4,736 research outputs found
Spin Dependence of Massive Lepton Pair Production in Proton-Proton Collisions
We calculate the transverse momentum distribution for the production of
massive lepton-pairs in longitudinally polarized proton-proton reactions at
collider energies within the context of perturbative quantum chromodynamics.
For values of the transverse momentum Q_T greater than roughly half the pair
mass Q, Q_T > Q/2, we show that the differential cross section is dominated by
subprocesses initiated by incident gluons, provided that the polarized gluon
density is not too small. Massive lepton-pair differential cross sections
should be a good source of independent constraints on the polarized gluon
density, free from the experimental and theoretical complications of photon
isolation that beset studies of prompt photon production. We provide
predictions for the spin-averaged and spin-dependent differential cross
sections as a function of Q_T at energies relevant for the Relativistic Heavy
Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven, and we compare these with predictions for
real prompt photon production.Comment: 34 pages, RevTeX including 17 figures in .ps file
Massive Lepton Pairs as a Prompt Photon Surrogate
We discuss the transverse momentum distribution for the production of massive
lepton-pairs in hadron reactions at fixed target and collider energies within
the context of next-to-leading order perturbative quantum chromodynamics. For
values of the transverse momentum greater than the pair mass , , we show that the differential cross section is dominated by subprocesses
initiated by incident gluons. Massive lepton-pair differential cross sections
are an advantageous source of constraints on the gluon density, free from the
experimental and theoretical complications of photon isolation that beset
studies of prompt photon production. We compare calculations with data and
provide predictions for the differential cross section as a function of
in proton-antiproton reactions at center-of-mass energies of 1.8 TeV, and in
proton-nucleon reactions at fixed target and LHC energies.Comment: 36 pages, RevTeX, including 16 ps files of figures; minor changes in
wording; one reference added. Version to appear in Phys Rev
Response and Resistance to Paradox-Breaking BRAF Inhibitor in Melanomas
FDA-approved BRAF inhibitors produce high response rates and improve overall survival in patients with BRAF V600E/K-mutant melanoma, but are linked to pathologies associated with paradoxical ERK1/2 activation in wild-type BRAF cells. To overcome this limitation, a next-generation paradox-breaking RAF inhibitor (PLX8394) has been designed. Here, we show that by using a quantitative reporter assay, PLX8394 rapidly suppressed ERK1/2 reporter activity and growth of mutant BRAF melanoma xenografts. Ex vivo treatment of xenografts and use of a patient-derived explant system (PDeX) revealed that PLX8394 suppressed ERK1/2 signaling and elicited apoptosis more effectively than the FDA-approved BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib. Furthermore, PLX8394 was efficacious against vemurafenibresistant BRAF splice variant-expressing tumors and reduced splice variant homodimerization. Importantly, PLX8394 did not induce paradoxical activation of ERK1/2 in wild-type BRAF cell lines or PDeX. Continued in vivo dosing of xenografts with PLX8394 led to the development of acquired resistance via ERK1/2 reactivation through heterogeneous mechanisms; however, resistant cells were found to have differential sensitivity to ERK1/2 inhibitor. These findings highlight the efficacy of a paradox-breaking selective BRAF inhibitor and the use of PDeX system to test the efficacy of therapeutic agents. © 2017 American Association for Cancer Research
Software for Automated Generation of Cartesian Meshes
Cart3D is a collection of computer programs for generating Cartesian meshes [for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and other applications] in volumes bounded by solid objects. Aspects of Cart3D at earlier stages of development were reported in "Robust and Efficient Generation of Cartesian Meshes for CFD" (ARC-14275), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 23, No. 8 (August 1999), page 30. The geometric input to Cart3D comprises surface triangulations like those commonly generated by computer-aided-design programs. Complexly shaped objects can be represented as assemblies of simpler ones. Cart3D deletes all portions of such an assembled object that are not on the exterior surface. Intersections between components are preserved in the resulting triangulation. A tie-breaking routine unambiguously resolves geometric degeneracies. Then taking the intersected surface triangulation as input, the volume mesh is generated through division of cells of an initially coarse hexahedral grid. Cells are subdivided to refine the grid in regions of increased surface curvature and/or increased flow gradients. Cells that become split into multiple unconnected regions by thin pieces of surface are identified
Development and application of a 3D Cartesian grid Euler method
This report describes recent progress in the development and application of 3D Cartesian grid generation and Euler flow solution techniques. Improvements to flow field grid generation algorithms, geometry representations, and geometry refinement criteria are presented, including details of a procedure for correctly identifying and resolving extremely thin surface features. An initial implementation of automatic flow field refinement is also presented. Results for several 3D multi-component configurations are provided and discussed
Extracellular secretion of a recombinant therapeutic peptide by Bacillus halodurans utilizing a modified flagellin type III secretion system
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Through modification of the flagellin type III secretion pathway of <it>Bacillus halodurans </it>heterologous peptides could be secreted into the medium as flagellin fusion monomers. The stability of the secreted monomers was significantly enhanced through gene-targeted inactivation of host cell extracellular proteases. In evaluating the biotechnological potential of this extracellular secretion system an anti-viral therapeutic peptide, Enfuvirtide, was chosen. Currently, Enfuvirtide is synthesised utilizing 106 chemical steps. We used Enfuvirtide as a model system in an effort to develop a more cost-effective biological process for therapeutic peptide production.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An attempt was made to increase the levels of the fusion peptide by two strategies, namely strain improvement through gene-targeted knock-outs, as well as vector and cassette optimization. Both approaches proved to be successful. Through chromosomal inactivation of the <it>spo0A, lytC </it>and <it>lytE </it>genes, giving rise to strain <it>B. halodurans </it>BhFDL05S, the secretion of recombinant peptide fusions was increased 10-fold. Cassette optimization, incorporating an expression vector pNW33N and the N- and C-terminal regions of the flagellin monomer as an in-frame peptide fusion, resulted in a further 3.5-fold increase in the secretion of recombinant peptide fusions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The type III flagellar secretion system of <it>B. halodurans </it>has been shown to successfully secrete a therapeutic peptide as a heterologous flagellin fusion. Improvements to both the strain and expression cassette led to increased levels of recombinant peptide, showing promise for a biotechnological application.</p
Description and Educational Impact of Pennsylvania\u27s Manure Hauler and Broker Certification Program
We describe Pennsylvania\u27s Commercial Manure Hauler and Broker Certification Program and discuss results of an industry survey. Survey knowledge questions were centered on state-mandated program competencies designed to minimize environmental losses of manure nutrients. Survey results demonstrated that participation in state-directed, Extension-led educational programming resulted in greater knowledge for those required to complete more rigorous certification education and for those exposed to more continuing education. Educational impact is expected to be far-reaching as survey respondents worked on an average of 38.5 farms annually. Extension\u27s role is critical in this certification program that endeavors to improve water quality
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