Expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase family 1, member A3 in glycogen trophoblast cells of the murine placenta

Introduction: Retinoic acid (RA) signaling is a well known regulator of trophoblast differentiation and placental development, and maternal decidual cells are recognized as the source of much of this RA. We explored possible trophoblast-derived sources of RA by examining the expression of RA synthesis enzymes in the developing mouse placenta, as well as addressed potential sites of RA action by examining the ontogeny of gene expression for other RA metabolizing and receptor genes. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of endogenous RA production on trophoblast differentiation

Non-perturbative fixed points and renormalization group improved effective potential

The stability conditions of a renormalization group improved effective potential have been discussed in the case of scalar QED and QCD with a colorless scalar. We calculate the same potential in these models assuming the existence of non-perturbative fixed points associated to a conformal phase. In the case of scalar QED the barrier of instability found previously is barely displaced as we approach the fixed point, and in the case of QCD with a colorless scalar not only the barrier is changed but the local minimum of the potential is also changed.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figures, References added. Matching the journal versio

Theoretical fits of the \delta Cephei light, radius and radial velocity curves

We present a theoretical investigation of the light, radius and radial velocity variations of the prototype $\delta$ Cephei. We find that the best fit model accounts for luminosity and velocity amplitudes with an accuracy better than $0.8\sigma$, and for the radius amplitude with an accuracy of $1.7\sigma$. The chemical composition of this model suggests a decrease in both helium (0.26 vs 0.28) and metal (0.01 vs 0.02) content in the solar neighborhood. Moreover, distance determinations based on the fit of light curves agree at the $0.8\sigma$ level with the trigonometric parallax measured by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). On the other hand, distance determinations based on angular diameter variations, that are independent of interstellar extinction and of the $p$-factor value, indicate an increase of the order of 5% in the HST parallax.Comment: accepted for publication on ApJ Letter

Novel laser-based techniques for monitoring of volcanoes

An overview of novel laser techniques suitable for volcanic monitoring, based on different kinds of infrared laser sources, is presented. Their main advantages and drawbacks are discussed focusing on the achievable sensitivity and precision levels in analysis of gaseous species. Some of the most recent experimental results obtained in laboratory development as well as in field tests of home-built laser spectrometers are reported. New perspectives in optical devices aimed at geochemical and geophysical applications are also considered

Evidence for pseudogap and phase-coherence gap separation by Andreev reflection experiments in Au/La_{2-x}Sr_{x}CuO_4 point-contact junctions

We present new Au/La_{2-x}Sr_{x}CuO_{4} (LSCO) point-contact conductance measures as a function of voltage and temperature in samples with 0.08 <= x <= 0.2. Andreev reflection features disappear at about the bulk Tc, giving no evidence of gap for T > Tc. The fit of the normalized conductance at any T < Tc supports a (s + d)-wave symmetry of the gap, whose dominant low-T s component follows the Tc(x) curve in contrast with recent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and quasiparticle tunneling data. These results prove the separation between pseudogap and phase-coherence superconducting gap in LSCO at x <= 0.2.Comment: 4 pages, 4 eps figures, 1 table (RevTeX). Labels added to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 resized; references added; short discussion about ballistic contact regime adde

Observing the intrinsic linewidth of a quantum-cascade laser: beyond the Schawlow-Townes limit

A comprehensive investigation of the frequency-noise spectral density of a free-running mid-infrared quantum-cascade laser is presented for the first time. It provides direct evidence of the leveling of this noise down to a white noise plateau, corresponding to an intrinsic linewidth of a few hundred Hz. The experiment is in agreement with the most recent theory on the fundamental mechanism of line broadening in quantum-cascade lasers, which provides a new insight into the Schawlow-Townes formula and predicts a narrowing beyond the limit set by the radiative lifetime of the upper level.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

The FDA “black box” warning on antidepressant suicide risk in young adults: More harm than benefits?

The decision made in the year 2004 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require a boxed warning on antidepressants regarding the risk of suicidality in young adults still represents a matter of controversy. The FDA warning was grounded on industry-sponsored trials carried one decade ago or earlier. However, within the past decade, an increasing number of reports have questioned the actual validity of the FDA warning, especially considering a decline in the prescription of the antidepressant drugs associated with an increase in the rate of suicidal events among people with severe depression. The present report provides an overview of the FDA black box warning, also documenting two Major Depressive Disorder patients whose refusal to undergo a pharmacological antidepressant treatment possibly led to an increased risk for suicidal behaviors. The concerns raised by the FDA black box warning need to be considered in real-world clinical practice, stating the associated clinical and public health implications