The properties of nerve cell precursors in hydra

Two signals, the head activator and an injury stimulus, control differentiation of nerve cells from uncommitted stem cells in hydra [Th. Holstein, H. C. Schaller, and C. N. David, (1986) Dev. Biol. 115, 9–17]. The time of action of these signals in the precursor cell cycle was determined. Methanol extracts of hydra containing 10−13 M head activator cause nerve cell commitment in S phase of the precursor cell cycle. Committed precursors complete the cell cycle, divide, and arrest in G1. Injury relieves the G1 block and precursors differentiate nerve cells. Under these conditions the time from commitment to nerve differentiation is 12 hr, the time from the end of S phase to nerve differentiation is 9 hr, and the time from the G1 block to nerve differentiation is 4 hr. Committed precursors blocked in G1 are unstable, decaying with a half-life of 12 hr if not stimulated to differentiate by an injury stimulus

Special Geometry and Twisted Moduli in Orbifold Theories with Continuous Wilson Lines

Target space duality symmetries, which acts on K\"ahler and continuous Wilson line moduli, of a ${\bf Z}_N$ ($N\not=2$) 2-dimensional subspace of the moduli space of orbifold compactification are modified to include twisted moduli. These spaces described by the cosets $SU(n,1)\over SU(n)\times U(1)$ are $special$ K\"ahler, a fact which is exploited in deriving the extension of tree level duality transformation to include higher orders of the twisted moduli. Also, restrictions on these higher order terms are derived.Comment: 13 page

Tentacle morphogenesis in hydra

Stimulation of tentacle-specific cell differentiation by the neuropeptide head activator was investigated in Hydra magnipapillata. Tentacle-specific sensory nerve cells were identified by a monoclonal antibody, NV1. Treatment of hydra with 1pM head activator for 18h stimulated differentiation of NV1+ nerve cells and tentacle epithelial cells in tissue from the distal gastric region. Head tissue and tissue from the proximal gastric region did not respond to head activator treatment with increased NV1+ differentiation. Hence the distal gastric region appears to be the site of tentacle formation in hydra. Tentacle precursors in head tissue seem to be committed since they fail to respond to head activator or to changes in tissue size with altered amounts of tentacle formation. We suggest that NV1 precursors form a complex with tentacle epithelial cell precursors, which then moves distally through the head region into the tentacles. The signal for NV1+ differentiation appears to be formation of this complex

Minimal Pati-Salam Model from String Theory Unification

We provide what we believe is the minimal three family ${\cal N} = 1$ SUSY and conformal Pati-Salam Model from type IIB superstring theory. This $Z_3$ orbifolded AdS$\otimes S^5$ model has long lived protons and has potential phenomenological consequences for LHC.Comment: 8 page

Establishment of prophylactic enoxaparin dosing recommendations to achieve targeted anti-factor Xa concentrations in children with CHD

Background Enoxaparin may be used to prevent central venous catheter-related thrombosis in patients with CHD. We aimed to determine whether current enoxaparin dosing regimens effectively achieve anti-factor Xa concentrations within prophylactic goal ranges in this patient population. Methods We implemented a formal protocol aimed at reducing central venous catheter-related thrombosis in children with CHD in January, 2016. Standard empiric prophylactic enoxaparin dosing regimens were used – for example, 0.75 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours for patients <2 months of age and 0.5 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours for patients ⩾2 months of age – with anti-factor Xa goal range of 0.25–0.49 IU/ml. Patients <2 years of age who received enoxaparin and had at least one valid steady-state anti-factor Xa measurement between 25 January, 2016 and 31 August, 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Results During the study period, 47 patients had 186 anti-factor Xa concentrations measured, of which 20 (11%) were above and 112 (60%) were below the prophylactic goal range. Anti-factor Xa concentrations within the goal range were ultimately achieved in 31 patients. Median dose required to achieve anti-factor Xa concentrations within the prophylactic range was 0.89 mg/kg/dose (25, 75%: 0.75, 1.11) for patients <2 months (n=23 patients) and 0.79 mg/kg/dose (25, 75%: 0.62, 1.11) for patients ⩾2 months (n=8 patients). Conclusions Enoxaparin doses required to achieve prophylactic anti-factor Xa concentrations in young children with CHD were consistently higher than the currently recommended prophylactic dosing regimens. Further study is needed to determine whether dose titration to achieve prophylactic anti-factor Xa concentrations is effective in preventing central venous catheter-related thrombosis

Momentum transfer dependence of the proton's electric and magnetic polarizabilities

The Q^2-dependence of the sum of the electric and magnetic polarizabilities of the proton is calculated over the range 0 \leq Q^2 \leq 6 GeV^2 using the generalized Baldin sum rule. Employing a parametrization of the F_1 structure function valid down to Q^2 = 0.06 GeV^2, the polarizabilities at the real photon point are found by extrapolating the results of finite Q^2 to Q^2 = 0 GeV^2. We determine the evolution over four-momentum transfer to be consistent with the Baldin sum rule using photoproduction data, obtaining \alpha + \beta = 13.7 \pm 0.7 \times 10^{-4}\, \text{fm}^3.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Range-resolved signal processing for fibre segment interferometry applied to dynamic long-gauge length strain sensing

A range-resolved interferometric signal processing technique using sinusoidal optical frequency modulation is applied to fibre segment interferometry. Here, six optical fibre segments of gauge length 12.5 cm are used as interferometric strain sensors and are formed between seven weak, broadband fibre Bragg gratings, acting as in-fibre partial reflectors. In a very simple and cost-effective optical setup using injection current modulation of a laser diode source, interferometric measurement of acoustic wave propagation in a metal rod is used to demonstrate the capabilities of the technique