1,141 research outputs found
Random Matrix Theory and Chiral Symmetry in QCD
Random matrix theory is a powerful way to describe universal correlations of
eigenvalues of complex systems. It also may serve as a schematic model for
disorder in quantum systems. In this review, we discuss both types of
applications of chiral random matrix theory to the QCD partition function. We
show that constraints imposed by chiral symmetry and its spontaneous breaking
determine the structure of low-energy effective partition functions for the
Dirac spectrum. We thus derive exact results for the low-lying eigenvalues of
the QCD Dirac operator. We argue that the statistical properties of these
eigenvalues are universal and can be described by a random matrix theory with
the global symmetries of the QCD partition function. The total number of such
eigenvalues increases with the square root of the Euclidean four-volume. The
spectral density for larger eigenvalues (but still well below a typical
hadronic mass scale) also follows from the same low-energy effective partition
function. The validity of the random matrix approach has been confirmed by many
lattice QCD simulations in a wide parameter range. Stimulated by the success of
the chiral random matrix theory in the description of universal properties of
the Dirac eigenvalues, the random matrix model is extended to nonzero
temperature and chemical potential. In this way we obtain qualitative results
for the QCD phase diagram and the spectrum of the QCD Dirac operator. We
discuss the nature of the quenched approximation and analyze quenched Dirac
spectra at nonzero baryon density in terms of an effective partition function.
Relations with other fields are also discussed.Comment: invited review article for Ann. Rev. Nucl. Part. Sci., 61 pages, 11
figures, uses ar.sty (included); references added and typos correcte
Mechanical shear stress and leukocyte phenotype and function: Implications for ventricular assist device development and use
Heart failure (HF) remains a disease of ever increasing prevalence in the modern world. Patients with end-stage HF are being referred increasingly for mechanical circulatory support (MCS). MCS can assist patients who are ineligible for transplant and stabilise eligible patients prior to transplantation. It is also used during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery to maintain circulation whilst operating on the heart. Whilst MCS can stabilise HF and improve quality of life, complications such as infection and thrombosis remain a common risk. Leukocytes can contribute to both of these complications. Contact with foreign surfaces and the introduction of artificial mechanical shear stress can lead to activation of leukocytes, reduced functionality, and the release of pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombogenic microparticles. Assessing the impact of mechanical trauma to leukocytes is largely overlooked in comparison to red blood cells and platelets. This review provides an overview of the available literature on the effects of in vitro to clinical MCS systems on leukocyte phenotype and function. One purpose of this review is to emphasise the importance of studying mechanical trauma to leukocytes to better understand the occurrence of adverse events during MCS
Co3O4 Nanocrystals on Graphene as a Synergistic Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Catalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions are at the heart of
key renewable energy technologies including fuel cells and water splitting.
Despite tremendous efforts, developing oxygen electrode catalysts with high
activity at low costs remains a grand challenge. Here, we report a hybrid
material of Co3O4 nanocrystals grown on reduced graphene oxide (GO) as a
high-performance bi-functional catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and
oxygen evolution reaction (OER). While Co3O4 or graphene oxide alone has little
catalytic activity, their hybrid exhibits an unexpected, surprisingly high ORR
activity that is further enhanced by nitrogen-doping of graphene. The
Co3O4/N-doped graphene hybrid exhibits similar catalytic activity but superior
stability to Pt in alkaline solutions. The same hybrid is also highly active
for OER, making it a high performance non-precious metal based bi-catalyst for
both ORR and OER. The unusual catalytic activity arises from synergetic
chemical coupling effects between Co3O4 and graphene.Comment: published in Nature Material
Evaluating Statistical Methods Using Plasmode Data Sets in the Age of Massive Public Databases: An Illustration Using False Discovery Rates
Plasmode is a term coined several years ago to describe data sets that are derived from real data but for which some truth is known. Omic techniques, most especially microarray and genomewide association studies, have catalyzed a new zeitgeist of data sharing that is making data and data sets publicly available on an unprecedented scale. Coupling such data resources with a science of plasmode use would allow statistical methodologists to vet proposed techniques empirically (as opposed to only theoretically) and with data that are by definition realistic and representative. We illustrate the technique of empirical statistics by consideration of a common task when analyzing high dimensional data: the simultaneous testing of hundreds or thousands of hypotheses to determine which, if any, show statistical significance warranting follow-on research. The now-common practice of multiple testing in high dimensional experiment (HDE) settings has generated new methods for detecting statistically significant results. Although such methods have heretofore been subject to comparative performance analysis using simulated data, simulating data that realistically reflect data from an actual HDE remains a challenge. We describe a simulation procedure using actual data from an HDE where some truth regarding parameters of interest is known. We use the procedure to compare estimates for the proportion of true null hypotheses, the false discovery rate (FDR), and a local version of FDR obtained from 15 different statistical methods
The impact of Stieltjes' work on continued fractions and orthogonal polynomials
Stieltjes' work on continued fractions and the orthogonal polynomials related
to continued fraction expansions is summarized and an attempt is made to
describe the influence of Stieltjes' ideas and work in research done after his
death, with an emphasis on the theory of orthogonal polynomials
Gemcitabine twice weekly as a radiosensitiser for the treatment of brain metastases in patients with carcinoma: a phase I study
Conventional treatment for brain metastases (BM) is whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Efficacy is poor. It might be increased by a potent radiosensitiser such as gemcitabine which is believed to cross the disrupted blood–brain barrier. Primary objective of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of twice weekly gemcitabine given concurrently with WBRT. Patients with BM from carcinoma were included. The dose of WBRT was 30 Gys (10 daily fractions). Gemcitabine was given 2–4 h prior to WBRT on days 1 and 8 for the first cohort of patients and then on days 1, 4, 8 and 11. Starting dose was 25 mg m−2, escalated by 12.5 mg m−2 increments. At least three patients were included per level. Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as grade 4 haematological or grade ⩾3 nonhaematological toxicity. A total of 25 patients were included; 74% had a PS 1 (ECOG). In all, 23 had non-small-cell lung cancer, six colorectal, four breast, two renal cell and one oesophageal carcinoma. A total of 92% had concurrent extracranial disease. Six had single BM, 13 had two or three BM and six multiple. Up to 50 mg m−2 (level 4) no DLT was observed. At 62.5 mg m−2, one out of six patients developed DLT (thrombocytopenia-bleeding). The next dose level (75 mg m−2) was abandoned after grade 4 bone marrow toxicity (fatal neutropenic sepsis) was seen in one out of two patients. So that the dose of 50 mg m−2 will be taken forward for further study
Correlating the site of tympanic membrane perforation with Hearing loss
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens
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