Search

We study a nonlocal model of Ginzburg–Landau type that gives rise to an equation involving a mixture of the Laplacian and half-Laplacian. Our focus is on one-dimensional transition layer profiles that connect the two distinct homogeneous phases. We first introduce a renormalized one-dimensional energy that is free from a logarithmic divergence due to the failure of the Gagliardo norm to be finite on smooth profiles that asymptote to different limits at infinity. We then prove existence, uniqueness, monotonicity and regularity of minimizers in a suitable class. Lastly, we consider the singular limit in which the coefficient in front of the Laplacian vanishes and prove convergence of the obtained minimizer to the solutions of the fractional Allen–Cahn equation.

In this study, we investigated the expression of RhoC in the multiple myeloma (MM) cell line RPMI- 8226, as well as the effects of silencing RhoC on the growth of tumor xenografts and tumor-induced angiogenesis in nude mice with MM. For this purpose, we transduced RPMI-8226 cells with lentiviral particles overexpressing short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) targeting RhoC. Tumor xenografts were generated by subcutaneously injecting nude mice with RPMI-8226 cells overexpressing control shRNA [negative control (NC) group] or the RhoC shRNA [the experimental (S) group], respectively. RhoC protein and mRNA levels in the tumor xenografts were measured. Nude mice were also subcutaneously inoculated with Matrigel mixed with vascular endothelial growth factor, and CD31 and KI67 levels in the tumor xenografts were measured by immunohistochemistry. Similarly, we assessed tumor xenograft growth and angiogenesis in Matrigel implants in the mice of both groups. We found that RhoC levels, microvessel density, and CD31 labeling index were more reduced in the S group than in the NC group. However, there was no significant difference in the size of tumor xenografts between the 2 groups. The number of new vessels and the neovascular length in the Matrigel implants were significantly lower in the S group than in the NC group. Therefore, we concluded that RhoC expression in myeloma xenografts has important effects on the induction of angiogenesis.

The environmental attitude-behavior gap has been extensively studied, but no research has examined a wide range of barriers to climate change mitigation. Inspired by Gifford’s (2011) seven categories of psychological barriers to climate change mitigation and adaptation, we examined the role of 36 barriers on climate-positive food-choice intentions. Of the 36, 29 were significantly related to weaker intentions. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the barriers cluster into four factors (Denial, Interpersonal Influences, Conflicting Goals and Aspirations, and Tokenism). Confirmatory factor analysis validated both the four-factor model and the rational seven-factor model proposed earlier. All factors except Interpersonal Influence are related to fewer food-choice intentions, illustrating the value of understanding psychological barriers for pro-environmental intentions.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The patient‐centered medical home (PCMH) model has been developed to improve overall quality of care delivered by primary care providers. PCMH recognized providers are expected to reduce gaps of transitions from hospitals to home care and community services, provide better disease management for patients, and avoid hospital readmissions due to recurrent disease exacerbations. In this study, we examined the impact of PCMH among stroke patients. Stroke generally involves complications that require coordinated care. Timely follow‐up is an essential component of transition to outpatient care. The study evaluated follow‐up visits and hospital readmissions after stroke discharges to better understand whether PCMH leads to better quality of care for the stroke population. STUDY DESIGN: Records of inpatient and follow‐up visits between January 1, 2016, and January 31, 2018, were extracted from the New York State Department of Health Medicaid claims database. Additional inpatient records for dual eligible members were obtained from the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS). Consecutive or overlapping inpatient records due to transferring to other facilities or nonacute inpatient settings (eg, rehabilitation, skill nursing facility) were concatenated and treated as a single inpatient stay. Stroke hospitalizations were identified by inpatient stays starting with an acute phase and with stroke primary diagnosis codes. Follow‐up visits were defined as outpatient services rendered by primary care providers. Each patient was attributed to a primary care provider based on the number of primary care services during a 2‐year period prior to the stroke admission date. A patient is in the PCMH group if the attributed provider obtained PCMH recognition anytime during the study period. Cox regression analyses were performed to examine 7‐day follow‐up visit and 30‐day unplanned readmission rates. Model variables include patients’ demographics and chronic conditions, stroke type, and characteristics of the inpatient stay. POPULATION STUDIED: The study population included New York State Medicaid members aged 18 or older having their first stroke discharge between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017. Patients without attributed providers or who died within 30 days of discharge were excluded. The final sample for readmission analysis consisted of 5,692 (PCMH n = 3,160) index stroke hospitalizations, and 3,970 (PCMH n = 2,288) of these inpatient stays contributed by nondual eligible members were used for follow‐up visit analysis. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: There were 974 (43%) discharges in the PCMH group (n = 2,288) followed by all‐condition 7‐day follow‐up visit, while the non‐PCMH group (n = 1682) had 686 (41%). In particular, the PCMH group had a higher rate of stroke‐specific 7‐day follow‐up visits (hazard ratio = 1.394, P

Flawless glass cutting is traditional important task for related applications ranged from large scale window application to small scale mobile display device assembly. Recently, the cutting of strengthened glass becomes critical due to their residual tensile stress. This paper describes a novel technique for dealing cutting inner holes and separation of strengthened ultrathin glass for the display unit of mobile communication and computational devices. This method integrates the picosecond laser ablation with quenching induced thermo-shock for accomplishing such a task. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method could achieve successful separations for various enclosed shapes with the surface roughness satisfying the requirement. However, temperature control is critical. Currently, the associated thermo- mechanical finite element analyses are conducted for optimizing the process design.

Guava (Psidium guajava) wilt, caused by Nalanthamala psidii, has been a destructive disease in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and South Africa since it was first reported in guava in 1926. However, the primary infection site of the pathogen remains controversial. This study was conducted to elucidate the importance of root infection by N. psidii in guava orchards in Taiwan. During 2010–2012, a total of 23 guava trees were sampled from three orchards and the isolation frequency of N. psidii from wounded twigs and roots was analysed. The overall isolation frequency of N. psidii was significantly higher (P

The objective of the present study was to report the clinical significance of bladder cancer specific nuclear matrix protein 4 (BLCA-4) and urinary bladder cancer (UBC) on early diagnosis of bladder cancers. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect BLCA-4 and UBC of 56 bladder cancer patients and 26 patients with urinary tract benign diseases, serving as controls. Urine exfoliated cell test was performed, and then the significance of BLCA-4 and UBC on the diagnosis of bladder cancers was analyzed. The sensitivity of BLCA-4 and UBC of the bladder cancer patients was significantly higher than that of the urine exfoliated cell test (P less than 0.05). The difference of BLCA-4 and UBC was not significant (P0.05). The difference of BLCA-4 and UBC in the tumors with different gradings and stagings was not significant (P0.05). Combined detection of BLCA-4 and UBC could improve the diagnosis sensitivity and specificity of bladder cancers with the advantages of high maneuverability, repeatability and objective results.

Rapid developments in advanced manufacturing techniques and information technology have resulted in significant increases in the functionality, precision, and complexity of products. Most products have multiple quality characteristics, which may include multiple unilateral and bilateral specifications. The process capability for any quality characteristic must be satisfied if customers are to accept a product. The production process of complex products generally consists of several stages and processes. The qualities of these processes can be independent or interdependent. This paper develops an integrated assessment model for the manufacture of multi-process, multi-characteristic products based on the process capability index and process yield rate. The proposed method assess six-sigma improvement using the ‘define, measure, analyze, design, verify’ model. This study investigates the manufacturing processes of 12.7 mm ordinary-grade machine gun cartridges in order to increase their shooting precision. The proposed assessment model identifies the critical-to-quality processes that affect the precision, and then applies redesign and experimental design to obtain the optimal combination of process parameters. Finally, a mathematical programming method verifies the results, confirming an improvement in shooting precision. The resulting cartridges meet the customer demand for match quality.

Background and aim: The pharmacokinetics of clenbuterol in equine urine and blood was investigated.Material and methods: Urine and blood samples were collected following 3-day multiple oral administrations. The samples were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and further confirmed by solid phase extraction and capillary electrophoresis.Results: Urinary clenbuterol was detectable until day 14 after the last dose. The urinary excretion of clenbuterol was characterized by a biphasic pattern. The half-lives of the bi-exponential elimination (t1/2α and t1/2β) for urinary clenbuterol were about 12.1 and 48 hours. After a single oral administration (4 μg/kg) of clenbuterol, the half-life of serum clenbuterol was approximately 11.4 hours.

The high-k Ta2O5 in our study is used to apply as gate dielectric in polyoxide and low-temperture polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistor (LTPS-TFT) for performance improvements. Therefore, we employ the NH3-plasma treatment to improve the electrical characteristics of the high-k Ta2O5 polyoxide dielectric such as higher breakdown voltage and lower leakage current. It's seen that the nitrogen can pile up at the high-k Ta2O5 dielectric and polysilicon interface to form strong Si-N bondings from the SIMS and XPS analysis.

Functionally gradient materials (FGMs) were prepared by mixing 5 layers comprised of different ratios of (YSZ-20%Al2O3) and 422 stainless (SUS422) powders, followed by hot pressing for densification. Two design concepts were proposed: One as a FGM with a monotonic change of the CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) for each layer, and is designated as the monotonic mode, and the other was a FGM with a change of CTE that is not monotonic for each layer, and is termed the non-monotonic mode. The FGM with a monotonic CTE mode cracked at the ceramic surface after it was removed from the hot pressing furnace. In contrast, the FGM with a non-monotonic CTE mode survived after hot pressing. Based on ABAQUS simulation results, a non-monotonic change in CTE resulted in a decrease of residual stress on the ceramic side but an increase inside the metal-rich layers of the FGMs. The induced change in the stress distribution inside the FGMs was compromised by the deformation of the metal-rich ingredient (SUS422) in the FGM. Thermal shock tests of FGMs were performed between 25°C and 600°C. The non-monotonic FGM endured up to 100 thermal cycles with only slight bending, and was free of delamination and cracking. The use of composition-adjusted layers to manipulate thermal expansion coefficients of each layer greatly changed the stress contour of the FGM. It is noted that a modified functional-gradient FGM can be fabricated with a hard ceramic surface on one side to resist high temperature, and a ductile metallic surface on the other side to provide toughness.

We characterized the novel NRL-transforming growth factor alpha (NRL-TGFalpha) transgenic mouse model in which growth factor - steroid receptor interactions were explored. The NRL promoter directs transgene expression to mammary ductal and alveolar cells and is nonresponsive to estrogen manipulations in vitro and in vivo. NRL-TGFalpha mice acquire proliferative hyperplasias as well as cystic and solid tumors. Quantitative transcript analysis revealed a progressive decrease in estrogen receptor alpha (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA levels with tumorigenesis. However, ER protein was evident in all lesion types and in surrounding stromal cells using immunohistochemistry. PR protein was identified in normal epithelial cells and in very few cells of small epithelial hyperplasias, but never in stromal or tumor cells. Prophylactic ovariectomy significantly delayed tumor development and decreased incidence. Finally, while heterozygous (+/-) p53 mice did not acquire mammary lesions, p53+/- mice carrying the NRL-TGFalpha transgene developed ER negative/PR negative undifferentiated carcinomas. These data demonstrate that unregulated TGFalpha expression in the mammary gland leads to oncogenesis that is dependent on ovarian steroids early in tumorigenesis. Resulting tumors resemble a clinical phenotype of ER+/PR-, and when combined with a heterozygous p53 genotype, ER-/PR-.

An improvement for the generic particle filter (PF) is to add a roughening step in resampling. This paper studied the reentry vehicle tracking problem using PF with roughening. A novel algorithm to calculate the reasonable standard deviation of the roughening jitter is proposed. For comparison, the Unscented Kalman filter, the generic PF and the PF with the typical roughening are used to gauge the estimation performance, and the results favor the PF with the proposed roughening method. The generic PF and the PF with the typical roughening have low probabilities of success under conditions of comparatively large initialization bias and accurate radar measurement. The proposed PF can handle these cases efficiently and give better performance.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative affliction of the elderly, presenting with progressive memory loss and dementia and terminating with death. There have been significant advances in understanding the biology and subsequent diagnosis of AD; however, the furious pace of research has not yet translated into a disease-modifying treatment. While scientific inquiry in AD is largely centered on identifying biological players and pathological mechanisms, the day-to-day realities of AD patients and their caregivers revolve around their steady and heartbreaking cognitive decline. In the past decade, AD research has been fundamentally transformed by the development of genetically modified animal models of amyloid-driven neurodegeneration. These important in vivo models not only replicate some of the hallmark pathology of the disease, such as plaque-like amyloid accumulations and astrocytic inflammation, but also some of the cognitive impairments relevant to AD. In this article, we will provide a detailed review of the behavioral and cognitive deficits present in several transgenic mouse models of AD and discuss their functional changes in response to experimental treatments.

Two-dimensional processes of nickel electrodeposition in LIGA microfabrication were modeled using the finite-element method and a fully coupled implicit solution scheme via Newton’s technique. Species concentrations, electrolyte potential, flow field, and positions of the moving deposition surfaces were computed by solving the species-mass, charge, and momentum conservation equations as well as pseudo-solid mesh-motion equations that employ an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) formulation. Coupling this ALE approach with repeated re-meshing and re-mapping makes it possible to track the entire transient deposition processes from start of deposition until the trenches are filled, thus enabling the computation of local current densities that influence the microstructure and functional/mechanical properties of the deposit.

A new band at 23 390 cm−1 in the A ˜ 1Πu– X ˜ 1 Σ g + electronic transition of C3 has been recorded by laser-induced fluorescence at high resolution and rotationally analyzed. Based on the agreement of the lower state constants with infra-red data given by Kawaguchi et al. [9] , the vibrational assignment is found to be 0 1 1(Δu)–0 1 1 (Πg). Seventeen of the 19 vibronic levels of the A ˜ 1Πu state expected to lie below 25 700 cm−1 (a vibrational energy of 1025 cm−1) have now been identified.

Three low-molecular weight polyesters, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA), copoly(lactic acid/glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(delta-valerolactone) (PV), were used to prepare water-soluble sodium diclofenac-loaded microspheres by using the oil-in-oil (o/o) emulsification-solvent evaporation method. Their micromeritic and physicochemical properties, and degradation and dissolution behaviours were determined in vitro. The results indicate that high encapsulation efficiency and better monodispersity might be achieved by the o/o emulsification-solvent evaporation method, depending on the amount of drug loading used. The slower evaporation of organic solvent from the system during microencapsulation seemed to modify the crystallinity of drug and polyester in the microspheres, determined by powder x-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry. The in vitro degradation rate of all the microspheres in pH7.4 phosphate buffer solution showed first-order kinetics and ranked in the order of PLGAPLAPV microspheres. Furthermore, the first-order release rate was also found in all the microspheres after an initial drug burst and ranked in the order of PLGAPLAPV microspheres, too. The relationship between degradation and dissolution behaviours of these microspheres is discussed.

Polyester-based polyurethanes were synthesized from 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) with butanediol as a chain extender and low molecular weight polyester–diol as a soft segment. Two polyesters were used in the synthesis of polyurethanes. One of the polyesters was synthesized from adipic acid and 1,6-hexanediol, which had an even number of carbon atoms. The other polyester was synthesized from pimelic acid and 1,5-pentanediol, which had an odd number of carbon atoms. The effect of even carbon monomers and odd carbon monomers of polyester soft segments on the phase segregation of soft and hard segments was studied by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2095–2104, 1999

Summary The process capability index Cpk has been widely used in manufacturing industry to provide numerical measures of process potential and performance. As noted by many quality control researchers and practitioners, Cpk is yield-based and is independent of the target T. This fails to account for process centering with symmetric tolerances, and presents an even greater problem with asymmetric tolerances. To overcome the problem, several generalizations of Cpk have been proposed to handle processes with asymmetric tolerances. Unfortunately, these generalizations understate or overstate the process capability in many cases, so reflect the process potential and performance inaccurately. In this paper, we first introduce a new index Cp"k, which is shown to be superior to the existing generalizations of Cpk. We then investigate the statistical properties of the natural estimator of Cp"k, assuming that the process is normally distributed.

Finite-element simulations are presented to advance the knowledge of flow structures, species distributions, and mixing behaviors of turbulent burning flows in municipal solid incinerators under various operating conditions. The modified {kappa}-{epsilon} turbulence model together with wall functions was adopted. Devolatilization of solid wastes were simulated by gaseous methane (CH{sub 4}) nonuniformly distributed along the inclined grate. The combustion process was considered as a two-step reaction when primary underfire air entered and mixed with methane gas in the first combustion chamber. A mixing-controlled eddy-dissipation model was used for predicting the reaction rates of CH{sub 4}, O{sub 2}, CO{sub 2}, and CO. Results show that the grate is covered by cone-shaped flames that are bent and aligned with the flow directions. Postflame oxidation is done in the second combustion chamber and can be improved by provision of more excess air or by the injection of secondary overfire air. Combustion efficiency up to 99.98% and an exit temperature around 1,000 C can be achieved at 100--200% excess air. Reasonable agreements are achieved between numerical predictions and available in-situ measurements.

The effects of emission concentrations of particulate matters and sulfates on plume opacity are investigated by in situ measurements. The studies are conducted for three processes of two coal-fired plants and one oil-fired that are all equipped with electrostatic precipitators. Flue-gas sampling and analysis include the concentrations of particles and total water soluble sulfates, particle size distribution, and flue-gas composition; while in-stack and out-of-stack opacities are determined by a transmissometer and certified smoke inspectors, respectively. Experimental results show that plume opacity outside the stack linearly correlates well with the in-stack opacity. The mixing of hot flue gas with cold ambient air would result in the condensation of hygroscopic sulfuric acid aerosols and an increase about 1.6% out of typical 15--25% measured opacity. An empirical equation similar to the Beer-Lambert-Bouger form is derived for predicting the plume opacity in terms of the stack diameter and the concentrations of particles and total water soluble sulfates. Good comparisons are achieved between predictions by the empirical equation and other available field data.

It is well known that higher dimensional information essentially leads to better accuracy in remotely sensed image classification. This paper is aimed at land cover classification from SPOT-HRV imagery by the integration of multispectral intensity and texture information. In particular, fractal dimensions are extracted using a wavelet transform as image texture. A neural network approach to classification is adopted in this paper. The underlying network is a modified multilayer perceptron trained by a Kalman filtering technique. The main advantages of this network are (1) its non-backpropagation fashion of learning which leads to a fast convergence, (2) a built-in optimization function, and (3) global scale. Saving computer storage space and a fast learning capability are in particular suitable features for remote sensing applications. Correlation analysis was subsequently performed on both the intensity and fractal images. It was found that fractal information significantly improves the discrimi...

Nickel has been shown to inhibit DNA repair in a way that may play a role in its toxicity. Since nickel treatment increases cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), we have investigated the involvement of ROS in nickel inhibition of DNA repair. Inhibition of glutathione synthesis or catalase activity increased the enhancing effect of nickel on the cytotoxicity of ultraviolet (UV) light. Inhibition of catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities also enhanced the retardation effect of nickel on the rejoining of DNA strand breaks accumulated by hydroxyurea plus cytosine-beta-D-arabinofuranoside in UV-irradiated cells. Since DNA polymerization and ligation are involved in the DNA-break rejoining, we have investigated the effect of ROS on these two steps in an extract of Chinese hamster ovary cells. Nickel inhibition of the incorporation of (3H)dTTP into the DNase I-activated calf thymus DNA was stronger than the ligation of poly(dA) x oligo(dT), whereas H2O2 was more potent in inhibiting DNA ligation than DNA polymerization. Nickel, in the presence of H2O2, exhibited a synergistic inhibition on both DNA polymerization and ligation and caused protein fragmentation. In addition, glutathione could completely recover the inhibition by nickel or H2O2 alone but only partially recover the inhibition by nickel plus H2O2. Therefore, nickel may bind to DNA-repair enzymes and generate oxygen-free radicals to cause protein degradation in situ. This irreversible damage to the proteins involved in DNA repair, replication, recombination, and transcription could be important for the toxic effects of nickel.

Using large-scale dynamical cluster quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we explore the unconventional superconductivity in the hole-doped Hubbard model on the triangular lattice. Due to the interplay of electronic correlations, geometric frustration, and Fermi surface topology, we find a doubly degenerate singlet pairing state at an interaction strength close to the bare bandwidth. Such an unconventional superconducting state is mediated by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations along the $\Gamma$-$K$ direction, where the Fermi surface is nested. An exact decomposition of the irreducible particle-particle vertex further confirms the dominant component of the effective pairing interaction comes from the spin channel. Our findings provide support for chiral $d +i d$ superconductivity in water-intercalated sodium cobaltates Na$_{x}$CoO$_{2} \cdot y$H$_{2}$O, as well as insight into the superconducting phases of the organic compounds $\kappa$-(ET)$_{2}$X and Pd(dmit)$_{2}$., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

To better understand carbon cycling in marginal seas, particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations, POC fluxes and primary production (PP) were measured in the East China Sea (ECS) in summer 2007. Higher concentrations of POC were observed in the inner shelf and lower POC values were found in the outer shelf. Similar to POC concentrations, elevated uncorrected POC fluxes (720–7300 mg C m−2 d−1) were found in the inner shelf and lower POC fluxes (80–150 mg C m−2 d−1) were in the outer shelf, respectively. PP values (~340–3380 mg C m−2 d−1) had analogous distribution patterns to POC fluxes, while some of PP values were significantly lower than POC fluxes, suggesting that contributions of resuspended particles to POC fluxes need to be appropriately corrected. A vertical mixing model was used to correct effects of bottom sediment resuspension and the corrected POC fluxes ranging from 41 ± 20 to 956 ± 443 mg C m−2 d−1, which were indeed lower than PP values. The results suggest that 49–93% of the POC flux in the ECS might be from the contribution of resuspension of bottom sediments rather than from the actual biogenic carbon sinking flux. While the vertical mixing model is not a perfect model to solve sediment resuspension because it ignores biological degradation of sinking particles, Changjinag plume (or terrestrial) inputs and lateral transport, it makes significant progress in both correcting resuspension problem and in assessing a reasonable quantitative estimate in a marginal sea.

Rat β-casein gene expression is controlled in part by the positively acting factor Stat5 and the negatively acting factor Yy1. Partial cDNAs encoding the SH2 domain of rat Stat5a and Stat5b and the zinc finger domain of rat Yy1 have been cloned by an RT-PCR based approach. The nucleotide sequences encoding the SH2 domain of rat Stat5a and Stat5b are 75% homologous. The rat Yy1 cDNA is 95% homologous to its human and mouse counterparts in the zinc finger domain-encoding region. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we have localized Stαî5a to rat chromosome band 10q32.1 and Yy1 to rat chromosome band 6q32.

Using large-scale dynamical cluster quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we study the Lifshitz transition of the two dimensional Hubbard model with next-nearest-neighbor hopping ($t'$), chemical potential and temperature as control parameters. At $t'\le0$, we identify a line of Lifshitz transition points associated with a change of the Fermi surface topology at zero temperature. In the overdoped region, the Fermi surface is complete and electron-like; across the Lifshitz transition, the Fermi surface becomes hole-like and develops a pseudogap. At (or very close to) the Lifshitz transition points, a van Hove singularity in the density of states crosses the Fermi level. The van Hove singularity occurs at finite doping due to correlation effects, and becomes more singular when $t'$ becomes more negative. The resulting temperature dependence on the bare d-wave pairing susceptibility close to the Lifshitz points is significantly different from that found in the traditional van Hove scenarios. Such unambiguous numerical observation of the Lifshitz transition at $t'\le0$ extends our understanding of the quantum critical region in the phase diagram, and shines lights on future investigations of the nature of the quantum critical point in the two dimensional Hubbard model., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Physics Review B

The well-known Johnson system of distributions was developed by N. L. Johnson (1949). Slifker and Shapiro (1980) presented a criterion for choosing a member from the three distributional classes (SB,SL, and Sv) in the Johnson system to fit a set of data. The criterion is based on the value of a quantile ratio which depends on a specified positive z value and the parameters of the distribution. In this paper, we present some properties of the quantile ratio for various distributions and for some selected z values. Some comments are made on using the criterion for selecting a Johnson distribution to fit empirical data.

A quantum critical point (QCP), separating the non-Fermi liquid region from the Fermi liquid, exists in the phase diagram of the 2D Hubbard model [Vidhyadhiraja et. al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 206407 (2009)]. Due to the vanishing of the critical temperature associated with a phase separation transition, the QCP is characterized by a vanishing quasiparticle weight. Near the QCP, the pairing is enhanced since the real part of the bare d-wave p-p susceptibility exhibits algebraic divergence with decreasing temperature, replacing the logarithmic divergence found in a Fermi liquid [Yang et. al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 047004 (2011)]. In this paper we explore the single-particle and transport properties near the QCP. We focus mainly on a van Hove singularity (vHS) coming from the relatively flat dispersion that crosses the Fermi level near the quantum critical filling. The flat part of the dispersion orthogonal to the antinodal direction remains pinned near the Fermi level for a range of doping that increases when we include a negative next-near-neighbor hopping t' in the model. For comparison, we calculate the bare d-wave pairing susceptibility for non-interacting models with the usual two-dimensional tight binding dispersion and a hypothetical quartic dispersion. We find that neither model yields a vHS that completely describes the critical algebraic behavior of the bare d-wave pairing susceptibility. The resistivity, thermal conductivity, thermopower, and the Wiedemann-Franz Law are examined in the Fermi liquid, marginal Fermi liquid, and pseudo-gap doping regions. A negative next-near-neighbor hopping t' increases the doping region with marginal Fermi liquid character. Both T and negative t' are relevant variables for the QCP, and both the transport and the motion of the vHS with filling suggest that they are qualitatively similar in their effect., Comment: 15 pages, 17 figures

The dynamical cluster approximation (DCA) is a method which systematically incorporates nonlocal corrections to the dynamical mean-field approximation. Here we present a pedagogical discussion of the DCA by describing it as a Φ-derivable coarse-graining approximation in k-space, which maps an infinite lattice problem onto a periodic finite-sized cluster embedded in a self-consistently determined effective medium. We demonstrate the method by applying it to the two-dimensional Hubbard model. From this application, we show evidences of the presence of a quantum critical point (QCP) at a finite doping underneath the superconducting dome. The QCP is associated with the second-order terminus of a line of first order phase separation transitions. This critical point is driven to zero temperature by varying the band parameters, generating the QCP. The effect of the proximity of the QCP to the superconducting dome is also discussed.

An experimental study is presented for the mixing of one- and dual-line heated jets injected at 60° angle with x-axis into a cold crossflow in a rectangular channel. Measurements of the mean temperature, velocity, and turbulence intensity together with the flow visualization were performed. Self-similar forms for the dimensionless vertical temperature profiles were found. Parametric variations characterizing the mixing processes of the temperature and velocity fields were examined and correlated in terms of the momentum flux ratio and downstream distance. Results show that both the thermal and velocity penetration depths increase with increasing momentum flux ratio and downstream distance. The turbulence intensity is strong within the region of jet half-width, and the maximum value occurs at a point close to the jet velocity trajectory.

This paper presents a novel non-contact measurement technique for electromagnetic interference (EMI) diagnosis. The proposed technique uses vector network analyzer with antenna and near-field probes to measure the transfer function for an EMI path without interrupting the operation of device under test. As an example, with the help of the measured transfer function and equivalent source in the proposed technique, the EMI to laptop wireless wide area network (WWAN) device caused by a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) driver is accurately diagnosed and appropriately treated. In addition, an easy-to-follow procedure is given for applying the presented non-contact measurement technique to the demonstrated example.

Hypertrophic “light” and “dark” chondrocytes have been reported as morphologically distinct cell types in growth cartilage during endochondral ossification in many species, but functional differences between the two cell types have not been described. The aim of the current study was to develop a pellet culture system using chondrocytes isolated from epiphyseal cartilage of neonatal mice and rats, for the study of functional differences between these two cell types. Hypertrophic chondrocytes resembling those described in vivo were observed by light and electron microscopy in sections of pellets treated with triiodothyronine, 1% fetal calf or mouse serum, 10% fetal calf serum or 1.7 MPa centrifugal pressure at day 14, and in pellets cultured with insulin or 0.1% fetal calf or mouse serum at day 21. A mixed population of light and dark chondrocytes was found in all conditions leading to induction of chondrocyte hypertrophy. This rodent culture system allows the differentiation of light and dark chondrocytes under various conditions in vitro and will be useful for future studies on tissue engineering and mechanisms of chondrocyte hypertrophy.

An experimental study is presented for the heat transfer characteristics of a rectangular, two-phase, double-loop thermosyphon with water-steam as the working fluid. The evaporator was installed in the middle branch and shared by the two condensers. Local temperature measurements of the core fluid and the wall were made, and the overall heat transfer coefficients of the evaporator, the condensers, and the loop system were obtained and correlated in terms of the fluid properties, heat flux conditions, and the liquid charge level V+. Results show that the overall heat transfer coefficients increase with decreasing V+ and increasing heat flux. The heat transfer performance of the entire system can be viewed as a parallel combination of the thermal resistances of the evaporator and two condensers. Results also confirm the previous findings that if the liquid charge level is below the fractional volume of the bottom connecting tubes, an overheat phenomenon will take place.