454 research outputs found
Derivation of the Zakharov equations
This paper continues the study of the validity of the Zakharov model
describing Langmuir turbulence. We give an existence theorem for a class of
singular quasilinear equations. This theorem is valid for well-prepared initial
data. We apply this result to the Euler-Maxwell equations describing
laser-plasma interactions, to obtain, in a high-frequency limit, an asymptotic
estimate that describes solutions of the Euler-Maxwell equations in terms of
WKB approximate solutions which leading terms are solutions of the Zakharov
equations. Because of transparency properties of the Euler-Maxwell equations,
this study is led in a supercritical (highly nonlinear) regime. In such a
regime, resonances between plasma waves, electromagnetric waves and acoustic
waves could create instabilities in small time. The key of this work is the
control of these resonances. The proof involves the techniques of geometric
optics of Joly, M\'etivier and Rauch, recent results of Lannes on norms of
pseudodifferential operators, and a semiclassical, paradifferential calculus
Correlations derived from Modern Nucleon-Nucleon Potentials
Various modern nucleon-nucleon (NN) potentials yield a very accurate fit to
the nucleon-nucleon scattering phase shifts. The differences between these
interactions in describing properties of nuclear matter are investigated.
Various contributions to the total energy are evaluated employing the Hellmann
- Feynman theorem. Special attention is paid to the two-nucleon correlation
functions derived from these interactions. Differences in the predictions of
the various interactions can be traced back to the inclusion of non-local
terms.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures include
Scattering for the Zakharov system in 3 dimensions
We prove global existence and scattering for small localized solutions of the
Cauchy problem for the Zakharov system in 3 space dimensions. The wave
component is shown to decay pointwise at the optimal rate of t^{-1}, whereas
the Schr\"odinger component decays almost at a rate of t^{-7/6}.Comment: Minor changes and referee's comments include
Verbalizing phylogenomic conflict: Representation of node congruence across competing reconstructions of the neoavian explosion
Phylogenomic research is accelerating the publication of landmark studies that aim to resolve deep divergences of major organismal groups. Meanwhile, systems for identifying and integrating the products of phylogenomic inference-such as newly supported clade concepts-have not kept pace. However, the ability to verbalize node concept congruence and conflict across multiple, in effect simultaneously endorsed phylogenomic hypotheses, is a prerequisite for building synthetic data environments for biological systematics and other domains impacted by these conflicting inferences. Here we develop a novel solution to the conflict verbalization challenge, based on a logic representation and reasoning approach that utilizes the language of Region Connection Calculus (RCC-5) to produce consistent alignments of node concepts endorsed by incongruent phylogenomic studies. The approach employs clade concept labels to individuate concepts used by each source, even if these carry identical names. Indirect RCC-5 modeling of intensional (property-based) node concept definitions, facilitated by the local relaxation of coverage constraints, allows parent concepts to attain congruence in spite of their differentially sampled children. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, we align two recent phylogenomic reconstructions of higher-level avian groups that entail strong conflict in the "neoavian explosion" region. According to our representations, this conflict is constituted by 26 instances of input "whole concept" overlap. These instances are further resolvable in the output labeling schemes and visualizations as "split concepts", which provide the labels and relations needed to build truly synthetic phylogenomic data environments. Because the RCC-5 alignments fundamentally reflect the trained, logic-enabled judgments of systematic experts, future designs for such environments need to promote a culture where experts routinely assess the intensionalities of node concepts published by our peers-even and especially when we are not in agreement with each other
Freely decaying weak turbulence for sea surface gravity waves
We study numerically the generation of power laws in the framework of weak
turbulence theory for surface gravity waves in deep water. Starting from a
random wave field, we let the system evolve numerically according to the
nonlinear Euler equations for gravity waves in infinitely deep water. In
agreement with the theory of Zakharov and Filonenko, we find the formation of a
power spectrum characterized by a power law of the form of .Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Murine model for Fusarium oxysporum invasive fusariosis reveals organ-specific structures for dissemination and long-term persistence
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Galactomannan testing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is useful for diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in hematology patients
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological malignancies in the setting of profound neutropenia and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Early diagnosis and therapy has been shown to improve outcomes, but reaching a definitive diagnosis quickly can be problematic. Recently, galactomannan testing of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid has been investigated as a diagnostic test for IPA, but widespread experience and consensus on optical density (OD) cut-offs remain lacking.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a prospective case-control study to determine an optimal BAL galactomannan OD cutoff for IPA in at-risk patients with hematological diagnoses. Cases were subjects with hematological diagnoses who met established definitions for proven or probable IPA. There were two control groups: subjects with hematological diagnoses who did not meet definitions for proven or probable IPA and subjects with non-hematological diagnoses who had no evidence of aspergillosis. Following bronchoscopy and BAL, galactomannan testing was performed using the Platelia <it>Aspergillus </it>seroassay in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were 10 cases and 52 controls. Cases had higher BAL fluid galactomannan OD indices (median 4.1, range 1.1-7.7) compared with controls (median 0.3, range 0.1-1.1). ROC analysis demonstrated an optimum OD index cutoff of 1.1, with high specificity (98.1%) and sensitivity (100%) for diagnosing IPA.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results also support BAL galactomannan testing as a reasonably safe test with higher sensitivity compared to serum galactomannan testing in at-risk patients with hematological diseases. A higher OD cutoff is necessary to avoid over-diagnosis of IPA, and a standardized method of collection should be established before results can be compared between centers.</p
Validation of the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire with parents of 10-to-12-year-olds
Abstract
Background: There is a lack of validated instruments for quantifying feeding behavior among parents of older children and adolescents. The Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ) is a self-report measure to assess multiple parental feeding practices. The CFPQ is originally designed for use with parents of children ranging in age from about 2 to 8 years. It is previously validated with American and French parents of children within this age range. The aim of the present study was to adapt and test the validity of this measure with parents of older children (10-to-12-year-olds) in a Norwegian setting.
Methods: A sample of 963 parents of 10-to-12-year-olds completed a Norwegian, slightly adapted version of the CFPQ. Scale analyses were performed to test the validity of the instrument in our sample.
Results: Although a few problematic items and scales were revealed, scale analyses showed that the psychometric properties of the slightly adapted, Norwegian version of the CFPQ were surprisingly similar to those of the original CFPQ.
Conclusions: Our results indicated that the CFPQ, with some small modifications, is a valid tool for measuring multiple parental feeding practices with parents of 10-to12-year-olds
Body image, body dissatisfaction and weight status in south asian children: a cross-sectional study
Background
Childhood obesity is a continuing problem in the UK and South Asian children represent a group that are particularly vulnerable to its health consequences. The relationship between body dissatisfaction and obesity is well documented in older children and adults, but is less clear in young children, particularly South Asians. A better understanding of this relationship in young South Asian children will inform the design and delivery of obesity intervention programmes. The aim of this study is to describe body image size perception and dissatisfaction, and their relationship to weight status in primary school aged UK South Asian children.
Methods
Objective measures of height and weight were undertaken on 574 predominantly South Asian children aged 5-7 (296 boys and 278 girls). BMI z-scores, and weight status (underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese) were calculated based on the UK 1990 BMI reference charts. Figure rating scales were used to assess perceived body image size (asking children to identify their perceived body size) and dissatisfaction (difference between perceived current and ideal body size). The relationship between these and weight status were examined using multivariate analyses.
Results
Perceived body image size was positively associated with weight status (partial regression coefficient for overweight/obese vs. non-overweight/obese was 0.63 (95% CI 0.26-0.99) and for BMI z-score was 0.21 (95% CI 0.10-0.31), adjusted for sex, age and ethnicity). Body dissatisfaction was also associated with weight status, with overweight and obese children more likely to select thinner ideal body size than healthy weight children (adjusted partial regression coefficient for overweight/obese vs. non-overweight/obese was 1.47 (95% CI 0.99-1.96) and for BMI z-score was 0.54 (95% CI 0.40-0.67)).
Conclusions
Awareness of body image size and increasing body dissatisfaction with higher weight status is established at a young age in this population. This needs to be considered when designing interventions to reduce obesity in young children, in terms of both benefits and harms
The effect of age on the response to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Streptococcus pneumoniae </it>is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. To prevent invasive pneumococcal diseases, the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is recommended in subjects over 65 years of age. Although it has been reported to provide approximately 50-80% protection against invasive disease in the general elderly population, there is still controversy as to the effectiveness of the PPV in the elderly.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To evaluate the immune response to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in the elderly, samples from young adults and elderly were obtained before and one month after vaccination. The quantitative and qualitative response to the vaccine were measured by the ELISA and opsonophagocytic killing assay for eight vaccine type serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 23F) and one vaccine-related serotype (6A).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The response to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine showed a similar response between adults and elderly when evaluated by the ELISA, however the functional activity of the antibodies elicited after vaccination were lower in the elderly group for more than half of the serotypes evaluated. In comparison of the antibody needed for 1:8 opsonic titer, more antibodies were needed in the elderly for serotypes Pn 4, 19F, 23F and 6A, suggesting the functional activity of antibody detected by the ELISA was lower in the elderly compared with the adult group for these serotypes. As for subjects with an opsonic titer <8 after vaccination, only one subject each for serotypes Pn 4, 9V and 6A were found in the adult group. However, up to 10 (30.3%) of the subjects did not show opsonic activity after vaccination in the elderly group for serotypes Pn 4, 9V, 14, 19A and 6A.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although the amount of antibodies elicited were similar between the two age groups, distinct differences in function were noted. This report highlights the importance of a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the immunogenic response to the PPV in the elderly age group.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>This trial is registered with Clinical trials.gov. Registration number NCT00964769</p
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