1,433 research outputs found
Cosmography and constraints on the equation of state of the Universe in various parametrizations
We use cosmography to present constraints on the kinematics of the Universe,
without postulating any underlying theoretical model. To this end, we use a
Monte Carlo Markov Chain analysis to perform comparisons to the supernova Ia
Union 2 compilation, combined with the Hubble Space Telescope measurements of
the Hubble constant, and the Hubble parameter datasets. We introduce a sixth
order cosmographic parameter and show that it does not enlarge considerably the
posterior distribution when comparing to the fifth order results. We also
propose a way to construct viable parameter variables to be used as
alternatives of the redshift . These can overcome both the problems of
divergence and lack of accuracy associated with the use of . Moreover, we
show that it is possible to improve the numerical fits by re-parameterizing the
cosmological distances. In addition, we constrain the equation of state of the
Universe as a whole by the use of cosmography. Thus, we derive expressions
which can be directly used to fit the equation of state and the pressure
derivatives up to fourth order. To this end, it is necessary to depart from a
pure cosmographic analysis and to assume the Friedmann equations as valid. All
our results are consistent with the CDM model, although alternative
fluid models, with nearly constant pressure and no cosmological constant, match
the results accurately as well.Comment: 23 pages. 1 reference added. Minor correction
The accretion disk in the post period-minimum cataclysmic variable SDSS J080434.20+510349.2
This study of SDSS0804 is primarily concerned with the double-hump shape in
the light curve and its connection with the accretion disk in this bounce-back
system. Time-resolved photometric and spectroscopic observations were obtained
to analyze the behavior of the system between superoutbursts. A geometric model
of a binary system containing a disk with two outer annuli spiral density waves
was applied to explain the light curve and the Doppler tomography. Observations
were carried out during 2008-2009, after the object's magnitude decreased to
V~17.7(0.1) from the March 2006 eruption. The light curve clearly shows a
sinusoid-like variability with a 0.07 mag amplitude and a 42.48 min
periodicity, which is half of the orbital period of the system. In Sept. 2010,
the system underwent yet another superoutburst and returned to its quiescent
level by the beginning of 2012. This light curve once again showed a
double-humps, but with a significantly smaller ~0.01mag amplitude. Other types
of variability like a "mini-outburst" or SDSS1238-like features were not
detected. Doppler tomograms, obtained from spectroscopic data during the same
period of time, show a large accretion disk with uneven brightness, implying
the presence of spiral waves. We constructed a geometric model of a bounce-back
system containing two spiral density waves in the outer annuli of the disk to
reproduce the observed light curves. The Doppler tomograms and the
double-hump-shape light curves in quiescence can be explained by a model system
containing a massive >0.7Msun white dwarf with a surface temperature of
~12000K, a late-type brown dwarf, and an accretion disk with two outer annuli
spirals. According to this model, the accretion disk should be large, extending
to the 2:1 resonance radius, and cool (~2500K). The inner parts of the disk
should be optically thin in the continuum or totally void.Comment: 12 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in A&
Needle Tip Force Estimation using an OCT Fiber and a Fused convGRU-CNN Architecture
Needle insertion is common during minimally invasive interventions such as
biopsy or brachytherapy. During soft tissue needle insertion, forces acting at
the needle tip cause tissue deformation and needle deflection. Accurate needle
tip force measurement provides information on needle-tissue interaction and
helps detecting and compensating potential misplacement. For this purpose we
introduce an image-based needle tip force estimation method using an optical
fiber imaging the deformation of an epoxy layer below the needle tip over time.
For calibration and force estimation, we introduce a novel deep learning-based
fused convolutional GRU-CNN model which effectively exploits the
spatio-temporal data structure. The needle is easy to manufacture and our model
achieves a mean absolute error of 1.76 +- 1.5 mN with a cross-correlation
coefficient of 0.9996, clearly outperforming other methods. We test needles
with different materials to demonstrate that the approach can be adapted for
different sensitivities and force ranges. Furthermore, we validate our approach
in an ex-vivo prostate needle insertion scenario.Comment: Accepted for Publication at MICCAI 201
Suscetibilidade por via oral dos mosquitos Aedes albifasciatus e do complexo Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) da Argentina ao virus da encefalite eqüina tipo oeste
The transmission cycle of western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus in South America is unknown. A WEE virus strain was isolated from Aedes albifasciatus in Argentina during the WEE epizootic of 1982-83. Also, Culex pipiens from Argentina was reported to be able to transmit WEE virus experimentally, but other results indicate that Cx. pipiens from the USA is refractory to this virus. We determined the susceptibility of Argentina strains of Ae. albifasciatus and Culex pipiens complex mosquites to infection by WEE virus by the oral route. Adult females were fed on chicks infected with a WEE virus strain isolated in Cordoba Province, Argentina, or were fed on a blood/virus suspension. Each mosquito ingested between 10(1.6) to 10(6.4) vero cell plaque-forming units of virus. Each of 28 Ae. albifasciatus was positive for virus from the fourth day postfeeding, and there was evidence for virus replication. In contrast, 0/44 Cx. p. quinquefasciatus and only 1/15 Cx. p. pipiens was positive. Aedes albifasciatus is susceptible to infection by WEE virus and should be considered a potential vector of this virus in Argentina. Both subspecies of Cx. pipiens are refractory to peroral infection by WEE virus and probably do not play a role in the WEE virus cycle in Argentina.Desconhece-se o ciclo de transmissão da encefalite eqüina tipo oeste (WEE) na América do Sul. Uma cepa do vírus foi isolada na Argentina, durante a epizootia de 1982-1983, a partir de Aedes albifasciatus. Sob o ponto de vista experimental, o Culex pipiens da Argentina revelou-se capaz de transmitir o vírus WEE, porém outros resultados têm indicado que o Cx. pipiens dos Estados Unidos é refratário a esse vírus. Assim, procurou-se determinar a suscetibilidade de cepas argentinas de Ae. albifasciatus e complexo Culex pipiens, à infecção do vírus WEE por via oral. As fêmeas adultas foram alimentadas em pintos infectados com cepa do vírus isolada na Província de Córdoba, Argentina, ou então alimentadas em suspensão do vírus e sangue. Cada mosquito ingeriu entre 10(1,6) e 10(6,4) unidades virais formadoras de placas de cultura de célula ("vero cell"). Cada um dos 28 Ae. albifasciatus mostrou-se a partir do quarto dia pós-prandial e houve evidência de replicação viral. Em contraposição, 0/44 Cx. p. quinquefasciatus e apenas 1/15 Cx. p. pipiens revelou-se positivo. Aedes albifasciatus é suscetível à infecção pelo vírus WEE e deveria ser considerado vetor potencial desse agente na Argentina. Ambas subespécies de Cx. pipiens são refratárias à infecção por via oral e provavelmente não desempenham papel do ciclo do vírus WEE na Argentina
Scaling differences between large interplate and intraplate earthquakes
A study of large intraplate earthquakes with well-determined source parameters shows that these earthquakes obey a scaling law similar to large interplate earthquakes, in which M_0 ∝ L^2 or u = αL, where L is rupture length and u is slip. In contrast to interplate earthquakes, for which α ≈ 1 × 10^(−5), for for the intraplate events α ≈ 6 × 10^(−5), which implies that these earthquakes have stress drops about 6 times higher than interplate events. This result is independent of focal mechanism type. This implies that intraplate faults have a higher frictional strength than do plate boundaries, and hence that faults are velocity or slip weakening in their behavior. This factor may be important in producing the concentrated deformation that creates and maintains plate boundaries
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