Thermodynamics, strange quark matter, and strange stars

Because of the mass density-dependence, an extra term should be added to the expression of pressure. However, it should not appear in that of energy according to both the general ensemble theory and basic thermodynamic principle. We give a detail derivation of the thermodynamics with density-dependent particle masses. With our recently determined quark mass scaling, we study strange quark matter in this new thermodynamic treatment, which still indicates a possible absolute stability as previously found. However, the density behavior of the sound velocity is opposite to the previous finding, but consistent with one of our recent publication. We have also studied the structure of strange stars using the obtained equation of state.Comment: 6 pages, 6 PS figures, REVTeX styl

Quasi-long-range order in the random anisotropy Heisenberg model: functional renormalization group in 4-\epsilon dimensions

The large distance behaviors of the random field and random anisotropy O(N) models are studied with the functional renormalization group in 4-\epsilon dimensions. The random anisotropy Heisenberg (N=3) model is found to have a phase with the infinite correlation radius at low temperatures and weak disorder. The correlation function of the magnetization obeys a power law < m(x) m(y) >\sim |x-y|^{-0.62\epsilon}. The magnetic susceptibility diverges at low fields as \chi \sim H^{-1+0.15\epsilon}. In the random field O(N) model the correlation radius is found to be finite at the arbitrarily weak disorder for any N>3. The random field case is studied with a new simple method, based on a rigorous inequality. This approach allows one to avoid the integration of the functional renormalization group equations.Comment: 12 pages, RevTeX; a minor change in the list of reference

Deciphering Museums, Politics and Impact

This paper makes a contribution towards deciphering the relationship between museums, politics and impact. I suggest that this is akin to that between three languages in the early nineteenth century: Greek, Demotic and Hieroglyphs. I argue that museums should be taken much more seriously by the discipline of politics and international relations. This paper begins with an analysis of the REF 2014 Impact Case Studies submitted under the Politics and International Studies Unit of Assessment. Thereafter, it looks at how museums have been examined in the field of politics and international relations. Finally, it outlines some of the benefits and opportunities of scholars in the field engaging with museums in terms of their research, as potential collaborators, and as partners for knowledge transfer and impactful activities – within and outwith the strictures of the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF)

High‐affinity interactions and signal transduction between Aβ oligomers and TREM2

Abstract Rare coding variants in the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) are associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but how they confer this risk remains uncertain. We assessed binding of TREM2, AD‐associated TREM2 variants to various forms of Aβ and APOE in multiple assays. TREM2 interacts directly with various forms of Aβ, with highest affinity interactions observed between TREM2 and soluble Aβ42 oligomers. High‐affinity binding of TREM2 to Aβ oligomers is characterized by very slow dissociation. Pre‐incubation with Aβ is shown to block the interaction of APOE. In cellular assays, AD‐associated variants of TREM2 reduced the amount of Aβ42 internalized, and in NFAT assay, the R47H and R62H variants decreased NFAT signaling activity in response to Aβ42. These studies demonstrate i) a high‐affinity interaction between TREM2 and Aβ oligomers that can block interaction with another TREM2 ligand and ii) that AD‐associated TREM2 variants bind Aβ with equivalent affinity but show loss of function in terms of signaling and Aβ internalization