1,108 research outputs found
Intelligent fault location for low voltage distribution networks
Paper describing intelligent fault location for low voltage distribution networks
Information-Geometric Indicators of Chaos in Gaussian Models on Statistical Manifolds of Negative Ricci Curvature
A new information-geometric approach to chaotic dynamics on curved
statistical manifolds based on Entropic Dynamics (ED) is proposed. It is shown
that the hyperbolicity of a non-maximally symmetric 6N-dimensional statistical
manifold M_{s} underlying an ED Gaussian model describing an arbitrary system
of 3N degrees of freedom leads to linear information-geometric entropy growth
and to exponential divergence of the Jacobi vector field intensity, quantum and
classical features of chaos respectively.Comment: 8 pages, final version accepted for publicatio
Modelling the influence of RKIP on the ERK signalling pathway using the stochastic process algebra PEPA
This paper examines the influence of the Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein (RKIP) on the Extracellular signal Regulated Kinase (ERK) signalling pathway [5] through modelling in a Markovian process algebra, PEPA [11]. Two models of the system are presented, a reagent-centric view and a pathway-centric view. The models capture functionality at the level of subpathway, rather than at a molecular level. Each model affords a different perspective of the pathway and analysis. We demonstrate the two models to be formally equivalent using the timing-aware bisimulation defined over PEPA models and discuss the biological significance
Reflection and Ducting of Gravity Waves Inside the Sun
Internal gravity waves excited by overshoot at the bottom of the convection
zone can be influenced by rotation and by the strong toroidal magnetic field
that is likely to be present in the solar tachocline. Using a simple Cartesian
model, we show how waves with a vertical component of propagation can be
reflected when traveling through a layer containing a horizontal magnetic field
with a strength that varies with depth. This interaction can prevent a portion
of the downward-traveling wave energy flux from reaching the deep solar
interior. If a highly reflecting magnetized layer is located some distance
below the convection zone base, a duct or wave guide can be set up, wherein
vertical propagation is restricted by successive reflections at the upper and
lower boundaries. The presence of both upward- and downward-traveling
disturbances inside the duct leads to the existence of a set of horizontally
propagating modes that have significantly enhanced amplitudes. We point out
that the helical structure of these waves makes them capable of generating an
alpha-effect, and briefly consider the possibility that propagation in a shear
of sufficient strength could lead to instability, the result of wave growth due
to over-reflection.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Solar Physic
Kang-Redner Anomaly in Cluster-Cluster Aggregation
The large time, small mass, asymptotic behavior of the average mass
distribution \pb is studied in a -dimensional system of diffusing
aggregating particles for . By means of both a renormalization
group computation as well as a direct re-summation of leading terms in the
small reaction-rate expansion of the average mass distribution, it is shown
that \pb \sim \frac{1}{t^d} (\frac{m^{1/d}}{\sqrt{t}})^{e_{KR}} for , where and . In two
dimensions, it is shown that \pb \sim \frac{\ln(m) \ln(t)}{t^2} for . Numerical simulations in two dimensions supporting the analytical
results are also presented.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, Revtex
Spin glass overlap barriers in three and four dimensions
For the Edwards-Anderson Ising spin-glass model in three and four dimensions
(3d and 4d) we have performed high statistics Monte Carlo calculations of those
free-energy barriers which are visible in the probability density
of the Parisi overlap parameter . The calculations rely on the
recently introduced multi-overlap algorithm. In both dimensions, within the
limits of lattice sizes investigated, these barriers are found to be
non-self-averaging and the same is true for the autocorrelation times of our
algorithm. Further, we present evidence that barriers hidden in dominate
the canonical autocorrelation times.Comment: 20 pages, Latex, 12 Postscript figures, revised version to appear in
Phys. Rev.
Oncolytic Viruses: Do They Have a Role in Anti-Cancer Therapy?
Oncolytic viruses are replication competent, tumor selective and lyse cancer cells. Their potential for anti-cancer therapy is based upon the concept that selective intratumoral replication will produce a potent anti-tumor effect and possibly bystander or remote cell killing, whilst minimizing normal tissue toxicity. Viruses may be naturally oncolytic or be engineered for oncolytic activity, and possess a host of different mechanisms to provide tumor selectivity. Clinical use of live replicating viruses is associated with a unique set of safety issues. Clinical experience has so far provided evidence of limited efficacy and a favourable toxicity profile. The interaction with the host immune system is complex. An anti-viral immune response may limit efficacy by rapidly clearing the virus. However, virally-induced cell lysis releases tumor associated antigens in a ‘dangerous’ context, and limited evidence suggests that this can lead to the generation of a specific anti-tumor immune response. Combination therapy with chemotherapy or radiotherapy represents a promising avenue for ongoing translation of oncolytic viruses into clinical practice. Obstacles to therapy include highly effective non-specific host mechanisms to clear virus following systemic delivery, immune-mediated clearance, and intratumoral barriers limiting virus spread. A number of novel strategies are now under investigation to overcome these barriers. This review provides an overview of the potential role of oncolytic viruses, highlighting recent progress towards developing effective therapy and asks if they are a realistic therapeutic option at this stage
Existence of the Abrikosov vortex state in two-dimensional type-II superconductors without pinning
Theory alternative to the vortex lattice melting theories is advertised. The
vortex lattice melting theories are science fiction cond-mat/9811051 because
the Abrikosov state is not the vortex lattice with crystalline long-range
order. Since the fluctuation correction to the Abrikosov solution is infinite
in the thermodynamic limit (K.Maki and H.Takayama, 1972) any fluctuation theory
of the mixed state should consider a superconductor with finite sizes. Such
nonperturbative theory for the easiest case of two-dimensional superconductor
in the lowest Landau level approximation is presented in this work. The
thermodynamic averages of the spatial average order parameter and of the
Abrikosov parameter are calculated. It is shown that the position
H_{c4} of the transition into the Abrikosov state (i.e. in the mixed state with
long-range phase coherence) depends strongly on sizes of two-dimensional
superconductor. Fluctuations eliminate the Abrikosov vortex state in a wide
region of the mixed state of thin films with real sizes and without pinning
disorders, i.e. H_{c4} << H_{c2}. The latter has experimental corroboration in
Phys.Rev.Lett. 75, 2586 (1995).Comment: 4 pages, 0 figure
Generalized quantum Fokker-Planck, diffusion and Smoluchowski equations with true probability distribution functions
Traditionally, the quantum Brownian motion is described by Fokker-Planck or
diffusion equations in terms of quasi-probability distribution functions, e.g.,
Wigner functions. These often become singular or negative in the full quantum
regime. In this paper a simple approach to non-Markovian theory of quantum
Brownian motion using {\it true probability distribution functions} is
presented. Based on an initial coherent state representation of the bath
oscillators and an equilibrium canonical distribution of the quantum mechanical
mean values of their co-ordinates and momenta we derive a generalized quantum
Langevin equation in -numbers and show that the latter is amenable to a
theoretical analysis in terms of the classical theory of non-Markovian
dynamics. The corresponding Fokker-Planck, diffusion and the Smoluchowski
equations are the {\it exact} quantum analogues of their classical
counterparts. The present work is {\it independent} of path integral
techniques. The theory as developed here is a natural extension of its
classical version and is valid for arbitrary temperature and friction
(Smoluchowski equation being considered in the overdamped limit).Comment: RevTex, 16 pages, 7 figures, To appear in Physical Review E (minor
revision
Function and Distribution of Apolipoprotein A1 in The Artery Wall Are Markedly Distinct From Those in Plasma
Background—Prior studies show that apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) recovered from human atherosclerotic lesions is highly oxidized. Ex vivo oxidation of apoA1 or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cross-links apoA1 and impairs lipid binding, cholesterol efflux, and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activities of the lipoprotein. Remarkably, no studies to date directly quantify either the function or HDL particle distribution of apoA1 recovered from the human artery wall. Methods and Results—A monoclonal antibody (10G1.5) was developed that equally recognizes lipid-free and HDL-associated apoA1 in both native and oxidized forms. Examination of homogenates of atherosclerotic plaque–laden aorta showed \u3e100-fold enrichment of apoA1 compared with normal aorta (P\u3c0.001). Surprisingly, buoyant density fractionation revealed that only a minority (\u3c3% of total) of apoA1 recovered from either lesions or normal aorta resides within an HDL-like particle (1.063≤d≤1.21). In contrast, the majority (\u3e90%) of apoA1 within aortic tissue (normal and lesions) was recovered within the lipoprotein-depleted fraction (d\u3e1.21). Moreover, both lesion and normal artery wall apoA1 are highly cross-linked (50% to 70% of total), and functional characterization of apoA1 quantitatively recovered from aorta with the use of monoclonal antibody 10G1.5 showed ≈80% lower cholesterol efflux activity and ≈90% lower lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity relative to circulating apoA1. Conclusions—The function and distribution of apoA1 in human aorta are quite distinct from those found in plasma. The lipoprotein is markedly enriched within atherosclerotic plaque, predominantly lipid-poor, not associated with HDL, extensively oxidatively cross-linked, and functionally impaired
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