2,245 research outputs found
The hidden burden of adult allergic rhinitis : UK healthcare resource utilisation survey
Funding Funding for this survey was provided by Meda Pharma.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Direct evidence for ferroelectric polar distortion in ultrathin lead titanate perovskite films
X-ray photoelectron diffraction is used to directly probe the intra-cell
polar atomic distortion and tetragonality associated with ferroelectricity in
ultrathin epitaxial PbTiO3 films. Our measurements, combined with ab-initio
calculations, unambiguously demonstrate non-centro-symmetry in films a few unit
cells thick, imply that films as thin as 3 unit cells still preserve a
ferroelectric polar distortion, and also show that there is no thick
paraelectric dead layer at the surface
Confluence of geodesic paths and separating loops in large planar quadrangulations
We consider planar quadrangulations with three marked vertices and discuss
the geometry of triangles made of three geodesic paths joining them. We also
study the geometry of minimal separating loops, i.e. paths of minimal length
among all closed paths passing by one of the three vertices and separating the
two others in the quadrangulation. We concentrate on the universal scaling
limit of large quadrangulations, also known as the Brownian map, where pairs of
geodesic paths or minimal separating loops have common parts of non-zero
macroscopic length. This is the phenomenon of confluence, which distinguishes
the geometry of random quadrangulations from that of smooth surfaces. We
characterize the universal probability distribution for the lengths of these
common parts.Comment: 48 pages, 33 color figures. Final version, with one concluding
paragraph and one reference added, and several other small correction
Multicritical continuous random trees
We introduce generalizations of Aldous' Brownian Continuous Random Tree as
scaling limits for multicritical models of discrete trees. These discrete
models involve trees with fine-tuned vertex-dependent weights ensuring a k-th
root singularity in their generating function. The scaling limit involves
continuous trees with branching points of order up to k+1. We derive explicit
integral representations for the average profile of this k-th order
multicritical continuous random tree, as well as for its history distributions
measuring multi-point correlations. The latter distributions involve
non-positive universal weights at the branching points together with fractional
derivative couplings. We prove universality by rederiving the same results
within a purely continuous axiomatic approach based on the resolution of a set
of consistency relations for the multi-point correlations. The average profile
is shown to obey a fractional differential equation whose solution involves
hypergeometric functions and matches the integral formula of the discrete
approach.Comment: 34 pages, 12 figures, uses lanlmac, hyperbasics, eps
First experimental demonstration of temporal hypertelescope operation with a laboratory prototype
In this paper, we report the first experimental demonstration of a Temporal
HyperTelescope (THT). Our breadboard including 8 telescopes is firstly tested
in a manual cophasing configuration on a 1D object. The Point Spread Function
(PSF) is measured and exhibits a dynamics in the range of 300. A quantitative
analysis of the potential biases demonstrates that this limitation is related
to the residual phase fluctuation on each interferometric arm. Secondly, an
unbalanced binary star is imaged demonstrating the imaging capability of THT.
In addition, 2D PSF is recorded even if the telescope array is not optimized
for this purpose.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 11 pages, 25 figure
Loop models on random maps via nested loops: case of domain symmetry breaking and application to the Potts model
We use the nested loop approach to investigate loop models on random planar
maps where the domains delimited by the loops are given two alternating colors,
which can be assigned different local weights, hence allowing for an explicit
Z_2 domain symmetry breaking. Each loop receives a non local weight n, as well
as a local bending energy which controls loop turns. By a standard cluster
construction that we review, the Q = n^2 Potts model on general random maps is
mapped to a particular instance of this problem with domain-non-symmetric
weights. We derive in full generality a set of coupled functional relations for
a pair of generating series which encode the enumeration of loop configurations
on maps with a boundary of a given color, and solve it by extending well-known
complex analytic techniques. In the case where loops are fully-packed, we
analyze in details the phase diagram of the model and derive exact equations
for the position of its non-generic critical points. In particular, we
underline that the critical Potts model on general random maps is not self-dual
whenever Q \neq 1. In a model with domain-symmetric weights, we also show the
possibility of a spontaneous domain symmetry breaking driven by the bending
energy.Comment: 44 pages, 13 figure
Treatment trends in allergic rhinitis and asthma: a British ENT survey
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Allergic Rhinitis is a common Ear, Nose and Throat disorder. Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis are diseases with similar underlying mechanism and pathogenesis. The aim of this survey was to highlight current treatment trends for Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A questionnaire was emailed to all registered consultant members of the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons regarding the management of patients with Allergic Rhinitis and related disorders.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Survey response rate was 56%. The results indicate a various approach in the investigation and management of Allergic Rhinitis compatible with recommendations from the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma guidelines in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A combined management approach for patients with Allergic Rhinitis and concomitant Asthma may reduce medical treatment costs for these conditions and improve symptom control and quality of life.</p
Clinical and biological heterogeneity in children with moderate asthma
To evaluate the relationship between inflammatory markers and severity of asthma in children, the amount of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) released by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, exhaled nitric oxide (FE NO) levels, p65 nuclear factor-kappaB subunit, and phosphorylated IkBalpha expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assessed in six control subjects, 12 steroid-naives subjects with intermittent asthma, and 17 children with moderate asthma. To investigate their predictive value, biomarker levels were correlated with the number of exacerbations during a 18-month follow-up period. We found that GM-CSF release was higher in moderate and intermittent asthmatics than in control subjects, whereas IL-8 release was higher in moderate than in intermittent asthmatics and control subjects. FE NO levels were similar among study groups. In moderate asthmatics, IL-8, GM-CSF, and FE NO significantly correlated with the exacerbation numbers. Moreover, p65 and phosphorylated IkBalpha levels were greater in moderate than in intermittent asthmatics and control subjects. According to GM-CSF, IL-8, and FE NO levels, two distinct subgroups of moderate asthmatics (low and high producers) were identified. High producers experienced more exacerbations than low producers. This study shows ongoing inflammation associated with biological and clinical heterogeneity in moderate asthmatics despite regular treatment and proposes that large prospective studies confirm the importance of biomarkers to assess inflammation and asthma control in children with asthma
Supportive networks among companies: Key factors of success and failure
The role of entrepreneurial networks in the development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the associated entrepreneurial activities are a core topic in both the networks and IMP literature. However the effectiveness of these networks remains little understood. This paper investigates a specific form of formal entrepreneurial network: the supportive networks among companies. More precisely, it seeks to identify the key factors of success and failure of these networks in their actions to support small and new business development by focusing on the interactions between the three categories of actors embedded in these networks. Eleven case studies were undertaken focusing on three French supportive networks between companies. The results showed that convergent interests - altruistic as well as economic - shared both between and within companies is the overarching reason why supportive action succeeds. We also found that interactions driven by non-trading interests contribute favourably to the development of the dynamics of these networks
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