Anharmonic multi-phonon nonradiative transition: An ab initio calculation approach

Nonradiative carrier recombinations at deep centers in semiconductors are of great importance for both fundamental physics and device engineering. In this article, we provide a revised analysis of Huang’s original nonradiative multi-phonon (NMP) theory with ab initio calculations. First, we confirmed at the first-principles level that Huang’s concise formula gives the same results as the matrix-based formula, and that Huang’s high-temperature formula provides an analytical expression for the coupling constant in Marcus theory. Secondly, we correct for anharmonic effects by taking into account local phonon-mode variations for different charge states of a defect. The corrected capture rates for defects in GaN and SiC agree well with experiments

Conflict-free connection numbers of line graphs

A path in an edge-colored graph is called \emph{conflict-free} if it contains at least one color used on exactly one of its edges. An edge-colored graph $G$ is \emph{conflict-free connected} if for any two distinct vertices of $G$, there is a conflict-free path connecting them. For a connected graph $G$, the \emph{conflict-free connection number} of $G$, denoted by $cfc(G)$, is defined as the minimum number of colors that are required to make $G$ conflict-free connected. In this paper, we investigate the conflict-free connection numbers of connected claw-free graphs, especially line graphs. We first show that for an arbitrary connected graph $G$, there exists a positive integer $k$ such that $cfc(L^k(G))\leq 2$. Secondly, we get the exact value of the conflict-free connection number of a connected claw-free graph, especially a connected line graph. Thirdly, we prove that for an arbitrary connected graph $G$ and an arbitrary positive integer $k$, we always have $cfc(L^{k+1}(G))\leq cfc(L^k(G))$, with only the exception that $G$ is isomorphic to a star of order at least~$5$ and $k=1$. Finally, we obtain the exact values of $cfc(L^k(G))$, and use them as an efficient tool to get the smallest nonnegative integer $k_0$ such that $cfc(L^{k_0}(G))=2$.Comment: 11 page

Tissue-smashing based ultra-rapid extraction of chemical constituents in herbal medicines

postprin

A study on the association of the chromosome 12p13 locus with sporadic late-onset alzheimer's disease in Chinese

Recent linkage and association studies have implicated the chromosome 12p13 locus as possibly harboring genetic variants predisposed to Alzheimer's disease (AD). We attempted to replicate this association in a Chinese data set comprised of 256 AD cases and 264 age-matched normal controls. A total of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined. Single marker association revealed the two SNPs in NCAPD2 (rs7311174 and rs2072374) as showing nominal significant p values (p = 0.0491 and 0.0116, respectively). Haplotype analysis found LD block one to be significantly associated with AD (global p = 0.0250). Haplotypes CGGATG and CAGTCG were also significantly associated with AD (p = 0.0498 and p = 0.0482, respectively). These genetic analyses provide evidence that the chromosome 12p13 locus is associated with AD in Chinese. © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.postprin

Effect of isospin dependent cross-section on fragment production in the collision of charge asymmetric nuclei

To understand the role of isospin effects on fragmentation due to the collisions of charge asymmetric nuclei, we have performed a complete systematical study using isospin dependent quantum molecular dynamics model. Here simulations have been carried out for $^{124}X_{n}+ ^{124}X_{n}$, where n varies from 47 to 59 and for $^{40}Y_{m}+ ^{40}Y_{m}$, where m varies from 14 to 23. Our study shows that isospin dependent cross-section shows its influence on fragmentation in the collision of neutron rich nuclei

Effect of different rhBMP-2 and TG-VEGF ratios on the formation of heterotopic bone and neovessels

Bioengineered bone substitutes might represent alternatives to autologous bone grafts in medically compromised patients due to reduced operation time and comorbidity. Due to the lack of an inherent vascular system their dimension is limited to the size of critical bone size defect. To overcome this shortcoming, the experiment tried to create heterotopic bone around vessels. In vivo, a two-component fibrin and thrombin gel containing recombinant bone morphogenic protein (rhBMP-2) and transglutamate vascular endothelial growth factor (TG-VEGF) in different ratios, respectively, was injected into a dimensionally stable membrane tube, wrapped around the femoral vessel bundle in twelve New Zealand white rabbits. Sacrifice occurred eight weeks postoperatively. Microcomputed tomography of the specimens showed significantly increased bone volume in the rhBMP-2 to TG-VEGF ratio of 10 to 1 group. Histology showed new bone formation in close proximity to the vessel bundle. Immunohistochemistry detected increased angiogenesis within the newly formed bone in the rhBMP-2 to TG-VEGF ratios of 3 to 1 and 5 to 1. Heterotopic bone was engineered in vivo around vessels using different rhBMP-2 and TG-VEGF ratios in a fibrin matrix injected into a dimensionally stable membrane tube which prevented direct contact with skeletal muscles.published_or_final_versio

A randomised controlled trial to compare immunogenicity between intramuscular and intradermal trivalent influenza vaccination in nursing home older adults

BACKGROUND: Immunosenescence in older adults contributes to unsatisfactory immunogenicity towards influenza vaccine. Intradermal (ID) administration of influenza vaccine has been suggested to improve immunogenicity but there is no study regarding the immunogenicity of ID influenza vaccination in nursing home older adults ...postprin

The generalized 3-edge-connectivity of lexicographic product graphs

The generalized $k$-edge-connectivity $\lambda_k(G)$ of a graph $G$ is a generalization of the concept of edge-connectivity. The lexicographic product of two graphs $G$ and $H$, denoted by $G\circ H$, is an important graph product. In this paper, we mainly study the generalized 3-edge-connectivity of $G \circ H$, and get upper and lower bounds of $\lambda_3(G \circ H)$. Moreover, all bounds are sharp.Comment: 14 page

Effects of calcium phosphate nanocrystals on osseointegration of titainium implant in irradiated bone

Radiotherapy may compromise the integration of implant and cause implant loss. Implant surface modifications have the possibility of promoting cell attachment, cell growth, and bone formation which ultimately enhance the osseointegration process. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of calcium phosphate nanocrystals on implant osseointegration in irradiated bone. Sixteen rabbits were randomly assigned into control and nano-CaP groups, receiving implants with dual acid-etched surface or dual acid-etched surface discretely deposited of nanoscale calcium-phosphate crystals, respectively. The left leg of all the rabbits received 15 Gy radiation, followed by implants placement one week after. Four animals in each group were sacrificed after 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. Implant stability quotient (ISQ), ratio of bone volume to total volume (BV/TV), bone growth rate, and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) were evaluated. The nano-CaP group showed significantly higher ISQ (week 12, P = 0.031) and bone growth rate (week 6, P = 0.021; week 9, P = 0.001) than that in control group. No significant differences in BV/TV and BIC were found between two groups. Titanium implant surface modified with CaP nanocrystals provides a potential alternative to improve bone healing around implant in irradiated bone.published_or_final_versio

Remanufactured circular mapping catheters: safety, effectiveness and cost.

BACKGROUND: The use of remanufactured single-use devices (SUDs), including cardiac electrophysiology catheters, has become established in the USA and other health care systems but without much published scientific evaluation on the relative safety or efficacy of these devices. In the United Kingdom (UK), the use of remanufactured SUDs has not been routine. We performed a structured evaluation of the safety and efficacy of a remanufactured circular mapping catheter (Stryker® remanufactured Lasso NAV 2515) during its introduction in our centre. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the performance of a remanufactured circular mapping catheter in 100 consecutive patients undergoing an AF ablation. Operator feedback was obtained, assessing the device appearance, ease of use and function. As an indirect measurement of efficacy, acute procedure metrics were compared to those in 100 propensity-matched cases performed by the same operators using a new device. Cost savings were calculated. RESULTS: No complication occurred in association with the remanufactured device. There was one reported failure of device malfunction-the flexion-extension mechanism of a remanufactured catheter and none in the matched-control group. There was satisfactory communication with the electro-anatomic mapping system. Ease of use of the remanufactured catheter was reported to be similar to a newly manufactured device. Procedural duration was similar with remanufactured devices and matched controls. With 100 cases using the remanufactured device, cost savings amounted to £30,444. CONCLUSIONS: The use of remanufactured circular mapping catheters is safe, efficient and reliable. Widespread use of remanufactured SUDs offers the possibility of significant economic benefit