328 research outputs found
Combinatorics of linear iterated function systems with overlaps
Let be points in , and let
be a one-parameter family of similitudes of : where
is our parameter. Then, as is well known, there exists a
unique self-similar attractor satisfying
. Each has
at least one address , i.e.,
.
We show that for sufficiently close to 1, each has different
addresses. If is not too close to 1, then we can still have an
overlap, but there exist 's which have a unique address. However, we
prove that almost every has addresses,
provided contains no holes and at least one proper overlap. We
apply these results to the case of expansions with deleted digits.
Furthermore, we give sharp sufficient conditions for the Open Set Condition
to fail and for the attractor to have no holes.
These results are generalisations of the corresponding one-dimensional
results, however most proofs are different.Comment: Accepted for publication in Nonlinearit
Metastability and small eigenvalues in Markov chains
In this letter we announce rigorous results that elucidate the relation
between metastable states and low-lying eigenvalues in Markov chains in a much
more general setting and with considerable greater precision as was so far
available. This includes a sharp uncertainty principle relating all low-lying
eigenvalues to mean times of metastable transitions, a relation between the
support of eigenfunctions and the attractor of a metastable state, and sharp
estimates on the convergence of probability distribution of the metastable
transition times to the exponential distribution.Comment: 5pp, AMSTe
Bounding Helly numbers via Betti numbers
We show that very weak topological assumptions are enough to ensure the
existence of a Helly-type theorem. More precisely, we show that for any
non-negative integers and there exists an integer such that
the following holds. If is a finite family of subsets of such that for any
and every
then has Helly number at most . Here
denotes the reduced -Betti numbers (with singular homology). These
topological conditions are sharp: not controlling any of these first Betti numbers allow for families with unbounded Helly number.
Our proofs combine homological non-embeddability results with a Ramsey-based
approach to build, given an arbitrary simplicial complex , some well-behaved
chain map .Comment: 29 pages, 8 figure
Angle-resolved photoemission study and first principles calculation of the electronic structure of GaTe
The electronic band structure of GaTe has been calculated by numerical atomic
orbitals density-functional theory, in the local density approximation. In
addition, the valence-band dispersion along various directions of the GaTe
Brillouin zone has been determined experimentally by angle-resolved
photoelectron spectroscopy. Along these directions, the calculated valence-band
structure is in good concordance with the valence-band dispersion obtained by
these measurements. It has been established that GaTe is a direct-gap
semiconductor with the band gap located at the Z point, that is, at Brillouin
zone border in the direction perpendicular to the layers. The valence-band
maximum shows a marked \textit{p}-like behavior, with a pronounced anion
contribution. The conduction band minimum arises from states with a comparable
\textit{s}- \textit{p}-cation and \textit{p}-anion orbital contribution.
Spin-orbit interaction appears to specially alter dispersion and binding energy
of states of the topmost valence bands lying at . By spin-orbit, it is
favored hybridization of the topmost \textit{p}-valence band with deeper
and flatter \textit{p}-\textit{p} bands and the valence-band minimum at
is raised towards the Fermi level since it appears to be determined by
the shifted up \textit{p}-\textit{p} bands.Comment: 7 text pages, 6 eps figures, submitted to PR
AplicaciĂłn de la norma EN 14491:2006 a los silos de acero cilĂndricos para la protecciĂłn frente a explosiones de polvo
How can mathematical models advance tuberculosis control in high HIV prevalence settings?
Existing approaches to tuberculosis (TB) control have been no more than partially successful in areas with high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence. In the context of increasingly constrained resources, mathematical modelling can augment understanding and support policy for implementing those strategies that are most likely to bring public health and economic benefits. In this paper, we present an overview of past and recent contributions of TB modelling in this key area, and suggest a way forward through a modelling research agenda that supports a more effective response to the TB-HIV epidemic, based on expert discussions at a meeting convened by the TB Modelling and Analysis Consortium. The research agenda identified high-priority areas for future modelling efforts, including 1) the difficult diagnosis and high mortality of TB-HIV; 2) the high risk of disease progression; 3) TB health systems in high HIV prevalence settings; 4) uncertainty in the natural progression of TB-HIV; and 5) combined interventions for TB-HIV. Efficient and rapid progress towards completion of this modelling agenda will require co-ordination between the modelling community and key stakeholders, including advocates, health policy makers, donors and national or regional finance officials. A continuing dialogue will ensure that new results are effectively communicated and new policy-relevant questions are addressed swiftly
Dust Explosion Propagation in Small Diameter Pipes
© 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers In facilities handling combustible dusts, the isolation of propagating deflagrations requires great attention due to the potential catastrophic consequences of secondary dust explosions. While the ability of dust explosions to propagate is widely recognized, some misconceptions still exist. One of the common myths is that a dust explosion cannot propagate through small diameter pipes and that explosion isolation may not be required in that case. This article first presents a simplified theory of flame propagation in pipes. Dust explosion experiments performed in industrial-scale pipes smaller or equal to 4 in (or 100 mm) in diameter are then reviewed. The findings of the experiments are interpreted in the light of the simplified theory. Our study reveals that dust explosion propagation has been consistently observed in pipes with a diameter as small as 1 in. While the likelihood of flame propagation seems to decrease with pipe diameter and other âchemicalâ and âengineeringâ factors, it remains a realistic scenario and therefore should be addressed in the design and operation of powder handling systems. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 2018.Fik
The effect of malaria control on <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in Africa between 2000 and 2015
Since the year 2000, a concerted campaign against malaria has led to unprecedented levels of intervention coverage across sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the effect of this control effort is vital to inform future control planning. However, the effect of malaria interventions across the varied epidemiological settings of Africa remains poorly understood owing to the absence of reliable surveillance data and the simplistic approaches underlying current disease estimates. Here we link a large database of malaria field surveys with detailed reconstructions of changing intervention coverage to directly evaluate trends from 2000 to 2015, and quantify the attributable effect of malaria disease control efforts. We found that Plasmodium falciparum infection prevalence in endemic Africa halved and the incidence of clinical disease fell by 40% between 2000 and 2015. We estimate that interventions have averted 663 (542-753 credible interval) million clinical cases since 2000. Insecticide-treated nets, the most widespread intervention, were by far the largest contributor (68% of cases averted). Although still below target levels, current malaria interventions have substantially reduced malaria disease incidence across the continent. Increasing access to these interventions, and maintaining their effectiveness in the face of insecticide and drug resistance, should form a cornerstone of post-2015 control strategies.</p
Fine material in grain
Fine material in grain: an overview / Richard Stroshine -- Factors that affect the costs of fines in the corn export market / Lowell D. Hill, Mack Leath -- Effects of fine material on mold growth in grain / David B. Sauer, Richard A. Meronuck, John Tuite -- Effects of fine material on insect infestation: a review / Paul W. Flinn, William H. McGaughey, Wendell E. Burkholder -- Reducing or controlling damage to grain from handling: a review / Charles R. Martin, George H. Foster -- Evaluating grain for potential production of fine material - breakage susceptibility testing / Steven R. Eckhoff -- Genotypic differences in breakage susceptibility of corn and soybeans -- M. R. Paulsen, L. L. Darrah, R. L. Stroshin
Entomological Surveillance of Behavioural Resilience and Resistance in Residual Malaria Vector Populations.
The most potent malaria vectors rely heavily upon human blood so they are vulnerable to attack with insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) within houses. Mosquito taxa that can avoid feeding or resting indoors, or by obtaining blood from animals, mediate a growing proportion of the dwindling transmission that persists as ITNs and IRS are scaled up. Increasing frequency of behavioural evasion traits within persisting residual vector systems usually reflect the successful suppression of the most potent and vulnerable vector taxa by IRS or ITNs, rather than their failure. Many of the commonly observed changes in mosquito behavioural patterns following intervention scale-up may well be explained by modified taxonomic composition and expression of phenotypically plastic behavioural preferences, rather than altered innate preferences of individuals or populations. Detailed review of the contemporary evidence base does not yet provide any clear-cut example of true behavioural resistance and is, therefore, consistent with the hypothesis presented. Caution should be exercised before over-interpreting most existing reports of increased frequency of behavioural traits which enable mosquitoes to evade fatal contact with insecticides: this may simply be the result of suppressing the most behaviourally vulnerable of the vector taxa that constituted the original transmission system. Mosquito taxa which have always exhibited such evasive traits may be more accurately described as behaviourally resilient, rather than resistant. Ongoing national or regional entomological monitoring surveys of physiological susceptibility to insecticides should be supplemented with biologically and epidemiologically meaningfully estimates of malaria vector population dynamics and the behavioural phenotypes that determine intervention impact, in order to design, select, evaluate and optimize the implementation of vector control measures
- âŠ