Quasiparticle Spectrum of Vortices in Cuprates

The quasiparticle excitation spectrum of an isolated vortex in a clean layered d-wave superconductor is calculated, using both the Bogoliubov--de Gennes and the quasiclassical Eilenberger equations. Analytical solutions are obtained within the model of step-variation of the gap function, adjusting the Caroli, de Gennes and Matricon approach for low-lying excitations in cuprates. A large peak in the density of states in the "pancake" vortex core is found, caused by the two-dimensional and strong coupling nature of high-temperature superconductivity.Comment: 8 pages, Latex, uses spie1.sty, 6 eps figures, published in SPIE Proceedings, Vol. 3481 (SPIE, Bellingham, 1998), p. 106-11

How breakfast is served: Globalization, the press in Canada and genetically modified food.

The issue of genetically modified food is critically examined in the context of corporate globalization, particularly the economic globalization of agriculture. Potential risks to human and environmental that are associated with genetic modification are reviewed, as well as the threats to farm economy, social dynamics of farming communities, and pressures on countries battling the problem of hunger. Advertising and public relations strategy used by large agricultural corporations is compared to the coverage found in Canadian corporate-run press. The coverage is analyzed from a critical perspective and found to closely resemble the advertising materials of agricultural corporations. The slanted coverage found in Canadian newspapers is interpreted in the context of corporate controlled media and the proliferation of neoliberal ideology.Dept. of Communication Studies. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2005 .K64. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-03, page: 1082. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2005

Modeling of diffusion of injected electron spins in spin-orbit coupled microchannels

We report on a theoretical study of spin dynamics of an ensemble of spin-polarized electrons injected in a diffusive microchannel with linear Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling. We explore the dependence of the spin-precession and spin-diffusion lengths on the strengths of spin-orbit interaction and external magnetic fields, microchannel width, and orientation. Our results are based on numerical Monte Carlo simulations and on approximate analytical formulas, both treating the spin dynamics quantum-mechanically. We conclude that spin-diffusion lengths comparable or larger than the precession-length occur i) in the vicinity of the persistent spin helix regime for arbitrary channel width, and ii) in channels of similar or smaller width than the precession length, independent of the ratio of Rashba and Dresselhaus fields. For similar strengths of the Rashba and Dresselhaus fields, the steady-state spin-density oscillates or remains constant along the channel for channels parallel to the in-plane diagonal crystal directions. An oscillatory spin-polarization pattern tilted by 45$^{\circ}$ with respect to the channel axis is predicted for channels along the main cubic crystal directions. For typical experimental system parameters, magnetic fields of the order of Tesla are required to affect the spin-diffusion and spin-precession lengths.Comment: Replaced with final version (some explanations and figures improved). 8 pages, 6 figure

Ontario public institutions and on-site food production: Current capacities and constraints

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS - Opportunity for on-site food production comes from public and political support for ‘local food’, combined with a shortage of land for new producers - GIS study of Ontario healthcare properties shows 217 with more than one acre of arable land available, and 54 with more than five acres - Case studies demonstrate the benefits of a ‘farmer’— independent, staff member or community group—and/or labour force dedicated to the project - Initial and on-going viability correlates to the extent of institutional support, particularly staff time for project coordination - Institutional motivations for on-site food production initiatives vary, include mental and physical therapeutic benefits See more at the Project SOIL website

Ultrastructural characteristics of the vascular wall components of ruptured atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm

The aim of this study was to determine the ultrastructural characteristics of cell populations and extracellular matrix components in the wall of ruptured atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We analyzed 20 samples of ruptured AAA. For orientation to the light microscopy, we used routine histochemical techniques by standard procedures. For ultrastructural analysis, we applied transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our results have shown that ruptured AAA is characterized by the remains of an advanced atherosclerotic lesion in the intima followed by a complete absence of endothelial cells, the disruption of basal membrane and disruption of internal elastic lamina. On plaque margins as well as in the inner media we observed smooth muscle cells (SMCs) that posses a euchromatic nucleus, a well-developed granulated endoplasmic reticulum around the nucleus and reduced myofilaments. The remains of the ruptured lipid core were acellular in all samples; however, on the lateral sides of ruptured plaque we observed a presence of two types of foam cells (FCs), spindle- and star-shaped. Fusiform FCs possess a well-differentiated basal lamina, caveolae and electron dense bodies, followed by a small number of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Star-shaped FCs contain a large number of lipid droplets and do not possess basal lamina. On the inner margins of the plaque, we observed a large number of cells undergoing apoptosis and necrosis, extracellular lipid droplets as well as a large number of lymphocytes. The media was thinned out with disorganized elastic lamellas, while the adventitia exhibited leukocyte infiltration. The presented results suggest that atherosclerotic plaque in ruptured AAA contains vascular SMC synthetic phenotype and two different types of FCs: some were derived from monocyte/macrophage lineage, while others were derived from SMCs of synthetic phenotype. The striking plaque hypocellularity was the result of apoptosis and necrosis of different cell populations

IgG glycosylation and DNA methylation are interconnected with smoking

Background: Glycosylation is one of the most common post-translation modifications with large influences on protein structure and function. The effector function of immunoglobulin G (IgG) alters between pro- and anti-inflammatory, based on its glycosylation. IgG glycan synthesis is highly complex and dynamic. Methods: With the use of two different analytical methods for assessing IgG glycosylation, we aim to elucidate the link between DNA methylation and glycosylation of IgG by means of epigenome-wide association studies. In total, 3000 individuals from 4 cohorts were analyzed. Results: The overlap of the results from the two glycan measurement panels yielded DNA methylation of 7 CpG-sites on 5 genomic locations to be associated with IgG glycosylation: cg25189904 (chr.1, GNG12); cg05951221, cg21566642 and cg01940273 (chr.2, ALPPL2); cg05575921 (chr.5, AHRR); cg06126421 (6p21.33); and cg03636183 (chr.19, F2RL3). Mediation analyses with respect to smoking revealed that the effect of smoking on IgG glycosylation may be at least partially mediated via DNA methylation levels at these 7 CpG-sites. Conclusion: Our results suggest the presence of an indirect link between DNA methylation and IgG glycosylation that may in part capture environmental exposures. General significance: An epigenome-wide analysis conducted in four population-based cohorts revealed an association between DNA methylation and IgG glycosylation patterns. Presumably, DNA methylation mediates the effect of smoking on IgG glycosylation

Peri-operative red blood cell transfusion in neonates and infants: NEonate and Children audiT of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe: A prospective European multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND: Little is known about current clinical practice concerning peri-operative red blood cell transfusion in neonates and small infants. Guidelines suggest transfusions based on haemoglobin thresholds ranging from 8.5 to 12 g dl-1, distinguishing between children from birth to day 7 (week 1), from day 8 to day 14 (week 2) or from day 15 (≥week 3) onwards. OBJECTIVE: To observe peri-operative red blood cell transfusion practice according to guidelines in relation to patient outcome. DESIGN: A multicentre observational study. SETTING: The NEonate-Children sTudy of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe (NECTARINE) trial recruited patients up to 60 weeks' postmenstrual age undergoing anaesthesia for surgical or diagnostic procedures from 165 centres in 31 European countries between March 2016 and January 2017. PATIENTS: The data included 5609 patients undergoing 6542 procedures. Inclusion criteria was a peri-operative red blood cell transfusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the haemoglobin level triggering a transfusion for neonates in week 1, week 2 and week 3. Secondary endpoints were transfusion volumes, 'delta haemoglobin' (preprocedure - transfusion-triggering) and 30-day and 90-day morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Peri-operative red blood cell transfusions were recorded during 447 procedures (6.9%). The median haemoglobin levels triggering a transfusion were 9.6 [IQR 8.7 to 10.9] g dl-1 for neonates in week 1, 9.6 [7.7 to 10.4] g dl-1 in week 2 and 8.0 [7.3 to 9.0] g dl-1 in week 3. The median transfusion volume was 17.1 [11.1 to 26.4] ml kg-1 with a median delta haemoglobin of 1.8 [0.0 to 3.6] g dl-1. Thirty-day morbidity was 47.8% with an overall mortality of 11.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate lower transfusion-triggering haemoglobin thresholds in clinical practice than suggested by current guidelines. The high morbidity and mortality of this NECTARINE sub-cohort calls for investigative action and evidence-based guidelines addressing peri-operative red blood cell transfusions strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02350348

Casey Ryan KELLY (2017), Food Television and Otherness in the Age of Globalization

Food Television and Otherness in the Age of Globalization is a book I read with envy, wishing I had written it. Kelly presents ideas that have been percolating among scholars of food and media for a while now, but have thus far not been articulated quite as thoroughly and eloquently as Kelly manages to do. The main question that the text asks is “how does media culture invite American audiences to think about the relationship between food, geography, travel, and cultural difference” (p. 4). ..

Hunting and environmentalism: Conflict or misperceptions

This work examined some assumptions that underpin the conflict between hunters and anti-hunting movement. The moral contradictions of anti-hunting activism are positioned in the complex context of consumer culture, managed environmental protection, and industrial food production. The assumption that environmental groups are by definition opposed to hunting is investigated. Given that both hunters and environmental groups are interested in land conservation, and given the rapid habitat loss around the globe, the question is asked whether joint conservation efforts would prove beneficial not only to both groups' interests, but also to the fragile North American ecosystems and the species that reside in them. Copyrigh