3,890 research outputs found
Simulating a White Dwarf-dominated Galactic Halo
Observational evidence has suggested the possibility of a Galactic halo which
is dominated by white dwarfs (WDs). While debate continues concerning the
interpretation of this evidence, it is clear that an initial mass function
(IMF) biased heavily toward WD precursors (1 < m/Msol < 8), at least in the
early Universe, would be necessary in generating such a halo. Within the
framework of homogeneous, closed-box models of Galaxy formation, such biased
IMFs lead to an unavoidable overproduction of carbon and nitrogen relative to
oxygen (as measured against the abundance patterns in the oldest stars of the
Milky Way). Using a three-dimensional Tree N-body smoothed particle
hydrodynamics code, we study the dynamics and chemical evolution of a galaxy
with different IMFs. Both invariant and metallicity-dependent IMFs are
considered. Our variable IMF model invokes a WD-precursor-dominated IMF for
metallicities less than 5% solar (primarily the Galactic halo), and the
canonical Salpeter IMF otherwise (primarily the disk). Halo WD density
distributions and C,N/O abundance patterns are presented. While Galactic haloes
comprised of ~5% (by mass) of WDs are not supported by our simulations, mass
fractions of ~1-2% cannot be ruled out. This conclusion is consistent with the
present-day observational constraints.Comment: accepted for publication in MNRA
State Taxation of Online Tobacco Sales: Circumventing the Archaic Bright Line Penned By Quill
Why Don\u27t They Play with Me
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/2967/thumbnail.jp
Low frequency elastic wave propagation in 2D locally resonant phononic crystal with asymmetric resonator
The resonance modes and the related effects to the transmission of elastic
waves in a two dimensional phononic crystal formed by periodic arrangements of
a two blocks unit cell in one direction are studied. The unit cell consists of
two asymmetric elliptic cylinders coated with silicon rubber and embedded in a
rigid matrix. The modes are obtained by the semi-analytic method in the least
square collocation scheme and confirmed by the finite element method
simulations. Two resonance modes, corresponding to the vibration of the
cylinder along the long and short axes, give rise to resonance reflections of
elastic waves. One mode in between the two modes, related to the opposite
vibration of the two cylinders in the unit cell in the direction along the
layer, results in the total transmission of elastic waves due to zero effective
mass density at the frequency. The resonance frequency of this new mode changes
continuously with the orientation angle of the elliptic resonator.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure
Thrombospondin-1-Mediated Metastasis Suppression by the Primary Tumor in Human Melanoma Xenografts
Some cancer patients show accelerated growth of pre-existing metastases after removal of the primary tumor. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether primary tumor-induced metastasis suppression can be mediated by thrombospondin-1 in melanoma. Human melanoma xenografts (D-12, R-18, and U-25) were used as models of melanoma in humans. Melanoma angiogenesis, lung colonization, and spontaneous pulmonary metastasis were inhibited in mice bearing D-12, U-25, or thrombospondin-1 overexpressing R-18 tumors, which showed high thrombospondin-1 expression and secreted large quantities of thrombospondin-1 into the blood, but not in mice bearing wild-type R-18 tumors, which were negative for thrombospondin-1. D-12 tumors suppressed the growth of their own spontaneous metastases. The anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic effects of D-12 and U-25 tumors were blocked in mice treated with thrombospondin-1 neutralizing antibody. Dormant avascular microcolonies having an elevated apoptotic activity were seen in the lungs of mice bearing D-12 or U-25 tumors, whereas only neovascularized lung macrocolonies were seen in control and antibody-treated mice. This study suggests that some melanoma patients may benefit from combined local treatment and long-term anti-angiogenic therapy involving thrombospondin-1
Self-similar impulsive capillary waves on a ligament
We study the short-time dynamics of a liquid ligament, held between two solid
cylinders, when one is impulsively accelerated along its axis. A set of
one-dimensional equations in the slender-slope approximation is used to
describe the dynamics, including surface tension and viscous effects. An exact
self-similar solution to the linearized equations is successfully compared to
experiments made with millimetric ligaments. Another non-linear self-similar
solution of the full set of equations is found numerically. Both the linear and
non-linear solutions show that the axial depth at which the liquid is affected
by the motion of the cylinder scales like . The non-linear solution
presents the peculiar feature that there exists a maximum driving velocity
above which the solution disappears, a phenomenon probably related to
the de-pinning of the contact line observed in experiments for large pulling
velocities
Responsibility without legal authority? Tackling alcohol-related health harms through licensing and planning policy in local government.
BACKGROUND: The power to influence many social determinants of health lies within local government sectors that are outside public health's traditional remit. We analyse the challenges of achieving health gains through local government alcohol control policies, where legal and professional practice frameworks appear to conflict with public health action. METHODS: Current legislation governing local alcohol control in England and Wales is reviewed and analysed for barriers and opportunities to implement effective population-level health interventions. Case studies of local government alcohol control practices are described. RESULTS: Addressing alcohol-related health harms is constrained by the absence of a specific legal health licensing objective and differences between public health and legal assessments of the relevance of health evidence to a specific place. Local governments can, however, implement health-relevant policies by developing local evidence for alcohol-related health harms; addressing cumulative impact in licensing policy statements and through other non-legislative approaches such as health and non-health sector partnerships. Innovative local initiatives-for example, minimum unit pricing licensing conditions-can serve as test cases for wider national implementation. CONCLUSIONS: By combining the powers available to the many local government sectors involved in alcohol control, alcohol-related health and social harms can be tackled through existing local mechanisms
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