Expression in Human Achilles Tendon and tendon-Derived Cells
Several members of the ADAMTS (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin motifs) family have been identified as aggrecanases, whose substrates include versican, the principal large proteoglycan in the tendon extracellular matrix. We have characterized the expression of ADAMTS-4 in human Achilles tendon and tendon-derived cells. ADAMTS-4 mRNA levels were higher in ruptured tendon compared with normal tendon or chronic painful tendinopathy. In tissue extracts probed by Western blotting, mature ADAMTS-4 (68 kDa) was detected only in ruptured tendons, while processed ADAMTS-4 (53 kDa) was detected also in chronic painful tendinopathy and in normal tendon. In cultured Achilles tendon cells, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) stimulated ADAMTS-4 mRNA expression (typically 20-fold after 24 h), while interleukin-1 induced a smaller, shorter-term stimulation which synergised markedly with that induced by TGF-ß. Increased levels of immunoreactive proteins consistent with mature and processed forms of ADAMTS-4 were detected in TGF-ß-stimulated cells. ADAMTS-4 mRNA was expressed at higher levels by tendon cells in collagen gels than in monolayer cultures. In contrast, the expression of ADAMTS-1 and -5 mRNA was lower in collagen gels compared with monolayers, and these mRNA showed smaller or opposite responses to growth factors and cytokines compared with that of ADAMTS-4 mRNA. We conclude that both ADAMTS-4 mRNA and ADAMTS-4 protein processing may be differentially regulated in normal and damaged tendons and that both the matrix environment and growth factors such as TGF-ß are potentially important factors controlling ADAMTS aggrecanase activities in tendon pathology
Inhibition of interleukin-1β-stimulated collagenase and stromelysin expression in human tendon fibroblasts by epigallocatechin gallate ester
The medicinal benefits of green tea (Camellia sinensis) consumption have been attributed to bioavailable polyphenols, notably epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). We have assessed the effects of EGCG and its non-esterified counterpart EGC on the expression of the collagenases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and -13, and the stromelysin, MMP-3, in human tendon-derived fibroblasts. Interleukin (IL)-1ß increased MMP-1, -3 and -13 mRNA and output at least 30-fold. EGCG reduced this stimulation, by 20–30% at 2.5 µM and more than 80% at 25 µM, and had a smaller effect on MMP-2 mRNA expression, which was not stimulated by IL-1ß. In all experiments EGCG was at least 10-fold more potent than EGC. EGCG reduced the stimulation of p54 JNK/SAPK phosphorylation by IL-1ß but did not affect p38 MAPK phosphorylation, the degradation of I?B or the activating phosphorylation of NF?B. We conclude that EGCG reduces the IL-1-stimulated expression of both collagenase and stromelysin mRNA species, an effect which may be mediated by inhibition of the JNK/SAPK pathway. Taken together with previous reports of EGCG effects on the expression and/or activity of gelatinases and aggrecanases, our results underline the importance of extracellular matrix breakdown as a potential target for the actions of green tea polyphenols
Long-Lived Time-Dependent Remnants During Cosmological Symmetry Breaking: From Inflation to the Electroweak Scale
Through a detailed numerical investigation in three spatial dimensions, we
demonstrate that long-lived time-dependent field configurations emerge
dynamically during symmetry breaking in an expanding de Sitter spacetime. We
investigate two situations: a single scalar field with a double-well potential
and the bosonic sector of an SU(2) non-Abelian Higgs model. For the single
scalar, we show that large-amplitude oscillon configurations emerge
spontaneously and persist to contribute about 1.2% of the energy density of the
universe. We also show that for a range of parameters, oscillon lifetimes are
enhanced by the expansion and that this effect is a result of parametric
resonance. For the SU(2) case, we see about 4% of the final energy density in
oscillons.Comment: 10 pages, RevTex4, 6 figures; v2: expanded SU(2) model section, added
2 figures, added one section, improved overall presentation and updated
references, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D. Results remain the sam
Nobody\u27s Grandfather Was A Merchant: Understanding the Soviet Commercial Negotiation Process and Style
In their eagerness to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities there, American businesses are venturing into the Soviet Union with little or no knowledge of Soviet culture or negotiation processes and style. In addition to encouraging unrealistic expectations, this lack of awareness not only increases the frustrations of negotiating with officials from a non-market economy such as the Soviet Union, but also severely impedes decisions about doing business there. It is imperative that U.S. business executives understand Soviet commercial negotiation processes and style if they are to be successful in garnering the huge potential of the Soviet market. © 1991, The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved
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