9,898 research outputs found
Properties of holographic dark energy at the Hubble length
We consider holographic cosmological models of dark energy in which the
infrared cutoff is set by the Hubble's radius. We show that any interacting
dark energy model, regardless of its detailed form, can be recast as a non
interacting model in which the holographic parameter evolves slowly
with time. Two specific cases are analyzed. We constrain the parameters of both
models with observational data, and show that they can be told apart at the
perturbative level.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures. Contribution to the Proceedings ERE201
Block to granular-like transition in dense bubble flows
We have experimentally investigated 2-dimensional dense bubble flows
underneath inclined planes. Velocity profiles and velocity fluctuations have
been measured. A broad second-order phase transition between two dynamical
regimes is observed as a function of the tilt angle . For low
values, a block motion is observed. For high values, the velocity
profile becomes curved and a shear velocity gradient appears in the flow.Comment: Europhys. Lett. (2003) in pres
Feasibility of using teleradiology to improve tuberculosis screening and case management in a district hospital in Malawi.
Malawi has one of the world's highest rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (10.6%), and southern Malawi, where Thyolo district is located, bears the highest burden in the country (14.5%). Tuberculosis, common among HIV-infected people, requires radiologic diagnosis, yet Malawi has no radiologists in public service. This hinders rapid and accurate diagnosis and increases morbidity and mortality
Yield stress and shear-banding in granular suspensions
We study the emergence of a yield stress in dense suspensions of non-Brownian
particles, by combining local velocity and concentration measurements using
Magnetic Resonance Imaging with macroscopic rheometric experiments. We show
that the competition between gravity and viscous stresses is at the origin of
the development of a yield stress in these systems at relatively low volume
fractions. Moreover, it is accompanied by a shear banding phenomenon that is
the signature of this competition. However, if the system is carefully density
matched, no yield stress is encountered until a volume fraction of 62.7 0.3%
Parabolic dunes in north-eastern Brazil
In this work we present measurements of vegetation cover over parabolic dunes
with different degree of activation along the north-eastern Brazilian coast. We
are able to extend the local values of the vegetation cover density to the
whole dune by correlating measurements with the gray-scale levels of a high
resolution satellite image of the dune field. The empirical vegetation
distribution is finally used to validate the results of a recent continuous
model of dune motion coupling sand erosion and vegetation growth.Comment: 18 pages, 14 figures, aubmitted to Geomorpholog
Dissipative collapse of the adiabatic piston
An adiabatic piston, separating two granular gases prepared in the same
macroscopic state, is found to eventually collapse to one of the sides. This
new instability is explained by a simple macroscopic theory which is
furthermore in qualitative agreement with hard disk molecular dynamics.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure
Component-resolved diagnosis of pollen allergy based on skin testing with profilin, polcalcin and lipid transfer protein pan-allergens
BACKGROUND Allergy diagnosis needs to be improved in patients suffering from pollen polysensitization due to the existence of possible confounding factors in this type of patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate new diagnostic strategies by comparing skin responses to pan-allergens and conventional allergenic extracts with specific IgE (sIgE) to purified allergen molecules. METHODS One thousand three hundred and twenty-nine pollen-allergic patients were diagnosed by a combination of an in vitro method with a panel of 13 purified allergens, including major allergens and pan-allergens, using a high-capacity screening technology (ADVIA-Centaur®) and skin prick test (SPT) to pan-allergens and conventional extracts. RESULTS There was a high concordance (κ index) between in vitro (sIgE to major allergens) and in vivo (SPT to conventional extracts) methods in patients who were not sensitized to pan-allergens, but SPT with conventional extracts failed to diagnose patients with sensitization to pan-allergens. In patients who were simultaneously sensitized to polcalcins and profilins, there was a duplication both in the number of sensitizations to major allergens and in the years of disease evolution. There was a statistical association between sensitization to profilins and/or lipid transfer proteins and food allergy (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION The novel diagnostic strategy has proven to be a valuable tool in daily clinical practice. Introduction of routine SPT to pan-allergens is a simple and feasible way of improving diagnostic efficacy. Patients sensitized to pan-allergens should be tested by an adequate panel of allergenic molecules in order to identify the allergens that are responsible for the allergic disease
Nitrous oxide in fresh water systems: An estimate for the yield of atmospheric N2O associated with disposal of human waste
The N2O content of waters in the Potomac and Merrimack Rivers was measured on a number of occasions over the period April to July 1977. The concentrations of dissolved N2O exceeded those which would apply in equilibrium with air by factors ranging from about 46 in the Potomac to 1.2 in the Merrimack. Highest concentrations of dissolved N2O were associated with sewage discharges from the vicinity of Washington, D. C., and analysis indicates a relatively high yield, 1.3 to 11%, for prompt conversion of waste nitrogen to N2O. Measurements of dissolved N2O in fresh water ponds near Boston demonstrated that aquatic systems provide both strong sources and sinks for atmospheric N2O
Graphene oxide sheets-based platform for induced pluripotent stem cells culture: toxicity, adherence, growth and application
It was prepared the graphene oxide (GO) sheets by suspension of GO in ultrapure deionized water or in Pluronic F-68 using a ultrasonicator bath. Total characterization of GO sheets was carried out. The results on suspension of GO in water showed excellent growth and cell adhesion. GO/Pluronic F-68 platform for the growth and adhesion of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) that exhibits excellent properties for these processes. GO in water suspension exhibited an inhibition of the cell growth over 5 mu g/mL In vivo study with GO suspended in water (100 g/mL) on Fisher 344 rats via i.p. administration showed low toxicity. Despite GO particle accumulates in the intraperitoneal cavity, this fact did not interfere with the final absorption of GO. The AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels (liver function) did not differ statistically in all experimental groups. Also, creatinine and urea levels (renal function) did not differ statistically in all experimental groups. Taking together, the data suggest the great potential of graphene oxide sheets as platform to ACSs, as well as, new material for treatment several urological diseases6174th International Conference on Safe Production and Use of Nanomaterials (Nanosafe
Size segregation and convection
The size segregation of granular materials in a vibrating container is
investigated using Molecular Dynamics. We find that the rising of larger
particles is accompanied by the existence of convection cells even in the case
of the lowest possible frequencies. The convection can, however, also be
triggered by the larger particle itself. The possibility of rising through this
mechanism strongly depends on the depth of the larger particle.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
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