Freezing in random graph ferromagnets

Using T=0 Monte Carlo and simulated annealing simulation, we study the energy relaxation of ferromagnetic Ising and Potts models on random graphs. In addition to the expected exponential decay to a zero energy ground state, a range of connectivities for which there is power law relaxation and freezing to a metastable state is found. For some connectivities this freezing persists even using simulated annealing to find the ground state. The freezing is caused by dynamic frustration in the graphs, and is a feature of the local search-nature of the Monte Carlo dynamics used. The implications of the freezing on agent-based complex systems models are briefly considered.Comment: Published version: 1 reference deleted, 1 word added. 4 pages, 5 figure

Controlling Factors Determining The Selective Hscn Addition To Double Bonds And Their Application To The Synthesis Of 7-isothiocyano-7,8-α-dihydro-bisabolene

The reactivity of terminal and trisubstituted double bonds of monoterpenes with HSCN has been examined by GC giving evidence that kinetics is responsible for the chemoselective addition to terminal double bonds in terpenes. The results show that the addition to the terminal double bond is about 17 times faster than for trisubstituted double bonds and that the presence of the first SCN group in the molecule prevents a second addition. The presence of a hydroxyl or methoxy group in the molecule, decreases the reaction kinetics. Based on these kinetic experiments a two steps synthesis of the natural product 7-isothiocyano-7,8-dihydro-α-bisabolene using bisabolol as starting material, was planned and successfully accomplished.125661666Drobnica, L., Kristían, P., Augustín, J., The Chemistry of the Cyanates and Their Thio Derivatives, , Saul Patai Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New YorkEdenborough, M.S., Herbert, R.B., (1988) Nat. Prod., p. 229Faulkner, D.J., (1994) Nat. Prod., p. 355(1993) Nat. Prod., p. 497(1992) Nat. Prod., p. 323(1991) Nat. Prod., p. 97(1990) Nat. Prod., p. 269(1988) Nat. Prod., p. 613Fraga, B.M., (1994) Nat. Prod. Rep., p. 533Piers, E., Young, B.W.A., Rettig, S.J., (1987) Tetrahedron, 43 (23), p. 5521Piers, E., Yeung, B.W., (1986) Can. J. Chem., 64, p. 2475Chenera, B., Chuang, C.P., Hart, D.J., Lai, C.S., (1992) J. Org. Chem., 57, p. 2018Da Silva, C.C., Almagro, V., Zukerman-Schpector, J., Castellano, E.E., Marsaioli, A.J., (1994) J. Org. Chem., 59, p. 2880Da Silva, C.C., Almagro, V., Marsaioli, A.J., (1993) Tetrahedron Lett., 34, p. 6717Martin, V.S., Woodward, S.S., Katsuki, T., Yamada, Y., Ikeda, M., Sharpless, K.B., (1981) J. Am. Chem. Soc., 103, p. 6237Rakels, J.L., Straathof, A.J.J., Heijnin, J.J., (1993) Enzyme Microb. Technol, 15, p. 1051Diveley, W.R., Buntin, G.A., (1969) J. Org. Chem., 34, p. 616Queiroga, C.L., Ferracini, V.L., Marsaioli, A.J., (1996) Phytochemistry, 42, p. 1097(-)Bisabolol (8) [(αS, 1S)-1-methanol-α,4-dimethyl-α-4-methyl-3-pentenyl-3-cyclohexene] was obtained from commercial candeia oil (CITRÓLEO - S.Paulo, SP, Brazil)Sullivan, B.W., Faulkner, D.J., Okamoto, K.T., Chen, M.H.M., Clardy, J., (1986) J. Org. Chem., 51, p. 5134Dubois, J.E., Lomas, J.S., (1971) Tetrahedron Lett., 7, p. 599Delay, F., Ohloff, F., (1979) Helv. Chem. Acta, 62, p. 326A sample of dihydrolimonene was kindly provided by Prof. Marcio C. S. de Mattos from IQ/UFRJ, RJ, Brazi

Quantum Erasure by Transverse Indistinguishability

We show that the first experiment with double-slits and twin photons detected in coincidence can be understood as a quantum eraser. The ``which path'' information is erased by transverse indistinguishability obtained by means of mode filtering in the twin conjugated beam. A delayed choice quantum eraser based on the same scheme is proposed.Comment: Submitted for publication in Optics Communication

Differential gene expression and immunolocalization of platelet-derived growth factors and their receptors in caprine ovaries

AbstractThis study evaluated the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and immunolocalization of all members of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family in caprine ovaries by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Detectable levels of PDGF-A mRNA were not observed in primordial follicles. Higher levels of PDGF-B mRNA were observed in primary follicles than in primordial follicles (P < 0.05). PDGF-D mRNA levels were higher in secondary follicles than in the other preantral follicle categories (P < 0.05). PDGF-B mRNA expression was higher than PDGF-C mRNA expression in primary follicles (P < 0.05). In antral follicles, PDGF-A mRNA expression was higher in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from small antral follicles than in those from large antral follicles and their respective granulosa/theca (GT) cells (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in COCs from small and large antral follicles, PDGF-A mRNA expression was higher than that of the other PDGF isoforms (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of PDGF-B and PDGF-D and PDGFR-α and PDGFR-β were higher in GT cells from large antral follicles than in GT cells from small antral follicles and in their respective COCs (P < 0.05). In COCs and GT cells from small antral follicles, the mRNA levels of PDGFR-α were higher than those of PDGFR-β (P < 0.05). All proteins were observed in the cytoplasm of oocytes from all follicular categories. In granulosa cells, all PDGFs and PDGFR-β were detected from starting at the secondary stage, and in theca cells, all proteins, except PDGF-C, were detected starting at the antral stage. In conclusion, PDGF and its receptors are differentially expressed in the oocytes and ovarian cells according to the stage of follicular development, suggesting their role in the regulation of folliculogenesis in goats

Unveiling the kinomes of leishmania infantum and L. braziliensis empowers the discovery of new kinase targets and antileishmanial compounds

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania (NTD) endemic in 98 countries. Although some drugs are available, current treatments deal with issues such as toxicity, low efficacy, and emergence of resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new targets for the development of new antileishmanial drugs. Protein kinases (PKs), which play an essential role in many biological processes, have become potential drug targets for many parasitic diseases. A refined bioinformatics pipeline was applied in order to define and compare the kinomes of L. infantum and L. braziliensis, species that cause cutaneous and visceral manifestations of leishmaniasis in the Americas, the latter being potentially fatal if untreated. Respectively, 224 and 221 PKs were identified in L. infantum and L. braziliensis overall. Almost all unclassified eukaryotic PKs were assigned to six of nine major kinase groups and, consequently, most have been classified into family and subfamily. Furthermore, revealing the kinomes for both Leishmania species allowed for the prioritization of potential drug targets that could be explored for discovering new drugs against leishmaniasis. Finally, we used a drug repurposing approach and prioritized seven approved drugs and investigational compounds to be experimentally tested against Leishmania. Trametinib and NMS-1286937 inhibited the growth of L. infantum and L. braziliensis promastigotes and amastigotes and therefore might be good candidates for the drug repurposing pipeline17352361FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE GOIÁS - FAPE

Revisiting consistency conditions for quantum states of systems on closed timelike curves: an epistemic perspective

There has been considerable recent interest in the consequences of closed timelike curves (CTCs) for the dynamics of quantum mechanical systems. A vast majority of research into this area makes use of the dynamical equations developed by Deutsch, which were developed from a consistency condition that assumes that mixed quantum states uniquely describe the physical state of a system. We criticise this choice of consistency condition from an epistemic perspective, i.e., a perspective in which the quantum state represents a state of knowledge about a system. We demonstrate that directly applying Deutsch's condition when mixed states are treated as representing an observer's knowledge of a system can conceal time travel paradoxes from the observer, rather than resolving them. To shed further light on the appropriate dynamics for quantum systems traversing CTCs, we make use of a toy epistemic theory with a strictly classical ontology due to Spekkens and show that, in contrast to the results of Deutsch, many of the traditional paradoxical effects of time travel are present.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, comments welcome; v2 added references and clarified some points; v3 published versio