Calculation of electrical transport properties and electron entanglement in inhomogeneous quantum wires

In this paper, we have investigated the spin-dependent transport properties and electron entanglement in a mesoscopic system, which consists of two semi-infinite leads (as source and drain) separated by a typical quantum wire with a given potential. The properties studied include current-voltage characteristic, electrical conductivity, Fano factor and shot noise, and concurrence. The calculations are based on the transfer matrix method within the effective mass approximation. Using the Landauer formalism and transmission coefficient, the dependence of the considered quantities on type of potential well, length and width of potential well, energy of transmitted electron, temperature and the voltage have been theoretically studied. Also, the effect of the above-mentioned factors has been investigated in the nanostructure. The application of the present results may be useful in designing spintronice devices

The influence of calcium supplement on body composition, weight loss and insulin resistance in obese adults receiving low calorie diet

BACKGROUND: Obesity and diabetes are the most important problems of public health. Evidence from molecular animal research and epidemiologic investigations indicate that calcium intake may have an influence on body composition, weight and insulin resistance. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of calcium supplementation on body composition, weight, insulin resistance and blood pressure in the face of calorie restriction in obese adults. METHODS: A double blind randomized placebo-controlled trial on 40 adults with Body Mass Index > 25kg/m2 was conducted. Subjects were maintained for 24 weeks on a balanced deficit diet (-500 kcal/d deficit) and randomly assigned into two groups with 1000 mg ca/d as calcium carbonate or placebo. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in variables at the 12th and 24th week between the two groups. The lean mass showed no significant increase in the calcium group at the 12th week compared to baseline and in placebo group at the 24th week compared to the 12th week. The insulin concentration showed a significant decrease in the calcium group at the 12th week compared to the baseline (p < 0.05). The diastolic blood pressure had a significant decrease at the 24th week compared to the 12th week in both groups (p = 0.013-0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study suggest that 24 weeks of supplementation with 1000 mg ca/d did not have any effect on weight, body composition, insulin resistance and blood pressure beyond what can be achieved in an energy restricted diet in obese adults

An influence of parasitic parameters on electromagnetic disturbance emission in voltage converters

In this paper it is estimated an influence of parasitic parameters of elements in converters of different topologies on a spectral components of conducted electromagnetic interference. Scalability of obtained results allows to estimate expected levels of electromagnetic interferences (EMI) from considered converters types, and hence, develop more efficient interference-suppression filters (ISF) for switching-type power supplies (STPS) with less development cost. Results are obtained for frequency band of 0–30 MHz

Notch Inhibition during Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing Promotes Migration

PURPOSE. To determine the role of Notch signaling in corneal epithelial migration and wound healing. METHODS. Immunolocalization of Notch1 was performed during epithelial wound healing in vivo in mouse corneal epithelial debridement wounds and in vitro in primary human corneal epithelial cells following a linear scratch wound. The effects of Notch inhibition, using the γ-secretase inhibitor N-(N-[3,5-difluorophenacetyl]-l-alanyl)-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) or following stable transfection with Notch1-short hairpin RNA (shRNA), was evaluated in a scratch assay and transwell migration assay. Likewise, in vitro adhesion, proliferation and the actin cytoskeleton was examined. The DAPT effect was also evaluated in vivo in a mouse model of corneal epithelial wound healing. RESULTS. The expression of Notch1 was reduced at the leading edge of a healing corneal epithelium both in vivo and in vitro. Notch inhibition using DAPT and using Notch1-shRNA both enhanced in vitro migration in scratch and transwell migration assays. Consistent with this increased migratory behavior, Notch inhibited cells demonstrated decreased cell-matrix adhesion and enhanced lamellipodia formation. Notch inhibition by DAPT was also found to accelerate corneal epithelial wound closure in an in vivo murine model without affecting proliferation. CONCLUSIONS. The results highlight the role of Notch in regulating corneal epithelial migration and wound healing. In particular, Notch signaling appears to decrease in the early stages of wound healing which contributes to cytoskeletal changes with subsequent augmentation of migratory behavior