2,311 research outputs found
Non-Gaussian features from the inverse volume corrections in loop quantum cosmology
In this paper we study the non-Gaussian features of the primordial
fluctuations in loop quantum cosmology with the inverse volume corrections. The
detailed analysis is performed in the single field slow-roll inflationary
models. However, our results reflect the universal characteristics of
bispectrum in loop quantum cosmology. The main corrections to the scalar
bispectrum come from two aspects: one is the modifications to the standard
Bunch-Davies vacuum, the other is the corrections to the background dependent
variables, such as slow-roll parameters. Our calculations show that the loop
quantum corrections make of the inflationary models increase
0.1%. Moreover, we find that two new shapes arise, namely and
. The former gives a unique loop quantum feature which is less
correlated with the local, equilateral and single types, while the latter is
highly correlated with the local one.Comment: matched to the published version. 30 pages, 4 figure
Evidence for a Role of Oxidative Stress in the Carcinogenicity of Ochratoxin A
The in vitro and in vivo evidence compatible with a role for oxidative stress in OTA carcinogenicity has been collected and described. Several potential oxido-reduction mechanisms have been identified in the past. More recently, the possibility of a reduction of cellular antioxidant defense has been raised as an indirect source of oxidative stress. Consequences resulting from the production of oxidative stress are observed at different levels. First, OTA exposure has been associated with increased levels of oxidative DNA, lipid, and protein damage. Second, various biological processes known to be mobilized under oxidative stress were shown to be altered by OTA. These effects have been observed in both in vitro and in vivo test systems. In vivo, active doses were often within doses documented to induce renal tumors in rats. In conclusion, the evidence for the induction of an oxidative stress response resulting from OTA exposure can be considered strong. Because the contribution of the oxidative stress response in the development of cancers is well established, a role in OTA carcinogenicity is plausible. Altogether, the data reviewed above support the application of a threshold-based approach to establish safe level of dietary human exposure to OTA
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Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III mediates head and neck cancer cell invasion via STAT3 activation.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) where aberrant signaling downstream of this receptor contributes to tumor growth. EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII) is the most commonly altered form of EGFR and contains a truncated ligand-binding domain. We previously reported that EGFRvIII is expressed in up to 40% of HNSCC tumors where it is associated with increased proliferation, tumor growth and chemoresistance to antitumor drugs including the EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibody cetuximab. Cetuximab was FDA-approved in 2006 for HNSCC but has not been shown to prevent invasion or metastasis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the mechanisms of EGFRvIII-mediated cell motility and invasion in HNSCC. We found that EGFRvIII induced HNSCC cell migration and invasion in conjunction with increased signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation, which was not abrogated by cetuximab treatment. Further investigation showed that EGF-induced expression of the STAT3 target gene HIF1-α, was abolished by cetuximab in HNSCC cells expressing wild-type EGFR under hypoxic conditions, but not in EGFRvIII-expressing HNSCC cells. These results suggest that EGFRvIII mediates HNSCC cell migration and invasion by increased STAT3 activation and induction of HIF1-α, which contribute to cetuximab resistance in EGFRvIII-expressing HNSCC tumors
Spectral properties and magneto-optical excitations in semiconductor double-rings under Rashba spin-orbit interaction
We have numerically solved the Hamiltonian of an electron in a semiconductor
double ring subjected to the magnetic flux and Rashba spin-orbit interaction.
It is found that the Aharonov-Bohm energy spectrum reveals multi-zigzag
periodic structures. The investigations of spin-dependent electron dynamics via
Rabi oscillations in two-level and three-level systems demonstrate the
possibility of manipulating quantum states. Our results show that the optimal
control of photon-assisted inter-ring transitions can be achieved by employing
cascade-type and -type transition mechanisms. Under chirped pulse
impulsions, a robust and complete transfer of an electron to the final state is
shown to coincide with the estimation of the Landau-Zener formula.Comment: RevTex, 9 pages, 5 figure
Growth of GaN films on porous SiC substrate by molecular-beam epitaxy
Porous SiC (PSiC) substrates were used for the growth of GaN by reactive molecular-beam epitaxy with ammonia as the nitrogen source. Improved quality of GaNfilms has been demonstrated for growth on PSiC substrates, as compared to that on standard 6H–SiC substrates. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction showed a reduction in dislocation density and a higher degree of lattice and thermal relaxation in the GaNfilmsgrown on porous substrates. The submicron GaNfilms exhibit a rocking curve linewidth of 3.3 arcmin for (0002) diffraction and 13.7 arcmin for (101̄2) diffraction. Low-temperature photoluminescence showed an excitonic transition with a full width at half maximum of 9.5 meV at 15 K, as well as high quantum efficiency, on the GaN layer grown on PSiC when the thin skin layer on porous SiC was removed before growth
Cosmological Scaling Solutions of Multiple Tachyon Fields with Inverse Square Potentials
We investigate cosmological dynamics of multiple tachyon fields with inverse
square potentials. A phase-space analysis of the spatially flat FRW models
shows that there exists power-law cosmological scaling solutions. We study the
stability of the solutions and find that the potential-kinetic-scaling solution
is a global attractor. However, in the presence of a barotropic fluid the
solution is an attractor only in one region of the parameter space and the
tracking solution is an attractor in the other region. We briefly discuss the
physical consequences of these results.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure, LaTeX2
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Ion selectivity of graphene nanopores
As population growth continues to outpace development of water infrastructure in many countries, desalination (the removal of salts from seawater) at high energy efficiency will likely become a vital source of fresh water. Due to its atomic thinness combined with its mechanical strength, porous graphene may be particularly well-suited for electrodialysis desalination, in which ions are removed under an electric field via ion-selective pores. Here, we show that single graphene nanopores preferentially permit the passage of K+ cations over Cl− anions with selectivity ratios of over 100 and conduct monovalent cations up to 5 times more rapidly than divalent cations. Surprisingly, the observed K+/Cl− selectivity persists in pores even as large as about 20 nm in diameter, suggesting that high throughput, highly selective graphene electrodialysis membranes can be fabricated without the need for subnanometer control over pore size
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