A thermodynamically consistent quasi-particle model without density-dependent infinity of the vacuum zero point energy

In this paper, we generalize the improved quasi-particle model proposed in J. Cao et al., [ Phys. Lett. B {\bf711}, 65 (2012)] from finite temperature and zero chemical potential to the case of finite chemical potential and zero temperature, and calculate the equation of state (EOS) for (2+1) flavor Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) at zero temperature and high density. We first calculate the partition function at finite temperature and chemical potential, then go to the limit $T=0$ and obtain the equation of state (EOS) for cold and dense QCD, which is important for the study of neutron stars. Furthermore, we use this EOS to calculate the quark-number density, the energy density, the quark-number susceptibility and the speed of sound at zero temperature and finite chemical potential and compare our results with the corresponding ones in the existing literature

Roles of Pyruvate, NADH, and Mitochondrial Complex I in Redox Balance and Imbalance in β

Pancreatic β cells not only use glucose as an energy source, but also sense blood glucose levels for insulin secretion. While pyruvate and NADH metabolic pathways are known to be involved in regulating insulin secretion in response to glucose stimulation, the roles of many other components along the metabolic pathways remain poorly understood. Such is the case for mitochondrial complex I (NADH/ubiquinone oxidoreductase). It is known that normal complex I function is absolutely required for episodic insulin secretion after a meal, but the role of complex I in β cells in the diabetic pancreas remains to be investigated. In this paper, we review the roles of pyruvate, NADH, and complex I in insulin secretion and hypothesize that complex I plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of β cell dysfunction in the diabetic pancreas. This hypothesis is based on the establishment that chronic hyperglycemia overloads complex I with NADH leading to enhanced complex I production of reactive oxygen species. As nearly all metabolic pathways are impaired in diabetes, understanding how complex I in the β cells copes with elevated levels of NADH in the diabetic pancreas may provide potential therapeutic strategies for diabetes

Analysis of the Transmutation of Chinese Archetypes in The Woman Warrior

Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior is a rich tapestry of Chinese literary archetypes interwoven with the fabric of American culture, reflecting the complex identity of Chinese Americans. The use of archetypal figures such as Hua Mulan and Yue Fei serves multiple purposes: they represent the struggle against racial discrimination, embody the resistance to cultural invasion, and symbolize the quest for a unique ethnic voice within the immigrant experience. The article will explore the major Chinese archetypes in The Woman Warrior and the reasons why these archetypes undergo transformation and change

Quantum logical gates with four-level SQUIDs coupled to a superconducting resonator

We propose a way for realizing a two-qubit controlled phase gate with superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) coupled to a superconducting resonator. In this proposal, the two lowest levels of each SQUID serve as the logical states and two intermediate levels of each SQUID are used for the gate realization. We show that neither adjustment of SQUID level spacings during the gate operation nor uniformity in SQUID parameters is required by this proposal. In addition, this proposal does not require the adiabatic passage or a second-order detuning and thus the gate is much faster.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Diagnostic Accuracy of CEUS LI-RADS for the Characterization of Liver Nodules 20 mm or Smaller in Patients at Risk for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: American College of Radiology contrast agent–enhanced US Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS) was developed to improve the accuracy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis at contrast agent2enhanced US. However, to the knowledge of the authors, the diagnostic accuracy of the system in characterization of liver nodules 20 mm or smaller has not been fully evaluated. Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS LI-RADS in diagnosing HCC in liver nodules 20 mm or smaller in patients at risk for HCC. Materials and Methods: Between January 2015 and February 2018, consecutive patients at risk for HCC presenting with untreated liver nodules 20 mm or less were enrolled in this retrospective double-reader study. Each nodule was categorized according to the CEUS LI-RADS and World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB)–European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) criteria. Diagnostic performance of CEUS LI-RADS and WFUMB-EFSUMB characterization was evaluated by using tissue histologic analysis, multiphase contrast-enhanced CT and MRI, and imaging follow-up as reference standard and compared by using McNemar test. Results: The study included 175 nodules (mean diameter, 16.1 mm 6 3.4) in 172 patients (mean age, 51.8 years 6 10.6; 136 men). The sensitivity of CEUS LR-5 versus WFUMB-EFSUMB criteria in diagnosing HCC was 73.3% (95% confidence inter-val [CI]: 63.8%, 81.5%) versus 88.6% (95% CI: 80.9%, 94%), respectively (P, .001). The specificity of CEUS LR-5 versus WFUMB-EFSUMB criteria was 97.1% (95% CI: 90.1%, 99.7%) versus 87.1% (95% CI: 77%, 94%), respectively (P = .02). No malignant lesions were found in CEUS LR-1 and LR-2 categories. Only two nodules (of 41; 5%, both HCC) were malignant in CEUS LR-3 category. The incidences of HCC in CEUS LR-4, LR-5, and LR-M were 48% (11 of 23), 98% (77 of 79), and 75% (15 of 20), respectively. Two of 175 (1.1%) histologic analysis2confirmed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas were categorized as CEUS LR-M by CEUS LI-RADS and misdiagnosed as HCC by WFUMB-EFSUMB criteria. Conclusion: The contrast-enhanced US Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS) algorithm was an effective tool for characterization of small (≤20 mm) liver nodules in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Compared with World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology2European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology criteria, CEUS LR-5 demonstrated higher specificity for diagnosing small HCCs with lower sensitivity

Effect of suction chamber baffles on pressure fluctuations in a low specific speed centrifugal pump

In order to study the effect of suction chamber baffles on hydraulic performance and unsteady characteristics in a low specific speed centrifugal pump, a model pump was design with enlarging flow mothed and four schemes of suction baffle, including no baffle (scheme 0), only one baffle in the suction (scheme 1), two baffles (scheme 2) and three baffles in the suction (scheme 3), were considered. Commercial code FLUENT was applied to simulate the flow of the pump. RNG k-ε turbulence model was adopted to handle with the turbulent flows in the pump. The sliding mesh technique was applied to take into account the impeller-volute interaction. Based on the simulation results, the hydraulic performance and pressure fluctuations were obtained and analyzed in detail. The head value of no baffle in the suction (scheme 0) is lower than that with baffles in the suction (scheme 1, scheme 2, scheme 3) at each condition point. Hump point in scheme 0 is at φ= 0.00596 (1.2 times Qo). The hump point in scheme 1, scheme 2, scheme 3 is at 0.8Qo, 1.0Qo, 1.0Qo, respectively. The ε value of scheme 1 is the smallest and that of scheme 0 is the largest in the four schemes. Six wave troughs are observed clearly at each monitoring point as the impeller rotates in a circle. Each time the impeller is turned 10 degrees, there are six obvious troughs around the impeller. With the rotation of the impeller, peak value of pressure fluctuations at blade passing frequency (BPF) is gradually decrease. At low flow (ϕ= 0.002383), the main frequency of pressure fluctuation at P36 and P1 under scheme 0, scheme 2 and scheme 3 is 295 Hz, which is corresponding to BPF. The pressure fluctuation levels are decreased by –2.72 %, –2.13 %, and –2.21 % respectively when the number of baffle in the suction is one, two, three, respectively. And decrease rate of pressure fluctuation (∆Cp) on scheme 1 is maximum. It indicates that Adding baffles to the suction chamber is beneficial to reduce the amplitude of pressure pulsation at BPF in the volute. The best number of baffles in the suction is one. Based on scheme 1 simulation results, the prototype was manufactured and the performance experiments were carried out. A good agreement of the head and efficiency between numerical results and experimental results are observed