Set mapping reflection

In this note we will discuss a new reflection principle which follows from the Proper Forcing Axiom. The immediate purpose will be to prove that the bounded form of the Proper Forcing Axiom implies both that 2^omega = omega_2 and that L(P(omega_1)) satisfies the Axiom of Choice. It will also be demonstrated that this reflection principle implies that combinatorial principle Square(kappa) fails for all regular kappa > omega_1.Comment: 11 page

Fork stamping of pristine carbon nanotubes onto ferromagnetic contacts for spin-valve devices

We present a fabrication scheme called 'fork stamping' optimized for the dry transfer of individual pristine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto ferromagnetic contact electrodes fabricated by standard lithography. We demonstrate the detailed recipes for a residue-free device fabrication and in-situ current annealing on suspended CNT spin-valve devices with ferromagnetic Permalloy (Py) contacts and report preliminary transport characterization and magnetoresistance experiments at cryogenic temperatures. This scheme can directly be used to implement more complex device structures, including multiple gates or superconducting contacts.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, submitted to IWEPNM 2015 conference proceedings (physica status solidi (b)

Assessing composition gradients in multifilamentary superconductors by means of magnetometry methods

We present two magnetometry-based methods suitable for assessing gradients in the critical temperature and hence the composition of multifilamentary superconductors: AC magnetometry and Scanning Hall Probe Microscopy. The novelty of the former technique lies in the iterative evaluation procedure we developed, whereas the strength of the latter is the direct visualization of the temperature dependent penetration of a magnetic field into the superconductor. Using the example of a PIT Nb3Sn wire, we demonstrate the application of these techniques, and compare the respective results to each other and to EDX measurements of the Sn distribution within the sub-elements of the wire.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures; broken hyperlinks are due to a problem with arXi

Scavenger 0.1: A Theorem Prover Based on Conflict Resolution

This paper introduces Scavenger, the first theorem prover for pure first-order logic without equality based on the new conflict resolution calculus. Conflict resolution has a restricted resolution inference rule that resembles (a first-order generalization of) unit propagation as well as a rule for assuming decision literals and a rule for deriving new clauses by (a first-order generalization of) conflict-driven clause learning.Comment: Published at CADE 201

Magnetoresistence engineering and singlet/triplet switching in InAs nanowire quantum dots with ferromagnetic sidegates

We present magnetoresistance (MR) experiments on an InAs nanowire quantum dot device with two ferromagnetic sidegates (FSGs) in a split-gate geometry. The wire segment can be electrically tuned to a single dot or to a double dot regime using the FSGs and a backgate. In both regimes we find a strong MR and a sharp MR switching of up to 25\% at the field at which the magnetizations of the FSGs are inverted by the external field. The sign and amplitude of the MR and the MR switching can both be tuned electrically by the FSGs. In a double dot regime close to pinch-off we find {\it two} sharp transitions in the conductance, reminiscent of tunneling MR (TMR) between two ferromagnetic contacts, with one transition near zero and one at the FSG switching fields. These surprisingly rich characteristics we explain in several simple resonant tunneling models. For example, the TMR-like MR can be understood as a stray-field controlled transition between singlet and a triplet double dot states. Such local magnetic fields are the key elements in various proposals to engineer novel states of matter and may be used for testing electron spin-based Bell inequalities.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Extension and reconstruction theorems for the Urysohn universal metric space

We prove some extension theorems involving uniformly continuous maps of the universal Urysohn space. We also prove reconstruction theorems for certain groups of autohomeomorphisms of this space and of its open subsets.Comment: Final and shortened version, 25 pages, to appear in Czechoslovak Math.

Controversies in the Use of Passive Immunotherapy for Bacterial Infections in the Critically Ill Patient

Several preparations of standard immunoglobulins for intravenous use have been tested as adjunctive therapy for bacterial infections in premature neonates and in critically ill adults after major surgery, trauma, and burn. The use of intravenous immunoglobulins in these settings is controversial because the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this treatment are still not definitively established. Specific preparations of immunoglobulins against Pseudomonas aeruginosa for intramuscular administration have shown promising efficacy, and preparations for intravenous administration are now under investigation. Cross-protection against a wide range of gram-negative infections has been attempted by the administration of antiserum to the core glycolipid of lipopolysaccharide prepared from volunteers immunized with the J5 mutant of Escherichia coli 0111. Treatment with this preparation improved the survival rate of patients with gram-negative bacteremia and, when administered prophylactically to high-risk surgical patients, prevented shock and death related to gram-negative infections. The mechanism of protection of the J5 antiserum is not clearly understood because of our inability to measure the actual protective antibody in polyclonal J5 antiserum. Thus, the preparation of readily available cross-protective hyperimmune immunoglobulins is hampered because there is presently no method of selecting appropriate donors or high-titered plasma pool

Causes of and diagnostic approach to methylmalonic acidurias

Summary: Several mutant genetic classes that cause isolated methylmalonic acidurias (MMAuria) are known based on biochemical, enzymatic and genetic complementation analysis. The mut0 and mut− defects result from deficiency of MMCoA mutase apoenzyme which requires adenosyl-cobalamin (Ado-Cbl) as coenzyme. The cblA, cblB and the variant 2 form of cblD complementation groups are linked to processes unique to Ado-Cbl synthesis. The cblC, cblD and cblF complementation groups are associated with defective methyl-cobalamin synthesis as well. Mutations in the genes associated with most of these defects have been described. Recently a few patients have been described with mild MMAuria associated with mutations of the MMCoA epimerase gene or with neurological symptoms due to SUCL mutations. A comprehensive diagnostic approach involves investigations at the level of metabolites, genetic complementation analysis and enzymatic studies, and finally mutation analysis. MMA levels in urine range from 10-20 mmol/mol creatinine in mild disturbances of MMA metabolism to over 20000 mmol/mol creatinine in severe MMCoA mutase deficiency, but show considerable overlap and are of limited value for differential diagnosis. The underlying defect in isolated MMAuria can be characterized in cultured skin fibroblasts using several assays, e.g. conversion of propionate to succinate, specific activity of MMCoA, cobalamin adenosyltransferase assay, cellular uptake of CN-[57Co] cobalamin and its conversion to cobalamin coenzymes and complementation analysis. The reliable characterization of patients with isolated MMAuria pinpoints the correct gene for mutation analysis. Reliable classification of these patients is essential for ongoing and future prospective studies on treatment and outcom

Comparative imipenem treatment of Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis in the rat

The efficacy of imipenem alone or in association with gentamicin against Staphylococcus aureus experimental endocarditis was compared to the efficacy of cloxacillin alone or in association with gentamicin. Parenteral treatment was started 24 h after intravenous bacterial challenge of rats with catheter-induced aortic valve vegetations. The cloxacillin MIC and MBC for Staph. aureus were 0.125 and 32 mg/l and the imipenem MIC and MBC 0.008 and 8 mg/l, respectively. In-vitro killing curves showed a synergistic effect between cloxacillin and gentamicin, and an additive effect between imipenem and gentamicin. Only large doses of cloxacillin (400 mg/kg tid) (producing serum levels above those obtained after intravenous injection of 2 g in man) achieved results comparable to those of imipenem 80 mg/kg tid (producing serum levels similar to those obtained after an intravenous dose of 750 mg in man) in reducing the bacterial numbers in vegetations after 3 and 5 days of treatment. There was a significantly greater reduction of bacterial numbers in vegetations after treatment with the association of cloxacillin and gentamicin than with cloxacillin alone. In contrast, the addition of gentamicin to imipenem did not improve significantly the results of treatment with imipenem alone, but imipenem alone was as good as the combination cloxacillin and gentamicin after 5 days of treatment. We conclude that imipenem is a highly bactericidal drug in this animal model, worth considering for clinical trials in the treatment of Staph. aureus infection