Plasma deposition of constrained layer damping coatings

Plasma techniques are used to generate constrained layer damping (CLD) coatings on metallic substrates. The process involves the deposition of relatively thick, hard ceramic layers on to soft polymeric damping materials while maintaining the integrity of both layers. Reactive plasma sputter-deposition from an aluminium alloy target is used to deposit alumina layers, with Young's modulus in the range 77-220GPa and thickness up to 335 μ, on top of a silicone film. This methodology is also used to deposit a 40 μ alumina layer on a conventional viscoelastic damping film to produce an integral damping coating. Plasma CLD systems are shown to give at least 50 per cent more damping than equivalent metal-foil-based treatments. Numerical methods for rapid prediction of the performance of such coatings are discussed and validated by comparison with experimental results

Composite xenohybrid bovine bone-derived scaffold as bone substitute for the treatment of tibial plateau fractures

Introduction: Tibial plateau fractures represent a common challenge for orthopaedic surgeons, sometimes representing complex cases to manage, where augmentation using bone grafts is required for stabilisation. Autologous iliac bone graft (AIBG) is the current gold standard for bone grafting. In order to overcome limitations related to the procedure, alternative strategies, like allogenic and xenogeneic bone substitutes have been investigated. Here, within the framework of an observational clinical study, we report clinical and radiological outcomes of patients treated for tibial plateau fractures with a composite xenohybrid bone graft, aiming at assessing clinical and radiological outcomes. Materials and Methods: We performed a cohort retrospective study of patients treated for tibial plateau fractures from May 2017 to January 2018. Thirty-four patients, i.e. 100% of those having received the bone graft under investigation for tibial plateaux fracture treatment, met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Patients were assessed at 2 weeks, and then at a 1-, 3-, and 6-months, and 1-year follow-up. At each evaluation patients filled a visual analogue scale (VAS) for the level of pain during the day life activities and underwent physical exam and anteroposterior and lateral projection radiographs of the knee. At 1 year the Tegner Lysholm Scoring Scale, International Knee Document Committee 2000 (IKDC 2000), and Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) were administered. Results: At 1-year, mean VAS decreased from 6.33 \ub1 1.40 to 1 \ub1 0.79 (P < 0.0001); Tegner Lysholm Scoring Scale was 89 \ub1 4.10 and mean IKDC 2000 was 78.67 \ub1 3.31. No infections, neurovascular complications or adverse effects related to implants werereported during the clinical exams at follow-up. Mean ROM was 124 \ub1 6\ub0. Radiographs did not show defects of consolidation or progressive post-surgical subsidence and demonstrated a good grade of integration of the implant. Conclusions: Clinical and radiological outcomes, and scores of questionnaires, were good. The xenograft has demonstrated to be a safe biomaterial, with satisfactory mechanical and biological performances in the mid-term period. It also showed a high grade of osteointegration and remodelling

Update of High Resolution (e,e'K^+) Hypernuclear Spectroscopy at Jefferson Lab's Hall A

Updated results of the experiment E94-107 hypernuclear spectroscopy in Hall A of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab), are presented. The experiment provides high resolution spectra of excitation energy for 12B_\Lambda, 16N_\Lambda, and 9Li_\Lambda hypernuclei obtained by electroproduction of strangeness. A new theoretical calculation for 12B_\Lambda, final results for 16N_\Lambda, and discussion of the preliminary results of 9Li_\Lambda are reported.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, submitted to the proceedings of Hyp-X Conferenc

There is no "Theory of Everything" inside E8

We analyze certain subgroups of real and complex forms of the Lie group E8, and deduce that any "Theory of Everything" obtained by embedding the gauge groups of gravity and the Standard Model into a real or complex form of E8 lacks certain representation-theoretic properties required by physical reality. The arguments themselves amount to representation theory of Lie algebras in the spirit of Dynkin's classic papers and are written for mathematicians.Comment: Final version, to appear in Communications in Mathematical Physics. The main difference, from the previous version, is the creation of a new section, containing a response to Lisi's objections to our wor

Experimental determination of the evolution of the Bjorken integral at low Q^2

We extract the Bjorken integral Gamma^{p-n}_1 in the range 0.17 < Q^2 < 1.10 GeV^2 from inclusive scattering of polarized electrons by polarized protons, deuterons and 3He, for the region in which the integral is dominated by nucleon resonances. These data bridge the domains of the hadronic and partonic descriptions of the nucleon. In combination with earlier measurements at higher Q^2, we extract the non-singlet twist-4 matrix element f_2.Comment: Quoted world data updated. Minor change in some results, Minor rephrasin

Emerging properties of financial time series in the “Game of Life”

We explore the spatial complexity of Conway’s “Game of Life,” a prototypical cellular automaton by means of a geometrical procedure generating a two-dimensional random walk from a bidimensional lattice with periodical boundaries. The one-dimensional projection of this process is analyzed and it turns out that some of its statistical properties resemble the so-called stylized facts observed in financial time series. The scope and meaning of this result are discussed from the viewpoint of complex systems. In particular, we stress how the supposed peculiarities of financial time series are, often, overrated in their importance

Studies on the phytoplankton of the deep subalpine Lake Iseo

This paper reports the results of investigations carried out on the chemical characteristics and phytoplankton community of Lake Iseo. Samplings were performed on a monthly basis from 1998 to 2000. At least three main algal groups dominated the community throughout the study period. The large Bacillariophyceae were dominant mainly during late winter and early spring (Aulacoseira spp., Melosira varians, Asterionella formosa), with few species able to maintain occasional positive growth also during mid summer and/or autumn (Fragilaria crotonensis and Diatoma elongatum). The thermal stability of the water column and silica depletion were the main factors responsible for the decline of the large spring diatoms. The subsequent growth of Mougeotia sp. (Conjugatophyceae) was favoured by its lower sinking rate and resistance to increasing grazing pressure by the dominant copepods (Copidodiaptomus steueri) and cladocerans (Daphnia hyalina × galeata). Among the cyanobacteria, the greater development of Planktothrix rubescens in the autumn months, with conditions of vertical homogenisation and decreasing Zeu/Zmix ratios, was favoured by its ability to survive at low light irradiances. The temporal replacement of these three groups constitutes the main sequence of the annual phytoplankton succession in Lake Iseo. A large development of other algal groups was recorded only in one or two of the three study years (e.g. Dinophyceae and Chlorococcales). The changes observed in the annual phytoplankton development are discussed in the light of differences in the spring fertilisation of the waters, caused by differences in the depth of the layer involved in the late winter and spring vertical mixing

Guillain-barré Syndrome In The Elderly: Clinical, Electrophysiological, Therapeutic And Outcome Features

There are few papers devoted to geriatric Guillain-Barré (GBS) and many related issues remain unanswered. Objective: To describe clinical, electrophysiological and therapeutic features in this age. Method: Clinico-epidemiological data and therapy of GBS patients older than 60 years were reviewed. Hughes scores were used to quantify neurological deficit and define outcome. Results: Among 18 patients (mean age 64.8 years), 9 had evident prodrome and 80% noticed initially sensory-motor deficit. Demyelinating GBS was found in 8 and axonal in 6 subjects. There was one Miller-Fisher and 3 unclassified cases. Plasmapheresis (PFX) was single therapy in 12 patients and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in 2. Disability scores just before therapy were similar in both groups, so as short and long term outcome. Conclusion: Axonal GBS seems to be more frequent in the elderly and this may have prognostic implications. PFX and IVIg were suitable options, but complications were noticed with PFX. Prospective studies are needed to better understand and manage GBS in the elderly.633 B772775Kuwabara, S., Guillain-Barré syndrome: Epidemiology, pathophysiology and management (2004) Drugs, 64, pp. 597-610Hughes, R.A.C., Rees, J.H., Clinical and epidemiological features of Guillain-Barré syndrome (1997) J Infect Dis, 176 (SUPPL. 2), pp. S92-S98Hartung, H.P., Willison, H.J., Kieseier, B.C., Acute immunoinflammatory neuropathy: Update on Guillain-Barré syndrome (2002) Curr Opin Neurol, 15, pp. 571-577Efficiency of plasma exchange in Guillain-Barré syndrome: Role of replacement fluids (1987) Ann Neurol, 22, pp. 753-761Greenwood, R.J., Newsom Davis, J.M., Hughes, R.A.C., Controlled trial of plasma exchange in acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy (1984) Lancet, 1, pp. 877-879Osterman, P.O., Lundemo, G., Pirskanen, R., Beneficial effects of plasma exchange in acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy (1984) Lancet, 2, pp. 1296-1299Plasmapheresis and acute Guillain-Barré syndrome (1985) Neurology, 35, pp. 1096-1104Plasma exchange in Guillain-Barré syndrome: One-year follow-up (1992) Ann Neurol, 32, pp. 94-97Van Der Meché, F.G.A., Schmitz, P.I.M., A randomized trial comparing intravenous immune globulin and plasma exchange in Guillain-Barré syndrome (1992) N Engl J Med, 326, pp. 1123-1129Randomised trial of plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulin, and combined treatments in Guillain-Barré syndrome (1997) Lancet, 349, pp. 225-230Sridharan, G.V., Tallis, R.C., Gautam, P.C., Guillain-Barré syndrome in the elderly: A retrospective comparative study (1993) Gerontology, 39, pp. 170-175Winner, S.J., Evans, J.G., Guillain-Barré syndrome in Oxfordshire: Clinical features in relation to age (1993) Age Ageing, 22, pp. 164-170Yamashita, S., Morinaga, T., Matsumoto, K., Sakamoto, T., Kaku, N., Matsukura, S., Severe Guillain-Barré syndrome in aged patients: The effect of plasmapheresis (1992) Intern Med, 31, pp. 1313-1316Rana, S.S., Rana, S., Intravenous immunoglobulins versus plasmapheresis in older patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (1999) J Am Geriatr Soc, 47, pp. 1387-1388Asbury, A.K., Cornblath, D.R., Assessment of current diagnostic criteria for Guillain-Barré syndrome (1990) Ann Neurol, 27 (SUPPL.), pp. S21-S24Seneviratne, U., Guillain-Barré syndrome (2000) Postgrad Med J, 76, pp. 774-782Hughes, R.A.C., Newsom-Davis, J.M., Perkin, G.D., Pierce, J.M., Controlled trial of prednisolone in acute polyneuropathy (1978) Lancet, 2, pp. 750-753Rocha, M.S.G., Brucki, S.M.D., Carvalho, A.A.S., Lima, U.W.P., Epidemiologic features of Guillain-Barre syndrome in São Paulo, Brazil (2004) Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 62, pp. 33-37Van Der Meche, F.G., Visser, L.H., Jacobs, B.C., Endtz, H.P., Meulstee, J., Van Doom, P.A., Guillain-Barré syndrome: Multifactorial mechanisms versus defined subgroups (1997) J Infect Dis, 176 (SUPPL. 2), pp. S99-S102Sheth, R.D., Riggs, J.E., Hobbs, G.R., Gutmann, L., Age and Guillain-Barré syndrome severity (1996) Muscle Nerve, 19, pp. 375-377Dias-Tosta, E., Kuckelhaus, C.S., Guillain-Barre syndrome in a population less than 15 years old in Brazil (2002) Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 60, pp. 367-37

Flatness is a Criterion for Selection of Maximizing Measures

For a full shift with Np+1 symbols and for a non-positive potential, locally proportional to the distance to one of N disjoint full shifts with p symbols, we prove that the equilibrium state converges as the temperature goes to 0. The main result is that the limit is a convex combination of the two ergodic measures with maximal entropy among maximizing measures and whose supports are the two shifts where the potential is the flattest. In particular, this is a hint to solve the open problem of selection, and this indicates that flatness is probably a/the criterion for selection as it was conjectured by A.O. Lopes. As a by product we get convergence of the eigenfunction at the log-scale to a unique calibrated subaction