Infrared stability of ABJ-like theories

We consider marginal deformations of the superconformal ABJM/ABJ models which preserve N=2 supersymmetry. We determine perturbatively the spectrum of fixed points and study their infrared stability. We find a closed line of fixed points which is IR stable. The fixed point corresponding to the ABJM/ABJ models is stable under marginal deformations which respect the original SU(2)xSU(2) invariance, while deformations which break this group destabilize the theory which then flows to a less symmetric fixed point. We discuss the addition of flavor degrees of freedom. We prove that in general a flavor marginal superpotential does not destabilize the system in the IR. An exception is represented by a marginal coupling which mixes matter charged under different gauge sectors. Finally, we consider the case of relevant deformations which should drive the system to a strongly coupled IR fixed point recently investigated in arXiv:0909.2036 [hep-th].Comment: 1+11 pages, 4 figures; v2: minor correction

Entire hemithorax irradiation for Masaoka stage IVa thymomas

Thymomas are rare neoplasms that have an indolent growth with a preferentially intra-thoracic dissemination pattern. Surgery is currently the standard treatment of thymomas; however radiotherapy is often used in an adjuvant setting due to a high sensitivity of these tumors to such treatment. Postoperative entire hemithoracic irradiation has been used in selected Masaoka stage IVa cases after complete surgical excision of metastatic lesions. In the present article, the authors report three cases of Masaoka stage IVa thymoma that underwent entire hemithorax irradiation after surgical excision of metastatic lesions. The first two patients presented as stage IVa thymomas. The third case consisted of a pleural recurrence of a thymoma. Hemithoracic irradiation with low doses has been used by different authors; the available data shows that it is a well-tolerated treatment that could potentially lead to better loco-regional control and increased overall survival

Quasi-Linear Differential-Deference Game of Approach

This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of a book chapter that is part of “V. A. Sadovnichiy, M. Z. Zgurovsky (eds.). Modern Mathematics and Mechanics. Understanding Complex Systems”. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-96755-4_26The paper is devoted to the games of approach. We consider a controlled object whose dynamics is described by the linear differential system with a pure time delay or the differential-difference system with commutative matrices in Euclidean space. The approaches to the solutions of these problems are proposed which based on the Method of Resolving Functions and the First Direct Method of L.S. Pontryagin. The guaranteed times of the game termination are found, and corresponding control laws are constructed. The results are illustrated by a model example

Characterization and Organic Compounds in Peloids from Mongolia

The peloids are the important natural remedy all over the world. The physicochemical properties and some organic matters of peloids from 12 lakes in Mongolia were examined. These peloids belong to the continental hydrosulfide sticky peloid except Gurvan nuur peloid. Peloid from Lake Gurvan nuur was classified as a sapropel with high ash content.The peloid organic matters were investigated using chemical analysis and several analytical techniques, such as IR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy, GC/MS, gas chromatography. The concentration of total organic carbon in all continental hydrosulfide sticky peloids is ranged from 0.4% to 3.1%, but 15.3% in the sapropel. It shows that the majority of the peloids in Mongolia are hydrosulfide sticky peloid with lower organic matters than the sapropel and peat. In this study, no significant difference of chemical composition was observed between dissoluble and insoluble organic matters from peloids. Some classes of biomolecules, including lipid and carbohydrate, were identified. Biogenic stimulator humic acid (HA) is the major part of the peloid organic matter. HA concentration varied between 11.2% and 55.9% of total organic matter of peloids. The macromolecule of the sapropel HA exhibited a lower aromatization degree and more functional groups than other HAs, as revealed by the 13C NMR data and C/H ratio. The genesis of peloid organic matter is discussed in this paper.Our results suggest that the presence of known bioactive organic compounds, such as humic acid, lipid, and carbohydrate, as well as hydrogen sulfide causes the balneological value of peloids in Mongolia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/pmas.v0i4.42Proceedings of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences 2009 No 4 pp.3-2

Monitoring Influenza Epidemics in China with Search Query from Baidu

Several approaches have been proposed for near real-time detection and prediction of the spread of influenza. These include search query data for influenza-related terms, which has been explored as a tool for augmenting traditional surveillance methods. In this paper, we present a method that uses Internet search query data from Baidu to model and monitor influenza activity in China. The objectives of the study are to present a comprehensive technique for: (i) keyword selection, (ii) keyword filtering, (iii) index composition and (iv) modeling and detection of influenza activity in China. Sequential time-series for the selected composite keyword index is significantly correlated with Chinese influenza case data. In addition, one-month ahead prediction of influenza cases for the first eight months of 2012 has a mean absolute percent error less than 11%. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the use of search query data from Baidu in conjunction with this approach for estimation of influenza activity in China

Evaporation induced flow inside circular wells

Flow field and height averaged radial velocity inside a droplet evaporating in an open circular well were calculated for different modes of liquid evaporation.Comment: 5 page, 3 figures, submitted to European Physical Journal

Enhanced Optical 13C Hyperpolarization in Diamond Treated by High-Temperature Rapid Thermal Annealing

Methods of optical dynamic nuclear polarization open the door to the replenishable hyperpolarization of nuclear spins, boosting their nuclear magnetic resonance/imaging signatures by orders of magnitude. Nanodiamond powder rich in negatively charged nitrogen vacancy defect centers has recently emerged as one such promising platform, wherein 13C nuclei can be hyperpolarized through the optically pumped defects completely at room temperature. Given the compelling possibility of relaying this 13C polarization to nuclei in external liquids, there is an urgent need for the engineered production of highly “hyperpolarizable” diamond particles. Here, a systematic study of various material dimensions affecting optical 13C hyperpolarization in diamond particles is reported on. It is discovered surprisingly that diamond annealing at elevated temperatures ∼1720 °C has remarkable effects on the hyperpolarization levels enhancing them by above an order of magnitude over materials annealed through conventional means. It is demonstrated these gains arise from a simultaneous improvement in NV− electron relaxation/coherence times, as well as the reduction of paramagnetic content, and an increase in 13C relaxation lifetimes. This work suggests methods for the guided materials production of fluorescent, 13C hyperpolarized, nanodiamonds and pathways for their use as multimodal (optical and magnetic resonance) imaging and hyperpolarization agents

On the infrared behaviour of 3d Chern-Simons theories in N=2 superspace

We discuss the problem of infrared divergences in the N=2 superspace approach to classically marginal three-dimensional Chern-Simons-matter theories. Considering the specific case of ABJM theory, we describe the origin of such divergences and offer a prescription to eliminate them by introducing non-trivial gauge-fixing terms in the action. We also comment on the extension of our procedure to higher loop order and to general three-dimensional Chern-Simons-matter models.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures, JHEP3; v2: minor corrections and references added; v3: introduction expanded, presentation of section 3.3.1 improved, references added, version to appear in JHE

Phylogenetic relationship among Kenyan sorghum germplasms based on aluminium tolerance

Eighty nine (89) sorghum lines sourced from various parts of Kenya were used to determine phylogenetic relationships based on 10 DNA fragments at AltSB loci with SbMATE, ORF9 and MITE primers. Nine lines of varying aluminium tolerance levels were selected to compare their SbMATE gene expression via the real-time PCR quantification of SbMATE gene expression. The sorghum line MSCR O2 expressed a thousandfold more SbMATEgene activity than the sensitive lines (MSCRM49, MSCRN84 and MSCRN61) under Al treatment. Analysis was done by agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide. The objective of this study was to assess the level of phylogenetic relationships among the Kenyan sorghum germplasms at a known Al tolerance locus. Hierarchical cluster analysis joined at 70% simple matching coefficient using average linkage similarity level produced nine groups in which 67 lines fell in three major clusters of 39, 15 and 13 lines each. The three Al tolerant lines MSCRO2, MSCRC1 and MSCRN60 were clustered together. Lines MSCRO2, MSCRC1 and MSCRN60, screened to be Al tolerant were genetically related at 70% average linkage similarity level and therefore recommend their further development as a food security measure in Kenya.Keywords: Aluminium (Al) toxicity, Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum bicolor multi-drug, toxic extrusion compound (SbMATE) gene expressionAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(22), pp. 3528-353