122 research outputs found
From one- to two-dimensional solitons in the Ginzburg-Landau model of lasers with frequency selective feedback
We use the cubic complex Ginzburg-Landau equation coupled to a dissipative
linear equation as a model of lasers with an external frequency-selective
feedback. It is known that the feedback can stabilize the one-dimensional (1D)
self-localized mode. We aim to extend the analysis to 2D stripe-shaped and
vortex solitons. The radius of the vortices increases linearly with their
topological charge, , therefore the flat-stripe soliton may be interpreted
as the vortex with , while vortex solitons can be realized as stripes
bent into rings. The results for the vortex solitons are applicable to a broad
class of physical systems. There is a qualitative agreement between our results
and those recently reported for models with saturable nonlinearity.Comment: Submitted to PR
Postural evaluation and balance analysis in nordic skiing beginners
Se trata de un estudio de diseño transversal con evaluación del control
postural antes-después de un curso de iniciación al esquí nórdico (5 jornadas,
6h/día), a un grupo experimental de 25 sujetos, participantes de la formación, y
un grupo control de 8 sujetos. Se pretende evaluar el efecto de un entrenamiento
inicial de esquí nórdico sobre el control postural en jóvenes deportistas. La
estabilidad corporal se evaluó por medio de un test estabilométrico, calculando
el área de desviación del centro de presiones por medio de una plataforma de
fuerzas con sensores electrónicos. No se aprecian diferencias significativas en
el grado de mejora del equilibrio entre el grupo experimental y el grupo control.
Nuevos estudios con una mayor exigencia en la formación en esquí nórdico y un
mayor número de sujetos en el grupo control son requeridosCross-sectional study with evaluation of postural control before and after a
course of initiation to Nordic skiing (5 days, 6 hours per day). The sample
consisted of an experimental group of 25 subjects participated in the training
and a control group of 8 subjects. It is intended to evaluate the effect of initial
training of Nordic skiing on postural control in young athletes. The physical
stability was evaluated by a stabilometric test, calculating the deviation of the
area of the center of pressures by the use of a force platform with electronic
sensors. No significant differences were observed in the degree of improvement
of the balance between the experimental group and the control group. New
studies with a greater emphasis on training in Nordic skiing and a greater
number of subjects in the control group are require
Stationary states and phase diagram for a model of the Gunn effect under realistic boundary conditions
A general formulation of boundary conditions for semiconductor-metal contacts
follows from a phenomenological procedure sketched here. The resulting boundary
conditions, which incorporate only physically well-defined parameters, are used
to study the classical unipolar drift-diffusion model for the Gunn effect. The
analysis of its stationary solutions reveals the presence of bistability and
hysteresis for a certain range of contact parameters. Several types of Gunn
effect are predicted to occur in the model, when no stable stationary solution
exists, depending on the value of the parameters of the injecting contact
appearing in the boundary condition. In this way, the critical role played by
contacts in the Gunn effect is clearly stablished.Comment: 10 pages, 6 Post-Script figure
Effects of a localized beam on the dynamics of excitable cavity solitons
We study the dynamical behavior of dissipative solitons in an optical cavity
filled with a Kerr medium when a localized beam is applied on top of the
homogeneous pumping. In particular, we report on the excitability regime that
cavity solitons exhibits which is emergent property since the system is not
locally excitable. The resulting scenario differs in an important way from the
case of a purely homogeneous pump and now two different excitable regimes, both
Class I, are shown. The whole scenario is presented and discussed, showing that
it is organized by three codimension-2 points. Moreover, the localized beam can
be used to control important features, such as the excitable threshold,
improving the possibilities for the experimental observation of this
phenomenon.Comment: 9 Pages, 12 figure
Stochastic Resonance in Noisy Non-Dynamical Systems
We have analyzed the effects of the addition of external noise to
non-dynamical systems displaying intrinsic noise, and established general
conditions under which stochastic resonance appears. The criterion we have
found may be applied to a wide class of non-dynamical systems, covering
situations of different nature. Some particular examples are discussed in
detail.Comment: 4 pages, RevTex, 3 PostScript figures available upon reques
Relation for the nonequilibrium population of the interface states: effects on the bias dependence of the ideality factors
By an analysis of the exchange of carriers through a semiconductor junction, a general relationship for the nonequilibrium population of the interface states in Schottky barrier diodes has been derived. Based on this relationship, an analytical expression for the ideality factor valid in the whole range of applied bias has been given. This quantity exhibits two different behaviours depending on the value of the applied bias with respect to a critical voltage. This voltage, which depends on the properties of the interfacial layer, constitutes a new parameter to complete the characterization of these junctions. A simple interpretation of the different behaviours of the ideality factor has been given in terms of the nonequilibrium charging properties of interface states, which in turn explains why apparently different approaches have given rise to similar results. Finally, the relevance of our results has been considered on the determination of the density of interface states from nonideal current-voltage characteristics and in the evaluation of the effects of the interfacial layer thickness in metal-insulator-semiconductor tunnelling diodes
Nanoscale dielectric microscopy of non-planar samples by lift-mode electrostatic force microscopy
PRAISE: providing a roadmap for automated infection surveillance in Europe
Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are among the most common adverse events of medical care. Surveillance of HAI is a key component of successful infection prevention programmes. Conventional surveillance - manual chart review - is resource intensive and limited by concerns regarding interrater reliability. This has led to the development and use of automated surveillance (AS). Many AS systems are the product of in-house development efforts and heterogeneous in their design and methods. With this roadmap, the PRAISE network aims to provide guidance on how to move AS from the research setting to large-scale implementation, and how to ensure the delivery of surveillance data that are uniform and useful for improvement of quality of care. Methods: The PRAISE network brings together 30 experts from ten European countries. This roadmap is based on the outcome of two workshops, teleconference meetings and review by an independent panel of international experts. Results: This roadmap focuses on the surveillance of HAI within networks of healthcare facilities for the purpose of comparison, prevention and quality improvement initiatives. The roadmap does the following: discusses the selection of surveillance targets, different organizational and methodologic approaches and their advantages, disadvantages and risks; defines key performance requirements of AS systems and suggestions for their design; provides guidance on successful implementation and maintenance; and discusses areas of future research and training requirements for the infection prevention and related disciplines. The roadmap is supported by accompanying documents regarding the governance and information technology aspects of implementing AS. Conclusions: Large-scale implementation of AS requires guidance and coordination within and across surveillance networks. Transitions to large-scale AS entail redevelopment of surveillance methods and their interpretation, intensive dialogue with stakeholders and the investment of considerable resources. This roadmap can be used to guide future steps towards implementation, including designing solutions for AS and practical guidance checklists
NF90 Binds the Dengue Virus RNA 3′ Terminus and is a Positive Regulator of Dengue Virus Replication
Background
Viral RNA translation and replication are regulated by sequence and structural elements in the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTR) and by host cell and/or viral proteins that bind them. Dengue virus has a single-stranded RNA genome with positive polarity, a 5′ m7GpppG cap, and a conserved 3′-terminal stem loop (SL) that is linked to proposed functions in viral RNA transcription and translation. Mechanisms explaining the contributions of host proteins to viral RNA translation and replication are poorly defined, yet understanding host protein-viral RNA interactions may identify new targets for therapeutic intervention. This study was directed at identifying functionally significant host proteins that bind the conserved dengue virus RNA 3′ terminus.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Proteins eluted from a dengue 3′ SL RNA affinity column at increasing ionic strength included two with double-strand RNA binding motifs (NF90/DRBP76 and DEAH box polypeptide 9/RNA helicase A (RHA)), in addition to NF45, which forms a heterodimer with NF90. Although detectable NF90 and RHA proteins localized to the nucleus of uninfected cells, immunofluorescence revealed cytoplasmic NF90 in dengue virus-infected cells, leading us to hypothesize that NF90 has a functional role(s) in dengue infections. Cells depleted of NF90 were used to quantify viral RNA transcript levels and production of infectious dengue virus. NF90 depletion was accompanied by a 50%-70% decrease in dengue RNA levels and in production of infectious viral progeny.
Conclusions/Significance
The results indicate that NF90 interacts with the 3′ SL structure of the dengue RNA and is a positive regulator of dengue virus replication. NF90 depletion diminished the production of infectious dengue virus by more than 50%, which may have important significance for identifying therapeutic targets to limit a virus that threatens more than a billion people worldwide.Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NIH-NRSA GM64985)UNCF-Merck Postdoctoral FellowshipNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.)Ellison Medical Foundatio
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