Thermally assisted quantum vortex tunneling in the Hall and dissipative regime

Quantum vortex tunneling is studied for the case where the Hall and the dissipative dynamics are simultaneously present. For a given temperature, the magnetization relaxation rate is calculated as a function of the external current and the quasiparticle scattering time. The relaxation rate is solved analytically at zero temperature and obtained numerically at finite temperatures by the variational method. In the moderately clean samples, we have found that a minimum in the relaxation rate exists at zero temperature, which tends to disappear with increase in the temperature.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Optimizing the Mixing Proportion with Neural Networks Based on Genetic Algorithms for Recycled Aggregate Concrete

This research aims to optimize the mixing proportion of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) using neural networks (NNs) based on genetic algorithms (GAs) for increasing the use of recycled aggregate (RA). NN and GA were used to predict the compressive strength of the concrete at 28 days. And sensitivity analysis of the NN based on GA was used to find the mixing ratio of RAC. The mixing criteria for RAC were determined and the replacement ratio of RAs was identified. This research reveal that the proposed method, which is NN based on GA, is proper for optimizing appropriate mixing proportion of RAC. Also, this method would help the construction engineers to utilize the recycled aggregate and reduce the concrete waste in construction process

Macroscopic quantum effects generated by the acoustic wave in a molecular magnet

We have shown that the size of the magnetization step due to resonant spin tunneling in a molecular magnet can be strongly affected by sound. The transverse acoustic wave can also generate macroscopic quantum beats of the magnetization during the field sweep.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

Time reduction effect of the enhanced TACT method for high-rise residential buildings

The finish work on high-rise residential buildings is performed simultaneously with mechanical and electrical construction work, which results in frequent work interference and delay. This significantly hinders efficient schedule management. Critical Path Method (CPM) is inefficient when applied to high-rise residential building projects in which work is repeatedly carried out for each floor. Line-of-Balance (LOB) is widely used for its effectiveness in managing repetitive work. LOB was developed into TACT and eTACT (enhanced-TACT) to combine heterogeneous works con­tinuously. In particular, the eTACT schedule management method has an advantage in that it is capable of systemati­cally connecting detailed construction, mechanical and electrical construction projects using a work planning template. This study evaluates the time reduction effect of the eTACT method for a high-rise residential building. A comparative analysis of data on 102 cases of non-applied projects and 44 cases of projects using the eTACT method over a period of 10 years is presented to verify its effectiveness. The result shows that finish work time was reduced by 25% or about 53 days on average. First published online: 18 Dec 201

A lab-on-a-disc platform enables serial monitoring of individual CTCs associated with tumor progression during EGFR-targeted therapy for patients with NSCLC

Rationale: Unlike traditional biopsy, liquid biopsy, which is a largely non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring tool, can be performed more frequently to better track tumors and mutations over time and to validate the efficiency of a cancer treatment. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are considered promising liquid biopsy biomarkers; however, their use in clinical settings is limited by high costs and a low throughput of standard platforms for CTC enumeration and analysis. In this study, we used a label-free, high-throughput method for CTC isolation directly from whole blood of patients using a standalone, clinical setting-friendly platform. Methods: A CTC-based liquid biopsy approach was used to examine the efficacy of therapy and emergent drug resistance via longitudinal monitoring of CTC counts, DNA mutations, and single-cell-level gene expression in a prospective cohort of 40 patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. Results: The change ratio of the CTC counts was associated with tumor response, detected by CT scan, while the baseline CTC counts did not show association with progression-free survival or overall survival. We achieved a 100% concordance rate for the detection of EGFR mutation, including emergence of T790M, between tumor tissue and CTCs. More importantly, our data revealed the importance of the analysis of the epithelial/mesenchymal signature of individual pretreatment CTCs to predict drug responsiveness in patients. Conclusion: The fluid-assisted separation technology disc platform enables serial monitoring of CTC counts, DNA mutations, as well as unbiased molecular characterization of individual CTCs associated with tumor progression during targeted therapy

Fabrication of core/shell ZnWO4/carbon nanorods and their Li electroactivity

Carbon-coated ZnWO4 [C-ZW] nanorods with a one-dimensional core/shell structure were synthesised using hydrothermally prepared ZnWO4 and malic acid as precursors. The effects of the carbon coating on the ZnWO4 nanorods are investigated by thermogravimetry, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The coating layer was found to be in uniform thickness of approximately 3 nm. Moreover, the D and G bands of carbon were clearly observed at around 1,350 and 1,600 cm-1, respectively, in the Raman spectra of the C-ZW nanorods. Furthermore, lithium electroactivities of the C-ZW nanorods were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling. In particular, the formed C-ZW nanorods exhibited excellent electrochemical performances, with rate capabilities better than those of bare ZnWO4 nanorods at different current rates, as well as a coulombic efficiency exceeding 98%. The specific capacity of the C-ZW nanorods maintained itself at approximately 170 mAh g-1, even at a high current rate of 3 C, which is much higher than pure ZnWO4 nanorods

Privacy Protection for Personal Health Device Communication and Healthcare Building Applications

This paper proposes a new method for protecting patient privacy when communicating with a gateway which collects bioinformation through using personal health devices, a type of biosensor for telemedicine, at home and in other buildings. As the suggested method is designed to conform with ISO/IEEE 11073-20601, which is the international standard, interoperability with various health devices was considered. We believe it will be a highly valuable resource for dealing with basic data because it suggests an additional standard for security with the Continua Health Alliance or related international groups in the future

Ratios of BB and DD Meson Decay Constants in Improved Mock Meson Model

We calculate the ratio $f_{B_s}/f_{B_d}$ by following the Oakes' method which is based on chiral symmetry breaking, but we improve his calculation by performing the calculation of the factor $$/$$ in the mock meson model. In this calculation we improved the mock meson model by using the value of the parameter $\beta$ which is obtained by the variational method in the relativistic quark model. We also calculate $f_{D_s}/f_{D_d}$, and then $(f_{B_s}/f_{B_d})\, /\, (f_{D_s}/f_{D_d})$. In this method we also obtain the ratio $f_{B_s}/f_{D_s}$ and $f_{B_d}/f_{D_d}$ which are important for the knowledge of CP violation and $B$-$\bar{B}$ mixing.Comment: 9 pages, 1 Postscript figur