4,631 research outputs found
Entropy Distance: New Quantum Phenomena
We study a curve of Gibbsian families of complex 3x3-matrices and point out
new features, absent in commutative finite-dimensional algebras: a
discontinuous maximum-entropy inference, a discontinuous entropy distance and
non-exposed faces of the mean value set. We analyze these problems from various
aspects including convex geometry, topology and information geometry. This
research is motivated by a theory of info-max principles, where we contribute
by computing first order optimality conditions of the entropy distance.Comment: 34 pages, 5 figure
Strongly birefringent cut-wire pair structure as negative index wave plates at THz frequencies
We report a new approach for the design and fabrication of thin wave plates
with high transmission in the terahertz (THz) regime. The wave plates are based
on strongly birefringent cut-wire pair metamaterials that exhibit refractive
indices of opposite signs for two orthogonal polarization components of an
incident wave. As specific examples, we fabricated and investigated a quarter-
and a half-wave plate that revealed a peak intensity transmittance of 74% and
58% at 1.34 THz and 1.3 THz, respectively. Furthermore, the half wave plate
displayed a maximum figure of merit (FOM) of 23 at 1.3 THz where the refractive
index was -1.7. This corresponds to one of the highest FOMs reported at THz
frequencies so far. The presented results evidence that negative index
materials enter an application stage in terms of optical components for the THz
technology.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Appl. Phys. Let
Effective interactions and phase behaviour for a model clay suspension in an electrolyte
Since the early observation of nematic phases of disc-like clay colloids by
Langmuir in 1938, the phase behaviour of such systems has resisted theoretical
understanding. The main reason is that there is no satisfactory generalization
for charged discs of the isotropic DLVO potential describing the effective
interactions between a pair of spherical colloids in an electrolyte. In this
contribution, we show how to construct such a pair potential, incorporating
approximately both the non-linear effects of counter-ion condensation (charge
renormalization) and the anisotropy of the charged platelets. The consequences
on the phase behaviour of Laponite dispersions (thin discs of 30 nm diameter
and 1 nm thickness) are discussed, and investigation into the mesostructure via
Monte Carlo simulations are presented.Comment: LaTeX, 12 pages, 11 figure
Barrier-controlled carrier transport in microcrystalline semiconducting materials: Description within a unified model
A recently developed model that unifies the ballistic and diffusive transport
mechanisms is applied in a theoretical study of carrier transport across
potential barriers at grain boundaries in microcrystalline semiconducting
materials. In the unified model, the conductance depends on the detailed
structure of the band edge profile and in a nonlinear way on the carrier mean
free path. Equilibrium band edge profiles are calculated within the trapping
model for samples made up of a linear chain of identical grains. Quantum
corrections allowing for tunneling are included in the calculation of electron
mobilities. The dependence of the mobilities on carrier mean free path, grain
length, number of grains, and temperature is examined, and appreciable
departures from the results of the thermionic-field-emission model are found.
Specifically, the unified model is applied in an analysis of Hall mobility data
for n-type microcrystalline Si thin films in the range of thermally activated
transport. Owing mainly to the effect of tunneling, potential barrier heights
derived from the data are substantially larger than the activation energies of
the Hall mobilities. The specific features of the unified model, however,
cannot be resolved within the rather large uncertainties of the analysis.Comment: REVTex, 19 pages, 9 figures; to appear in J. Appl. Phy
Generalized Drude model: Unification of ballistic and diffusive electron transport
For electron transport in parallel-plane semiconducting structures, a model
is developed that unifies ballistic and diffusive transport and thus
generalizes the Drude model. The unified model is valid for arbitrary magnitude
of the mean free path and arbitrary shape of the conduction band edge profile.
Universal formulas are obtained for the current-voltage characteristic in the
nondegenerate case and for the zero-bias conductance in the degenerate case,
which describe in a transparent manner the interplay of ballistic and diffusive
transport. The semiclassical approach is adopted, but quantum corrections
allowing for tunneling are included. Examples are considered, in particular the
case of chains of grains in polycrystalline or microcrystalline semiconductors
with grain size comparable to, or smaller than, the mean free path. Substantial
deviations of the results of the unified model from those of the ballistic
thermionic-emission model and of the drift-diffusion model are found. The
formulation of the model is one-dimensional, but it is argued that its results
should not differ substantially from those of a fully three-dimensional
treatment.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, REVTEX file, to appear in J. Phys.: Condens.
Matte
Cyclooxygenase inhibitors acetylsalicylic acid and indomethacin do not affect capsaicin-induced neurogenic inflammation in human skin
Neurogenic inflammation is evoked by neuropeptides released from primary afferent terminals and,
presumably, by other secondarily released inflammatory mediators. This study examines whether prostaglandins might participate in the development of neurogenic inflammation in humans and whether cyclooxygenase inhibitors have any anti-inflammatory effect on this type of inflammation. In healthy volunteers, neurogenic inflammation was elicited by epicutaneously applied capsaicin (1 %), after systemic pretreatment with acetylsalicylic acid, or topically applied indomethacin compared to pretreatment with saline or vehicle, respectively. The extent of neurogenic inflammation was quantified by planimetry of visible flare size and recording the increase of superficial cutaneous blood flow (SCBF) with a laser Doppler flowmeter. Capsaicin-induced flare sizes and outside SCBF (both representing neurogenically evoked inflammation) were unaffected by acetylsalicylic acid or indomethacin. Only the capsaicin-induced increase; of inside SCBF was attenuated by local pretreatment with indomethacin, reflecting the participation of prostaglandins in the inflammatory response of those areas which were in direct contact with capsaicin
Articular cartilage collagen: an irreplaceable framework?
Adult articular cartilage by dry weight is two-thirds collagen. The collagen has a unique molecular phenotype. The nascent type II collagen fibril is a heteropolymer, with collagen IX molecules covalently linked to the surface and collagen XI forming the filamentous template of the fibril as a whole. The functions of collagens IX and XI in the heteropolymer are far from clear but, evidently, they are critically important since mutations in COLIX and COLXI genes can result in chondrodysplasia syndromes. Here we review what is known of the collagen assembly and present new evidence that collagen type III becomes covalently added to the polymeric fabric of adult human articular cartilage, perhaps as part of a matrix repair or remodelling process
Primary radiotherapy in progressive optic nerve sheath meningiomas: a long-term follow-up study
Background/aims: To report the outcome of primary radiotherapy in patients with progressive optic nerve sheath meningioma (ONSM). Methods: The clinical records of all patients were reviewed in a retrospective, observational, multicentre study. Results: Thirty-four consecutive patients were included. Twenty-six women and eight men received conventional or stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy, and were followed for a median 58 (range 51–156) months. Fourteen eyes (41%) showed improved visual acuity of at least two lines on the Snellen chart. In 17 (50%) eyes, the vision stabilised, while deterioration was noted in three eyes (9%). The visual outcome was not associated with age at the time of radiotherapy (p=0.83), sex (p=0.43), visual acuity at the time of presentation (p=0.22) or type of radiotherapy (p=0.35). Optic disc swelling was associated with improved visual acuity (p<0.01) and 4/11 patients with optic atrophy also showed improvement. Long-term complications were dry eyes in five patients, cataracts in three, and mild radiation retinopathy in four. Conclusion: Primary radiotherapy for patients with ONSM is associated with long-term improvement of visual acuity and few adverse effects.Peerooz Saeed, Leo Blank, Dinesh Selva, John G. Wolbers, Peter J.C.M. Nowak, Ronald B. Geskus, Ezekiel Weis, Maarten P. Mourits, Jack Rootma
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