Nonequilibrium diffusion of active particles bound to a semi-flexible polymer network: simulations and fractional Langevin equation

In a viscoelastic environment, the diffusion of a particle becomes non-Markovian due to the memory effect. An open question is to quantitatively explain how self-propulsion particles with directional memory diffuse in such a medium. Based on simulations and analytic theory, we address this issue with active viscoelastic systems where an active particle is connected with multiple semi-flexible filaments. Our Langevin dynamics simulations show that the active cross-linker displays super- and sub-diffusive athermal motion with a time-dependent anomalous exponent $\alpha$. In such viscoelastic feedback, the active particle always has superdiffusion with $\alpha=3/2$ at times shorter than the self-propulsion time ($\tau_A$). At times greater than $\tau_A$, the subdiffusion emerges with $\alpha$ bounded between $1/2$ and $3/4$. Remarkably, the active subdiffusion is reinforced as the active propulsion (Pe) is more vigorous. In the high-Pe limit, the athermal fluctuation in the stiff filament eventually leads to $\alpha=1/2$, which can be misinterpreted with the thermal Rouse motion in a flexible chain. We demonstrate that the motion of active particles cross-linking a network of semi-flexible filaments can be governed by a fractional Langevin equation combined with fractional Gaussian noise and an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck noise. We analytically derive the velocity autocorrelation function and mean-squared displacement of the model, explaining their scaling relations as well as the prefactors. We find that there exist the threshold Pe ($\mathrm{Pe}^*$) and cross-over times ($\tau^*$ and $\tau^\dagger$) above which the active viscoelastic dynamics emerge on the timescales of $\tau^* \lesssim t \lesssim \tau^\dagger$. Our study may provide a theoretical insight into various nonequilibrium active dynamics in intracellular viscoelastic environments

Secure capacity analysis for magnetic inductive coupling-based SWIPT system

Many researchers have provided meaningful insights for physical layer security (PLS) in various wireless communication systems. However, few works have carried out an intensive PLS analysis for magnetic inductive coupling (MIC)-based simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT). This paper analyzes the effect of the angular position of coils on the secure capacity of a MIC-based SWIPT system in the presence of a potential malicious power receiver. Using a simple coupling model, we analyze the maximum achievable secure capacity of a MIC-based SWIPT system when the transmitter has knowledge of the coil angular positions of the receiver and the potential eavesdropper. In addition, we expand our analysis to the case where the transmitter has only limited knowledge of the coil angular positions of the receiver and the potential eavesdropper due to the angular fluctuation of the coils. Since employing the PLS technique with a traditional security algorithm can enhance security, the analysis will provide a meaningful contribution for improving MIC-based SWIPT system security. © 2013 IEEE.1

Critical organizational success factors for public private partnership projects – a comparison of solicited and unsolicited proposals

Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects are typically initiated through solicited or unsolicited proposals. The difference between the processes according to the proposal mode often leads to different levels of involvement and responsibilities for the public and private sectors. However, no robust research exists to capture the differences, depending on the proposal mode, in the roles and involvement of project participants and the impact of those differences on project success. This study intends to explore the critical organizational success factors contributing to the success of PPP projects according to the proposal mode and to provide practical recommendations for project success from organizational perspectives. To assess the factors, 141 questionnaire surveys were conducted with participants in 32 PPP projects. The major findings indicated that “Project Implementation Capability” had the most critical influence on solicited projects, whereas “Risk Sharing and Mitigation Strategies” was the most significant in unsolicited projects. In addition, “Interorganization Coordination” among project participants was essential to the success for both solicited and unsolicited projects. Government roles and involvement were also critical, although their contributions were relatively less important than other critical organizational success factors. Based on the findings, practical recommendations were provided for the success of solicited and unsolicited projects

Using aberration test patterns to optimize the performance of EUV aerial imaging microscopes

The SEMATECH Berkeley Actinic Inspection Tool (AIT) is a prototype EUV-wavelength zoneplate microscope that provides high quality aerial image measurements of EUV reticles. To simplify and improve the alignment procedure we have created and tested arrays of aberration-sensitive patterns on EUV reticles and we have compared their images collected with the AIT to the expected shapes obtained by simulating the theoretical wavefront of the system. We obtained a consistent measure of coma and astigmatism in the center of the field of view using two different patterns, revealing a misalignment condition in the optics

Modeling Electrical Percolation to optimize the Electromechanical Properties of CNT/Polymer Composites in Highly Stretchable Fiber Strain Sensors

Abstract: A simulation model of electrical percolation through a three-dimensional network of curved CNTs is developed in order to analyze the electromechanical properties of a highly stretchable fiber strain sensor made of a CNT/polymer composite. Rigid-body movement of the curved CNTs within the polymer matrix is described analytically. Random arrangements of CNTs within the composite are generated by a Monte-Carlo simulation method and a union-find algorithm is utilized to investigate the network percolation. Consequently, the strain-induced resistance change curves are obtained in a wide strain range of the composite. In order to compare our model with experimental results, two CNT/polymer composite fibers were fabricated and tested as strain sensors. Their effective CNT volume fractions are estimated by comparing the experimental data with our simulation model. The results confirm that the proposed simulation model reproduces well the experimental data and is useful for predicting and optimizing the electromechanical characteristics of highly stretchable fiber strain sensors based on CNT/polymer composites

LAP2 Is Widely Overexpressed in Diverse Digestive Tract Cancers and Regulates Motility of Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND: Lamina-associated polypeptides 2 (LAP2) is a nuclear protein that connects the nuclear lamina with chromatin. Although its critical roles in genetic disorders and hematopoietic malignancies have been described, its expression and roles in digestive tract cancers have been poorly characterized. METHODS: To examine the expression of LAP2 in patient tissues, we performed immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. To examine motility of cancer cells, we employed Boyden chamber, wound healing and Matrigel invasion assays. To reveal its roles in metastasis in vivo, we used a liver metastasis xenograft model. To investigate the underlying mechanism, a cDNA microarray was conducted. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry in patient tissues showed widespread expression of LAP2 in diverse digestive tract cancers including stomach, pancreas, liver, and bile duct cancers. Real-time PCR confirmed that LAP2β is over-expressed in gastric cancer tissues. Knockdown of LAP2β did not affect proliferation of most digestive tract cancer cells except pancreatic cancer cells. However, knockdown of LAP2β decreased motility of all tested cancer cells. Moreover, overexpression of LAP2β increased motility of gastric and pancreatic cancer cells. In the liver metastasis xenograft model, LAP2β increased metastatic efficacy of gastric cancer cells and mortality in tested mice. cDNA microarrays showed the possibility that myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) and interleukin6 (IL6) may mediate LAP2β-regulated motility of cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: From the above results, we conclude that LAP2 is widely overexpressed in diverse digestive tract cancers and LAP2β regulates motility of cancer cells and suggest that LAP2β may have utility for diagnostics and therapeutics in digestive tract cancers

Contributions of Public Investment to Economic Growth and Productivity

Whereas a large variety of previous studies show mixed results regarding the relationship between public investment and economic outcome, several studies have been conducted on related issues in Korea. The present study deals with the effect of public investment in Korea on economic growth and productivity. Using administrative data, it exploits three different methodologies: the total factor productivity approach, production function approach, and stochastic frontier production function approach. The results of this study show that public investment has a statistically significant effect on economic growth. However, it contributes little to enhance productivity. It is explained that there exists inefficiency of production in the Korean economy. These findings indicate that public investment has played a central role in the direct input factor and not in indirect role in Korea. Thus, it is necessary for public investment policies to concentrate on enhancing the efficiency of the Korean economy