Positivity constraints on LECs of χ\chiPT lagrangian at \cO(p^6) level

Positivity constraints on the LECs of \cO(p^6) $\chi$PT lagrangian are discussed. We demonstrate that the constraints are automatically satisfied inside the Mandelstam triangle for $\pi\pi$ scatterings, when $N_C$ is large. Numerical tests are made in the $N_C=3$ case, and it is found that these constraints are also well respected.Comment: 9 pages with 2 eps figure

Computational investigation of static multipole polarizabilities and sum rules for ground-state hydrogen-like ions

High precision multipole polarizabilities, $\alpha_{\ell}$ for $\ell \le 4$ of the $1s$ ground state of the hydrogen isoelectronic series are obtained from the Dirac equation using the B-spline method with Notre Dame boundary conditions. Compact analytic expressions for the polarizabilities as a function of $Z$ with a relative accuracy of 10$^{-6}$ up to $Z = 100$ are determined by fitting to the calculated polarizabilities. The oscillator strengths satisfy the sum rules $\sum_i f^{(\ell)}_{0i} = 0$ for all multipoles from $\ell = 1$ to $\ell = 4$. The dispersion coefficients for the long-range H-H and H-He$^+$ interactions are given.Comment: 8 figures, 8 table

Sulforaphane induces adipocyte browning and promotes glucose and lipid utilization

Scope: Obesity is closely related to the imbalance of white adipose tissue storing excess calories, and brown adipose tissue dissipating energy to produce heat in mammals. Recent studies revealed that acquisition of brown characteristics by white adipocytes, termed “browning,” may positively contribute to cellular bioenergetics and metabolism homeostasis. The goal was to investigate the putative effects of natural antioxidant sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanate-4-methyl-sulfonyl butane; SFN) on browning of white adipocytes. Methods and Results: 3T3-L1 mature white adipocytes were treated with SFN for 48 h, and then the mitochondrial content, function, and energy utilization were assessed. SFN was found to induce 3T3-L1 adipocytes browning based on the increased mitochondrial content and activity of respiratory chain enzymes, whereas the mechanism involved the upregulation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/ sirtuin1/ peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha signaling. SFN enhanced uncoupling protein 1 expression, a marker for brown adipocyte, leading to the decrease in cellular ATP. SFN also enhanced glucose uptake and oxidative utilization, lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Conclusion: SFN-induced browning of white adipocytes enhanced the utilization of cellular fuel, and the application of SFN is a promising strategy to combat obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorder

Quantum transport through a double Aharonov-Bohm-interferometer in the presence of Andreev reflection

Quantum transport through a double Aharonov-Bohm-interferometer in the presence of Andreev reflection is investigated in terms of the nonequilibrium Green function method with which the reflection current is obtained. Tunable Andreev reflection probabilities depending on the interdot coupling strength and magnetic flux as well are analysised in detail. It is found that the oscillation period of the reflection probability with respect to the magnetic flux for the double interferometer depends linearly on the ratio of two parts magnetic fluxes n, i.e. 2(n+1)pi, while that of a single interferometer is 2pi. The coupling strength not only affects the height and the linewidth of Andreev reflection current peaks vs gate votage but also shifts the peak positions. It is furthermore demonstrated that the Andreev reflection current peaks can be tuned by the magnetic fluxes.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figur

Kinect Depth Recovery via the Cooperative Profit Random Forest Algorithm

The depth map captured by Kinect usually contain missing depth data. In this paper, we propose a novel method to recover the missing depth data with the guidance of depth information of each neighborhood pixel. In the proposed framework, a self-taught mechanism and a cooperative profit random forest (CPRF) algorithm are combined to predict the missing depth data based on the existing depth data and the corresponding RGB image. The proposed method can overcome the defects of the traditional methods which is prone to producing artifact or blur on the edge of objects. The experimental results on the Berkeley 3-D Object Dataset (B3DO) and the Middlebury benchmark dataset show that the proposed method outperforms the existing method for the recovery of the missing depth data. In particular, it has a good effect on maintaining the geometry of objects

A Tracker Solution for a Holographic Dark Energy Model

We investigate a kind of holographic dark energy model with the future event horizon the IR cutoff and the equation of state -1. In this model, the constraint on the equation of state automatically specifies an interaction between matter and dark energy. With this interaction included, an accelerating expansion is obtained as well as the transition from deceleration to acceleration. It is found that there exists a stable tracker solution for the numerical parameter $d>1$, and $d$ smaller than one will not lead to a physical solution. This model provides another possible phenomenological framework to alleviate the cosmological coincidence problem in the context of holographic dark energy. Some properties of the evolution which are relevant to cosmological parameters are also discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures; accepted for publication in Int.J.Mod.Phys.

A Novel Lateral Flow Assay Based on GoldMag Nanoparticles and Its Clinical Applications for Genotyping of MTHFR C677T Polymorphisms

Current techniques for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) detection require tedious experimental procedures and expensive and sophisticated instruments. In this study, a visual genotyping method has been successfully established via combining ARMS-PCR with gold magnetic nanoparticles (GoldMag)-based lateral flow assay (LFA) and applied to the genotyping of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T. C677T substitution of the gene MTHFR leads to an increased risk of diseases. The genotyping result is easily achievable by visual observation within 5 minutes after loading of the PCR products onto the LFA device. The system is able to accurately assess a broad detection range of initial starting genomic DNA amount from 5 ng to 1200 ng per test sample. The limit of detection reaches 5 ng. Furthermore, our PCR-LFA system was applied to clinical trials for screening 1,721 individuals on the C677T genotypes. The concordance rate of the genotyping result detected by PCR-LFA was up to 99.6% when compared with the sequencing results. Collectively, our PCR-LFA has been proven rapid, accurate, sensitive, and inexpensive. This new method is highly applicable for C677T SNP screening in the laboratories and clinical practices. More promisingly, it could also be extended to the detection of SNPs of other genes

Global Magnetospheric Response to an Interplanetary Shock: THEMIS Observations

We investigate the global response of geospace plasma environment to an interplanetary shock at approx. 0224 UT on May 28, 2008 from multiple THEMIS spacecraft observations in the magnetosheath (THEMIS B and C) and the mid-afternoon (THEMIS A) and dusk magnetosphere (THEMIS D and E). The interaction of the transmitted interplanetary shock with the magnetosphere has global effects. Consequently, it can affect geospace plasma significantly. After interacting with the bow shock, the interplanetary shock transmitted a fast shock and a discontinuity which propagated through the magnetosheath toward the Earth at speeds of 300 km/s and 137 km/s respectively. THEMIS A observations indicate that the plasmaspheric plume changed significantly by the interplanetary shock impact. The plasmaspheric plume density increased rapidly from 10 to 100/ cubic cm in 4 min and the ion distribution changed from isotropic to strongly anisotropic distribution. Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves observed by THEMIS A are most likely excited by the anisotropic ion distributions caused by the interplanetary shock impact. To our best knowledge, this is the first direct observation of the plasmaspheric plume response to an interplanetary shock's impact. THEMIS A, but not D or E, observed a plasmaspheric plume in the dayside magnetosphere. Multiple spacecraft observations indicate that the dawn-side edge of the plasmaspheric plume was located between THEMIS A and D (or E)