540 research outputs found
On the modified nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation in the semiclassical limit: supersonic, subsonic, and transsonic behavior
The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison between the modified
nonlinear Schr\"odinger (MNLS) equation and the focusing and defocusing
variants of the (unmodified) nonlinear Schr\"odinger (NLS) equation in the
semiclassical limit. We describe aspects of the limiting dynamics and discuss
how the nature of the dynamics is evident theoretically through
inverse-scattering and noncommutative steepest descent methods. The main
message is that, depending on initial data, the MNLS equation can behave either
like the defocusing NLS equation, like the focusing NLS equation (in both cases
the analogy is asymptotically accurate in the semiclassical limit when the NLS
equation is posed with appropriately modified initial data), or like an
interesting mixture of the two. In the latter case, we identify a feature of
the dynamics analogous to a sonic line in gas dynamics, a free boundary
separating subsonic flow from supersonic flow.Comment: 30 pages, 2 figures. Submitted to Acta Mathematica Scientia (special
issue in honor of Peter Lax's 85th birthday
X-ray Evaluation of the Marshall Grazing Incidence X-Ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS) Nickel-Replicated Mirrors
X-ray observations of astronomical objects provides diagnostics not available in any other wavelength regime, however the capability of making these observation at a high spatial resolution has proven challenging. Recently, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has made good progress in employing computer numerical control (CNC) polishing techniques on electroless nickel mandrels as part of our replicated grazing incidence optics program. CNC polishing has afforded the ability to deterministically refine mandrel figure, thereby improving mirror performance. The Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS) is a MSFC-led sounding rocket instrument that is designed to make the first ever soft x-ray spectral observations of the Sun spatially resolved along a narrow slit. MaGIXS incorporates some of the first mirrors produced at MSFC using this polishing technique. Here we present the predicted mirror performance obtained from metrology, after completion of CNC polishing, as well as the results of X-ray tests performed on the MaGIXS telescope mirror before and after mounting
Hydatellaceae identified as a new branch near the base of the angiosperm phylogenetic tree
Although the relationship of angiosperms to other seed plants remains controversial, great progress has been made in identifying the earliest extant splits in flowering-plant phylogeny, with the discovery that the New Caledonian shrub Amborella trichopoda, the water lilies (Nymphaeales), and the woody Austrobaileyales constitute a basal grade of lines that diverged before the main radiation in the clade. By focusing attention on these ancient lines, this finding has re-written our understanding of angiosperm structural and reproductive biology, physiology, ecology and taxonomy. The discovery of a new basal lineage would lead to further re-evaluation of the initial angiosperm radiation, but would also be unexpected, as nearly all of the ∼460 flowering-plant families have been surveyed in molecular studies. Here we show that Hydatellaceae, a small family of dwarf aquatics that were formerly interpreted as monocots, are instead a highly modified and previously unrecognized ancient lineage of angiosperms. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of multiple plastid genes and associated noncoding regions from the two genera of Hydatellaceae identify this overlooked family as the sister group of Nymphaeales. This surprising result is further corroborated by evidence from the nuclear gene phytochrome C (PHYC), and by numerous morphological characters. This indicates that water lilies are part of a larger lineage that evolved more extreme and diverse modifications for life in an aquatic habitat than previously recognized. ©2007 Nature Publishing Group
The Evolution of Cool Algols
We apply a model of dynamo-driven mass loss, magnetic braking and tidal
friction to the evolution of stars with cool convective envelopes; in
particular we apply it to binary stars where the combination of magnetic
braking and tidal friction can cause angular-momentum loss from the {\it
orbit}. For the present we consider the simplification that only one component
of a binary is subject to these non-conservative effects, but we emphasise the
need in some circumstances to permit such effects in {\it both} components.
The model is applied to examples of (i) the Sun, (ii) BY Dra binaries, (iii)
Am binaries, (iv) RS CVn binaries, (v) Algols, (vi) post-Algols. A number of
problems regarding some of these systems appear to find a natural explanation
in our model. There are indications from other systems that some coefficients
in our model may vary by a factor of 2 or so from system to system; this may be
a result of the chaotic nature of dynamo activity
Allergic rhinitis and asthma: inflammation in a one-airway condition
BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis and asthma are conditions of airway inflammation that often coexist. DISCUSSION: In susceptible individuals, exposure of the nose and lungs to allergen elicits early phase and late phase responses. Contact with antigen by mast cells results in their degranulation, the release of selected mediators, and the subsequent recruitment of other inflammatory cell phenotypes. Additional proinflammatory mediators are released, including histamine, prostaglandins, cysteinyl leukotrienes, proteases, and a variety of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Nasal biopsies in allergic rhinitis demonstrate accumulations of mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils in the epithelium and accumulations of eosinophils in the deeper subepithelium (that is, lamina propria). Examination of bronchial tissue, even in mild asthma, shows lymphocytic inflammation enriched by eosinophils. In severe asthma, the predominant pattern of inflammation changes, with increases in the numbers of neutrophils and, in many, an extension of the changes to involve smaller airways (that is, bronchioli). Structural alterations (that is, remodeling) of bronchi in mild asthma include epithelial fragility and thickening of its reticular basement membrane. With increasing severity of asthma there may be increases in airway smooth muscle mass, vascularity, interstitial collagen, and mucus-secreting glands. Remodeling in the nose is less extensive than that of the lower airways, but the epithelial reticular basement membrane may be slightly but significantly thickened. CONCLUSION: Inflammation is a key feature of both allergic rhinitis and asthma. There are therefore potential benefits for application of anti-inflammatory strategies that target both these anatomic sites
Rapid evolution of aerosol particles and their optical properties downwind of wildfires in the western US
During the first phase of the Biomass Burn Operational Project (BBOP) field campaign, conducted in the Pacific Northwest, the DOE G-1 aircraft was used to follow the time evolution of wildfire smoke from near the point of emission to locations 2-3.5 h downwind. In nine flights we made repeated transects of wildfire plumes at varying downwind distances and could thereby follow the plume\u27s time evolution. On average there was little change in dilution-normalized aerosol mass concentration as a function of downwind distance. This consistency hides a dynamic system in which primary aerosol particles are evaporating and secondary ones condensing. Organic aerosol is oxidized as a result. On all transects more than 90 % of aerosol is organic. In freshly emitted smoke aerosol, NH+4 is approximately equivalent to NO3. After 2 h of daytime aging, NH+4 increased and is approximately equivalent to the sum of Cl, SO24, and NO3. Particle size increased with downwind distance, causing particles to be more efficient scatters. Averaged over nine flights, mass scattering efficiency (MSE) increased in ∼ 2 h by 56 % and doubled in one flight. Mechanisms for redistributing mass from small to large particles are discussed. Coagulation is effective at moving aerosol from the Aitken to accumulation modes but yields only a minor increase in MSE. As absorption remained nearly constant with age, the time evolution of single scatter albedo was controlled by age-dependent scattering. Near-fire aerosol had a single scatter albedo (SSA) of 0.8-0.9. After 1 to 2 h of aging SSAs were typically 0.9 and greater. Assuming global-average surface and atmospheric conditions, the observed age dependence in SSA would change the direct radiative effect of a wildfire plume from near zero near the fire to a cooling effect downwind
Kinetics of Eotaxin Generation and Its Relationship to Eosinophil Accumulation in Allergic Airways Disease: Analysis in a Guinea Pig Model In Vivo
Challenge of the airways of sensitized guinea pigs with aerosolized ovalbumin resulted in an early phase of microvascular protein leakage and a delayed phase of eosinophil accumulation in the airway lumen, as measured using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Immunoreactive eotaxin levels rose in airway tissue and BAL fluid to a peak at 6 h falling to low levels by 12 h. Eosinophil numbers in the tissue correlated with eotaxin levels until 6 h but eosinophils persisted until the last measurement time point at 24 h. In contrast, few eosinophils appeared in BAL over the first 12 h, major trafficking through the airway epithelium occurring at 12–24 h when eotaxin levels were low. Constitutive eotaxin was present in BAL fluid. Both constitutive and allergen-induced eosinophil chemoattractant activity in BAL fluid was neutralized by an antibody to eotaxin. Allergen-induced eotaxin appeared to be mainly in airway epithelium and macrophages, as detected by immunostaining. Allergen challenge of the lung resulted in a rapid release of bone marrow eosinophils into the blood. An antibody to IL-5 suppressed bone marrow eosinophil release and lung eosinophilia, without affecting lung eotaxin levels. Thus, IL-5 and eotaxin appear to cooperate in mediating a rapid transfer of eosinophils from the bone marrow to the lung in response to allergen challenge
A gene signature for post-infectious chronic fatigue syndrome
Background: At present, there are no clinically reliable disease markers for chronic fatigue syndrome. DNA chip microarray technology provides a method for examining the differential expression of mRNA from a large number of genes. Our hypothesis was that a gene expression signature, generated by microarray assays, could help identify genes which are dysregulated in patients with post-infectious CFS and so help identify biomarkers for the condition. Methods: Human genome-wide Affymetrix GeneChip arrays (39,000 transcripts derived from 33,000 gene sequences) were used to compare the levels of gene expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of male patients with post-infectious chronic fatigue (n = 8) and male healthy control subjects (n = 7). Results: Patients and healthy subjects differed significantly in the level of expression of 366 genes. Analysis of the differentially expressed genes indicated functional implications in immune modulation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Prototype biomarkers were identified on the basis of differential levels of gene expression and possible biological significance Conclusion: Differential expression of key genes identified in this study offer an insight into the possible mechanism of chronic fatigue following infection. The representative biomarkers identified in this research appear promising as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment
The First Flight of the Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS)
The Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrometer (MaGIXS) sounding rocket
experiment launched on July 30, 2021 from the White Sands Missile Range in New
Mexico. MaGIXS is a unique solar observing telescope developed to capture X-ray
spectral images, in the 6 - 24 Angstrom wavelength range, of coronal active
regions. Its novel design takes advantage of recent technological advances
related to fabricating and optimizing X-ray optical systems as well as
breakthroughs in inversion methodologies necessary to create spectrally pure
maps from overlapping spectral images. MaGIXS is the first instrument of its
kind to provide spatially resolved soft X-ray spectra across a wide field of
view. The plasma diagnostics available in this spectral regime make this
instrument a powerful tool for probing solar coronal heating. This paper
presents details from the first MaGIXS flight, the captured observations, the
data processing and inversion techniques, and the first science results.Comment: 20 pages, 18 figure
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