202 research outputs found
Thermodynamics of a mixed quantum-classical Heisenberg model in two dimensions
We study the planar antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on a decorated
hexagonal lattice, involving both classical spins (occupying the vertices) and
quantum spins (occupying the middle of the links). This study is motivated by
the description of a recently synthesized molecular magnetic compound. First,
we trace out the spin 1/2 degrees of freedom to obtain a fully classical model
with an effective ferromagnetic interaction. Then, using high temperature
expansions and Monte Carlo simulations, we analyse its thermal and magnetic
properties. We show that it provides a good quantitative description of the
magnetic susceptibility of the molecular magnet in its paramagnetic phase.Comment: Revtex, 6 pages, 4 included postscript figures, fig.1 upon request to
[email protected] . To appear in J. of Physic C (condensed matter
Large eddy simulation of urban features for Copenhagen metropolitan area
International audienceThe large eddy simulations employing the SUBMESO model with the urban soil layer model SM2-U were performed for the model domain covering the Danish Island of Sealand and including the Copenhagen metropolitan area. Monthly and diurnal cycle variability were studied for the net radiation, sensible and storage heat fluxes, surface's temperatures, and others. These were evaluated for selected urban vs. non urban related types of covers/surfaces and urban districts such as city center, high buildings, industrial, and residential. Results showed strong effects of urban features on temporal and spatial variability. They are useful and applicable for verification of numerical weather prediction models and development of urban canopy parameterizations
Random sequential adsorption on a dashed line
We study analytically and numerically a model of random sequential adsorption
(RSA) of segments on a line, subject to some constraints suggested by two kinds
of physical situations:
- deposition of dimers on a lattice where the sites have a spatial extension;
- deposition of extended particles which must overlap one (or several)
adsorbing sites on the substrate.
Both systems involve discrete and continuous degrees of freedom, and, in one
dimension, are equivalent to our model, which depends on one length parameter.
When this parameter is varied, the model interpolates between a variety of
known situations : monomers on a lattice, "car-parking" problem, dimers on a
lattice. An analysis of the long-time behaviour of the coverage as a function
of the parameter exhibits an anomalous 1/t^2 approach to the jamming limit at
the transition point between the fast exponential kinetics, characteristic of
the lattice model, and the 1/t law of the continuous one.Comment: 14 pages (Latex) + 4 Postscript figure
Universal Short-Time Dynamics in the Kosterlitz-Thouless Phase
We study the short-time dynamics of systems that develop ``quasi long-range
order'' after a quench to the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase. With the working
hypothesis that the ``universal short-time behavior'', previously found in
Ising-like systems, also occurs in the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase, we explore
the scaling behavior of thermodynamic variables during the relaxational process
following the quench. As a concrete example, we investigate the two-dimensional
-state clock model by Monte Carlo simulation. The exponents governing the
magnetization, the second moment, and the autocorrelation function are
calculated. From them, by means of scaling relations, estimates for the
equilibrium exponents and are derived. In particular, our estimates
for the temperature-dependent anomalous dimension that governs the
static correlation function are consistent with existing analytical and
numerical results and, thus, confirm our working hypothesis.Comment: 16 pages, 9 postscript figures, REVTEX 3.0, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Magnetic and thermal properties of 4f-3d ladder-type molecular compounds
We report on the low-temperature magnetic susceptibilities and specific heats
of the isostructural spin-ladder molecular complexes L[M(opba)]_{3\cdot
xDMSOHO, hereafter abbreviated with LM (where L =
La, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and M = Cu, Zn). The results show that the Cu containing
complexes (with the exception of LaCu) undergo long range magnetic
order at temperatures below 2 K, and that for GdCu this ordering is
ferromagnetic, whereas for TbCu and DyCu it is probably
antiferromagnetic. The susceptibilities and specific heats of TbCu
and DyCu above have been explained by means of a model
taking into account nearest as well as next-nearest neighbor magnetic
interactions. We show that the intraladder L--Cu interaction is the predominant
one and that it is ferromagnetic for L = Gd, Tb and Dy. For the cases of Tb, Dy
and Ho containing complexes, strong crystal field effects on the magnetic and
thermal properties have to be taken into account. The magnetic coupling between
the (ferromagnetic) ladders is found to be very weak and is probably of dipolar
origin.Comment: 13 pages, 15 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Geographical patterns in blood lead in relation to industrial emissions and traffic in Swedish children, 1978â2007
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Blood lead concentrations (B-Pb) were measured in 3 879 Swedish school children during the period 1978â2007. The objective was to study the effect of the proximity to lead sources based on the children's home and school location.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The children's home address and school location were geocoded and their proximity to a lead smelter and major roads was calculated using geographical information system (GIS) software. All the statistical analyses were carried out using means of generalized log-linear modelling, with natural-logarithm-transformed B-Pb, adjusted for sex, school year, lead-exposing hobby, country of birth and, in the periods 1988â1994 and 1995â2007, parents' smoking habits.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The GIS analysis revealed that although the emission from the smelter and children's B-Pb levels had decreased considerably since 1978, proximity to the lead smelter continued to affect levels of B-Pb, even in recent years (geometric mean: near smelter: 22.90 ÎŒg/l; far from smelter 19.75 ÎŒg/l; p = 0.001). The analysis also revealed that proximity to major roads noticeably affected the children's B-Pb levels during the period 1978â1987 (geometric mean near major roads: 44.26 ÎŒg/l; far from roads: 38.32 ÎŒg/l; p = 0.056), due to the considerable amount of lead in petrol. This effect was, however, not visible after 1987 due to prohibition of lead in petrol.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results show that proximity to the lead smelter still has an impact on the children's B-Pb levels. This is alarming since it could imply that living or working in the vicinity of a former lead source could pose a threat years after reduction of the emission. The analysis also revealed that urban children exposed to lead from traffic were only affected during the early period, when there were considerable amounts of lead in petrol, and that the prohibition of lead in petrol in later years led to reduced levels of lead in the blood of urban children.</p
Pollen-based quantitative reconstructions of Holocene regional vegetation cover (plant-functional types and land-cover types) in Europe suitable for climate modelling
We present quantitative reconstructions of regional vegetation cover in north-western Europe, western Europe north of the Alps, and eastern Europe for five time windows in the Holocene [around 6k, 3k, 0.5k, 0.2k, and 0.05k calendar years before present (bp)] at a 1 degrees x1 degrees spatial scale with the objective of producing vegetation descriptions suitable for climate modelling. The REVEALS model was applied on 636 pollen records from lakes and bogs to reconstruct the past cover of 25 plant taxa grouped into 10 plant-functional types and three land-cover types [evergreen trees, summer-green (deciduous) trees, and open land]. The model corrects for some of the biases in pollen percentages by using pollen productivity estimates and fall speeds of pollen, and by applying simple but robust models of pollen dispersal and deposition. The emerging patterns of tree migration and deforestation between 6k bp and modern time in the REVEALS estimates agree with our general understanding of the vegetation history of Europe based on pollen percentages. However, the degree of anthropogenic deforestation (i.e. cover of cultivated and grazing land) at 3k, 0.5k, and 0.2k bp is significantly higher than deduced from pollen percentages. This is also the case at 6k in some parts of Europe, in particular Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, the relationship between summer-green and evergreen trees, and between individual tree taxa, differs significantly when expressed as pollen percentages or as REVEALS estimates of tree cover. For instance, when Pinus is dominant over Picea as pollen percentages, Picea is dominant over Pinus as REVEALS estimates. These differences play a major role in the reconstruction of European landscapes and for the study of land cover-climate interactions, biodiversity and human resources.Peer reviewe
Complications of Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Background and Aim
The use of venous catheters is a widespread practice, especially in oncological and oncohematological units. The objective of this study was to evaluate the complications associated with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in a cohort of patients.
Materials and Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, we included all patient carrying PICCs (n = 603) inserted at our institute between October 2010 and December 2013. The main variables collected were medical diagnosis, catheter care, location, duration of catheterization, reasons for catheter removal, complications, and nursing care. Complications were classified as infection, thrombosis, phlebitis, migration, edema, and/or ecchymosis.
Results
All patients were treated according to the same ânursing careâ protocol. The incidence rate of complications was two cases per 1000 days of catheter duration. The most relevant complications were infection and thrombosis, both with an incidence of 0.17 cases per 1000 days of the total catheterization period. The total average duration of catheterization was 170 days [SD 6.06]. Additionally to âend of treatmentâ (48.42%) and âexitusâ, (22.53%) the most frequent cause of removal was migration (displacement towards the exterior) of the catheter (5.80%).
Conclusions
PICCs are safe devices that allow the administration of long-term treatment and preserve the integrity of the venous system of the patient. Proper care of the catheter is very important to improve the quality life of patients with oncologic and hematologic conditions. Therefore, correct training of professionals and patients as well as following the latest scientific recommendations are particularly relevant
Evaluation of the PPAR-Îł agonist pioglitazone in mild asthma: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
Background
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-Îł) is a nuclear receptor that modulates inflammation in models of asthma. To determine whether pioglitazone improves measures of asthma control and airway inflammation, we performed a single-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.
Methods
Sixty-eight participants with mild asthma were randomized to 12 weeks pioglitazone (30 mg for 4 weeks, then 45 mg for 8 weeks) or placebo. The primary outcome was the adjusted mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) at 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes were mean peak expiratory flow (PEF), scores on the Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), bronchial hyperresponsiveness (PD20), induced sputum counts, and sputum supernatant interferon gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels. Study recruitment was closed early after considering the European Medicines Agencyâs reports of a potential increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone treatment. Fifty-five cases were included in the full analysis (FA) and 52 in the per-protocol (PP) analysis.
Results
There was no difference in the adjusted FEV1 at 12 weeks (-0.014 L, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.15 to 0.12, p = 0.84) or in any of the secondary outcomes in the FA. The PP analysis replicated the FA, with the exception of a lower evening PEF in the pioglitazone group (-21 L/min, 95% CI -39 to -4, p = 0.02).
Conclusions
We found no evidence that treatment with 12 weeks of pioglitazone improved asthma control or airway inflammation in mild asthma
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