Magnetization and susceptibility of ferrofluids

A second-order Taylor series expansion of the free energy functional provides analytical expressions for the magnetic field dependence of the free energy and of the magnetization of ferrofluids, here modelled by dipolar Yukawa interaction potentials. The corresponding hard core dipolar Yukawa reference fluid is studied within the framework of the mean spherical approximation. Our findings for the magnetic and phase equilibrium properties are in quantitative agreement with previously published and new Monte Carlo simulation data.Comment: 8 pages including 4 figure

You never surf alone. Ubiquitous tracking of users' browsing habits

In the early age of the internet users enjoyed a large level of anonymity. At the time web pages were just hypertext documents; almost no personalisation of the user experience was o ered. The Web today has evolved as a world wide distributed system following specific architectural paradigms. On the web now, an enormous quantity of user generated data is shared and consumed by a network of applications and services, reasoning upon users expressed preferences and their social and physical connections. Advertising networks follow users' browsing habits while they surf the web, continuously collecting their traces and surfing patterns. We analyse how users tracking happens on the web by measuring their online footprint and estimating how quickly advertising networks are able to pro le users by their browsing habits

Machined Versus Cast Abutments for Dental Implants: a 1-year Within-patient Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing Marginal Seal Capacity and Outcomes

PURPOSE To compare clinical outcomes of machined titanium abutments (machined group) versus cast cobalt-chrome abutments (cast group) and to evaluate in vitro their implant fit. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study comprised two parts. In the in vitro part, the im-plant–abutment fit of 5 cast abutments and 5 machined abutments screwed on with a torque of 30 Ncm was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated using micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) and AgNO3 to reveal connection gaps. In the clinical part, 31 partially edentulous subjects received two single non-adjacent implant-supported crowns at three centres. At impression taking, three and a half months after implant placement, implants were randomized to receive a machined or cast abutment according to a wi-thin-patient study design. Unfortunately, four patients dropped out and one patient lost one implant before randomization, so only 26 patients had their implants randomized. Outcome measures were: prosthesis and implant failures, any complications, and radiographic peri-implant marginal bone level changes. Patients were followed up to 1 year after loading. RESULTS The fit of the implant–abutment connection was assessed in vitro using µ-CT scans. No gaps were revealed at any of the machined or cast abutments tested. In the clinical part, after randomization, three patients dropped out, no implant failed, but one crown on a cast abutment was replaced. The between-group difference in prosthesis failure was not statistically different (McNemar chi-square test P = 1.0; difference in proportions = 0.039). One complication occurred in each group, the difference not being statistically different (McNemar test P = 1.000; difference in proportions = 0; 95% CI 0.06 to 15.99). Both groups presented statistically significant peri-implant marginal bone loss from implant placement to 1 year after loading, respectively-0.76 ± 1.01 mm for machined and-0.69 ± 0.82 mm for cast abutments, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (mean difference 0.07 mm; 95% CI-0.54 to 0.67; P = 0.828). Both groups gradually lost marginal peri-implant bone from loading to 1 year after loading but this was not significantly different, respectively-0.06 ± 0.56 mm for machined and-0.10 ± 0.29 mm for cast abutments, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.739; mean difference 0.07 mm; 95% CI-0.12 to 0.16; P = 0.739). CONCLUSIONS Our clinical data suggests that implant prognosis up to 1 year after loading is not affected by using machined or cast abutments. In support of these findings, in vitro analysis proved that both types of abutments allow a tight fit with no gaps. The-refore, for the time being dentists should feel free to choose whichever type they prefer. However, these preliminary results need to be confirmed by larger trials with at least 10 years of follow-up

A simulational and theoretical study of the spherical electrical double layer for a size-asymmetric electrolyte: the case of big coions

Monte Carlo simulations of a spherical macroion, surrounded by a size-asymmetric electrolyte in the primitive model, were performed. We considered 1:1 and 2:2 salts with a size ratio of 2 (i.e., with coions twice the size of counterions), for several surface charge densities of the macrosphere. The radial distribution functions, electrostatic potential at the Helmholtz surfaces, and integrated charge are reported. We compare these simulational data with original results obtained from the Ornstein-Zernike integral equation, supplemented by the hypernetted chain/hypernetted chain (HNC/HNC) and hypernetted chain/mean spherical approximation (HNC/MSA) closures, and with the corresponding calculations using the modified Gouy-Chapman and unequal-radius modified Gouy-Chapman theories. The HNC/HNC and HNC/MSA integral equations formalisms show good concordance with Monte Carlo "experiments", whereas the notable limitations of point-ion approaches are evidenced. Most importantly, the simulations confirm our previous theoretical predictions of the non-dominance of the counterions in the size-asymmetric spherical electrical double layer [J. Chem. Phys. 123, 034703 (2005)], the appearance of anomalous curvatures at the outer Helmholtz plane and the enhancement of charge reversal and screening at high colloidal surface charge densities due to the ionic size asymmetry.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Twins Bed Rest Project: LBNP/Exercise Minimizes Changes in Lean Leg Mass, Strength and Endurance

Decreases in muscle strength and endurance frequently are observed in non-weightbearing conditions such as bed rest (BR), spaceflight or limb immobilization. Purpose: Ow purpose was to determine if supine treadmill exercise against simulated gravity, by application of lower body negative pressure (LBNP), prevents loss of lean leg mass, strength and endurance during 30 d of 6deg head-down bed rest (BR). Methods: Fifteen pairs of monozygous twins (8 male, 7 female pairs; 26+/-4 yrs; 170+/-12 cm; 62.6+/-11.3 kg; mean+/-SD) were subjects in the present study. One sibling of each pair of twins was randomly assigned to either an exercise (EX) or non-exercise (CON) group. The EX twin walked/jogged on a vertical treadmill within LBNP chamber 6 d/wk using a 40-min interval exercise protocol at 40-80% of pre-BR VO(sub 2peak). LBNP was adjusted individually for each subject such that footward force was between 1.0 and 1.2 times body weight (-53+/-5 mmHg LBNP). The CON twin performed no exercise during BR. Subjects performed isokinetic knee (60 and 120deg/s) and ankle (60deg/s) testing to assess strength and endurance (End) before and after BR. They also had their lean leg mass (L(sub mass)) evaluated by DEXA before and after BR. Results: Changes in peak torque (T(sub pk)) were smaller for flexion (flex) than for extension (ext) after BR and did not differ between groups. The CON group had larger decreases (P<0.05) in L(sub mass), knee and ankle ext T(sub pk), and knee ext End

Correction to the Clausius-Mosotti equation: the dielectric constant of nonpolar fluids from Monte Carlo simulations

We examine the dielectric constant of nonpolar fluids by direct Monte Carlo simulations on the basis of the polarizable hard sphere (PHS) model, where the spheres carry molecular polarizabilities. Point dipoles are induced in the spheres partly by an external electric field and partly by other molecules. It has been known that the Clausius–Mosotti equation needs a correction due to mutual polarization between molecules. We reproduce the qualitative behavior found in experiments: the correction increases with increasing density, reaches a maximum, and decreases at high densities. We show that the classic theory of Kirkwood and Yvon is quantitatively correct for the PHS model. © 2009 American Institute of Physic