12,938 research outputs found
Universality in two-dimensional Kardar-Parisi-Zhang growth
We analyze simulations results of a model proposed for etching of a
crystalline solid and results of other discrete models in the 2+1-dimensional
Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) class. In the steady states, the moments W_n of
orders n=2,3,4 of the heights distribution are estimated. Results for the
etching model, the ballistic deposition (BD) model and the
temperature-dependent body-centered restricted solid-on-solid model (BCSOS)
suggest the universality of the absolute value of the skewness S = W_3 /
(W_2)^(3/2) and of the value of the kurtosis Q = W_4 / (W_2)^2 - 3. The sign of
the skewness is the same of the parameter \lambda of the KPZ equation which
represents the process in the continuum limit. The best numerical estimates,
obtained from the etching model, are |S| = 0.26 +- 0.01 and Q = 0.134 +- 0.015.
For this model, the roughness exponent \alpha = 0.383 +- 0.008 is obtained,
accounting for a constant correction term (intrinsic width) in the scaling of
the squared interface width. This value is slightly below previous estimates of
extensive simulations and rules out the proposal of the exact value \alpha=2/5.
The conclusion is supported by results for the ballistic deposition model.
Independent estimates of the dynamical exponent and of the growth exponent are
1.605 <= z <= 1.64 and \beta = 0.229 +- 0.005, respectively, which are
consistent with the relations \alpha + z = 2 and z = \alpha / \beta.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.
D-branes, KK-theory and duality on noncommutative spaces
We present a new categorical classification framework for D-brane charges on noncommutative manifolds using methods of bivariant K-theory. We describe several applications including an explicit formula for D-brane charge in cyclic homology, a refinement of open string T-duality, and a general criterion for cancellation of global worldsheet anomalies
Scaling behavior of self-avoiding walks on percolation clusters
The scaling behavior of self-avoiding walks (SAWs) on the backbone of
percolation clusters in two, three and four dimensions is studied by Monte
Carlo simulations. We apply the pruned-enriched Rosenbluth chain-growth method
(PERM). Our numerical results bring about the estimates of critical exponents,
governing the scaling laws of disorder averages of the end-to-end distance of
SAW configurations. The effects of finite-size scaling are discussed as well.Comment: 6 page
Cerebellar direct current stimulation enhances on-line motor skill acquisition through an effect on accuracy
The cerebellum is involved in the update of motor commands during error-dependent learning. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a form of noninvasive brain stimulation, has been shown to increase cerebellar excitability and improve learning in motor adaptation tasks. Although cerebellar involvement has been clearly demonstrated in adaptation paradigms, a type of task that heavily relies on error-dependent motor learning mechanisms, its role during motor skill learning, a behavior that likely involves errordependent as well as reinforcement and strategic mechanisms, is not completely understood. Here, in humans, we delivered cerebellar tDCS to modulate its activity during novel motor skill training over the course of 3 d and assessed gains during training (on-line effects), between days (off-line effects), and overall improvement. We found that excitatory anodal tDCS applied over the cerebellum increased skill learning relative to sham and cathodal tDCS specifically by increasing on-line rather than off-line learning. Moreover, the larger skill improvement in the anodal group was predominantly mediated by reductions in error rate rather than changes in movement time. These results have important implications for using cerebellar tDCS as an intervention to speed up motor skill acquisition and to improve motor skill accuracy, as well as to further our understanding of cerebellar function
Automated Classification of Breast Cancer Stroma Maturity from Histological Images
OBJECTIVE: The tumour microenvironment plays a crucial role in regulating tumour progression by a number of different mechanisms, in particular the remodelling of collagen fibres in tumour-associated stroma, which has been reported to be related to patient survival. The underlying motivation of this work is that remodelling of collagen fibres gives rise to observable patterns in Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stained slides from clinical cases of invasive breast carcinoma that the pathologist can label as mature or immature stroma. The aim of this paper is to categorise and automatically classify stromal regions according to their maturity and show that this classification agrees with that of skilled observers, hence providing a repeatable and quantitative measure for prognostic studies. METHODS: We use multi-scale Basic Image Features (BIF) and Local Binary Patterns (LBP), in combination with a random decision trees classifier for classification of breast cancer stroma regions-ofinterest (ROI). RESULTS: We present results from a cohort of 55 patients with analysis of 169 ROI. Our multi-scale approach achieved a classification accuracy of 84%. CONCLUSION: This work demonstrates the ability of texture-based image analysis to differentiate breast cancer stroma maturity in clinically acquired H&E stained slides at least as well as skilled observers
Large scale structure and the generalised Chaplygin gas as dark energy
The growth of large scale structure is studied in a universe containing both
cold dark matter (CDM) and generalized Chaplygin gas (GCg). GCg is assumed to
contribute only to the background evolution of the universe while the CDM
component collapses and forms structures. We present some new analytical as
well as numerical results for linear and non-linear growth in such model. The
model passes the standard cosmological distance test without the need of a
cosmological constant (LCDM). But we find that the scenario is severely
constrained by current observations of large scale structure. Any small
deviations of the GCg parameters away from the standard Lambda dominated
cosmology (LCDM) produces substantial suppression for the growth of structures.Comment: 6 pages, matches version accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.D (in
press
Universality, frustration and conformal invariance in two-dimensional random Ising magnets
We consider long, finite-width strips of Ising spins with randomly
distributed couplings. Frustration is introduced by allowing both ferro- and
antiferromagnetic interactions. Free energy and spin-spin correlation functions
are calculated by transfer-matrix methods. Numerical derivatives and
finite-size scaling concepts allow estimates of the usual critical exponents
, and to be obtained, whenever a second-order
transition is present. Low-temperature ordering persists for suitably small
concentrations of frustrated bonds, with a transition governed by pure--Ising
exponents. Contrary to the unfrustrated case, subdominant terms do not fit a
simple, logarithmic-enhancement form. Our analysis also suggests a vertical
critical line at and below the Nishimori point. Approaching this point along
either the temperature axis or the Nishimori line, one finds non-diverging
specific heats. A percolation-like ratio is found upon analysis of
the uniform susceptibility at the Nishimori point. Our data are also consistent
with frustration inducing a breakdown of the relationship between
correlation-length amplitude and critical exponents, predicted by conformal
invariance for pure systems.Comment: RevTeX code for 10 pages, 9 eps figures, to appear in Physical Review
B (September 1999
Simulation of Flow of Mixtures Through Anisotropic Porous Media using a Lattice Boltzmann Model
We propose a description for transient penetration simulations of miscible
and immiscible fluid mixtures into anisotropic porous media, using the lattice
Boltzmann (LB) method. Our model incorporates hydrodynamic flow, diffusion,
surface tension, and the possibility for global and local viscosity variations
to consider various types of hardening fluids. The miscible mixture consists of
two fluids, one governed by the hydrodynamic equations and one by diffusion
equations. We validate our model on standard problems like Poiseuille flow, the
collision of a drop with an impermeable, hydrophobic interface and the
deformation of the fluid due to surface tension forces. To demonstrate the
applicability to complex geometries, we simulate the invasion process of
mixtures into wood spruce samples.Comment: Submitted to EPJ
Scaling and finte-size-scaling in the two dimensional random-coupling Ising ferromagnet
It is shown by Monte Carlo method that the finite size scaling (FSS) holds in
the two dimensional random-coupled Ising ferromagnet. It is also demonstrated
that the form of universal FSS function constructed via novel FSS scheme
depends on the strength of the random coupling for strongly disordered cases.
Monte Carlo measurements of thermodynamic (infinite volume limit) data of the
correlation length () up to along with measurements of
the fourth order cumulant ratio (Binder's ratio) at criticality are reported
and analyzed in view of two competing scenarios. It is demonstrated that the
data are almost exclusively consistent with the scenario of weak universality.Comment: 9 pages, 4figuer
Rotating strings
Analytical expressions are provided for the configurations of an
inextensible, flexible, twistable inertial string rotating rigidly about a
fixed axis. Solutions with trivial radial dependence are helices of arbitrary
radius and pitch. Non-helical solutions are governed by a cubic equation whose
roots delimit permissible values of the squared radial coordinate. Only curves
coplanar with the axis of rotation make contact with it.Comment: added to discussion and made small revisions to tex
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