1,066 research outputs found
Scaling properties in the production range of shear dominated flows
Recent developments in turbulence are focused on the effect of large scale
anisotropy on the small scale statistics of velocity increments. According to
Kolmogorov, isotropy is recovered in the large Reynolds number limit as the
scale is reduced and, in the so-called inertial range, universal features
-namely the scaling exponents of structure functions - emerge clearly. However
this picture is violated in a number of cases, typically in the high shear
region of wall bounded flows. The common opinion ascribes this effect to the
contamination of the inertial range by the larger anisotropic scales, i.e. the
residual anisotropy is assumed as a weak perturbation of an otherwise isotropic
dynamics. In this case, given the rotational invariance of the Navier-Stokes
equations, the isotropic component of the structure functions keeps the same
exponents of isotropic turbulence. This kind of reasoning fails when the
anisotropic effects are strong as in the production range of shear dominated
flows. This regime is analyzed here by means of both numerical and experimental
data for a homogeneous shear flow. A well defined scaling behavior is found to
exist, with exponents which differ substantially from those of classical
isotropic turbulence. Contrary to what predicted by the perturbation approach,
such a deep alteration concerns the isotropic sector itself. The general
validity of these results is discussed in the context of turbulence near solid
walls, where more appropriate closure models for the coarse grained
Navier-Stokes equations would be advisable.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Euclidean Supersymmetry, Twisting and Topological Sigma Models
We discuss two dimensional N-extended supersymmetry in Euclidean signature
and its R-symmetry. For N=2, the R-symmetry is SO(2)\times SO(1,1), so that
only an A-twist is possible. To formulate a B-twist, or to construct Euclidean
N=2 models with H-flux so that the target geometry is generalised Kahler, it is
necessary to work with a complexification of the sigma models. These issues are
related to the obstructions to the existence of non-trivial twisted chiral
superfields in Euclidean superspace.Comment: 8 page
Generalized structures of N=1 vacua
We characterize N=1 vacua of type II theories in terms of generalized complex
structure on the internal manifold M. The structure group of T(M) + T*(M) being
SU(3) x SU(3) implies the existence of two pure spinors Phi_1 and Phi_2. The
conditions for preserving N=1 supersymmetry turn out to be simple
generalizations of equations that have appeared in the context of N=2 and
topological strings. They are (d + H wedge) Phi_1=0 and (d + H wedge) Phi_2 =
F_RR. The equation for the first pure spinor implies that the internal space is
a twisted generalized Calabi-Yau manifold of a hybrid complex-symplectic type,
while the RR-fields serve as an integrability defect for the second.Comment: 21 pages. v2, v3: minor changes and correction
Multi-mode TES bolometer optimization for the LSPE-SWIPE instrument
In this paper we explore the possibility of using transition edge sensor
(TES) detectors in multi-mode configuration in the focal plane of the Short
Wavelength Instrument for the Polarization Explorer (SWIPE) of the
balloon-borne polarimeter Large Scale Polarization Explorer (LSPE) for the
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarization. This study is motivated by the
fact that maximizing the sensitivity of TES bolometers, under the augmented
background due to the multi-mode design, requires a non trivial choice of
detector parameters. We evaluate the best parameter combination taking into
account scanning strategy, noise constraints, saturation power and operating
temperature of the cryostat during the flight.Comment: in Journal of Low Temperature Physics, 05 January 201
Numerical relativity for D dimensional axially symmetric space-times: formalism and code tests
The numerical evolution of Einstein's field equations in a generic background
has the potential to answer a variety of important questions in physics: from
applications to the gauge-gravity duality, to modelling black hole production
in TeV gravity scenarios, analysis of the stability of exact solutions and
tests of Cosmic Censorship. In order to investigate these questions, we extend
numerical relativity to more general space-times than those investigated
hitherto, by developing a framework to study the numerical evolution of D
dimensional vacuum space-times with an SO(D-2) isometry group for D\ge 5, or
SO(D-3) for D\ge 6.
Performing a dimensional reduction on a (D-4)-sphere, the D dimensional
vacuum Einstein equations are rewritten as a 3+1 dimensional system with source
terms, and presented in the Baumgarte, Shapiro, Shibata and Nakamura (BSSN)
formulation. This allows the use of existing 3+1 dimensional numerical codes
with small adaptations. Brill-Lindquist initial data are constructed in D
dimensions and a procedure to match them to our 3+1 dimensional evolution
equations is given. We have implemented our framework by adapting the LEAN code
and perform a variety of simulations of non-spinning black hole space-times.
Specifically, we present a modified moving puncture gauge which facilitates
long term stable simulations in D=5. We further demonstrate the internal
consistency of the code by studying convergence and comparing numerical versus
analytic results in the case of geodesic slicing for D=5,6.Comment: 31 pages, 6 figures; v2 Minor changes and added two references.
Matches the published version in PRD
Topological twisted sigma model with H-flux revisited
In this paper we revisit the topological twisted sigma model with H-flux. We
explicitly expand and then twist the worldsheet Lagrangian for bi-Hermitian
geometry. we show that the resulting action consists of a BRST exact term and
pullback terms, which only depend on one of the two generalized complex
structures and the B-field. We then discuss the topological feature of the
model.Comment: 16 pages. Appendix adde
Longstanding Endobronchial Foreign Body
There are many circumstances in which the diagnosis of endobronchial inhalation of a foreign body (FB) can be missed. Generally, in such cases, within weeks or at most months from the event, clinical bronchopulmonary symptoms develop which allow a correct diagnosis to be made and significant complications to be avoided. We report the case of a patient in whom an endobronchial FB remained undiagnosed, because of lack of symptoms, for almost three years, and then caused signifiicant complications before being identified and removed. Problems related to diagnosis and therapy are discussed
Modeling the iron oxides and oxyhydroxides for the prediction of environmentally sensitive phase transformations
Iron oxides and oxyhydroxides are challenging to model computationally as
competing phases may differ in formation energies by only several kJ/mol, they
undergo magnetization transitions with temperature, their structures may
contain partially occupied sites or long-range ordering of vacancies, and some
loose structures require proper description of weak interactions such as
hydrogen bonding and dispersive forces. If structures and transformations are
to be reliably predicted under different chemical conditions, each of these
challenges must be overcome simultaneously, while preserving a high level of
numerical accuracy and physical sophistication. Here we present comparative
studies of structure, magnetization, and elasticity properties of iron oxides
and oxyhydroxides using density functional theory calculations with plane-wave
and locally-confined-atomic-orbital basis sets, which are implemented in VASP
and SIESTA packages, respectively. We have selected hematite, maghemite,
goethite, lepidocrocite, and magnetite as model systems from a total of 13
known iron oxides and oxyhydroxides; and use same convergence criteria and
almost equivalent settings in order to make consistent comparisons. Our results
show both basis sets can reproduce the energetic stability and magnetic
ordering, and are in agreement with experimental observations. There are
advantages to choosing one basis set over the other, depending on the intended
focus. In our case, we find the method using PW basis set most appropriate, and
combine our results to construct the first phase diagram of iron oxides and
oxyhydroxides in the space of competing chemical potentials, generated entirely
from first principlesComment: 46 pages - Accepted for publication in PRB (19 journal pages),
January 201
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress caused by cryopreservation in reproductive cells
Mitochondria, fundamental organelles in cell metabolism, and ATP synthesis are respon-sible for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium homeostasis, and cell death. Mitochon-dria produce most ROS, and when levels exceed the antioxidant defenses, oxidative stress (OS) is generated. These changes may eventually impair the electron transport chain, resulting in decreased ATP synthesis, increased ROS production, altered mitochondrial membrane permeability, and dis-ruption of calcium homeostasis. Mitochondria play a key role in the gamete competence to facilitate normal embryo development. However, iatrogenic factors in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may affect their functional competence, leading to an abnormal reproductive outcome. Cry-opreservation, a fundamental technology in ART, may compromise mitochondrial function leading to elevated intracellular OS that decreases sperm and oocytes’ competence and the dynamics of fertilization and embryo development. This article aims to review the role played by mitochondria and ROS in sperm and oocyte function and the close, biunivocal relationships between mitochon-drial damage and ROS generation during cryopreservation of gametes and gonadal tissues in different species. Based on current literature, we propose tentative hypothesis of mechanisms involved in cryopreservation-associated mitochondrial dysfunction in gametes, and discuss the role played by antioxidants and other agents to retain the competence of cryopreserved reproductive cells and tissues
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