1,274 research outputs found
Particle rearrangements during transitions between local minima of the potential energy landscape of a supercooled Lennard-Jones liquid
The potential energy landscape (PEL) of supercooled binary Lennard-Jones
(BLJ) mixtures exhibits local minima, or inherent structures (IS), which are
organized into meta-basins (MB). We study the particle rearrangements related
to transitions between both successive IS and successive MB for a small 80:20
BLJ system near the mode-coupling temperature T_MCT. The analysis includes the
displacements of individual particles, the localization of the rearrangements
and the relevance of string-like motion. We find that the particle
rearrangements during IS and MB transitions do not change significantly at
T_MCT. Further, it is demonstrated that IS and MB dynamics are spatially
heterogeneous and facilitated by string-like motion. To investigate the
mechanism of string-like motion, we follow the particle rearrangements during
suitable sequences of IS transitions. We find that most strings observed after
a series of transitions do not move coherently during a single transition, but
subunits of different sizes are active at different times. Several findings
suggest that the occurrence of a successful string enables the system to exit a
MB. Moreover, we show that the particle rearrangements during two consecutive
MB transitions are basically uncorrelated. Specifically, different groups of
particles are highly mobile during subsequent MB transitions. Finally, the
relation between the features of the PEL and the relaxation processes in
supercooled liquids is discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figure
Are gravitational waves from giant magnetar flares observable?
Are giant flares in magnetars viable sources of gravitational radiation? Few
theoretical studies have been concerned with this problem, with the small
number using either highly idealized models or assuming a magnetic field orders
of magnitude beyond what is supported by observations. We perform nonlinear
general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamics simulations of large-scale
hydromagnetic instabilities in magnetar models. We utilise these models to find
gravitational wave emissions over a wide range of energies, from 10^40 to 10^47
erg. This allows us to derive a systematic relationship between the surface
field strength and the gravitational wave strain, which we find to be highly
nonlinear. In particular, for typical magnetar fields of a few times 10^15 G,
we conclude that a direct observation of f-modes excited by global magnetic
field reconfigurations is unlikely with present or near-future gravitational
wave observatories, though we also discuss the possibility that modes in a
low-frequency band up to 100 Hz could be sufficiently excited to be relevant
for observation.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Further information can be found at
http://www.physik.uni-tuebingen.de/institute/astronomie-astrophysik/institut/theoretische-astrophysik/forschung.htm
Statistical Mechanics of the Fluctuating Lattice Boltzmann Equation
We propose a new formulation of the fluctuating lattice Boltzmann equation
that is consistent with both equilibrium statististical mechanics and
fluctuating hydrodynamics. The formalism is based on a generalized lattice-gas
model, with each velocity direction occupied by many particles. We show that
the most probable state of this model corresponds to the usual equilibrium
distribution of the lattice Boltzmann equation. Thermal fluctuations about this
equilibrium are controlled by the mean number of particles at a lattice site.
Stochastic collision rules are described by a Monte Carlo process satisfying
detailed balance. This allows for a straightforward derivation of discrete
Langevin equations for the fluctuating modes. It is shown that all
non-conserved modes should be thermalized, as first pointed out by Adhikari et
al.; any other choice violates the condition of detailed balance. A
Chapman-Enskog analysis is used to derive the equations of fluctuating
hydrodynamics on large length and time scales; the level of fluctuations is
shown to be thermodynamically consistent with the equation of state of an
isothermal, ideal gas. We believe this formalism will be useful in developing
new algorithms for thermal and multiphase flows.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review E-11 pages Corrected Author(s) field on
submittal for
Coulomb Interactions via Local Dynamics: A Molecular--Dynamics Algorithm
We derive and describe in detail a recently proposed method for obtaining
Coulomb interactions as the potential of mean force between charges which are
dynamically coupled to a local electromagnetic field. We focus on the Molecular
Dynamics version of the method and show that it is intimately related to the
Car--Parrinello approach, while being equivalent to solving Maxwell's equations
with freely adjustable speed of light. Unphysical self--energies arise as a
result of the lattice interpolation of charges, and are corrected by a
subtraction scheme based on the exact lattice Green's function. The method can
be straightforwardly parallelized using standard domain decomposition. Some
preliminary benchmark results are presented.Comment: 8 figure
Small Satellite Reliability Initiative (SSRI) Knowledge Base Tool: Use Case Review and Future Functionality and Content Direction
The Small Satellite Reliability Initiative (SSRI) Knowledge Base is a comprehensive and searchable online tool that consolidates and organizes resources, best practices, and lessons learned from previous small satellite missions sponsored by NASA, other government agencies, and academia. This free, publicly available tool is available to the entire SmallSat Community.
The SSRI Knowledge Base provides vetted, high-quality sources of information on elements that are key to successful small satellite missions. These resources include SSRI working group generated documents and presentations in addition to existing guides, publications, standards, software tools, websites, and books. The Knowledge Base is fully searchable, offers downloadable content when possible, and otherwise links to or references content directly from within the tool.
This presentation and paper will discuss the motivation for the SSRI Knowledge Base, review educational use cases, and outline plans for further development. The SSRI is a collaborative activity with broad participation from civil, U.S. Department of Defense, and both national and international commercial space systems providers and stakeholders. NASA’s Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI) funds the SSRI Knowledge Base. The S3VI is jointly sponsored by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and Science Mission Directorate
Safety aspects of infliximab in inflammatory bowel disease patients - A retrospective cohort study in 100 patients of a German University Hospital
Background: Infliximab, a chimeric anti-tumour necrosis factor monoclonal antibody with potent anti-inflammatory effects, represents an effective treatment option in patients with severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Serious side-effects of such an immunomodulating therapy are speculated and therefore we reviewed our clinical experience in a retrospective safety study looking upon a single cohort of 100 IBD patients from a large German University Hospital. Methods: 100 patients with severe Crohn's disease (n = 92), ulcerative colitis (n = 7) or indeterminate colitis (n = 1) treated with infliximab (5 mg/kg) from January 2000 to December 2003 were retrospectively analysed for acute and subacute adverse events by chart review. Results: Overall, infliximab therapy was generally well tolerated. No fatal complications, malignancies, autoimmune diseases, neurologic or cardiovascular complications were observed in the cohort during the study period. Overall, adverse events were observed in 10 patients: 2 patients showed an acute infusion reaction, 1 patient a serum sickness-like reaction, in 4 patients a bacterial or viral infection occurred, in 1 patient pancytopenia and 2 patients developed surgical complications. Only 6 patients with adverse events required admission to hospital. A case of tuberculosis after infliximab was not found. The lack of adverse side-effects was associated with young median age and infrequent comorbidities of the cohort. Conclusion: Regarding its strong immunomodulating capacity, infliximab appears to be an efficient and relatively safe therapeutic option for patients with severe IBD. However, the use of infliximab requires careful screening and close patient monitoring to identify patients at risk and the infrequent, but sometimes serious complications of infliximab. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
Electrophoretic mobility of a charged colloidal particle: A computer simulation study
We study the mobility of a charged colloidal particle in a constant
homogeneous electric field by means of computer simulations. The simulation
method combines a lattice Boltzmann scheme for the fluid with standard Langevin
dynamics for the colloidal particle, which is built up from a net of bonded
particles forming the surface of the colloid. The coupling between the two
subsystems is introduced via friction forces. In addition explicit counterions,
also coupled to the fluid, are present. We observe a non-monotonous dependence
of the electrophoretic mobility on the bare colloidal charge. At low surface
charge density we observe a linear increase of the mobility with bare charge,
whereas at higher charges, where more than half of the ions are co-moving with
the colloid, the mobility decreases with increasing bare charge.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figure
Gravitating Monopole--Antimonopole Chains and Vortex Rings
We construct monopole-antimonopole chain and vortex solutions in
Yang-Mills-Higgs theory coupled to Einstein gravity. The solutions are static,
axially symmetric and asymptotically flat. They are characterized by two
integers (m,n) where m is related to the polar angle and n to the azimuthal
angle. Solutions with n=1 and n=2 correspond to chains of m monopoles and
antimonopoles. Here the Higgs field vanishes at m isolated points along the
symmetry axis. Larger values of n give rise to vortex solutions, where the
Higgs field vanishes on one or more rings, centered around the symmetry axis.
When gravity is coupled to the flat space solutions, a branch of gravitating
monopole-antimonopole chain or vortex solutions arises, and merges at a maximal
value of the coupling constant with a second branch of solutions. This upper
branch has no flat space limit. Instead in the limit of vanishing coupling
constant it either connects to a Bartnik-McKinnon or generalized
Bartnik-McKinnon solution, or, for m>4, n>4, it connects to a new
Einstein-Yang-Mills solution. In this latter case further branches of solutions
appear. For small values of the coupling constant on the upper branches, the
solutions correspond to composite systems, consisting of a scaled inner
Einstein-Yang-Mills solution and an outer Yang-Mills-Higgs solution.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, uses revte
Sex Does Not Affect Survival: A Propensity Score-Matched Comparison in a Homogenous Contemporary Radical Cystectomy Cohort.
OBJECTIVES
To determine whether biological sex affects oncological outcome after extended pelvic lymph node dissection, radical cystectomy, and urinary diversion for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and to identify risk factors impacting outcome.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We performed a single-center, retrospective observational cohort study with prospective data collection with a propensity score matched population. A total of 1165 consecutive patients from 2000 to 2020, (317 women and 848 men) scheduled for open extended pelvic lymph node dissection, radical cystectomy, and urinary diversion for urothelial bladder cancer were included in the final analysis. Overall Survival (OS), Cancer-Specific-Survival (CSS), and Recurrence-Free-survival (RFS) were assessed with multivariable weighted Cox regression analysis as well as with propensity score matched Cox-Regression.
RESULTS
No significant difference was found between sexes regarding OS (HR 1.18, [0.93-1.49], PÂ =Â .16), CSS (HR 0.87, [0.64-1.18], PÂ =Â .38), or RFS (HR 0.80, [0.59-1.07], PÂ =Â .13). These results were confirmed after propensity score matching: female sex was not associated with inferior OS (HR 1.20, [0.91-1.60], PÂ =Â .19), CSS (HR 1.01, [0.75-1.35], PÂ =Â .97) or RFS (HR 0.98, [0.75-1.27], PÂ =Â .86).
CONCLUSIONS
We did not find a significant difference in cancer-related outcomes or overall survival after extended pelvic lymph node dissection, open radical cystectomy, and urinary diversion for urothelial cancer between males and females even after adjustment with propensity matching score for multiple factors including oncological parameters, smoking status, and renal function
Kinematics of Metal-Poor Stars in the Galaxy. II. Proper Motions for a Large Non-Kinematically Selected Sample
We present a revised catalog of 2106 Galactic stars, selected without
kinematic bias, and with available radial velocities, distance estimates, and
metal abundances in the range 0.0 <= [Fe/H] <= -4.0. This update of the Beers
and Sommer-Larsen (1995) catalog includes newly-derived homogeneous photometric
distance estimates, revised radial velocities for a number of stars with
recently obtained high-resolution spectra, and refined metallicities for stars
originally identified in the HK objective-prism survey (which account for
nearly half of the catalog) based on a recent re-calibration. A subset of 1258
stars in this catalog have available proper motions, based on measurements
obtained with the Hipparcos astrometry satellite, or taken from the updated
Astrographic Catalogue (AC 2000; second epoch positions from either the Hubble
Space Telescope Guide Star Catalog or the Tycho Catalogue), the Yale/San Juan
Southern Proper Motion (SPM) Catalog 2.0, and the Lick Northern Proper Motion
(NPM1) Catalog. Our present catalog includes 388 RR Lyrae variables (182 of
which are newly added), 38 variables of other types, and 1680 non-variables,
with distances in the range 0.1 to 40 kpc.Comment: 31 pages, including 8 figures, to appear in AJ (June 2000), full
paper with all figures embedded available at
http://pluto.mtk.nao.ac.jp/people/chiba/preprint/halo4
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