Superconducting transition of a two-dimensional Josephson junction array in weak magnetic fields

The superconducting transition of a two-dimensional (2D) Josephson junction array exposed to weak magnetic fields has been studied experimentally. Resistance measurements reveal a superconducting-resistive phase boundary in serious disagreement with the theoretical and numerical expectations. Critical scaling analyses of the $IV$ characteristics indicate contrary to the expectations that the superconducting-to-resistive transition in weak magnetic fields is associated with a melting transition of magnetic-field-induced vortices directly from a pinned-solid phase to a liquid phase. The expected depinning transition of vortices from a pinned-solid phase to an intermediate floating-solid phase was not observed. We discuss effects of the disorder-induced random pinning potential on phase transitions of vortices in a 2D Josephson junction array.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures (EPS+JPG format), RevTeX

Superconducting phase transitions in frustrated Josephson-junction arrays on a dice lattice

Transport measurements are carried out on dice Josephson-junction arrays with the frustration index $f=1/3$ and 1/2 which possess, within the limit of the $XY$ model, an accidental degeneracy of the ground states as a consequence of the formation of zero-energy domain walls. The measurements demonstrate that both the systems undergo a phase transition to a superconducting vortex-ordered state at considerably high temperatures. The experimental findings are in apparent contradiction with the theoretical expectation that frustration effects in the $f=1/3$ system are particularly strong enough to suppress a vortex-ordering transition down to near zero temperature. The data for $f=1/2$ are more consistent with theoretical evaluations. The agreement between the experiments and the Monte Carlo simulations of a $XY$ model for $f=1/3$ suggests that the order-from-disorder mechanism for the removal of an accidental degeneracy may still be effective in the $f=1/3$ system. The transport data also reveal that the dice arrays with zero-energy domain walls experience a much slower critical relaxation than other frustrated arrays only with finite-energy walls.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

High Frequency Jet Ventilation of One Lung using a Bronchial Blocker of Univent during Carinal Resection

Airway management during carinal resection should provide adequate ventilation and oxygenation as well as a good surgical field, but without complications such as barotraumas or aspiration. One method of airway management is high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) of one lung or both lungs. We describe a patient undergoing carinal resection, who was managed with HFJV of one lung, using a de-ballooned bronchial blocker of a Univent tube without cardiopulmonary compromise. HFJV of one lung using a bronchial blocker of a Univent tube is a simple and safe method which does not need additional catheters to perform HFJV and enables the position of the stiffer bronchial blocker more stable in airway when employed during carinal resection

Relationship Between Earlobe Crease and Brachial-ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Non-hypertensive, Non-diabetic Adults in Korea

OBJECTIVES: Several studies have found a significant association between the presence of earlobe crease (ELC) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Brachial-ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (baPWV) is a non-invasive and useful measure of arterial stiffness predicting cardiovascular events and mortality. However, few studies have reported the relationship between ELC and baPWV as a new measure of arterial stiffness. the purpose of this study was to determine whether ELC is related to baPWV in non-diabetic, non-hypertensive, and apparently healthy Korean adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 573 non-hypertensive, non-diabetic Korean adults aged 20-80 yr. Subjects were stratified into three groups according to gender and menopausal status. baPWV was measured by an automatic waveform analyser. the association between ELC and baPWV was assessed by multiple linear regression analysis after adjusting for conventional cardiovascular disease risk factors including age, gender, blood pressure, lipid profile, and smoking status etc. RESULTS: the overall frequency of ELC was 19.02% and the subjects with ELC showed significantly higher mean baPWV (p<0.0001). Multiple linear regression of subjects revealed that the presence of ELC was independently associated with baPWV (male, p<0.0001; premenopausal female p=0.0162; postmenopausal female p=0.0208). CONCLUSION: ELC had a significant correlation with baPWV, independently controlling for other classical cardiovascular risk factors in adults aged 20 yr or older. ELC is an important surrogate marker of increased arterial stiffness as measured by baPWV in Korean adults.ope

Effect of changes in monitor unit rate and energy on dose rate of total marrow irradiation based on Linac volumetric arc therapy

Background This study set out to evaluate the effect of dose rate on normal tissues (the lung, in particular) and the variation in the treatment efficiency as determined by the monitor unit (MU) and energy applied in Linac-based volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) total marrow irradiation (TMI). Methods Linac-based VMAT plans were generated for the TMI for six patients. The planning target volume (PTV) was divided into six sub-volumes, each of which had their own isocenter. To examine the effect of the dose rate and energy, a range of MU rates (40, 60, 80, 100, 300, and 600 MU/min) were selected for 6, 10, and 15 MV. All the plans were verified by portal dosimetry. Results The dosimetric parameters for the target and normal tissue were consistent in terms of the energy and MU rate. The beam-on time was changed from 59.6 to 6 min for 40 and 600 MU/min. When 40 MU/min was set for the lung, the dose rate delivered to the lung was less than 6 cGy/min (that is, 90%), while the beam-on time was approximately 10 min. The percentage volume of the lung receiving 20 cGy/min was 1.47, 3.94, and 6.22% at 6, 10, and 15 MV, respectively. However, for 600 MU/min, the total lung volume received over 6 cGy/min regardless of the energy, and over 20 cGy/min for 10 and 15 MV (i.e., 54.4% for 6 MV). Conclusions In TMI treatment, reducing the dose rate administered to the lung can decrease the incidence of pulmonary toxicity. To reduce the probability of normal tissue complications, the selection of the lowest MU rate is recommended for fields including the lung. To minimize the total treatment time, the maximum MU rate can be applied to other fields.This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIP) (no. 2017M2A2A7A02020641) and the National R&D Program for Cancer Control, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (no. HA 16C0025)

A Probiotic Mixture Regulates T Cell Balance and Reduces Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms in Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a complex etiology involving the immune response. Recent studies have demonstrated the role of certain probiotics in the treatment and prevention of AD. However, the mechanism by which these probiotics regulate the immune system remains unclear. In this study, we examined the immunomodulatory capacity of Duolac ATP, a mixed formulation of probiotics, both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that the expression of programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1) was significantly upregulated on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) treated with Duolac ATP. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-beta were both upregulated when BMDCs were treated with Duolac ATP. The percentage of proliferated regulatory T cells (Tregs) was enhanced when CD4+ T cells were co-cultured with Duolac ATP-treated BMDCs on plates coated with anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies. Intriguingly, IL-10 secretion from CD4+ T cells was also observed. The AD symptoms, histologic scores, and serum IgE levels in AD mice were significantly decreased after oral treatment with Duolac ATP. Moreover, the Th1-mediated response in AD-induced mice treated with oral Duolac ATP showed upregulation of IL-2 and IFN-gamma as well as of downstream signaling molecules T-bet, STAT-1, and STAT-4. Conversely, Duolac ATP suppressed Th2 and Th17 responses in AD-like mice, as evidenced by the downregulation of GATA-3, C-maf, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-17. Additionally, Duolac ATP increased the number of Tregs found at Peyer’s patches (PP) in treated AD mice. These results suggest that Duolac ATP modulates DCs to initiate both Th1 and Treg responses in AD mice. Thus, Duolac ATP represents a potential preventative agent against AD and could serve as an effective immunomodulator in AD patients

Analysis of the Relationship between Cerebellar Volume and Psychological Parameters in 20s Male Adults

AbstractThis study measured the cerebellar volume of normal male adults in 20s with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analysed the relationship between cerebellar volume and various psychological parameters. The cerebellar volume of 58 males (mean age, 24.0-2.8 years) was measured using MRI. The Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) and the Component of Type A Behavior tests were performed. Using linear regression analysis, the relationship between cerebellar volume and psychological parameters was analysed. As phobic anxiety and ambition increased, cerebellar volume of normal male subjects in 20s decreased. This study showed that for even normal male adults, there exists a possible relationship between various psychological parameters and cerebellar volume

Photocatalytic degradation of polyamide 66 : evaluating the feasibility of photocatalysis as a microfibre-targeting technology

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as main contributors to releasing microfibres into the environment, however, WWTPs do not have microfibre-targeting technologies. In this study, photocatalysis is evaluated as a potential technology to treat microfibres in WWTPs by studying the degradation of polyamide 66 (PA66) microfibres using ultraviolet (UV) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). PA66 microfibres suspended in deionised water were exposed to different combinations of UV and TiO2. The degradation of the PA66 microfibres was monitored by changes in mass, carbonyl index and morphology using microbalance, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The formation of by-products from the degradation of the fibres was evaluated by measuring the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the treated water. The degradation efficiency was optimised under UVC with a dose of 100 mg TiO2/L. Under these conditions, the PA66 microfibres presented a 97% mass loss within 48 h. The photocatalytic conditions applied generated a relatively low level of by-products (10 mg/L of COD). Therefore, photocatalysis with TiO2 an UVC could potentially be a feasible technology to treat microfibres in WWTPs, although more investigation is required to establish if this treatment leads to the formation of nanofibres. Further work is needed to translate the present optimised conditions to WWTPs