Model of Cluster Growth and Phase Separation: Exact Results in One Dimension

We present exact results for a lattice model of cluster growth in 1D. The growth mechanism involves interface hopping and pairwise annihilation supplemented by spontaneous creation of the stable-phase, +1, regions by overturning the unstable-phase, -1, spins with probability p. For cluster coarsening at phase coexistence, p=0, the conventional structure-factor scaling applies. In this limit our model falls in the class of diffusion-limited reactions A+A->inert. The +1 cluster size grows diffusively, ~t**(1/2), and the two-point correlation function obeys scaling. However, for p>0, i.e., for the dynamics of formation of stable phase from unstable phase, we find that structure-factor scaling breaks down; the length scale associated with the size of the growing +1 clusters reflects only the short-distance properties of the two-point correlations.Comment: 12 page

Analysis of fibrinogen A alpha-fusion proteins. Mutants which inhibit thrombin equivalently are not equally good substrates.

We have examined the interaction of thrombin with fibrinogen A alpha chain residues 7-16. Using genetically engineered constructions, we have synthesized in Escherichia coli a fibrinogen A alpha 1-50 fusion protein and seven mutant proteins with single amino acid substitutions. These are: Asp7----Ala, Phe8----Tyr, Glu11----Ala, Gly12----Val, Gly13----Val, Gly14----Val, and Arg16----Leu. Competitive immunoassay of cell lysates showed that all the mutations but one, Arg16----Leu, altered the structure of the protein such that cross-reactivity with the A alpha-specific monoclonal antibody, Y18, was significantly reduced. The fusion proteins were purified and analyzed as thrombin inhibitors and substrates. All the fusion proteins are competitive inhibitors of the amidolytic hydrolysis of Spectrozyme TH, a thrombin-specific chromogenic substrate, with inhibition constants corresponding to that for fibrinogen. We conclude that these 7 amino acid substitutions do not alter thrombin binding to the fusion proteins. The fusion proteins were tested as substrates by monitoring thrombin-dependent peptide release. The natural sequence and three mutants, Asp7----Ala, Glu11----Ala, and Gly14----Val, are good substrates. The other mutants are either poor substrates or are not cleaved by thrombin within A alpha 1-50. These results indicate that residues between Asp7 and Arg16 are critical to efficient peptide hydrolysis, whereas residues outside this region are critical to thrombin binding

Transport on Directed Percolation Clusters

We study random lattice networks consisting of resistor like and diode like bonds. For investigating the transport properties of these random resistor diode networks we introduce a field theoretic Hamiltonian amenable to renormalization group analysis. We focus on the average two-port resistance at the transition from the nonpercolating to the directed percolating phase and calculate the corresponding resistance exponent $\phi$ to two-loop order. Moreover, we determine the backbone dimension $D_B$ of directed percolation clusters to two-loop order. We obtain a scaling relation for $D_B$ that is in agreement with well known scaling arguments.Comment: 4 page

Stakeholders, collaboration, food, and wine: The case of Jumilla’s Gastronomic Days

An emerging literature on gastronomic events highlights the growing interest among academics, event organisers and development agencies in identifying potential or actual outcomes from gastronomic events. Partly in response to such interest, this study seeks to contribute to the literature on events management, studying the contribution of various stakeholders involved in the ‘Gastronomic Days’ of Jumilla, Spain. Semi-structured, face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted with the managers and owners of four participating businesses to the event. The data collection was complemented through on-site visits, observations, and interviews with eight other local businesses. The findings underline the significance of collaboration among these participants to grow and sustain the event, as well as voluntary efforts by event ‘stakeholders.’ Importantly, a common objective was identified in the form of enhancing the image of the local products, and overall that of the region, to ‘convert’ residents, and also outside consumers and tourists to Jumilla’s products. These findings have significant implications for Jumilla’s community. In particular, the importance and efforts of a region’s food stakeholders in contributing to adding value and improving the local food culture emerge as useful aspects, with potential benefits for local food growers, hospitality and tourism sectors, and residents

Factors associated with dental caries among institutionalized residents with schizophrenia in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Little research has been done on the relationship between dental caries and the personal characteristics of institutionalized residents diagnosed with schizophrenia. This study investigates the individual and treatment factors associated with the dental caries among institutionalized residents with schizophrenia in Taiwan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An oral health survey of institutionalized residents with schizophrenia in the largest public psychiatric hospital was conducted in Taiwan in 2006. Based on this data, multiple logistic analyses were used to determine the relationship between some explanatory variables and the outcome variables of dental caries among subjects with schizophrenia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 1,108 subjects with schizophrenia, age was the only variable independently associated with DMFT > 8 (OR = 7.74, 95% CI = 3.86-15.55, p < 0.001 in comparison to residents aged 65 + years vs. 20-44 years; OR = 3.06, 95% CI = 2.03-4.61, p < 0.001 in comparison to residents aged 55-64 years vs. 20-44 years) after making adjustments for other explanatory variables. In addition, those with an education of only elementary school (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.08-2.56, p = 0.021), low income (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.02-2.44, p = 0.039), and length of stay (LOS) of > 10 years (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.30-3.37, p = 0.002) were associated with a care index < 54.7%. Older age, lower educational level, and longer hospital stays were associated with number of remaining teeth being < 24.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Aging was the most important factor related to a high level of dental caries. Low educational level, low income, and LOS were also associated with the indicators of dental caries among institutionalized subjects with schizophrenia. It is necessary to address the treatment factors such as prolonged stay in institutions when decision-makers are planning for preventive strategies of oral health for institutionalized residents with schizophrenia.</p

Dietary behavior and knowledge of dental erosion among Chinese adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>To study the dietary behavior and knowledge about dental erosion and self-reported symptoms that can be related to dental erosion among Chinese adults in Hong Kong.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Chinese adults aged 25-45 years were randomly selected from a list of registered telephone numbers generated by computer. A telephone survey was administered to obtain information on demographic characteristics, dietary habits, dental visits, and knowledge of and presence of self-reported symptoms that can be related to dental erosion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 520 participants were interviewed (response rate, 75%; sampling error, ± 4.4%) and their mean age was 37. Most respondents (79%) had ever had caries, and about two thirds (64%) attended dental check-ups at least once a year. Respondents had a mean of 5.4 meals per day and 36% had at least 6 meals per day. Fruit (89%) and lemon tea/water (41%) were the most commonly consumed acidic food and beverage. When asked if they ever noticed changes in their teeth, most respondents (92%) said they had experienced change that can be related to erosion. However, many (71%) had never heard about dental erosion and 53% mixed up dental erosion with dental caries.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Hong Kong Chinese adults have frequent intake of food and many have experienced symptoms that can be related to dental erosion. Their level of awareness of and knowledge about dental erosion is generally low, despite most of them have regular dental check-ups. Dental health education is essential to help the public understand dental erosion and its damaging effects.</p

Design of experiments to study the impact of process parameters on droplet size and development of non-invasive imaging techniques in tablet coating

Atomisation of an aqueous solution for tablet film coating is a complex process with multiple factors determining droplet formation and properties. The importance of droplet size for an efficient process and a high quality final product has been noted in the literature, with smaller droplets reported to produce smoother, more homogenous coatings whilst simultaneously avoiding the risk of damage through over-wetting of the tablet core. In this work the effect of droplet size on tablet film coat characteristics was investigated using X-ray microcomputed tomography (XμCT) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). A quality by design approach utilising design of experiments (DOE) was used to optimise the conditions necessary for production of droplets at a small (20 μm) and large (70 μm) droplet size. Droplet size distribution was measured using real-time laser diffraction and the volume median diameter taken as a response. DOE yielded information on the relationship three critical process parameters: pump rate, atomisation pressure and coating-polymer concentration, had upon droplet size. The model generated was robust, scoring highly for model fit (R2 = 0.977), predictability (Q2 = 0.837), validity and reproducibility. Modelling confirmed that all parameters had either a linear or quadratic effect on droplet size and revealed an interaction between pump rate and atomisation pressure. Fluidised bed coating of tablet cores was performed with either small or large droplets followed by CLSM and XμCT imaging. Addition of commonly used contrast materials to the coating solution improved visualisation of the coating by XμCT, showing the coat as a discrete section of the overall tablet. Imaging provided qualitative and quantitative evidence revealing that smaller droplets formed thinner, more uniform and less porous film coats

Digital strategies to a local cultural tourism development: Project e-Carnide

Digital humanities and smart economy strategies are being seen as an important link between tourism and cultural heritage, as they may contribute to differentiate the audiences and to provide different approaches. Carnide is a peripheral neighbourhood of Lisbon with an elderly population, visible traces of rurality, and strong cultural and religious traditions. The academic project e-Carnide concerns its tangible and intangible cultural heritage and the data dissemination through a website and a mobile app, with textual and visual information. The project aims to analyse the impact of technological solutions on cultural tourism development in a sub-region, involving interdisciplinary research in heritage, history of art, ethnography, design communication and software engineering and the collaboration between the university and local residents in a dynamic and innovative way. Framed by a theoretical approach about the role of smart economy for the cultural tourism development in peripheral areas, this paper focuses on a case study, dealing with documents, interviews and observations, in order to understand how the e-Carnide project evolves. The study comprises an analysis about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) of the project in view to realize its social and cultural implications and to appreciate how it can be applied in other similar and enlarged projects. Results of the research indicates that the new technological strategies can promote the involvement of the population in the knowledge of its own heritage as a factor of cultural and creative tourism development centred on an authentic and immersive experience of the places