Parameter extraction in multi step exponential signal

Peer Reviewe

Quantum kinetic approach to the calculation of the Nernst effect

We show that the strong Nernst effect observed recently in amorphous superconducting films far above the critical temperature is caused by the fluctuations of the superconducting order parameter. We employ the quantum kinetic approach for the derivation of the Nernst coefficient. We present here the main steps of the calculation and discuss some subtle issues that we encountered while calculating the Nernst coefficient. In particular, we demonstrate that in the limit T=0 the contribution of the magnetization ensures the vanishing of the Nernst signal in accordance with the third law of thermodynamics. We obtained a striking agreement between our theoretical calculations and the experimental data in a broad region of temperatures and magnetic fields.Comment: 24 pages, 13 figure

Anti-GnRH antibodies can induce castrate levels of testosterone in patients with advanced prostate cancer

D17DT consists of the GnRH decapeptide linked to diphtheria toxoid. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the tolerance of D17DT and the production of anti-GnRH antibodies from two doses, 30 and 100 μg, in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. Twelve patients with histologically proven prostate cancer in whom hormonal therapy was indicated were recruited. Patients received either 30 or 100 μg given intramuscularly on three separate occasions over six weeks. Patients were followed up and blood was taken for estimation of serum testosterone, PSA and anti-GnRH antibody titre. Overall the drug was well tolerated. In 5 patients a significant reduction in serum testosterone and PSA was seen. Castrate levels of testosterone were achieved in 4 and maintained for up to 9 months. Patients with the highest antibody titre had the best response in terms of testosterone suppression. This study shows that it is possible to immunize a patient with prostate cancer against GnRH to induce castrate levels of testosterone. This state appears to be reversible. This novel form of immunotherapy may have advantages over conventional forms of hormonal therapy and further studies are warranted in order to try and increase the proportion of responders. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

Pseudorandom Selective Excitation in NMR

In this work, average Hamiltonian theory is used to study selective excitation in a spin-1/2 system evolving under a series of small flip-angle $\theta-$pulses $(\theta\ll 1)$ that are applied either periodically [which corresponds to the DANTE pulse sequence] or aperiodically. First, an average Hamiltonian description of the DANTE pulse sequence is developed; such a description is determined to be valid either at or very far from the DANTE resonance frequencies, which are simply integer multiples of the inverse of the interpulse delay. For aperiodic excitation schemes where the interpulse delays are chosen pseudorandomly, a single resonance can be selectively excited if the $\theta$-pulses' phases are modulated in concert with the time delays. Such a selective pulse is termed a pseudorandom-DANTE or p-DANTE sequence, and the conditions in which an average Hamiltonian description of p-DANTE is found to be similar to that found for the DANTE sequence. It is also shown that averaging over different p-DANTE sequences that are selective for the same resonance can help reduce excitations at frequencies away from the resonance frequency, thereby improving the apparent selectivity of the p-DANTE sequences. Finally, experimental demonstrations of p-DANTE sequences and comparisons with theory are presented.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figure

Quantum kinetic approach for studying thermal transport in the presence of electron-electron interactions and disorder

A user friendly scheme based on the quantum kinetic equation is developed for studying thermal transport phenomena in the presence of interactions and disorder. We demonstrate that this scheme is suitable for both a systematic perturbative calculation as well as a general analysis. We believe that we present an adequate alternative to the Kubo formula, which for the thermal transport is rather cumbersome.Comment: 30 pages, 16 figure

Ноосферная проблематика в философии Тейяра де Шардена

Современная экологическая ситуация остается одной их актуальных. Она требует всестороннего, комплексного анализа, в том числе и философского осмысления. В XX в. сформировались несколько концептуальных представлений, получивших название "ноосферных". Одним из теоретиков ноосферной концепции был Тейяр де Шарден. Исследование его подхода дает основание избежать ошибок и сформировать научное последовательное представление во взаимоотношениях между Природой и Обществом

Lifting paddle wheel : full-size protype craft development.

This report describes the construction, testing and analysis of a large scale lifting paddlewheel craft. No large scale vehicle of this style exists to date; a small scale version has previously been successful. A 4wd farm bike provided the basis for the prototype with modifications for use in an aquatic environment. Following open water tests, ongoing developmental work was carried out. This included the analysis and prediction of the crafts performance, operation of the lifting paddlewheels and comparison of the successful small scale craft to that of the prototype constructed. The prototype did not operate as the lifting paddlewheels were intended. Predictions initially showed a deficit in power comparable with the craft comparison which showed a large difference in the power to weight of the crafts. Modifications to increase the power and following tests proved to also be unproductive. Analysis of the farm bike prototype dynamics showed a possibility of successful operation should certain criteria be met