754 research outputs found
Hydrostatic pressure induced Dirac semimetal in black phosphorus
Motivated by recent experimental observation of an hydrostatic pressure
induced transition from semiconductor to semimetal in black phosphorus [Chen et
al. in arXiv:1504.00125], we present the first principles calculation on the
pressure effect of the electronic structures of black phosphorus. It is found
that the band crossover and reversal at the Z point occur around the critical
pressure Pc1=1.23 Gpa, and the band inversion evolves into 4 twofold-degenerate
Dirac cones around the Z point, suggesting a 3D Dirac semimetal. With further
increasing pressure the Dirac cones in the Gamma-Z line move toward the Gamma
point and evolve into two hole-type Fermi pockets, and those in the Z-M lines
move toward the M point and evolve into 2 hole-type Fermi pockets up to P=4.0
Gpa. It demonstrates clearly that the Lifshitz transition occurs at
from semiconductor to 3D Dirac semimetal protected by the nonsymmorphic space
symmetry of bulk. This suggests the bright perspective of black phosphorus for
optoelectronic and electronic devices due to its easy modulation by pressure.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figures, and 2 table
Short-Term Nonlinear Response of Tension Leg Platform in Random Sea Waves
Most of the existing mathematical models for analyzing the dynamic response of TLP are based on explicit or implicit assumptions that motions (translations and rotations) are small magnitude. However, when TLP works in severe adverse conditions, the a priori assumption on small displacements may be inadequate. In such situation, the motions should be regarded as finite magnitude. This paper will study stochastic nonlinear dynamic responses of TLP with finite displacements in random waves. The nonlinearities considered are: large amplitude motions, coupling the six degrees-of-freedom, instantaneous position, instantaneous wet surface, free surface effects and viscous drag force. The nonlinear dynamic responses are calculated by using numerical integration procedure in the time domain. After the time histories of the dynamic responses are obtained, we carry out cycle counting of the stress histories of the tethers with rain-flow counting method to get the stress range distribution
Mechanics of offshore pipelines in several operating states and analyzing software
Offshore pipelines are indispensable structures during the marine petroleum exploitation. There are manifold operation states having to do with pipelines such as in situ operation, span, trenching, pipelaying, lifting of pipe/riser, etc. The behavior of pipelines in one state differs greatly from the others. In addition, the structure configuration, the sea severity, and the seabed soil conditions are complex. Therefore, strength analysis of offshore pipelines becomes a rather difficult and onerous task. Presently, there is a lot of technological difficulty in the course of analysis, among which are not only theoretical problems such as geometric non-linearity and moveable boundary, but also practical problems. To tackle the problems, analytical methods, numerical methods such as FEM and shooting method are adopted respectively and jointly. Based on the theoretical research, integrated software named 'Offshore Pipelines Strength Analysis' is developed. This software can carry through strength analysis of pipelines in different operating state, being up to the requirement of engineers. The theoretical background and interface of the software are presented
In situ epitaxial MgB2 thin films for superconducting electronics
A thin film technology compatible with multilayer device fabrication is
critical for exploring the potential of the 39-K superconductor magnesium
diboride for superconducting electronics. Using a Hybrid Physical-Chemical
Vapor Deposition (HPCVD) process, it is shown that the high Mg vapor pressure
necessary to keep the MgB phase thermodynamically stable can be achieved
for the {\it in situ} growth of MgB thin films. The films grow epitaxially
on (0001) sapphire and (0001) 4H-SiC substrates and show a bulk-like of
39 K, a (4.2K) of A/cm in zero field, and a
of 29.2 T in parallel magnetic field. The surface is smooth with a
root-mean-square roughness of 2.5 nm for MgB films on SiC. This deposition
method opens tremendous opportunities for superconducting electronics using
MgB
Determining the role of external beam radiotherapy in unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a retrospective analysis of 84 patients
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common type of primary liver cancer. Only few studies have focused on palliative radiotherapy used for patients who weren't suitable for resection by surgery. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for patients with unresectable ICC.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We identified 84 patients with ICC from December 1998 through December 2008 for retrospective analysis. Thirty-five of 84 patients received EBRT therapy five times a week (median dose, 50 Gy; dose range, 30-60 Gy, in fractions of 1.8-2.0 Gy daily; EBRT group); the remaining 49 patients comprised the non-EBRT group. Tumor response, jaundice relief, and survival rates were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Patient records were reviewed and compared using Cox proportional hazard analysis to determine factors that affect survival time in ICC.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After EBRT, complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) of primary tumors were observed in 8.6% and 28.5% of patients, respectively, and CR and PR of lymph node metastases were observed in 20% and 40% of patients. In 19 patients with jaundice, complete and partial relief was observed in 36.8% and 31.6% of patients, respectively. Median survival times were 5.1 months for the non-EBRT group and 9.5 months for the EBRT group (<it>P </it>= 0.003). One-and two-year survival rates for EBRT versus non-EBRT group were 38.5% versus 16.4%, and 9.6% versus 4.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that clinical symptoms, larger tumor size, no EBRT, multiple nodules and synchronous lymph node metastases were associated with poorer prognosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>EBRT as palliative care appears to improve prognosis and relieve the symptom of jaundice in patients with unresectable ICC.</p
Lysine-Rich Extracellular Rings Formed by hβ2 Subunits Confer the Outward Rectification of BK Channels
The auxiliary β subunits of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels greatly contribute to the diversity of BK (mSlo1 α) channels, which is fundamental to the adequate function in many tissues. Here we describe a functional element of the extracellular segment of hβ2 auxiliary subunits that acts as the positively charged rings to modify the BK channel conductance. Four consecutive lysines of the hβ2 extracellular loop, which reside sufficiently close to the extracellular entryway of the pore, constitute three positively charged rings. These rings can decrease the extracellular K+ concentration and prevent the Charybdotoxin (ChTX) from approaching the extracellular entrance of channels through electrostatic mechanism, leading to the reduction of K+ inflow or the outward rectification of BK channels. Our results demonstrate that the lysine rings formed by the hβ2 auxiliary subunits influences the inward current of BK channels, providing a mechanism by which current can be rapidly diminished during cellular repolarization. Furthermore, this study will be helpful to understand the functional diversity of BK channels contributed by different auxiliary β subunits
Imperfect interface of Beclin1 coiled-coil domain regulates homodimer and heterodimer formation with Atg14L and UVRAG
Beclin 1 is a core component of the Class III Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase VPS34 complex. The coiled coil domain of Beclin 1 serves as an interaction platform for assembly of distinct Atg14L- and UVRAG-containing complexes to modulate VPS34 activity. Here we report the crystal structure of the coiled coil domain that forms an antiparallel dimer and is rendered metastable by a series of 'imperfect' a-d' pairings at its coiled coil interface. Atg14L and UVRAG promote the transition of metastable homodimeric Beclin 1 to heterodimeric Beclin1-Atg14L/UVRAG assembly. Beclin 1 mutants with their 'imperfect' a-d' pairings modified to enhance self-interaction, show distinctively altered interactions with Atg14L or UVRAG. These results suggest that specific utilization of the dimer interface and modulation of the homodimer–heterodimer transition by Beclin 1-interacting partners may underlie the molecular mechanism that controls the formation of various Beclin1–VPS34 subcomplexes to exert their effect on an array of VPS34-related activities, including autophagy
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