425 research outputs found
A new hard-particle model for anisotropic fluids
We report a new hard-particle model system consisting of hard cylinders, we have determined the geometrical conditions that let us know whether or not two given cylinders overlap. In addition we have carried out Monte Carlo simulations sampling the canonical ensemble on this system, the numerical results indicate that this system exhibits mesomorphic behaviour
Correlations in the Sine-Gordon Model with Finite Soliton Density
We study the sine-Gordon (SG) model at finite densities of the topological
charge and small SG interaction constant, related to the one-dimensional
Hubbard model near half-filling. Using the modified WKB approach, we find that
the spectrum of the Gaussian fluctuations around the classical solution
reproduces the results of the Bethe ansatz studies. The modification of the
collective coordinate method allows us to write down the action, free from
infra-red divergencies. The behaviour of the density-type correlation functions
is non-trivial and we demonstrate the existence of leading and sub-leading
asymptotes. A consistent definition of the charge-raising operator is
discussed. The superconducting-type correlations are shown to decrease slowly
at small soliton densities, while the spectral weight of right (left) moving
fermions is spread over neighboring "4k_F" harmonics.Comment: 12 pages, 3 eps figures, REVTEX; a discussion of fermions is adde
Persistence Exponents and Scaling In Two Dimensional XY model and A Nematic Model
The persistence exponents associated with the T=0 quenching dynamics of the
two dimensional XY model and a two dimensional uniaxial spin nematic model have
been evaluated using a numerical simulation. The site persistence or the
probability that the sign of a local spin component does not change starting
from initial time t=0 up to certain time t, is found to decay as L(t)^-theta,
(L(t) is the linear domain length scale), with theta =0.305 for the two
dimensional XY model and 0.199 for the two dimensional uniaxial spin nematic
model. We have also investigated the scaling (at the late time of phase
ordering) associated with the correlated persistent sites in both models. The
persistence correlation length was found to grow in same way as L(t).Comment: 8 figures, only three new references are included in this version.
(ref. 18 and ref. 32
Topological transition in a two-dimensional model of liquid crystal
Simulations of nematic-isotropic transition of liquid crystals in two
dimensions are performed using an O(2) vector model characterised by non linear
nearest neighbour spin interaction governed by the fourth Legendre polynomial
. The system is studied through standard Finite-Size Scaling and
conformal rescaling of density profiles of correlation functions. A topological
transition between a paramagnetic phase at high temperature and a critical
phase at low temperature is observed. The low temperature limit is discussed in
the spin wave approximation and confirms the numerical results
High-Temperature series for the lattice spin model (generalized Maier-Saupe model of nematic liquid crystals) in two space dimensions and with general spin dimensionality n
High temperature series expansions of the spin-spin correlation functions of
the RP^{n-1} spin model on the square lattice are computed through order
beta^{8} for general spin dimensionality n. Tables are reported for the
expansion coefficients of the energy per site, the susceptibility and the
second correlation moment.Comment: 6 pages, revtex, IFUM 419/FT, 2 figures not include
Viscosities of the Gay-Berne nematic liquid crystal
We present molecular dynamics simulation measurements of the viscosities of
the Gay-Berne phenomenological model of liquid crystals in the nematic and
isotropic phases. The temperature dependence of the rotational and shear
viscosities, including the nonmonotonic behavior of one shear viscosity are in
good agreement with experimental data. The bulk viscosities are significantly
larger than the shear viscosities, again in agreement with experiment.Comment: 11 pages, 4 Postscript figures, Revte
Everolimus plus exemestane in postmenopausal patients with HR(+) breast cancer: BOLERO-2 final progression-free survival analysis.
IntroductionEffective treatments for hormone-receptor-positive (HR(+)) breast cancer (BC) following relapse/progression on nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI) therapy are needed. Initial Breast Cancer Trials of OraL EveROlimus-2 (BOLERO-2) trial data demonstrated that everolimus and exemestane significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo plus exemestane alone in this patient population.MethodsBOLERO-2 is a phase 3, double-blind, randomized, international trial comparing everolimus (10 mg/day) plus exemestane (25 mg/day) versus placebo plus exemestane in postmenopausal women with HR(+) advanced BC with recurrence/progression during or after NSAIs. The primary endpoint was PFS by local investigator review, and was confirmed by independent central radiology review. Overall survival, response rate, and clinical benefit rate were secondary endpoints.ResultsFinal study results with median 18-month follow-up show that median PFS remained significantly longer with everolimus plus exemestane versus placebo plus exemestane [investigator review: 7.8 versus 3.2 months, respectively; hazard ratio = 0.45 (95% confidence interval 0.38-0.54); log-rank P < 0.0001; central review: 11.0 versus 4.1 months, respectively; hazard ratio = 0.38 (95% confidence interval 0.31-0.48); log-rank P < 0.0001] in the overall population and in all prospectively defined subgroups, including patients with visceral metastases, [corrected] and irrespective of age. The incidence and severity of adverse events were consistent with those reported at the interim analysis and in other everolimus trials.ConclusionThe addition of everolimus to exemestane markedly prolonged PFS in patients with HR(+) advanced BC with disease recurrence/progression following prior NSAIs. These results further support the use of everolimus plus exemestane in this patient population. ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT00863655
Incommensurate ground state of double-layer quantum Hall systems
Double-layer quantum Hall systems possess interlayer phase coherence at
sufficiently small layer separations, even without interlayer tunneling. When
interlayer tunneling is present, application of a sufficiently strong in-plane
magnetic field drives a commensurate-incommensurate (CI)
transition to an incommensurate soliton-lattice (SL) state. We calculate the
Hartree-Fock ground-state energy of the SL state for all values of
within a gradient approximation, and use it to obtain the
anisotropic SL stiffness, the Kosterlitz-Thouless melting temperature for the
SL, and the SL magnetization. The in-plane differential magnetic susceptibility
diverges as when the CI transition is approached
from the SL state.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, to be published in Physical Review
Defect structures and torque on an elongated colloidal particle immersed in a liquid crystal host
Combining molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation we study defect
structures around an elongated colloidal particle embedded in a nematic liquid
crystal host. By studying nematic ordering near the particle and the
disclination core region we are able to examine the defect core structure and
the difference between two simulation techniques. In addition, we also study
the torque on a particle tilted with respect to the director, and modification
of this torque when the particle is close to the cell wall
Approaches to discontinuing efalizumab: an open-label study of therapies for managing inflammatory recurrence
BACKGROUND: Efalizumab is a humanised recombinant monoclonal IgG1 antibody for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. When treatment discontinuation is necessary, however, some patients may experience inflammatory recurrence of the disease, which can progress to rebound if untreated. This analysis evaluated approaches for managing inflammatory recurrence after discontinuation of efalizumab. METHODS: An open-label, multicentre, investigational study was performed in 41 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who had recently completed clinical studies with efalizumab and had developed signs of inflammatory recurrence following abrupt cessation of treatment. Patients were assigned by the attending physicians to receive one of five standardised alternative systemic psoriasis treatment regimens for 12 weeks. Efficacy of the different therapy options was assessed using the physician's global assessment (PGA) of change over time. RESULTS: More favourable PGA responses were observed in patients changing to cyclosporin (PGA of 'good', 'excellent' or 'cleared': 7/10 patients, 70.0%) or methotrexate (9/20, 45.0%), compared with those receiving systemic corticosteroids (2/8, 25.0%), retinoids (0/1, 0.0%) or combined corticosteroids plus methotrexate (0/2, 0.0%). While the majority (77.8%) of patients showed inflammatory morphology at baseline, following 12 weeks of the alternative therapies the overall prevalence of inflammatory disease was decreased to 19.2%. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory recurrence after discontinuation of efalizumab therapy is a manageable event, with a number of therapies and approaches available to physicians, including short courses of cyclosporin or methotrexate
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