60,612 research outputs found
VLF scattering from red sprites: application of numerical modelling
No full textRed sprites were discovered by chance in 1989 when a low-light TV system was pointed above an active thunderstorm. Red sprites are associated with columns of ionization in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide, from above the thunderstorm into the D region of the ionosphere. The ionized columns have been detected through “VLF sprites,” perturbations of the phase and/or amplitude of subionospheric VLF transmissions, which can be used to study the electrical properties of red sprites. There is extensive experimental evidence that VLF sprites may involve wide scattering angles and can produce back scattered radiation. Here we present a numerical and theoretical study of me scattering of subionospheric VLF transmissions caused by the plasma columns associated with red sprites. Comparison of the VLF scattering from sprites is made between a non-Born rigorous model which assumes the sprites are infinite columns of constant conductivity, and a three dimensional Born scattering code. Both formulations show excellent agreement with one another. The formulations predict VLF sprites similar to those experimentally observed for all scattering angles. This shows that the conclusions of previous studies into VLF sprites making use of the non-Born formulations of Rodger et al. [1997a, b] are valid. The modeling provides strong evidence that red sprite plasma is highly ionized in comparison with the ambient nighttime ionosphere, being nearly 5 orders of magnitude greater than the ambient at some heights
Measurement of the ratio of prompt χ c to J / ψ production in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV
No full textThe prompt production of charmonium χ c and J / ψ states is studied in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 7 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. The χ c and J / ψ mesons are identified through their decays χ c → J / ψ γ and J / ψ → μ + μ - using 36 pb - 1 of data collected by the LHCb detector in 2010. The ratio of the prompt production cross-sections for χ c and J / ψ, σ (χ c → J / ψ γ) / σ (J / ψ), is determined as a function of the J / ψ transverse momentum in the range 2 < p T J / ψ < 15 GeV / c. The results are in excellent agreement with next-to-leading order non-relativistic expectations and show a significant discrepancy compared with the colour singlet model prediction at leading order, especially in the low p T J / ψ region
Simulations of DNA coiling around a synthetic supramolecular cylinder that binds in the DNA major groove
No full textIn this work we present the results of a molecular simulation study of the interaction between a tetracationic bis iron((II)) supramolecular cylinder, [Fe-2(C25H20N4)(3)](4+), and DNA. This supramolecular cylinder has been shown to bind in the major groove of DNA and to induce dramatic coiling of the DNA. The simulations have been designed to elucidate the interactions that lead the cylinder to target the major groove and that drive the subsequent DNA conformational changes. Three sets of multi-nanosecond simulations have been performed: one of the uncomplexed d(CCCCCTTTTTCC)d(GGAAAAAGGGGG) dodecamer; one of this DNA complexed with the cylinder molecule; and one of this DNA complexed with a neutralised version of the cylinder. Coiling of the DNA was observed in the DNA-cylinder simulations, giving insight into the molecular level nature of the supramolecular coiling observed experimentally. The cylinder charge was found not to be essential for the DNA coiling, which implies that the DNA response is moderated by the short range interactions that define the molecular shape. Cylinder charge did, however, affect the integrity of the DNA duplex, to the extent that, under some circumstances, the tetracationic cylinder induced defects in the DNA base pairing at locations adjacent to the cylinder binding site
Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes and their modes of interaction with DNA : is there a correlation between these interactions and the antitumor activity of the compounds?
No full textVarious interaction modes between a group of six ruthenium polypyridyl complexes and DNA have been studied using a number of spectroscopic techniques. Five mononuclear species were selected with formula [Ru(tpy) L1L2](2-n)?, and one closely related dinuclear cation of formula [{Ru(apy)(tpy)}2{l-H2N(CH2)6NH2}]4?. The ligand tpy is 2,20:60,200-terpyridine and the ligand L1 is a bidentate ligand, namely, apy (2,20-azobispyridine), 2-phenylazopyridine, or 2-phenylpyridinylmethylene amine. The ligand L2 is a labile monodentate ligand, being Cl-, H2O, or CH3CN. All six species containing a labile L2 were found to be able to coordinate to the DNA model base 9-ethylguanine by 1H NMR and mass spectrometry. The dinuclear cationic species, which has no positions available for coordination to a DNA base, was studied for comparison purposes. The interactions between a selection of four representative complexes and calf-thymus DNA were studied by circular and linear dichroism. To explore a possible relation between DNA-binding ability and toxicity, all compounds were screened for anticancer activity in a variety of cancer cell lines, showing in some cases an activity which is comparable to that of cisplatin. Comparison of the details of the compound structures, their DNA binding, and their toxicity allows the exploration of structure–activity relationships that might be used to guide optimization of the activity of agents of this class of compounds
Shape effects on the activity of synthetic major-groove binding ligands
No full textIn this work we present the results of a molecular simulation study of two different tetracationic bis iron(II) supramolecular cylinders interacting with DNA. One cylinder has been shown to bind in the major groove of DNA and to induce dramatic coiling of the DNA; the second is a derivative of the first, with additional methyl groups attached so as to give a larger cylinder-radius. The simulations show that both cylinders bind strongly to the major groove of the DNA, and induce complex structural changes in A-T rich regions. Whereas the parent cylinder tends to bind along the major groove, the derivatised cylinder tends to twist so that only one end remains within the major groove. Both G-C rich and A-T rich binding sites for the derivatised cylinder are discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Evidence for the decay B0→J/ψω and measurement of the relative branching fractions of meson decays to J/ψη and J/ψη′
No full textFirst evidence of the B 0 → J / ψ ω decay is found and the B s 0 → J / ψ η and B s 0 → J / ψ η ′ decays are studied using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb -1 collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of sqrt(s) = 7 TeV. The branching fractions of these decays are measured relative to that of the B 0 → J / ψ ρ 0 decay:frac(B (B 0 → J / ψ ω), B (B 0 → J / ψ ρ 0)) = 0.89 ± 0.19 (stat) - 0.13 + 0.07 (syst),frac(B (B s 0 → J / ψ η), B (B 0 → J / ψ ρ 0)) = 14.0 ± 1.2 (stat) - 1.5 + 1.1 (syst) - 1.0 + 1.1 (frac(f d, f s)),frac(B (B s 0 → J / ψ η ′), B (B 0 → J / ψ ρ 0)) = 12.7 ± 1.1 (stat) - 1.3 + 0.5 (syst) - 0.9 + 1.0 (frac(f d, f s)), where the last uncertainty is due to the knowledge of f d / f s, the ratio of b-quark hadronization factors that accounts for the different production rate of B 0 and B s 0 mesons. The ratio of the branching fractions of B s 0 → J / ψ η ′ and B s 0 → J / ψ η decays is measured to befrac(B (B s 0 → J / ψ η ′), B (B s 0 → J / ψ η)) = 0.90 ± 0.09 (stat) - 0.02 + 0.06 (syst)
Measurement of the time-dependent CP asymmetry in B0 -> J/ψ KS0 decays
No full textThis Letter reports a measurement of the CP violation observables SJ/ψK0S and CJ/ψK0S in the decay channel B0→J/ψK0S performed with 1.0 fb−1 of pp collisions at s√=7 TeV collected by the LHCb experiment. The fit to the data yields SJ/ψK0S=0.73±0.07(stat)±0.04(syst) and CJ/ψK0S=0.03±0.09(stat)±0.01(syst). Both values are consistent with the current world averages and within
expectations from the Standard Model
Regional and cellular distribution of ephrin-B1 in adult mouse brain
No full textThe membrane-bound proteins ephrins and their receptors, Eph receptor tyrosine kinases, are
known for their key role during development of the central nervous system (CNS). Ligand/
receptor interactions as a result of cell–cell contacts activate intracellular signalling pathways
which mediate specific cellular responses. Activation can occur bidirectionally in both the
receptor and the ligand-bearing cells. Eph receptor and ephrin families have been implicated
in synaptic plasticity in themature brain: effects include long-term potentiation/depression of
excitatory transmission (LTP/LTD) and an action on the structure and number of synaptic
contacts. However, due to the redundancy of binding between receptors and ligands, the role
of individual proteins has not yet been completely elucidated. Ephrin-B1 has been suggested
to play a role in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, but its expression and localization at
pre- or post-synaptic sites has been poorly documented, most likely due to the apparent low
activity of the corresponding gene in mature brain. Here we present immunohistochemical
data demonstrating a broad but highly regulated cellular distribution of ephrin-B1 in the
mature mouse brain. We show that ephrin-B1 is expressed post-synaptically on dendritic
spines in the cortex, supporting a role in synaptic plasticity in this region. However, the
prevalent extra-synaptic distribution in regions such as the hippocampus and cerebellum
suggests an additional structural role, perhaps at the neuron/glia interface
Letter from J. E. Gavin to Louis C. Cramton regarding Sale of Bright Angel Trail
No full textLetter from J. E. Gavin to Louis C. Cramton regarding the Bright Angel Trail controversy, including newspaper clipping
- …
