235 research outputs found
MULTIPROCESSOR MODELING TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE APPLIED STATISTICAL TASKS
The work considers the multiprocessors technologies of modeling for Monte Carlo tasks. It is shown that only application of the modern super productive systems permitted the new way to realize the mechanism of corresponding partitioned computations. The calculating schemes that supply to provide the increase of productivity and calculations' speed effectiveness are shown. In this article the modified algorithm of parallel calculations is offered based on the Monte Carlo method. Here every calculator has its own random generator of numbers. Thus intermediate calculations come true independently on the different, separately taken blades of cluster, "calculators". The results are already processed on some separately taken master -blades ("analyzer"). This allows to get rid from the necessary presence of router-communicator between the random generator of numbers and "calculator". Obviously, that such decision allows to accelerate the process of calculations. It is shown that the parallel algorithms of the Monte Carlo method are stable to any input data and have the maximal parallel form and, thus, minimal possible time of realization using the parallel computing devices. If it is possible to appoint one processor to one knot of calculation. Thus the realization of calculations becomes possible in all knots of net area in parallel and simultaneously.The work considers the multiprocessors technologies of modeling for Monte Carlo tasks. It is shown that only application of the modern super productive systems permitted the new way to realize the mechanism of corresponding partitioned computations. The calculating schemes that supply to provide the increase of productivity and calculations' speed effectiveness are shown. In this article the modified algorithm of parallel calculations is offered based on the Monte Carlo method. Here every calculator has its own random generator of numbers. Thus intermediate calculations come true independently on the different, separately taken blades of cluster, "calculators". The results are already processed on some separately taken master -blades ("analyzer"). This allows to get rid from the necessary presence of router-communicator between the random generator of numbers and "calculator". Obviously, that such decision allows to accelerate the process of calculations. It is shown that the parallel algorithms of the Monte Carlo method are stable to any input data and have the maximal parallel form and, thus, minimal possible time of realization using the parallel computing devices. If it is possible to appoint one processor to one knot of calculation. Thus the realization of calculations becomes possible in all knots of net area in parallel and simultaneously
Phase transitions on the surface of a carbon nanotube
A suspended carbon nanotube can act as a nanoscale resonator with remarkable
electromechanical properties and the ability to detect adsorption on its
surface at the level of single atoms. Understanding adsorption on nanotubes and
other graphitic materials is key to many sensing and storage applications. Here
we show that nanotube resonators offer a powerful new means of investigating
fundamental aspects of adsorption on carbon, including the collective behaviour
of adsorbed matter and its coupling to the substrate electrons. By monitoring
the vibrational resonance frequency in the presence of noble gases, we observe
the formation of monolayers on the cylindrical surface and phase transitions
within these monolayers, and simultaneous modification of the electrical
conductance. The monolayer observations also demonstrate the possibility of
studying the fundamental behaviour of matter in cylindrical geometry.Comment: Unpublished; 7 pages with 4 figures plus 3 pages of supplementary
materia
Cytoprotective effect of non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue in primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts in oxidative stress
Aim. Analysis of the cytoprotective effect of non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue (Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg) in the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts in conditions of oxidative stress.
Methods. Pulmonary fibroblasts were incubated with the peptide of non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue (Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg) in the concentration 0.1 μM for 6 hours. To simulate oxidative stress, 60 μM H2O2 was added to the culture medium for 2 hours. Experimental series included (1) «control»; (2) «non-opiate leu-enkephalin analogue» (the peptide was added to the culture medium 44 hours after the final passage); (3) «oxidative stress» (H2O2 was added to the culture medium 48 hours after the final passage); (4) «non-opiate leu-enkephalin analogue + oxidative stress» (the peptide and H2O2 were added to the culture medium 44 and 48 hours respectively after the final passage). In order to evaluate the generation of superoxide anion by pulmonary fibroblasts, the method of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence was used. Computer morphometry of the nucleo-nucleolar apparatus of fibroblasts stained with silver nitrate by the AgNOR method was used to assess the cell state: the area of fibroblast nuclei, the total nucleoli area in the nucleus, and the number of nucleoli in the nucleus were measured. These parameters correlate with the activity of anabolic processes in the cells.
Results. The effect of H2O2 on the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts caused an increase of superoxide anion generation by the fibroblasts, reduction of fibroblast nuclei size, decrease of nucleoli amount and size. Pre-incubation of pulmonary fibroblasts with a non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue reduced the H2O2-induced generation of superoxide anion, corrected changes in the nucleo-nucleolar apparatus of fibroblasts caused by oxidative stress. In our previous studies, similar effect in the same model was shown for non-selective μ/δ-opioid receptor agonist peptide sedatin (dermorphin analogue). The mechanism of cytoprotective effect of non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue may include the affinity of this peptide to nociceptin receptors (NOR receptors) that requires further studies.
Conclusion. The results of the study indicate a direct cytoprotective effect of the peptide Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg (non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue) in oxidative stress
Coupling carbon nanotube mechanics to a superconducting circuit
The quantum behaviour of mechanical resonators is a new and emerging field
driven by recent experiments reaching the quantum ground state. The high
frequency, small mass, and large quality-factor of carbon nanotube resonators
make them attractive for quantum nanomechanical applications. A common element
in experiments achieving the resonator ground state is a second quantum system,
such as coherent photons or superconducting device, coupled to the resonators
motion. For nanotubes, however, this is a challenge due to their small size.
Here, we couple a carbon nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) device to a
superconducting circuit. Suspended carbon nanotubes act as both superconducting
junctions and moving elements in a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device
(SQUID). We observe a strong modulation of the flux through the SQUID from
displacements of the nanotube. Incorporating this SQUID into superconducting
resonators and qubits should enable the detection and manipulation of nanotube
mechanical quantum states at the single-phonon level
Electron pumping in graphene mechanical resonators
The combination of high frequency vibrations and metallic transport in
graphene makes it a unique material for nano-electromechanical devices. In this
letter, we show that graphene-based nano-electromechanical devices are
extremely well suited for charge pumping, due to the sensitivity of its
transport coefficients to perturbations in electrostatic potential and
mechanical deformations, with the potential for novel small scale devices with
useful applications
Ultrasensitive force detection with a nanotube mechanical resonator
Since the advent of atomic force microscopy, mechanical resonators have been
used to study a wide variety of phenomena, such as the dynamics of individual
electron spins, persistent currents in normal metal rings, and the Casimir
force. Key to these experiments is the ability to measure weak forces. Here, we
report on force sensing experiments with a sensitivity of 12 zN Hz^(-1/2) at a
temperature of 1.2 K using a resonator made of a carbon nanotube. An
ultra-sensitive method based on cross-correlated electrical noise measurements,
in combination with parametric downconversion, is used to detect the
low-amplitude vibrations of the nanotube induced by weak forces. The force
sensitivity is quantified by applying a known capacitive force. This detection
method also allows us to measure the Brownian vibrations of the nanotube down
to cryogenic temperatures. Force sensing with nanotube resonators offers new
opportunities for detecting and manipulating individual nuclear spins as well
as for magnetometry measurements.Comment: Early version. To be published in Nature Nanotechnolog
Incarceration history and risk of HIV and hepatitis C virus acquisition among people who inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background
People who inject drugs (PWID) experience a high prevalence of incarceration and might be at high risk of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during or after incarceration. We aimed to assess whether incarceration history elevates HIV or HCV acquisition risk among PWID.
Methods
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases for studies in any language published from Jan 1, 2000 until June 13, 2017 assessing HIV or HCV incidence among PWID. We included studies that measured HIV or HCV incidence among community-recruited PWID. We included only studies reporting original results and excluded studies that evaluated incident infections by self-report. We contacted authors of cohort studies that met the inclusion or exclusion criteria, but that did not report on the outcomes of interest, to request data. We extracted and pooled data from the included studies using random-effects meta-analyses to quantify the associations between recent (past 3, 6, or 12 months or since last follow-up) or past incarceration and HIV or HCV acquisition (primary infection or reinfection) risk among PWID. We assessed the risk of bias of included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Between-study heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic and the P-value for heterogeneity.
Findings
We included published results from 20 studies and unpublished results from 21 studies. These studies originated from Australasia, western and eastern Europe, North and Latin America, and east and southeast Asia. Recent incarceration was associated with an 81% (relative risk [RR] 1·81, 95% CI 1·40–2·34) increase in HIV acquisition risk, with moderate heterogeneity between studies (I2=63·5%; p=0·001), and a 62% (RR 1·62, 95% CI 1·28–2·05) increase in HCV acquisition risk, also with moderate heterogeneity between studies (I2=57·3%; p=0·002). Past incarceration was associated with a 25% increase in HIV (RR 1·25, 95% CI 0·94–1·65) and a 21% increase in HCV (1·21, 1·02–1·43) acquisition risk.
Interpretation
Incarceration is associated with substantial short-term increases in HIV and HCV acquisition risk among PWID and could be a significant driver of HCV and HIV transmission among PWID. These findings support the need for developing novel interventions to minimise the risk of HCV and HIV acquisition, including addressing structural risks associated with drug laws and excessive incarceration of PWID
Prediction of Bodyweight and Energy Expenditure Using Point Pressure and Foot Acceleration Measurements
Bodyweight (BW) is an essential outcome measure for weight management and is also a major predictor in the estimation of daily energy expenditure (EE). Many individuals, particularly those who are overweight, tend to underreport their BW, posing a challenge for monitors that track physical activity and estimate EE. The ability to automatically estimate BW can potentially increase the practicality and accuracy of these monitoring systems. This paper investigates the feasibility of automatically estimating BW and using this BW to estimate energy expenditure with a footwear-based, multisensor activity monitor. The SmartShoe device uses small pressure sensors embedded in key weight support locations of the insole and a heel-mounted 3D accelerometer. Bodyweight estimates for 9 subjects are computed from pressure sensor measurements when an automatic classification algorithm recognizes a standing posture. We compared the accuracy of EE prediction using estimated BW compared to that of using the measured BW. The results show that point pressure measurement is capable of providing rough estimates of body weight (root-mean squared error of 10.52 kg) which in turn provide a sufficient replacement of manually-entered bodyweight for the purpose of EE prediction (root-mean squared error of 0.7456 METs vs. 0.6972 METs). Advances in the pressure sensor technology should enable better accuracy of body weight estimation and further improvement in accuracy of EE prediction using automatic BW estimates
Switchable Coupling of Vibrations to Two-Electron Carbon-Nanotube Quantum Dot States
We report transport measurements on a quantum dot in a partly suspended
carbon nanotube. Electrostatic tuning allows us to modify and even switch 'on'
and 'off' the coupling to the quantized stretching vibration across several
charge states. The magnetic-field dependence indicates that only the
two-electron spin-triplet excited state couples to the mechanical motion,
indicating mechanical coupling to both the valley degree of freedom and the
exchange interaction, in contrast to standard models
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