Evidence of topological superconductivity in planar Josephson junctions

Majorana zero modes are quasiparticle states localized at the boundaries of topological superconductors that are expected to be ideal building blocks for fault-tolerant quantum computing. Several observations of zero-bias conductance peaks measured in tunneling spectroscopy above a critical magnetic field have been reported as experimental indications of Majorana zero modes in superconductor/semiconductor nanowires. On the other hand, two dimensional systems offer the alternative approach to confine Ma jorana channels within planar Josephson junctions, in which the phase difference {\phi} between the superconducting leads represents an additional tuning knob predicted to drive the system into the topological phase at lower magnetic fields. Here, we report the observation of phase-dependent zero-bias conductance peaks measured by tunneling spectroscopy at the end of Josephson junctions realized on a InAs/Al heterostructure. Biasing the junction to {\phi} ~ {\pi} significantly reduces the critical field at which the zero-bias peak appears, with respect to {\phi} = 0. The phase and magnetic field dependence of the zero-energy states is consistent with a model of Majorana zero modes in finite-size Josephson junctions. Besides providing experimental evidence of phase-tuned topological superconductivity, our devices are compatible with superconducting quantum electrodynamics architectures and scalable to complex geometries needed for topological quantum computing.Comment: main text and extended dat

Diet and bone mineral density study in postmenopausal women from the TwinsUK registry shows a negative association with a traditional English dietary pattern and a positive association with wine

Background: The effect of diet on bone mineral density (BMD) remains controversial, mainly because of difficulties in isolating dietary factors from the confounding influences of age, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to use a novel method to examine the relation between BMD and diet. Design: A co-twin control study design with linear regression modeling was used to test for associations between BMD and habitual intakes of calcium, vitamin D, protein, and alcohol plus 5 previously identified dietary patterns in postmenopausal women from the TwinsUK registry. This approach exploited the unique matching of twins to provide an estimate of an association that was not confounded by age, genetic background, or shared lifestyle. Results: In >2000 postmenopausal women (BMD data on 1019, 1218, and 1232 twin pairs at the hip neck, hip, and spine, respectively), we observed a positive association between alcohol intake (from wine but not from beer or spirits) and spine BMD (P = 0.01) and a negative association with a traditional 20th-century English diet at the hip neck (P = 0.01). Both associations remained borderline significant after adjustment for mean twin-pair intakes (P = 0.04 and P = 0.055, respectively). Other dietary patterns and intakes of calcium, vitamin D, and protein were unrelated to BMD. Conclusion: Our results showed that diet has an independent but subtle effect on BMD; wine intake was positively associated with spine BMD, whereas a traditional (20th-century) English diet had a negative association with hip BMD

Cardiac magnetic resonance findings predict increased resource utilization in elective coronary artery bypass grafting

Morbidity following CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting) is difficult to predict and leads to increased healthcare costs. We hypothesized that pre-operative CMR (cardiac magnetic resonance) findings would predict resource utilization in elective CABG. Over a 12-month period, patients requiring elective CABG were invited to undergo CMR 1 day prior to CABG. Gadolinium-enhanced CMR was performed using a trueFISP inversion recovery sequence on a 1.5 tesla scanner (Sonata; Siemens). Clinical data were collected prospectively. Admission costs were quantified based on standardized actual cost/day. Admission cost greater than the median was defined as 'increased'. Of 458 elective CABG cases, 45 (10%) underwent pre-operative CMR. Pre-operative characteristics [mean (S.D.) age, 64 (9) years, mortality (1%) and median (interquartile range) admission duration, 7 (6–8) days] were similar in patients who did or did not undergo CMR. In the patients undergoing CMR, eight (18%) and 11 (24%) patients had reduced LV (left ventricular) systolic function by CMR [LVEF (LV ejection fraction) <55%] and echocardiography respectively. LE (late enhancement) with gadolinium was detected in 17 (38%) patients. The average cost/day was $2723. The median (interquartile range) admission cost was$19059 ($10891–157917). CMR LVEF {OR (odds ratio), 0.93 [95% CI (confidence interval), 0.87–0.99]; P=0.03} and SV (stroke volume) index [OR 1.07 (95% CI, 1.00–1.14); P=0.02] predicted increased admission cost. CMR LVEF (P=0.08) and EuroScore tended to predict actual admission cost (P=0.09), but SV by CMR (P=0.16) and LV function by echocardiography (P=0.95) did not. In conclusion, in this exploratory investigation, pre-operative CMR findings predicted admission duration and increased admission cost in elective CABG surgery. The cost-effectiveness of CMR in risk stratification in elective CABG surgery merits prospective assessment

Eltrombopag for Thrombocytopenia in Patients with Cirrhosis Associated with Hepatitis C

Background Eltrombopag is a new, orally active thrombopoietin-receptor agonist that stimulates thrombopoiesis. We evaluated its ability to increase platelet counts and facilitate treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with thrombocytopenia associated with HCV-related cirrhosis. Methods Seventy-four patients with HCV-related cirrhosis and platelet counts of 20,000 to less than 70,000 per cubic millimeter were randomly assigned to receive eltrombopag (30, 50, or 75 mg daily) or placebo daily for 4 weeks. The primary end point was a platelet count of 100,000 per cubic millimeter or more at week 4. Peginterferon and ribavirin could then be initiated, with continuation of eltrombopag or placebo for 12 additional weeks. Results At week 4, platelet counts were increased to 100,000 per cubic millimeter or more in a dose-dependent manner among patients for whom these data were available: in 0 of the 17 patients receiving placebo, in 9 of 12 (75%) receiving 30 mg of eltrombopag, in 15 of 19 (79%) receiving 50 mg of eltrombopag, and in 20 of 21 (95%) receiving 75 mg of eltrombopag (P\u3c0.001). Antiviral therapy was initiated in 49 patients (in 4 of 18 patients receiving placebo, 10 of 14 receiving 30 mg of eltrombopag, 14 of 19 receiving 50 mg of eltrombopag, and 21 of 23 receiving 75 mg of eltrombopag) while the administration of eltrombopag or placebo was continued. Twelve weeks of antiviral therapy, with concurrent receipt of eltrombopag or placebo, were completed by 36%, 53%, and 65% of patients receiving 30 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg of eltrombopag, respectively, and by 6% of patients in the placebo group. The most common adverse event during the initial 4 weeks was headache; thereafter, the adverse events were those expected with interferon-based therapy. Conclusions Eltrombopag therapy increases platelet counts in patients with thrombocytopenia due to HCV-related cirrhosis, thereby permitting the initiation of antiviral therapy. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00110799.

The Grizzly, September 5, 2000

Freshman Clustering: Ideal Living or Mission Impossible? • 2 Major Additions Make Debut this Fall • UC Online Generates Digital Excitement • Fitness House Hopes to Spark Student Interest in Athletics • Fountain Near Pfahler in the Works for Next Summer • Summer in Cambridge, Paris Unforgettable • New Professor Added in Computer Science Department • Opinion: Is Cheerleading a Sport??; Campaign 2000: Eye on Education; The Lesson is in the Language: The Republican Educational Plan • Summer Concert Review: Dave Matthews Band Spectacular at the Vet • International Film Festival Set to Begin at UC • Women\u27s Soccer Invincible at Invitational • Men Win Opener, Drop Heartbreaker • Uphill Battle Ahead for Cross Country Squad • Volleyball Team Dlgs out a Win in Virginia • Football Ranked Second in Conference Preseason Poll • Athlete of the Week: Krista Bailey • Meningitis: What UC Students Need to Know • UC Sophomore Reflects on Horrors of Freshman Fifteen • Rough Start for Bears\u27 Field Hockeyhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1470/thumbnail.jp

A Report on the Seminar on Demand for Farm Products

This report includes papers presented and discussed at a seminar on demand for farm products, The seminar was sponsored by the Center for Agricultural Adjustment of the Division of Agriculture, Iowa State College, The seminar met for two hours per week for three months during the spring quarter. The seminar was organized to include about 60 members formally designated by the committee. These seminar members, as well as a formal discussant for each topic, evaluated the presentation at each session.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/card_reports/1001/thumbnail.jp

CRUW chemical pulping sub-project 1: the influence of xylan on the sensitivity towards fiber damage

The aim of this study was to determine if the presence and position of xylan in the fiber wall are of importance for the degree of damage introduced into fibers during mechanical action in the cook. Kraft pulps from spruce with different amounts of xylan have been produced in the laboratory, either by adding birch xylan in different positions in the cook or by redistribution of spruce xylan. At the end of the cook, fiber damages were introduced by subjecting the fibers to shear and compression forces. The extra birch xylan had adsorbed on the fiber surfaces, the outer fiber walls (presumably S1/primary wall) as well as on the fiber cell lumen wall. Xylan penetration into the fiber wall was very low. A large variation in coverage of surface xylan within the fibers and between fibers was noted. No significant difference between pulps produced in the different ways or between the pulps produced with or without mechanical treatment could however be observed. The extra xylan added resulted as expected in an improved tensile strength development for these pulps. No direct indications were seen that the extra xylan added during the cook resulted in a lower amount of introduced damaged areas. But some positive tendencies could be noted for the pulps produced with extra xylan added including: a lower kink/mm and lower amount of cleavage/fiber measured by the HCL method; and the zero-span level and tear-tensile relationship were not inferior compared to the reference despite the higher xylan content. The removal and subsequent re-introduction of xylan into the cook seemed to negatively influence the strength properties, i.e. the tear-tensile relationship was inferior compared to the reference pulp. The redistribution procedure may have drained the fiber wall of xylan negatively influencing the strength propertie

The Grizzly, November 2, 2000

Students Rally to End Sexual Assault, Violence • Homecoming Case Closed, all Charges Dropped • Scuffle at Duryea Still Being Investigated • UC House of Horrors: Children Enjoy Ghoulish Experience • Operation Christmas Child • Goldstein Appointed Hillel Director • Study Abroad in London, Florence Next Fall • Annual Halloween Decorating Contest Winners Announced • Opinions: Where\u27s the Rush? Shortening of Rushing Activities has Some Greeks Angry, Upset; Up in Smoke: Non-smokers Fed up with UC Students Lighting up; Gore Does More to Combat Hate Crimes; Are we too old for Halloween?; A Vote for Al Gore is a Vote for our Future; Don\u27t Waste Your Vote on Majority Party Candidates, Elect Nader Nov. 7; Amidst Campus Safety Concerns, are IDs the Answer?; Rewards of Mideast Outweigh Risks for one UC Student • Students Make MTV Debut on \u27Total Request Live\u27 • Gone with the Wind: Bears Drop Heartbreaker to Mules on Blustery Day • It\u27s Madness!: Hoops Squad Scores Big with Annual Slam-dunk, Kick-off Festivities • Volleyball Drops Season Finale to Conference Rival • Men\u27s Soccer Falls to Fords • Men\u27s Lacrosse Gears up for Spring Season • Breast Cancer: What College Students Need to Know • Annual Health Fair Acquires new Name, Attitude • Tips for Female Lifters to Make it big in the Weight Room • Bears Field Hockey Rocks Rider, Finishes Season with Patriot League Win • XC Takes on WMC Course at Conference Champshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1477/thumbnail.jp