7,794 research outputs found
Fibers on a graph with local load sharing
We study a random fiber bundle model with tips of the fibers placed on a
graph having co-ordination number 3. These fibers follow local load sharing
with uniformly distributed threshold strengths of the fibers. We have studied
the critical behaviour of the model numerically using a finite size scaling
method and the mean field critical behaviour is established. The avalanche size
distribution is also found to exhibit a mean field nature in the asymptotic
limit.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, To appear in International Journal of Modern
Physics
Protein-Mediated DNA Loops: Effects of Protein Bridge Size and Kinks
This paper focuses on the probability that a portion of DNA closes on itself
through thermal fluctuations. We investigate the dependence of this probability
upon the size r of a protein bridge and/or the presence of a kink at half DNA
length. The DNA is modeled by the Worm-Like Chain model, and the probability of
loop formation is calculated in two ways: exact numerical evaluation of the
constrained path integral and the extension of the Shimada and Yamakawa saddle
point approximation. For example, we find that the looping free energy of a 100
base pairs DNA decreases from 24 kT to 13 kT when the loop is closed by a
protein of r = 10 nm length. It further decreases to 5 kT when the loop has a
kink of 120 degrees at half-length.Comment: corrected typos and figures, references updated; 13 pages, 7 figures,
accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Preliminary feasibility study of a multi-Phobos encounter experiment during the Viking extended mission
The Viking '75 Mission to Mars is reported which permits a truly unique opportunity to explore the natural satellite, Phobos, from distances measured in tens of kilometers. A preliminary feasibility study has been made which shows that a science mission involving a Phobos close encounter is technically feasible and within the capabilities of the current Viking design. For less than 20 m/s, the Viking Orbiter can provide approximately two 40-day periods of close observation of Phobos, with the first encounter period in January and the second in March, 1977. Multi-pass images of the entire satellite from nearly all aspect angles and with resolution on the order of 10 meters are possible. Close encounters will permit mass determinations to an accuracy of tens of percent. These experiments can be performed in series with the nominal mission; thus, providing complementary scientific information without compromising the original mission and science objectives
Conestoga Launch Vehicles
Several major applications for commercial and government markets have developed recently which will make use of small satellites. A launch vehicle designed specifically for small satellites brings many attendant benefits. Space Services Incorporated has developed the Conestoga family of launch vehicles to meet the needs of five major markets: low orbiting communication satellites, positioning satellites, earth sensing satellites, space manufacturing prototypes, and scientific experiments. The Conestoga provides low cost, rapid schedules, one-stop shopping, flexible launch sites, multiple satellite depl
Effect of discontinuity in threshold distribution on the critical behaviour of a random fiber bundle
The critical behaviour of a Random Fiber Bundle Model with mixed uniform
distribution of threshold strengths and global load sharing rule is studied
with a special emphasis on the nature of distribution of avalanches for
different parameters of the distribution. The discontinuity in the threshold
strength distribution of fibers non-trivially modifies the critical stress as
well as puts a restriction on the allowed values of parameters for which the
recursive dynamics approach holds good. The discontinuity leads to a
non-universal behaviour in the avalanche size distribution for smaller values
of avalanche size. We observe that apart from the mean field behaviour for
larger avalanches, a new behaviour for smaller avalanche size is observed as a
critical threshold distribution is approached. The phenomenological
understanding of the above result is provided using the exact analytical result
for the avalanche size distribution. Most interestingly,the prominence of
non-universal behaviour in avalanche size distribution depends on the system
parameters.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, text and figures modifie
A random fiber bundle with many discontinuities in the threshold distribution
We study the breakdown of a random fiber bundle model (RFBM) with
-discontinuities in the threshold distribution using the global load sharing
scheme. In other words, different classes of fibers identified on the
basis of their threshold strengths are mixed such that the strengths of the
fibers in the class are uniformly distributed between the values
and where . Moreover, there
is a gap in the threshold distribution between and class. We
show that although the critical stress depends on the parameter values of the
system, the critical exponents are identical to that obtained in the recursive
dynamics of a RFBM with a uniform distribution and global load sharing. The
avalanche size distribution (ASD), on the other hand, shows a non-universal,
non-power law behavior for smaller values of avalanche sizes which becomes
prominent only when a critical distribution is approached. We establish that
the behavior of the avalanche size distribution for an arbitrary is
qualitatively similar to a RFBM with a single discontinuity in the threshold
distribution (), especially when the density and the range of threshold
values of fibers belonging to strongest ()-th class is kept identical in
all the cases.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, Accepted in Phys. Rev.
Shear-driven size segregation of granular materials: modeling and experiment
Granular materials segregate by size under shear, and the ability to
quantitatively predict the time required to achieve complete segregation is a
key test of our understanding of the segregation process. In this paper, we
apply the Gray-Thornton model of segregation (developed for linear shear
profiles) to a granular flow with an exponential profile, and evaluate its
ability to describe the observed segregation dynamics. Our experiment is
conducted in an annular Couette cell with a moving lower boundary. The granular
material is initially prepared in an unstable configuration with a layer of
small particles above a layer of large particles. Under shear, the sample mixes
and then re-segregates so that the large particles are located in the top half
of the system in the final state. During this segregation process, we measure
the velocity profile and use the resulting exponential fit as input parameters
to the model. To make a direct comparison between the continuum model and the
observed segregation dynamics, we locally map the measured height of the
experimental sample (which indicates the degree of segregation) to the local
packing density. We observe that the model successfully captures the presence
of a fast mixing process and relatively slower re-segregation process, but the
model predicts a finite re-segregation time, while in the experiment
re-segregation occurs only exponentially in time
Advances in the management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a common form of interstitial lung disease and usually results in progressive respiratory insufficiency and death. Steady progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of IPF and multiple clinical trials are ongoing, but effective therapy remains elusive
Health-related quality of life and depression among participants in the Sjögren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance registry.
ObjectiveTo examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depression among participants in an international Sjögren's syndrome (SS) registry, comparing those with and without SS.MethodsCross-sectional study of participants in the Sjögren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (SICCA) registry. The 2016 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism SS classification criteria were used to determine disease status. HRQoL was assessed using the Short Form 12, version 2 Health Survey to derive scores for physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). Depression was assessed using the 9-Item Patient Health Questionnaire. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of HRQoL and depression while controlling for potential confounders.ResultsAmong 2401 SICCA participants who had symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth, 1051 had SS (44%) and 1350 did not (56%). After controlling for confounders, when compared with non-SS participants, those with SS had better PCS (p<0.001, β=2.43, 95% CI 1.57 to 3.29), MCS (p=0.002, β=1.37, 95% CI 0.50 to 2.23) and lower adjusted odds of depression (p<0.001, OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.81). Other significant predictors of HRQoL and depression included employment, country of residence and use of medication with anticholinergic effect or for management of SS-related signs and symptoms.ConclusionOur results suggest that among symptomatic patients, having a diagnosis of SS may be associated with better emotional and psychological well-being compared with patients without a diagnosis. Having a definitive diagnosis of SS may encourage patients to obtain a better understanding of their disease and have coping mechanisms in place to better manage their symptoms
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