| 1. |
- Schael, S, et al.
(author)
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Precision electroweak measurements on the Z resonance
- 2006
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In: Physics Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-1573 .- 1873-6270. ; 427:5-6, s. 257-454
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the final electroweak measurements performed with data taken at the Z resonance by the experiments operating at the electron-positron colliders SLC and LEP. The data consist of 17 million Z decays accumulated by the ALEPH, DELPHI, L3 and OPAL experiments at LEP, and 600 thousand Z decays by the SLID experiment using a polarised beam at SLC. The measurements include cross-sections, forward-backward asymmetries and polarised asymmetries. The mass and width of the Z boson, m(Z) and Gamma(Z), and its couplings to fermions, for example the p parameter and the effective electroweak mixing angle for leptons, are precisely measured: m(Z) = 91.1875 +/- 0.0021 GeV, Gamma(Z) = 2.4952 +/- 0.0023 GeV, rho(l) = 1.0050 +/- 0.0010, sin(2)theta(eff)(lept) = 0.23153 +/- 0.00016. The number of light neutrino species is determined to be 2.9840 +/- 0.0082, in agreement with the three observed generations of fundamental fermions. The results are compared to the predictions of the Standard Model (SM). At the Z-pole, electroweak radiative corrections beyond the running of the QED and QCD coupling constants are observed with a significance of five standard deviations, and in agreement with the Standard Model. Of the many Z-pole measurements, the forward-backward asymmetry in b-quark production shows the largest difference with respect to its SM expectation, at the level of 2.8 standard deviations. Through radiative corrections evaluated in the framework of the Standard Model, the Z-pole data are also used to predict the mass of the top quark, m(t) = 173(+10)(+13) GeV, and the mass of the W boson, m(W) = 80.363 +/- 0.032 GeV. These indirect constraints are compared to the direct measurements, providing a stringent test of the SM. Using in addition the direct measurements of m(t) and m(W), the mass of the as yet unobserved SM Higgs boson is predicted with a relative uncertainty of about 50% and found to be less than 285 GeV at 95% confidence level. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Aaron, F. D., et al.
(author)
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Multi-leptons with high transverse momentum at HERA
- 2009
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In: Journal of High Energy Physics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1029-8479. ; :10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Events with at least two high transverse momentum leptons (electrons or muons) are studied using the H1 and ZEUS detectors at HERA with an integrated luminosity of 0.94 fb(-1). The observed numbers of events are in general agreement with the Standard Model predictions. Seven di- and tri-lepton events are observed in e(+)p collision data with a scalar sum of the lepton transverse momenta above 100 GeV while 1.94 +/- 0.17 events are expected. Such events are not observed in e(-)p collisions for which 1.19 +/- 0.12 are predicted. Total visible and differential di-electron and di-muon photoproduction cross sections are extracted in a restricted phase space dominated by photon-photon collisions.
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| 3. |
- Abat, E., et al.
(author)
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The ATLAS Transition Radiation Tracker (TRT) proportional drift tube: design and performance
- 2008
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In: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A straw proportional counter is the basic element of the ATLAS Transition Radiation Tracker (TRT). Its detailed properties as well as the main properties of a few TRT operating gas mixtures are described. Particular attention is paid to straw tube performance in high radiation conditions and to its operational stability.
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| 4. |
- Abat, E., et al.
(author)
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The ATLAS TRT electronics
- 2008
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In: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ATLAS inner detector consists of three sub-systems: the pixel detector spanning the radius range 4cm-20cm, the semiconductor tracker at radii from 30 to 52 cm, and the transition radiation tracker (TRT), tracking from 56 to 107 cm. The TRT provides a combination of continuous tracking with many projective measurements based on individual drift tubes (or straws) and of electron identification based on transition radiation from fibres or foils interleaved between the straws themselves. This paper describes the on and off detector electronics for the TRT as well as the TRT portion of the data acquisition (DAQ) system.
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| 5. |
- Abat, E., et al.
(author)
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The ATLAS TRT end-cap detectors
- 2008
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In: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ATLAS TRT end-cap is a tracking drift chamber using 245,760 individual tubular drift tubes. It is a part of the TRT tracker which consist of the barrel and two end-caps. The TRT end-caps cover the forward and backward pseudo-rapidity region 1.0 < vertical bar eta vertical bar < 2.0, while the TRT barrel central eta region vertical bar eta vertical bar < 1.0. The TRT system provides a combination of continuous tracking with many measurements in individual drift tubes ( or straws) and of electron identification based on transition radiation from fibers or foils interleaved between the straws themselves. Along with other two sub-systems, namely the Pixel detector and Semi Conductor Tracker (SCT), the TRT constitutes the ATLAS Inner Detector. This paper describes the recently completed and installed TRT end-cap detectors, their design, assembly, integration and the acceptance tests applied during the construction.
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| 6. |
- Abat, E., et al.
(author)
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The ATLAS TRT barrel detector
- 2008
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In: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ATLAS TRT barrel is a tracking drift chamber using 52,544 individual tubular drift tubes. It is one part of the ATLAS Inner Detector, which consists of three sub-systems: the pixel detector spanning the radius range 4 to 20 cm, the semiconductor tracker (SCT) from 30 to 52 cm, and the transition radiation tracker ( TRT) from 56 to 108 cm. The TRT barrel covers the central pseudo-rapidity region |eta| < 1, while the TRT endcaps cover the forward and backward eta regions. These TRT systems provide a combination of continuous tracking with many measurements in individual drift tubes ( or straws) and of electron identification based on transition radiation from fibers or foils interleaved between the straws themselves. This paper describes the recently-completed construction of the TRT Barrel detector, including the quality control procedures used in the fabrication of the detector.
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| 7. |
- Power, M. J., et al.
(author)
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Changes in fire regimes since the Last Glacial Maximum : an assessment based on a global synthesis and analysis of charcoal data
- 2008
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In: Climate Dynamics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0930-7575 .- 1432-0894. ; 30:7-8, s. 887-907
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fire activity has varied globally and continuously since the last glacial maximum (LGM) in response to long-term changes in global climate and shorter-term regional changes in climate, vegetation, and human land use. We have synthesized sedimentary charcoal records of biomass burning since the LGM and present global maps showing changes in fire activity for time slices during the past 21,000 years (as differences in charcoal accumulation values compared to pre-industrial). There is strong broad-scale coherence in fire activity after the LGM, but spatial heterogeneity in the signals increases thereafter. In North America, Europe and southern South America, charcoal records indicate less-than-present fire activity during the deglacial period, from 21,000 to ∼11,000 cal yr BP. In contrast, the tropical latitudes of South America and Africa show greater-than-present fire activity from ∼19,000 to ∼17,000 cal yr BP and most sites from Indochina and Australia show greater-than-present fire activity from 16,000 to ∼13,000 cal yr BP. Many sites indicate greater-than-present or near-present activity during the Holocene with the exception of eastern North America and eastern Asia from 8,000 to ∼3,000 cal yr BP, Indonesia and Australia from 11,000 to 4,000 cal yr BP, and southern South America from 6,000 to 3,000 cal yr BP where fire activity was less than present. Regional coherence in the patterns of change in fire activity was evident throughout the post-glacial period. These complex patterns can largely be explained in terms of large-scale climate controls modulated by local changes in vegetation and fuel load.
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| 8. |
- Clark, Andrew G., et al.
(author)
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Evolution of genes and genomes on the Drosophila phylogeny
- 2007
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 450:7167, s. 203-218
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Comparative analysis of multiple genomes in a phylogenetic framework dramatically improves the precision and sensitivity of evolutionary inference, producing more robust results than single-genome analyses can provide. The genomes of 12 Drosophila species, ten of which are presented here for the first time (sechellia, simulans, yakuba, erecta, ananassae, persimilis, willistoni, mojavensis, virilis and grimshawi), illustrate how rates and patterns of sequence divergence across taxa can illuminate evolutionary processes on a genomic scale. These genome sequences augment the formidable genetic tools that have made Drosophila melanogaster a pre-eminent model for animal genetics, and will further catalyse fundamental research on mechanisms of development, cell biology, genetics, disease, neurobiology, behaviour, physiology and evolution. Despite remarkable similarities among these Drosophila species, we identified many putatively non-neutral changes in protein-coding genes, non-coding RNA genes, and cis-regulatory regions. These may prove to underlie differences in the ecology and behaviour of these diverse species.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Kruger, T, et al.
(author)
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Xenobiotic activity in serum and sperm chromatin integrity in European and inuit populations
- 2008
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In: Molecular Reproduction and Development. - : Wiley. - 1040-452X .- 1098-2795. ; 75:4, s. 669-680
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lipophilic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are ubiquitous in the environment and suspected to interfere with hormone activities and reproduction. In previous studies we demonstrated that POP exposure can affect sperm DNA integrity and differences between Inuits and Europeans in sperm DNA integrity and xenobiotic activity were observed. The aim of this study was to investigate possible relations between human sperm chromatin integrity and the xenobiotic serum activity of lipophilic POPs assessed as effects on the estrogen (ER), androgen (AR), and/or aryl hydrocarbon (AhR) receptors. Human sperm chromatin integrity was assessed as DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) and high DNA stainability (%HDS) using the flow cytometric sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Xenobiotic receptor activities were determined using chemically activated luciferase gene expression (CALUX) assay. The study included 53 Greenlandic Inuits and 247 Europeans (Sweden, Warsaw (Poland) and Kharkiv (Ukraine)). A heterogeneous pattern of correlations was found. For Inuits, ER and AhR activities and %DFI were inversely correlated, whereas a positive correlation between AR activity and %DFI was found for Europeans. In contrast, no correlation between receptor activities and %HDS was observed for Inuits but for Europeans positive and negative correlations were observed between ER and AR activities and %HDS, respectively. We suggest that the different patterns of xenobiotic serum activities, in combination with diet associated factors and/or genetics, might be connected to the observed differences in sperm chromatin integrity between the Inuits and Europeans. Mol. Reprod. Dev. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Ainsworth, Elizabeth A., et al.
(author)
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Next generation of elevated [CO2] experiments with crops: a critical investment for feeding the future world
- 2008
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In: Plant, Cell and Environment. - : Wiley. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 31:9, s. 1317-1324
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A rising global population and demand for protein-rich diets are increasing pressure to maximize agricultural productivity. Rising atmospheric [CO2] is altering global temperature and precipitation patterns, which challenges agricultural productivity. While rising [CO2] provides a unique opportunity to increase the productivity of C-3 crops, average yield stimulation observed to date is well below potential gains. Thus, there is room for improving productivity. However, only a fraction of available germplasm of crops has been tested for CO2 responsiveness. Yield is a complex phenotypic trait determined by the interactions of a genotype with the environment. Selection of promising genotypes and characterization of response mechanisms will only be effective if crop improvement and systems biology approaches are closely linked to production environments, that is, on the farm within major growing regions. Free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments can provide the platform upon which to conduct genetic screening and elucidate the inheritance and mechanisms that underlie genotypic differences in productivity under elevated [CO2]. We propose a new generation of large-scale, low-cost per unit area FACE experiments to identify the most CO2-responsive genotypes and provide starting lines for future breeding programmes. This is necessary if we are to realize the potential for yield gains in the future.
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| 13. |
- Awano, Tomoyuki, et al.
(author)
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Genome-wide association analysis reveals a SOD1 mutation in canine degenerative myelopathy that resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- 2009
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 106:8, s. 2794-2799
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease prevalent in several dog breeds. Typically, the initial progressive upper motor neuron spastic and general proprioceptive ataxia in the pelvic limbs occurs at 8 years of age or older. If euthanasia is delayed, the clinical signs will ascend, causing flaccid tetraparesis and other lower motor neuron signs. DNA samples from 38 DM-affected Pembroke Welsh corgi cases and 17 related clinically normal controls were used for genome-wide association mapping, which produced the strongest associations with markers on CFA31 in a region containing the canine SOD1 gene. SOD1 was considered a regional candidate gene because mutations in human SOD1 can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an adult-onset fatal paralytic neurodegenerative disease with both upper and lower motor neuron involvement. The resequencing of SOD1 in normal and affected dogs revealed a G to A transition, resulting in an E40K missense mutation. Homozygosity for the A allele was associated with DM in 5 dog breeds: Pembroke Welsh corgi, Boxer, Rhodesian ridgeback, German Shepherd dog, and Chesapeake Bay retriever. Microscopic examination of spinal cords from affected dogs revealed myelin and axon loss affecting the lateral white matter and neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions that bind anti-superoxide dismutase 1 antibodies. These inclusions are similar to those seen in spinal cord sections from ALS patients with SOD1 mutations. Our findings identify canine DM to be the first recognized spontaneously occurring animal model for ALS.
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| 14. |
- Bryceson, YT, et al.
(author)
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Defective cytotoxic lymphocyte degranulation in syntaxin-11 deficient familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis 4 (FHL4) patients
- 2007
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In: Blood. - : American Society of Hematology. - 0006-4971 .- 1528-0020. ; 110:6, s. 1906-1915
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is typically an early onset, fatal disease characterized by a sepsislike illness with cytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, and deficient lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Disease-causing mutations have been identified in genes encoding perforin (PRF1/FHL2), Munc13-4 (UNC13D/FHL3), and syntaxin-11 (STX11/FHL4). In contrast to mutations leading to loss of perforin and Munc13-4 function, it is unclear how syntaxin-11 loss-of-function mutations contribute to disease. We show here that freshly isolated, resting natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells express syntaxin-11. In infants, NK cells are the predominant perforin-containing cell type. NK cells from FHL4 patients fail to degranulate when encountering susceptible target cells. Unexpectedly, IL-2 stimulation partially restores degranulation and cytotoxicity by NK cells, which could explain the less severe disease progression observed in FHL4 patients, compared with FHL2 and FHL3 patients. Since the effector T-cell compartment is still immature in infants, our data suggest that the observed defect in NK-cell degranulation may contribute to the pathophysiology of FHL, that evaluation of NK-cell degranulation in suspected FHL patients may facilitate diagnosis, and that these new insights may offer novel therapeutic possibilities.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Cumings, J., et al.
(author)
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Electric and magnetic phenomena studied by in situ transmission electron microscopy
- 2008
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In: MRS Bulletin. - 0883-7694. ; 33:2, s. 101-106
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a wide array of technologically significant materials whose response to electric and magnetic fields can make or break their utility for specific applications. Often, these electrical and magnetic properties are determined by nanoscale features that can be most effectively understood through electron microscopy studies. Here, we present an overview of the capabilities for transmission electron microscopy for uncovering information about electric and magnetic properties of materials in the context of operational devices. When devices are operated during microscope observations, a wealth of information is available about dynamics, including metastable and transitional states. Additionally, because the imaging beam is electrically charged, it can directly capture information about the electric and magnetic fields in and around devices of interest. This is perhaps most relevant to the growing areas of nanomaterials and nanodevice research. Several specific examples are presented of materials systems that have been explored with these techniques. We also provide a view of the future directions for research.
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| 17. |
- Eriksson, M, et al.
(author)
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Modeling of C IV pumped fluorescence of Fe II in symbiotic stars
- 2008
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In: Astronomy & Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 477:1, s. 255-265
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims. We describe how the C IV lambda 1548.18 line pumps the 1548.20 and 1548.41 angstrom channels of Fe II in symbiotic stars through the process known as photo-ionization by accidental resonance (PAR). We describe where and why Fe II fluorescence arises in symbiotic stars and whether the Fe II lambda 1548.41 channel can only be activated when there is a white-dwarf wind present in the system. Further, we aim to show how an analysis of the PAR-pumped lines helps to understand the phyisical conditions that they manifest. Methods. We calculate intensities of the C IV-pumped Fe II fluorescence lines in symbiotic stars, corresponding to the y(4)H(11/)2 and w(2)D(3/2) levels, based on a simple geometrical model of the emitting regions. We apply the model to seven symbiotic stars, known to have Fe II fluorescence lines pumped by C IV in their spectra. We compare the predicted intensities to the observed intensities of the selected symbiotic stars. Results. We find that we can reproduce the observed fluorescence intensities of the seven symbiotic stars in our sample, using parameters that are consistent with their known properties. We show that PAR-produced lines can be used as a diagnostic tool to derive important physical parameters of a stellar system. We suggest that the detection of Fe II lines corresponding to the w2D3/2 level in certain symbiotic stars provide evidence of hot shells expanding with velocities of at least hundreds km s(-1) in those systems.
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| 18. |
- Long, M. S., et al.
(author)
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Budding and asymmetric protein microcompartmentation in giant vesicles containing two aqueous phases
- 2008
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In: Journal of the American Chemical Society. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1520-5126 .- 0002-7863. ; 130:2, s. 756-762
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the effect of external osmolarity on giant lipid vesicles containing an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS GVs). The ATPS, which is comprised of poly(ethyleneglycol) [PEG], dextran, and water, serves as a primitive model of the macromolecularly crowded environment of the cytoplasm. Coexisting PEG-rich and dextran-rich aqueous phases provide chemically dissimilar microenvironments, enabling local differences in protein concentration to be maintained within single ATIPS GVs. The degree of biomolecule microcompartmentation can be increased by exposing the ATPS GVs to a hypertonic external solution, which draws water out of the vesicles, concentrating the polymers. Enrichment of a protein, soybean agglutinin, in the dextran-rich phase improves from 2.3-fold to 10-fold with an increase in external osmolarity from 100 to 200 mmol/kg. In some cases, budding occurs, with the bud(s) formed by partial expulsion of one of the two polymer-rich aqueous phases. Budding results in asymmetry in the internal polymer and biomolecule composition, giving rise to polarity in these primitive model cells. Budding is observed with increasing frequency as external ionic strength increases, when membrane elasticity permits, and can be reversed by decreasing external osmolarity. We note that the random symmetry-breaking induced by simple osmotic shrinkage resulted in polarity in both the structure and internal protein distribution in these primitive model cells. Budding in ATPS-containing GVs thus offers an experimental model system for investigating the effects of biochemical asymmetry on the length scale of single cells.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Rusz, Jan, et al.
(author)
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Probing the electronic structure of pure and doped CeMIn5 (M=Co,Rh,Ir) crystals with nuclear quadrupolar resonance
- 2008
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In: Physical Review B. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics. - 1098-0121 .- 1550-235X. ; 77:24, s. 245124-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report calculations of the electric-field gradients (EFGs) in pure and doped CeMIn5 (M=Co, Rh, and Ir) compounds and compare with experiment. The degree to which the Ce 4f electron is localized is treated within various models: the local-density approximation, generalized gradient approximation (GGA), GGA+U, and 4f-core approaches. We find that there is a correlation between the observed EFG and whether the 4f electron participates in the band formation or not. We also find that the EFG evolves linearly with Sn doping in CeRhIn5, suggesting the electronic structure is modified by doping. In contrast, the observed EFG in CeCoIn5 doped with Cd changes little with doping. These results indicate that nuclear quadrupolar resonance is a sensitive probe of electronic structure.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Vieira, Elaine, et al.
(author)
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Relationship between AMPK and the transcriptional balance of clock-related genes in skeletal muscle
- 2008
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In: American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : American Physiological Society. - 0193-1849 .- 1522-1555. ; 295:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Circadian clocks coordinate physiological, behavioral, and biochemical events with predictable daily environmental changes by a self-sustained transcriptional feedback loop. CLOCK and ARNTL are transcriptional activators that regulate Per and Cry gene expression. PER and CRY inhibit their own transcription, and their turnover allows this cycle to restart. The transcription factors BHLHB2 and BHLHB3 repress Per activation, whereas orphan nuclear receptors of the NR1D and ROR families control Arntl expression. Here we show the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)γ3 subunit is involved in the regulation of peripheral circadian clock function. AMPKγ3 knockout ( Prkag3−/−) mice or wild-type littermates were injected with saline or an AMPK activator, 5-amino-4-imidazole-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), and white glycolytic gastrocnemius muscle was removed for gene expression analysis. Genes involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms ( Cry2, Nr1d1, and Bhlhb2) were differentially regulated in response to AICAR in wild-type mice but remained unaltered in Prkag3−/− mice. Basal expression of Per1 was higher in Prkag3−/− mice compared with wild-type mice. Distinct diurnal changes in the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) between the light and dark phase of the day were observed in wild-type mice but not Prkag3−/− mice. In summary, the expression profile of clock-related genes in skeletal muscle in response to AICAR, as well as the diurnal shift in energy utilization, is impaired in AMPKγ3 subunit knockout mice. Our results indicate AMPK heterotrimeric complexes containing the AMPKγ3 subunit may play a specific role in linking circadian oscillators and energy metabolism in skeletal muscle.
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| 24. |
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