Deuteron production and elliptic flow in relativistic heavy ion collisions

The hadronic transport model \textsc{art} is extended to include the production and annihilation of deuterons via the reactions $BB \leftrightarrow dM$, where $B$ and $M$ stand for baryons and mesons, respectively, as well as their elastic scattering with mesons and baryons in the hadronic matter. This new hadronic transport model is then used to study the transverse momentum spectrum and elliptic flow of deuterons in relativistic heavy ion collisions, with the initial hadron distributions after hadronization of produced quark-gluon plasma taken from a blast wave model. The results are compared with those measured by the PHENIX and STAR Collaborations for Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}^{}} = 200$ GeV, and also with those obtained from the coalescence model based on freeze-out nucleons in the transport model.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, REVTeX, version to be published in Phys. Rev.

Controlling the Intrinsic Josephson Junction Number in a Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ\mathbf{Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+\delta}} Mesa

In fabricating $\mathrm{Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+\delta}}$ intrinsic Josephson junctions in 4-terminal mesa structures, we modify the conventional fabrication process by markedly reducing the etching rates of argon ion milling. As a result, the junction number in a stack can be controlled quite satisfactorily as long as we carefully adjust those factors such as the etching time and the thickness of the evaporated layers. The error in the junction number is within $\pm 1$. By additional ion etching if necessary, we can controllably decrease the junction number to a rather small value, and even a single intrinsic Josephson junction can be produced.Comment: to bu published in Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 43(7A) 200

Combining radiofrequency ablation and ethanol injection may achieve comparable long-term outcomes in larger hepatocellular carcinoma (3.1–4 cm) and in high-risk locations

AbstractRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) is more effective for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) < 3 cm. Combining percutaneous ethanol injection and RFA for HCC can increase ablation; however, the long-term outcome remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare long-term outcomes between patients with HCC of 2–3 cm versus 3.1–4 cm and in high-risk versus non-high-risk locations after combination therapy. The primary endpoint was overall survival and the secondary endpoint was local tumor progression (LTP). Fifty-four consecutive patients with 72 tumors were enrolled. Twenty-two (30.6%) tumors and 60 (83.3%) tumors were of 3.1–4 cm and in high-risk locations, respectively. Primary technique effectiveness was comparable between HCC of 2–3 cm versus 3.1–4 cm (98% vs. 95.5%, p = 0.521), and HCC in non-high risk and high-risk locations (100% vs. 96.7%, p = 1.000). The cumulative survival rates at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 90.3%, 78.9%, and 60.3%, respectively, in patients with HCC of 2–3 cm; 95.0%, 84.4%, and 69.3% in HCC of 3.1–4.0 cm (p = 0.397); 90.0%, 71.1%, and 71.1% in patients with HCC in non-high-risk locations; and 92.7%, 81.6%, and 65.4% in high-risk locations (p = 0.979). The cumulative LTP rates at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 10.2%, 32.6%, and 32.6%, respectively, in all HCCs; 12.6%, 33.9%, and 33.9% in HCC of 2–3 cm; 4.8%, 29.5%, and 29.5% in HCC of 3.1–4 cm (p = 0.616); 16.7%, 50.0%, and 50.0% in patients with HCC in non-high-risk locations; and 8.8%, 29.9%, and 29.9% in patients with HCC in high-risk locations (p = 0.283). The cumulative survival and LTP rates were not significantly different among the various subgroups. Combining RFA and percutaneous ethanol injection achieved comparable long-term outcomes in HCCs of 2–3 cm versus 3.1–4.0 cm and in high-risk versus non-high-risk locations. A randomized controlled or cohort studies with larger sample size are warranted