187 research outputs found
Simultaneous X-ray diffraction and phase-contrast imaging for investigating material deformation mechanisms during high-rate loading
Using a high-speed camera and an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD), a simultaneous X-ray imaging and diffraction technique has been developed for studying dynamic material behaviors during high-rate tensile loading. A Kolsky tension bar has been used to pull samples at 1000 s(−1) and 5000 s(−1) strain-rates for super-elastic equiatomic NiTi and 1100-O series aluminium, respectively. By altering the ICCD gating time, temporal resolutions of 100 ps and 3.37 µs have been achieved in capturing the diffraction patterns of interest, thus equating to single-pulse and 22-pulse X-ray exposure. Furthermore, the sample through-thickness deformation process has been simultaneously imaged via phase-contrast imaging. It is also shown that adequate signal-to-noise ratios are achieved for the detected white-beam diffraction patterns, thereby allowing sufficient information to perform quantitative data analysis diffraction via in-house software (WBXRD_GUI). Of current interest is the ability to evaluate crystal d-spacing, texture evolution and material phase transitions, all of which will be established from experiments performed at the aforementioned elevated strain-rates
Pseudo-unitary symmetry and the Gaussian pseudo-unitary ensemble of random matrices
Employing the currently discussed notion of pseudo-Hermiticity, we define a
pseudo-unitary group. Further, we develop a random matrix theory which is
invariant under such a group and call this ensemble of pseudo-Hermitian random
matrices as the pseudo-unitary ensemble. We obtain exact results for the
nearest-neighbour level spacing distribution for (2 X 2) PT-symmetric
Hamiltonian matrices which has a novel form, s log (1/s) near zero spacing.
This shows a level repulsion in marked distinction with an algebraic form in
the Wigner surmise. We believe that this paves way for a description of varied
phenomena in two-dimensional statistical mechanics, quantum chromodynamics, and
so on.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, LaTeX, submitted to the Physical Review Letters
on August 20, 200
A monoclonal antibody against annexin A2 targets stem and progenitor cell fractions in tumors.
The involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in driving tumor dormancy and drug resistance is well established. Most therapeutic regimens however are ineffective in targeting these regenerative populations. We report the development and evaluation of a monoclonal antibody, mAb150, which targets the metastasis associated antigen, Annexin A2 (AnxA2) through recognition of a N-terminal epitope. Treatment with mAb150 potentiated re-entry of CSCs into the cell cycle that perturbed tumor dormancy and facilitated targeting of CSCs as was validated by in vitro and in vivo assays. Epigenetic potentiation further improved mAb150 efficacy in achieving total tumor regression by targeting regenerative populations to achieve tumor regression, specifically in high-grade serous ovarian adenocarcinoma
Supersymmetric Many-particle Quantum Systems with Inverse-square Interactions
The development in the study of supersymmetric many-particle quantum systems
with inverse-square interactions is reviewed. The main emphasis is on quantum
systems with dynamical OSp(2|2) supersymmetry. Several results related to
exactly solved supersymmetric rational Calogero model, including shape
invariance, equivalence to a system of free superoscillators and non-uniqueness
in the construction of the Hamiltonian, are presented in some detail. This
review also includes a formulation of pseudo-hermitian supersymmetric quantum
systems with a special emphasis on rational Calogero model. There are quite a
few number of many-particle quantum systems with inverse-square interactions
which are not exactly solved for a complete set of states in spite of the
construction of infinitely many exact eigen functions and eigenvalues. The
Calogero-Marchioro model with dynamical SU(1,1|2) supersymmetry and a quantum
system related to short-range Dyson model belong to this class and certain
aspects of these models are reviewed. Several other related and important
developments are briefly summarized.Comment: LateX, 65 pages, Added Acknowledgment, Discussions and References,
Version to appear in Jouranl of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical
(Commissioned Topical Review Article
Quantum chaos, random matrix theory, and statistical mechanics in two dimensions - a unified approach
We present a theory where the statistical mechanics for dilute ideal gases
can be derived from random matrix approach. We show the connection of this
approach with Srednicki approach which connects Berry conjecture with
statistical mechanics. We further establish a link between Berry conjecture and
random matrix theory, thus providing a unified edifice for quantum chaos,
random matrix theory, and statistical mechanics. In the course of arguing for
these connections, we observe sum rules associated with the outstanding
counting problem in the theory of braid groups. We are able to show that the
presented approach leads to the second law of thermodynamics.Comment: 23 pages, TeX typ
Fermentation, Isolation, Structure, and antidiabetic activity of NFAT-133 produced by Streptomyces strain PM0324667
Type-2 diabetes is mediated by defects in either insulin secretion or insulin action. In an effort to identify extracts that may stimulate glucose uptake, similar to insulin, a high throughput-screening assay for measuring glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells was established. During the screening studies to discover novel antidiabetic compounds from microbial resources a Streptomyces strain PM0324667 (MTCC 5543, the Strain accession number at Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India), an isolate from arid soil was identified which expressed a secondary metabolite that induced glucose uptake in L6 skeletal muscle cells. By employing bioactivity guided fractionation techniques, a tri-substituted simple aromatic compound with anti-diabetic potential was isolated. It was characterized based on MS and 2D NMR spectral data and identified as NFAT-133 which is a known immunosuppressive agent that inhibits NFAT-dependent transcription in vitro. Our investigations revealed the antidiabetic potential of NFAT-133. The compound induced glucose uptake in differentiated L6 myotubes with an EC50 of 6.3 ± 1.8 μM without activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. Further, NFAT-133 was also efficacious in vivo in diabetic animals and reduced systemic glucose levels. Thus it is a potential lead compound which can be considered for development as a therapeutic for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. We have reported herewith the isolation of the producer microbe, fermentation, purification, in vitro, and in vivo antidiabetic activity of the compound
Probing the Behaviors of Gold Nanorods in Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells Based on UV-vis-NIR Absorption Spectroscopy
In this work, behaviors of positively-charged AuNRs in a highly metastatic tumor cell line MDA-MB-231 are examined based on UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy in combination with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dark-field microscopic observation. It is found that characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks of AuNRs can be detected using spectroscopic method within living cells that have taken up AuNRs. The peak area of transverse SPR band is shown to be proportionally related to the amount of AuNRs in the cells determined with ICP-MS, which suggests a facile and real time quantification method for AuNRs in living cells. The shape of longitudinal SPR band in UV-vis-NIR spectrum reflects the aggregation state of AuNRs in the cells during the incubation period, which is proved by TEM and microscopic observations. Experimental results reveal that AuNRs are internalized by the cells rapidly; the accumulation, distribution and aggregation of AuNRs in the cells compartments are time and dose dependent. The established spectroscopic analysis method can not only monitor the behaviors of AuNRs in living cells but may also be helpful in choosing the optimum laser stimulation wavelength for anti-tumor thermotherapy
- …