2,132 research outputs found
Probing nuclear symmetry energy at high densities using pion, kaon, eta and photon productions in heavy-ion collisions
The high-density behavior of nuclear symmetry energy is among the most
uncertain properties of dense neutron-rich matter. Its accurate determination
has significant ramifications in understanding not only the reaction dynamics
of heavy-ion reactions especially those induced by radioactive beams but also
many interesting phenomena in astrophysics, such as the explosion mechanism of
supernova and the properties of neutron stars. The heavy-ion physics community
has devoted much effort during the last few years to constrain the high-density
symmetry using various probes. In particular, the pion-/pion+ ratio has been
most extensively studied both theoretically and experimentally. All models have
consistently predicted qualitatively that the pion-/pion+ ratio is a sensitive
probe of the high-density symmetry energy especially with beam energies near
the pion production threshold. However, the predicted values of the pion-/pion+
ratio are still quite model dependent mostly because of the complexity of
modeling pion production and reabsorption dynamics in heavy-ion collisions,
leading to currently still controversial conclusions regarding the high-density
behavior of nuclear symmetry energy from comparing various model calculations
with available experimental data. As more pion-/pion+ data become available and
a deeper understanding about the pion dynamics in heavy-ion reactions is
obtained, more penetrating probes, such as the kaon+/kaon0 ratio, eta meson and
high energy photons are also being investigated or planned at several
facilities. Here, we review some of our recent contributions to the community
effort of constraining the high-density behavior of nuclear symmetry energy in
heavy-ion collisions. In addition, the status of some worldwide experiments for
studying the high-density symmetry energy, including the HIRFL-CSR external
target experiment (CEE) are briefly introduced.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, Contribution to the Topical Issue on Nuclear
Symmetry Energy in EPJA Special Volum
Axion-meson mixing in light of recent lattice - simulations and their two-photon couplings within chiral theory
We study the mixing of the QCD/QCD-like axion and light-flavor mesons within the framework of chiral perturbation theory up to
next-to-leading order in this work. The axion-meson mixing formulas are
calculated order by order in the -expansion scheme, namely the
joint expansions of the momentum, light-quark masses and . We provide
axion-meson mixing relations in terms of the -- mixing
parameters and their masses. The recent lattice simulations on the
- systems turn out to be able to offer valuable inputs to
constrain the unknown low-energy constants. The relation of the mass and decay
constant of the axion is then further explored based on our updated
calculations. The two-photon couplings of the light-flavor mesons, together
with the axion, are also investigated in the chiral theory up to
next-to-leading order in the -counting scheme.Comment: 23 pages, 3 figure
Influences of phase transition and microstructure on dielectric properties of Bi0.5Na0.5Zr1-xTixO3 ceramics
Bismuth sodium zirconate titanate ceramics with the formula Bi0.5Na0.5Zr1-xTixO3 [BNZT], where x = 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6, were prepared by a conventional solid-state sintering method. Phase identification was investigated using an X-ray diffraction technique. All compositions exhibited complete solubility of Ti4+ at the Zr4+ site. Both a decrease of unit cell size and phase transition from an orthorhombic Zr-rich composition to a rhombohedral crystal structure in a Ti-rich composition were observed as a result of Ti4+ substitution. These changes caused dielectric properties of BNZT ceramics to enhance. Microstructural observation carried out employing SEM showed that average grain size decreased when addition of Ti increased. Grain size difference of BNZT above 0.4 mole fraction of Ti4+ displayed a significant increase of dielectric constant at room temperature
Recent Advances in 3D Graphene Architectures and Their Composites for Energy Storage Applications
Graphene is widely applied as an electrode material in energy storage fields. However, the strong π-π interaction between graphene layers and the stacking issues lead to a great loss of electrochemically active surface area, damaging the performance of graphene electrodes. Developing 3D graphene architectures that are constructed of graphene sheet subunits is an effective strategy to solve this problem. The graphene architectures can be directly utilized as binder-free electrodes for energy storage devices. Furthermore, they can be used as a matrix to support active materials and further improve their electrochemical performance. Here, recent advances in synthesizing 3D graphene architectures and their composites as well as their application in different energy storage devices, including various battery systems and supercapacitors are reviewed. In addition, their challenges for application at the current stage are discussed and future development prospects are indicated
Risk factors for high-altitude headache upon acute high-altitude exposure at 3700 m in young Chinese men: a cohort study.
BackgroundThis prospective and observational study aimed to identify demographic, physiological and psychological risk factors associated with high-altitude headache (HAH) upon acute high-altitude exposure.MethodsEight hundred fifty subjects ascended by plane to 3700 m above Chengdu (500 m) over a period of two hours. Structured Case Report Form (CRF) questionnaires were used to record demographic information, physiological examinations, psychological scale, and symptoms including headache and insomnia a week before ascending and within 24 hours after arrival at 3700 m. Binary logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors for HAH.ResultsThe incidence of HAH was 73.3%. Age (p =0.011), physical labor intensity (PLI) (p =0.044), primary headache history (p <0.001), insomnia (p <0.001), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) (p =0.001), heart rate (HR) (p =0.002), the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) (p <0.001), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) (p <0.001) were significantly different between HAH and non-HAH groups. Logistic regression models identified primary headache history, insomnia, low SaO2, high HR and SAS as independent risk factors for HAH.ConclusionsInsomnia, primary headache history, low SaO2, high HR, and high SAS score are the risk factors for HAH. Our findings will provide novel avenues for the study, prevention and treatment of HAH
The role of globular heads of the C1q receptor in HPV 16 E2-induced human cervical squamous carcinoma cell apoptosis is associated with p38 MAPK/JNK activation
BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) E2 protein is a multifunctional DNA-binding protein. HPV 16 E2 regulates many biological responses, including DNA replication, gene expression, and apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among the receptor for globular heads of the human C1q (gC1qR) gene expression, HPV 16 E2 transfection and apoptosis regulation in human cervical squamous carcinoma cells (C33a and SiHa). METHODS gC1qR expression was examined in C33a and SiHa cells using real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Apoptosis of C33a and SiHa cells was assessed by flow cytometry. C33a and SiHa cell viability, migration and proliferation were detected using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay, a transwell assay and 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA (3H-TdR), respectively. RESULTS C33a and SiHa cells that were transfected with a vector encoding HPV 16 E2 displayed significantly increased gC1qR gene expression and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)/c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation as well as up-regulation of cellular apoptosis, which was abrogated by the addition of gC1qR small interfering RNA (siRNA). Furthermore, the changes in C33a and SiHa cell viability, migration and proliferation that were observed upon HPV 16 E2 transfection were abrogated by SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) or SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) treatment. CONCLUSION These data support a mechanism whereby HPV 16 E2 induces apoptosis by silencing the gC1qR gene or inhibiting p38 MAPK/JNK signalling in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81000251) and the Nanjing Medical Science and Technique Development Foundation
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