New blow-up phenomena for SU(n+1) Toda system

We consider the $SU(n+1)$ Toda system (S_\lambda) \quad \left\{ \begin{aligned} & \Delta u_1 + 2\lambda e^{u_1} - \lambda e^{u_2}- \dots - \lambda e^{u_k} = 0\quad \hbox{in}\ \Omega,\\ & \Delta u_2 - \lambda e^{u_1} + 2\lambda e^{u_2} - \dots - \lambda e^{u_k}=0\quad \hbox{in}\ \Omega,\\ &\vdots \hskip3truecm \ddots \hskip2truecm \vdots\\ & \Delta u_k -\lambda e^{u_1}-\lambda e^{u_2}- \dots+2\lambda e^{u_k}=0\quad \hbox{in}\ \Omega, &u_1 = u_2 = \dots = u_k =0 \quad \hbox{on}\ \partial\Omega.\\ \end{aligned}\right. If $0\in\Omega$ and $\Omega$ is symmetric with respect to the origin, we construct a family of solutions $({u_1}_\lambda,\dots,{u_k}_\lambda)$ to $(S_\lambda )$ such that the $i-$th component ${u_i}_\lambda$ blows-up at the origin with a mass $2^{i+1}\pi$ as $\lambda$ goes to zero.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1210.571

Observational and Experimental Gravity

We indicate the progress of experimental gravity, present an outlook in this field, and summarise the Observational/Experimental Parallel Session together with a related plenary talk on gravitational waves of the 2nd LeCosPA Symposium.Comment: 1 figure, Second LeCosPa Simposium, December 2015, Taipei Taiwa

Dispersion-shifted all-solid high index-contrast microstructured optical fiber for nonlinear applications at 1.55µm

We report the fabrication of an all-solid highly nonlinear microstructured optical fiber. The structured preform was made by glass extrusion using two types of commercial lead silicate glasses that provide high index-contrast. Effectively single-moded guidance was observed in the fiber at 1.55µm. The effective nonlinearity and the propagation loss at this wavelength were measured to be 120W/km respectively at 1.55µm. These predictions are consistent with the experimentally determined dispersion of +12.5ps/nm/km at 1.55µm. Tunable and efficient four-wave-mixing based wavelength conversion was demonstrated at wavelengths around 1.55µm using a 1.5m length of the fiber

Energy Storage using Graphene-Polymer nanocomposite thin film

There is an unmet need for efficient and environmentally-friendly ultrathin energy storage devices. Here we report a thin and flexible energy storage mechanism using electrically conductive polymer (ECPs) polypyrrole and atomically thin material and a highly conductive allotrope of carbon graphene which is coated on thin paper substrate made from cladophora aegagropila algae cellulose. The cyclic voltammetry data exhibits a capacitive behavior of the device, as do the multimeter readings of the voltage while charging and discharging exhibit a battery performance. The device demonstrated hybrid characteristics in which graphene behaved as an electrochemical double layer capacitance (EDLC) and PPy behaved as a pseudo-capacitor. With significant mechanical strength and flexibility, the device shows good power density, higher charge discharge cycles, and lower self discharge rates. TEM and SEM images show well dispersion of graphene on the surface of cellulose fibers. In order to decrease the effective weight of the insulating material and to achieve a controlled thickness of the electrode in few microns to nm range we propose the fabrication of the thin film using electrodeposition technique. Preliminary experiments show that using a small electrode of 1cm2 area we can achieve up to 1.5 V of potential across the terminal

In between data sharing and reuse: Shareability, availability and reusability in diverse contexts

Although data availability cannot be considered the sole predictor of effective reuse, because only accessible and well-managed data can make reuse possible, data reuse is contingent on the availability of data. It is critical to understand the nature of shareability, availability, and reusability, and their synergy and relationships, to further understand the dynamics of data reuse practices in multiple environments and contexts. This panel aims to closely examine aspects related to data shareability, availability and reusability, based on the assumption that each condition poses a cumulative effect on each other and impacts the efficiency and efficacy of the data reuse process. The panelists will present their findings and perspectives in a diverse context regarding data availability, between academic and non-academic; data shareability and data reusability, social sciences and earth science, researchers’ and journal publishers’ perspectives. Presentations will be followed by an interactive session taking the team-based approach, with the expectation to engage participants in discussion and experience-sharing, and to contribute in terms of practice and research with the current knowledge and applications

Using Curcumin Nano-Lipid Particles in a Therapeutic Approach

Curcumin (Curcuma longa) is a plant-based polyphenol known to have several medicinal properties. Although several promising effects of using curcumin in clinical trials have been observed, its overall medicinal qualities are still limited due to low bioavailability. In order to increase the bioavailability, we are embedding curcumin within Nano-Lipid Particles (both curcumin telodendrimer discs and curcumin tNLPs). Telodendrimer nanolipoprotein particles (tNLPs) are discoidal self-assemblies containing lipids and apolipoproteins which can be used as a vehicle to carry proteins and other small molecules to the cell. Telodendrimer NLPs have been used to increase the bioavailability of drugs, and provide an ideal platform to increase curcumin bioavailability. The generation of tNLPs can be accomplished using several methods; such as cellfree assembly and in-vitro assembly. Curcumin telodendrimer discs (curcumin telo-discs) are a nano-lipid mixture of lipids, curcumin, and telodendrimer that acts as the basis for the curcumin tNLP reaction. Using the curcumin telo-disc as the starting additive, we demonstrate that we can purify properly formed curcumin tNLPs via affinity columns and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Here, we show that with two separate methods: a cell-free expressed method and in-vitro assembly, we can demonstrate that curcumin

Effect of Caloric Restriction and AMPK Activation on Hepatic Nuclear Receptor, Biotransformation Enzyme, and Transporter Expression in Lean and Obese Mice

Purpose: Fatty liver alters liver transporter expression. Caloric restriction (CR), the recommended therapy to reverse fatty liver, increases Sirtuin1 deacetylase activity in liver. This study evaluated whether CR and CR mimetics reversed obesity-induced transporter expression in liver and hepatocytes. Methods: mRNA and protein expression was determined in adult lean (lean) and leptin-deficient obese (OB) mice fed ad libitum or placed on 40% (kCal) reduced diet. Hepatocytes were isolated from lean and OB mice, treated with AMP Kinase activators, and gene expression was determined. Results: CR decreased Oatp1a1, Oatp1b2, and Abcb11 mRNA expression in lean, but not OB mice. CR increased Abcc2 mRNA OB livers, whereas protein expression increased in both genotypes. CR increased Abcc3 protein expression increased in OB livers. CR did not alter Abcc1, 4 and 5 mRNA expression in lean mice but decreased expression in livers of OB mice. CR increased Abcc4 protein in lean, but not OB mice. Conclusions: CR restriction reversed the expression of some, but not all transporters in livers of OB mice. Overall, these data indicate a potential for CR to restore some hepatic transporter changes in OB mice, but suggest a functional leptin axis is needed for reversal of expression for some transporters

Multichannel wavelength conversion of 40 Gbit/s NRZ DPSK signals in a highly nonlinear dispersion flattened lead silicate fibre

We experimentally demonstrate the wavelength conversion of three wavelength multiplexed 40 Gbit/s Differential Phase Shift Keyed (DPSK) signals in a 2.2m length of highly nonlinear, dispersion tailored W-type lead-silicate optical fibre