3,062 research outputs found
Cosmic Reionization and the 21-cm signal: Comparison between an analytical model and a simulation
We measure several properties of the reionization process and the
corresponding low-frequency 21-cm signal associated with the neutral hydrogen
distribution, using a large volume, high resolution simulation of cosmic
reionization. The brightness temperature of the 21-cm signal is derived by
post-processing this numerical simulation with a semi-analytical prescription.
Our study extends to high redshifts (z ~ 25) where, in addition to collisional
coupling, our post-processed simulations take into account the inhomogeneities
in the heating of the neutral gas by X-rays and the effect of an inhomogeneous
Lya radiation field. Unlike the well-studied case where spin temperature is
assumed to be significantly greater than the temperature of the cosmic
microwave background due to uniform heating of the gas by X-rays, spatial
fluctuations in both the Lya radiation field and X-ray intensity impact
predictions related to the brightness temperature at z > 10, during the early
stages of reionization and gas heating. The statistics of the 21-cm signal from
our simulation are then compared to existing analytical models in the
literature and we find that these analytical models provide a reasonably
accurate description of the 21-cm power spectrum at z < 10. Such an agreement
is useful since analytical models are better suited to quickly explore the full
astrophysical and cosmological parameter space relevant for future 21-cm
surveys. We find, nevertheless, non-negligible differences that can be
attributed to differences in the inhomogeneous X-ray heating and Lya coupling
at z > 10 and, with upcoming interferometric data, these differences in return
can provide a way to better understand the astrophysical processes during
reionization.Comment: Major paper revision to match version accepted for publication in
ApJ. Simulation now fully includes fluctuations in the X-ray heating and the
Lya radiation field. 18 pages, 13 figure
Compact stars within an asy-soft quark-meson-coupling model
We investigate compact star properties within the quark meson coupling model
(QMC) with a soft symmetry energy density dependence at large densities. In
particular, the hyperon content and the mass/radius curves for the families of
stars obtained within the model are discussed. The hyperon-meson couplings are
chosen according to experimental values of the hyperon nuclear matter
potentials, and possible uncertainties are considered. It is shown that a
softer symmetry energy gives rise to stars with less hyperons, smaller radii
and larger masses. Hyperon-meson couplings may also have a strong effect on the
mass of the star.Comment: 7 pages, revtex, accepted in Phys. Rev.
Interaction between random heterogeneously charged surfaces in an electrolyte solution
We study, using Monte Carlo simulations, the interaction between infinite
heterogeneously charged surfaces inside an electrolyte solution. The surfaces
are overall neutral with quenched charged domains. An average over the quenched
disorder is performed to obtain the net force. We find that the interaction
between the surfaces is repulsive at short distances and is attractive for
larger separations
Leaf wax biomarkers of a high-mountain lake area in western iberia : Implications for environmental reconstructions
Modeling Evolutionary Dynamics of Lurking in Social Networks
Lurking is a complex user-behavioral phenomenon that occurs in all
large-scale online communities and social networks. It generally refers to the
behavior characterizing users that benefit from the information produced by
others in the community without actively contributing back to the production of
social content. The amount and evolution of lurkers may strongly affect an
online social environment, therefore understanding the lurking dynamics and
identifying strategies to curb this trend are relevant problems. In this
regard, we introduce the Lurker Game, i.e., a model for analyzing the
transitions from a lurking to a non-lurking (i.e., active) user role, and vice
versa, in terms of evolutionary game theory. We evaluate the proposed Lurker
Game by arranging agents on complex networks and analyzing the system
evolution, seeking relations between the network topology and the final
equilibrium of the game. Results suggest that the Lurker Game is suitable to
model the lurking dynamics, showing how the adoption of rewarding mechanisms
combined with the modeling of hypothetical heterogeneity of users' interests
may lead users in an online community towards a cooperative behavior.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures. Accepted at CompleNet 201
CD6, a Rheostat-Type Signalosome That Tunes T Cell Activation
Following T cell receptor triggering, T cell activation is initiated and amplified by the assembly at the TCR/CD3 macrocomplex of a multitude of stimulatory enzymes that activate several signaling cascades. The potency of signaling is, however, modulated by various inhibitory components already at the onset of activation, long before co-inhibitory immune checkpoints are expressed to help terminating the response. CD5 and CD6 are surface glycoproteins of T cells that have determinant roles in thymocyte development, T cell activation and immune responses. They belong to the superfamily of scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) glycoproteins but whereas the inhibitory role of CD5 has been established for long, there is still controversy on whether CD6 may have similar or antagonistic functions on T cell signaling. Analysis of the structure and molecular associations of CD5 and CD6 indicates that these molecules assemble at the cytoplasmic tail a considerable number of signaling effectors that can putatively transduce diverse types of intracellular signals. Biochemical studies have concluded that both receptors can antagonize the flow of TCR-mediated signaling; however, the impact that CD5 and CD6 have on T cell development and T cell-mediated immune responses may be different. Here we analyze the signaling function of CD6, the common and also the different properties it exhibits comparing with CD5, and interpret the functional effects displayed by CD6 in recent animal models
An Eco-Energetic performance comparison of dehumidification systems in High-Moisture indoor environments
This study discusses the choice of dehumidification systems for high-moisture indoor environments, such as indoor swimming pools, supported by an eco-energetic performance comparison. Initially, the causes of the high relative humidity and condensation in these spaces are reported, as well as the available dehumidification technologies. Two different solutions are described: desiccant wheel dehumidification and re-cooling. The energy demand required by a refrigeration system is lower than the desiccant wheel; however, the former system requires less maintenance and does not require refrigerant fluid. An eco-energetic comparison is performed between the two systems in two countries with different energy matrices (Brazil and USA). In Brazil, the desiccant wheel is the best choice for the past 10 years, with a predicted 351,520 kgCO2 of CO2 emissions, which is 38% lower than the refrigeration system. In the USA, the best option is the refrigeration system (1,463,350 kgCO2), a 12% more efficient option than desiccant wheels. This model can be considered for energy and CO2 emissions assessment, predicting which system has better energy efficiency and lower environmental impact, depending on the refrigerant type, location and environmental conditions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Evolution of Black-Box Models Based on Volterra Series
This paper presents a historical review of the many behavioral models actually used to model radio frequency power amplifiers and a new classification of these behavioral models. It also discusses the evolution of these models, from a single polynomial to multirate Volterra models, presenting equations and estimation methods. New trends in RF power amplifier behavioral modeling are suggested
High incidence of acquiring methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in Brazilian children with Atopic Dermatitis and associated risk factors
BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in Atopic Dermatitis (AD) patients can contribute to worsening their clinical condition. OBJECTIVE: A cohort study was carried out to determine the incidence of MRSA acquisition and its risk factors in AD children. METHODS: Patients with AD (2 months-14 years old) were followed up for about 1 year at a reference center for AD treatment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from September 2011 to February 2014. Nasal swabs from patients and contacts were collected every 2 months. The SCORAD system assessed the severity of the AD. S. aureus isolates were evaluated to determine the methicillin resistance and the clonal lineages. RESULTS: Among 117 AD patients, 97 (82.9%) were already colonized with S. aureus and 26 (22.2%) had MRSA at the first evaluation. The incidence of MRSA acquisition in the cohort study was 27.47% (n = 25). The SCORAD assessments were: mild (46.15%), moderate (37.36%) or severe (16.48%). Risk factors were: colonized MRSA contacts (HR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.16-7.54), use of cyclosporine (HR = 5.84; 95% CI: 1.70-19.98), moderate or severe AD (HR = 3.26; 95% CI: 1.13-9.37). Protective factors were: availability of running water (HR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.049-0.96) and use of antihistamines (HR = 0.21; 95% IC: 0.64-0.75). MRSA isolates carried the SCCmec type IV and most of them were typed as USA800/ST5. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of MRSA acquisition found among AD patients and the risk factors associated show that an effective surveillance of MRSA colonization in these patients is needed
Bioprospection of Natural Sources of Polyphenols with Therapeutic Potential for Redox-Related Diseases
Funding: iNOVA4Health-UID/Multi/04462/2013, a program financially supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/Ministério da Educação e Ciência, through national funds and co-funded by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement is acknowledged. This work was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (IF/01097/2013 to C.N.S.), by The Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (A.F. and D.S.), and BacHBerry FP7-KBBE-2013-613793 (R.M., A.F., C.J., I.C., G.G., R.R.-R., J.P., A.M., C.D., D.S. and C.N.S.). T.F.O. was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), and is currently supported by the DFG under Germany’s Excellence Strategy—EXC 2067/1-390729940.Plants are a reservoir of high-value molecules with underexplored biomedical applications. With the aim of identifying novel health-promoting attributes in underexplored natural sources, we scrutinized the diversity of (poly)phenols present within the berries of selected germplasm from cultivated, wild, and underutilized Rubus species. Our strategy combined the application of metabolomics, statistical analysis, and evaluation of (poly)phenols' bioactivity using a yeast-based discovery platform. We identified species as sources of (poly)phenols interfering with pathological processes associated with redox-related diseases, particularly, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer, and inflammation. In silico prediction of putative bioactives suggested cyanidin-hexoside as an anti-inflammatory molecule which was validated in yeast and mammalian cells. Moreover, cellular assays revealed that the cyanidin moiety was responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of cyanidin-hexoside. Our findings unveiled novel (poly)phenolic bioactivities and illustrated the power of our integrative approach for the identification of dietary (poly)phenols with potential biomedical applications.publishersversionpublishe
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