Correlated Quantum Transport of Density Wave Electrons

Recently observed Aharonov-Bohm quantum interference of period h/2e in charge density wave rings strongly suggest that correlated density wave electron transport is a cooperative quantum phenomenon. The picture discussed here posits that quantum solitons nucleate and transport current above a Coulomb blockade threshold field. We propose a field-dependent tunneling matrix element and use the Schrodinger equation, viewed as an emergent classical equation as in Feynman's treatment of Josephson tunneling, to compute the evolving macrostate amplitudes, finding excellent quantitative agreement with voltage oscillations and current-voltage characteristics in NbSe3. A proposed phase diagram shows the conditions favoring soliton nucleation versus classical depinning. (Published in Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 036404 (2012).)Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, (5 pages & 3 figures for main article), includes Supplemental Material with 1 figure. Published version: Physical Review Letters, vol. 108, p. 036404 (2012

The Role of Geography in Management: A Timely Matter of Concern in Education and Knowledge Management in Sri Lanka

AbstractAccording to Hartshorne (1939) geography is the science that provides accurate, orderly and rational description of the variable character of the earth surface. This definition emphasizes that everything on this earth has a geographic dimension as everything is place specific and changing from place to place. Thus, management is also a geographic phenomenon, as managerial methods, practices and decisions also change from place to place. They are time and place specific and acting as processes changing over time and space which are emphasized as identities in geography.At present, geographical concepts are significantly applied in management. Particularly in environmental, real estate, human resource and marketing management its application is salient. Internationally, geography is taught as a subject in different faculties of commerce and management. In UK and USA universities even degrees on geography and management are offered.Unfortunately the management faculties in Sri Lanka have neglected its importance particularly in the recent past. Nearly two decades ago economic and commercial geography was taught as a subject of the commerce degree programme but that has also been excluded after the revision of curricular. However, geographical concepts are still significantly applied in management but it seems that academics and practitioners in the field of education and knowledge management are not well aware of geography behind management. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to emphasize the importance of the role of geography for creative and innovative business management practices in Sri Lanka.Methodologically this is a conceptual and thought raising paper by emphasizing the significance of various concepts in geography to the field of management. This is done through a literature survey by following purposive sampling technique for the selection of literature. To emphasize its significance many theoretical and practical aspects particularly accepted internationally are cited. As the outcome, it is expected that the expertise in the field of education and knowledge management will understand the importance of this subject for creative business management practices in Sri Lanka as the paper emphasizes its importance through the geographical identity and the concepts applied in management, decision making in management, world practices in different universities and the text books published in the field of geography and management.Keywords: Education and knowledge management, Geography, Place specific, Process, Time

Conversion of Parameters Among Variants of Scatchard's Neutral-Electrolyte Model for Electrolyte Mixtures that Have Different Numbers of Mixing Terms

Various model equations are available for representing the excess Gibbs energy properties (osmotic and activity coefficients) of aqueous and other liquid mixed-electrolyte solutions. Scatchard's neutral-electrolyte model is among the simplest of these equations for ternary systems and contains terms that represent both symmetrical and asymmetric deviations from ideal mixing behavior when two single-electrolyte solutions are mixed in different proportions at constant ionic strengths. The usual form of this model allows from zero to six mixing parameters. In this report we present an analytical method for transforming the mixing parameters of neutral-electrolyte-type models with larger numbers of mixing parameters directly to those of models with fewer mixing parameters, without recourse to the source data used for evaluation of the original model parameters. The equations for this parameter conversion are based on an extension to ternary systems of the methodology of Rard and Wijesinghe [J. Chem. Thermodyn. 35, 439-473 (2003)] and Wijesinghe and Rard [J. Chem. Thermodyn. 37, 1196-1218 (2005)] that was applied by them to binary systems. It was found that the use of this approach with a constant ionic-strength cutoff of I {le} 6.2 mol {center_dot} kg{sup -1} (the NaCl solubility limit) yielded parameters for the NaCl + SrCl{sub 2} + H{sub 2}O and NaCl + MgCl{sub 2} + H{sub 2}O systems that predicted osmotic coefficients {phi} in excellent agreement with those calculated using the same sets of parameters whose values were evaluated directly from the source data by least-squares, with root mean square differences of RMSE({phi}) = 0.00006 to 0.00062 for the first system and RMSE({phi}) = 0.00014 to 0.00042 for the second. If, however, the directly evaluated parameters were based on experimental data where the ionic strength cutoff varied with the ionic-strength fraction, i.e. because they were constrained by isopiestic ionic strengths (MgCl{sub 2} + MgSO{sub 4} + H{sub 2}O) or solubility/oversaturation ionic strengths (NaCl + SrCl{sub 2} + H{sub 2}O and NaCl + MgCl{sub 2} + H{sub 2}O), then parameters converted by this approach assuming a constant ionic-strength cutoff yield RMSE({phi}) differences about an order of magnitude larger than the previous case. This indicates that for an accurate conversion of model parameters when the source model is constrained with variable ionic strength cutoffs, an extension of the parameter conversion method described herein will be required. However, when the source model parameters are evaluated at a constant ionic strength cutoff, such as when source isopiestic data are constrained to ionic strengths at or below the solubility limit of the less soluble component, or are Emf measurements that are commonly made at constant ionic strengths, then our method yields accurate converted models

pH Dependent Transfer of Nano-pores into Membrane of Cancer Cells to Induce Apoptosis

Proper balance of ions in intracellular and extracellular space is the key for normal cell functioning. Changes in the conductance of membranes for ions will lead to cell death. One of the main differences between normal and cancerous cells is the low extracellular pHe and the reverse pH gradient: intracellular pHi is higher than extracellular pHe. We report here pH-selective transfer of nano-pores to cancer cells for the dis-regulation of balance of monovalent cations to induce cell death at mildly acidic pHe as it is in most solid tumors. Our approach is based on the pH-sensitive fusion of cellular membrane with the liposomes containing gramicidin A forming cation-conductive β-helix in the membrane. Fusion is promoted only at low extracellular pH by the pH (Low) Insertion Peptide (pHLIP®) attached to the liposomes. Gramicidin channels inserted into the cancer cells open flux of protons into the cytoplasm and disrupt balance of other monovalent cations, which induces cell apoptosis

Practices Followed to Manage Plastic Waste including Shopping Bags and Lunch Sheets in Sri Lanka: A Preliminary Study in Western Province

Although plastics have made the workings of our lives easier, it has created many different environmental and social problems due to poor management practices. The problem of plastic waste has been exacerbated due to various regulations that have been introduced from time to time for the sustainable management of plastic waste. However, those are not properly implemented. The main objective of this study is to examine the best practices in Sri Lanka for the management of plastic waste, including shopping bags and lunch sheets (PBLS). Further, the study illustrated the prevailing and possible alternatives for polythene products in Sri Lanka and weaknesses in the identification of alternatives. The study was conducted in the Western Province covering three districts: Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara. Data collection was conducted through different structured questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews and a major workshop from a sample of 1314 respondents. Results revealed that 59% of households in the survey confirm that they were discouraged from switching to alternatives as a result of freely available low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags in the market. Also, 67% of the households and 74% of the supermarkets pointed out that, the current polythene bag usage was higher prior to the ban, due to the poor strength and quality of the bag. Further, the study reveals that ‘Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)’ has the potential to influence material management systems and prevent pollution and has been successfully tested in many countries around the world. DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v07i01.0

pH (Low) Insertion Peptide (pHLIP) Targets Ischemic Myocardium

The pH (low) insertion peptide (pHLIP) family enables targeting of cells in tissues with low extracellular pH. Here, we show that ischemic myocardium is targeted, potentially opening a new route to diagnosis and therapy. The experiments were performed using two murine ischemia models: regional ischemia induced by coronary artery occlusion and global low-flow ischemia in isolated hearts. In both models, pH-sensitive pHLIPs [wild type (WT) and Var7] or WT-pHLIP–coated liposomes bind ischemic but not normal regions of myocardium, whereas pH-insensitive, kVar7, and liposomes coated with PEG showed no preference. pHLIP did not influence either the mechanical or the electrical activity of ischemic myocardium. In contrast to other known targeting strategies, the pHLIP-based binding does not require severe myocardial damage. Thus, pHLIP could be used for delivery of pharmaceutical agents or imaging probes to the myocardial regions undergoing brief restrictions of blood supply that do not induce irreversible changes in myocytes

Investigation of optical coherence micro-elastography as a method to visualize micro-architecture in human axillary lymph nodes

This project is supported with funding from the Australian Research Council; and Cancer Council WA, which allowed us to develop the technology; Department of Health of Western Australia, National Breast Cancer Foundation (Australia); and the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia, which allowed us to design and implement the clinical protocol, and to perform the clinical measurements.Background : Evaluation of lymph node involvement is an important factor in detecting metastasis and deciding whether to perform axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in breast cancer surgery. As ALND is associated with potentially severe long term morbidity, the accuracy of lymph node assessment is imperative in avoiding unnecessary ALND. The mechanical properties of malignant lymph nodes are often distinct from those of normal nodes. A method to image the micro-scale mechanical properties of lymph nodes could, thus, provide diagnostic information to aid in the assessment of lymph node involvement in metastatic cancer. In this study, we scan axillary lymph nodes, freshly excised from breast cancer patients, with optical coherence micro-elastography (OCME), a method of imaging micro-scale mechanical strain, to assess its potential for the intraoperative assessment of lymph node involvement. Methods : Twenty-six fresh, unstained lymph nodes were imaged from 15 patients undergoing mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery with axillary clearance. Lymph node specimens were bisected to allow imaging of the internal face of each node. Co-located OCME and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were taken of each sample, and the results compared to standard post-operative hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained histology. Results : The optical backscattering signal provided by OCT alone may not provide reliable differentiation by inspection between benign and malignant lymphoid tissue. Alternatively, OCME highlights local changes in tissue strain that correspond to malignancy and are distinct from strain patterns in benign lymphoid tissue. The mechanical contrast provided by OCME complements the optical contrast provided by OCT and aids in the differentiation of malignant tumor from uninvolved lymphoid tissue. Conclusion : The combination of OCME and OCT images represents a promising method for the identification of malignant lymphoid tissue. This method shows potential to provide intraoperative assessment of lymph node involvement, thus, preventing unnecessary removal of uninvolved tissues and improving patient outcomes.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Increase the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Construction Field

These days with extreme responsibility and occupied life, many professionals face problems that result in the loss of their clients or certain overheads that spoil the process of satisfying the client. The proposed web application will be utilized by interior designers, garden designers, or architects. This proposed research doubtlessly goes about as a powerful device that can diminish the hole between modern organizations and clients notwithstandin8g other relevant business networks. It will help in picturing architectural plans, garden designs, and interior designs. A virtual model of genuine climate can be planned before its actual execution, it will permit inside originators to carry out their thought in the given work area essentially and afterward view it in genuine climate, it will likewise architects, interior designers, and garden designers to see their 3D perceptions on their 2D drawings [1]. The application depends on my discoveries of the client's assumptions for an expanded reality inside plan administration, a help which is a mix of different uses of web-based entertainment, increased reality (AR) and three-dimensional displaying that encases the idea of the home plan. This concentration particularly spans all clients of applicable organizations to the client escalated plan of an expanded reality. The paper gives you the internal profundity on how the expanded reality can be carried out to work with the planners and interior creators and garden designers too it talks about the calculation used to accomplish the functionalities. Furthermore, in this paper the architects and interior designers, and garden designers as welldiscuss the algorithm used to achieve the functionalities