382 research outputs found
Self Consistent Molecular Field Theory for Packing in Classical Liquids
Building on a quasi-chemical formulation of solution theory, this paper
proposes a self consistent molecular field theory for packing problems in
classical liquids, and tests the theoretical predictions for the excess
chemical potential of the hard sphere fluid. Results are given for the self
consistent molecular fields obtained, and for the probabilities of occupancy of
a molecular observation volume. For this system, the excess chemical potential
predicted is as accurate as the most accurate prior theories, particularly the
scaled particle (Percus-Yevick compressibility) theory. It is argued that the
present approach is particularly simple, and should provide a basis for a
molecular-scale description of more complex solutions.Comment: 6 pages and 5 figure
Dust Devil Tracks
Dust devils that leave dark- or light-toned tracks are common on Mars and they can also be found on the Earth’s surface. Dust devil tracks (hereinafter DDTs) are ephemeral surface features with mostly sub-annual lifetimes. Regarding their size, DDT widths can range between ∼1 m and ∼1 km, depending on the diameter of dust devil that created the track, and DDT lengths range from a few tens of meters to several kilometers, limited by the duration and horizontal ground speed of dust devils. DDTs can be classified into three main types based on their morphology and albedo in contrast to their surroundings; all are found on both planets: (a) dark continuous DDTs, (b) dark cycloidal DDTs, and (c) bright DDTs. Dark continuous DDTs are the most common type on Mars. They are characterized by their relatively homogenous and continuous low albedo surface tracks. Based on terrestrial and martian in situ studies, these DDTs most likely form when surficial dust layers are removed to expose larger-grained substrate material (coarse sands of ≥500 μm in diameter). The exposure of larger-grained materials changes the photometric properties of the surface; hence leading to lower albedo tracks because grain size is photometrically inversely proportional to the surface reflectance. However, although not observed so far, compositional differences (i.e., color differences) might also lead to albedo contrasts when dust is removed to expose substrate materials with mineralogical differences. For dark continuous DDTs, albedo drop measurements are around 2.5 % in the wavelength range of 550–850 nm on Mars and around 0.5 % in the wavelength range from 300–1100 nm on Earth. The removal of an equivalent layer thickness around 1 μm is sufficient for the formation of visible dark continuous DDTs on Mars and Earth. The next type of DDTs, dark cycloidal DDTs, are characterized by their low albedo pattern of overlapping scallops. Terrestrial in situ studies imply that they are formed when sand-sized material that is eroded from the outer vortex area of a dust devil is redeposited in annular patterns in the central vortex region. This type of DDT can also be found in on Mars in orbital image data, and although in situ studies are lacking, terrestrial analog studies, laboratory work, and numerical modeling suggest they have the same formation mechanism as those on Earth. Finally, bright DDTs are characterized by their continuous track pattern and high albedo compared to their undisturbed surroundings. They are found on both planets, but to date they have only been analyzed in situ on Earth. Here, the destruction of aggregates of dust, silt and sand by dust devils leads to smooth surfaces in contrast to the undisturbed rough surfaces surrounding the track. The resulting change in photometric properties occurs because the smoother surfaces have a higher reflectance compared to the surrounding rough surface, leading to bright DDTs. On Mars, the destruction of surficial dust-aggregates may also lead to bright DDTs. However, higher reflective surfaces may be produced by other formation mechanisms, such as dust compaction by passing dust devils, as this may also cause changes in photometric properties. On Mars, DDTs in general are found at all elevations and on a global scale, except on the permanent polar caps. DDT maximum areal densities occur during spring and summer in both hemispheres produced by an increase in dust devil activity caused by maximum insolation. Regionally, dust devil densities vary spatially likely controlled by changes in dust cover thicknesses and substrate materials. This variability makes it difficult to infer dust devil activity from DDT frequencies. Furthermore, only a fraction of dust devils leave tracks. However, DDTs can be used as proxies for dust devil lifetimes and wind directions and speeds, and they can also be used to predict lander or rover solar panel clearing events. Overall, the high DDT frequency in many areas on Mars leads to drastic albedo changes that affect large-scale weather patterns
Muscle Forehead Flap: a salvage surgery for closure of cutaneous fistula after cranioplasty exposure
Background
Infection and skin fistula are well-known complications after cranioplasty leading to reconstruction exposure and usually requiring new surgical procedure with poor condition for cutaneous closure. We describe 2 cases using muscle forehead flap (MFF) to treat skin fistula and cranioplasty exposure.
Case Description
The first case was a 43-year-old man who underwent a calvarial bone graft of the frontal sinus anterior wall after craniofacial trauma. Three months postoperatively, osteitis of the bone reconstruction and a skin fistula occurred in the median frontal region.
The second case was a 37-year-old woman treated for a cingular glioblastoma by 3 surgeries, concomitant chemoradiation therapy, and frontal reconstruction using a titanium plate. She presented a plate exposure associated with cerebrospinal fluid leak and meningitis.
Both patients were successfully treated by surgical removal of the frontal cranioplasty and skin closure using MFF. We observed a satisfying cosmetic result with no recurrence of infection or fistula at 12 and 4 months, respectively.
Conclusions
MFF is a surgical option to treat complex cases of cutaneous fistula secondary to cranioplasty exposure of the anterior cranial fossa
Validity of Generalized Second Law of Thermodynamics in the Logamediate and Intermediate scenarios of the Universe
In this work, we have investigated the validity of the generalized second law
of thermodynamics in logamediate and intermediate scenarios of the universe
bounded by the Hubble, apparent, particle and event horizons using and without
using first law of thermodynamics. We have observed that the GSL is valid for
Hubble, apparent, particle and event horizons of the universe in the
logamediate scenario of the universe using first law and without using first
law. Similarly the GSL is valid for all horizons in the intermediate scenario
of the universe using first law. Also in the intermediate scenario of the
universe, the GSL is valid for Hubble, apparent and particle horizons but it
breaks down whenever we consider the universe enveloped by the event horizon
Isothermal Plasma Wave Properties of the Schwarzschild de-Sitter Black Hole in a Veselago Medium
In this paper, we study wave properties of isothermal plasma for the
Schwarzschild de-Sitter black hole in a Veselago medium. We use ADM 3+1
formalism to formulate general relativistic magnetohydrodynamical (GRMHD)
equations for the Schwarzschild de-Sitter spacetime in Rindler coordinates.
Further, Fourier analysis of the linearly perturbed GRMHD equations for the
rotating (non-magnetized and magnetized) background is taken whose determinant
leads to a dispersion relation. We investigate wave properties by using
graphical representation of the wave vector, the refractive index, change in
refractive index, phase and group velocities. Also, the modes of wave
dispersion are explored. The results indicate the existence of the Veselago
medium.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Astrophys. Space
Sci. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1101.0884 and arxiv:1007.285
Viscous Modified Gravity on a RS Brane Embedded in AdS5
We consider a modified gravity fluid on a Randall-Sundrum II brane situated
at y=0, the action containing a power \alpha of the scalar curvature. As is
known from 4D spatially flat modified gravity, the presence of a bulk viscosity
may drive the cosmic fluid into the phantom region (w < -1) and thereafter
inevitably into the Big Rip singularity, even it is initially nonviscous and
lies in the quintessence region (w > -1). The condition for this to occur is
that the bulk viscosity contains the power (2\alpha-1) of the scalar expansion.
We combine this with the 5D RS II model, and find that the Big Rip, occurring
for \alpha > 1/2, carries over to the metric for the bulk metric, |y|>0.
Actually, the scale factors on the brane and in the bulk become simply
proportional to each other.Comment: 12 pages, no figures; to appear in Eur. Phys. J.
From Expert Administration to Accountability Network: A New Paradigm for Comparative Administrative Law
Notwithstanding the radically changed landscape of contemporary administrative governance, the categories that guide comparative administrative law and that determine what will be compared remain similar to those used at the founding of the discipline in the late 1800s. These categories are rooted in confidence in an expert bureaucracy to accomplish public purposes and are mainly twofold - administrative organization and judicial review. This outdated model has limited the ability of comparative law to engage with contemporary debates on the administrative state, which instead display considerable skepticism of public administration and are premised on achieving the public good through a plural accountability network of public and private actors. This Article seeks to correct the anachronism by reframing comparative administrative law as an accountability network of rules and procedures designed to embed public administration and civil servants in their liberal democratic societies: accountability to elected officials, organized interests, the courts, and the general public. Based on this paradigm, the Article compares American and European administrative law in a global context. Among the many differences explored are parliamentary versus presidential political control, pluralist versus neo-corporatist forms of self-regulation and public-private collaboration, judicial review focused on fundamental rights versus policy rationality, and reliance on ombudsmen in lieu of courts. The Article concludes with a number of suggestions for how comparative law can speak to current debates on reforming administrative governance
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