9,956 research outputs found
Noise and diffusion of particles obeying asymmetric exclusion processes
The relation between noise and Fick's diffusion coefficient in barrier
limited transport associated with hopping or tunneling mechanisms of particles
obeying the asymmetric simple exclusion processes (ASEP) is physically assessed
by Monte Carlo simulations. For a closed ring consisting of a large number of
barriers the diffusion coefficient is related explicitly to the current noise
thus revealing the existence of a generalized Nyquist-Einstein relation. Both
diffusion and noise are confirmed to decrease as the square root of the number
of barriers as a consequence of the correlation induced by ASEP. By contrast,
for an open linear chain of barriers the diffusion coefficient is found to be
no longer related to current noise. Here diffusion depends on particle
concentration but is independent of the number of barriers
Optimum frequency modulation receivers
Optimization of receivers for demodulating FM SIGNAL corrupted by Gaussian noise, and solution to maximum likelihood equatio
On the c-theorem in more than two dimensions
Several pieces of evidence have been recently brought up in favour of the
c-theorem in four and higher dimensions, but a solid proof is still lacking. We
present two basic results which could be useful for this search: i) the values
of the putative c-number for free field theories in any even dimension, which
illustrate some properties of this number; ii) the general form of three-point
function of the stress tensor in four dimensions, which shows some physical
consequences of the c-number and of the other trace-anomaly numbers.Comment: Latex, 7 pages, 1 tabl
ATLAS RPC offline monitoring and data quality assessment
In this work several aspects of ATLAS RPC offline monitoring and data quality
assessment are illustrated with cosmics data selected by RPC trigger. These
correspond to trigger selection, front-end mapping, detection efficiency and
occupancy, which are studied in terms of low level quantities such as: RPC
off-line hits and standalone tracks. The tools and techniques presented are
also extended to the forthcoming LHC p-p beam collisions.Comment: Poster section at ICHEP08, Philadelphia, USA, July 2008. 3 pages,
LaTeX, 3 eps figure
WEIGHTBIT: An advancement in wearable technology
Wearable devices are becoming an important interface between users and fitness activities. Their capabilities are improving exponentially, and new strategies are being developed to track sports using sensors that are widely used in robotics. These wearable gadgets are normally created in conjunction with smartphone applications enabling the user to visualise the data and share it through social networks, or compete with other users. The technology behind these devices is often simple using sensors that can be found in a smartphone, such as GPS, accelerometer and gyroscope. However, there are currently no devices capable of measuring the gym activity of weight lifting. In this paper, we present WeightBit: a system consisting of technologically enhanced gym gloves, comprised of the aforementioned sensor’s as well as an additional weight sensor to detect weight and arm movements. Using this data in combination with a smartphone application, it will be possible to monitor a new series of sports activities with specific focus on weight training. Furthermore, the data collected by the application will enable broader research by medical researchers or institutions. The goal is to keep users focused and keen to live a healthy life, providing them a great tool to track their progress, and to develop a system that will allow medical institutions access to this data for further study
A geogenic approach for the Radon monitoring and the exposure assessment at a regional scale: The results of the Rad_Campania project
Abstract. The aim of this paper is to analyse and discuss the
results of the regional program Rad Campania for the monitoring and the
assessment of the radon risk. An innovative methodology, based on a geogenic
approach, was developed, supported by a comprehensive campaign of radon
measurement performed in soil gas, natural waters, drinking natural water
samples and indoor air. Data refer to field measurements carried out in
three provinces of the Campania Region (Italy): Salerno, Avellino and
Benevento. The programme was completed with the main purpose to investigate
the peculiarities of the radon issue at a provincial scale and to redact a
map of the radon potential from soil as a tool for authorities to recognise
critical areas ("Radon prone areas") to monitor. Since the experience
demonstrates that the high radon potential from soil is not indicative of
high indoor radon concentrations, in this paper the authors have tried to
identify a possible general correlation between geological features of the
soil and structural characteristics of the buildings, elaborating more in
depth all data collected. The main purpose is to categorize and analyse the
performance of different kind of construction, typical of the local area, in
order to develop, in a future work, an indicator of the building
performances as a useful tool, for authorities, to recognise constructions
potentially more exposed to high indoor radon activity concentrations.
Results and perspectives have been discussed
25th International Congress of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) Frankfurt, Germany, 14-17 June 2017 : Oral Presentations
Introduction: Ouyang has recently proposed hiatal surface area (HSA) calculation by multiplanar multislice computer tomography (MDCT) scan as a useful tool for planning treatment of hiatus defects with hiatal hernia (HH), with or without gastroesophageal reflux (MRGE). Preoperative upper endoscopy or barium swallow cannot predict the HSA and pillars conditions. Aim to asses the efficacy of MDCT’s calculation of HSA for planning the best approach for the hiatal defects treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 25 patients, candidates to laparoscopic antireflux surgery as primary surgery or hiatus repair concomitant with or after bariatric surgery. Patients were analyzed preoperatively and after one-year follow-up by MDCT scan measurement of esophageal hiatus surface. Five normal patients were enrolled as control group. The HSA’s intraoperative calculation was performed after complete dissection of the area considered a triangle. Postoperative CT-scan was done after 12 months or any time reflux symptoms appeared. Results: (1) Mean HSA in control patients with no HH, no MRGE was cm2 and similar in non-complicated patients with previous LSG and cruroplasty. (2) Mean HSA in patients candidates to cruroplasty was 7.40 cm2. (3) Mean HSA in patients candidates to redo cruroplasty for recurrence was 10.11 cm2. Discussion. MDCT scan offer the possibility to obtain an objective measurement of the HSA and the correlation with endoscopic findings and symptoms. The preoperative information allow to discuss with patients the proper technique when a HSA[5 cm2 is detected. During the follow-up a correlation between symptoms and failure of cruroplasty can be assessed. Conclusions: MDCT scan seems to be an effective non-invasive method to plan hiatal defect treatment and to check during the follow-up the potential recurrence. Future research should correlate in larger series imaging data with intraoperative findings
Eradication of Candida albicans persister cell biofilm by the membranotropic peptide gH625
Biofilm formation poses an important clinical trouble due to resistance to antimicrobial agents; therefore, there is an urgent demand for new antibiofilm strategies that focus on the use of alternative compounds also in combination with conventional drugs. Drug-tolerant persisters are present in Candida albicans biofilms and are detected following treatment with high doses of amphotericin B. In this study, persisters were found in biofilms treated with amphotericin B of two clinical isolate strains, and were capable to form a new biofilm in situ. We investigated the possibility of eradicating persister-derived biofilms from these two Candida albicans strains, using the peptide gH625 analogue (gH625-M). Confocal microscopy studies allowed us to characterize the persister-derived biofilm and understand the mechanism of interaction of gH625-M with the biofilm. These findings confirm that persisters may be responsible for Candida biofilm survival, and prove that gH625-M was very effective in eradicating persister-derived biofilms both alone and in combination with conventional antifungals, mainly strengthening the antibiofilm activity of fluconazole and 5-flucytosine. Our strategy advances our insights into the development of effective antibiofilm therapeutic approaches
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