Topological Objects in Holographic QCD

We study topological objects in holographic QCD based on the Sakai-Sugimoto model, which is constructed with $N_c$ D4 branes and $N_f$ D8/$\bar{\rm D8}$ branes in the superstring theory, and is infrared equivalent to 1+3 dimensional massless QCD. Using the gauge/gravity duality, holographic QCD is described as 1+4 dimensional U($N_f$) gauge theory in flavor space with a background gravity, and its instanton solutions correspond to baryons. First, using the Witten Ansatz, we reduce holographic QCD into a 1+2 dimensional Abelian Higgs theory in a curved space and consider its topological aspect. We numerically obtain the Abrikosov vortex solution and investigate single baryon properties. Second, we study a single meron and two merons in holographic QCD. The single meron carrying a half-integer baryon number is found to have a infinite energy also in holographic QCD. We propose a new-type baryon excitation of the two-merons oscillation in the extra-direction of holographic QCD.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figure

Numerical analysis of a baryon and its dilatation modes in holographic QCD

We investigate a baryon and its dilatation modes in holographic QCD based on the Sakai-Sugimoto model, which is expressed as a 1+4 dimensional U($N_f$) gauge theory in the flavor space. For spatially rotational symmetric systems, we apply a generalized version of the Witten Ansatz, and reduce 1+4 dimensional holographic QCD into a 1+2 dimensional Abelian Higgs theory in a curved space. In the reduced theory, the holographic baryon is described as a two-dimensional topological object of an Abrikosov vortex. We numerically calculate the baryon solution of holographic QCD using a fine and large lattice with spacing of 0.04 fm and size of 10 fm. Using the relation between the baryon size and the zero-point location of the Higgs field in the description with the Witten Ansatz, we investigate a various-size baryon through this vortex description. As time-dependent size-oscillation modes (dilatation modes) of a baryon, we numerically obtain the lowest excitation energy of 577 MeV and deduce the dilatational excitation of a nucleon to be the Roper resonance N$^*$(1440).Comment: 22 pages, 14 figure

Differential data on the responsiveness of multiple cell types to cell death induced by non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma-activated solutions

A discovery that cells die of a novel and distinctive process, along with some characteristic events, such as cellular shrinkage and Programmed cell death 4 disappearance, has been done by using non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma-activated solutions [1]. Data on the responsiveness of multiple cell types to the induction of cellular shrinkage and cell death and the loss of Programmed cell death 4 by exposure to the non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma-activated solutions were collected. Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, murine myoblast C2C12 cells, and murine embryonic fibroblasts were cultured for various periods in each of the non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma-activated solutions and then examined by light field microscopic observation for their effects on cell morphology, by Trypan blue dye exclusion assay for those on cell death, and by Western blotting for those on Programmed cell death 4 disappearance. The data clarified some differences in the responsiveness to the induction of cellular shrinkage, cell death, and Pdcd4 disappearance by all the non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma-activated solutions among the cells

The GIF Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) Evaluation Methodology: Status, Applications and Outlook

Methodologies have been developed within the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) to support the assessment and improvement of system performance in the areas of sustainability, safety and reliability, economics, proliferation resistance and physical protection (PR&PP). The last of these four areas was assigned to the GIF Working Group on Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PRPPWG). The PRPPWG developed the methodology through a series of development and demonstration case studies, by use of a hypothetical “Example Sodium Fast Reactor” (ESFR). This is a generic design of Generation IV reactor based on the US Advanced Fast Reactor (AFR) developed by Argonne National Laboratory. The PR&PP ESFR assessment was the first opportunity to exercise the full methodology on a complete system, and many insights were gained from the process. In particular, the approach of breaking the assessment into subtasks, each focusing on a separate area of PR&PP (for PR: diversion, misuse, breakout; for PP: theft and sabotage) handled by a dedicated subgroup with diverse international membership, was useful in generating new insights and concept development. In addition, over the past few years various national and international groups have applied the methodology to inform nuclear energy system designs, as well as to support the development of approaches to advanced safeguards. A number of international workshops have also been held which have introduced the methodology to design groups and other stakeholders. In this paper we summarize the PR&PP methodology, its application to the ESFR case study, and other accomplishments of the PRPPWG. Current challenges with the efficient implementation of the methodology are outlined, along with the path forward for increasing its accessibility to a broader stakeholder audience - including supporting the next generation of skilled professionals in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and security.JRC.G.II.7-Nuclear securit

Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Presenting as Hydrops Fetalis

Abstract Background Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FLH) is an autosomal recessive disorder of immune regulation that leads to a hyperinflammatory syndrome. Fetal onset FHL is extremely rare and is considered to be the most severe form of FHL. Case We report a preterm case of FHL that presented as hydrops fetalis. The infant was treated with a chemotherapy regimen based on the HLH-2004 protocol from the third day of life. However, he had persistent cytopenia and died on the 18th day of life due to bacteremia. The detection of defective perforin expression in the patient's natural killer cells and mutations in the PRF1 gene resulted in a molecular diagnosis of FHL. Conclusion We suggest that early diagnosis and the development of an appropriate immunosuppressive strategy that can induce and maintain remission until hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be performed are required to improve the outcomes of fetal onset FHL

A study of evaluating specific tissue oxygen saturation values of gastrointestinal tumors by removing adherent substances in oxygen saturation imaging.

ObjectivesOxygen saturation (OS) imaging is a new method of endoscopic imaging that has clinical applications in oncology which can directly measure tissue oxygen saturation (Sto2) of the surface of gastrointestinal tract without any additional drugs or devices. This imaging technology is expected to contribute to research into cancer biology which leads to clinical benefit such as prediction to efficacy of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, adherent substances on tumors such as blood and white coating, pose a challenge for accurate measurements of the StO2 values in tumors. The aim of this study was to develop algorithms for discriminating between the tumors and their adherent substances, and to investigate whether it is possible to evaluate the tumor specific StO2 values excluding adherent substances during OS imaging.MethodsWe plotted areas of tumors and their adherent substances using white-light images of 50 upper digestive tumors: blood (68 plots); reddish tumor (83 plots); white coating (89 plots); and whitish tumor (79 plots). Scatter diagrams and discriminating algorithms using spectrum signal intensity values were constructed and verified using validation datasets. StO2 values were compared between the tumors and tumor adherent substances using OS images of gastrointestinal tumors.ResultsThe discriminating algorithms and their accuracy rates (AR) were as follows: blood vs. reddish tumor: Y> - 4.90X+7.13 (AR: 95.9%) and white coating vs. whitish tumor: YConclusionsOS imaging is strongly influenced by adherent substances for evaluating the specific StO2 value of tumors; therefore, it is important to eliminate the information of adherent substances for clinical application of OS imaging