Monte Carlo Study of the Inflation-Deflation Transition in a Fluid Membrane

We study the conformation and scaling properties of a self-avoiding fluid membrane, subject to an osmotic pressure $p$, by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Using finite size scaling methods in combination with a histogram reweighting techniques we find that the surface undergoes an abrupt conformational transition at a critical pressure $p^\ast$, from low pressure deflated configurations with a branched polymer characteristics to a high pressure inflated phase, in agreement with previous findings \cite{gompper,baum}. The transition pressure $p^{\ast}$ scales with the system size as $p^\ast \propto N^{-\alpha}$, with $\alpha = 0.69 \pm 0.01$. Below $p^\ast$ the enclosed volume scales as $V \propto N$, in accordance with the self-avoiding branched polymer structure, and for $p\searrow p^{\ast}$ our data are consistent with the finite size scaling form $V \propto N^{\beta_{+}}$, where $\beta_{+} = 1.43 \pm 0.04$. Also the finite size scaling behavior of the radii of gyration and the compressibility moduli are obtained. Some of the observed exponents and the mechanism behind the conformational collapse are interpreted in terms of a Flory theory.Comment: 20 pages + postscript-file, Latex + Postscript, IFA Report No. 94/1

FPGA basierte, konfigurierbare OFDM Sender-Plattform für die Positionsbestimmung mittels TDoA

Für die Evaluierung von Algorithmen zur Positionsbestimmung nach dem Time Difference of Arrival – Verfahren wird eine frei konfigurierbare OFDM Sender-Plattform benötigt. Da die Berechnung in Echtzeit erfolgen soll, ist eine Implementierung in rekonfigurierbarer Hardware (FPGA) erforderlich. Das Manuskript gibt sowohl einen Überblick über die Hintergründe und die Architektur des Sendesystems, als auch einen tieferen Einblick in verschiedene Lösungsdetails

The Dynamic Exponent of the Two-Dimensional Ising Model and Monte Carlo Computation of the Sub-Dominant Eigenvalue of the Stochastic Matrix

We introduce a novel variance-reducing Monte Carlo algorithm for accurate determination of autocorrelation times. We apply this method to two-dimensional Ising systems with sizes up to $15 \times 15$, using single-spin flip dynamics, random site selection and transition probabilities according to the heat-bath method. From a finite-size scaling analysis of these autocorrelation times, the dynamical critical exponent $z$ is determined as $z=2.1665$ (12)

Nonequilibrium relaxation of the two-dimensional Ising model: Series-expansion and Monte Carlo studies

We study the critical relaxation of the two-dimensional Ising model from a fully ordered configuration by series expansion in time t and by Monte Carlo simulation. Both the magnetization (m) and energy series are obtained up to 12-th order. An accurate estimate from series analysis for the dynamical critical exponent z is difficult but compatible with 2.2. We also use Monte Carlo simulation to determine an effective exponent, z_eff(t) = - {1/8} d ln t /d ln m, directly from a ratio of three-spin correlation to m. Extrapolation to t = infinity leads to an estimate z = 2.169 +/- 0.003.Comment: 9 pages including 2 figure

Cerebral palsy and placental infection: a case-cohort study

BACKGROUND: The association between cerebral palsy in very preterm infants and clinical, histopathologic and microbiological indicators of chorioamnionitis, including the identification of specific micro-organisms in the placenta, was evaluated in a case-cohort study. METHODS: Children with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy at five years of age were identified from amongst participants in a long-term follow-up program of preterm infants. The comparison group was a subcohort of infants randomly selected from all infants enrolled in the program. The placentas were examined histopathologically for chorioamnionitis and funisitis, and the chorioamnionic interface was aseptically swabbed and comprehensively cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeast and genital mycoplasmas. Associations between obstetric and demographic variables, indicators of chorioamnionitis and cerebral palsy status were examined by univariate analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-two infants with cerebral palsy were compared with the subcohort of 207 infants. Threatened preterm labor was nearly twice as common among the cases as in the subcohort (p < 0.01). Recorded clinical choroamnionitis was similar in the two groups and there was no difference in histopathologic evidence of infection between the two groups. E. coli was cultured from the placenta in 6/30 (20%) of cases as compared with 4/85 (5%) of subcohort (p = 0.01). Group B Streptococcus was more frequent among the cases, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The association between E. coli in the chorioamnion and cerebral palsy in preterm infants identified in this study requires confirmation in larger multicenter studies which include microbiological study of placentas

Implicit learning of affective responses in dementia patients: a face-emotion-association paradigm

The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate an ecologically valid approach to assess implicit learning of affective responses in dementia patients. We designed a Face-Emotion-Association paradigm (FEA) that allows to quantify the influence of stimuli with positive and negative valence on affective responses. Two pictures of neutral male faces are rated on the dimensions of valence and arousal before and after aversive versus pleasant fictitious biographical information is paired with each of the pictures. At the second measurement time point, memory for pictures and biographical content is tested. The FEA was tested in 21 patients with dementia and 13 healthy controls. Despite severely impaired explicit memory, patients changed valence and arousal ratings according to the biographical content and did not differ in their ratings from the control group. The results demonstrate that our FEA paradigm is a valid instrument to investigate learning of affective responses in dementia patients

Iceberg topography and volume classification using TanDEM-X interferometry

Icebergs in polar regions affect water salinity, alter marine habitats, and impose serious hazards on maritime operations and navigation. These impacts mainly depend on the iceberg volume, which remains an elusive parameter to measure. We investigate the capability of TanDEM-X bistatic single-pass synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) to derive iceberg subaerial morphology and infer total volume. We cross-verify InSAR results with Operation IceBridge (OIB) data acquired near Wordie Bay, Antarctica, as part of the OIB/TanDEM-X Antarctic Science Campaign (OTASC). While icebergs are typically classified according to size based on length or maximum height, we develop a new volumetric classification approach for applications where iceberg volume is relevant. For icebergs with heights exceeding 5 m, we find iceberg volumes derived from TanDEM-X and OIB data match within 7 %. We also derive a range of possible iceberg keel depths relevant to grounding and potential impacts on subsea installations. These results suggest that TanDEM-X could pave the way for future single-pass interferometric systems for scientific and operational iceberg mapping and classification based on iceberg volume and keel depth

Heuristic derivation of continuum kinetic equations from microscopic dynamics

We present an approximate and heuristic scheme for the derivation of continuum kinetic equations from microscopic dynamics for stochastic, interacting systems. The method consists of a mean-field type, decoupled approximation of the master equation followed by the `naive' continuum limit. The Ising model and driven diffusive systems are used as illustrations. The equations derived are in agreement with other approaches, and consequences of the microscopic dependences of coarse-grained parameters compare favorably with exact or high-temperature expansions. The method is valuable when more systematic and rigorous approaches fail, and when microscopic inputs in the continuum theory are desirable.Comment: 7 pages, RevTeX, two-column, 4 PS figures include

Diagnostic value of MRI signs in differentiating Ewing sarcoma from osteomyelitis

Background: The value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs in differentiating Ewing sarcoma from osteomyelitis has not be thoroughly investigated. Purpose: To investigate the value of various MRI signs in differentiating Ewing sarcoma from osteomyelitis. Material and Methods: Forty-one patients who underwent MRI because of a bone lesion of unknown nature with a differential diagnosis that included both Ewing sarcoma and osteomyelitis were included. Two observers assessed several MRI signs, including the transition zone of the bone lesion, the presence of a soft-tissue mass, intramedullary and extramedullary fat globules, and the penumbra sign. Results: Diagnostic accuracies for discriminating Ewing sarcoma from osteomyelitis were 82.4% and 79.4% for the presence of a soft-tissue mass, and 64.7% and 58.8% for a sharp transition zone of the bone lesion, for readers 1 and 2 respectively. Inter-observer agreement with regard to the presence of a soft-tissue mass and the transition zone of the bone lesion were moderate (κ = 0.470) and fair (κ = 0.307), respectively. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the diameter of the soft-tissue mass (if present) were 0.829 and 0.833, for readers 1 and 2 respectively. Mean inter-observer difference in soft-tissue mass diameter measurement ± limits of agreement was 35.0 ± 75.0 mm. Diagnostic accuracies of all other MRI signs were all < 50%. Conclusion: Presence and size of a soft-tissue mass, and sharpness of the transition zone, are useful MRI signs to differentiate Ewing sarcoma from osteomyelitis, but inter-observer agreement is relatively low. Other MRI signs are of no value in this setting