Shapiro and parametric resonances in coupled Josephson junctions

The effect of microwave irradiation on the phase dynamics of intrinsic Josephson junctions in high temperature superconductors is investigated. We compare the current-voltage characteristics for a stack of coupled Josephson junctions under external irradiation calculated in the framework of CCJJ and CCJJ+DC models.Comment: 4 pages, Manuscript for Dubna-Nano 2012, submitted for Journal of Physics:Conference Serie

Single-photon emission at a rate of 143 MHz from a deterministic quantum-dot microlens triggered by a mode-locked vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser

This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and AIP Publishing. This article appeared in Appl. Phys. Lett. 107, 041105 (2015) and may be found at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4927429.We report on the realization of a quantum dot (QD) based single-photon source with a record-high single-photon emission rate. The quantum light source consists of an InGaAs QD which is deterministically integrated within a monolithic microlens with a distributed Bragg reflector as back-side mirror, which is triggered using the frequency-doubled emission of a mode-locked vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (ML-VECSEL). The utilized compact and stable laser system allows us to excite the single-QD microlens at a wavelength of 508 nm with a pulse repetition rate close to 500 MHz at a pulse width of 4.2 ps. Probing the photon statistics of the emission from a single QD state at saturation, we demonstrate single-photon emission of the QD-microlens chip with g(2)(0) < 0.03 at a record-high single-photon flux of (143 ± 16) MHz collected by the first lens of the detection system. Our approach is fully compatible with resonant excitation schemes using wavelength tunable ML-VECSELs, which will optimize the quantum optical properties of the single-photon emission in terms of photon indistinguishability.BMBF, 03V0630, Entwicklung einer Halbleiterbasierten Einzelphotonenquelle für die Quanteninformationstechnologie (QSOURCE)DFG, 43659573, SFB 787: Halbleiter - Nanophotonik: Materialien, Modelle, BauelementeDFG, 192635911, GRK 1782: Funktionalisierung von HalbleiternDFG, 223848855, SFB 1083: Struktur und Dynamik innerer Grenzfläche

An integrated program using TAKTIC to control mange in swine

An integrated treatment program for sarcoptic mange control using TAKTIC@ (omitral.) 12.5% EC was evaluated at eight., privately owned, farrow to finish swine facilities in a four-state area. At all locations the treatment program consisted of an initial whole-herd treatment. phase followed by scheduled treatments applied in conjunction with routine ffionagement practices. Evaluations of mite scrapings taken at scheduled pretreatment and posttreatment intervals showed a 50· 100% reduction in sacroptic mange infestation levels following implementation of the TAKTIC@ treatment program which consisted of an initial treatment and a maintenllnce schedule. Comparison of pretreatment and posttreatment production records showed 10· 15 d earlier maturity in finishing pig market weight, increases of 0.1 -2.1 weaned pigs/Jitter, and decreases in piglet processing and nursing mortality following implementation of the TAKTIC@ treatment program. A theoretical example of the potential for increase return to profit based on these findings is presented

Effects of Cannabis sativa extract on haloperidol-induced catalepsy and oxidative stress in the mice

Haloperidol is a classic antipsychotic drug known for its propensity to cause extrapyramidal symptoms due to blockade of dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum. Interest in medicinal uses of cannabis is growing. Cannabis sativa has been suggested as a possible adjunctive in treatment of Parkinson's disease. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of repeated administration of an extract of Cannabis sativa on catalepsy and brain oxidative stress induced by haloperidol administration in mice. Cannabis extract was given by subcutaneous route at 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg (expressed as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) once daily for 18 days and the effect on haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced catalepsy was examined at selected time intervals using the bar test. Mice were euthanized 18 days after starting cannabis injection when biochemical assays were carried out. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (the concentrations of nitrite/nitrate) were determined in brain and liver. In saline-treated mice, no catalepsy was observed at doses of cannabis up to 20 mg/kg. Mice treated with haloperidol at the dose of 1 mg/kg, exhibited significant cataleptic response. Mice treated with cannabis and haloperidol showed significant decrease in catalepsy duration, compared with the haloperidol only treated group. This decrease in catalepsy duration was evident on days 1-12 after starting cannabis injection. Later the effect of cannabis was not ap-parent. The administration of only cannabis (10 or 20 mg/kg) decreased brain MDA by 17.5 and 21.8 %, respectively. The level of nitric oxide decreased by 18 % after cannabis at 20 mg/kg. Glucose in brain decreased by 20.1 % after 20 mg/kg of cannabis extract. The administration of only haloperidol increased MDA (22.2 %), decreased GSH (25.7 %) and increased brain nitric oxide by 44.1 %. The administration of cannabis (10 or 20 mg/kg) to haloperidol-treated mice resulted in a significant decrease in brain MDA and nitric oxide as well as a significant increase in GSH and glucose compared with the haloperidol-control group. Cannabis had no significant effects on liver MDA, GSH, nitric oxide in saline or haloperidol-treated mice. It is concluded that cannabis improves catalepsy induced by haloperidol though the effect is not maintained on repeated cannabis administration. Cannabis alters the oxidative status of the brain in favor of reducing lipid peroxidation, but reduces brain glucose, which would impair brain energetics

Focused molecular analysis of small cell lung cancer: feasibility in routine clinical practice

© 2015 Abdelraouf et al.Background: There is an urgent need to identify molecular signatures in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) that may select patients who are likely to respond to molecularly targeted therapies. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of undertaking focused molecular analyses on routine diagnostic biopsies in patients with SCLC. Methods: A series of histopathologically confirmed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded SCLC specimens were analysed for epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), KRAS, NRAS and BRAF mutations, ALK gene rearrangements and MET amplification. EGFR and KRAS mutation testing was evaluated using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR cobas®), BRAF and NRAS mutations using multiplex PCR and capillary electrophoresis-single strand conformation analysis, and ALK and MET aberrations with fluorescent in situ hybridization. All genetic aberrations detected were validated independently. Results: A total of 105 patients diagnosed with SCLC between July 1990 and September 2006 were included. 60 (57 %) patients had suitable tumour tissue for molecular testing. 25 patients were successfully evaluated for all six pre-defined molecular aberrations. Eleven patients failed all molecular analysis. No mutations in EGFR, KRAS and NRAS were detected, and no ALK gene rearrangements or MET gene amplifications were identified. A V600E substitution in BRAF was detected in a Caucasian male smoker diagnosed with SCLC with squamoid and glandular features. Conclusion: The paucity of patients with sufficient tumour tissue, quality of DNA extracted and low frequency of aberrations detected indicate that alternative molecular characterisation approaches are necessary, such as the use of circulating plasma DNA in patients with SCLC

Geochemistry and Tectonic Setting of Neoproterozoic Rocks from the Arabian-Nubian Shield: Emphasis on the Eastern Desert of Egypt

The Neoproterozoic rocks of the Eastern Desert (ED) of Egypt represent the northwestern part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS), which was formed during the Pan-African orogenic cycle (950–450). Geochemistry of the different rock units has clarified their compositional variations, tectonic settings, and origins. The ages of these rock units were reported to predict the crustal evolution of the ANS. Island arc volcanic rocks and ophiolitic sequences formed between 700 and 800 Ma, and then, they were obducted in the earlier stage of the Pan-African orogeny. The post-collision stage was characterized by the emplacement of large masses of Dokhan volcanics (610–560 Ma) and shallow level A-type granites (610–550 Ma). Neoproterozoic ophiolites fall geochemically and tectonically into two separate groups: MORB-like ophiolites and SSZ ophiolites of fore-arc tectonic setting. Intra-oceanic island arcs and related inter-arc volcaniclastic sediments are followed by the incorporations of ophiolite fragments into the volcaniclastic matrix to form “ophiolitic mélange” through tectonic and/or concurrent sedimentary and tectonic processes. The “gneissic domes” that are metamorphic core complexes were previously interpreted to represent a pre-Neoproterozoic. However, recent age data argued that the ED gneissic rocks are juvenile in origin and Neoproterozoic. Granitoid rocks in the ED include older and younger types. Most of the older granitoids are of I-type character, displaying metaluminous, calcalkaline geochemical characteristics plot in the area of volcanic arc granites (VAG), whereas most of the younger granitoids are mainly alkaline of A-type granites and of within-plate tectonic setting (WPG). Nonmetamorphosed Dokhan volcanics and Hammamat molasse sediments formed during the final post-collisional phases

Work-Nonwork Factors as Explanatory Variables of Industrial Attitudes and Behaviour in a Developing Country: The Case of the Sudanese Blue-Collar Worker

The subject matter of this research project has been the attitudes and behaviour of the Sudanese industrial worker. The objective is to test the thesis that, given the novelty of the industrialization process in most of the developing countries, nonwork factors i.e. , workers' experience in the wider society, are more important in shaping attitudes to work than the immediate experience of it. This hypothesis was tested via exploring (i) the priorities, goals and preferences which the Sudanese industrial worker pursues in his employment, (ii) the importance of working in his life (his central life interests), his commitment to wage-employment and the ways in which these are related to his experience on the job, (iii) the similarities and differences workers may exhibit vis-a-vis their orientations and commitment to work along their skill levels and (vi) the ways in which workers' orientations and commitment to work are constrained by their social experience outside the work domain