1,037 research outputs found

    Quasiphantom categories on a family of surfaces isogenous to a higher product

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    We construct exceptional collections of line bundles of maximal length 4 on S=(C×D)/GS=(C \times D)/G which is a surface isogenous to a higher product with pg=q=0p_g=q=0 where G=G(32,27)G=G(32,27) is a finite group of order 32 having number 27 in the list of Magma library. From these exceptional collections, we obtain new examples of quasiphantom categories as their orthogonal complements.Comment: 18 pages; v2 reflects the revision made during the journal publication proces

    Prediction of Giant Spin Motive Force due to Rashba Spin-Orbit Coupling

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    Magnetization dynamics in a ferromagnet can induce a spin-dependent electric field through spin motive force. Spin current generated by the spin-dependent electric field can in turn modify the magnetization dynamics through spin-transfer torque. While this feedback effect is usually weak and thus ignored, we predict that in Rashba spin-orbit coupling systems with large Rashba parameter αR\alpha_{\rm R}, the coupling generates the spin-dependent electric field [\pm(\alpha_{\rm R}m_e/e\hbar) (\vhat{z}\times \partial \vec{m}/\partial t)], which can be large enough to modify the magnetization dynamics significantly. This effect should be relevant for device applications based on ultrathin magnetic layers with strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling.Comment: 4+ pages, 2 figure

    Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke during Sleep in Apneic Patients.

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    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The literature indicates that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of ischemic stroke. However, the causal relationship between OSA and ischemic stroke is not well established. This study examined whether preexisting OSA symptoms affect the onset of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS:We investigated consecutive patients who were admitted with acute ischemic stroke, using a standardized protocol including the Berlin Questionnaire on symptoms of OSA prior to stroke. The collected stroke data included the time of the stroke onset, risk factors, and etiologic subtypes. The association between preceding OSA symptoms and wake-up stroke (WUS) was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS:We identified 260 subjects with acute ischemic strokes with a definite onset time, of which 25.8% were WUS. The presence of preexisting witnessed or self-recognized sleep apnea was the only risk factor for WUS (adjusted odds ratio=2.055, 95% confidence interval=1.035-4.083, p=0.040). CONCLUSIONS:Preexisting symptoms suggestive of OSA were associated with the occurrence of WUS. This suggests that OSA contributes to ischemic stroke not only as a predisposing risk factor but also as a triggering factor. Treating OSA might therefore be beneficial in preventing stroke, particularly that occurring during sleep

    Integrating a Procurement Management Process into Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM): A Case-Study on Oil and Gas Projects, the Piping Process

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    Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) of oil and gas megaprojects often experience cost overruns due to substantial schedule delays. One of the greatest causes of these overruns is the mismanagement of the project schedule, with the piping works (prefabrication and installation) occupying a majority of that schedule. As such, an effective methodology for scheduling, planning, and controlling of piping activities is essential for project success. To meet this need, this study used the Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) to develop a piping construction delay prevention methodology, incorporating material procurement processes for EPC megaprojects. Recent studies indicate that the traditional scheduling method used on oil and gas mega projects has critical limitations regarding resource scarcity, calculation of activity duration, and dealing with uncertainties. To overcome these limitations, the Theory of Constraints-based CCPM was proposed and implemented to provide schedule buffers management. Nonexistent in literature, and of critical importance, is this paper's focus on the resource buffer, representing material uncertainty and management. Furthermore, this paper presents a step-by-step process and flow chart for project, construction, and material managers to effectively manage a resource buffer through the CCPM process. This study extends the knowledge of traditional resource buffers in CCPM to improve material and procurement management, thus avoiding the shortage of piping materials and minimizing delays. The resultant process was validated by both deterministic and probabilistic schedule analysis through two case studies of a crude pump unit and propylene compressor installation at a Middle Eastern Refinery Plant Installation. The results show that the CCPM method effectively handles uncertainty, reducing the duration of piping works construction by about a 35% when compared to the traditional method. Furthermore, the results show that, in not considering material uncertainty (resource buffers), projects schedules have the potential for approximately a 5% schedule growth with the accompanying delay charges. The findings have far-reaching applications for both oil and gas and other sectors. This CCPM case-study exemplifies that the material management method represents an opportunity for industry to administrate pipeline installation projects more effectively, eliminate project duration extension, develop schedule-based risk mitigation measures pre-construction, and enable project teams to efficiently manage limited human and material resources.111sciessciscopu

    Coderivations of Ranked Bigroupoids

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    The notion of (co)derivations of ranked bigroupoids is discussed by Alshehri et al. (in press), and their generalized version is studied by Jun et al. (under review press). In particular, Jun et al. (under review press) studied coderivations of ranked bigroupoids. In this paper, the generalization of coderivations of ranked bigroupoids is discussed. The notion of generalized coderivations in ranked bigroupoids is introduced, and new generalized coderivations of ranked bigroupoids are obtained by combining a generalized self-coderivation with a rankomorphism. From the notion of (X,∗,&)-derivation, the existence of a rankomorphism of ranked bigroupoids is established

    Redox Modulating NRF2: A Potential Mediator of Cancer Stem Cell Resistance

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    Tumors contain a distinct small subpopulation of cells that possess stem cell-like characteristics. These cells have been called cancer stem cells (CSCs) and are thought to be responsible for anticancer drug resistance and tumor relapse after therapy. Emerging evidence indicates that CSCs share many properties, such as self-renewal and quiescence, with normal stem cells. In particular, CSCs and normal stem cells retain low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can contribute to stem cell maintenance and resistance to stressful tumor environments. Current literatures demonstrate that the activation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and forkhead box O3 (FoxO3) is associated with the maintenance of low ROS levels in normal stem cells such as hematopoietic stem cells. However, the importance of ROS signaling in CSC biology remains poorly understood. Recent studies demonstrate that nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), a master regulator of the cellular antioxidant defense system, is involved in the maintenance of quiescence, survival, and stress resistance of CSCs. Here, we review the recent findings on the roles of NRF2 in maintenance of the redox state and multidrug resistance in CSCs, focusing on how NRF2-mediated ROS modulation influences the growth and resistance of CSCs

    Technical efficiency of small-scale honey producers in Ethiopia: A stochastic frontier analysis

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    In this paper, a study is presented of the dynamic behavior of an automatic transmit power control (ATPC) loop in a single fixed wireless system (FWS) link subject to multipath fading and an uncorrelated co-channel interferer that does not use ATPC (this represents a so-called non-ATPC FWS link or a fixed satellite link). Fundamental questions include the sensitivity of an ATPC link to multipath interference and the co-channel interference that may be caused by a non-ATPC interferer. In the context of the present project, a good example of a non-ATPC interferer is a fixed satellite to which one antenna in a fixed microwave link has partial view. A computer model was developed that constitutes a useful tool in describing; simulating and analyzing an ATPC loop in a single FWS link. With the aid of this model, results are presented on the sensitivity of an ATPC loop in a FWS link with respect to channel conditions, non-ATPC interference and parameter settings

    Laser and radiofrequency ablations for benign and malignant thyroid tumors.

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    A growing body of evidence is being published regarding the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive image-guided ablation techniques. While clinical applications of these techniques are increasing, international societies have started to publish treatment guidelines and to make efforts to standardize both terminology and reporting criteria for image-guided thyroid ablations. Laser ablation and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are among the most common ablation techniques either for benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Unlike laser ablation and RFA in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules, where safety and efficacy have been widely demonstrated, evidence regarding local tumor control of thyroid malignancies is still limited. However, preliminary results are encouraging and image-guided thermal ablation techniques can be considered a valid alternative to surgery for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers. This review evaluates the basic concept of RFA and laser ablations, their techniques, clinical outcomes, and complications based on the suggestions of several society guidelines. Multidisciplinary collaboration remains critical to identify patients which may benefit from minimally invasive image-guided thermal ablations, especially if surgery or radioiodine therapy are not feasible options

    Effect of spin diffusion on current generated by spin motive force

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    Spin motive force is a spin-dependent force on conduction electrons induced by magnetization dynamics. In order to examine its effects on magnetization dynamics, it is indispensable to take into account spin accumulation, spin diffusion, and spin-flip scattering since the spin motive force is in general nonuniform. We examine the effects of all these on the way the spin motive force generates the charge and spin currents in conventional situations, where the conduction electron spin relaxation dynamics is much faster than the magnetization dynamics. When the spin-dependent electric field is spatially localized, which is common in experimental situations, we find that the conservative part of the spin motive force is unable to generate the charge current due to the cancelation effect by the diffusion current. We also find that the spin current is a nonlocal function of the spin motive force and can be effectively expressed in terms of nonlocal Gilbert damping tensor. It turns out that any spin independent potential such as Coulomb potential does not affect our principal results. At the last part of this paper, we apply our theory to current-induced domain wall motion.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figures, some of important errors were corrected but we recommend to see PRB paper if one can acces
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