Post Gaussian effective potential in the Ginzburg Landau theory of superconductivity

The post Gaussian effective potential in D=3 dimensions and the Gaussian effective potential in D=2+epsilon are evaluated for the Ginzburg-Landau theory of superconductivity. It is shown that, the next order correction to the Gaussian approximation of the Ginzburg-Landau parameter (kappa) is significant, whereas contribution from the two dimensionality is rather small. This strongly indicates that strong correlation plays a more dominant role than the two dimensionality does in high T_c superconductivity.Comment: 15 pages, RevTeX, 4 figures, minor changes has been mad

Ca\u3csup\u3e2+\u3c/sup\u3e Extrusion by NCX is Compromised in Olfactory Sensory Neurons of OMP\u3csup\u3e-/-\u3c/sup\u3e Mice

Background: The role of olfactory marker protein (OMP), a hallmark of mature olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), has been poorly understood since its discovery. The electrophysiological and behavioral phenotypes of OMP knockout mice indicated that OMP influences olfactory signal transduction. However, the mechanism by which this occurs remained unknown. Principal Findings: We used intact olfactory epithelium obtained from WT and OMP-/- mice to monitor the Ca2+ dynamics induced by the activation of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, voltage-operated Ca2+ channels, or Ca2+ stores in single dendritic knobs of OSNs. Our data suggested that OMP could act to modulate the Ca2+-homeostasis in these neurons by influencing the activity of the plasma membrane Na+/ Ca2+-exchanger (NCX). Immunohistochemistry verifies colocalization of NCX1 and OMP in the cilia and knobs of OSNs. To test the role of NCX activity, we compared the kinetics of Ca2+ elevation by stimulating the reverse mode of NCX in both WT and OMP2/2 mice. The resulting Ca2+ responses indicate that OMP facilitates NCX activity and allows rapid Ca2+ extrusion from OSN knobs. To address the mechanism by which OMP influences NCX activity in OSNs we studied protein-peptide interactions in real-time using surface plasmon resonance technology. We demonstrate the direct interaction of the XIP regulatory-peptide of NCX with calmodulin (CaM). Conclusions: Since CaM also binds to the Bex protein, an interacting protein partner of OMP, these observations strongly suggest that OMP can influence CaM efficacy and thus alters NCX activity by a series of protein-protein interactions. © 2009 Kwon et al

Toward an Evaluation Model of User Experiences on Virtual Reality Indoor Bikes

This paper deals with deriving a model or framework to evaluate user experiences (UX) of virtual reality (VR) systems, especially, VR indoor bikes which are under construction. Recently, VR is one of the most appealing areas attracting people’s interests around the world. Many products armed with it increasingly emerge on the market, and it is expected that the use of VR systems will continue to increase sharply in the future. However, UX of such products cannot be evaluated appropriately at the moment due to a lack of proper evaluation models. In a broad sense, UX that may stem from human machine interface in ergonomics covers affect, usability, and user value in spite of some differences in definition among the researchers. While evaluations of UX on the products without VR have been overall justifiably performed, UX has been evaluated neither systematically nor strictly on the products with VR. Through the analyses of expert reviews, we newly identify an additional component and its elements, and modify some elements of the three existing components for evaluating UX on the VR systems. As a result, we propose a comprehensive evaluation model of UX, which consists of four factors: usability, affect, user value, and presence feeling. In addition, we determine the components and their elements for specific VR indoor bikes similarly through the analyses of expert surveys and focus-group discussions, which results in developing a questionnaire for users. Finally, along with the questionnaire, we propose a specific evaluation model for VR indoor bikes

Clinical Characteristics According to the Radiological Classifications of Maxillary Sinus Fungus Ball

Background and Objectives The purpose of this study was to classify radiological findings of patients diagnosed with maxillary sinus fungus ball and to analyze the differences in surgical approach methods and postoperative results. Methods As a retrospective study, we reviewed the medical records of 221 patients (unilateral in 216: bilateral in 5). Results On computed tomography (CT), 49% of the lesions had an irregular surface or a protruding part. There was a significant difference in surgical approach according to pneumatization of the maxillary sinus when middle meatal antrostomy (MMA) was performed alone or combined with MMA and inferior meatal antrostomy (IMA) (p=0.042). Extension of a maxillary sinus lesion caused by fungus ball was not associated with stenosis of the MMA (p=0.328). Conclusion Diagnosis of maxillary sinus fungus on CT was associated with irregular lesion surface or a protruding calcification. In patients with fungus ball of the maxillary sinus, the more severe is the maxillary sinus pneumatization, the larger is the extent of IMA needed

AKARI Detection of the Infrared-Bright Supernova Remnant B0104-72.3 in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present a serendipitous detection of the infrared-bright supernova remnant (SNR) B0104-72.3 in the Small Magellanic Cloud by the Infrared Camera (IRC) onboard AKARI. An elongated, partially complete shell is detected in all four observed IRC bands covering 2.6-15 um. The infrared shell surrounds radio, optical, and X-ray emission associated with the SNR and is probably a radiative SNR shell. This is the first detection of a SNR shell in this near/mid-infrared waveband in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The IRC color indicates that the infrared emission might be from shocked H2 molecules with some possible contributions from ionic lines. We conclude that B0104-72.3 is a middle-aged SNR interacting with molecular clouds, similar to the Galactic SNR IC 443. Our results highlight the potential of AKARI IRC observations in studying SNRs, especially for diagnosing SNR shocks.Comment: 12 pages with 3 figures, accepted for publication in AKARI PASJ special issu

Controlling the Magnetic Anisotropy of the van der Waals Ferromagnet Fe3GeTe2 through Hole Doping.

Identifying material parameters affecting properties of ferromagnets is key to optimized materials that are better suited for spintronics. Magnetic anisotropy is of particular importance in van der Waals magnets, since it not only influences magnetic and spin transport properties, but also is essential to stabilizing magnetic order in the two-dimensional limit. Here, we report that hole doping effectively modulates the magnetic anisotropy of a van der Waals ferromagnet and explore the physical origin of this effect. Fe3-xGeTe2 nanoflakes show a significant suppression of the magnetic anisotropy with hole doping. Electronic structure measurements and calculations reveal that the chemical potential shift associated with hole doping is responsible for the reduced magnetic anisotropy by decreasing the energy gain from the spin-orbit induced band splitting. Our findings provide an understanding of the intricate connection between electronic structures and magnetic properties in two-dimensional magnets and propose a method to engineer magnetic properties through doping