778 research outputs found
Ucma, a direct transcriptional target of Runx2 and Osterix, promotes osteoblast differentiation and nodule formation
SummaryObjectiveRunt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Osterix (Osx) are the master transcription factors in bone formation. Nonetheless, genes acting downstream of both Runx2 and Osx have yet to be fully characterized. Here, we investigate the downstream targets of both Runx2 and Osx in osteoblasts.Materials and methodsDNA microarray analysis was conducted on calvarial RNA from wild-type, Runx2 heterozygous, Osx heterozygous, and Runx2/Osx double heterozygous embryos. Expression and transcriptional responses of the selected target gene were analyzed in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells.ResultsThe expression of unique cartilage matrix-associated protein (Ucma) was decreased in Runx2/Osx double heterozygous embryos. In contrast, Ucma expression was increased in osteoblasts overexpressing both Runx2 and Osx. Ucma expression was initiated mid-way through osteoblast differentiation and continued throughout the differentiation process. Transcriptional activity of the Ucma promoter was increased upon transfection of the cells with both Runx2 and Osx. Runx2-and Osx-mediated activation of the Ucma promoter was directly regulated by Runx2-and/or Sp1-binding sites within its promoter. During osteoblast differentiation, the formation of mineralized nodules in Ucma-overexpressing stable clones occurred earlier and was more enhanced than that in the mock-transfected control. Mineralized nodule formation was strongly augmented in the cells cultured in a medium containing secretory Ucma proteins.ConclusionUcma is a novel downstream gene regulated by both Runx2 and Osx and it stimulates osteoblast differentiation and nodule formation
Structure Formation, Melting, and the Optical Properties of Gold/DNA Nanocomposites: Effects of Relaxation Time
We present a model for structure formation, melting, and optical properties
of gold/DNA nanocomposites. These composites consist of a collection of gold
nanoparticles (of radius 50 nm or less) which are bound together by links made
up of DNA strands. In our structural model, the nanocomposite forms from a
series of Monte Carlo steps, each involving reaction-limited cluster-cluster
aggregation (RLCA) followed by dehybridization of the DNA links. These links
form with a probability which depends on temperature and particle
radius . The final structure depends on the number of monomers (i. e. gold
nanoparticles) , , and the relaxation time. At low temperature, the
model results in an RLCA cluster. But after a long enough relaxation time, the
nanocomposite reduces to a compact, non-fractal cluster. We calculate the
optical properties of the resulting aggregates using the Discrete Dipole
Approximation. Despite the restructuring, the melting transition (as seen in
the extinction coefficient at wavelength 520 nm) remains sharp, and the melting
temperature increases with increasing as found in our previous
percolation model. However, restructuring increases the corresponding link
fraction at melting to a value well above the percolation threshold. Our
calculated extinction cross section agrees qualitatively with experiments on
gold/DNA composites. It also shows a characteristic ``rebound effect,''
resulting from incomplete relaxation, which has also been seen in some
experiments. We discuss briefly how our results relate to a possible sol-gel
transition in these aggregates.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure
ZnO Nanorods via Spray Deposition of Solutions Containing Zinc Chloride and Thiocarbamide
In this work we present the results on formation of ZnO nanorods prepared by spray of aqueous solutions containing ZnCl2and thiocarbamide (tu) at different molar ratios. It has been observed that addition of thiocarbamide into the spray solution has great impact on the size, shape and phase composition of the ZnO crystals. Obtained layers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy selected backscattered electron detection system (ESB), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Small addition of thiocarbamide into ZnCl2solution (ZnCl2:tu = 1:0.25) supports development of significantly thinner ZnO nanorods with higher aspect ratio compared to those obtained from ZnCl2solution. Diameter of ZnO rods decreases from 270 to 100 nm and aspect ratio increases from ∼2.5 to 12 spraying ZnCl2and ZnCl2:tu solutions, respectively. According to XRD, well crystallized (002) orientated pure wurtzite ZnO crystals have been formed. However, tiny ‘spot’—like formations of ZnS were detected on the side planes of hexagonal rods prepared from the thiocarbamide containing solutions. Being adsorbed on the side facets of the crystals ZnS inhibits width growth and promotes longitudinalc-axis growth
Observation of Parity Violation in the Omega-minus -> Lambda + K-minus Decay
The alpha decay parameter in the process Omega-minus -> Lambda + K-minus has
been measured from a sample of 4.50 million unpolarized Omega-minus decays
recorded by the HyperCP (E871) experiment at Fermilab and found to be [1.78 +/-
0.19(stat) +/- 0.16(syst)]{\times}10^{-2}. This is the first unambiguous
evidence for a nonzero alpha decay parameter, and hence parity violation, in
the Omega-minus -> Lambda + K-minus decay.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure
Theory of coherent acoustic phonons in InGaN/GaN multi-quantum wells
A microscopic theory for the generation and propagation of coherent LA
phonons in pseudomorphically strained wurzite (0001) InGaN/GaN multi-quantum
well (MQW) p-i-n diodes is presented. The generation of coherent LA phonons is
driven by photoexcitation of electron-hole pairs by an ultrafast Gaussian pump
laser and is treated theoretically using the density matrix formalism. We use
realistic wurzite bandstructures taking valence-band mixing and strain-induced
piezo- electric fields into account. In addition, the many-body Coulomb
ineraction is treated in the screened time-dependent Hartree-Fock
approximation. We find that under typical experimental conditions, our
microscopic theory can be simplified and mapped onto a loaded string problem
which can be easily solved.Comment: 20 pages, 17 figure
Effects of macroscopic polarization in III-V nitride multi-quantum-wells
Huge built-in electric fields have been predicted to exist in wurtzite III-V
nitrides thin films and multilayers. Such fields originate from heterointerface
discontinuities of the macroscopic bulk polarization of the nitrides. Here we
discuss the background theory, the role of spontaneous polarization in this
context, and the practical implications of built-in polarization fields in
nitride nanostructures. To support our arguments, we present detailed
self-consistent tight-binding simulations of typical nitride QW structures in
which polarization effects are dominant.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, uses revtex/epsf. submitted to PR
Missing data approaches in longitudinal studies of aging: A case example using the National Health and Aging Trends Study
Purpose Missing data is a key methodological consideration in longitudinal studies of aging. We described missing data challenges and potential methodological solutions using a case example describing five-year frailty state transitions in a cohort of older adults. Methods We used longitudinal data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally-representative cohort of Medicare beneficiaries. We assessed the five components of the Fried frailty phenotype and classified frailty based on their number of components (robust: 0, prefrail: 1–2, frail: 3–5). One-, two-, and five-year frailty state transitions were defined as movements between frailty states or death. Missing frailty components were imputed using hot deck imputation. Inverse probability weights were used to account for potentially informative loss-to-follow-up. We conducted scenario analyses to test a range of assumptions related to missing data. Results Missing data were common for frailty components measured using physical assessments (walking speed, grip strength). At five years, 36% of individuals were lost-to-follow-up, differentially with respect to baseline frailty status. Assumptions for missing data mechanisms impacted inference regarding individuals improving or worsening in frailty. Conclusions Missing data and loss-to-follow-up are common in longitudinal studies of aging. Robust epidemiologic methods can improve the rigor and interpretability of aging-related research
HyperCP: A high-rate spectrometer for the study of charged hyperon and kaon decays
The HyperCP experiment (Fermilab E871) was designed to search for rare
phenomena in the decays of charged strange particles, in particular CP
violation in and hyperon decays with a sensitivity of
. Intense charged secondary beams were produced by 800 GeV/c protons
and momentum-selected by a magnetic channel. Decay products were detected in a
large-acceptance, high-rate magnetic spectrometer using multiwire proportional
chambers, trigger hodoscopes, a hadronic calorimeter, and a muon-detection
system. Nearly identical acceptances and efficiencies for hyperons and
antihyperons decaying within an evacuated volume were achieved by reversing the
polarities of the channel and spectrometer magnets. A high-rate
data-acquisition system enabled 231 billion events to be recorded in twelve
months of data-taking.Comment: 107 pages, 45 Postscript figures, 14 tables, Elsevier LaTeX,
submitted to Nucl. Instrum. Meth.
Fractional Quantum Hall States of Clustered Composite Fermions
The energy spectra and wavefunctions of up to 14 interacting quasielectrons
(QE's) in the Laughlin nu=1/3 fractional quantum Hall (FQH) state are
investigated using exact numerical diagonalization. It is shown that at
sufficiently high density the QE's form pairs or larger clusters. This
behavior, opposite to Laughlin correlations, invalidates the (sometimes
invoked) reapplication of the composite fermion picture to the individual QE's.
The series of finite-size incompressible ground states are identified at the QE
filling factors nu_QE=1/2, 1/3, 2/3, corresponding to the electron fillings
nu=3/8, 4/11, 5/13. The equivalent quasihole (QH) states occur at nu_QH=1/4,
1/5, 2/7, corresponding to nu=3/10, 4/13, 5/17. All these six novel FQH states
were recently discovered experimentally. Detailed analysis indicates that QE or
QH correlations in these states are different from those of well-known FQH
electron states (e.g., Laughlin or Moore-Read states), leaving the origin of
their incompressibility uncertain. Halperin's idea of Laughlin states of QP
pairs is also explored, but is does not seem adequate.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures; revision: 1 new figure, some new references,
some new data, title chang
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