8,196 research outputs found
Modelling of the diffusion of carbon dioxide in polyimide matrices by computer simulation
Computer aided molecular modelling is used to visualize the motion of CO2 gas molecules inside a polyimide polymer matrix. The polymers simulated are two 6FDA-bases polyimides, 6FDA-4PDA and 6FDA-44ODA. These polymers have also been synthesized in our laboratory, and thus the simulated properties could directly be compared with âreal-worldâ data. The simulation experiments have been performed using the GROMOS1 package. The polymer boxes were created using the soft-core method, with short (11 segments) chains. This results in highly relaxed and totally amorphous polyimide matrices. The motion of randomly placed CO2 molecules in the boxes during molecular dynamics runs was followed, revealing three types of motion: jumping, continuous- and trapped motion. The calculated diffusivities are unrealistic, but possible shortcomings in our model are given
On the size and shape of excluded volume polymers confined between parallel plates
A number of recent experiments have provided detailed observations of the
configurations of long DNA strands under nano-to-micrometer sized confinement.
We therefore revisit the problem of an excluded volume polymer chain confined
between two parallel plates with varying plate separation. We show that the
non-monotonic behavior of the overall size of the chain as a function of
plate-separation, seen in computer simulations and reproduced by earlier
theories, can already be predicted on the basis of scaling arguments. However,
the behavior of the size in a plane parallel to the plates, a quantity observed
in recent experiments, is predicted to be monotonic, in contrast to the
experimental findings. We analyze this problem in depth with a mean-field
approach that maps the confined polymer onto an anisotropic Gaussian chain,
which allows the size of the polymer to be determined separately in the
confined and unconfined directions. The theory allows the analytical
construction of a smooth cross-over between the small plate-separation de
Gennes regime and the large plate-separation Flory regime. The results show
good agreement with Langevin dynamics simulations, and confirm the scaling
predictions.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure
Dual tasking under compromised visual and somatosensory input in elderly fallers and non-fallers
Background: Performance of additional tasks disturbs postural control in elderly. It is unknown, however, how
postural control is affected in elderly fallers and non-fallers in a reduced sensory situation.
Objective: To compare differences between single and dual tasking in three test conditions; (1) no-vision, (2) under
reduced somatosensory information and (3) with a combination of both conditions.
Design: An observational cohort study with participants assigned to a 12-month pretest fall assessment and a postural balance assessment.
Methods: Fifteen independently living elderly participated (77.5 ± 7.0 [63-87] years). Falls were pre-assessed with a 1- year monthy âfall calendarâ. Postural control was analyzed by means of a force platform. Participants were standing quiet (first task) while counting backwards (second task). A 2-factor (group x condition) ANOVA was performed at p<.05.
Differences of postural (DTCp) and cognitive dual task costs (DTCc) between test conditions were analyzed (one-way
ANOVA).
Results: The analysis showed significant group (fallers/non-fallers) and condition effects. Post hoc analyses indicated that the postural control variables were significantly different during the concurrent reduced vision and somatosensory information.
Dual task costs showed a significant difference between normal (N) and the combined condition (NV+RP) in non-fallers.
Conclusion: The combination of reduced visual and somatosensory information causes a larger disturbance of postural stability compared with the reduction of visual or somatosensory information alone. Non-fallers seem to have no threats to the postural control stability in this combined reduced sensory situation. They reduce their postural control, which leaves them enough resources to compensate for the reduced sensory information
The Vehicle Rescheduling Problem with Retiming
When a vehicle breaks down during operation in a public transportation system, the
remaining vehicles can be rescheduled to minimize the impact of the breakdown. In this
paper, we discuss the vehicle rescheduling problem with retiming (VRSPRT). The idea
of retiming is that scheduling flexibility is increased, such that previously inevitable
cancellations can be avoided. To incorporate delays, we expand the underlying recovery
network with retiming possibilities. This leads to a problem formulation that
can be solved using Lagrangian relaxation. As the network gets too large, we propose
an iterative neighborhood exploration heuristic to solve the VRSPRT. This heuristic
allows retiming for a subset of trips, and adds promising trips to this subset as the
al
Interpersonal relations within the context of resource groups for people with severe mental illness:A narrative approach
Objective: The resource group method intends to promote patients' agency and self-management and to organize meaningful partnerships between patients and their informal and formal support systems. The aim of this study was to enhance the understanding of interpersonal dynamics that arise within resource groups for people with severe mental illness. Insight into these unfolding processes would enable improved implementation of the resource group method so that it contributes to establishing a positive social environment, which can lead to more enduring recovery. Methodology: We performed a narrative analysis of transcripts and field notes obtained in a longitudinal, qualitative study on the resource group method. The stories of four different resource groups were reconstructed and analyzed in depth. Data included a total of 36 interviews (with patients, significant others, and mental health professionals) and 18 observations of resource group meetings. Results: The degree to which the resource group method actually contributes to recovery was based on the extent to which the existing roles of and patterns between the patient and his/her resource group members were altered. Breaking through old patterns of inequality and the joint search for a new balance in relationships proved to be crucial processes for establishing an empowering resource group. The four cases showed that it takes time, patience, and small steps back and forth to overcome the struggles and fears related to finding new ways of relating to each other. An honest and reflective atmosphere in which all participants are encouraged to participate and be curious about themselves and each other is essential for changes in interpersonal dynamics to emerge. Such changes pave the way for individuals with SMI to find their own voices and pursue their unique recovery journeys. Conclusions: The functioning of the resource group and the ability of the involved members to respond in new ways are important when working toward the patient's recovery goals. The resource group method should therefore not be considered an intervention to organize informal support for the patient, but a platform to expose and adjust the functioning of the patient's social network as a whole
The Effect of the Outer Lindblad Resonance of the Galactic Bar on the Local Stellar Velocity Distribution
Hydro-dynamical modeling of the inner Galaxy suggest that the radius of the
outer Lindblad resonance (OLR) of the Galactic bar lies in the vicinity of the
Sun. How does this resonance affect the distribution function in the outer
parts of a barred disk, and can we identify any effect of the resonance in the
velocity distribution f(v) actually observed in the solar neighborhood? To
answer these questions, detailed simulations of f(v) in the outer parts of an
exponential stellar disks with nearly flat rotation curves and a rotating
central bar have been performed. For a model resembling the old stellar disk,
the OLR causes a distinct feature in f(v) over a significant fraction of the
outer disk. For positions <2kpc outside the OLR radius and at bar angles of
\~10-70 degrees, f(v) inhibits a bi-modality between the low-velocity stars
moving like the local standard of rest (LSR) and a secondary mode of stars
predominantly moving outward and rotating more slowly than the LSR.
Such a bi-modality is indeed present in f(v) inferred from the Hipparcos data
for late-type stars in the solar neighborhood. If one interpretes this observed
bi-modality as induced by the OLR -- and there are hardly any viable
alternatives -- then one is forced to deduce that the OLR radius is slightly
smaller than Ro. Moreover, by a quantitative comparison of the observed with
the simulated distributions one finds that the pattern speed of the bar is
1.85+/-0.15 times the local circular frequency, where the error is dominated by
the uncertainty in bar angle and local circular speed.
Also other, less prominent but still significant, features in the observed
f(v) resemble properties of the simulated velocity distributions, in particular
a ripple caused by orbits trapped in the outer 1:1 resonance.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures (Fig.2 in full resolution available upon
request), accepted for publication in A
Ejection of Supermassive Black Holes from Galaxy Cores
[Abridged] Recent numerical relativity simulations have shown that the
emission of gravitational waves during the merger of two supermassive black
holes (SMBHs) delivers a kick to the final hole, with a magnitude as large as
4000 km/s. We study the motion of SMBHs ejected from galaxy cores by such kicks
and the effects on the stellar distribution using high-accuracy direct N-body
simulations. Following the kick, the motion of the SMBH exhibits three distinct
phases. (1) The SMBH oscillates with decreasing amplitude, losing energy via
dynamical friction each time it passes through the core. Chandrasekhar's theory
accurately reproduces the motion of the SMBH in this regime if 2 < ln Lambda <
3 and if the changing core density is taken into account. (2) When the
amplitude of the motion has fallen to roughly the core radius, the SMBH and
core begin to exhibit oscillations about their common center of mass. These
oscillations decay with a time constant that is at least 10 times longer than
would be predicted by naive application of the dynamical friction formula. (3)
Eventually, the SMBH reaches thermal equilibrium with the stars. We estimate
the time for the SMBH's oscillations to damp to the Brownian level in real
galaxies and infer times as long as 1 Gyr in the brightest galaxies. Ejection
of SMBHs also results in a lowered density of stars near the galaxy center;
mass deficits as large as five times the SMBH mass are produced for kick
velocities near the escape velocity. We compare the N-body density profiles
with luminosity profiles of early-type galaxies in Virgo and show that even the
largest observed cores can be reproduced by the kicks, without the need to
postulate hypermassive binary SMBHs. Implications for displaced AGNs and
helical radio structures are discussed.Comment: 18 pages, The Astrophysical Journal, in press. Replaced with revised
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