1,999 research outputs found
Delocalization of states in two component superlattices with correlated disorder
Electron and phonon states in two different models of intentionally
disordered superlattices are studied analytically as well as numerically. The
localization length is calculated exactly and we found that it diverges for
particular energies or frequencies, suggesting the existence of delocalized
states for both electrons and phonons. Numerical calculations for the
transmission coefficient support the existence of these delocalized states.Comment: RevTeX, 12 pages, 2 PS figures adde
Integrating van der Waals materials on paper substrates for electrical and optical applications
Trial-by-Trial Changes in a Priori Informational Value of External Cues and Subjective Expectancies in Human Auditory Attention
Background: Preparatory activity based on a priori probabilities generated in previous trials and subjective expectancies would produce an attentional bias. However, preparation can be correct (valid) or incorrect (invalid) depending on the actual target stimulus. The alternation effect refers to the subjective expectancy that a target will not be repeated in the same position, causing RTs to increase if the target location is repeated. The present experiment, using the Posner’s central cue paradigm, tries to demonstrate that not only the credibility of the cue, but also the expectancy about the next position of the target are changedin a trial by trial basis. Sequences of trials were analyzed. Results: The results indicated an increase in RT benefits when sequences of two and three valid trials occurred. The analysis of errors indicated an increase in anticipatory behavior which grows as the number of valid trials is increased. On the other hand, there was also an RT benefit when a trial was preceded by trials in which the position of the target changed with respect to the current trial (alternation effect). Sequences of two alternations or two repetitions were faster than sequences of trials in which a pattern of repetition or alternation is broken. Conclusions: Taken together, these results suggest that in Posner’s central cue paradigm, and with regard to the anticipatory activity, the credibility of the external cue and of the endogenously anticipated patterns of target location are constantly updated. The results suggest that Bayesian rules are operating in the generation of anticipatory activity as
Internal dynamics of the radio-halo cluster A2744
We present a detailed dynamical analysis of the rich galaxy cluster A2744,
containing a powerful diffuse radio halo.Our analysis is based on redshift data
for 102 galaxies, part of them recovered from unexplored spectra in the ESO
archive. We combine galaxy velocity and position information to select the
cluster members and determine global dynamical properties of the cluster. We
use a variety of statistical tests to detect possible substructures. We find
that A2744 appears as a well isolated peak in the redshift space at =0.306,
which includes 85 galaxies recognized as cluster members. We compute the
line-of-sight (LOS) velocity dispersion of galaxies (~1750 km/sec), which is
significantly larger than what is expected in the case of a relaxed cluster
with an observed X-ray temperature of 8 keV. We find evidence that this cluster
is far from dynamical equilibrium, as shown by the non-Gaussian nature of the
velocity distribution, the presence of a velocity gradient and a significant
substructure. In particular, our results suggest a merging scenario of two
clumps with a mass ratio of 3:1 and a LOS impact velocity (rest frame) of ~3000
km/sec, likely observed just after the core passage. The merging is occuring
roughly in the NS direction with the axis close to the LOS. This scenario
agrees with that proposed on the basis of recent Chandra results in its general
lines, although suggesting a somewhat more advanced merging phase.Comment: 14 pages. Paper in press on Astronomy & Astrophysic
Mitochondrial dysfunction governs immunometabolism in leukocytes of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure.
Background & aims: Patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) present a systemic hyperinflammatory response associated with increased circulating levels of small-molecule metabolites. To investigate whether these alterations reflect inadequate cell energy output, we assessed mitochondrial morphology and central metabolic pathways with emphasis on the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in peripheral leukocytes from patients with acutely decompensated (AD) cirrhosis, with and without ACLF. Methods: The study included samples from patients with AD cirrhosis (108 without and 128 with ACLF) and 41 healthy individuals. Leukocyte mitochondrial ultrastructure was visualized by transmission electron microscopy and cytosolic and mitochondrial metabolic fluxes were determined by assessing NADH/FADH2 production from various substrates. Plasma GDF15 and FGF21 were determined by Luminex and acylcarnitines by LC-MS/MS. Gene expression was analyzed by RNA-sequencing and PCR-based glucose metabolism profiler array. Results: Mitochondrial ultrastructure in patients with advanced cirrhosis was distinguished by cristae rarefication and swelling. The number of mitochondria per leukocyte was higher in patients, accompanied by a reduction in their size. Increased FGF21 and C6:0- and C8:0-carnitine predicted mortality whereas GDF15 strongly correlated with a gene set signature related to leukocyte activation. Metabolic flux analyses revealed increased energy production in mononuclear leukocytes from patients with preferential involvement of extra-mitochondrial pathways, supported by upregulated expression of genes encoding enzymes of the glycolytic and pentose phosphate pathways. In patients with ACLF, mitochondrial function analysis uncovered break-points in the TCA cycle at the isocitrate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase level, which were bridged by anaplerotic reactions involving glutaminolysis and nucleoside metabolism. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence at the cellular, organelle and biochemical levels that severe mitochondrial dysfunction governs immunometabolism in leukocytes from patients with AD cirrhosis and ACLF. Lay summary: Patients at advanced stages of liver disease have dismal prognosis due to vital organ failures and the lack of treatment options. In this study, we report that the functioning of mitochondria, which are known as the cell powerhouse, is severely impaired in leukocytes of these patients, probably as a consequence of intense inflammation. Mitochondrial dysfunction is therefore a hallmark of advanced liver disease
Direct Detection of Dark Matter in the MSSM with Non-Universal Higgs Masses
We calculate dark matter scattering rates in the minimal supersymmetric
extension of the Standard Model (MSSM), allowing the soft
supersymmetry-breaking masses of the Higgs multiplets, m_{1,2}, to be
non-universal (NUHM). Compared with the constrained MSSM (CMSSM) in which
m_{1,2} are required to be equal to the soft supersymmetry-breaking masses m_0
of the squark and slepton masses, we find that the elastic scattering cross
sections may be up to two orders of magnitude larger than values in the CMSSM
for similar LSP masses. We find the following preferred ranges for the
spin-independent cross section: 10^{-6} pb \ga \sigma_{SI} \ga 10^{-10} pb, and
for the spin-dependent cross section: 10^{-3} pb \ga \sigma_{SD}, with the
lower bound on \sigma_{SI} dependent on using the putative constraint from the
muon anomalous magnetic moment. We stress the importance of incorporating
accelerator and dark matter constraints in restricting the NUHM parameter
space, and also of requiring that no undesirable vacuum appear below the GUT
scale. In particular, values of the spin-independent cross section another
order of magnitude larger would appear to be allowed, for small \tan \beta, if
the GUT vacuum stability requirement were relaxed, and much lower cross-section
values would be permitted if the muon anomalous magnetic moment constraint were
dropped.Comment: 30 pages LaTeX, 40 eps figure
Comparative leaf anatomy and morphology of some Brazilian species of Crotalaria L. (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae: Crotalarieae)
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