Diffuse-interface model for rapid phase transformations in nonequilibrium systems

A thermodynamic approach to rapid phase transformations within a diffuse interface in a binary system is developed. Assuming an extended set of independent thermodynamic variables formed by the union of the classic set of slow variables and the space of fast variables, we introduce finiteness of the heat and solute diffusive propagation at the finite speed of the interface advancing. To describe the transformation within the diffuse interface, we use the phase-field model which allows us to follow the steep but smooth change of phases within the width of diffuse interface. The governing equations of the phase-field model are derived for the hyperbolic model, model with memory, and for a model of nonlinear evolution of transformation within the diffuse-interface. The consistency of the model is proved by the condition of positive entropy production and by the outcomes of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. A comparison with the existing sharp-interface and diffuse-interface versions of the model is given.Comment: 15 pages, regular article submitted to Physical Review

Knudsen Effect in a Nonequilibrium Gas

From the molecular dynamics simulation of a system of hard-core disks in which an equilibrium cell is connected with a nonequilibrium cell, it is confirmed that the pressure difference between two cells depends on the direction of the heat flux. From the boundary layer analysis, the velocity distribution function in the boundary layer is obtained. The agreement between the theoretical result and the numerical result is fairly good.Comment: 4pages, 4figure

Frequent allelic deletion at the FHIT locus associated with p53 overexpression in squamous cell carcinoma subtype of Taiwanese non-small-cell lung cancers

[[abstract]]The fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene, encompassing the FRA3B fragile site at chromosome 3p14.2, is a tumour suppressor gene involved in different tumour types including non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). In the current study, we examined for allelic deletion at the FHIT locus in 58 primary and microdissected NSCLCs, for which a clinicopathologic profile was available. We found a loss of 87.7% in heterozygosity (LOH) frequency at one or more microsatellite markers (D3S1289, D3S2408, D3S1766, D3S1312, D3S1600). Allelic deletion of D3S1766 was related to tumour histology in 10 of 11 squamous cell carcinomas (90.9%) displaying LOH compared with nine of 17 adenocarcinomas (52.9%; P = 0.049). Besides, in the subset of adenocarcinomas, a higher rate of LOH at D3S1289 was observed in male ( six out of eight, 75%) than in female patients (four out of 17, 23.5%; P = 0.028). However, FHIT LOH was not correlated overall with a variety of clinical parameters including sex, smoking status, staging, lymph node metastasis and survival. These results indicated that the high frequency of FHIT gene disruption was important in the development of both squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, there was no association between LOH at FHIT and protein expression, suggesting the presence of complex mechanisms of Fhit inactivation. On the other hand, the association between FHIT LOH and p53 protein overexpression assessment reached statistical significance ( P = 0.026), implying that common alterations affect the two genes in tumour progression

Identification, cDNA cloning, and targeted deletion of p70, a novel, ubiquitously expressed SH3 domain-containing protein

In a screen for proteins that interact with Jak2, we identified a previously uncharacterized 70-kDa protein and cloned the corresponding cDNA. The predicated sequence indicates that p70 contains an SH3 domain and a C-terminal domain with similarities to the catalytic motif of phosphoglycerate mutase. p70 transcripts were found in all tissues examined. Similarly, when an antibody raised against a C-terminal peptide to analyze p70 protein expression was used, all murine tissues examined were found to express p70. To investigate the in vivo role of p70, we generated a p70-deficient mouse strain. Mice lacking p70 are viable, develop normally, and do not display any obvious abnormalities. No differences were detected in various hematological parameters, including bone marrow colony-forming ability, in response to cytokines that utilize Jak2. In addition, no impairment in B- and T-cell development and proliferative ability was detected

Pumping Speed Measurement and Analysis for the Turbo Booster Pump

This study applies testing apparatus and a computational approach to examine a newly designed spiral-grooved turbo booster pump (TBP), which has both volume type and momentum transfer type vacuum pump functions, and is capable of operating at optimum discharge under pressures from approximately 1000 Pa to a high vacuum. Transitional flow pumping speed is increased by a well-designed connecting element. Pumping performance is predicted and examined via two computational approaches, namely the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method and the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. In CFD analysis, comparisons of measured and calculated inlet pressure in the slip and continuum flow demonstrate the accuracy of the calculation. Meanwhile, in transition flow, the continuum model of CFD is unsuitable for calculating such rarefied gas. The pumping characteristics for a full 3D model on a rotating frame in transition and molecular regimes thus are simulated using the DSMC method and then confirmed experimentally. However, when the Knudsen number is in the range 0.5 < Kn < 0.1, neither CFD computation nor DSMC simulation is suitable for analyzing the pumping speed of the turbo booster pump. In this situation, the experimental approach is the most appropriate and effective method for analyzing pumping speed. Moreover, the developed pump is tested using assessment systems constructed according to ISO and JVIS-005 standards, respectively. Comparisons are also made with other turbo pumps. The compared results show that the turbo booster pump presented here has good foreline performance

Some analytical models of radiating collapsing spheres

We present some analytical solutions to the Einstein equations, describing radiating collapsing spheres in the diffusion approximation. Solutions allow for modeling physical reasonable situations. The temperature is calculated for each solution, using a hyperbolic transport equation, which permits to exhibit the influence of relaxational effects on the dynamics of the system.Comment: 17 pages Late

Steady State Thermodynamics of Langevin Systems

We study Langevin dynamics describing nonequilibirum steady states. Employing the phenomenological framework of steady state thermodynamics constructed by Oono and Paniconi [Prog. Theor. Phys. Suppl. {\bf130}, 29 (1998)], we find that the extended form of the second law which they proposed holds for transitions between steady states and that the Shannon entropy difference is related to the excess heat produced in an infinitely slow operation. A generalized version of the Jarzynski work relation plays an important role in our theory.Comment: 4 page

Magnetoresistance of a two-dimensional electron gas with spatially periodic lateral modulations: Exact consequences of Boltzmann's equation

On the basis of Boltzmann's equation, and including anisotropic scattering in the collision operator, we investigate the effect of one-dimensional superlattices on two-dimensional electron systems. In addition to superlattices defined by static electric and magnetic fields, we consider mobility superlattices describing a spatially modulated density of scattering centers. We prove that magnetic and electric superlattices in $x$-direction affect only the resistivity component $\rho_{xx}$ if the mobility is homogeneous, whereas a mobility lattice in $x$-direction in the absence of electric and magnetic modulations affects only $\rho_{yy}$. Solving Boltzmann's equation numerically, we calculate the positive magnetoresistance in weak magnetic fields and the Weiss oscillations in stronger fields within a unified approach.Comment: submitted to PR

EUV spectra of highly-charged ions W54+^{54+}-W63+^{63+} relevant to ITER diagnostics

We report the first measurements and detailed analysis of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectra (4 nm to 20 nm) of highly-charged tungsten ions W$^{54+}$ to W$^{63+}$ obtained with an electron beam ion trap (EBIT). Collisional-radiative modelling is used to identify strong electric-dipole and magnetic-dipole transitions in all ionization stages. These lines can be used for impurity transport studies and temperature diagnostics in fusion reactors, such as ITER. Identifications of prominent lines from several W ions were confirmed by measurement of isoelectronic EUV spectra of Hf, Ta, and Au. We also discuss the importance of charge exchange recombination for correct description of ionization balance in the EBIT plasma.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

Time-delayed spread of viruses in growing plaques

The spread of viruses in growing plaques predicted by classical models is greater than that measured experimentally. There is a widespread belief that this discrepancy is due to biological factors. Here we show that the observed speeds can be satisfactorily predicted by a purely physical model that takes into account the delay time due to virus reproduction inside infected cells. No free or adjustable parameters are used