Effects of the Nearest-Neighbour Coulomb Interactions on the Ground State of the Periodic Anderson Model

The magnetic and non-magnetic ground states of the periodic Anderson model with Coulomb interaction between $f$-electrons on the nearest-neighbour(NN) sites are investigated using a variational method, which gives exact calculation of the expectation values in the limit of infinite dimensions. It is shown that for a critical value of NN Coulomb interactions the magnetic ground state of the periodic Anderson model in the Kondo regime is unstable. Factors in terms of the physical processes responsible for instability of the magnetic ground state are also discussed. Our study indicates the importance of the NN Coulomb interactions for correlated two band models.Comment: RevTeX, 6 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Role of defects in transport through a quantum dot single electron transistor

The effect of a single dotlike defect on the transport through a quantum dot single electron transistor weakly coupled to external leads is studied. It is found that the conductance profile is changed significantly by the quantum mechanical tunneling between the dot and the defect and the interactions between them, both of which are dependent on the distance between the dot and the defect, as also by the morphology of the defect. In particular, we find that even a very small strength of interdot interaction has a major influence on the transport and must be taken into account in device fabrication

Efektifitas Tanaman Serai (Andropogan Nardus L.) sebagai Tanaman Penolak Liriomyza Sp.(diptera : Agromizidae) pada Pertanaman Bawang Merah Lembah Pal

The research objective was to determine the effectiveness of the lemongrass plant (Andropogannardus L.) as a repellent pest plant against Liriomyza sp. At shallot cropping in Palu Valley. This study used a randomized block design within which treatments included planting lemongrass plant (PLP) at four weeks (PLP 4), two weeks before (PLP 2) and at the same time (PLP 0) of the shallot crop was planted, as well as control (with no lemongrass planting). Variables observed were the populations of adult Liriomyza sp. and the attack rate of Liriomyza sp. as well as the crop production. The results showed that five and six weeks after the shallots were planted, the population of adult and the attack rate of Liriomyza sp. were lower in the PLP 4 than in the PLP 2, PLP 0 and control treatments. The treatment plant as a crop repellent lemongrass does not affect the production of onion valley hammer.Attack rate, repellent plants, Liriomyza sp. imag

Banking on cooperation: an evolutionary analysis of microfinance loan repayment behaviour

This is the final version. Available from Cambridge University Press via the DOI in this record.Microfinance is an economic development tool that provides loans to low-income borrowers to stimulate economic growth and reduce financial hardship. Lenders typically require joint liability, where multiple borrowers share the responsibility of repaying a group loan. We propose that this lending practice creates a cooperation dilemma similar to that faced by humans and other organisms in nature across many domains. This could offer a real-world test case for evolutionary theories of cooperation from the biological sciences. In turn, such theories could provide new insights into loan repayment behaviour. We first hypothesise how group loan repayment efficacy should be affected by mechanisms of assortment from the evolutionary literature on cooperation, i.e. common ancestry (kin selection), prior interaction (reciprocity), partner choice, similarity of tags, social learning, and ecology and demography. We then assess selected hypotheses by reviewing 41 studies from 32 countries on micro-borrowers’ loan repayment, evaluating which characteristics of borrowers are associated with credit repayment behaviour. Surprisingly, we find that kinship is mostly negatively associated with repayment efficacy, but prior interaction and partner choice are both more positively associated. Our work highlights the scope of evolutionary theory to provide systematic insight into how humans respond to novel economic institutions and intervention

The ART of performance: engaging young people with assisted reproductive technologies

More children than ever before are conceived with the use of assisted reproductive technologies and many are raised in families that are structurally different from most. Research on the experiences of children growing up in diverse families has shown that children may face disapproval, a lack of understanding, and in some cases, bullying by those outside of their home environment, including from their peers at school This study evaluated the use of theatrical performance and post-performance discussions as a method of informing young people about different families. Findings indicated that performance was an effective and engaging learning tool, as it presented first-hand experiences of family diversity. Post-performance discussions were important in enabling young people to improve their understanding of different methods of Assisted Reproductive Technologies and diverse family forms. Young people were found to value engagement activities that are unbiased, interactive, and do not make them feel awkward or uncomfortable

A novel AhR ligand, 2AI, protects the retina from environmental stress.

Various retinal degenerative diseases including dry and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy are associated with the degeneration of the retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) layer of the retina. This consequently results in the death of rod and cone photoreceptors that they support, structurally and functionally leading to legal or complete blindness. Therefore, developing therapeutic strategies to preserve cellular homeostasis in the RPE would be a favorable asset in the clinic. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a conserved, environmental ligand-dependent, per ARNT-sim (PAS) domain containing bHLH transcription factor that mediates adaptive response to stress via its downstream transcriptional targets. Using in silico, in vitro and in vivo assays, we identified 2,2'-aminophenyl indole (2AI) as a potent synthetic ligand of AhR that protects RPE cells in vitro from lipid peroxidation cytotoxicity mediated by 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) as well as the retina in vivo from light-damage. Additionally, metabolic characterization of this molecule by LC-MS suggests that 2AI alters the lipid metabolism of RPE cells, enhancing the intracellular levels of palmitoleic acid. Finally, we show that, as a downstream effector of 2AI-mediated AhR activation, palmitoleic acid protects RPE cells from 4HNE-mediated stress, and light mediated retinal degeneration in mice

Self-organized stable pacemakers near the onset of birhythmicity

General amplitude equations for reaction-diffusion systems near to the soft onset of birhythmicity described by a supercritical pitchfork-Hopf bifurcation are derived. Using these equations and applying singular perturbation theory, we show that stable autonomous pacemakers represent a generic kind of spatiotemporal patterns in such systems. This is verified by numerical simulations, which also show the existence of breathing and swinging pacemaker solutions. The drift of self-organized pacemakers in media with spatial parameter gradients is analytically and numerically investigated.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION FOR STATUS ASTHMATICUS: A CASE REPORT ECMO FOR STATUS ASTHMATICUS

Technological advances in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and emerging evidence that it improves survival in adults with reversible respiratory failure compared to conventional ventilation has lead to increased utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults, usually in the context of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Refractory status asthmaticus is an uncommon indication for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We present a case of near fatal respiratory failure and hypercapnia in a 48-year-old male in status asthmaticus not responsive to optimal ventilatory treatment. The use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation resulted in full recovery with return of normal respiratory function within nine days.

On the Experimental Evidence for Possible Superconductivity in LK99

The desire to create an energy efficient world is bound to be incomplete without the discovery of a room temperature superconductor at ambient pressure. A recent report on the room-temperature ambient-pressure superconductor has inspired scientists to study the Cu doped Lead apatite named as LK-99. Here, we have synthesized Cu doped LK-99 and Ni-doped LK-99 compounds and studied their temperature dependent transport and magnetization behavior. In spite of the presence of impurity phase Cu$_2$S, the temperature dependent resistance shows an insulating nature of the sample. The radio frequency penetration depth measurement unveils the absence of diamagnetic flux expulsion in this sample. The temperature dependent ac susceptibility measurements reveal the paramagnetic nature of the Ni doped LK-99