705 research outputs found
Fluctuation formula for nonreversible dynamics in the thermostated Lorentz gas
We investigate numerically the validity of the Gallavotti-Cohen fluctuation
formula in the two and three dimensional periodic Lorentz gas subjected to
constant electric and magnetic fields and thermostated by the Gaussian
isokinetic thermostat. The magnetic field breaks the time reversal symmetry,
and by choosing its orientation with respect to the lattice one can have either
a generalized reversing symmetry or no reversibility at all. Our results
indicate that the scaling property described by the fluctuation formula may be
approximately valid for large fluctuations even in the absence of
reversibility.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure
Heart-Kidney Interaction: Epidemiology of Cardiorenal Syndromes
Cardiac and kidney diseases are common, increasingly encountered, and often coexist. Recently, the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) Working Group convened a consensus conference to develop a classification scheme for the CRS and for five discrete subtypes. These CRS subtypes likely share pathophysiologic mechanisms, however, also have distinguishing clinical features, in terms of precipitating events, risk identification, natural history, and outcomes. Knowledge of the epidemiology of heart-kidney interaction stratified by the proposed CRS subtypes is increasingly important for understanding the overall burden of disease for each CRS subtype, along with associated morbidity, mortality, and health resource utilization. Likewise, an understanding of the epidemiology of CRS is necessary for characterizing whether there exists important knowledge gaps and to aid in the design of clinical studies. This paper will provide a summary of the epidemiology of the cardiorenal syndrome and its subtypes
Some Recent Advances in Bound-State Quantum Electrodynamics
We discuss recent progress in various problems related to bound-state quantum
electrodynamics: the bound-electron g factor, two-loop self-energy corrections
and the laser-dressed Lamb shift. The progress relies on various advances in
the bound-state formalism, including ideas inspired by effective field theories
such as Nonrelativistic Quantum Electrodynamics. Radiative corrections in
dynamical processes represent a promising field for further investigations.Comment: 12 pages, nrc1 LaTeX styl
The Effects of Atmospheric Dispersion on High-Resolution Solar Spectroscopy
We investigate the effects of atmospheric dispersion on observations of the
Sun at the ever-higher spatial resolutions afforded by increased apertures and
improved techniques. The problems induced by atmospheric refraction are
particularly significant for solar physics because the Sun is often best
observed at low elevations, and the effect of the image displacement is not
merely a loss of efficiency, but the mixing of information originating from
different points on the solar surface. We calculate the magnitude of the
atmospheric dispersion for the Sun during the year and examine the problems
produced by this dispersion in both spectrographic and filter observations. We
describe an observing technique for scanning spectrograph observations that
minimizes the effects of the atmospheric dispersion while maintaining a regular
scanning geometry. Such an approach could be useful for the new class of
high-resolution solar spectrographs, such as SPINOR, POLIS, TRIPPEL, and ViSP
Effect of combined uphill-downhill sprint training on kinematics and maximum running speed in experienced sprinters
This study examined the effects of sprint running training on sloping surfaces (3°) in experienced sprinters using selected kinematic variables. Twelve experienced sprinters were randomly allocated to two training groups (combined uphill–downhill and horizontal). Pre- and post-training tests were performed to examine the effects of six weeks of training on maximum running speed, step rate, step length, step time, contact time, braking and propulsive phase of contact time, flight time and selected postural characteristics during a step cycle in the final steps of a 35m sprint test. In the combined uphill–downhill training group, maximum running speed was substantially greater (from 9.08 ± 0.90 m s-1 to 9.51 ± 0.62 m s-1; p <0.05) after training by 4.8%; step rate, contact time, step time and concentric phase was not modified. There were no significant changes in maximal speed or sprint kinematics in the horizontal training group. Overall, the posture characteristics did not change with training. The combined uphill–downhill training method was substantially more effective in improving the maximum running speed in experienced sprinters than a traditional horizontal training method
Tsallis non-extensive statistics, intermittent turbulence, SOC and chaos in the solar plasma. Part one: Sunspot dynamics
In this study, the nonlinear analysis of the sunspot index is embedded in the
non-extensive statistical theory of Tsallis. The triplet of Tsallis, as well as
the correlation dimension and the Lyapunov exponent spectrum were estimated for
the SVD components of the sunspot index timeseries. Also the multifractal
scaling exponent spectrum, the generalized Renyi dimension spectrum and the
spectrum of the structure function exponents were estimated experimentally and
theoretically by using the entropy principle included in Tsallis non extensive
statistical theory, following Arimitsu and Arimitsu. Our analysis showed
clearly the following: a) a phase transition process in the solar dynamics from
high dimensional non Gaussian SOC state to a low dimensional non Gaussian
chaotic state, b) strong intermittent solar turbulence and anomalous
(multifractal) diffusion solar process, which is strengthened as the solar
dynamics makes phase transition to low dimensional chaos in accordance to
Ruzmaikin, Zeleny and Milovanov studies c) faithful agreement of Tsallis non
equilibrium statistical theory with the experimental estimations of i)
non-Gaussian probability distribution function, ii) multifractal scaling
exponent spectrum and generalized Renyi dimension spectrum, iii) exponent
spectrum of the structure functions estimated for the sunspot index and its
underlying non equilibrium solar dynamics.Comment: 40 pages, 11 figure
How Unpopular Policies are Made: Examples from South Africa, Singapore, and Bangladesh
In this article we contribute to the emerging knowledge on migration policy?making in two ways. Firstly, we address the relative lack of research on the gendered nature of migration policy?making. Secondly we contribute to understanding migration policymaking in postcolonial contexts. Based on case studies from Bangladesh, South Africa, and Singapore, we trace the drivers of policy change in these contexts and how the gendered vulnerability of the intended beneficiaries impacted the policy process. We found that there were four main drivers of migration policy?making in each of the countries. They were: the role?players in the policy change process, the debates that shaped the policy change, the research involved, and the political context in which the policy change took place. While our research drew on existing policy frameworks, it also showed that policy development is shaped by complex socio?political conditions.DFIDMigrating out of Povert
X-ray Spectroscopy and Variability of AGN Detected in the 2 Ms Chandra Deep Field-North Survey
We investigate the nature of the faint X-ray source population through X-ray
spectroscopy and variability analyses of 136 AGN detected in the 2 Ms Chandra
Deep Field-North survey with > 200 background-subtracted 0.5-8.0 keV counts
[F(0.5-8.0 keV)=(1.4-200)e-15 erg cm^{-2} s^{-1}]. Our preliminary spectral
analyses yield median spectral parameters of Gamma=1.61 and intrinsic
N_H=6.2e21 cm^{-2} (z=1 assumed when no redshift available) when the AGN
spectra are fitted with a simple absorbed power-law model. However,
considerable spectral complexity is apparent (e.g., reflection, partial
covering) and must be taken into account to model the data accurately.
Moreover, the choice of spectral model (i.e., free vs. fixed photon index) has
a pronounced effect on the derived N_H distribution and, to a lesser extent,
the X-ray luminosity distribution. Ten of the 136 AGN (~7%) show significant Fe
Kalpha emission-line features with equivalent widths in the range 0.1-1.3 keV.
Two of these emission-line AGN could potentially be Compton thick (i.e., Gamma
< 1.0 and large Fe Kalpha equivalent width). Finally, we find that 81 (~60%) of
the 136 AGN show signs of variability, and that this fraction increases
significantly (~80-90%) when better photon statistics are available.Comment: Submitted to Advances in Space Research for New X-ray Results from
Clusters of Galaxies and Black Holes (Oct 2002; Houston, TX), eds. C. Done,
E.M. Puchnarewicz, M.J. Ward. Requires cospar.sty (6 pgs, 10 figs
The braid groups of the projective plane and the Fadell-Neuwirth short exact sequence
International audienceWe study the pure braid groups of the real projective plane , and in particular the possible splitting of the Fadell-Neuwirth short exact sequence , where and , and is the homomorphism which corresponds geometrically to forgetting the last strings. This problem is equivalent to that of the existence of a section for the associated fibration of configuration spaces. Van Buskirk proved in 1966 that and admit a section if and . Our main result in this paper is to prove that there is no section if . As a corollary, it follows that and are the only values for which a section exists. As part of the proof, we derive a presentation of : this appears to be the first time that such a presentation has been given in the literature
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