749 research outputs found
Self-Organized Criticality Below The Glass Transition
We obtain evidence that the dynamics of glassy systems below the glass
transition is characterized by self-organized criticality. Using molecular
dynamics simulations of a model glass-former we identify clusters of
cooperatively jumping particles. We find string-like clusters whose size is
power-law distributed not only close to T_c but for ALL temperatures below T_c,
indicating self-organized criticality which we interpret as a freezing in of
critical behavior.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
The Constitutionality of State-Passed Congressional Term Limits
In Part I, this article explores the underlying policy debate surrounding this issue. Our Founding Fathers debated variations of these arguments in the Constitutional Convention. Academics and political columnists are currently tackling this issue in the popular press. Part II examines the debate over whether to allocate the power to limit congressional terms to each individual state instead of to the federal government (through a constitutional amendment or federal law). Part III investigates potential constitutional challenges based on the qualification and election clauses in the Constitution. Finally, Part IV addresses possible first amendment free speech and fourteenth amendment equal protection challenges to state-passed congressional term limits
Largest Lyapunov Exponent for Many Particle Systems at Low Densities
The largest Lyapunov exponent for a dilute gas with short range
interactions in equilibrium is studied by a mapping to a clock model, in which
every particle carries a watch, with a discrete time that is advanced at
collisions. This model has a propagating front solution with a speed that
determines , for which we find a density dependence as predicted by
Krylov, but with a larger prefactor. Simulations for the clock model and for
hard sphere and hard disk systems confirm these results and are in excellent
mutual agreement. They show a slow convergence of with increasing
particle number, in good agreement with a prediction by Brunet and Derrida.Comment: 4 pages, RevTeX, 2 Figures (encapsulated postscript). Submitted to
Phys. Rev. Let
Chaotic Properties of Dilute Two and Three Dimensional Random Lorentz Gases II: Open Systems
We calculate the spectrum of Lyapunov exponents for a point particle moving
in a random array of fixed hard disk or hard sphere scatterers, i.e. the
disordered Lorentz gas, in a generic nonequilibrium situation. In a large
system which is finite in at least some directions, and with absorbing boundary
conditions, the moving particle escapes the system with probability one.
However, there is a set of zero Lebesgue measure of initial phase points for
the moving particle, such that escape never occurs. Typically, this set of
points forms a fractal repeller, and the Lyapunov spectrum is calculated here
for trajectories on this repeller. For this calculation, we need the solution
of the recently introduced extended Boltzmann equation for the nonequilibrium
distribution of the radius of curvature matrix and the solution of the standard
Boltzmann equation. The escape-rate formalism then gives an explicit result for
the Kolmogorov Sinai entropy on the repeller.Comment: submitted to Phys Rev
Chaotic Properties of Dilute Two and Three Dimensional Random Lorentz Gases I: Equilibrium Systems
We compute the Lyapunov spectrum and the Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy for a
moving particle placed in a dilute, random array of hard disk or hard sphere
scatterers - i.e. the dilute Lorentz gas model. This is carried out in two
ways: First we use simple kinetic theory arguments to compute the Lyapunov
spectrum for both two and three dimensional systems. In order to provide a
method that can easily be generalized to non-uniform systems we then use a
method based upon extensions of the Lorentz-Boltzmann (LB) equation to include
variables that characterize the chaotic behavior of the system. The extended LB
equations depend upon the number of dimensions and on whether one is computing
positive or negative Lyapunov exponents. In the latter case the extended LB
equation is closely related to an "anti-Lorentz-Boltzmann equation" where the
collision operator has the opposite sign from the ordinary LB equation. Finally
we compare our results with computer simulations of Dellago and Posch and find
very good agreement.Comment: 48 pages, 3 ps fig
Foresight Review on Design for Safety
This review explores how a culture of design for safety can enhance the safety of the world around us. Design for safety goes beyond legislation, regulations and standards. These all play an important role for established products and services but their limited scope often leads to missed opportunities to enhance safety by taking a broader perspective.
Design is applied to both mature industries (which have many years of experience and
a good understanding of risks and how to reduce them) and emerging industries (that use new technologies requiring new ways of controlling risk which may not yet be known or understood). An example of an emerging risk is the internet that is enabling rapid innovation of new products which generate data. This data is widely shared across the internet and the risks associated with this are as yet not fully understood by the public.
A design for safety culture takes a holistic approach to understanding the influences that affect safety. Such influences are varied and take into account the broader environment within which design operates, including complex interactions, behaviour and culture.
It goes beyond traditional design methods and focuses on the goal of a safer design.
Implementing design for safety requires an understanding of the challenges and the methods to address them. It needs multidisciplinary teams that bring together people with the relevant skills to understand the challenges and a collaborative approach of ‘designing with’ rather than the more traditional approach of ‘designing for’. This can be achieved through an international diverse community that works together to identify and share best practices
The Kolmogorov-Sinai Entropy for Dilute Gases in Equilibrium
We use the kinetic theory of gases to compute the Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy
per particle for a dilute gas in equilibrium. For an equilibrium system, the KS
entropy, h_KS is the sum of all of the positive Lyapunov exponents
characterizing the chaotic behavior of the gas. We compute h_KS/N, where N is
the number of particles in the gas. This quantity has a density expansion of
the form h_KS/N = a\nu[-\ln{\tilde{n}} + b + O(\tilde{n})], where \nu is the
single-particle collision frequency and \tilde{n} is the reduced number density
of the gas. The theoretical values for the coefficients a and b are compared
with the results of computer simulations, with excellent agreement for a, and
less than satisfactory agreement for b. Possible reasons for this difference in
b are discussed.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Novel approaches for the serodiagnosis of louse-borne relapsing fever
Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) caused by B. recurrentis is a poverty-related and neglected infectious disease with an endemic focus in the Horn of Africa. Re-emergence of the disease occurred in Europe during the refugee crisis in 2015 and sporadic outbreaks were frequently reported in Eastern Africa where poor settings lack affordable diagnostics. Currently, there are no validated in vitro assays available for the serodiagnosis of LBRF. The aim of this study was to develop novel and reliable immunoassays by investigating clinically suspected and culture-confirmed serum samples from LBRF patients and a broad panel of serum samples from patients with other spirochetal, bacterial, and parasitic diseases. We identified two immunoreactive antigens (complement-inhibiting protein CihC and the glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase GlpQ of B. recurrentis) as the most promising target candidates leading to the evaluation of two immunoassays (line immunoblot and ELISA) for IgM and IgG. To optimize the IgM immunoassay, we conducted a bioinformatic approach to localize the relevant immunogenic regions within CihC. By utilizing a N-terminal CihC fragment, the sensitivity and specificity of both immunoassays (CihC and GlpQ) were high (IgM: sensitivity 100%, specificity of 89.9%, IgG: sensitivity 100%, specificity 99.2%). In conclusion, our findings indicate the diagnostic potential of CihC and GlpQ as valuable markers for the serodiagnosis of LBRF even at early time points of infection. Here, we provide strong evidence for the utilization of these immunoassays as reliable tools in clinical practice
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