Stiffness and energy losses in cylindrically symmetric superconductor levitating systems

Stiffness and hysteretic energy losses are calculated for a magnetically levitating system composed of a type-II superconductor and a permanent magnet when a small vibration is produced in the system. We consider a cylindrically symmetric configuration with only vertical movements and calculate the current profiles under the assumption of the critical state model. The calculations, based on magnetic energy minimization, take into account the demagnetization fields inside the superconductor and the actual shape of the applied field. The dependence of stiffness and hysteretic energy losses upon the different important parameters of the system such as the superconductor aspect ratio, the relative size of the superconductor-permanent magnet, and the critical current of the superconductor are all systematically studied. Finally, in view of the results, we provide some trends on how a system such as the one studied here could be designed in order to optimize both the stiffness and the hysteretic losses.Comment: 8 pages; 8 figure

Collaborative Research in Art, Design and New Media - Challenges and Opportunities

Collaboration between the arts and the sciences has a long history of tension and antipathy, and also, paradoxically, interdependence. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci were involved with the creation of artistic works and also novel inventions that were intended to serve a purpose in the natural world. More recently the rapid advances of technology underpinning new media have facilitated both the collaboration of artists in virtual spaces and the use of new media to create, view, and interact with artistic works. Technology and applications are changing the way ideas are formed and the way research is developed and advanced. In addition, the ubiquity of new media has facilitated its use to support and develop a number of application domains. This paper explores the relationship between creativity, collaboration, and artistic works, and their interaction and interplay with social media

Spillover adherence effects of fixed-dose combination HIV therapy

The impact of fixed-dose combination (FDC) products on adherence to other, non-fixed regimen components has not been examined. We compared adherence to a third antiretroviral (ART) component among patients receiving a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) backbone consisting of the FDC Epzicom®, GlaxoSmithKline Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC (abacavir sulfate 600 mg + lamivudine 300 mg; FDC group) versus NRTI combinations taken as two separate pills (NRTI Combo group) using data from a national sample of 30 health plans covering approximately 38 million lives from 1997 to 2005. Adherence was measured as the medication possession ratio (MPR). Multivariate logistic regression compared treatment groups based on the likelihood of achieving ≥95% adherence, with sensitivity analyses using alternative thresholds. MPR was assessed as a continuous variable using multivariate linear regression. Covariates included age, gender, insurance payer type, year of study drug initiation, presence of mental health and substance abuse disorders, and third agent class. The study sample consisted of 650 FDC and 1947 NRTI Combo patients. Unadjusted mean adherence to the third agent was higher in the FDC group than the NRTI Combo group (0.92 vs 0.85; P < 0.0001). In regression analyses, FDC patients were 48% and 39% more likely to achieve 95% and 90% third agent adherence, respectively (P ≤ 0.03). None of the other MPR specifications achieved comparable results. Among managed care patients, use of an FDC appears to substantially improve adherence to a third regimen component and thus the likelihood of achieving the accepted standard for adherence to HIV therapy of 95%

William R. Brinkley:A giant in biomedical research and public policy

Susan A. Gerbi, Robert E. Palazzo, William C. Earnshaw, and William T. Schrader discuss the life and achievements of William R. Brinkley, who passed away on November 10, 2020

CENP-V is required for centromere organization, chromosome alignment and cytokinesis

The mechanism of mitotic chromosome condensation is poorly understood, but even less is known about the mechanism of formation of the primary constriction, or centromere. A proteomic analysis of mitotic chromosome scaffolds led to the identification of CENP-V, a novel kinetochore protein related to a bacterial enzyme that detoxifies formaldehyde, a by-product of histone demethylation in eukaryotic cells. Overexpression of CENP-V leads to hypercondensation of pericentromeric heterochromatin, a phenotype that is abolished by mutations in the putative catalytic site. CENP-V depletion in HeLa cells leads to abnormal expansion of the primary constriction of mitotic chromosomes, mislocalization and destabilization of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) and alterations in the distribution of H3K9me3 in interphase nucleoplasm. CENP-V-depleted cells suffer defects in chromosome alignment in metaphase, lagging chromosomes in anaphase, failure of cytokinesis and rapid cell death. CENP-V provides a novel link between centromeric chromatin, the primary constriction and the CPC

Regional variation in British English voice Quality

This study considers regional variation of voice quality in two varieties of British English - Southern Standard British English and West Yorkshire English. A comparison of voice quality profiles for three closely related but not identical northern varieties within West Yorkshire is also considered. Our findings do not contradict the small subset of previous research which explored regional and/or social variation in voice quality in British English insofar as regionality may play a small role in a speaker's voice quality profile. However, factors such as social standing and identity could perhaps be even more relevant. Even when considering homogeneous groups of speakers, it is not the case that there is a cohesive voice quality profile that can be attached to every speaker within the group. The reason for this, we argue, is the speaker-specificity inherent in voice quality

Defining a Theoretical Model: The Application of 3D Printing as a Disruptive Technology, Explored Through the Analysis of the Process of Creative Garment Development

With fashion brands such as Pringle and designer Iris Van Herpen utilising the technology to create innovative garments, 3D printing in fashion is playing a pivotal role in the reinvention of both material and structural processes (Braddock, Clarke & Harris, 2012).  Whilst the technology itself is not new, its use within commercial fashion is more recent, where typically the approach to design is through collaborative partnerships, reaching across other non-fashion disciplines. This project was initiated through the research and development of learning materials for undergraduate Fashion Design and Technology students, who are new to this process.  A model was developed with the aim to facilitate students understanding of how the technology can be applied within, across and outside of the boundaries of creative pattern cutting, including experimentation using 3D software. The factors affecting implementation of conceptual knowledge is discussed and applied to the model.  The role of 3D printing integrated within creative pattern cutting, design, product development, textile design and product modelling/engineering is explored.  The outcome of the research is the proposal of a theoretical model to inform teaching and learning

Effects of Full-Length Borealin on the Composition and Protein-Protein Interaction Activity of a Binary Chromosomal Passenger Complex

The chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) comprises at least four protein components and functions at various cellular localizations during different mitotic stages to ensure correct chromosome segregation and completion of cytokinesis. Borealin, the most recently identified member of the CPC, is an intrinsically unstructured protein of low solubility and stability. Recent reports have demonstrated the formation binary or ternary CPC sub-complexes incorporating short Borealin fragments in vitro. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, we show that full-length Borealin, instead of a Borealin fragment possessing the complete Survivin and INCENP-recognition sequence, is required for the composition of a Borealin-Survivin complex competent to interact with INCENP. In addition, we show evidence that full-length Borealin, which forms high-order oligomers in its isolated form, is a monomer in the Borealin-Survivin CPC sub-complex