The effects of large extra dimensions on associated ttˉh0t\bar{t} h^0 production at linear colliders

In the framework of the large extra dimensions (LED) model, the effects of LED on the processes \rrtth and \eetth at future linear colliders are investigated in both polarized and unpolarized collision modes. The results show that the virtual Kaluza-Klein (KK) graviton exchange can significantly modify the standard model expectations for these processes with certain polarizations of initial states. The process \rrtth with $\sqrt{s}=3.5 TeV$ allows the effective scale $\Lambda_T$ to be probed up to 7.8 and 8.6 TeV in the unpolarized and $P_{\gamma} = 0.9$, J=2 polarized $\gamma \gamma$ collision modes, respectively. For the \eetth process with $\sqrt{s}=3.5 TeV$, the upper limits of $\Lambda_T$ to be observed can be 6.7 and 7.0 TeV in the unpolarized and $P_{e^+} = 0.6$, $P_{e^-} = 0.8$, $-+$ polarized $e^+e^-$ collision modes, respectively. We find the \rrtth channel in J=2 polarized photon collision mode provides a possibility to improve the sensitivity to the graviton tower exchange.Comment: To be appeard in Physical Review

Self-organized Boolean game on networks

A model of Boolean game with only one free parameter $p$ that denotes the strength of herd behavior is proposed where each agent acts according to the information obtained from his neighbors in network and those in the minority are rewarded. The simulation results indicate that the dynamic of system is sensitive to network topology, where the network of larger degree variance, i.e. the system of greater information heterogeneity, leads to less system profit. The system can self-organize to a stable state and perform better than random choice game, although only the local information is available to the agents. In addition, in heterogeneity networks, the agents with more information gain more than those with less information for a wide extent of herd strength $p$.Comment: 5 pages, 5 eps figure

When autophagy meets placenta development and pregnancy complications

Autophagy is a common biological phenomenon in eukaryotes that has evolved and reshaped to maintain cellular homeostasis. Under the pressure of starvation, hypoxia, and immune damage, autophagy provides energy and nutrients to cells, which benefits cell survival. In mammals, autophagy is an early embryonic nutrient supply system involved in early embryonic development, implantation, and pregnancy maintenance. Recent studies have found that autophagy imbalance in placental tissue plays a key role in the occurrence and development of pregnancy complications, such as gestational hypertension, gestational obesity, premature birth, miscarriage, and intrauterine growth restriction. This mini-review summarizes the molecular mechanism of autophagy regulation, the autophagy pathways, and related factors involved in placental tissue and comprehensively describes the role of autophagy in pregnancy complications

NCP activates chloroplast transcription by controlling phytochrome-dependent dual nuclear and plastidial switches.

Phytochromes initiate chloroplast biogenesis by activating genes encoding the photosynthetic apparatus, including photosynthesis-associated plastid-encoded genes (PhAPGs). PhAPGs are transcribed by a bacterial-type RNA polymerase (PEP), but how phytochromes in the nucleus activate chloroplast gene expression remains enigmatic. We report here a forward genetic screen in Arabidopsis that identified NUCLEAR CONTROL OF PEP ACTIVITY (NCP) as a necessary component of phytochrome signaling for PhAPG activation. NCP is dual-targeted to plastids and the nucleus. While nuclear NCP mediates the degradation of two repressors of chloroplast biogenesis, PIF1 and PIF3, NCP in plastids promotes the assembly of the PEP complex for PhAPG transcription. NCP and its paralog RCB are non-catalytic thioredoxin-like proteins that diverged in seed plants to adopt nonredundant functions in phytochrome signaling. These results support a model in which phytochromes control PhAPG expression through light-dependent double nuclear and plastidial switches that are linked by evolutionarily conserved and dual-localized regulatory proteins

Preparation of N, N, N-trimethyl chitosan-functionalized retinoic acid-loaded lipid nanoparticles for enhanced drug delivery to glioblastoma

Purpose: To formulate trimethyl chitosan-functionalized retinoic acid-encapsulated solid lipid nanoparticles for the effective treatment of glioma.Methods: Retinoic acid-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (R-SLNs) were prepared using homogenization followed by sonication. R-SLN surfaces were functionalized electrostatically with trimethyl chitosan as a nanocarrier (TR-SLNs) with enhanced anti-cancer activity. They were evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy, in vitro drug release, and cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies.Results: Morphological images showed spherical and uniformly dispersed nanoparticles. A sustained monophasic release pattern was observed throughout the study period. Furthermore, the anti-cancer effect of TR-SLNs was demonstrated by increased cell killing activity compared with the free drug (p < 0.01); negligible cytotoxicity was observed with blank carriers. Apoptosis assay showed increased cell populations in early/late apoptotic and necrotic phases.Conclusion: This study showed the potential application of surface-modified solid lipid nanoparticles for the effective treatment of brain cancer.Keywords: Lipid nanoparticles, Trimethyl chitosan, Retinoic acid, Glioma, Anti-cancer, Cytotoxicity, Apoptosi

Scaling and memory in recurrence intervals of Internet traffic

By studying the statistics of recurrence intervals, τ, between volatilities of Internet traffic rate changes exceeding a certain threshold q, we find that the probability distribution functions, Pq(τ), for both byte and packet flows, show scaling property as $P_{q}(\tau)=\frac{1}{\overline{\tau}}f(\frac{\tau}{\overline{\tau}})$. The scaling functions for both byte and packet flows obey the same stretching exponential form, f(x)=Aexp (-Bxβ), with β≈0.45. In addition, we detect a strong memory effect that a short (or long) recurrence interval tends to be followed by another short (or long) one. The detrended fluctuation analysis further demonstrates the presence of long-term correlation in recurrence intervals