3,511 research outputs found
Effective field theory approach to Casimir interactions on soft matter surfaces
We utilize an effective field theory approach to calculate Casimir
interactions between objects bound to thermally fluctuating fluid surfaces or
interfaces. This approach circumvents the complicated constraints imposed by
such objects on the functional integration measure by reverting to a point
particle representation. To capture the finite size effects, we perturb the
Hamiltonian by DH that encapsulates the particles' response to external fields.
DH is systematically expanded in a series of terms, each of which scales
homogeneously in the two power counting parameters: \lambda \equiv R/r, the
ratio of the typical object size (R) to the typical distance between them (r),
and delta=kB T/k, where k is the modulus characterizing the surface energy. The
coefficients of the terms in DH correspond to generalized polarizabilities and
thus the formalism applies to rigid as well as deformable objects.
Singularities induced by the point particle description can be dealt with using
standard renormalization techniques. We first illustrate and verify our
approach by re-deriving known pair forces between circular objects bound to
films or membranes. To demonstrate its efficiency and versatility, we then
derive a number of new results: The triplet interactions present in these
systems, a higher order correction to the film interaction, and general scaling
laws for the leading order interaction valid for objects of arbitrary shape and
internal flexibility.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur
Next to leading order spin-orbit effects in the motion of inspiralling compact binaries
Using effective field theory (EFT) techniques we calculate the
next-to-leading order (NLO) spin-orbit contributions to the gravitational
potential of inspiralling compact binaries. We use the covariant spin
supplementarity condition (SSC), and explicitly prove the equivalence with
previous results by Faye et al. in arXiv:gr-qc/0605139. We also show that the
direct application of the Newton-Wigner SSC at the level of the action leads to
the correct dynamics using a canonical (Dirac) algebra. This paper then
completes the calculation of the necessary spin dynamics within the EFT
formalism that will be used in a separate paper to compute the spin
contributions to the energy flux and phase evolution to NLO.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figures, revtex4. v2: minor changes, refs. added. To
appear in Class. Quant. Gra
High Energy Field Theory in Truncated AdS Backgrounds
In this letter we show that, in five-dimensional anti-deSitter space (AdS)
truncated by boundary branes, effective field theory techniques are reliable at
high energy (much higher than the scale suggested by the Kaluza-Klein mass
gap), provided one computes suitable observables. We argue that in the model of
Randall and Sundrum for generating the weak scale from the AdS warp factor, the
high energy behavior of gauge fields can be calculated in a {\em cutoff
independent manner}, provided one restricts Green's functions to external
points on the Planck brane. Using the AdS/CFT correspondence, we calculate the
one-loop correction to the Planck brane gauge propagator due to charged bulk
fields. These effects give rise to non-universal logarithmic energy dependence
for a range of scales above the Kaluza-Klein gap.Comment: LaTeX, 7 pages; minor typos fixe
A nonlinear scalar model of extreme mass ratio inspirals in effective field theory I. Self force through third order
The motion of a small compact object in a background spacetime is
investigated in the context of a model nonlinear scalar field theory. This
model is constructed to have a perturbative structure analogous to the General
Relativistic description of extreme mass ratio inspirals (EMRIs). We apply the
effective field theory approach to this model and calculate the finite part of
the self force on the small compact object through third order in the ratio of
the size of the compact object to the curvature scale of the background (e.g.,
black hole) spacetime. We use well-known renormalization methods and
demonstrate the consistency of the formalism in rendering the self force finite
at higher orders within a point particle prescription for the small compact
object. This nonlinear scalar model should be useful for studying various
aspects of higher-order self force effects in EMRIs but within a comparatively
simpler context than the full gravitational case. These aspects include
developing practical schemes for higher order self force numerical
computations, quantifying the effects of transient resonances on EMRI waveforms
and accurately modeling the small compact object's motion for precise
determinations of the parameters of detected EMRI sources.Comment: 30 pages, 8 figure
Inhibition of oncogene-induced inflammatory chemokines using a farnesyltransferase inhibitor
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTI) are small molecule agents originally formulated to inhibit the oncogenic functions of Ras. Although subsequent analysis of FTI activity revealed wider effects on other pathways, the drug has been demonstrated to reduce Ras signaling by direct measurements. The purpose of the current study was to determine if FTI could be used to inhibit the inflammatory activities of a known Ras-activating human oncoprotein, RET/PTC3. RET/PTC3 is a fusion oncoprotein expressed in the thyroid epithelium of patients afflicted with thyroid autoimmune disease and/or differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Previous studies have demonstrated that RET/PTC3 signals through Ras and can provoke nuclear translocation of NFκB and the downstream release of pro-inflammatory mediators from thyroid follicular cells <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>, making it an ideal target for studies using FTI.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>For the studies described here, an <it>in vitro </it>assay was developed to measure FTI inhibition of RET/PTC3 pro-inflammatory effects. Rat thyrocytes transfected with RET/PTC3 or vector control cDNA were co-cultured with FTI and examined for inhibition of chemokine expression and secretion measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. Immunoblot analysis was used to confirm the level at which FTI acts on RET/PTC3-expressing cells, and Annexin V/PI staining of cells was used to assess cell death in RET/PTC3-expressing cells co-cultured with FTI.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>These analyses revealed significant mRNA and protein inhibition of chemokines <it>Ccl2 </it>and <it>Cxcl1 </it>with nanomolar doses of FTI. Neither RET/PTC3 protein expression nor apoptosis were affected at any dose of FTI investigated.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data suggest that FTI may be applied as an effective inhibitor for RET/PTC3-oncogene induced pro-inflammatory mediators.</p
Validation of an electrogoniometry system as a measure of knee kinematics during activities of daily living
Purpose: The increasing use of electrogoniometry (ELG) in clinical research requires the validation of different instrumentation. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the concurrent validity of an ELG system during activities of daily living.
Methods: Ten asymptomatic participants gave informed consent to participate. A Biometrics SG150 electrogoniometer was directly compared to a 12 camera three dimensional motion analysis system during walking, stair ascent, stair descent, sit to stand, and stand to sit activities for the measurement of the right knee angle. Analysis of validity was undertaken by linear regression. Standard error of estimate (SEE), standardised SEE (SSEE), and Pearson’s correlation coefficient r were computed for paired trials between systems for each functional activity.
Results: The 95% confidence interval of SEE was reasonable between systems across walking (LCI = 2.43 °; UCI = 2.91 °), stair ascent (LCI = 2.09 °; UCI = 2.42 °), stair descent (LCI = 1.79 °; UCI = 2.10 °), sit to stand (LCI = 1.22 °; UCI = 1.41 °), and stand to sit (LCI = 1.17 °; UCI = 1.34 °). Pearson’s correlation coefficient r across walking (LCI = 0.983; UCI = 0.990), stair ascent (LCI = 0.995; UCI = 0.997), stair descent (LCI = 0.995; UCI = 0.997), sit to stand (LCI = 0.998; UCI = 0.999), and stand to sit (LCI = 0.996; UCI = 0.997) was indicative of a strong linear relationship between systems.
Conclusion: ELG is a valid method of measuring the knee angle during activities representative of daily living. The range is within that suggested to be acceptable for the clinical evaluation of patients with musculoskeletal conditions
Effective Field Theory and Unification in AdS Backgrounds
This work is an extension of our previous work, hep-th/0204160, which showed
how to systematically calculate the high energy evolution of gauge couplings in
compact AdS_5 backgrounds. We first directly compute the one-loop effects of
massive charged scalar fields on the low energy couplings of a gauge theory
propagating in the AdS background. It is found that scalar bulk mass scales
(which generically are of order the Planck scale) enter only logarithmically in
the corrections to the tree-level gauge couplings. As we pointed out
previously, we show that the large logarithms that appear in the AdS one-loop
calculation can be obtained within the confines of an effective field theory,
by running the Planck brane correlator from a high UV matching scale down to
the TeV scale. This result exactly reproduces our previous calculation, which
was based on AdS/CFT duality. We also calculate the effects of scalar fields
satisfying non-trivial boundary conditions (relevant for orbifold breaking of
bulk symmetries) on the running of gauge couplings.Comment: LaTeX, 27 pages; minor typos fixed, comments adde
Conformal Bulk Fields, Dark Energy and Brane Dynamics
In the Randall-Sundrum scenario we analyze the dynamics of a spherically
symmetric 3-brane when the bulk is filled with matter fields. Considering a
global conformal transformation whose factor is the symmetric warp we
find a new set of exact dynamical solutions for which gravity is bound to the
brane. The set corresponds to a certain class of conformal bulk fields. We
discuss the geometries which describe the dynamics on the brane of polytropic
dark energy.Comment: 12 pages, latex, 2 figures. Talk given by Rui Neves at the Fourth
International Conference on Physics Beyond the Standard Model, Beyond the
Desert 03, Fundamental Experimental and Theoretical Developments in Particle
Physics, Accelerator, Non-Accelerator and Space Approaches, Max Planck
Institut f. Kernphysik/MPI Heidelberg, Castle Ringberg, Tegernsee, Germany,
9-14 June 2003. To be published in the Conference Proceedings,
Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, German
A CD25− Positive Population of Activated B1 Cells Expresses LIFR and Responds to LIF
B1 B cells defend against infectious microorganisms by spontaneous secretion of broadly reactive “natural” immunoglobulin that appears in the absence of immunization. Among many distinguishing characteristics, B1 B cells display evidence of activation that includes phosphorylated STAT3. In order to identify the origin of pSTAT3 we examined interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression on B1 cells. We found that some (about 1/5) B1a cells express the IL-2R α chain, CD25. Although lacking CD122 and unresponsive to IL-2, B1a cells marked by CD25 express increased levels of activated signaling intermediates, interruption of which results in diminished CD25. Further, CD25+ B1a cells contain most of the pSTAT3 found in the B1a population as a whole. Moreover, CD25+ B1a cells express leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR), and respond to LIF by upregulating pSTAT3. Together, these results define a new subset of B1a cells that is marked by activation-dependent CD25 expression, expresses substantial amounts of activated STAT3, and contains a functional LIFR
Deregulated expression of TCL1 causes T cell leukemia in mice
The TCL1 oncogene on human chromosome 14q32.1 is involved in the development of T cell leukemia in humans. These leukemias are classified either as T prolymphocytic leukemias, which occur very late in life, or as T chronic lymphocytic leukemias, which often arise in patients with ataxia telangiectasia (AT) at a young age. The TCL1 oncogene is activated in these leukemias by juxtaposition to the α or β locus of the T cell receptor, caused by chromosomal translocations t(14:14)(q11:q32), t(7:14)(q35:q32), or by inversions inv(14)(q11:q32). To show that transcriptional alteration of TCL1 is causally involved in the generation of T cell neoplasia we have generated transgenic mice that carry the TCL1 gene under the transcriptional control of the p56(lck) promoter element. The lck-TCL1 transgenic mice developed mature T cell leukemias after a long latency period. Younger mice presented preleukemic T cell expansions expressing TCL1, and leukemias developed only at an older age. The phenotype of the murine leukemias is CD4-CD8+, in contrast to human leukemias, which are predominantly CD4+CD8-. These studies demonstrate that transcriptional activation of the TCL1 protooncogene can cause malignant transformation oft lymphocytes, indicating the role of TCL1 in the initiation of malignant transformation in T prolymphocytic leukemias and T chronic lymphocytic leukemias
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