Spin-polarized currents in superconducting films

We present a microscopic theory of coherent quantum transport through a superconducting film between two ferromagnetic electrodes. The scattering problem is solved for the general case of ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet (FSF) double-barrier junction, including the interface transparency from metallic to tunnel limit, and the Fermi velocity mismatch. Charge and spin conductance spectra of FSF junctions are calculated for parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) alignment of the electrode magnetization. Limiting cases of nonmagnetic normal-metal electrodes (NSN) and of incoherent transport are also presented. We focus on two characteristic features of finite size and coherency: subgap tunneling of electrons, and oscillations of the differential conductance. Periodic vanishing of the Andreev reflection at the energies of geometrical resonances above the superconducting gap is a striking consequence of the quasiparticle interference. Also, the non-trivial spin-polarization of the current is found for FSF junctions in AP alignment. This is in contrast with the incoherent transport, where the unpolarized current is accompanied by excess spin accumulation and destruction of superconductivity. Application to spectroscopic measurements of the superconducting gap and the Fermi velocity is also discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figure

Coherent effects in double-barrier ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet junctions

Coherent quantum transport in ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet (FSF) double-barrier junctions is studied. Analytic expressions for charge and spin conductance spectra are derived for the general case of insulating interfaces (from metallic to tunnel limit), the Fermi velocity mismatch, and for parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) alignment of the electrode magnetizations. We focus on two characteristic features of finite size and coherency: subgap electronic transport, and oscillations of the differential conductance. Periodic vanishing of the Andreev reflection at the energies of geometrical resonances above the superconducting gap is a striking consequence of the quasiparticle interference. In contrast with the case of incoherent transport, a non-trivial spin-polarization without the excess spin accumulation is found for the AP alignment.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Computer simulation of three-dimensional plaque formation and progression in the carotid artery

Atherosclerosis is becoming the number one cause of death worldwide. In this study, three-dimensional computer model of plaque formation and development for human carotid artery is developed. The three-dimensional blood flow is described by the Navier-Stokes equation, together with the continuity equation. Mass transfer within the blood lumen and through the arterial wall is coupled with the blood flow and is modeled by a convection-diffusion equation. The low-density lipoproteins transports in lumen of the vessel and through the vessel tissue are coupled by Kedem-Katchalsky equations. The inflammatory process is modeled using three additional reaction-diffusion partial differential equations. Fluid-structure interaction is used to estimate effective wall stress analysis. Plaque growth functions for volume progression are correlated with shear stress and effective wall stress distribution. We choose two specific patients from MRI study with significant plaque progression

Social Inequality as Global Challenge

Доступ до книги на сайті видавництва (copyright) https://www.riverpublishers.com/book_details.php?book_id=922У цій книзі обговорюються чинники нерівності, закладеної в наші соціальні, економічні та політичні системи. Соціальна нерівність особливо проявляється в секторах послуг у відмінності в доступі до охорони здоров’я, освіти, соціального захисту, системи житла, догляду за дітьми, догляду за літніми тощо. соціальним статусом певної групи, мовою, релігією, звичаями та нормами є ще одна поширена проблема. Ця книга намагається представити точну картину цих проблем на прикладах з різних країн. Здебільшого, коли ми говоримо про нерівність, акцент робиться на економічній нерівності; однак зберігається значна нерівність, особливо дискримінація за статтю, віком, походженням, етнічною приналежністю, інвалідністю, сексуальною орієнтацією, класом та релігією. Щоб покласти край цій ситуації, необхідно провести соціальні, економічні та політичні реформи. Поки маргіналізовані групи не отримають повноваження, проблему нерівності неможливо вирішити чи навіть мінімізувати. На основі різних тематичних досліджень ця книга заохочує нас переосмислити розвиток суспільства через призму зростаючої нерівності та диспропорції. У книзі представлені нові ідеї для оцінки прогресу соціального розвитку. Книга висвітлює сучасні проблеми соціальної нерівності. У сукупності ця збірка відредагованих статей дає комплексне розуміння питання «чому суспільство нерівне»? Ця книга націлена на тих зацікавлених сторін, які хочуть змінити та побудувати нерозділене, соціально інклюзивне суспільство або внести свій внесок у них, а також для тих, хто хоче зробити свій внесок у розширення прав і можливостей суспільства у ХХІ столітті.В этой книге обсуждаются факторы, лежащие в основе неравенства, присущего нашим социальным, экономическим и политическим системам. Социальное неравенство особенно заметно в секторах услуг - в различиях в доступе к здравоохранению, образованию, социальной защите, жилищным системам, уходу за детьми, уходу за престарелыми и т. д. Другой широко распространенной проблемой является социальный статус конкретных групп, их язык, религия, обычаи и нормы. В этой книге делается попытка представить точную картину этих проблем на примерах из разных стран. На основе различных тематических исследований эта книга побуждает нас переосмыслить социальное развитие через призму растущего неравенства и неравенства. В книге представлены новые идеи для оценки прогресса в социальном развитии. В книге освещаются современные проблемы социального неравенства. В совокупности этот сборник отредактированных статей дает комплексное понимание вопроса «почему общество неравно»? Эта книга адресована тем заинтересованным сторонам, которые хотят внести свой вклад в изменения и построить неразделенное, социально инклюзивное общество, а также тем, кто хочет внести свой вклад в расширение прав и возможностей общества в XXI веке.This book discusses the factors behind the inequalities embedded within our social, economic and political systems. Social inequalities are especially seen in the service sectors â  in the differences of access to healthcare, education, social protection, housing systems, childcare, elderly care etc. Cultural inequality, which segregates people from the mainstream based on recognition problems with a specific groups' social status, language, religion, customs and norms, is another widespread issue. This book tries to present an accurate picture of these issues with cases studies from various countries. Mostly, when we talk about inequality, the focus is on economic inequality; however, much inequality persists, especially discrimination due to gender, age, origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, class, and religion. To end this situation there is a need for social, economic, and political reform. Until or unless the marginalized groups are empowered, the inequality issue cannot be solved or even minimized. On the basis of various case studies, this book encourages us to rethink societal development through the lens of growing inequalities and disparities. The book presents new insights for evaluating the progress on social development. The book highlights the current challenges of social inequality. In combination this collection of edited papers gives an integrated understanding of the question of “why is society unequal”? This book is aimed at those stakeholders, who want to make or contribute to change and build an undivided, socially inclusive society, and to those who want to contribute to empowering society in the Twenty-First century

A multi-scale approach to facultative paedomorphosis of European newts (Salamandridae) in the Montenegrin karst: Distribution pattern, environmental variables, and conservation

Facultative paedomorphosis, a process in which newt larvae can opt for reproduction before or after metamorphosis, is geographically heterogeneous. Despite numerous ecological studies and recent evidence of declines in paedomorphic populations, however, no attempt to model environmental variables that explain the presence of paedomorphs has been made at a multi-scale level. Our aim was to fill this gap in studying three newt species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Mesotriton alpestris, and Triturus macedonicus) of the Montenegrin karst as model species. To this end, we used multivariate analysis on three scales of habitat: the breeding pond, the land use and the climatologic features. Results show that the study area is both an important hotspot for paedomorphosis and where intraspecific diversity is quickly disappearing (20-47% extirpation) because of fish introductions. Other habitat variables (water permanency, PH or the habitat origin) were shown to act on paedomorphosis but not consistently across species, confirming complexity of the evolutionary and ecological processes. This study appeals for more long-term and detailed landscape studies of polyphenisms, a neglected but promising topic, to better understand and protect alternative modes of development. Particularly, measures should be taken to identify hotspots of intraspecific diversity at a global scale and stop fish introductions before we reach a point of no-return. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Oral health difficulties in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: Parental perception

Introduction/Objective Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by features that have the potential to make oral hygiene and dental appointments challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate difficulties related to oral hygiene and dental appointments that may be encountered in children and adolescents with ASD, in comparison to their typically developing peers. Methods A 48-item questionnaire was prepared for the purpose of the study and distributed to parents of children and adolescents with ASD in three specialized daycare centers, as well as to parents of typically developing children and adolescents at the Clinic for Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry in Belgrade, Serbia. Ninety-two questionnaires were considered and statistically analyzed in the SPSS program, using χ2 and Mann-Whitney U-test. Results The following statistically significant differences were found between children and adolescents with ASD and their typically developing peers: general difficulties in everyday oral hygiene, need of help for basic oral hygiene tasks, tooth brushing frequency, sensory difficulties related to toothbrush and toothpaste, level of anxiety prior to dental appointment, cooperation during appointment, sensory difficulties related to touch, operatory light and sound of dental unit, number of treatments under general anesthesia, and the number of refused dental treatments. Conclusion Children and adolescents with ASD face significantly more difficulties concerning everyday oral hygiene and dental appointments in comparison to their typically developing peers. Dentists' awareness of issues that are specific to this population of patients is important in order to enable quality dental care.Uvod/Cilj Poremećaji autističnog spektra (PAS) mogu biti uzrok poteškoća vezanih za održavanje oralne higijene, kao i za posete stomatologu. Cilj rada je bio da se utvrde razlike između dece i adolescenata sa PAS i kontrolne grupe neurotipičnih vršnjaka sa aspekta održavanja oralne higijene i poseta stomatologu. Metode Upitnik od 48 pitanja distribuiran je roditeljima dece i adolescenata sa PAS u tri specijalizovana dnevna boravka, kao i roditeljima kontrolne grupe neurotipičnih vršnjaka. Devedeset dva upitnika je uzeto u obzir i statistički analizirano u programu SPSS. Rezultati Statistički značajne razlike između dece i adolescenata sa PAS i njihovih tipično razvijenih vršnjaka utvrđene su u sledećim kategorijama: teškoće u svakodnevnoj oralnoj higijeni, potreba za pomoći u održavanju oralne higijene, učestalost pranja zuba, senzorne teškoće vezane za četkicu i zubnu pastu, nivo anksioznosti pre posete stomatologu, saradnja tokom stomatološkog tretmana, senzorne teškoće vezane za dodir stomatologa, svetlo i zvuk stomatološkog uređaja, broj tretmana pod opštom anestezijom i broj odbijenih stomatoloških usluga. Zaključak Deca i adolescenti sa PAS suočavaju se sa znatno većim poteškoćama u pogledu svakodnevne oralne higijene i poseta stomatologu u poređenju sa tipično razvijenim vršnjacima. Svest stomatologa o pitanjima koja su specifična za ovu populaciju pacijenata je važna kako bi se deci i adolescentima sa PAS omogućila kvalitetna stomatološka nega

Additional file 1 of Minimum redundancy maximum relevance feature selection approach for temporal gene expression data

Supplementary materials. The supplementary PDF file contains relevant information omitted from the main manuscript such as: (1) the ranked list of the top 50 genes selected by the TMRMR-C approach for H3N2, HRV and RSV datasets, respectively and (2) error bars for the two groups, symptomatic and asymptomatic, for the top genes selected from the three datasets. (DOCX 240 kb