2,152 research outputs found
Quantum rotor description of the Mott-insulator transition in the Bose-Hubbard model
We present the novel approach to the Bose-Hubbard model using the
quantum rotor description. The effective action formalism
allows us to formulate a problem in the phase only action and obtain an
analytical formulas for the critical lines. We show that the nontrivial
phase field configurations have an impact on the phase
diagrams. The topological character of the quantum field is governed by terms
of the integer charges - winding numbers. The comparison presented results to
recently obtained quantum Monte Carlo numerical calculations suggests that the
competition between quantum effects in strongly interacting boson systems is
correctly captured by our model.Comment: accepted to PR
A unified evaluation of iterative projection algorithms for phase retrieval
Iterative projection algorithms are successfully being used as a substitute
of lenses to recombine, numerically rather than optically, light scattered by
illuminated objects. Images obtained computationally allow aberration-free
diffraction-limited imaging and the possibility of using radiation for which no
lenses exist. The challenge of this imaging technique is transfered from the
lenses to the algorithms. We evaluate these new computational ``instruments''
developed for the phase retrieval problem, and discuss acceleration strategies.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, revte
Normal zone in -coated conductors
We consider the distribution of an electric field in YBCO-coated conductors
for a situation in which the DC transport current is forced into the copper
stabilizer due to a weak link -- a section of the superconducting film with a
critical current less than the transport current. The electric field in the
metal substrate is also discussed. The results are compared with recent
experiments on normal zone propagation in coated conductors for which the
substrate and stabilizer are insulated from each other. The potential
difference between the substrate and stabilizer, and the electric field in the
substrate outside the normal zone can be accounted for by a large screening
length in the substrate, comparable to the length of the sample. During a
quench, the electric field inside the interface between YBCO and stabilizer, as
well as in the buffer layer, can be several orders of magnitude greater than
the longitudinal macroscopic electric field inside the normal zone. We
speculate on the possibility of using possible microscopic electric discharges
caused by this large (kV/cm) electric field as a means to detect a
quench.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure
Exploring Halo Substructure with Giant Stars III: First Results from the Grid Giant Star Survey and Discovery of a Possible Nearby Sagittarius Tidal Structure in Virgo
We describe first results of a spectroscopic probe of selected fields from
the Grid Giant Star Survey. Multifiber spectroscopy of several hundred stars in
a strip of eleven fields along delta approximately -17^{circ}, in the range 12
<~ alpha <~ 17 hours, reveals a group of 8 giants that have kinematical
characteristics differing from the main field population, but that as a group
maintain coherent, smoothly varying distances and radial velocities with
position across the fields. Moreover, these stars have roughly the same
abundance, according to their MgH+Mgb absorption line strengths. Photometric
parallaxes place these stars in a semi-loop structure, arcing in a contiguous
distribution between 5.7 and 7.9 kpc from the Galactic center. The spatial,
kinematical, and abundance coherence of these stars suggests that they are part
of a diffuse stream of tidal debris, and one roughly consistent with a wrapped,
leading tidal arm of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy.Comment: 8 pages including 4 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ
Evaluation of p53 protein expression as a marker for long-term prognosis in colorectal carcinoma.
Mutation of the p53 gene is reported to be of prognostic importance in colorectal carcinomas. Immunohistochemical staining of the accumulated p53 gene product may be a simple alternative for p53 mutation analysis. Previous studies addressing the prognostic importance of p53 expression, however, yielded contradictory results. Therefore, we evaluated the importance of p53 expression as a marker for long-term prognosis in a well-characterised study population of 109 colorectal carcinomas. After antigen retrieval with target unmasking fluid (TUF), immunostaining of p53 was performed with both monoclonal antibody DO7 and polyclonal antibody CM1. Objective quantification of the p53 signal was assessed by a computerised image analyser. p53 expression was higher in non-mucinous tumours than in mucinous tumours (p53 labelling index = 30% and 17% respectively, P = 0.05), and in metastatic tumours compared with non-metastatic tumours (p53 labelling index = 37% and 22% respectively, P = 0.05). Other histopathological features were not related to p53 expression. In multivariate analysis, Dukes' stage (P = 0.02) and histological grade (P = 0.05) stood out as independent markers for prognosis. p53 expression was not an independent marker for prognosis. At present, p53 expression is not a useful marker for long-term prognosis. Further insight into the relationship between p53 mutations and p53 expression is needed to elucidate more precisely the clinical relevance of p53 alterations
The effects of superconductor-stabilizer interfacial resistance on quench of current-carrying coated conductor
We present the results of numerical analysis of a model of normal zone
propagation in coated conductors. The main emphasis is on the effects of
increased contact resistance between the superconducting film and the
stabilizer on the speed of normal zone propagation, the maximum temperature
rise inside the normal zone, and the stability margins. We show that with
increasing contact resistance the speed of normal zone propagation increases,
the maximum temperature inside the normal zone decreases, and stability margins
shrink. This may have an overall beneficial effect on quench protection quality
of coated conductors. We also briefly discuss the propagation of solitons and
development of the temperature modulation along the wire.Comment: To be published in Superconductor Science and Technology. This
preprint contains one animated figure (Fig. 6(a)). when asked whether you
want to play the content, click "Play". Acrobat Reader (Windows and Mac, but
not Linux) will play embedded flash movies. In the printed copy Fig. 6(b)
will show the temperature profile at gamma t=15
Force-matched embedded-atom method potential for niobium
Large-scale simulations of plastic deformation and phase transformations in
alloys require reliable classical interatomic potentials. We construct an
embedded-atom method potential for niobium as the first step in alloy potential
development. Optimization of the potential parameters to a well-converged set
of density-functional theory (DFT) forces, energies, and stresses produces a
reliable and transferable potential for molecular dynamics simulations. The
potential accurately describes properties related to the fitting data, and also
produces excellent results for quantities outside the fitting range. Structural
and elastic properties, defect energetics, and thermal behavior compare well
with DFT results and experimental data, e.g., DFT surface energies are
reproduced with less than 4% error, generalized stacking-fault energies differ
from DFT values by less than 15%, and the melting temperature is within 2% of
the experimental value.Comment: 17 pages, 13 figures, 7 table
Acrolein depletes the neuropeptides CGRP and substance P in sensory nerves in rat respiratory tract.
The mammalian respiratory tract is densely innervated by autonomic and sensory nerves around airways and blood vessels. Subsets of these nerves contain a number of putative neurotransmitter peptides, such as substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in sensory nerves and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), possibly serving autonomic functions. CGRP is also found in endocrine cells in rat airway epithelium. These peptides are all pharmacologically potent effectors of bronchial and vascular smooth muscle and bronchial secretion. Their functions in vivo are less well established. We have therefore examined the effects of inhaled acrolein, a sensory irritant, on three pulmonary neuropeptides: CGRP, substance P, and VIP. Groups of rats (n = 3 each) were exposed for 10 min to acrolein in air (Ct = 510, 1858, and 5693 mg.min/m3) or to air alone. Fifteen minutes later they were killed (pentabarbitone IP) and their respiratory tracts were dissected and fixed in 0.4% p-benzoquinone solution. Cryostat sections were stained by indirect immunofluorescence for a general nerve marker (PGP 9.5) and neuropeptides. The acrolein-treated animals had a dose-related decrease in tracheal substance P- and CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers compared with controls. No change was seen in total nerve fiber distribution and number (PGP 9.5) or VIP immunoreactivity, nor in CGRP-immunoreactive epithelial endocrine cells. It is concluded that the rat tracheal peptidergic nerves are a sensitive indicator of inhaled irritant substances. Their reduced immunoreactivity may be because of a release of sensory neuropeptides that could play a role in the physiological response to irritant or toxic compounds
Lip rounding in Amoy and Mandarin high vowels: maximum dispersion, or adequate separation
There are two hypotheses about the relationship between phonological contrasts and phonetic feature scales. Some phoneticians propose that values are chosen so that contrasting phonemes are maximally separated, e.g., Lilijencrants and Lindblom, 1972, while others claim that they need only to be adequately separated, e.g., Maddieson, 1977. This paper tests the competing hypotheses by comparing lip position in Mandarin [i], [y], [u] with that of Amoy [i] and [u]. According to adequate separation, the lip spreadness/roundness of Mandarin will be more extreme than that of Amoy, since there are three high vowels in Mandarin but only two in Amoy. According to the maximum dispersion hypothesis, the degree of roundness should be the same in both languages. Amoy and Mandarin data were collected from three bilingual speakers. The results support the Adequate Separation Theory. This paper also tests Wood's (1986) claim that in a language with two high rounded vowels, /u/ and /y/, /u/ is more rounded than /y/. The result shows that this claim is not necessarily true
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