Electronic density of states derived from thermodynamic critical field curves for underdoped La-Sr-Cu-O

Thermodynamic critical field curves have been measured for $La_{2-x}Sr_{x}CuO_{4+\delta}$ over the full range of carrier concentrations where superconductivity occurs in order to determine changes in the normal state density of states with carrier concentration. There is a substantial window in the $H-T$ plane where the measurements are possible because the samples are both thermodynamically reversible and the temperature is low enough that vortex fluctuations are not important. In this window, the data fit Hao-Clem rather well, so this model is used to determine $H_c$ and $\kappa_c$ for each temperature and carrier concentration. Using N(0) and the ratio of the energy gap to transition temperature, $\Delta (0)/k_BT_c$, as fitting parameters, the $H_c vs T$ curves give $\Delta (0)/k_BT_c \sim 2.0$ over the whole range of $x$. Values of N(0) remain rather constant in the optimum-doped and overdoped regime, but drops quickly toward zero in the underdoped regime.

Dosimetric comparison study between intensity modulated radiation therapy and three-dimensional conformal proton therapy for pelvic bone marrow sparing in the treatment of cervical cancer.

The objective was to compare intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with 3D conformal proton therapy (3DCPT) in the treatment of cervical cancer. In particular, each technique's ability to spare pelvic bone marrow (PBM) was of primary interest in this study. A total of six cervical cancer patients (3 postoperative and 3 intact) were planned and analyzed. All plans had uniform 1.0 cm CTV-PTV margin and satisfied the 95% PTV with 100% isodose (prescription dose = 45 Gy) coverage. Dose-volume histograms (DVH) were analyzed for comparison. The overall PTV and PBM volumes were 1035.9 ± 192.2 cc and 1151.4 ± 198.3 cc, respectively. In terms of PTV dose conformity index (DCI) and dose homogeneity index (DHI), 3DCPT was slightly superior to IMRT with 1.00 ± 0.001, 1.01 ± 0.02, and 1.10 ± 0.02, 1.13 ± 0.01, respectively. In addition, 3DCPT demonstrated superiority in reducing lower doses (i.e., V30 or less) to PBM, small bowel and bladder. Particularly in PBM, average V10 and V20 reductions of 10.8% and 7.4% (p = 0.001 and 0.04), respectively, were observed. However, in the higher dose range, IMRT provided better sparing (> V30). For example, in small bowel and PBM, average reductions in V45 of 4.9% and 10.0% (p = 0.048 and 0.008), respectively, were observed. Due to its physical characteristics such as low entrance dose, spread-out Bragg peak and finite particle range of protons, 3DCPT illustrated superior target coverage uniformity and sparing of the lower doses in PBM and other organs. Further studies are, however, needed to fully exploit the benefits of protons for general use in cervical cancer

A semi-small decomposition of the Chow ring of a matroid

We give a semi-small orthogonal decomposition of the Chow ring of a matroid M. The decomposition is used to give simple proofs of Poincar\'e duality, the hard Lefschetz theorem, and the Hodge-Riemann relations for the Chow ring, recovering the main result of [AHK18]. We also show that a similar semi-small orthogonal decomposition holds for the augmented Chow ring of M

Emerging sensor-cloud technology for pervasive services and applications

This is an Editorial article for the Special Issue on "Emerging Sensor-Cloud Technology for Pervasive Services and Applications" of the International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks

Influence of Mg Deficiency on the Superconductivity in MgB2 Thin Films Grown by using HPCVD

The effects of Mg deficiency in MgB2 films grown by using hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition were investigated after vacuum annealing at various temperatures. High-quality MgB2 films grown on c-cut Al2O3 substrates with different superconducting transition temperatures (Tc) of 40.2 and 41 K were used in this study. As the annealing temperature was increased from 200 to 800 C, the Mg contents in the MgB2 films systemically decreased, but the Tc's did not change, within 0.12 K, until the annealing temperature reached 700 C. For MgB2 films annealed at 800 C for 30 min, however, no superconductivity was observed, and the temperature dependence of the resistivity showed a semiconducting behavior. We also found that the residual resistivity ratio decreased with increasing annealing temperature.Comment: 7 pages including 4 figure

Dynamic Simulation for Zero-Gravity Activities

Working and training for space activities is difficult in terrestrial environments. We approach this crucial aspect of space human factors through 3D computer graphics dynamics simulation of crewmembers, their tasks, and physics-based movement modeling. Such virtual crewmembers may be used to design tasks and analyze their physical workload to maximize success and safety without expensive physical mockups or partially realistic neutral-buoyancy tanks. Among the software tools we have developed are methods for fully articulated 3D human models and dynamic simulation. We are developing a fast recursive dynamics algorithm for dynamically simulating articulated 3D human models, which comprises kinematic chains - serial, closed-loop, and tree-structure - as well as the inertial properties of the segments. Motion planning is done by first solving the inverse kinematic problem to generate possible trajectories, and then by solving the resulting nonlinear optimal control problem. For example, the minimization of the torques during a simulation under certain constraints is usually applied and has its origin in the biomechanics literature. Examples of space activities shown are zero-gravity self orientation and ladder traversal. Energy expenditure is computed for the traversal task

Knockdown of Ant2 Reduces Adipocyte Hypoxia And Improves Insulin Resistance in Obesity.

Decreased adipose tissue oxygen tension and increased HIF-1α expression can trigger adipose tissue inflammation and dysfunction in obesity. Our current understanding of obesity-associated decreased adipose tissue oxygen tension is mainly focused on changes in oxygen supply and angiogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that increased adipocyte O2 demand, mediated by ANT2 activity, is the dominant cause of adipocyte hypoxia. Deletion of adipocyte Ant2 improves obesity-induced intracellular adipocyte hypoxia by decreasing obesity-induced adipocyte oxygen demand, without effects on mitochondrial number or mass, or oligomycin-sensitive respiration. This led to decreased adipose tissue HIF-1α expression and inflammation with improved glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in both a preventative or therapeutic setting. Our results suggest that ANT2 may be a target for the development of insulin sensitizing drugs and that ANT2 inhibition might have clinical utility

Modulated structures in electroconvection in nematic liquid crystals

Motivated by experiments in electroconvection in nematic liquid crystals with homeotropic alignment we study the coupled amplitude equations describing the formation of a stationary roll pattern in the presence of a weakly-damped mode that breaks isotropy. The equations can be generalized to describe the planarly aligned case if the orienting effect of the boundaries is small, which can be achieved by a destabilizing magnetic field. The slow mode represents the in-plane director at the center of the cell. The simplest uniform states are normal rolls which may undergo a pitchfork bifurcation to abnormal rolls with a misaligned in-plane director.We present a new class of defect-free solutions with spatial modulations perpendicular to the rolls. In a parameter range where the zig-zag instability is not relevant these solutions are stable attractors, as observed in experiments. We also present two-dimensionally modulated states with and without defects which result from the destabilization of the one-dimensionally modulated structures. Finally, for no (or very small) damping, and away from the rotationally symmetric case, we find static chevrons made up of a periodic arrangement of defect chains (or bands of defects) separating homogeneous regions of oblique rolls with very small amplitude. These states may provide a model for a class of poorly understood stationary structures observed in various highly-conducting materials ("prechevrons" or "broad domains").Comment: 13 pages, 13 figure