Molecular dynamics simulation of high frequency (1010 to 10 12 Hz) dielectric absorption in the Hollandite Nax(Ti 8-xCrx)O16

The charge-compensating sodium ions that reside interstitially in the one-dimensional tunnels of the hollandite Nax(Ti8-xCrx)O16 are used as a simple model for a fluid. Molecular dynamics are used to calculate the motions of the ions at a range of temperatures between 200 K and 373 K. The polarization response of the system to a step-up electric field is calculated for field strengths between 7.43 MV/m and 74.3 GV/m, and converted to an ac susceptibility. A resonance absorption is found,peaking at frequencies between 4.5x1010 and 8.8x1010 Hz at 297K. The origin of the response is shown to be the anharmonically coupled ion vibrations damped by ion hopping to neighbouring sites. The relationship of the result to the experimentally observed Poley absorption is explored, and a brief comparison of the calculated dynamics to previous theoretical models is made

Opto-optical modulation in N-(p-methoxybenzylidene)-p-butylaniline

A method of opto-optical modulation in liquid crystals is reported. An Ar+-laser beam is employed to modulate a second He–Ne laser. The highest frequency achieved was 1.5 × 103 pulses per second with input modulating powers smaller than 10 mW. A homeotropic N-(p-methoxybenzylidene)-p-butylaniline liquid-crystal cell was employed as the nonlinear medium

The Algebroid Structure of Double Field Theory

By doubling the target space of a canonical Courant algebroid and subsequently projecting down to a specific subbundle, we identify the data of double field theory (DFT) and hence define its algebroid structure. We specify the properties of the DFT algebroid. We show that one of the Courant algebroid properties plays the role of the strong constraint in the context of DFT. The DFT algebroid is a special example when properties of a Courant algebroid are relaxed in a specific and dependent manner. When otherwise, we uncover additional structures.Comment: 11 pages; proceedings of "Dualities and Generalized Geometries", Corfu Summer Institute 2018. v2: typo corrected, reference adde

BRST symmetry of doubled membrane sigma-models

Courant sigma-models encode the geometric and non-geometric fluxes of compactified closed string theory as generalized Wess-Zumino terms and exhibit their relation to Courant algebroids. In recent work, we proposed a doubled membrane sigma-model that establishes the corresponding connection to double field theory and its algebroid structure. The strategy is to consider a "large" Courant sigma-model over a doubled target spacetime and identify a suitable projection that leads to a sigma-model for doubled fields. In this note, we provide further details for this construction. Starting from the BRST symmetry of the BV action that satisfies the classical master equation, we consistently project the BRST transformations of the superfields of the "large" Courant sigma-model to obtain the gauge transformations of the doubled membrane sigma-model. We show that demanding gauge invariance and the closure of gauge transformations of the worldvolume theory, leads to a condition that is in direct correspondence to the strong constraint of the target space double field theory.Comment: 13 pages; proceedings of "Dualities and Generalized Geometries", Corfu Summer Institute 2018. v2: typos correcte

Validation of the English and Chinese versions of the Quick-FLIC quality of life questionnaire.

A useful measure of quality of life should be easy and quick to complete. Recently, we reported the development and validation of a shortened Chinese version of the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC), which we called the Quick-FLIC. In the present study of 327 English-speaking and 221 Chinese-speaking cancer patients, we validated the English version of the Quick-FLIC and further assessed the Chinese version. The 11 Quick-FLIC items were administered alongside the 11 remaining items of the full FLIC, but there appeared to be little context effect. Validity of the English version of the Quick-FLIC was attested by its strong correlation with two other measures of quality of life, and its ability to detect differences between patients with different performance status and treatment status (each P<0.001). Its internal consistency (alpha=0.86) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation=0.76) were also satisfactory. The measure was responsive to changes in performance status (P<0.001). The Chinese version showed similar characteristics. The Quick-FLIC behaved in ways that are highly comparable with the FLIC, even though the Quick-FLIC comprised only 11 items whereas the FLIC comprised 22. Further research is required to see whether the use of shorter instruments can improve data quality and response rates, but the fact that shorter instruments place less burden on the patients is itself inherently important

High-Field Shubnikov-de Haas Oscillations in the Topological Insulator Bi2_2Te2_2Se

We report measurements of the surface Shubnikov de Haas oscillations (SdH) on crystals of the topological insulator Bi$_2$Te$_2$Se. In crystals with large bulk resistivity ($\sim$4 $\Omega$cm at 4 K), we observe $\sim$15 surface SdH oscillations (to the $n$ = 1 Landau Level) in magnetic fields $B$ up to 45 Tesla. Extrapolating to the limit $1/B\to 0$, we confirm the $\frac12$-shift expected from a Dirac spectrum. The results are consistent with a very small surface Lande $g$-factor.Comment: Text expanded, slight changes in text, final version; Total 6 pages, 6 figure

DNA methylation of ESR-1 and N-33 in colorectal mucosa of patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

Introduction: Epigenetic marking such as DNA methylation influence gene transcription and chromosomal stability and may also be affected by environmental exposures. Few studies exist on alteration in DNA methylation profiles (genomic and gene specific methylation) in patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and none assessing its relationship with lifestyle exposures. Aims & Methods: To assess genomic methylation and promoter methylation of the ESR-1 (oestrogen receptor - 1) and N-33 (tumour suppressor candidate-3) genes in the macroscopically normal mucosa of UC patients as well as to investigate effects of anthropometric and lifestyle exposures on DNA methylation. Sixty eight subjects were recruited (24 UC and 44 age and sex matched controls). Colorectal mucosal biopsies were obtained and DNA was extracted. Genomic DNA methylation was quantified using the tritium-labelled cytosine extension assay (3[H] dCTP) whilst gene specific methylation was quantified using the COBRA method. Results: The methylation level of both ESR-1 and N-33 genes were significantly higher in UC subjects compared with controls (7.9% vs 5.9%; p = 0.015 and 66% vs 9.3%; p < 0.001 respectively). There was no detectable difference in global DNA methylation between patients with UC and age and sex matched controls. No associations between indices of DNA methylation and anthropometric measures or smoking patterns were detected. Conclusions: For the first time, we have shown increased methylation in the promoter regions of the putative tumour suppressor gene N-33 in macroscopically normal mucosa of patients with UC. In addition, we have confirmed that methylation of ESR-1 promoter is higher in UC patients compared with age and sex matched controls. These findings suggests that, inactivation through methylation of the putative tumour suppressor genes N-33 and ESR-1, may not be associated with colorectal carcinogenesis in UC

Minimum target prices for production of direct acting antivirals and associated diagnostics to combat Hepatitis C Virus

Combinations of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) can cure hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the majority of treatment-naïve patients. Mass treatment programs to cure HCV in developing countries are only feasible if the costs of treatment and laboratory diagnostics are very low. This analysis aimed to estimate minimum costs of DAA treatment and associated diagnostic monitoring. Clinical trials of HCV DAAs were reviewed to identify combinations with consistently high rates of sustained virological response across hepatitis C genotypes. For each DAA, molecular structures, doses, treatment duration, and components of retrosynthesis were used to estimate costs of large-scale, generic production. Manufacturing costs per gram of DAA were based upon treating at least 5 million patients per year and a 40% margin for formulation. Costs of diagnostic support were estimated based on published minimum prices of genotyping, HCV antigen tests plus full blood count/clinical chemistry tests. Predicted minimum costs for 12-week courses of combination DAAs with the most consistent efficacy results were: US$122 per person for sofosbuvir+daclatasvir; US$152 for sofosbuvir+ribavirin; US$192 for sofosbuvir+ledipasvir; and US$115 for MK-8742+MK-5172. Diagnostic testing costs were estimated at US$90 for genotyping US$34 for two HCV antigen tests and US$22 for two full blood count/clinical chemistry tests. Conclusions: Minimum costs of treatment and diagnostics to cure hepatitis C virus infection were estimated at US$171-360 per person without genotyping or US$261-450 per person with genotyping. These cost estimates assume that existing large-scale treatment programs can be established. (Hepatology 2015;61:1174–1182