Weak force detection with superposed coherent states

We investigate the utility of non classical states of simple harmonic oscillators, particularly a superposition of coherent states, for sensitive force detection. We find that like squeezed states a superposition of coherent states allows displacement measurements at the Heisenberg limit. Entangling many superpositions of coherent states offers a significant advantage over a single mode superposition states with the same mean photon number.Comment: 6 pages, no figures: New section added on entangled resources. Changes to discussions and conclusio

Metastable behavior of vortex matter in the electronic transport processes of homogenous superconductors

We study numerically the effect of vortex pinning on the hysteresis voltage-temperature (V-T) loop of vortex matter. It is found that different types of the V-T loops result from different densities of vortex pinning center. An anticlockwise V-T loop is observed for the vortex system with dense pinning centers, whereas a clockwise V-T loop is brought about for vortices with dilute pinning centers. It is shown that the size of the V-T loop becomes smaller for lower experimental speed, higher magnetic field, or weak pinning strength. Our numerical observation is in good agreement with experiments

The osteology of Shaochilong maortuensis, a carcharodontosaurid (dinosauria:theropoda) from the Late Cretaceous of Asia

Large-bodied theropod dinosaurs from the Early-mid Cretaceous of the northern continents (Laurasia) are poorly known. One of the most complete and intriguing theropods from this interval is Shaochilong maortuensis Hu, 1964 from the Turonian (< 92 Ma) Ulansuhai Formation of Inner Mongolia, China. The phylogenetic placement of Shaochilong has long been a subject of debate, as it has been referred to several disparate theropod groups (e.g., Megalosauridae, Allosauridae, Tyrannosauroidea, Maniraptora). In a recent taxonomic reassessment, Shaochilong was identified as the first Asian member of Carcharodontosauridae, a clade of allosauroid theropods that was once thought to be restricted to Gondwana and includes some of the largest terrestrial predators to ever live. However, the characters supporting such a placement were only briefly discussed, and a full anatomical description of Shaochilong has yet to be presented. We provide a detailed osteological description of the lectotype and paralectotype series, show that Shaochilong is a small-bodied and short-snouted carcharodontosaurid, and highlight numerous cranial features shared with other carcharodontosaurids. We argue that the vicariant hypothesis of allosauroid biogeography, in which lineages split in concert with the fragmentation of Pangaea, is poorly supported. Finally, large-scale patterns of theropod evolution and faunal replacement are discussed, and it is argued that allosauroids persisted as large-bodied predators later in the Cretaceous than previously thought. Copyright © 2010 Magnolia Press

Superconducting anisotropy and evidence for intrinsic pinning in single crystalline MgB2_2

We examine the superconducting anisotropy $\gamma_c = (m_c / m_{ab})^{1/2}$ of a metallic high-$T_c$ superconductor MgB$_2$ by measuring the magnetic torque of a single crystal. The anisotropy $\gamma_c$ does not depend sensitively on the applied magnetic field at 10 K. We obtain the anisotropy parameter $\gamma_c = 4.31 \pm 0.14$. The torque curve shows the sharp hysteresis peak when the field is applied parallel to the boron layers. This comes from the intrinsic pinning and is experimental evidence for the occurrence of superconductivity in the boron layers.Comment: REVTeX 4, To be published in Physical Review

Getting close to the media world? On the attraction of encountering film industry professionals at Shanghai International Film Festival

Despite its important role in film festival experiences, media encounters, post-screening talks in particular, have only been sporadically discussed so far. This study probes into the meanings attached to media encounters in the Chinese context, by focusing on film festival-goers’ motivations and experiences at the 19th Shanghai International Film Festival. Based on in-depth interviews and participant observation, results show that SIFF goers expect to get close to film industry professionals, and by attending talks, they hope to gain insights into the film production process and discover the personal drives of production team members. The respondents draw a line between meeting celebrities and meeting film production members, showing an outspoken preference for the latter based on articulations of professionalism. Contrary to their expectations, most SIFF goers experience a clear distance between themselves and the film industry professionals. This rift is not criticised, but justified by both prac

Growth, immunity and ammonia excretion of albino and normal Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) feeding with various experimental diets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of six experimental diets on growth performance, ammonia excretion and immunity of albino and normal Apostichopus japonicus. A factorial design was used, the factors being type of diets (six levels) and colour of A. japonicus (two levels). A total of 30 randomly selected albino A. japonicus were housed in each (60 × 50 × 30 cm3) of 18 blue plastic aquaria to form six groups in triplicate, and the same set-up was used for the normal A. japonicus. Each group of animals was fed with one of the six experimental diets. Apparent dry matter digestibility (ADMD) and apparent crude protein digestibility (ACPD) were analysed using acid-insoluble ash (AIA) content method. At the end of the experiment, all A. japonicus were harvested and weighed to calculate growth parameters. After weighing, six individuals from each aquarium were randomly sampled for immune indices. Results indicated that all growth parameters of A. japonicus increased with decreasing nutrient content in their diets (p < .01), whereas an opposite result was observed in case of the ammonia-nitrogen production by A. japonicus. Normal A. japonicus grew better (p < .01) and produced lower (p < .01) quantity of ammonia nitrogen compared to the albino A. japonicus. Immunity particularly superoxide dismutase and lysozyme activities was higher (p < .05) in normal compared to albino A. japonicus. Considering all measured variables, D1 (diet containing crude protein, crude lipid, carbohydrate and crude ash 51.8, 8.7, 231.3, 708.2 g/kg, respectively) was the best diet among all experimental diets. More research is still needed to optimize nutrients in the diet of A. japonicus, as this study does not provide information about critical threshold level of nutrients in diets. Until then, diet D1 can be recommended for A. japonicus aquaculture

High glucose represses β-klotho expression and impairs fibroblast growth factor 21 action in mouse pancreatic islets: involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ signaling

Circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels are elevated in diabetic subjects and correlate directly with abnormal glucose metabolism, while pharmacologically administered FGF21 can ameliorate hyperglycemia. The pancreatic islet is an FGF21 target, yet the actions of FGF21 in the islet under normal and diabetic conditions are not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of high glucose on islet FGF21 actions in a diabetic mouse model by investigating db/db mouse islet responses to exogenous FGF21, the direct effects of glucose on FGF21 signaling, and the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in FGF21 pathway activation. Results showed that both adult db/db mouse islets and normal islets treated with high glucose ex vivo displayed reduced β-klotho expression, resistance to FGF21, and decreased PPARγ expression. Rosiglitazone, an antidiabetic PPARγ ligand, ameliorated these effects. Our data indicate that hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus may lead to FGF21 resistance in pancreatic islets, probably through reduction of PPARγ expression, which provides a novel mechanism for glucose-mediated islet dysfunction

Influence of macrobenthos ( Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus ) on erosion‐accretion processes in intertidal flats: A case study from a cultivation zone

The activity of benthic organisms can strongly influence sediment dynamics in anintertidal flat. However, few studies have conducted a quantitative assessment of the effect of benthic organisms on erosion-accretion processes under field conditions. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of the benthic clam Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus on bed erodibility and sediment erosion- accretion processes in an intertidal flat. Within the cultivation zone atsite A, M. meretrix is present in large numbers (up to 137 individuals/m2). On the other hand, site B is located outside the cultivation zone. At this site, which is only 500 m away from site A alongshore, M. meretrix forms a sparse population with only 3.7 individuals/m2. The results showed that the critical shear stress for erosion, denoted by τce, was 0.22 and 0.32 N/m2 at sites B and A, respectively, and the magnitudes of bed-level change were significantly higher at site A than site B. These results reveal the large effect of M. meretrix on decreasing τce, augmenting the erosion rate when the bed shear stress due to combined currents and waves, denoted by τcw, was higher than τce, and conversely enhancing the accretion rate when τcw < τce. The changes induced in these parameters are likely to have a large impact on model predictions of bed erodibility, sedimentary processes, and morphological evolution. Thus, integrated field measurements of hydrodynamic and bed-level changes, accompanied by simultaneous biological sampling, may help to improve the parameterization of hydro-sedimentary and morphodynamic models for shallow-water environmentsFil: Shi, Benwei. Tongji University; República de China. East China Normal University; República de ChinaFil: Pratolongo, Paula Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Duy, Yongfen. Nanjing Normal University; República de ChinaFil: Li, Jiasheng. Nanjing Normal University; República de ChinaFil: Yang, S.L.. East China Normal University; República de ChinaFil: Wu, Jihua. Fudan Universit. Institute of Biodiversity Science; República de ChinaFil: Xu, Kehui. State University of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Wang, Ya Ping. East China Normal University; República de Chin

Skyrmion Excitation in Two-Dimensional Spinor Bose-Einstein Condensate

We study the properties of coreless vortices(skyrmion) in spinor Bose-Einstein condensate. We find that this excitation is always energetically unstable, it always decays to an uniform spin texture. We obtain the skyrmion energy as a function of its size and position, a key quantity in understanding the decay process. We also point out that the decay rate of a skyrmion with high winding number will be slower. The interaction between skyrmions and other excitation modes are also discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, final version published in Phys. Rev.

Determination of superconducting anisotropy from magnetization data on random powders as applied to LuNi2_2B2_2C, YNi2_2B2_2C and MgB2_2

The recently discovered intermetallic superconductor MgB2 appears to have a highly anisotopic upper critical field with Hc2(max)/Hc2(min} = \gamma > 5. In order to determine the temperature dependence of both Hc2(max) and Hc2(min) we propose a method of extracting the superconducting anisotropy from the magnetization M(H,T) of randomly oriented powder samples. The method is based on two features in dM/dT the onset of diamagnetism at Tc(max), that is commonly associated with Hc2, and a kink in dM/dT at a lower temperature Tc(min). Results for LuNi2B2C and YNi2B2C powders are in agreement with anisotropic Hc2 obtained from magneto-transport measurements on single crystals. Using this method on four different types of MgB2 powder samples we are able to determine Hc2(max)(T) and Hc2(min)(T) with \gamma \approx 6