16,226 research outputs found
Locate QCD Critical End Point in a Continuum Model Study
With a modified chemical potential dependent effective model for the gluon
propagator, we try to locate the critical end point (CEP) of strongly
interacting matter in the framework of Dyson-Schwinger equations (DSE). Beyond
the chiral limit, we find that Nambu solution and Wigner solution could coexist
in some area. Using the CornwallJackiw-Tomboulis (CJT) effective action, we
show that these two phases are connected by a first order phase transition. We
then locate CEP as the end point of the first order phase transition line.
Meanwhile, based on CJT effective action, we give a direct calculation for the
chiral susceptibility and thereby study the crossover.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures; Version published in JHE
A Robust Quantum Random Access Memory
A "bucket brigade" architecture for a quantum random memory of memory
cells needs times of quantum manipulation on control circuit nodes
per memory call. Here we propose a scheme, in which only average times
manipulation is required to accomplish a memory call. This scheme may
significantly decrease the time spent on a memory call and the average overall
error rate per memory call. A physical implementation scheme for storing an
arbitrary state in a selected memory cell followed by reading it out is
discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
N′-(4-Cyanobenzylidene)thiophene-2-carbohydrazide
The title compound, C13H9N3OS, was prepared by the reaction of thiophene-2-carbohydrazide and 4-formylbenzonitrile. The dihedral angle between the benzene and thiophene rings is 11.9 (1)°. In the crystal structure, molecules are linked into centrosymmetric dimers by pairs of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds
NMDA receptor internalization down-regulates NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic responses through the inhibition of remaining (non-internalized) surface NMDA receptors
Cell-surface protein endocytosis is critically involved in the regulation of organismal homeostasis, immune responses, development and neurotransmission [1,2,3,4]. Mechanisms underlying the endocytosis of cell surface proteins have been extensively investigated. However, until very recently no study has reported how non-internalized cell surface proteins may behave following endocytosis of same type of proteins. Here, we highlight findings that regulated NMDA receptor (NMDAR) internalization not only reduces the amount of NMDARs expressed on neuronal surface but also through activating PKD1 pathway phosphorylates and down-regulates remaining (non-internalized) surface NMDARs. This down-regulation of remaining surface NMDARs plays a critical role in the modulation of NMDAR-mediated synaptic responses by NMDAR internalization
Access to aff ordable medicines after health reform: evidence from two cross-sectional surveys in Shaanxi Province,western China
Background Limited access to essential medicines is a global problem. Improving availability and aff ordability of
essential medicines is a key objective of the National Essential Medicine Policy (NEMP) in China. In its initial
implementation in 2009, the NEMP targeted primary hospitals with policies designed to increase availability of
essential medicines and reduce patients’ economic burden from purchasing medicines. We assessed medicine
availability and price during the early years of the health reform in Shaanxi Province in underdeveloped western
China.
Methods We undertook two public (hospitals) and private (pharmacy) sector surveys of prices and availability of
medicines, in September, 2010 and April, 2012, by a standard methodology developed by WHO and Health Action
International. We measured medicine availability in outlets at the time of the surveys and infl ation-adjusted median unit
prices (MUPs), taking 2010 as the base year. We used general estimating equations to calculate the signifi cance of
diff erences in availability from 2010 to 2012 and the Wilcoxon signed rank test to calculate the signifi cance of diff erences
in adjusted median prices.
Findings We collected data from 50 public sector hospitals and 36 private sector retail pharmacies in 2010 and 72 public
hospitals and 72 retail pharmacies in 2012. Mean availability of surveyed medicines was low in both the public and
private sectors; availability of many essential medicines decreased from 2010 to 2012, particularly in primary hospitals
(from 27·4% to 22·3% for lowest priced generics; p<0·0001). The MUPs of originator brands and their generic
equivalents decreased signifi cantly from 2010 to 2012 in primary hospitals in comparison with secondary and tertiary
hospitals. In the public sector, the median adjusted patient price was signifi cantly lower in 2012 than in 2010 for
16 originator brands (diff erence –11·7%; p=0·0019) and 29 lowest-priced generics (–5·2%; p=0·0015); the median
government procurement price for originator brands also decreased signifi cantly (–10·9%; p=0·0004), whereas the
decrease in median procurement price for lowest-priced generics was not signifi cant (–4·9%; p=0·17). In the private
sector, the median percentage decrease in price between 2010 and 2012 for 38 lowest-priced generics was 4·7%
(IQR 6·3–13·2), compared with 7·9% (4·9–13·9) for 16 originator brands.
Interpretation Although infl ation-adjusted medicine prices were numerically lower, there were concerning decreases
in availability of lowest-priced generic medicines in both the public and private sectors in 2012 from already low availability in 2010. A long-term, stable, and consistent information system is needed to monitor eff ects of further implementation of the Chinese Essential Medicine Policy
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