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The high-resolution, deflection-type mass spectrometer, Manitoba II, has been used to determine directly the mass difference {sup 136}Xe-{sup 136}Ba to be 2639.6 (0.6) {mu}u, giving Q{sub {beta}{beta}}=2458.7 (0.6) keV.
A microscopic state-of-the-art calculation of the nuclear matrix element for neutrinoless double-{beta} decay of {sup 150}Nd with an account for nuclear deformation is performed. The proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) with a realistic residual interaction [the Brueckner G matrix derived from the charge-dependent Bonn (Bonn-CD) nucleon-nucleon potential] is used as the underlying nuclear structure model. The present calculated matrix element is suppressed by about 40% as compared with our previous QRPA result for {sup 150}Nd obtained with neglect of deformation. By making use of this newest nuclear matrix element, one may conclude that neutrinoless double-{beta} decay of {sup 150}Nd, to be measured soon by the SNO+ collaboration, provides one of the best probes of the Majorana neutrino mass.
The {beta}-asymmetry parameter A-tilde for the Gamow-Teller decay of {sup 60}Co was measured by polarizing the radioactive nuclei with the brute-force low-temperature nuclear-orientation method. The {sup 60}Co activity was cooled down to milliKelvin temperatures in a {sup 3}He-{sup 4}He dilution refrigerator in an external 13-T magnetic field. The {beta} particles were observed by a 500-{mu}m-thick Si PIN diode operating at a temperature of about 10 K in a magnetic field of 0.6 T. Extensive geant4 Monte Carlo simulations were performed to gain control over the systematic effects. Our result, A-tilde=-1.014(12){sub stat}(16){sub syst}, is in agreement with the standard-model value of -0.987(9), which includes recoil-order corrections that were addressed for the first time for this isotope. Further, it enables limits to be placed on possible tensor-type charged weak currents, as well as other physics beyond the standard model.
We study the shape of {Lambda} hypernuclei in the full ({beta},{gamma}) deformation plane, including both axially symmetric and triaxial quadrupole deformations. To this end, we use the constrained Skyrme Hartree-Fock + BCS method on a three-dimensional Cartesian mesh. The potential energy surface is analyzed for carbon hypernuclei as well as for sd-shell hypernuclei such as {sub {Lambda}}{sup 27,29}Si and {sub {Lambda}}{sup 25,27}Mg. We show that the potential energy surfaces in the ({beta},{gamma}) plane of the hypernuclei and the corresponding core nuclei are similar to each other, although the addition of the {Lambda} hyperon makes the energy surface somewhat softer along the {gamma} direction.
In this paper a microscopic approach to calculation of the nuclear matrix element M{sup 0{nu}} for neutrinoless double-{beta} decay with an account for nuclear deformation is presented in length and applied for {sup 76}Ge, {sup 150}Nd, and {sup 160}Gd. The proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation with a realistic residual interaction (the Brueckner G matrix derived from the charge-depending Bonn nucleon-nucleon potential) is used as the underlying nuclear structure model. The effects of the short-range correlations and the quenching of the axial vector coupling constant g{sub A} are analyzed. The results suggest that neutrinoless double-{beta} decay of {sup 150}Nd, to be measured soon by the SNO+ Collaboration, may provide one of the best probes of the Majorana neutrino mass. This confirms our preliminary conclusion in Fang et al. [Phys. Rev. C 82, 051301(R) (2010)].
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A sensitive search of the 4-fold forbidden nonunique decay of {sup 50}V has been performed. A total mass measuring time product of 186 kg d has been accumulated. A reliable half-life value with the highest precision so far of (2.29{+-}0.25)x10{sup 17} years of the electron capture decay of {sup 50}V into the first excited state of {sup 50}Ti could be obtained. A photon emission line following the {beta} decay into the first excited state of {sup 50}Cr could not be observed, resulting in a lower limit on the half-life of the {beta}-decay branch of 1.7x10{sup 18} years. This is not in good agreement with a claimed observation of this decay branch published in 1989.
We study how leptogenesis can be implemented in a seesaw model with S{sub 4} flavor symmetry, which leads to the neutrino tribimaximal mixing matrix and degenerate right-handed (RH) neutrino spectrum. Introducing a tiny soft S{sub 4} symmetry breaking term in the RH neutrino mass matrix, we show that the flavored resonant leptogenesis can be successfully realized, which can lower the seesaw scale much so, as to make it possible to probe in colliders. Even though such a tiny soft breaking term is essential for leptogenesis, it does not significantly affect the low-energy observables. We also investigate how the effective light neutrino mass |<m{sub ee}>| associated with neutrinoless double beta decay can be predicted along with the neutrino mass hierarchies by imposing experimental data of low-energy observables. We find a direct link between leptogenesis and neutrinoless double beta decay characterized by |<m{sub ee}>| through a high energy CP phase {phi}, which is correlated with low-energy Majorana CP phases. It is shown that our predictions of |<m{sub ee}>| for some fixed parameters of high energy physics can be constrained by the current observation of baryon asymmetry.
We discuss a consistency test which makes it possible to discriminate unknown nuclear background lines from neutrinoless double beta decay with only one isotope. By considering both the transition to the ground state and to the first excited 0{sup +} state, a sufficiently large detector can reveal if neutrinoless double beta decay or some other nuclear physics process is at work. Such a detector could therefore simultaneously provide a consistency test for a certain range of Majorana masses and be sensitive to lower values of the effective Majorana mass <m{sub {nu}}{sub e}>.
The {beta}-decay half-lives of 38 neutron-rich isotopes from {sub 36}Kr to {sub 43}Tc have been measured; the half-lives of {sup 100}Kr, {sup 103-105}Sr, {sup 106-108}Y, {sup 108-110}Zr, {sup 111,112}Nb, {sup 112-115}Mo, and {sup 116,117}Tc are reported here. The results when compared with previous standard models indicate an overestimation in the predicted half-lives by a factor of 2 or more in the A{approx_equal}110 region. A revised model based on the second generation gross theory of {beta} decay better predicts the measured half-lives and suggests a more rapid flow of the rapid neutron-capture process (r-matter flow) through this region than previously predicted.
Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), also known as Hab18G, CD147, Basigin, M6, and neurothelin, is a membrane glycoprotein expressed on the surface of various cell types and many cancer cells. EMMPRIN stimulates adjacent fibroblasts and tumor cells to produce matrix metalloproteinases and plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, spermatogensis and fertilization, cell-cell adhesion and communication, and other biological processes (reviewed in Ref. 1 and references therein). It was demonstrated that the EMMPRIN extracellular domain (ECD), which structurally belongs to the IgG superfamily, can form homo-oligomers in a cis dependent manner and the N-terminal domain 1 (residues 22-101) was necessary and sufficient to mediate this interaction. The crystal structure of the ECD of recombinant human EMMPRIN (Hab18G/CD147) expressed in E. coli was reported at 2.8 {angstrom} resolution (Yu et al. 2008). The construct consists of residues 22-205 of the mature protein and has both an N-terminal IgC2 domain (ND1, residues 22-101) and a C-terminal IgC2 domain (ND2, residues 107-205). The two domains are joined by a five amino acid residue linker that constitutes a flexible hinge between the two domains. The crystal form has four copies of the molecule in the asymmetric unit, each of which has a different inter-domain angle that varies from 121{sup o} to 144{sup o}. The two domains each have a conserved disulfide bridge and both are comprised of two {beta}-sheets formed by strands EBA and GFCC, and DEBA and AGFCC for ND1 and ND2, respectively. Based on the crystal packing in this structure, the authors proposed that lateral packing between the two IgG domains of EMMPRIN ECD represents a potential mechanism for cell adhesion. Here we report the 2.0-{angstrom} crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of EMMPRIN ECD (ND1) expressed in mammalian cells. The overall structure of the domain is very similar to that in the full length ECD. Quite unexpectedly, ND1 forms a dimer mediated through the exchange of its last {beta}-strand (strand G). {beta}-strand swapping, which is a subset of 3D domain swapping, has been found to mediate cell-cell adhesion by cadherins. 3D domain swapping has been proposed to be a mechanism of protein oligomerization, aggregation, evolution of oligomeric proteins from single domains and amyloidogenesis. In domain swapped proteins, the same structural elements are involved in the final 3D structure, and so there is little overall energetic difference between the monomer and the swapped oligomers. However, there is often a high energy barrier for the conversion as it often goes through an unfolded state. It is also possible that strand-swapping occurs during folding of nascent polypeptide chains. Frequently, the exchange hinges contain proline-rich motifs which are often in high strain conformations. Domain swapping appears to be a strategy to resolve such local structural strain. The exchange hinge of ND1 contains a Pro-Glu-Pro tripeptide motif. Both of the proline residues adopt extended trans conformations, when compared with cis in the full-length ECD structure. Proline cis-trans isomerization may be the driving force for this exchange. Strand-exchanged dimerization may be a mechanism for the oligomerization of EMMPRIN ECD and its cis-dependent homophilic interactions in cell-cell adhesion.
Establishing a quantitative understanding of the determinants of affinity in protein-protein interactions remains challenging. For example, TEM-1/{beta}-lactamase inhibitor protein (BLIP) and SHV-1/BLIP are homologous {beta}-lactamase/{beta}-lactamase inhibitor protein complexes with disparate K{sub d} values (3 nM and 2 {mu}M, respectively), and a single substitution, D104E in SHV-1, results in a 1000-fold enhancement in binding affinity. In TEM-1, E104 participates in a salt bridge with BLIP K74, whereas the corresponding SHV-1 D104 does not in the wild type SHV-1/BLIP co-structure. Here, we present a 1.6 {angstrom} crystal structure of the SHV-1 D104E/BLIP complex that demonstrates that this point mutation restores this salt bridge. Additionally, mutation of a neighboring residue, BLIP E73M, results in salt bridge formation between SHV-1 D104 and BLIP K74 and a 400-fold increase in binding affinity. To understand how this salt bridge contributes to complex affinity, the cooperativity between the E/K or D/K salt bridge pair and a neighboring hot spot residue (BLIP F142) was investigated using double mutant cycle analyses in the background of the E73M mutation. We find that BLIP F142 cooperatively stabilizes both interactions, illustrating how a single mutation at a hot spot position can drive large perturbations in interface stability and specificity through a cooperative interaction network.
We make a comparative study of the neutrinoless double beta decay constraints on heavy sterile neutrinos versus other direct and indirect constraints from both lepton number conserving and violating processes, as a sensitive probe of the extent of lepton number violation and possible interference effects in the sterile sector. We introduce a phenomenological parametrisation of the simplified one-generation seesaw model with one active and two sterile neutrino states in terms of experimentally measurable quantities, such as active-sterile neutrino mixing angles, CP phases, masses and mass splittings. This simple parametrisation enables us to analytically derive a spectrum of possible scenarios between the canonical seesaw with purely Majorana heavy neutrinos and inverse seesaw with pseudo-Dirac ones. We then go on to constrain the simplified parameters of this model from various experiments at the energy, intensity and cosmic frontiers. We emphasise that the constraints from lepton number violating processes strongly depend on the mass splitting between the two sterile states and the relative CP phase between them. This is particularly relevant for neutrinoless double beta decay, which is weakened for small mass splitting and opposite CP parities between the sterile states. On the other hand, neutrinoless double beta decay is especially sensitive for Majorana sterile neutrinos with masses around 0.1-10 GeV.
Exposed crystal facets directly affect the electrochemical/catalytic performance of MnO 2 materials during their applications in supercapacitors, rechargeable batteries, and fuel cells. Currently, the facet-controlled synthesis of MnO 2 is facing serious challenges due to the lack of an in-depth understanding of their surface evolution mechanisms. Here, combining aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and high-resolution TEM, we revealed a mutual energy-driven mechanism between beta-MnO 2 nanowires and microstructures that dominated the evolution of the lateral facets in both structures. The evolution of the lateral surfaces followed the elimination of the {100} facets and increased the occupancy of {110} facets with the increase in hydrothermal retention time. Both self-growth and oriented attachment along their {100} facets were observed as two different ways to reduce the surface energies of the beta-MnO 2 structures. High-density screw dislocations with the 1/2 < 100 > Burgers vector were generated consequently. As a result, the observed surface evolution phenomenon offers guidance for the facet-controlled growth of beta-MnO 2 materials with high performances for its application in metal-air batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, etc.
Research highlights: {yields} GLP-1 prevents AGEs-induced cell death. {yields} GLP-1 prevents AGEs-induced oxidative stress. {yields} GLP-1 ameliorated AGEs-induced cell dysfunction. {yields} GLP-1 attenuates AGEs-induced RAGE increment. {yields} GLP-1 counteracts AGEs-induced pancreatic cell death and dysfunction. -- Abstract: Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs), a group of compounds resulting from the non-enzymatic reaction of reducing sugars with the free amino group of proteins, are implicated in diabetic complications. We previously demonstrated that exposure of the pancreatic islet cell line HIT-T 15 to high concentrations of AGEs significantly decreases cell proliferation and insulin secretion, and affects transcription factors regulating insulin gene transcription. The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that increases proinsulin biosynthesis, stimulates insulin secretion, and improves pancreatic beta-cell viability. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of GLP-1 on the function and viability of HIT-T 15 cells cultured with AGEs. HIT-T 15 cells were cultured for 5 days in presence of AGEs alone, or supplemented with 10 nmol/l GLP-1. Cell viability, insulin secretion, redox balance, and expression of the AGEs receptor (RAGE) were then determined. The results showed that GLP-1 protected beta cell against AGEs-induced cell death preventing both apoptosis and necrosis. Moreover, addition of GLP-1 to the AGEs culture medium restored the redox balance, improved the responsiveness to glucose, and attenuated AGEs-induced RAGE expression. These findings provide evidence that GLP-1 protects beta cells from the dangerous effects of AGEs.
Research highlights: {yields} CREB is a regulatory target for the protein kinase Akt/PKB in pancreatic duct cells. {yields} Activation of the PI3K/AKT/CREB pathway plays a critical role in the HGF-mediated differentiation of pancreatic duct cells in vivo. {yields} CREB was causally linked to the expression of transcription factors during PDEC differentiation induced by HGF. -- Abstract: We have previously reported that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is involved in hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced differentiation of adult rat pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (PDECs) into islet {beta}-cells in vitro. The transcription factor CREB is one of the downstream key effectors of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Recent studies showing that CREB is required for the survival of certain cell types prompted us to examine whether CREB is a nuclear target for activation via the HGF-dependent Ser/Thr kinase Akt/PKB in the differentiation of pancreatic duct cell into islet {beta}-cells. In this study, we first attempted to examine whether HGF modulates the Akt-dependent activation of target gene CREB and then investigated whether CREB activity affects the differentiation of HGF-induced PDECs. Finally, we studied the role of CREB in modulating the expression of transcription factors in PDECs during the differentiation of HGF-induced PDECs. Our results demonstrated that CREB is a regulatory target for the protein kinase Akt/PKB in the differentiation of pancreatic ductal cells into islet {beta}-cells mediated by HGF.
Highlights: {yields} Determination of binding properties of nuclear transport receptor/Ran-GTP complexes. {yields} Biosensor measurements provide constants for dissociation, on-rates, and off-rates. {yields} The affinity of receptors for Ran-GTP is widely divergent. {yields} Dissociation constants differ for three orders of magnitude. {yields} The cellular concentration of yeast Ran is not limiting. -- Abstract: Cargos destined to enter or leave the cell nucleus are typically transported by receptors of the importin {beta} family to pass the nuclear pore complex. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae comprises 14 members of this protein family, which can be divided in importins and exportins. The Ran GTPase regulates the association and dissociation of receptors and cargos as well as the transport direction through the nuclear pore. All receptors bind to Ran exclusively in its GTP-bound state and this event is restricted to the nuclear compartment. We determined the Ran-GTP binding properties of all yeast transport receptors by biosensor measurements and observed that the affinity of importins for Ran-GTP differs significantly. The dissociation constants range from 230 pM to 270 nM, which is mostly based on a variability of the off-rate constants. The divergent affinity of importins for Ran-GTP suggests the existence of a novel mode of nucleocytoplasmic transport regulation. Furthermore, the cellular concentration of {beta}-receptors and of other Ran-binding proteins was determined. We found that the number of {beta}-receptors altogether about equals the amounts of yeast Ran, but Ran-GTP is not limiting in the nucleus. The implications of our results for nucleocytoplasmic transport mechanisms are discussed.