All-Optical Production of Chromium Bose-Einstein Condensates

We report on the production of ^52Cr Bose Einstein Condensates (BEC) with an all-optical method. We first load 5.10^6 metastable chromium atoms in a 1D far-off-resonance optical trap (FORT) from a Magneto Optical Trap (MOT), by combining the use of Radio Frequency (RF) frequency sweeps and depumping towards the ^5S_2 state. The atoms are then pumped to the absolute ground state, and transferred into a crossed FORT in which they are evaporated. The fast loading of the 1D FORT (35 ms 1/e time), and the use of relatively fast evaporative ramps allow us to obtain in 20 s about 15000 atoms in an almost pure condensate.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Supraorganized Collagen Enhances Schwann Cell Reactivity And Organization In Vitro.

We investigated the reactivity and expression of basal lamina collagen by Schwann cells (SCs) cultivated on a supraorganized bovine-derived collagen substrate. SC cultures were obtained from sciatic nerves of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats and seeded on 24-well culture plates containing collagen substrate. The homogeneity of the cultures was evaluated with an SC marker antibody (anti-S-100). After 1 week, the cultures were fixed and processed for immunocytochemistry by using antibodies against type IV collagen, S-100 and p75NTR (pan neurotrophin receptor) and for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Positive labeling with antibodies to the cited molecules was observed, indicating that the collagen substrate stimulates SC alignment and adhesion (collagen IV labeling - organized collagen substrate: 706.33 ± 370.86, non-organized collagen substrate: 744.00 ± 262.09; S-100 labeling - organized collagen: 3809.00 ± 120.28, non-organized collagen: 3026.00 ± 144.63, P < 0.05) and reactivity (p75NTR labeling - organized collagen: 2156.33 ± 561.78, non-organized collagen: 1424.00 ± 405.90, P < 0.05; means ± standard error of the mean in absorbance units). Cell alignment and adhesion to the substrate were confirmed by SEM analysis. The present results indicate that the collagen substrate with an aligned suprastructure, as seen by polarized light microscopy, provides an adequate scaffold for SCs, which in turn may increase the efficiency of the nerve regenerative process after in vivo repair.44682-

potential biomarkers of haemophilic arthropathy correlations with compatible additive magnetic resonance imaging scores

Introduction: Although biomarkers are useful diagnostic tools to assess joint damage in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, few data exist for biomarkers of haemophilic arthropathy. Aim: To evaluate the association between biomarkers and compatible additive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores in patients with severe haemophilia A. Methods: Patients aged 12–35 years with no history of factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors were enrolled in a controlled, cross-sectional, multinational investigation. Patients received primary or secondary prophylaxis or on-demand treatment with FVIII and underwent MRI on four joints (two ankles, two knees). Soluble biomarkers of cartilage and bone degradation, inflammation, and angiogenesis were assessed (serum levels of C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen [CTX-I], cartilage oligomeric matrix protein [COMP], chondroitin-sulphate aggrecan turnover 846 epitope [CS846], tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 [TIMP-1]; plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], matrix metalloproteinases 3 and 9 [MMP3, MMP9]). Relationships between biomarkers and MRI scores were evaluated using Spearman rank correlation. Results: Biomarkers were assessed in 117 of 118 per-protocol patients. Mean and median CTX-I, COMP, TIMP-1, MMP3, MMP9, and VEGF values were within normal ranges (reference range not available for CS846 in healthy volunteers). No correlations between biomarkers and MRI scores were found, with the exception of CS846, which showed significant correlation in a subgroup of 22 on-demand patients (r = 0.436; P = 0.04). Conclusions: Compatible additive MRI scores showed no clear correlations with any of the potential biomarkers for haemophilic arthropathy in the overall population. CS846 levels were significantly correlated with MRI scores in patients treated on demand. (Less

Identification of specific molecular structures of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat relevant for its biological effects on vascular endothelial cells.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat transactivates viral genes and is released by infected cells, acting as a soluble mediator. In endothelial cells (EC), it activates a proangiogenic program by activating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 (VEGFR-2) and integrins. A structure-activity relationship study was performed by functional analysis of Tat substitution and deletion variants to define the Tat determinants necessary for EC activation. Variants were made (i) in the basic and (ii) in the cysteine-rich domains and (iii) in the C-terminal region containing the RGD sequence required for integrin recognition. Our results led to the following conclusions. (i) Besides a high-affinity binding site corresponding to VEGFR-2, EC express low-affinity binding sites. (ii) The basic and the cysteine-rich variants bind only to the low-affinity binding sites and do not promote tyrosine phosphorylation of VEGFR-2. Furthermore, they have a reduced ability to activate EC in vitro, and they lack angiogenic activity. (iii) Mutants with mutations in the C-terminal region are partially defective for in vitro biological activities and in vivo angiogenesis, but they activate VEGFR-2 as Tat wild type. In conclusion, regions encoded by the first exon of tat are necessary and sufficient for activation of VEGFR-2. However, the C-terminal region, most probably through RGD-mediated integrin engagement, is indispensable for full activation of an in vitro and in vivo angiogenic progra

Critical regime of two dimensional Ando model: relation between critical conductance and fractal dimension of electronic eigenstates

The critical two-terminal conductance $g_c$ and the spatial fluctuations of critical eigenstates are investigated for a disordered two dimensional model of non-interacting electrons subject to spin-orbit scattering (Ando model). For square samples, we verify numerically the relation $\sigma_c=1/[2\pi(2-D(1))] e^2/h$ between critical conductivity $\sigma_c=g_c=(1.42\pm 0.005) e^2/h$ and the fractal information dimension of the electron wave function, $D(1)=1.889\pm 0.001$. Through a detailed numerical scaling analysis of the two-terminal conductance we also estimate the critical exponent $\nu=2.80\pm 0.04$ that governs the quantum phase transition.Comment: IOP Latex, 7 figure

Radio-frequency induced ground state degeneracy in a Chromium Bose-Einstein condensate

We study the effect of strong radio-frequency (rf) fields on a chromium Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), in a regime where the rf frequency is much larger than the Larmor frequency. We use the modification of the Land\'{e} factor by the rf field to bring all Zeeman states to degeneracy, despite the presence of a static magnetic field of up to 100 mG. This is demonstrated by analyzing the trajectories of the atoms under the influence of dressed magnetic potentials in the strong field regime. We investigate the problem of adiabaticity of the rf dressing process, and relate it to how close the dressed states are to degeneracy. Finally, we measure the lifetime of the rf dressed BECs, and identify a new rf-assisted two-body loss process induced by dipole-dipole interactions.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Yield and morphophysiological indices of irrigated rice genotypes in contrasting ecosystems.

Rice phenology and development are events controlled by environmental and genetic factors, and the yield potential of the crop is defined by their interaction. This study aimed at analyzing the performance of irrigated rice genotypes in contrasting ecosystems and their effects on morphophysiological characteristics. Two ecosystems (tropical and subtropical) were analyzed, as well as cultivars recommended for tropical (BRS Catiana and BRS Jaçanã) and subtropical (BRS Pampa, BRS 7 Taim and IRGA 424) regions. The experiments were arranged in a complete randomized block design, with four replicates, being the factors the genotypes, sowing times and sites. The phenological development, biomass dynamics, radiation use efficiency and grain yield were evaluated. The accumulated degree-days demand for flowering decreased faster in the tropical ecosystem than in the subtropical ecosystem for late sowing. The radiation use efficiency values were similar in the subtropical ecosystem and yield was high for all sowing dates. On the other hand, the tropical ecosystem showed a high variation for radiation use efficiency values and yield. The higher accumulation of degree-days and solar radiation during the reproductive and grain-filling phases contributed to increase yield in both ecosystems

Calibration and evaluation of new irrigated rice cultivars in the SimulArroz model.

Given genetical coefficients need to be calibrated for the most important cultivars on the market, new cultivars must be added to models such as SimulArroz. Thus, the aim of this study was to calibrate and evaluate the SimulArroz model for two new irrigated rice cultivars. The experiments were conducted in the municipality of Goianira in Goiás state during four growing seasons (2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18) and in Rio Grande do Sul state in the municipalities of Alegrete (2015/16), Cachoeirinha (2015/ 16), Capão do Leão (2016/17, 2017/18), Santa Vitória do Palmar (2017/18) and Uruguaiana (2014/15, 2015/16). A randomized block design was used, with four replicates in Rio Grande do Sul and sowing plots in Goianira. The BRS Catiana and BRS Pampa cultivars were used and the Haun stage (HS), phenology, shoot dry matter biomass and yield were evaluated. The root mean square error (RMSE) for above-ground dry matter ranged from 51.7 to 577 g m -2, and for yield, the normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) ranged from 24 to 32% and 22 to 35% for the potential and high technological levels, respectively. The SimulArroz model was able to satisfactorily predict the growth, development, and yield of the BRS Catiana and BRS Pampa cultivars, increasing their area of application, including the tropical region of Brazil