The Compressibility of Minimal Lattice Knots

The (isothermic) compressibility of lattice knots can be examined as a model of the effects of topology and geometry on the compressibility of ring polymers. In this paper, the compressibility of minimal length lattice knots in the simple cubic, face centered cubic and body centered cubic lattices are determined. Our results show that the compressibility is generally not monotonic, but in some cases increases with pressure. Differences of the compressibility for different knot types show that topology is a factor determining the compressibility of a lattice knot, and differences between the three lattices show that compressibility is also a function of geometry.Comment: Submitted to J. Stat. Mec

OTW noise correlation for several nozzle/wing geometries using a 5:1 slot nozzle with external deflectors

Acoustic spectral data obtained from a model-scale study of several over the wing (OTW) configurations with a 5:1 slot nozzle using various external deflectors are correlated in terms of deflector geometry and flow parameters. Variations in the deflector geometry include deflector size and deflector angle. In addition, geometry variations in flap setting and nozzle chordwise location are included. Three dominant noise sources are correlated: fluctuating lift noise, flap trailing edge noise, and jet mixing noise. Aerodynamic characteristics including lift and thrust measurements, obtained for the various configurations are summarized

Bulletin of the Children's Book Center 03 (05) 1950

published or submitted for publicatio

Testing the stability of the benefit transfer function for discrete choice contingent valuation data

We examine the stability of the benefit transfer function across 42 recreational forests in the British Isles. A working definition of reliable function transfer is put forward, and a suitable statistical test is provided. The test is based on the sensitivity of the model log-likelihood to removal of individual forest recreation sites. We apply the proposed methodology on discrete choice contingent valuation data and find that a stable function improves our measure of transfer reliability, but not by much. We conclude that, in empirical studies on transferability, function stability considerations are secondary to the availability and quality of site attribute data. Modellers’ can study the advantages of transfer function stability vis-à-vis the value of additional information on recreation site attributes

Review of SPNM Tenth Composers’ Weekend

  &nbsp

Rheological characterization of coloured oil-in-water food emulsions with lutein and phycocyanin added to the oil and aqueous phases

The use of natural colourings in food products presents nutritional advantages, and certain pigments are associated with functional properties, e.g. antioxidant effects. This can be very advantageous in food products with high fat contents like mayonnaises. The aim of this work was to study the effect of adding natural pigments, lutein and phycocyanin, to the water and oil phases, respectively, of oil-in-water pea protein-stabilized emulsions, beyond the desirable and expected development of a green colour. The emulsions were prepared with 3% (w/w) pea protein, 65% (w/w) vegetable oil, and varying concentrations of lutein and phycocyanin (0.25–1.25% w/w). Emulsions containing both pigments, in different proportions (total pigment concentration of 0.5%, w/w) were also prepared. Oscillatory and steady-state measurements, as well as droplet size distribution and textural profile tests, were performed. The addition of lutein to the disperse oil phase promoted a decrease of the emulsions’ rheological and textural parameters, while the addition of phycocyanin to the water (continuous) phase resulted in an increase of these properties. When using combinations of both pigments, an increase of the rheological and textural parameters with phycocyanin proportion was apparent, and a synergetic effect due to the presence of both pigments was found

The Effect of Histopathological Growth Patterns of Colorectal Liver Metastases on the Survival Benefit of Adjuvant Hepatic Arterial Infusion Pump Chemotherapy

Background: Histopathological growth patterns (HGPs) are a prognostic biomarker in colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Desmoplastic HGP (dHGP) is associated with liver-only recurrence and superior overall survival (OS), while non-dHGP is associated with multi-organ recurrence and inferior OS. This study investigated the predictive value of HGPs for adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy in CRLM. Methods: Patients undergoing resection of CRLM and perioperative systemic chemotherapy in two centers were included. Survival outcomes and the predictive value of HAIP versus no HAIP per HGP group were evaluated through Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression methods, respectively. Results:We included 1233 patients. In the dHGP group (n = 291, 24%), HAIP chemotherapy was administered in 75 patients (26%). In the non-dHGP group (n = 942, 76%), HAIP chemotherapy was administered in 247 patients (26%). dHGP was associated with improved overall survival (OS, HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.32–0.73, p &lt; 0.001). HAIP chemotherapy was associated with improved OS (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45–0.82, p &lt; 0.001). No interaction could be demonstrated between HGP and HAIP on OS (HR 1.29, 95% CI 0.72–2.32, p = 0.40).Conclusions: There is no evidence that HGPs of CRLM modify the survival benefit of adjuvant HAIP chemotherapy in patients with resected CRLM.</p

Circulating microRNA responses to acute whole-body vibration and resistance exercise in postmenopausal women

Evaluating alterations in circulating microRNA (c-miRNA) expression may provide deeper insight into the role of exercise in the attenuation of the negative effects of aging on musculoskeletal health. Currently, there are sparse data on c-miRNA responses to acute exercise in postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of acute bouts of resistance exercise and whole-body vibration on expression of selected c-miRNAs in postmenopausal women aged 65-76 years (n=10). We also examined relationships between c-miRNAs and muscle strength and bone characteristics. This randomized crossover design study compared c-miRNA responses to a bout of resistance exercise (RE) (3 sets 10 reps 70% 1 repetition maximum (1RM), 5 exercises) and a bout of whole-body vibration (WBV) (5 sets 1 min bouts 20Hz 3.38mm peak to peak displacement, Vibraflex vibration platform). DXA was used to measure body composition and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) of the total body, AP lumbar spine, and dual proximal femur. pQCT was used to measure tibia bone characteristics (4%, 38%, 66% sites). Blood samples were collected before exercise (Pre), immediately-post (IP), 60 minutes post (60P), 24 hours (24H), and 48 hours (48H) after exercise to measure serum miR-21-5p, -23a-3p, -133a-3p, -148a-3p (qPCR) and TRAP5b (ELISA). There was a significant modality × time interaction for c-miR-21-5p expression (p=0.019), which decreased from 60P to 24H after WBV only. TRAP5b serum concentrations significantly increased IP then decreased below Pre at 24H for both WBV and RE (p\u3c0.01). Absolute changes in TRAP5b were negatively correlated with c-miR-21-5p fold changes (r= -0.642 to -0.724, p\u3c0.05) for both exercise modalities. There were significant negative correlations between baseline c-miRNAs and bone status variables (r= -0.639 to -0.877, p\u3c0.05). Our findings suggest that whole-body vibration is a sufficient mechanical stimulus for altering c-miR-21-5p expression, whereas a high intensity resistance exercise protocol did not elicit any c-miRNA responses in postmenopausal women. Increases in the bone resorption marker, TRAP5b, were associated with greater downregulation of c-miR-21-5p expression

Does judicial efficiency lower the cost of credit:

The authors investigate the effect of judicial efficiency on banks'lending spreads for a large cross section of countries. They measure bank interest rate spreads for 106 countries at an aggregate level, and for 32 countries at the level of individual banks. The authors find that-after controlling for a number of other country characteristics-judicial efficiency, in addition to inflation, is the main driver of interest rate spreads across countries. This suggests that in addition to improving the overall macroeconomic climate in a country, judicial reforms, through a better enforcement of legal contracts, are critical to lowering the cost of financial intermediation for households and firms.Payment Systems&Infrastructure,International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Banks&Banking Reform,Banks&Banking Reform,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Financial Intermediation,International Terrorism&Counterterrorism