8,932 research outputs found
On the unsteady behavior of turbulence models
Periodically forced turbulence is used as a test case to evaluate the
predictions of two-equation and multiple-scale turbulence models in unsteady
flows. The limitations of the two-equation model are shown to originate in the
basic assumption of spectral equilibrium. A multiple-scale model based on a
picture of stepwise energy cascade overcomes some of these limitations, but the
absence of nonlocal interactions proves to lead to poor predictions of the time
variation of the dissipation rate. A new multiple-scale model that includes
nonlocal interactions is proposed and shown to reproduce the main features of
the frequency response correctly
Sclera solar diameter observations
Focus is given to possible variations in solar luminosity and accurate methods of monitoring it. Aside from direct bolometry, one methodology for this type of research makes use of measurements of the solar diameter and limb darkening function as indirect indicators of the solar luminosity. This approach was reviewed
Equivariant differential characters and symplectic reduction
We describe equivariant differential characters (classifying equivariant
circle bundles with connections), their prequantization, and reduction
Geometric quantization of Hamiltonian actions of Lie algebroids and Lie groupoids
We construct Hermitian representations of Lie algebroids and associated
unitary representations of Lie groupoids by a geometric quantization procedure.
For this purpose we introduce a new notion of Hamiltonian Lie algebroid
actions. The first step of our procedure consists of the construction of a
prequantization line bundle. Next, we discuss a version of K\"{a}hler
quantization suitable for this setting. We proceed by defining a
Marsden-Weinstein quotient for our setting and prove a ``quantization commutes
with reduction'' theorem. We explain how our geometric quantization procedure
relates to a possible orbit method for Lie groupoids. Our theory encompasses
the geometric quantization of symplectic manifolds, Hamiltonian Lie algebra
actions, actions of families of Lie groups, foliations, as well as some general
constructions from differential geometry.Comment: 40 pages, corrected version 11-01-200
The effect of three years of TNF alpha blocking therapy on markers of bone turnover and their predictive value for treatment discontinuation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a prospective longitudinal observational cohort study
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of three years of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blocking therapy on bone turnover as well as to analyze the predictive value of early changes in bone turnover markers (BTM) for treatment discontinuation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 111 consecutive AS outpatients who started TNF-alpha blocking therapy. Clinical assessments and BTM were assessed at baseline, three and six months, as well as at one, two, and three years. Z-scores of BTM were calculated to correct for age and gender. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed yearly. RESULTS: After three years, 72 patients (65%) were still using their first TNF-alpha blocking agent. In these patients, TNF-alpha blocking therapy resulted in significantly increased bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, a marker of bone formation; decreased serum collagen-telopeptide (sCTX), a marker of bone resorption; and increased lumbar spine and hip BMD compared to baseline. Baseline to three months decrease in sCTX Z-score (HR: 0.394, 95% CI: 0.263 to 0.591), AS disease activity score (ASDAS; HR: 0.488, 95% CI: 0.317 to 0.752), and physician's global disease activity (HR: 0.739, 95% CI: 0.600 to 0.909) were independent inversely related predictors of time to treatment discontinuation because of inefficacy or intolerance. Early decrease in sCTX Z-score correlated significantly with good long-term response regarding disease activity, physical function and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Three years of TNF-alpha blocking therapy results in a bone turnover balance that favors bone formation, especially mineralization, in combination with continuous improvement of lumbar spine BMD. Early change in sCTX can serve as an objective measure in the evaluation of TNF-alpha blocking therapy in AS, in addition to the currently used more subjective measures
Effect of B-site Dopants on Magnetic and Transport Properties of LaSrCoRuO
Effect of Co, Ru and Cu substitution at B and B' sites on the magnetic and
transport properties of LaSrCoRuO have been investigated. All the doped
compositions crystallize in the monoclinic structure in the space group
indicating a double perovskite structure. While the magnetization and
conductivity increase in Co and Ru doped compounds, antiferromagnetism is seen
to strengthen in the Cu doped samples. These results are explained on the basis
of a competition between linear Co-O-Ru-O-Co and perpendicular Co-O-O-Co
antiferromagnetic interactions and due to formation of Ru-O-Ru ferromagnetic
networks
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