Textures and Exotic Vortices in Neutral Fermion Superfluids

There has been intense interest in various Fermion superfluids in neutral atom liquids and gases, including chiral p-wave pairing in ³He-A phase and Feshbach-resonanced ⁶Li atom gases and d-wave pairing in atom gases. It is particularly interesting to find exotic vortices and associated low-lying Fermionic excitations under rotation. Here we report on our efforts of those topics: (1) Majorana Fermion in chiral superfluids near a p-wave Feshbach resonance. (2) Possible half-quantum vortices in p-wave superfluids of trapped Fermion atom gases. (3) Stability of a half-quantum vortex in rotating superfluid ³He-A between parallel plates. (4) Majorana bound state in rotating superfluid ³He-A between parallel plates. (5) Non-Abelian Fractional vortex in d-wave Feshbach resonance superfluids. We will summarize some of those works in a coherent manner in order to bridge the understanding between cold atom community and superfluid ³He community by stressing the importance of cross fertilization between them.     

Omeprazole induces altered bile acid metabolism

OBJECT: Direct coaptation of intercostal nerves (ICNs) to the musculocutaneous (MC) nerve was performed to restore elbow flexion in 25 patients with brachial plexus root avulsions. METHODS: Seventy-five ICNs were transected as close as possible to the sternum to obtain sufficient length and then tunneled to the axilla and coapted to the MC nerve. Direct coaptation was achieved in 95% of ICNs, and functional elbow flexion was regained in 64% of the patients. The results were compared with several reported transfer techniques in which either an ICN or other donor nerves were used. CONCLUSIONS: Direct coaptation was equally effective and more straightforward than transfers involving interposition of grafts. The use of alternative donors such as the accessory nerve carries inherent disadvantages compared with the use of ICNs, and the results are not substantially better. Direct ICN-MC nerve transfer is a valuable reconstructive procedure.     

Chitosan-Drug Conjugate Microspheres: Preparation and Drug Release Properties of Microspheres Composed of the Conjugate of 2'- or 3'-(4-Carboxy-butyryl)-5- Fluorouridine with Chitosan

The conjugate microspheres (Chi-glu-FUR-m) were prepared by the dry-in-oil method using chitosan-5-fuorouridine conjugate. Chi-glu-FUR-m were characterized by drug content, particle shape and size, swelling property, and drug release. Their characteristics were compared with those of the simple microspheres (Chi/ FUR-m), which were prepared under similar conditions using a mixture of chitosan and 5-fluorouridine. Both microspheres prepared showed a high retention of the drug after preparation and similar particle size and shape. Swelling ratios after incubation in aqueous buflers of pH 7.4 for 6 hr were similar for both microspheres. Chi-glu-FUR-m swelled quickly in aqueous buffers of pH 7.4 and the disintegration was observed to occur gradually from 24 hr afrer the incubation. Chi-glu-FUR-m showed a gradual drug release (50% release time = 61 hr), while Chi/FUR-m released the drug very rapidly, Such characteristics of Chi-glu-FURm as swelling, slow disintegration, and gradual drug release propose its usefulness for localization or chemoembolization therapy.     

Uptake and release of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons by short-necked clams (Tapes japonica)

We studied the uptake and release of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAHs) by shortnecked clams (Tapes japonica) under the following conditions: exposure to PNAHs dissolved in artificial sea water, in the sediments and in natural sea water. Nine PNAHs, i.e. anthracene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(b)flouranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene and 3-methylcholanthrene, were dissolved in artificial sea water at a concentration of 10 ppb each. Index clams were placed in PNAH containing sea water for 7 days and then transferred into the clean artificial sea water for release. Maximal uptake of these substances ranged from 150 to 560 ppb and the release rate (half life) was 4–8 days. While six PNAHs were accumulated by the clams from the sediments during the 7-day exposure, levels of accumulated PNAHs were positively correlated to the PNAH concentrations in the sediments. High accumulation of pyrene, benzo(e)pyrene and benzo(b)fluoranthene were found and their levels in the sediments were correspondingly high. The levels of PNAHs fell to initial levels after the 14-day exposure to the PNAH free sea water. In the PNAH-uptake experiments conducted in the sea, pyrene 14 times the initial amount was accumulated in clams, while the other six compounds were accumulated at 3–8 times. All the PNAH amounts in the clams were determined by HPLC with a fluorescence detector. The results suggest that PNAHs are readily accumulated in clams and these PNAHs in the clams may be a useful biological indicator of PNAH contamination.     

Multimode fibre baseband frequency response measurement with single frequency output extracted from modulated InGaAsP laser

A new method to measure multimode fibre frequency response is presented by using a single longitudinal mode extracted from modulated semiconductor laser output. Intensity fluctuation noise, caused by r.f. modulation, is utilised as a broadband baseband signal. Baseband frequency response of a 1.98 km graded-index fibre is measured up to 1.5 GHz in 1.1?1.5 ?m wavelength region. This method provides a simple and accurate measurement of intermodal dispersion excluding chromatic dispersion effect.     

Effects of a verbal mediation strategy on cognitive processes in mathematics learning.

Hypothesized that the use of verbal rhymes (the form of mnemonics used) would facilitate learning and recall of mathematics computations and problem solving among 100 Japanese 7th graders. A pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest crossover design was employed to control for contamination between experimental and control groups and potential school and teacher effects. Ss received mathematics instruction for 10 wks on monomials, polynomials, equations, inequalities, and problem solving. Experimental Ss were taught with the aid of verbal rhymes. Results show no pretest differences between groups, but significant differences favoring experimental Ss on both the immediate and delayed (2-wk) posttest. It is concluded that the hypothesis was supported. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Proximity-effect correction for VLSI patterns in electron-beam lithography

A proximity-effect correction method for VLSI patterns has been developed. In this method, a dose ratio has been introduced as a control parameter for the negative- resist thickness after development, in addition to the proximity parameters.A new technique has been used to obtain the proximity parameters. By using the dose ratio and the proximity parameters, both the exposure dose and the size of the irradiated shape are easily determined.A pattern accuracy of ±0.1 μm and a uniform resist of the desired thickness were obtained. The computation time is proportional to 1.2 power of pattern density, and is 100 seconds on a 1.5-MIPS computer when correcting for 10⁴ shapes in a pattern whose pattern density is 10⁴.     

Rapid analysis of aflatoxins in raw peanuts,corn, buckwheat and red pepper by a new mini-column cleanup and HPLC using post-column photochemical derivatization system

A rapid and clean method for the analysis of aflatoxins (AFs) was developed by using a new column and post-column photochemical derivatization HPLC with fluorescence detection. The new cleanup column consisted of magnesia and basic alumina poured on the top of a commercial multi-functional mini-column. It was extremely effective for the cleanup of AFs from raw peanut, corn, buckwheat and red pepper. Fluorescent substances, which interfered with the analysis of AFs from corn, were completely absorbed at the top of the magnesia layer. Recoveries of AFs (B1, B2, G1, G2) added to raw peanuts, corn, buckwheat and red pepper were over 80% at two levels of fortification (higher level: 10, 3, 10, 3 ng/g, respectively, lower level: 1.0, 0.3, 1.0, 0.3 ng/g, respectively). Coefficients of variation were smaller than 12%, except the lower fortified level for red pepper. Limits of detection for AFs in raw peanuts, corn and buckwheat were 0.3 ng/g for B1 and G1, and 0.1 ng/g for B2 and G2. Those in red pepper were 0.5 ng/g for B1, B2, G1 and G2.