Irredundant Triangular Decomposition

Triangular decomposition is a classic, widely used and well-developed way to represent algebraic varieties with many applications. In particular, there exist sharp degree bounds for a single triangular set in terms of intrinsic data of the variety it represents, and powerful randomized algorithms for computing triangular decompositions using Hensel lifting in the zero-dimensional case and for irreducible varieties. However, in the general case, most of the algorithms computing triangular decompositions produce embedded components, which makes it impossible to directly apply the intrinsic degree bounds. This, in turn, is an obstacle for efficiently applying Hensel lifting due to the higher degrees of the output polynomials and the lower probability of success. In this paper, we give an algorithm to compute an irredundant triangular decomposition of an arbitrary algebraic set $W$ defined by a set of polynomials in C[x_1, x_2, ..., x_n]. Using this irredundant triangular decomposition, we were able to give intrinsic degree bounds for the polynomials appearing in the triangular sets and apply Hensel lifting techniques. Our decomposition algorithm is randomized, and we analyze the probability of success

Entrance-channel Mass-asymmetry Dependence of Compound-nucleus Formation Time in Light Heavy-ion Reactions

The entrance-channel mass-asymmetry dependence of the compound nucleus formation time in light heavy-ion reactions has been investigated within the framework of semiclassical dissipative collision models. the model calculations have been succesfully applied to the formation of the $^{38}$Ar compound nucleus as populated via the $^{9}$Be+$^{29}$Si, $^{11}$B+$^{27}$Al, $^{12}$C+$^{26}$Mg and $^{19}$F+$^{19}$F entrance channels. The shape evolution of several other light composite systems appears to be consistent with the so-called "Fusion Inhibition Factor" which has been experimentally observed. As found previously in more massive systems for the fusion-evaporation process, the entrance-channel mass-asymmetry degree of freedom appears to determine the competition between the different mechanisms as well as the time scales involved.Comment: 12 pages, 3 Figures available upon request, Submitted at Phys. Rev.

Closed-state inactivation involving an internal gate in Kv4.1 channels modulates pore blockade by intracellular quaternary ammonium ions.

Voltage-gated K(+) (Kv) channel activation depends on interactions between voltage sensors and an intracellular activation gate that controls access to a central pore cavity. Here, we hypothesize that this gate is additionally responsible for closed-state inactivation (CSI) in Kv4.x channels. These Kv channels undergo CSI by a mechanism that is still poorly understood. To test the hypothesis, we deduced the state of the Kv4.1 channel intracellular gate by exploiting the trap-door paradigm of pore blockade by internally applied quaternary ammonium (QA) ions exhibiting slow blocking kinetics and high-affinity for a blocking site. We found that inactivation gating seemingly traps benzyl-tributylammonium (bTBuA) when it enters the central pore cavity in the open state. However, bTBuA fails to block inactivated Kv4.1 channels, suggesting gated access involving an internal gate. In contrast, bTBuA blockade of a Shaker Kv channel that undergoes open-state P/C-type inactivation exhibits fast onset and recovery inconsistent with bTBuA trapping. Furthermore, the inactivated Shaker Kv channel is readily blocked by bTBuA. We conclude that Kv4.1 closed-state inactivation modulates pore blockade by QA ions in a manner that depends on the state of the internal activation gate

Genetic Tracking of the Raccoon Variant of Rabies Virus in Eastern North America

AbstractTo gain insight into the incursion of the raccoon variant of rabies into the raccoon population in three Canadian provinces, a collection of 192 isolates of the raccoon rabies virus (RRV) strain was acquired from across its North American range and was genetically characterized. A 516-nucleotide segment of the non-coding region between the G and L protein open reading frames, corresponding to the most variable region of the rabies virus genome, was sequenced. This analysis identified 119 different sequences, and phylogenetic analysis of the dataset supports the documented history of RRV spread. Three distinct geographically restricted RRV lineages were identified. Lineage 1 was found in Florida, Alabama and Georgia and appears to form the ancestral lineage of the raccoon variant of rabies. Lineage 2, represented by just two isolates, was found only in Florida, while the third lineage appears broadly distributed throughout the rest of the eastern United States and eastern Canada. In New York State, two distinct spatially segregated variants were identified; the one occupying the western and northern portions of the state was responsible for an incursion of raccoon rabies into the Canadian province of Ontario. Isolates from New Brunswick and Quebec form distinct, separate clusters, consistent with their independent origins from neighboring areas of the United States. The data are consistent with localized northward incursion into these three separate areas with no evidence of east–west viral movement between the three Canadian provinces

Indirect study of (p, α) and (n, α) reactions induced on boron isotopes

Several experiments were performed to investigate both (p, α) and (n, α) reactions induced on boron isotopes, by means of Quasi-Free (QF) reactions induced on deuteron target. The experimental study of the astrophysically relevant 11B(p, α0)8Be reaction was performed by selecting the QF-contribution on the 2H(11B, α08Be)n reaction. Moreover, due to the large interest of a better understanding of (n, α) reactions both for nuclear and astrophysical developments, a preliminary study of the 10B(n, α)7Li through the QF 2H(10B, α7Li)p reaction was also performed. The results concerning the two experiments will be shown and discussed

Cdx1 and c-Myc Foster the Initiation of Transdifferentiation of the Normal Esophageal Squamous Epithelium toward Barrett's Esophagus

Barrett's esophagus is a premalignant condition whereby the normal stratified squamous esophageal epithelium undergoes a transdifferentiation program resulting in a simple columnar epithelium reminiscent of the small intestine. These changes are typically associated with the stratified squamous epithelium chronically exposed to acid and bile salts as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Despite this well-defined epidemiologic association between acid reflux and Barrett's esophagus, the genetic changes that induce this transdifferentiation process in esophageal keratinocytes have remained undefined.To begin to identify the genetic changes responsible for transdifferentiaiton in Barrett's esophagus, we performed a microarray analysis of normal esophageal, Barrett's esophagus and small intestinal biopsy specimens to identify candidate signaling pathways and transcription factors that may be involved. Through this screen we identified the Cdx1 homeodomain transcription factor and the c-myc pathway as possible candidates. Cdx1 and c-myc were then tested for their ability to induce transdifferentiation in immortalized human esophageal keratinocytes using organotypic culturing methods. Analyses of these cultures reveal that c-myc and cdx1 cooperate to induce mucin production and changes in keratin expression that are observed in the epithelium of Barrett's esophagus.These data demonstrate the ability of Cdx1 and c-myc to initiate the earliest stages of transdifferentiation of esophageal keratinocytes toward a cell fate characteristic of Barrett's esophagus

Vanishing spin alignment : experimental indication of triaxial 28Si+28Si\bf ^{28}Si + {^{28}Si} nuclear molecule

Fragment-fragment-$\gamma$ coincidences have been measured for $\rm ^{28}Si + {^{28}Si}$ at an energy corresponding to the population of a conjectured resonance in $^{56}$Ni. Fragment angular distributions as well as $\gamma$-ray angular correlations indicate that the spin orientations of the outgoing fragments are perpendicular to the orbital angular momentum. This differs from the $\rm ^{24}Mg+{^{24}Mg}$ and the $\rm ^{12}C+{^{12}C}$ resonances, and suggests two oblate $\rm ^{28}Si$ nuclei interacting in an equator-to-equator molecular configuration.Comment: 14 pages standard REVTeX file, 3 ps Figures -- Accepted for publication in Physical Review C (Rapid Communication

Deformation effects in the 28^{28}Si+12^{12}C and 28^{28}Si+28^{28}Si reaction Search

The possible occurence of highly deformed configurations is investigated in the $^{40}$Ca and $^{56}$Ni di-nuclear systems as formed in the $^{28}$Si+$^{12}$C,$^{28}$Si reactions by using the properties of emitted light charged particles. Inclusive as well as exclusive data of the heavy fragments and their associated light charged particles have been collected by using the {\sc ICARE} charged particle multidetector array. The data are analysed by Monte Carlo CASCADE statistical-model calculations using a consistent set of parameters with spin-dependent level densities. Significant deformation effects at high spin are observed as well as an unexpected large $^{8}$Be cluster emission of a binary nature.Comment: 3 pages latex, 2 eps figures, paper presented in "wokshop on physics with multidetector array (pmda2000)Calcutta, India (to be published at PRAMANA, journal of Physics, India