Magnetic-Field Tuning of Light-Induced Superconductivity in Striped La2−x_{2-x}Bax_xCuO4_4

Optical excitation of stripe-ordered La$_{2-x}$Ba$_x$CuO$_4$ has been shown to transiently enhance superconducting tunneling between the CuO$_2$ planes. This effect was revealed by a blue-shift, or by the appearance of a Josephson Plasma Resonance in the terahertz-frequency optical properties. Here, we show that this photo-induced state can be strengthened by the application of high external magnetic fields oriented along the c-axis. For a 7-Tesla field, we observe up to a ten-fold enhancement in the transient interlayer phase correlation length, accompanied by a two-fold increase in the relaxation time of the photo-induced state. These observations are highly surprising, since static magnetic fields suppress interlayer Josephson tunneling and stabilize stripe order at equilibrium. We interpret our data as an indication that optically-enhanced interlayer coupling in La$_{2-x}$Ba$_x$CuO$_4$ does not originate from a simple optical melting of stripes, as previously hypothesized. Rather, we speculate that the photo-induced state may emerge from activated tunneling between optically-excited stripes in adjacent planes.Comment: 35 pages, 13 figure

Beyond Node Degree: Evaluating AS Topology Models

This is the accepted version of 'Beyond Node Degree: Evaluating AS Topology Models', archived originally at arXiv:0807.2023v1 [cs.NI] 13 July 2008.Many models have been proposed to generate Internet Autonomous System (AS) topologies, most of which make structural assumptions about the AS graph. In this paper we compare AS topology generation models with several observed AS topologies. In contrast to most previous works, we avoid making assumptions about which topological properties are important to characterize the AS topology. Our analysis shows that, although matching degree-based properties, the existing AS topology generation models fail to capture the complexity of the local interconnection structure between ASs. Furthermore, we use BGP data from multiple vantage points to show that additional measurement locations significantly affect local structure properties, such as clustering and node centrality. Degree-based properties, however, are not notably affected by additional measurements locations. These observations are particularly valid in the core. The shortcomings of AS topology generation models stems from an underestimation of the complexity of the connectivity in the core caused by inappropriate use of BGP data

Characteristics of a cohort of high-risk men who have sex with men on pre-exposure prophylaxis reporting transgender sexual partners.

Transgender people continue to be at high-risk for HIV acquisition, but little is known about the characteristics of their sexual partners. To address this gap, we examined sociodemographic and sexual characteristics of cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reporting transgender sexual partners.A cohort of 392 MSM in southern California in a randomized clinical trial for PrEP adherence were followed from 2013 to 2016. Multivariable generalized estimating equation and logistic models identified characteristics of MSM reporting transgender sexual partners and PrEP adherence.Only 14 (4%) MSM reported having transgender sexual partners. MSM were more likely to report transgender partners if they were African American, had incident chlamydia, reported injection drug-using sexual partners, or received items for sex. Most associations remained significant in the multivariable model: African American (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 11.20, P = .01), incident chlamydia (AOR 3.71, P = .04), and receiving items for sex (AOR 5.29, P = .04). There were no significant differences in PrEP adherence between MSM reporting transgender partners and their counterpart.MSM who report transgender sexual partners share characteristics associated with individuals with high HIV prevalence. Identifying this group distinct from larger cohorts of MSM could offer new HIV prevention opportunities for this group of MSM and the transgender community

Effects of IFN-B on TRAIL and Decoy Receptor Expression in Different Immune Cell Populations from MS Patients with Distinct Disease Subtypes

Using quantitative RT-PCR, we compared mRNA levels for TRAIL [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–related apoptosis-inducing ligand] and its receptors in various immune cell subsets derived from the peripheral blood of untreated normal subjects (NS) and patients with distinct subtypes of multiple sclerosis (MS): active relapsing-remitting MS (RRA), quiescent relapsing-remitting MS (RRQ), secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) or primary-progressive MS (PPMS). Consistent with a role for TRAIL in the mechanism of action of interferon-β (IFN-β), TRAIL mRNA levels were increased in monocytes from patients clinically responsive to IFN-β (RRQ) but not those unresponsive to this therapeutic (RRA). TRAIL-R3 (decoy receptor) expression was elevated in T cells from untreated RRMS patients while IFN-β therapy reversed this increase suggesting that IFN-β may promote the apoptotic elimination of autoreactive T cells by increasing the amount of TRAIL available to activate TRAIL death receptors. Serum concentrations of soluble TRAIL were increased to a similar extent by IFN-β therapy in RRQ, RRA and SPMS patients that had not generated neutralizing antibodies against this cytokine. Although our findings suggest altered TRAIL signaling may play a role in MS pathogenesis and IFN-β therapy, they do not support use of TRAIL as a surrogate marker for clinical responsiveness to this therapeutic

Confinement-induced resonances for a two-component ultracold atom gas in arbitrary quasi-one-dimensional traps

We solve the two-particle s-wave scattering problem for ultracold atom gases confined in arbitrary quasi-one-dimensional trapping potentials, allowing for two different atom species. As a consequence, the center-of-mass and relative degrees of freedom do not factorize. We derive bound-state solutions and obtain the general scattering solution, which exhibits several resonances in the 1D scattering length induced by the confinement. We apply our formalism to two experimentally relevant cases: (i) interspecies scattering in a two-species mixture, and (ii) the two-body problem for a single species in a non-parabolic trap.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figure

Codesigned Shared Decision-Making Diabetes Management Plan Tool for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Their Parents: Prototype Development and Pilot Test

Background: Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus have difficulty achieving optimal glycemic control, partly due to competing priorities that interfere with diabetes self-care. Often, significant diabetes-related family conflict occurs, and adolescents’ thoughts and feelings about diabetes management may be disregarded. Patient-centered diabetes outcomes may be better when adolescents feel engaged in the decision-making process. Objective: The objective of our study was to codesign a clinic intervention using shared decision making for addressing diabetes self-care with an adolescent patient and parent advisory board. Methods: The patient and parent advisory board consisted of 6 adolescents (teens) between the ages 12 and 18 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus and their parents recruited through our institution’s Pediatric Diabetes Program. Teens and parents provided informed consent and participated in 1 or both of 2 patient and parent advisory board sessions, lasting 3 to 4 hours each. Session 1 topics were (1) patient-centered outcomes related to quality of life, parent-teen shared diabetes management, and shared family experiences; and (2) implementation and acceptability of a patient-centered diabetes care plan intervention where shared decision making was used. We analyzed audio recordings, notes, and other materials to identify and extract ideas relevant to the development of a patient-centered diabetes management plan. These data were visually coded into similar themes. We used the information to develop a prototype for a diabetes management plan tool that we pilot tested during session 2. Results: Session 1 identified 6 principal patient-centered quality-of-life measurement domains: stress, fear and worry, mealtime struggles, assumptions and judgments, feeling abnormal, and conflict. We determined 2 objectives to be principally important for a diabetes management plan intervention: (1) focusing the intervention on diabetes distress and conflict resolution strategies, and (2) working toward a verbalized common goal. In session 2, we created the diabetes management plan tool according to these findings and will use it in a clinical trial with the aim of assisting with patient-centered goal setting. Conclusions: Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus can be effectively engaged and involved in patient-centered research design. Teens with type 1 diabetes mellitus prioritize reducing family conflict and fitting into their social milieu over health outcomes at this time in their lives. It is important to acknowledge this when designing interventions to improve health outcomes in teens with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Evaluation of a thrice weekly administration of teicoplanin in the outpatient setting; retrospective observational multi-centre study

Introduction: The glycopeptide teicoplanin is commonly utilised to facilitate Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT). Licensed for once daily maintenance dosing, teicoplanin’s long half-life allows for less frequent dosing (e.g. thrice weekly) following successful loading. This service evaluation reviews the safety and effectiveness of a novel thrice weekly teicoplanin dosing regimen. Methods A retrospective, observational study was conducted at Chelsea & Westminster hospital (March 2018 – July 2020), evaluating trough serum teicoplanin concentrations for patients receiving >5 days of teicoplanin in the OPAT setting. Teicoplanin dosing and administration (once daily versus thrice weekly), clinical outcomes, and therapeutic levels were analysed for all patients. The project was registered with clinical governance locally. Results A total of 82 patients treated with teicoplanin in the OPAT service where included; 53/82 receiving thrice weekly and 29/82 receiving once daily dosing. Mean teicoplanin trough levels were similar in both groups (26.2mg/L and 25.8mg/L in once daily and thrice weekly groups, p=0.8895). High clinical success rates were recorded in both groups (25/29 [86.2%] versus 50/53 [94.3%]). No correlation with clinical outcomes and initial teicoplanin serum levels was identified. Normal renal function (>90mL/min) was associated with lower teicoplanin serum concentrations (21.4mg/L[±10.1] versus 29.7mg/L[SD±14], p = 0.0178) in the thrice weekly dosed group but not with the once daily dosed group (mean 28.2mg/L[±9.4] versus 23.7mg/L[±9.9], p = 0.2201). Conclusions This study supports thrice weekly teicoplanin as a convenient and effective OPAT for administration in the OPAT setting. Therapeutic drug monitoring is advised to adjust for intra-patient variability

The origin of polar ring galaxies: evidence for galaxy formation by cold accretion

Polar ring galaxies are flattened stellar systems with an extended ring of gas and stars rotating in a plane almost perpendicular to the central galaxy. We show that their formation can occur naturally in a hierarchical universe where most low mass galaxies are assembled through the accretion of cold gas infalling along megaparsec scale filamentary structures. Within a large cosmological hydrodynamical simulation we find a system that closely resembles the classic polar ring galaxy NGC 4650A. How galaxies acquire their gas is a major uncertainty in models of galaxy formation and recent theoretical work has argued that cold accretion plays a major role. This idea is supported by our numerical simulations and the fact that polar ring galaxies are typically low mass systems.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, stability of the ring discussed, minor changes to match the accepted version by ApJL. A preprint with high-resolution figures is available at http://krone.physik.unizh.ch/~andrea/PolarRing/PolarRing.p