2,271 research outputs found
Boosted Top Quark Signals for Heavy Vector Boson Excitations in a Universal Extra Dimension Model
In view of the fact that the Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes in a model with
a Universal Extra Dimension (UED), could mimic supersymmetry signatures at the
LHC, it is necessary to look for the KK modes, which have no analogues
in supersymmetry. We discuss the possibility of searching for heavy
vector boson resonances -- especially the -- through their decays to a
highly-boosted top quark-antiquark pair using recently-developed top-jet
tagging techniques in the hadronic channel. It is shown that signals
from the gluon resonance are as efficient a discovery mode at the LHC
as dilepton channels from the and resonances.Comment: 22 pages, 8 embedded figure
Corrosion of bio implants
Chemical stability, mechanical behaviour and biocompatibility in body fluids and tissues are the basic requirements for successful application of implant materials in bone fractures and replacements. Corrosion is one of the major processes affecting the life and service of orthopaedic devices made of metals and alloys used as implants in the body. Among the metals and alloys known, stainless steels (SS), Co-Cr alloys and titanium and its alloys are the most widely used for the making of biodevices for extended life in human body. Incidences of failure of stainless steel implant devices reveal the occurrence of significant localised corroding viz., pitting and crevice corrosion. Titanium forms a stable TiO2 film which can release titanium particles under wear into the body environment. To reduce corrosion and achieve better biocompatibility, bulk alloying of stainless steels with titanium and nitrogen, surface alloying by ion implantation of stainless steels and titanium and its alloys, and surface modification of stainless steel with bioceramic coatings are considered potential methods for improving the performance of orthopaedic devices. This review discusses these issues in depth and examines emerging directions
Formulation and characterization of an apigenin-phospholipid phytosome (APLC) for improved solubility, in vivo bioavailability, and antioxidant potential
The apigenin-phospholipid phytosome (APLC) was developed to improve the aqueous solubility, dissolution, in vivo bioavailability, and antioxidant activity of apigenin. The APLC synthesis was guided by a full factorial design strategy, incorporating specific formulation and process variables to deliver an optimized product. The design-optimized formulation was assayed for aqueous solubility, in vitro dissolution, pharmacokinetics, and antioxidant activity. The pharmacological evaluation was carried out by assessing its effects on carbon tetrachloride-induced elevation of liver function marker enzymes in a rat model. The antioxidant activity was assessed by studying its effects on the liver antioxidant marker enzymes. The developed model was validated using the design-optimized levels of formulation and process variables. The physical-chemical characterization confirmed the formation of phytosomes. The optimized formulation demonstrated over 36-fold higher aqueous solubility of apigenin, compared to that of pure apigenin. The formulation also exhibited a significantly higher rate and extent of apigenin release in dissolution studies. The pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a significant enhancement in the oral bioavailability of apigenin from the prepared formulation, compared to pure apigenin. The liver function tests indicated that the prepared phytosome showed a significantly improved restoration of all carbon tetrachloride-elevated rat liver function marker enzymes. The prepared formulation also exhibited antioxidant potential by significantly increasing the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and decreasing the levels of lipid peroxidase. The study shows that phospholipid-based phytosome is a promising and viable strategy for improving the delivery of apigenin and similar phytoconstituents with low aqueous solubility
Alternative approach to all-angle negative refraction in two-dimensional photonic crystals
We show that with an appropriate surface modification, a slab of photonic
crystal can be made to allow wave transmission within the band gap.
Furthermore, negative refraction and all-angle-negative-refraction (AANR) can
be achieved by this surface modification in frequency windows that were not
realized before in two-dimensional photonic crystals [C. Luo et al, Phys. Rev.
B 65, 201104 (2002)]. This approach to AANR leads to new applications in flat
lens imaging. Previous flat lens using photonic crystals requires object-image
distance u+v less than or equal to the lens thickness d, u+v d. Our approach
can be used to design flat lens with u+v=sd with s>>1, thus being able to image
large and/or far away objects. Our results are confirmed by FDTD simulations.Comment: 5 pages, 9 eps figs in RevTex forma
From chaos to disorder: Statistics of the eigenfunctions of microwave cavities
We study the statistics of the experimental eigenfunctions of chaotic and
disordered microwave billiards in terms of the moments of their spatial
distributions, such as the Inverse Participation Ratio (IPR) and
density-density auto-correlation. A path from chaos to disorder is described in
terms of increasing IPR. In the chaotic, ballistic limit, the data correspond
well with universal results from random matrix theory. Deviations from
universal distributions are observed due to disorder induced localization, and
for the weakly disordered case the data are well-described by including finite
conductance and mean free path contributions in the framework of nonlinear
sigma models of supersymetry.Comment: 5 pages + 2 JPG figure
Kaempferol-Phospholipid Complex: Formulation, and Evaluation of Improved Solubility, In Vivo Bioavailability, and Antioxidant Potential of Kaempferol
The current work describes the formulation and evaluation of a phospholipid complex of kaempferol toenhance the latter’s aqueous solubility, in vitro dissolution rate, in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotectiveactivities, and oral bioavailability. The kaempferol-phospholipid complex was synthesized using a freeze-drying method with the formulation being optimized using a full factorial design (32) approach. The resultsinclude the validation of the mathematical model in order to ascertain the role of specific formulation andprocess variables that contribute favorably to the formulation’s development. The final product wascharacterized and confirmed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform InfraredSpectroscopy (FTIR), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-NMR), and Powder X-rayDiffraction (PXRD) analysis. The aqueous solubility and the in vitro dissolution rate were enhanced comparedto that of pure kaempferol. The in vivo antioxidant properties of the kaempferol-phospholipid complex wereevaluated by measuring its impact on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-intoxicated rats. The optimizedphospholipid complex improved the liver function test parameters to a significant level by restoration of allelevated liver marker enzymes in CCl4-intoxicated rats. The complex also enhanced the in vivo antioxidantpotential by increasing levels of GSH (reduced glutathione), SOD (superoxide dismutase), catalase anddecreasing lipid peroxidation, compared to that of pure kaempferol. The final optimized phospholipidcomplex also demonstrated a significant improvement in oral bioavailability demonstrated by improvementsto key pharmacokinetic parameters, compared to that of pure kaempferol
Duality between quantum and classical dynamics for integrable billiards
We establish a duality between the quantum wave vector spectrum and the
eigenmodes of the classical Liouvillian dynamics for integrable billiards.
Signatures of the classical eigenmodes appear as peaks in the correlation
function of the quantum wave vector spectrum. A semiclassical derivation and
numerical calculations are presented in support of the results. These classical
eigenmodes can be observed in physical experiments through the auto-correlation
of the transmission coefficient of waves in quantum billiards. Exact classical
trace formulas of the resolvent are derived for the rectangle, equilateral
triangle, and circle billiards. We also establish a correspondence between the
classical periodic orbit length spectrum and the quantum spectrum for
integrable polygonal billiards.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure
Households’ awareness and practices on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in an Arid Region of Northwestern Nigeria-Sokoto State
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) accessibility is more critical in arid regions where rainfall is low and other water resources are scanty. This study assesses Households’ awareness and practices regarding WASH in Sokoto State, an arid region in Northwestern Nigeria. A total of 854 questionnaires were administered to respondents in addition to physical observations conducted. From the study, water scarcity was a major problem confronting the State, particularly in the dry season. The major water sources utilized were the unprotected hand dug wells (79.3%). The common water treatment methods used were filtration through cloth (72.1%). Water storage and collection attitudes and practices were rated as good as 69.0% of the respondents stored water in covered clay pots and 82.1% use cups with handle to draw water. Lack of funds led to poor excreta disposal systems and high open field defecation practices (78.9%). On the aspects of hygiene, children’s faeces were mostly disposed into bush (82.5%) and 55.6% did not use soap to wash hands after defecation. The major diseases reported in the communities included malaria, diarrhea and dysentery, therefore, there is a need for the provision of WASH facilities to combat these diseases. WASH education and financial empowerment are necessary towards protecting public health in the study area. 
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