Magnetization Reversal Modes in Short Nanotubes with Chiral Vortex DomainWalls

Micromagnetic simulations of magnetization reversal were performed for magnetic nanotubes of a finite length, L, equal to 1 and 2 mum, 50 and 100 nm radii, R, and uniaxial anisotropy with "easy axis" parallel to the tube length. I.e., we considered relatively short nanotubes with the aspect ratio L/R in the range 10-40. The non-uniform curling magnetization states on both ends of the nanotubes can be treated as vortex domain walls (DW). The domain wall length, Lc, depends on the tube geometric parameters and the anisotropy constant Ku, and determines the magnetization reversal mode, as well as the switching field value. For nanotubes with relative small values of Lc (Lc/L < 0.2) the magnetization reversal process is characterized by flipping of the magnetization in the middle uniform state. Whereas, for relative large values of Lc, in the reverse magnetic field, coupling of two vortex domain walls with opposite magnetization rotation directions results in the formation of a specific narrow Neel type DW in the middle of the nanotube. The nanotube magnetization suddenly aligns to the applied field at the switching field, collapsing the central DW

Spine curvature analysis between participants with obesity and normal weight participants: a biplanar electromagnetic device measurement.

UNLABELLED: To analyse and compare standing thoracolumbar curves in normal weight participants and participants with obesity, using an electromagnetic device, and to analyse the measurement reliability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study was carried out. 36 individuals were divided into two groups (normal-weight and participants with obesity) according to their waist circumference. The reference points (T1-T8-L1-L5 and both posterior superior iliac spines) were used to perform a description of thoracolumbar curvature in the sagittal and coronal planes. A transformation from the global coordinate system was performed and thoracolumbar curves were adjusted by fifth-order polynomial equations. The tangents of the first and fifth lumbar vertebrae and the first thoracic vertebra were determined from their derivatives. The reliability of the measurement was assessed according to the internal consistency of the measure and the thoracolumbar curvature angles were compared between groups. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha values ranged between 0.824 (95% CI: 0.776-0.847) and 0.918 (95% CI: 0.903-0.949). In the coronal plane, no significant differences were found between groups; however, in sagittal plane, significant differences were observed for thoracic kyphosis. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in thoracic kyphosis in the sagittal plane between two groups of young adults grouped according to their waist circumference

Random-modulation differential absorption lidar based on semiconductor lasers and single photon counting for atmospheric CO2 sensing

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the major anthropogenic greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate change. Its concentration has recently reached the 400-ppm mark, representing a more than 40 % increase with respect to its level prior to the industrial revolution. However, the exchanges of CO2 between the atmosphere and the natural or anthropogenic sources/sinks at the Earth’s surface are still poorly quantified. A better understanding of these surface fluxes is required for appropriate policy making. At present, the concentrations of CO2 are mainly measured in-situ at a number of surface stations that are unevenly distributed over the planet. Air-borne and spaceborne missions have the potential to provide a denser and better distributed set of observations to complement this network. In addition to passive measurement techniques, the integrated path differential absorption (IPDA) lidar technique [1] has been found to be potentially suited for fulfilling the stringent observational requirements. It uses strong CO2 absorption lines in the 1.57 or in the 2 μm region and the backscatter from the ground or a cloud top to measure the column averaged CO2 mixing ratio (XCO2) with high precision and accuracy. The European Space Agency (ESA), has studied this concept in the frame of the Advanced Space Carbon and Climate Observation of Planet Earth (A-SCOPE) mission in 2006. Although a lack of technological readiness prevented its selection for implementation, recommendations have been formulated to mature the instrument concept by pursuing technological efforts [2]. During the last years, a tremendous effort in the assessment of the optimal CO2 active sensing methodology is being performed in the context of NASA mission Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Season (ASCENDS

Autophagy resolves early retinal inflammation in Igf1-deficient mice

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a growth factor with differentiating, anti-apoptotic and metabolic functions in the periphery, and anti-inflammatory properties in the nervous system. Mice that have mutations in the Igf1 gene, rendering the gene product inactive (Igf1(-/-)), present with age-related visual loss accompanied by structural alterations in the first synapses of the retinal pathway. Recent advances have revealed a crucial role of autophagy in immunity and inflammation. Keeping in mind this close relationship, we aimed to decipher these processes in the context of the defects that occur during ageing in the retina of Igf1(-/-) mice. Tnfa and Il1b mRNAs, and phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK were elevated in the retinas of 6- and 12-month old Igf1(-/-) mice compared to those in age-matched Igf1(+/+) controls. In 6-month-old Igf1(-/-) retinas, increased mRNA levels of the autophagy mediators Becn1, Atg9, Atg5 and Atg4, decreased p62 (also known as SQSTM1) protein expression together with an increased LC3-II:LC3-I ratio reflected active autophagic flux. However, in retinas from 12-month-old Igf1(-/-) mice, Nlrp3 mRNA, processing of the IL1β pro-form and immunostaining of active caspase-1 were elevated compared to those in age-matched Igf1(+/+) controls, suggesting activation of the inflammasome. This effect concurred with accumulation of autophagosomes and decreased autophagic flux in the retina. Microglia localization and status of activation in the retinas of 12-month-old Igf1(+/+) and Igf1(-/-) mice, analyzed by immunostaining of Cd11b and Iba-1, showed a specific distribution pattern in the outer plexiform layer (OPL), inner plexiform layer (IPL) and inner nuclear layer (INL), and revealed an increased number of activated microglia cells in the retina of 12-month-old blind Igf1(-/-) mice. Moreover, reactive gliosis was exclusively detected in the retinas from 12-month-old blind Igf1(-/-) mice. In conclusion, this study provides new evidence in a mouse model of IGF-1 deficiency that autophagy is an adaptive response that might confer protection against persistent inflammation in the retina during agein

Social Networks, Big Data and Transport Planning

[EN] The characteristics of people who are related or tied to each individual affects her activity-travel behavior. That influence is especially associated to social and recreational activities, which are increasingly important. Collecting high quality data from those social networks is very difficult using traditional travel surveys, because respondents are asked about their general social life, which is most demanding to remember that specific facts. On the other hand, currently there are different potential sources of transport data, which is characterized by the huge amount of information available, the velocity with it is obtained and the variety of format in which is presented. This sort of information is commonly known as Big Data. To use this data on Transport Planning application is a challenge, which require employing complex data mining techniques. In this paper, we identify potential sources of social network related big data that can be used in Transport Planning, discussing their advantages and limitations. Then, a review of current applications in Transport Planning is presented. Finally, some future prospects of using social network related big data that are included in the MINERVA project are highlighted.Cost Action TU1305 Social Networks and Travel Behaviour, MINECORuiz Sánchez, T.; Mars Aicart, MDL.; Arroyo-López, MR.; Serna, A. (2016). Social Networks, Big Data and Transport Planning. Transportation Research Procedia. 18:446-452. doi:10.1016/j.trpro.2017.01.122S4464521

Importance of far-infrared mapping in a spiral galaxy: AKARI observation of M81

The importance of the far-infrared (FIR) mapping is demonstrated for a face-on spiral galaxy, M81, by analyzing its imaging data at 65, 90, and 140 {\mu}m taken by AKARI. Basic products are the dust temperature map, the dust optical depth map, and the colour-colour diagram. The main features are as follows. (i) The dust temperature derived from the total fluxes at 90 {\mu}m and 140 {\mu}m reflects the relatively low temperatures seen in the interarm and spiral arms excluding the warm spots, rather than the high temperatures in warm spots and the centre. This indicates that the total FIR luminosity is dominated by the dust heated by the general interstellar radiation field. (ii) The galaxy is more extended at 140 {\mu}m than at the other shorter wavelengths, which reflects the radial dust temperature gradient. (iii) The dust optical depth derived from the FIR mapping is broadly consistent with that estimated from the FIR-to-ultraviolet luminosity ratio. (iv) The FIR colour-colour diagramis useful to identify a 'contamination' of warm dust. The existence of small-scale warm star-forming regions is supported in the bright spots along the spiral arms. This contamination also leads to an underestimate of dust optical depth (or dust column density).Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, 1 tabl

Functional and molecular characterization of inherited platelet disorders in the Iberian Peninsula: results from a collaborative study

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic evaluation of inherited platelet disorders (IPDs) is complicated and time-consuming, resulting in a relevant number of undiagnosed and incorrectly classified patients. In order to evaluate the spectrum of IPDs in individuals with clinical suspicion of these disorders, and to provide a diagnostic tool to centers not having access to specific platelets studies, we established the project "Functional and Molecular Characterization of Patients with Inherited Platelet Disorders" under the scientific sponsorship of the Spanish Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. PATIENTS/METHODS: Subjects were patients from a prospective cohort of individuals referred for clinical suspicion of IPDs as well as healthy controls. Functional studies included light transmission aggregation, flow cytometry, and when indicated, Western-blot analysis of platelet glycoproteins, and clot retraction analysis. Genetic analysis was mainly performed by sequencing of coding regions and proximal regulatory regions of the genes of interest. RESULTS: Of the 70 cases referred for study, we functionally and molecularly characterized 12 patients with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia, 8 patients with Bernard Soulier syndrome, and 8 with other forms of IPDs. Twelve novel mutations were identified among these patients. The systematic study of patients revealed that almost one-third of patients had been previously misdiagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a global picture of the current limitations and access to the diagnosis of IPDs, identifies and confirms new genetic variants that cause these disorders, and emphasizes the need of creating reference centers that can help health care providers in the recognition of these defects

Effect of particle shape on flow in discrete element method simulation of a rotary batch seed coater

In the seed processing industry, rotary batch seed coaters are widely used for providing a protective coating layer (consisting of various ingredients including fertilisers and crop protection chemicals) on the seeds. Seed motion and mixing are important in ensuring uniform coating. In the rotary batch seed coater, the base of a cylindrical vessel rotates, whilst the cylindrical wall is stationary and two baffles turn the bed over for mixing. In the present study, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is used to simulate the effect of particle shape on motion and mixing in this device. Corn seed is used as a model material and the effect of its shape on motion is analysed by considering two approaches: (1) manipulation of rolling friction to account for shape as it is commonly used in the field; (2) approximation of the actual shape by a number of overlapping spheres of various sizes. The geometry of corn seeds is captured using X-ray microtomography and then the ASG2013 software (Cogency, South Africa) is used to generate and optimise the arrangement of the overlapping spheres. A comparison is made of the predicted tangential and radial velocity distributions of the particles from DEM and those measured experimentally. It is concluded that for rapid shearing systems with short collisional contacts a small number of clumped spheres suffice to provide a reasonable agreement with experimental results. Equally well, manipulating the rolling friction coefficient can provide results that match experiments but its most suitable value is unknown a priori, hence the approach is empirical rather than predictive