645 research outputs found
Theory of commensurable magnetic structures in holmium
The tendency for the period of the helically ordered moments in holmium to
lock into values which are commensurable with the lattice is studied
theoretically as a function of temperature and magnetic field. The
commensurable effects are derived in the mean-field approximation from
numerical calculations of the free energy of various commensurable structures,
and the results are compared with the extensive experimental evidence collected
during the last ten years on the magnetic structures in holmium. In general the
stability of the different commensurable structures is found to be in accord
with the experiments, except for the tau=5/18 structure observed a few degrees
below T_N in a b-axis field. The trigonal coupling recently detected in holmium
is found to be the interaction required to explain the increased stability of
the tau=1/5 structure around 42 K, and of the tau=1/4 structure around 96 K,
when a field is applied along the c-axis.Comment: REVTEX, 31 pages, 7 postscript figure
Adaptive response and enlargement of dynamic range
Many membrane channels and receptors exhibit adaptive, or desensitized,
response to a strong sustained input stimulus, often supported by protein
activity-dependent inactivation. Adaptive response is thought to be related to
various cellular functions such as homeostasis and enlargement of dynamic range
by background compensation. Here we study the quantitative relation between
adaptive response and background compensation within a modeling framework. We
show that any particular type of adaptive response is neither sufficient nor
necessary for adaptive enlargement of dynamic range. In particular a precise
adaptive response, where system activity is maintained at a constant level at
steady state, does not ensure a large dynamic range neither in input signal nor
in system output. A general mechanism for input dynamic range enlargement can
come about from the activity-dependent modulation of protein responsiveness by
multiple biochemical modification, regardless of the type of adaptive response
it induces. Therefore hierarchical biochemical processes such as methylation
and phosphorylation are natural candidates to induce this property in signaling
systems.Comment: Corrected typos, minor text revision
Survey of US public attitudes toward pharmacogenetic testing
To assess public attitudes and interest in pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing, we conducted a random-digit-dial telephone survey of U.S. adults, achieving a response rate of 42% (n=1139). Most respondents expressed interest in PGx testing to predict mild or serious side effects (73% ±3.29% and 85% ±2.91%, respectively), guide dosing (91%) and assist with drug selection (92%). Younger individuals (ages 18–34) were more likely to be interested in PGx testing to predict serious side effects (vs. ages 55+), as well as Whites, those with a college degree, and who had experienced side effects from medications. However, most respondents (78% ±3.14%) were not likely to have a PGx test if there was a risk that their DNA sample or test result could be shared without their permission. Given differences in interest among some groups, providers should clearly discuss the purpose of testing, alternative testing options (if available), and policies to protect patient privacy and confidentiality
Survey of genetic counselors and clinical geneticists' use and attitudes toward pharmacogenetic testing
Pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing aims to improve therapeutic outcomes through tailoring treatment based on a patient’s genetic risk for non-response and/or an adverse event. Given their expertise, geneticists could facilitate the use of PGx testing; however, , the preparedness and perceived role of the clinical genetics community is unclear. To assess the attitudes, preparedness, and perceived roles of geneticists in the delivery of PGx testing, we conducted a survey of 1500 randomly selected board-certified genetic counselors and clinical geneticists in the U.S (response rate: 37.8% (n=516)). Twelve percent of genetic counselors and 41% of clinical geneticists indicated that they had ordered or coordinated patient care for PGx testing, a seemingly high proportion at this early stage of adoption. Almost all respondents had some education on pharmacogenetics, though only 28% of counselors and 58% of clinical geneticists indicated they felt well-informed about PGx testing. About half of counselors (52%) and clinical geneticists (46%) felt they would play ‘some’ role in the delivery of PGx testing; 17% and 19%, respectively, felt that they would play ‘no’ or ‘a little’ role. At this early stage of PGx testing, the role of geneticists and genetic counselors is unclear. However, their experience may aid in readying PGx testing and informing delivery strategies into clinical practice
Standing sedation with medetomidine and butorphanol in captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana)
Doses for standing sedation allowing for various procedures in otherwise inaccessible, untrained captive
African elephant bulls are presented. Thirty-three standing sedations were performed in 12 males aged
8–30 years (one to four sedations per animal). Each bull received a combination of 0.009 ± 0.002 mg/kg
medetomidine and 0.03 ± 0.007 mg/kg butorphanol. Full sedation was reached on average 25.5 min after
injection. The addition of hyaluronidase (1000–2000 IU) significantly reduced time to full sedation to
16.5 min (paired t test, P = 0.024). Reversal was induced with intramuscular atipamezole 0.008 (±0.002)
and naltrexone 0.035 (±0.015) mg/kg. Recovery took on average 7 min (3–18 min). The medetomidine/
butorphanol combination provided safe standing sedation for smaller procedures.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (African elephant fund AFE 0705), the International Elephant Foundation (Birmingham Zoo, USA).Technology Innovation Agency (Project number TAHC12 - 00042) (Pretoria, South Africa). The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD, Grant number D/11/44481).http://www.elsevier.com/locate/tvjl2017-03-31hb2016Production Animal Studie
Characterization of growth and metabolism of the haloalkaliphile Natronomonas pharaonis
Natronomonas pharaonis is an archaeon adapted to two extreme conditions: high salt concentration and alkaline pH. It has become one of the model organisms for the study of extremophilic life. Here, we present a genome-scale, manually curated metabolic reconstruction for the microorganism. The reconstruction itself represents a knowledge base of the haloalkaliphile's metabolism and, as such, would greatly assist further investigations on archaeal pathways. In addition, we experimentally determined several parameters relevant to growth, including a characterization of the biomass composition and a quantification of carbon and oxygen consumption. Using the metabolic reconstruction and the experimental data, we formulated a constraints-based model which we used to analyze the behavior of the archaeon when grown on a single carbon source. Results of the analysis include the finding that Natronomonas pharaonis, when grown aerobically on acetate, uses a carbon to oxygen consumption ratio that is theoretically near-optimal with respect to growth and energy production. This supports the hypothesis that, under simple conditions, the microorganism optimizes its metabolism with respect to the two objectives. We also found that the archaeon has a very low carbon efficiency of only about 35%. This inefficiency is probably due to a very low P/O ratio as well as to the other difficulties posed by its extreme environment
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Overview of mathematical approaches used to model bacterial chemotaxis I: the single cell
Mathematical modeling of bacterial chemotaxis systems has been influential and insightful in helping to understand experimental observations. We provide here a comprehensive overview of the range of mathematical approaches used for modeling, within a single bacterium, chemotactic processes caused by changes to external gradients in its environment. Specific areas of the bacterial system which have been studied and modeled are discussed in detail, including the modeling of adaptation in response to attractant gradients, the intracellular phosphorylation cascade, membrane receptor clustering, and spatial modeling of intracellular protein signal transduction. The importance of producing robust models that address adaptation, gain, and sensitivity are also discussed. This review highlights that while mathematical modeling has aided in understanding bacterial chemotaxis on the individual cell scale and guiding experimental design, no single model succeeds in robustly describing all of the basic elements of the cell. We conclude by discussing the importance of this and the future of modeling in this area
Mathematical description of bacterial traveling pulses
The Keller-Segel system has been widely proposed as a model for bacterial
waves driven by chemotactic processes. Current experiments on {\em E. coli}
have shown precise structure of traveling pulses. We present here an
alternative mathematical description of traveling pulses at a macroscopic
scale. This modeling task is complemented with numerical simulations in
accordance with the experimental observations. Our model is derived from an
accurate kinetic description of the mesoscopic run-and-tumble process performed
by bacteria. This model can account for recent experimental observations with
{\em E. coli}. Qualitative agreements include the asymmetry of the pulse and
transition in the collective behaviour (clustered motion versus dispersion). In
addition we can capture quantitatively the main characteristics of the pulse
such as the speed and the relative size of tails. This work opens several
experimental and theoretical perspectives. Coefficients at the macroscopic
level are derived from considerations at the cellular scale. For instance the
stiffness of the signal integration process turns out to have a strong effect
on collective motion. Furthermore the bottom-up scaling allows to perform
preliminary mathematical analysis and write efficient numerical schemes. This
model is intended as a predictive tool for the investigation of bacterial
collective motion
Migrant women, place and identity in contemporary women's writing
While recent scholarship on migration has reflected growing attention to gender, and to the intersectionality of race, gender and sexuality, there has been little focus on women's emotional and bodily responses to migration in the context of larger structures of sexism, racism, and the legacies of colonialism. In this paper I examine some literary portrayals of how migrant women's relationships with specific places of origin and settlement, both steeped in structural relationships of unequal power and experienced on an immediate, psychological and bodily plane, are fundamental to migrant women's changing sense of belonging and identity. Jamaica Kincaid in her novel Lucy, Tsitsi Dangarembga in her novel Nervous Conditions, and Dionne Brand in the opening poems of her volume No Language is Neutral evoke some of the complex ways in which migration can affect women's lives and identities, thus both complementing and critiquing some contemporary theorisations of migration and migrant identities
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Overview of mathematical approaches used to model bacterial chemotaxis II: bacterial populations
We review the application of mathematical modeling to understanding the behavior of populations of chemotactic bacteria. The application of continuum mathematical models, in particular generalized Keller–Segel models, is discussed along with attempts to incorporate the microscale (individual) behavior on the macroscale, modeling the interaction between different species of bacteria, the interaction of bacteria with their environment, and methods used to obtain experimentally verified parameter values. We allude briefly to the role of modeling pattern formation in understanding collective behavior within bacterial populations. Various aspects of each model are discussed and areas for possible future research are postulated
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