Quantum Criticality from in-situ Density Imaging

We perform large-scale Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations for strongly interacting bosons in a 2D optical lattice trap, and confirm an excellent agreement with the benchmarking in-situ density measurements by the Chicago group [1]. We further present a general finite temperature phase diagram both for the uniform and the trapped systems, and demonstrate how the universal scaling properties near the superfluid(SF)-to-Mott insulator(MI) transition can be observed by analysing the in-situ density profile. The characteristic temperature to find such quantum criticality is estimated to be of the order of the single-particle bandwidth, which should be achievable in the present or near future experiments. Finally, we examine the validity regime of the local fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT), which can be a used as a thermometry in the strongly interacting regime.Comment: 4 page

Differential expression of centrosomal proteins at different stages of human glioma

BACKGROUND: High-grade gliomas have poor prognosis, requiring aggressive treatment. The aim of this study is to explore mitotic and centrosomal dysregulation in gliomas, which may provide novel targets for treatment. METHODS: A case-control study was performed using 34 resected gliomas, which were separated into low- and high-grade groups. Normal human brain tissue was used as a control. Using immunohistochemical analysis, immunofluorescent microscopy, and RT-PCR, detection of centrins 1 and 2, γ-tubulin, hNinein, Aurora A, and Aurora B, expression was performed. Analysis of the GBM8401 glioma cell line was also undertaken to complement the in vivo studies. RESULTS: In high-grade gliomas, the cells had greater than two very brightly staining centrioles within large, atypical nuclei, and moderate-to-strong Aurora A staining. Comparing with normal human brain tissue, most of the mRNAs expression in gliomas for centrosomal structural proteins, including centrin 3, γ-tubulin, and hNinein isoforms 1, 2, 5 and 6, Aurora A and Aurora B were elevated. The significant different expression was observed between high- and low-grade glioma in both γ-tubulin and Aurora A mRNA s. In the high-grade glioma group, 78.6% of the samples had higher than normal expression of γ-tubulin mRNA, which was significantly higher than in the low-grade glioma group (18.2%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Markers for mitotic dysregulation, such as supernumerary centrosomes and altered expression of centrosome-related mRNA and proteins were more frequently detected in higher grade gliomas. Therefore, these results are clinically useful for glioma staging as well as the development of novel treatments strategies

Design and performance of an ultrahigh vacuum spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscope with a hybrid vibration isolation system

A spectroscopic imaging-scanning tunneling microscope (SI-STM) allows the atomic scale visualization of surface electronic and magnetic structure of novel quantum materials with high energy resolution. To achieve the optimal performance, low vibration facility is required. Here, we describe the design and the performance of an ultrahigh vacuum STM system supported by a hybrid vibration isolation system that consists of a pneumatic passive and a piezoelectric active vibration isolation stages. The STM system is equipped with a 1K pot cryogenic insert and a 9 Tesla superconducting magnet, capable of continuous SI-STM measurements for 7 days. A field ion microscopy system is installed for in situ STM tip treatment. We present the detailed vibrational noise analysis of the hybrid vibration isolation system and demonstrate the performance of our STM system by taking high resolution spectroscopic maps and topographic images on several quantum materials. Our results establish a new strategy to achieve an effective vibration isolation system for high-resolution STM and other scanning probe microscopy to investigate the nanoscale quantum phenomena

Sequence Variants of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Gamma Gene and the Clinical Courses of Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

Background. PPAR-single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reportedly play an important role in determining metabolic risk among diverse population. Whether PPAR-SNPs affect the clinical courses in ESRD patients is unknown. Methods. From a multicenter cohort, we identified 698 patients with prevalent ESRD between 2002 and 2003, and other 782 healthy subjects as control. Two PPAR-SNPs, Pro12Ala (rs1801282) and C161T (rs3856806), were genotyped and their association with ESRD was examined. Both groups were prospectively followed until 2007, and the predictability of genotypes for the long-term survival of ESRD patients was analyzed. Results. After multivariable-adjusted regression, GG genotype of Pro12Ala was significantly more likely to associate with ESRD ( &lt; 0.001) among patients with non-diabetes-related ESRD. Cox&apos;s proportional hazard regression showed that both Pro12Ala and C161T polymorphisms were significant predictors of mortality in ESRD patients with DM (Pro12Ala: GG versus other genotypes, hazard ratio [HR] &lt;0.01; &lt; 0.001; for C161T, CC versus TT genotypes, HR 2.86; &lt; 0.001; CT versus TT genotypes, HR 1.93; &lt; 0.001). Conclusion. This is the first and largest study to evaluate PPAR-SNPs in ESRD patients. Further mechanistic study is needed to elucidate the role of PPAR-among ESRD patients