Pattern fluctuations in transitional plane Couette flow

In wide enough systems, plane Couette flow, the flow established between two parallel plates translating in opposite directions, displays alternatively turbulent and laminar oblique bands in a given range of Reynolds numbers R. We show that in periodic domains that contain a few bands, for given values of R and size, the orientation and the wavelength of this pattern can fluctuate in time. A procedure is defined to detect well-oriented episodes and to determine the statistics of their lifetimes. The latter turn out to be distributed according to exponentially decreasing laws. This statistics is interpreted in terms of an activated process described by a Langevin equation whose deterministic part is a standard Landau model for two interacting complex amplitudes whereas the noise arises from the turbulent background.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in Journal of statistical physic

Biotechnological production of γ-decalactone, a peach like aroma, by Yarrowia lipolytica

The request for new flavourings increases every year. Consumer perception that everything natural is better is causing an increase demand for natural aroma additives. Biotechnology has become a way to get natural products. γ-Decalactone is a peach-like aroma widely used in dairy products, beverages and others food industries. In more recent years, more and more studies and industrial processes were endorsed to cost-effect this compound production. One of the best-known methods to produce -decalactone is from ricinoleic acid catalyzed by Yarrowia lipolytica, a generally regarded as safe status yeast. As yet, several factors affecting -decalactone production remain to be fully understood and optimized. In this review, we focus on the aromatic compound -decalactone and its production by Y. lipolytica. The metabolic pathway of lactone production and degradation are addressed. Critical analysis of novel strategies of bioprocess engineering, metabolic and genetic engineering and other strategies for the enhancement of the aroma productivity are presented.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684)

The effect of tobacco smoking and treatment strategy on the one-year mortality of patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a previously shown survival benefit resulting from routine early invasive management of unselected patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) may differ according to smoking status and age.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Post-hoc analysis of a prospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients admitted for NSTEMI in 2003 (conservative strategy cohort [CS]; n = 185) and 2006 (invasive strategy cohort [IS]; n = 200). A strategy for transfer to a high-volume invasive center and routine early invasive management was implemented in 2005. Patients were subdivided into current smokers and non-smokers (including ex-smokers) on admission.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The one-year mortality rate of smokers was reduced from 37% in the CS to 6% in the IS (p < 0.001), and from 30% to 23% for non-smokers (p = 0.18). Non-smokers were considerably older than smokers (median age 80 vs. 63 years, p < 0.001). The percentage of smokers who underwent revascularization (angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting) within 7 days increased from 9% in the CS to 53% in the IS (p < 0.001). The corresponding numbers for non-smokers were 5% and 27% (p < 0.001). There was no interaction between strategy and age (p = 0.25), as opposed to a significant interaction between strategy and smoking status (p = 0.024). Current smoking was an independent predictor of one-year mortality (hazard ratio 2.61, 95% confidence interval 1.43-4.79, p = 0.002).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The treatment effect of an early invasive strategy in unselected patients with NSTEMI was more pronounced among smokers than non-smokers. The benefit for smokers was not entirely explained by differences in baseline confounders, such as their younger age.</p

Quality Quandaries: Personal Injuries: A Case Study

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Optical airglow patches in relation to EISCAT Svalbard Radar electron density measurements

Drifting polar cap patches are localized regions of enhanced F-region plasma densities with scale sizes of several hundreds of kilometre. The patches are seen to drift antisunward with velocities of several hundreds meters per second, and can have densities up to 10 times the ambient background. We present simultaneous ground based optical and radar data of nightside polar cap patches. Using meridian scanning photometer data, the optical airglow signature of patches are seen to drift into the auroral oval. The field aligned radar shows high electron density, with low electron temperature during the period of interest. This indicates that there is no electron precipitation in the radar field of view, and that the radar electron density signal stems from the drifting polar cap patches. It is seen that there is a very good match between enhancements in the 6300 Å airglow signature and enhancements in the radar electron density measurements

POLARLIS, or the measurement of the POLarization of the Oxygen thermospheric Red Line In Svalbard, during IHY

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