1,191 research outputs found
An Unsplit, Cell-Centered Godunov Method for Ideal MHD
We present a second-order Godunov algorithm for multidimensional, ideal MHD.
Our algorithm is based on the unsplit formulation of Colella (J. Comput. Phys.
vol. 87, 1990), with all of the primary dependent variables centered at the
same location. To properly represent the divergence-free condition of the
magnetic fields, we apply a discrete projection to the intermediate values of
the field at cell faces, and apply a filter to the primary dependent variables
at the end of each time step. We test the method against a suite of linear and
nonlinear tests to ascertain accuracy and stability of the scheme under a
variety of conditions. The test suite includes rotated planar linear waves, MHD
shock tube problems, low-beta flux tubes, and a magnetized rotor problem. For
all of these cases, we observe that the algorithm is second-order accurate for
smooth solutions, converges to the correct weak solution for problems involving
shocks, and exhibits no evidence of instability or loss of accuracy due to the
possible presence of non-solenoidal fields.Comment: 37 Pages, 9 Figures, submitted to Journal of Computational Physic
Students Perspective On The Impact Of The Title III Program On Doctoral And Professional Programs At Minority Serving Institutions: An Analysis Using A Multilevel Rasch Rating Scale Model
We assessed the impact of Part B, section 326 of the Title III program using data from three historically Black Universities.The Title III program aims at strengthening the resource capacity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with eligible doctoral and professional programs. The lack of documented quantitative impact contributes to skepticism regarding program efficacy. A web-based survey instrument was used to collect data from students across five domains: research and instruction; technology development; facilities improvement; student financial assistance; and student services. A multilevel Rasch Rating Scale Model (ARSM) was utilized for data analysis. The students indicated that the program has intermediate to high impact on research and instruction and low impact on tutorial and counseling services and outreach programs
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Predicting and Controlling Resolution and Surface Finish of Ceramic Objects Produced by Stereodeposition Processes
Stereodeposition techniques are well suited for the Solid Freeform Fabrication of dense ceramic
components. As opposed to forming a pattern in a particle bed or polymer bath, stereodeposition
processes deposit material directly onto the previously created layer. The key to stereodeposition is
a material's ability to be dispensed as a fluid, yet rapidly stiffen to hold the shape of the object.
This is accomplished by either solidification of a thermoplastic binder upon cooling from a melt
(Fused Deposition) or by polymerization of a binder (Reactive Stereodeposition). We are
developing both techniques for the production of functional ceramic and engineering polymer
objects.
A key issue in developing a successful stereodeposition system is controlling the rate of bead
transformation from liquid to solid. Control is critical to achieving high resolution and low surface
roughness of the finished product, but is made complex by the large number of parameters
involved. These include binder parameters (surface tension, gelling characteristics), slurry
parameters (viscosity, particle loading and size distribution), and process parameters (deposition
rate, temperature). Current efforts at the University of Arizona are focused on modeling and
controlling the deposition and transformation of ceramic slurries used in the Reactive
Stereodeposition process.Mechanical Engineerin
Identification of Histoplasma-Specific Peptides in Human Urine
Histoplasmosis is a severe dimorphic fungus infection, which is often difficult to diagnose due to similarity in symptoms to other diseases and lack of specific diagnostic tests. Urine samples from histoplasma-antigen-positive patients and appropriate controls were prepared using various sample preparation strategies including immunoenrichment, ultrafiltration, high-abundant protein depletion, deglycosylation, reverse-phase fractions, and digest using various enzymes. Samples were then analyzed by nanospray tandem mass spectrometry. Accurate mass TOF scans underwent molecular feature extraction and statistical analysis for unique disease makers, and acquired MS/MS data were searched against known human and histoplasma proteins. In human urine, some 52 peptides from 37 Histoplasma proteins were identified with high confidence. This is the first report of identification of a large number of Histoplasma-specific peptides from immunoassay-positive patient samples using tandem mass spectrometry and bioinformatics techniques. These findings may lead to novel diagnostic markers for histoplasmosis in human urine
Honesty mediates the relationship between serotonin and reaction to unfairness
How does one deal with unfair behaviors? This subject has long been investigated by various disciplines including philosophy, psychology, economics, and biology. However, our reactions to unfairness differ from one individual to another. Experimental economics studies using the ultimatum game (UG), in which players must decide whether to accept or reject fair or unfair offers, have also shown that there are substantial individual differences in reaction to unfairness. However, little is known about psychological as well as neurobiological mechanisms of this observation. We combined a molecular imaging technique, an economics game, and a personality inventory to elucidate the neurobiological mechanism of heterogeneous reactions to unfairness. Contrary to the common belief that aggressive personalities (impulsivity or hostility) are related to the high rejection rate of unfair offers in UG, we found that individuals with apparently peaceful personalities (straightforwardness and trust) rejected more often and were engaged in personally costly forms of retaliation. Furthermore, individuals with a low level of serotonin transporters in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) are honest and trustful, and thus cannot tolerate unfairness, being candid in expressing their frustrations. In other words, higher central serotonin transmission might allow us to behave adroitly and opportunistically, being good at playing games while pursuing self-interest. We provide unique neurobiological evidence to account for individual differences of reaction to unfairness
Follow-Up Observations of PTFO 8-8695: A 3 MYr Old T-Tauri Star Hosting a Jupiter-mass Planetary Candidate
We present Spitzer 4.5\micron\ light curve observations, Keck NIRSPEC radial
velocity observations, and LCOGT optical light curve observations of
PTFO~8-8695, which may host a Jupiter-sized planet in a very short orbital
period (0.45 days). Previous work by \citet{vaneyken12} and \citet{barnes13}
predicts that the stellar rotation axis and the planetary orbital plane should
precess with a period of days. As a consequence, the observed
transits should change shape and depth, disappear, and reappear with the
precession. Our observations indicate the long-term presence of the transit
events ( years), and that the transits indeed do change depth, disappear
and reappear. The Spitzer observations and the NIRSPEC radial velocity
observations (with contemporaneous LCOGT optical light curve data) are
consistent with the predicted transit times and depths for the $M_\star = 0.34\
M_\odot$ precession model and demonstrate the disappearance of the transits. An
LCOGT optical light curve shows that the transits do reappear approximately 1
year later. The observed transits occur at the times predicted by a
straight-forward propagation of the transit ephemeris. The precession model
correctly predicts the depth and time of the Spitzer transit and the lack of a
transit at the time of the NIRSPEC radial velocity observations. However, the
precession model predicts the return of the transits approximately 1 month
later than observed by LCOGT. Overall, the data are suggestive that the
planetary interpretation of the observed transit events may indeed be correct,
but the precession model and data are currently insufficient to confirm firmly
the planetary status of PTFO~8-8695b.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa
Experiment for Analysing the Impact of Financial Events on Twitter
Twitter, as the heart of publicly accessible Social Media, is one of the currently used platforms to share financial information and is a valuable source of information for different roles in the financial market. For all these roles, the quality analysis of Twitter as a source of financial information is essential to take decisions. The work in this paper is aligned with the ongoing work of the authors to a solution for irregularity monitoring in the financial market by harnessing data in online social media. To do so, the permeability of a variety of social media data feeders to financial irregularities should be analysed. That is the case of the experiment in this paper by putting the focus on Twitter microblogging platform and checking if this general purpose social media is permeable to a specific financial event. For this, we detail the analysis of Twitter permeability to a specific event in the past few months: the announcement about the merge of Tesco and Booker to create a UK’s Leading Food Business on the 27th January 2017. Both companies Tesco PLC and Booking Group PLC are listed in the main market of LSE (London Stock Exchange). Our findings provide promising evidences to address the problem of real-time detection of irregularities in the financial market via Twitter according to the volume (as a sign of the importance of the irregularity) and to other features (as signs of the potential origin causing the irregularity)
Do British birds conform to Bergmann's and Allen's rules? An analysis of body size variation with latitude for four species
Capsule: An analysis of body mass and wing length for four bird species shows trends broadly in line with predictions from Bergmann's and Allen's rules but with species- and sex-specific trends in terms of body size variation with latitude in Britain. Aims: To analyse body size characteristics for bird species with latitude in Britain and to test Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules (over a range of c. 740 km). Methods Body mass and wing length for four bird species (Blackbird Turdus merula, House Sparrow Passer domesticus, Robin Erithacus rubecula, and Song Thrush Turdus philomelos) were analysed using principal components regression analysis to investigate trends with latitude, longitude, or by sex and Julian day. Results: Evidence was found for latitudinal gradients in body mass for male Blackbird, female House Sparrow (both increasing in size northwards), and female Robin (decreasing in size northwards) and in wing length for female Robin and male Song Thrush (decreasing and increasing northwards, respectively). Conclusion: Trends were broadly in line with predictions from Bergmann's and Allen's rules except for Robin which had trends opposite to those expected. Differences in trends between sexes suggest a role for an interplay between natural and sexual selection with latitude that deserves further consideration
Unusually Luminous Giant Molecular Clouds in the Outer Disk of M33
We use high spatial resolution (~7pc) CARMA observations to derive detailed
properties for 8 giant molecular clouds (GMCs) at a galactocentric radius
corresponding to approximately two CO scale lengths, or ~0.5 optical radii
(r25), in the Local Group spiral galaxy M33. At this radius, molecular gas
fraction, dust-to-gas ratio and metallicity are much lower than in the inner
part of M33 or in a typical spiral galaxy. This allows us to probe the impact
of environment on GMC properties by comparing our measurements to previous data
from the inner disk of M33, the Milky Way and other nearby galaxies. The outer
disk clouds roughly fall on the size-linewidth relation defined by
extragalactic GMCs, but are slightly displaced from the luminosity-virial mass
relation in the sense of having high CO luminosity compared to the inferred
virial mass. This implies a different CO-to-H2 conversion factor, which is on
average a factor of two lower than the inner disk and the extragalactic
average. We attribute this to significantly higher measured brightness
temperatures of the outer disk clouds compared to the ancillary sample of GMCs,
which is likely an effect of enhanced radiation levels due to massive star
formation in the vicinity of our target field. Apart from brightness
temperature, the properties we determine for the outer disk GMCs in M33 do not
differ significantly from those of our comparison sample. In particular, the
combined sample of inner and outer disk M33 clouds covers roughly the same
range in size, linewidth, virial mass and CO luminosity than the sample of
Milky Way GMCs. When compared to the inner disk clouds in M33, however, we find
even the brightest outer disk clouds to be smaller than most of their inner
disk counterparts. This may be due to incomplete sampling or a potentially
steeper cloud mass function at larger radii.Comment: Accepted for Publication in ApJ; 7 pages, 4 figure
Consensus: a framework for evaluation of uncertain gene variants in laboratory test reporting
Accurate interpretation of gene testing is a key component in customizing patient therapy. Where confirming evidence for a gene variant is lacking, computational prediction may be employed. A standardized framework, however, does not yet exist for quantitative evaluation of disease association for uncertain or novel gene variants in an objective manner. Here, complementary predictors for missense gene variants were incorporated into a weighted Consensus framework that includes calculated reference intervals from known disease outcomes. Data visualization for clinical reporting is also discussed
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