2,395 research outputs found
Entropy production in phase field theories
Allen-Cahn (Ginzburg-Landau) dynamics for scalar fields with heat conduction
is treated in rigid bodies using a non-equilibrium thermodynamic framework with
weakly nonlocal internal variables. The entropy production and entropy flux is
calculated with the classical method of irreversible thermodynamics by
separating full divergences.Comment: 5 pages, no figure
Anomaly-Free Supersymmetric SO(2N+2)/U(N+1) sigma-Model Based on the SO(2N+1) Lie Algebra of the Fermion Operators
The extended supersymmetric (SUSY) sigma-model has been proposed on the bases
of SO(2N+1) Lie algebra spanned by fermion annihilation-creation operators and
pair operators. The canonical transformation, extension of an SO(2N) Bogoliubov
transformation to an SO(2N+1) group, is introduced. Embedding the SO(2N+1)
group into an SO(2N+2) group and using SO(2N+2)/U(N+1) coset variables, we have
investigated the SUSY sigma-model on the Kaehler manifold, the coset space
SO(2N+2)/U(N+1). We have constructed the Killing potential, extension of the
potential in the SO(2N)/U(N) coset space to that in the SO(2N+2)/U(N+1) coset
space. It is equivalent to the generalized density matrix whose diagonal-block
part is related to a reduced scalar potential with a Fayet-Ilipoulos term. The
f-deformed reduced scalar potential is optimized with respect to vacuum
expectation value of the sigma-model fields and a solution for one of the
SO(2N+1) group parameters has been obtained. The solution, however, is only a
small part of all solutions obtained from anomaly-free SUSY coset models. To
construct the coset models consistently, we must embed a coset coordinate in an
anomaly-free spinor representation (rep) of SO(2N+2) group and give
corresponding Kaehler and Killing potentials for an anomaly-free
SO(2N+2)/U(N+1) model based on each positive chiral spinor rep. Using such
mathematical manipulation we construct successfully the anomaly-free
SO(2N+2)/U(N+1) SUSY sigma-model and investigate new aspects which have never
been seen in the SUSY sigma-model on the Kaehler coset space SO(2N)/U(N). We
reach a f-deformed reduced scalar potential. It is minimized with respect to
the vacuum expectation value of anomaly-free SUSY sigma-model fields. Thus we
find an interesting f-deformed solution very different from the previous
solution for an anomaly-free SO(2.5+2)/(SU(5+1)*U(1)) SUSY sigma-model.Comment: 24 pages, no fiure
Latent atrophy factors related to phenotypical variants of posterior cortical atrophy
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether atrophy relates to phenotypical variants of posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) recently proposed in clinical criteria; dorsal, ventral, dominant-parietal and caudal, we assessed associations between latent atrophy factors and cognition. METHODS: We employed a data-driven Bayesian modelling framework based on latent Dirichlet allocation to identify latent atrophy factors in a multi-center cohort of 119 individuals with PCA (age:64±7, 38% male, MMSE:21±5, 71% amyloid-ÎČ-positive, 29% amyloid-ÎČ status unknown). The model uses standardized gray matter density images as input (adjusted for age, sex, intracranial volume, field-strength and whole-brain gray matter volume) and provides voxelwise probabilistic maps for a predetermined number of atrophy factors, allowing every individual to express each factor to a degree without a-priori classification. Individual factor expressions were correlated to four PCA-specific cognitive domains (object-perception, space-perception, non-visual/parietal functions and primary visual processing) using general linear models. RESULTS: The model revealed four distinct yet partially overlapping atrophy factors; right-dorsal, right-ventral, left-ventral, and limbic. We found that object-perception and primary visual processing were associated with atrophy that predominantly reflects the right-ventral factor. Furthermore, space-perception was associated with atrophy that predominantly represents the right-dorsal and right-ventral factors. However, individual participant profiles revealed that the vast majority expressed multiple atrophy factors and had mixed clinical profiles with impairments across multiple domains, rather than displaying a discrete clinical-radiological phenotype. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that particular brain-behavior networks are vulnerable in PCA, but most individuals display a constellation of affected brain-regions and symptoms, indicating that classification into four mutually exclusive variants is unlikely to be clinically useful
The AQUA-FONTIS study: protocol of a multidisciplinary, cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal study for developing standardized diagnostics and classification of non-thyroidal illness syndrome
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is a characteristic functional constellation of thyrotropic feedback control that frequently occurs in critically ill patients. Although this condition is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality, there is still controversy on whether NTIS is caused by artefacts, is a form of beneficial adaptation, or is a disorder requiring treatment. Trials investigating substitution therapy of NTIS revealed contradictory results. The comparison of heterogeneous patient cohorts may be the cause for those inconsistencies.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>Primary objective of this study is the identification and differentiation of different functional states of thyrotropic feedback control in order to define relevant evaluation criteria for the prognosis of affected patients. Furthermore, we intend to assess the significance of an innovative physiological index approach (SPINA) in differential diagnosis between NTIS and latent (so-called "sub-clinical") thyrotoxicosis.</p> <p>Secondary objective is observation of variables that quantify distinct components of NTIS in the context of independent predictors of evolution, survival or pathophysiological condition and influencing or disturbing factors like medication.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>The <b>a</b>pproach to a <b>qua</b>ntitative <b>f</b>ollow-up <b>o</b>f <b>n</b>on-<b>t</b>hyroidal <b>i</b>llness <b>s</b>yndrome (AQUA FONTIS study) is designed as both a cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal observation trial in critically ill patients. Patients are observed in at least two evaluation points with consecutive assessments of thyroid status, physiological and clinical data in additional weekly observations up to discharge. A second part of the study investigates the neuropsychological impact of NTIS and medium-term outcomes.</p> <p>The study design incorporates a two-module structure that covers a reduced protocol in form of an observation trial before patients give informed consent. Additional investigations are performed if and after patients agree in participation.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00591032</p
Beyond humanization and de-immunization: tolerization as a method for reducing the immunogenicity of biologics
Immune responses to some monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and biologic proteins interfere with their efficacy due to the development of anti-drug antibodies (ADA). In the case of mAbs, most ADA target âforeignâ sequences present in the complementarity determining regions (CDRs). Humanization of the mAb sequence is one approach that has been used to render biologics less foreign to the human immune system. However, fully human mAbs can also drive immunogenicity. De-immunization (removing epitopes) has been used to reduce biologic protein immunogenicity. Here, we discuss a third approach to reducing the immunogenicity of biologics: introduction of Treg epitopes that stimulate Treg function and induce tolerance to the biologic protein. Supplementing humanization (replacing xenosequences with human) and de-immunization (reducing T effector epitopes) with tolerization (introducing Treg epitopes) where feasible, as a means of improving biologics âquality by designâ, may lead to the development of ever more clinically effective, but less immunogenic, biologics
Maximum-Entropy Weighting of Multi-Component Earth Climate Models
A maximum entropy-based framework is presented for the synthesis of
projections from multiple Earth climate models. This identifies the most
representative (most probable) model from a set of climate models -- as defined
by specified constraints -- eliminating the need to calculate the entire set.
Two approaches are developed, based on individual climate models or ensembles
of models, subject to a single cost (energy) constraint or competing
cost-benefit constraints. A finite-time limit on the minimum cost of modifying
a model synthesis framework, at finite rates of change, is also reported.Comment: Inspired by discussions at the Mathematical and Statistical
Approaches to Climate Modelling and Prediction workshop, Isaac Newton
Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge, UK, 11 Aug. to 22 Dec. 2010.
Accepted for publication in Climate Dynamics, 8 August 201
Lorentz violation, Gravity, Dissipation and Holography
We reconsider Lorentz Violation (LV) at the fundamental level. We show that
Lorentz Violation is intimately connected with gravity and that LV couplings in
QFT must always be fields in a gravitational sector. Diffeomorphism invariance
must be intact and the LV couplings transform as tensors under coordinate/frame
changes. Therefore searching for LV is one of the most sensitive ways of
looking for new physics, either new interactions or modifications of known
ones. Energy dissipation/Cerenkov radiation is shown to be a generic feature of
LV in QFT. A general computation is done in strongly coupled theories with
gravity duals. It is shown that in scale invariant regimes, the energy
dissipation rate depends non-triviallly on two characteristic exponents, the
Lifshitz exponent and the hyperscaling violation exponent.Comment: LateX, 51 pages, 9 figures. (v2) References and comments added.
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