7,908 research outputs found
Mechanism of the wing colouration in the dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei (Odonata: Libellulidae) and its role in intraspecific communication
AbstractZenithoptera dragonflies are known for their remarkable bluish colouration on their wings and unique male behaviour of folding and unfolding their wings while perching. However, nothing is known about the optical properties of such colouration and its structural and functional background. In this paper, we aimed to study the relationship between the wing membrane ultrastructure, surface microstructure and colour spectra of male wings in Zenithoptera lanei and test the hypothesis that colouration functions as a signal in territorial fights between males. The results show that the specific wing colouration derives from interference in alternating layers of melanized and unmelanized cuticle in the wing membrane, combined with diffuse scattering in two different layers of wax crystals on the dorsal wing surface, one lower layer of long filaments, and one upper layer of leaf-shaped crystals. The results also show that the thicker wax coverage of the dorsal surface of the wings results in increased brightness and reduced chroma. In the field experiments, we have demonstrated that there is a reduction of aggressive reactions of rivals towards individuals with experimentally reduced amount of blue wing colouration
Accelerated expansion of the universe driven by tachyonic matter
It is an accepted practice in cosmology to invoke a scalar field with
potential when observed evolution of the universe cannot be
reconciled with theoretical prejudices. Since one function-degree-of-freedom in
the expansion factor can be traded off for the function , it is
{\it always} possible to find a scalar field potential which will reproduce a
given evolution. I provide a recipe for determining from in
two cases:(i) Normal scalar field with Lagrangian used in quintessence/dark energy
models. (ii) A tachyonic field with Lagrangian , motivated by recent string theoretic
results. In the latter case, it is possible to have accelerated expansion of
the universe during the late phase in certain cases. This suggests a string
theory based interpretation of the current phase of the universe with tachyonic
condensate acting as effective cosmological constant.Comment: 4 pages; uses revtex
Implementation of a Space Communications Cognitive Engine
Although communications-based cognitive engines have been proposed, very few have been implemented in a full system, especially in a space communications system. In this paper, we detail the implementation of a multi-objective reinforcement-learning algorithm and deep artificial neural networks for the use as a radio-resource-allocation controller. The modular software architecture presented encourages re-use and easy modification for trying different algorithms. Various trade studies involved with the system implementation and integration are discussed. These include the choice of software libraries that provide platform flexibility and promote reusability, choices regarding the deployment of this cognitive engine within a system architecture using the DVB-S2 standard and commercial hardware, and constraints placed on the cognitive engine caused by real-world radio constraints. The implemented radio-resource allocation-management controller was then integrated with the larger spaceground system developed by NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC)
Integrated risk and resilience assessment for critical civil infrastructures – a case study proposal for fire risk in Northern Portugal
Urban areas are frequently affected by fires due to flammable materials and building density, easing the propagation of the fire, resulting in high fire risk and generating high impacts. In addition, climate change exacerbates the conditions that trigger fires worldwide due to the increment of the media temperature caused mainly by greenhouse emissions and prolonged droughts. Critical Civil Infrastructures assessment involves identifying and evaluating the risks that may negatively influence its operations, diagnosing and predicting multiple weak points, and proposing measures for strengthening its resilience. Furthermore, risk assessment is often utilized to formulate mitigation strategies to reduce the impacts of a hazard. On the other hand, a resilience assessment provides restoration strategies for the infrastructure to reach an expected performance level after the extreme event. An integrated approach to risk and resilience assessment is a frequent research topic. Both present an inherent synergy that permits the comprehensive evaluation of the Critical Civil Infrastructure from the risk identification until the recovery and rehabilitation stage, i.e., from the pre-event until the post-event situation. This study aims to present a framework to assess risk and resilience in a Critical Civil Infrastructure in the Northern region of Portugal against fire hazard. An overview of the framework and the characteristics of the case study will be displayed.This work was partly financed by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the grant number PD/2020.07208.BD, and by FEDER funds through the Competitivity Factors Operational Programme - COMPETE and by national funds through FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) within the scope of the project InfraCrit with the reference: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-039555)
Anomalous tag diffusion in the asymmetric exclusion model with particles of arbitrary sizes
Anomalous behavior of correlation functions of tagged particles are studied
in generalizations of the one dimensional asymmetric exclusion problem. In
these generalized models the range of the hard-core interactions are changed
and the restriction of relative ordering of the particles is partially brocken.
The models probing these effects are those of biased diffusion of particles
having size S=0,1,2,..., or an effective negative "size" S=-1,-2,..., in units
of lattice space. Our numerical simulations show that irrespective of the range
of the hard-core potential, as long some relative ordering of particles are
kept, we find suitable sliding-tag correlation functions whose fluctuations
growth with time anomalously slow (), when compared with the normal
diffusive behavior (). These results indicate that the critical
behavior of these stochastic models are in the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ)
universality class. Moreover a previous Bethe-ansatz calculation of the
dynamical critical exponent , for size particles is extended to
the case and the KPZ result is predicted for all values of .Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Noonan syndrome: from phenotype to growth hormone therapy
A síndrome de Noonan (SN) é uma síndrome genética comum que constitui importante diagnóstico diferencial em pacientes com baixa estatura, atraso puberal ou criptorquidia. A SN apresenta grande variabilidade fenotípica e é caracterizada principalmente por dismorfismo facial, cardiopatia congênita e baixa estatura. A herança é autossômica dominante com penetrância completa. O diagnóstico é clínico, com base em critérios propostos por van der Burgt, em 1994. Recentemente, diversos genes envolvidos na via de sinalização RAS-MAPK foram identificados como causadores da SN: PTPN11, KRAS, SOS1, RAF1 e MEK1. O tratamento com hormônio de crescimento (hrGH) é proposto para corrigir a baixa estatura observada nestes pacientes. Estudos recentes apontam que pacientes com SN por mutações no gene PTPN11 apresentam pior resposta ao tratamento com hrGH quando comparado com pacientes sem mutações no PTPN11. Este artigo revisará os aspectos clínicos, moleculares e do tratamento da baixa estatura de crianças com SN com hrGH.Noonan Syndrome (NS) is one of the most common genetic syndromes and it is an important differential diagnosis in children with short stature, delayed puberty and cryptorchidism. NS is characterized by dysmorphic facial features, congenital heart defects and short stature, but there is a great variability in phenotype. NS may occur in a pattern consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance with almost complete penetrance. The diagnosis is based on a clinical score system proposed by van der Burgt e cols. in 1994. In recent years, germline mutations in the components of RAS-MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) pathway have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of NS. Mutations in PTPN11, KRAS, SOS1, RAF1 e MEK1 can explain 60-70% of NS molecular cause. Growth hormone therapy is proposed to correct the short stature observed in these patients. Recent studies suggest that the presence of PTPN11 mutations in patients with NS indicates a reduced growth response to short-term hrGH treatment. In this article, it is reviewed clinical and molecular aspects of NS and hrGH treatment for short stature.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq
Can the clustered dark matter and the smooth dark energy arise from the same scalar field ?
Cosmological observations suggest the existence of two different kinds of
energy densities dominating at small ( Mpc) and large ( Mpc) scales. The dark matter component, which dominates at small scales,
contributes and has an equation of state while
the dark energy component, which dominates at large scales, contributes
and has an equation of state . It is
usual to postulate wimps for the first component and some form of scalar field
or cosmological constant for the second component. We explore the possibility
of a scalar field with a Lagrangian L =- V(\phi) \sqrt{1 - \del^i \phi \del_i
\phi} acting as {\it both} clustered dark matter and smoother dark energy and
having a scale dependent equation of state. This model predicts a relation
between the ratio of the energy densities of the
two dark components and expansion rate of the universe (with ) in the form . For , we get
which is consistent with observations.Comment: Revised to match the published version. Minor changes and a reference
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A system-on-chip microwave photonic processor solves dynamic RF interference in real time with picosecond latency
Radio-frequency interference is a growing concern as wireless technology
advances, with potentially life-threatening consequences like interference
between radar altimeters and 5G cellular networks. Mobile transceivers mix
signals with varying ratios over time, posing challenges for conventional
digital signal processing (DSP) due to its high latency. These challenges will
worsen as future wireless technologies adopt higher carrier frequencies and
data rates. However, conventional DSPs, already on the brink of their clock
frequency limit, are expected to offer only marginal speed advancements. This
paper introduces a photonic processor to address dynamic interference through
blind source separation (BSS). Our system-on-chip processor employs a fully
integrated photonic signal pathway in the analogue domain, enabling rapid
demixing of received mixtures and recovering the signal-of-interest in under 15
picoseconds. This reduction in latency surpasses electronic counterparts by
more than three orders of magnitude. To complement the photonic processor,
electronic peripherals based on field-programmable gate array (FPGA) assess the
effectiveness of demixing and continuously update demixing weights at a rate of
up to 305 Hz. This compact setup features precise dithering weight control,
impedance-controlled circuit board and optical fibre packaging, suitable for
handheld and mobile scenarios. We experimentally demonstrate the processor's
ability to suppress transmission errors and maintain signal-to-noise ratios in
two scenarios, radar altimeters and mobile communications. This work pioneers
the real-time adaptability of integrated silicon photonics, enabling online
learning and weight adjustments, and showcasing practical operational
applications for photonic processing
Tegumentary manifestations of Noonan and Noonan-related syndromes
OBJECTIVES: Noonan and Noonan-related syndromes are common autosomal dominant disorders with neuro-cardio-facial-cutaneous and developmental involvement. The objective of this article is to describe the most relevant tegumentary findings in a cohort of 41 patients with Noonan or Noonan-related syndromes and to detail certain aspects of the molecular mechanisms underlying ectodermal involvement. METHODS: A standard questionnaire was administered. A focused physical examination and a systematic review of clinical records was performed on all patients to verify the presence of tegumentary alterations. The molecular analysis of this cohort included sequencing of the following genes in all patients: PTPN1, SOS1, RAF1, KRAS, SHOC2 and BRAF. RESULTS: The most frequent tegumentary alterations were xeroderma (46%), photosensitivity (29%), excessive hair loss (24%), recurrent oral ulcers (22%), curly hair (20%), nevi (17%), markedly increased palmar and plantar creases (12%), follicular hyperkeratosis (12%), palmoplantar hyperkeratosis (10%), café-au-lait spots (10%) and sparse eyebrows (7%). Patients with mutations in PTPN11 had lower frequencies of palmar and plantar creases and palmar/plantar hyperkeratosis compared with the other patients. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that patients with mutations in genes directly involved in cell proliferation kinase cascades (SOS1, BRAF, KRAS and RAF1) had a higher frequency of hyperkeratotic lesions compared with patients with mutations in genes that have a more complex interaction with and modulation of cell proliferation kinase cascades (PTPN11)
Fourier Acceleration of Langevin Molecular Dynamics
Fourier acceleration has been successfully applied to the simulation of
lattice field theories for more than a decade. In this paper, we extend the
method to the dynamics of discrete particles moving in continuum. Although our
method is based on a mapping of the particles' dynamics to a regular grid so
that discrete Fourier transforms may be taken, it should be emphasized that the
introduction of the grid is a purely algorithmic device and that no smoothing,
coarse-graining or mean-field approximations are made. The method thus can be
applied to the equations of motion of molecular dynamics (MD), or its Langevin
or Brownian variants. For example, in Langevin MD simulations our acceleration
technique permits a straightforward spectral decomposition of forces so that
the long-wavelength modes are integrated with a longer time step, thereby
reducing the time required to reach equilibrium or to decorrelate the system in
equilibrium. Speedup factors of up to 30 are observed relative to pure
(unaccelerated) Langevin MD. As with acceleration of critical lattice models,
even further gains relative to the unaccelerated method are expected for larger
systems. Preliminary results for Fourier-accelerated molecular dynamics are
presented in order to illustrate the basic concepts. Possible extensions of the
method and further lines of research are discussed.Comment: 11 pages, two illustrations included using graphic
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