383 research outputs found

    Spin torque resonant vortex core expulsion for an efficient radio-frequency detection scheme

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    Spin-polarised radio-frequency currents, whose frequency is equal to that of the gyrotropic mode, will cause an excitation of the core of a magnetic vortex confined in a magnetic tunnel junction. When the excitation radius of the vortex core is greater than that of the junction radius, vortex core expulsion is observed, leading to a large change in resistance, as the layer enters a predominantly uniform magnetisation state. Unlike the conventional spin-torque diode effect, this highly tunable resonant effect will generate a voltage which does not decrease as a function of rf power, and has the potential to form the basis of a new generation of tunable nanoscale radio-frequency detectors

    Human Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors-X1 induce chemokine receptor 2 expression in rat dorsal root ganglia neurons and release of chemokine ligand 2 from the human LAD-2 mast cell line

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    Primate-specific Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors-X1 (MRGPR-X1) are highly enriched in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and induce acute pain. Herein, we analyzed effects of MRGPR-X1 on serum response factors (SRF) or nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFAT), which control expression of various markers of chronic pain. Using HEK293, DRG neuron-derived F11 cells and cultured rat DRG neurons recombinantly expressing human MRGPR-X1, we found activation of a SRF reporter gene construct and induction of the early growth response protein-1 via extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1/2 known to play a significant role in the development of inflammatory pain. Furthermore, we observed MRGPR-X1-induced up-regulation of the chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) via NFAT, which is considered as a key event in the onset of neuropathic pain and, so far, has not yet been described for any endogenous neuropeptide. Up-regulation of CCR2 is often associated with increased release of its endogenous agonist chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). We also found MRGPR-X1-promoted release of CCL2 in a human connective tissue mast cell line endogenously expressing MRGPR-X1. Thus, we provide first evidence to suggest that MRGPR-X1 induce expression of chronic pain markers in DRG neurons and propose a so far unidentified signaling circuit that enhances chemokine signaling by acting on two distinct yet functionally co-operating cell types. Given the important role of chemokine signaling in pain chronification, we propose that interruption of this signaling circuit might be a promising new strategy to alleviate chemokine-promoted pain

    Lady Gaga as (dis)simulacrum of monstrosity

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    Lady Gaga’s celebrity DNA revolves around the notion of monstrosity, an extensively researched concept in postmodern cultural studies. The analysis that is offered in this paper is largely informed by Deleuze and Guattari’s notion of monstrosity, as well as by their approach to the study of sign-systems that was deployed in A Thousand Plateaus. By drawing on biographical and archival visual data, with a focus on the relatively underexplored live show, an elucidation is afforded of what is really monstrous about Lady Gaga. The main argument put forward is that monstrosity as sign seeks to appropriate the horizon of unlimited semiosis as radical alterity and openness to signifying possibilities. In this context it is held that Gaga effectively delimits her unique semioscape; however, any claims to monstrosity are undercut by the inherent limits of a representationalist approach in sufficiently engulfing this concept. Gaga is monstrous for her community insofar as she demands of her fans to project their semiosic horizon onto her as a simulacrum of infinite semiosis. However, this simulacrum may only be evinced in a feigned manner as a (dis)simulacrum. The analysis of imagery from seminal live shows during 2011–2012 shows that Gaga’s presumed monstrosity is more akin to hyperdifferentiation as simultaneous employment of heterogeneous and potentially dissonant inter pares cultural representations. The article concludes with a problematisation of audience effects in the light of Gaga’s adoption of a schematic and post-representationalist strategy in the event of her strategy’s emulation by competitive artists

    A Review of the Rationale for Additional Therapeutic Interventions to Attain Lower LDL-C When Statin Therapy Is Not Enough

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    Statins alone are not always adequate therapy to achieve low-density lipoprotein (LDL) goals in many patients. Many options are available either alone or in combination with statins that makes it possible to reach recommended goals in a safe and tolerable fashion for most patients. Ezetimibe and bile acid sequestrants reduce cholesterol transport to the liver and can be used in combination. Niacin is very effective at lowering LDL, beyond its ability to raise high-density lipoprotein and shift LDL particle size to a less atherogenic type. When statins cannot be tolerated at all, red yeast rice can be used if proper formulations of the product are obtained. Nutrients can also be added to the diet, including plant stanols and sterols, soy protein, almonds, and fiber, either individually or all together as a portfolio diet. A clear understanding of how each of these strategies works is essential for effective results

    Observation of an Exotic S=+1S=+1 Baryon in Exclusive Photoproduction from the Deuteron

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    In an exclusive measurement of the reaction γdK+Kpn\gamma d \to K^+ K^- p n, a narrow peak that can be attributed to an exotic baryon with strangeness S=+1S=+1 is seen in the K+nK^+n invariant mass spectrum. The peak is at 1.542±0.0051.542\pm 0.005 GeV/c2^2 with a measured width of 0.021 GeV/c2^2 FWHM, which is largely determined by experimental mass resolution. The statistical significance of the peak is 5.2±0.6σ5.2 \pm 0.6 \sigma. The mass and width of the observed peak are consistent with recent reports of a narrow S=+1S=+1 baryon by other experimental groups.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

    Measurement of Beam-Spin Asymmetries for Deep Inelastic π+\pi^+ Electroproduction

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    We report the first evidence for a non-zero beam-spin azimuthal asymmetry in the electroproduction of positive pions in the deep-inelastic region. Data have been obtained using a polarized electron beam of 4.3 GeV with the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab). The amplitude of the sinϕ\sin\phi modulation increases with the momentum of the pion relative to the virtual photon, zz, with an average amplitude of 0.038±0.005±0.0030.038 \pm 0.005 \pm 0.003 for 0.5<z<0.80.5 < z < 0.8 range.Comment: 5 pages, RevTEX4, 3 figures, 2 table

    Measurement of the Polarized Structure Function σLT\sigma_{LT^\prime} for p(e,ep)πop(\vec{e},e'p)\pi^o in the Δ(1232)\Delta(1232) Resonance Region

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    The polarized longitudinal-transverse structure function σLT\sigma_{LT^\prime} has been measured in the Δ(1232)\Delta(1232) resonance region at Q2=0.40Q^2=0.40 and 0.65 GeV2^2. Data for the p(e,ep)πop(\vec e,e'p)\pi^o reaction were taken at Jefferson Lab with the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) using longitudinally polarized electrons at an energy of 1.515 GeV. For the first time a complete angular distribution was measured, permitting the separation of different non-resonant amplitudes using a partial wave analysis. Comparison with previous beam asymmetry measurements at MAMI indicate a deviation from the predicted Q2Q^2 dependence of σLT\sigma_{LT^{\prime}} using recent phenomenological models.Comment: 5 pages, LaTex, 4 eps figures: to be published in PRC/Rapid Communications. Version 2 has revised Q^2 analysi

    Two-Nucleon Momentum Distributions Measured in 3He(e,e'pp)n

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    We have measured the 3He(e,e'pp)n reaction at 2.2 GeV over a wide kinematic range. The kinetic energy distribution for `fast' nucleons (p > 250 MeV/c) peaks where two nucleons each have 20% or less, and the third nucleon has most of the transferred energy. These fast pp and pn pairs are back-to-back with little momentum along the three-momentum transfer, indicating that they are spectators. Experimental and theoretical evidence indicates that we have measured distorted two-nucleon momentum distributions by striking the third nucleon and detecting the spectator correlated pair.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, submitted to PR

    Search for the Θ+\Theta^+ pentaquark in the reaction γdpKK+n\gamma d \to p K^- K^+ n

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    A search for the \thp in the reaction γdpKK+n\gamma d \to pK^-K^+n was completed using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. A study of the same reaction, published earlier, reported the observation of a narrow \thp resonance. The present experiment, with more than 30 times the integrated luminosity of our earlier measurement, does not show any evidence for a narrow pentaquark resonance. The angle-integrated upper limit on \thp production in the mass range of 1.52 to 1.56 GeV/c2^2 for the γdpKΘ+\gamma d \to pK^-\Theta^+ reaction is 0.3 nb (95% CL). This upper limit depends on assumptions made for the mass and angular distribution of \thp production. Using \lamstar production as an empirical measure of rescattering in the deuteron, the cross section upper limit for the elementary γnKΘ+\gamma n \to K^-\Theta^+ reaction is estimated to be a factor of 10 higher, {\it i.e.}, 3\sim 3 nb (95% CL).Comment: 5 figures, submitted to PRL, revised for referee comment
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