1,088 research outputs found
Kaon Weak Decays in Chiral Theories
The ten nonleptonic weak decays , , , , , are predicted for a
chiral pole model based on the linear sigma model theory which automatically
satisfies the partial conservation of axial current (PCAC) hypothesis. These
predictions, agreeing with data to the 5% level and containing no or at most
one free parameter, are compared with the results of chiral perturbation theory
(ChPT). The latter ChPT approach to one-loop level is known to contain at least
four free parameters and then predicts a rate
which is 60% shy of the experimental value. This suggests that ChPT is an
unsatisfactory approach towards predicting kaon weak decays.Comment: 12 pages, 8 eps figure
A case study into the accessibility of text-parser based interaction.
The academic issues surrounding the accessibility of video games are reasonably well understood although compensations and inclusive design have not yet been comprehensively adopted by professional game developers. Several sets of guidelines have been produced to support developers wishing to ensure a greater degree of accessibility in their titles, and while the recommendations are broadly harmonious they only address the issues in isolation without being mindful of context or the subtle relationships between interaction choices and verisimilitude within game interfaces. That is not to denigrate the value of these resources, which is considerable -- instead it is to highlight a deficiency in the literature which can be addressed with reflective case studies. This paper represents one such case study, aimed at addressing accessibility concerns within interactive text interfaces. While the specifics of this paper are aimed at multiplayer text game accessibility improvements, it is anticipated that many of the lessons learned would be appropriate for any environment, such as command line interfaces, where the accessibility of written and read text is currently suboptimal
On Nonlinear Stochastic Balance Laws
We are concerned with multidimensional stochastic balance laws. We identify a
class of nonlinear balance laws for which uniform spatial bounds for
vanishing viscosity approximations can be achieved. Moreover, we establish
temporal equicontinuity in of the approximations, uniformly in the
viscosity coefficient. Using these estimates, we supply a multidimensional
existence theory of stochastic entropy solutions. In addition, we establish an
error estimate for the stochastic viscosity method, as well as an explicit
estimate for the continuous dependence of stochastic entropy solutions on the
flux and random source functions. Various further generalizations of the
results are discussed
A theory of -dissipative solvers for scalar conservation laws with discontinuous flux
We propose a general framework for the study of contractive semigroups
of solutions to conservation laws with discontinuous flux. Developing the ideas
of a number of preceding works we claim that the whole admissibility issue is
reduced to the selection of a family of "elementary solutions", which are
certain piecewise constant stationary weak solutions. We refer to such a family
as a "germ". It is well known that (CL) admits many different contractive
semigroups, some of which reflects different physical applications. We revisit
a number of the existing admissibility (or entropy) conditions and identify the
germs that underly these conditions. We devote specific attention to the
anishing viscosity" germ, which is a way to express the "-condition" of
Diehl. For any given germ, we formulate "germ-based" admissibility conditions
in the form of a trace condition on the flux discontinuity line (in the
spirit of Vol'pert) and in the form of a family of global entropy inequalities
(following Kruzhkov and Carrillo). We characterize those germs that lead to the
-contraction property for the associated admissible solutions. Our
approach offers a streamlined and unifying perspective on many of the known
entropy conditions, making it possible to recover earlier uniqueness results
under weaker conditions than before, and to provide new results for other less
studied problems. Several strategies for proving the existence of admissible
solutions are discussed, and existence results are given for fluxes satisfying
some additional conditions. These are based on convergence results either for
the vanishing viscosity method (with standard viscosity or with specific
viscosities "adapted" to the choice of a germ), or for specific germ-adapted
finite volume schemes
Inhibition of the Nuclear Factor-ÎşB Pathway Prevents Beta Cell Failure and Diet Induced Diabetes in Psammomys obesus
BACKGROUND: High doses of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and salicylates, improve glucose metabolism in insulin resistant and type 2 diabetic patients. It has also been shown that the glucose lowering effect is related to the unspecific ability of these drugs to inhibit inhibitor kinaseβ (IKKβ). In this study we have investigated the effect of a selective IKKβ-inhibitor on beta cell survival and the prevention of diet induced type 2 diabetes in the gerbil Psammomys obesus (P. obesus). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: P. obesus were fed a diabetes inducing high energy diet for one month in the absence or presence of the IKKβ-inhibitor. Body mass, blood glucose, HbA(1C), insulin production and pancreatic insulin stores were measured. The effects on beta cell survival were also studied in INS-1 cells and primary islets. The cells were exposed to IL-1β and subsequently reactive oxygen species, insulin release and cell death were measured in the absence or presence of the IKKβ-inhibitor. In primary islets and beta cells, IL-1β induced the production of reactive oxygen species, reduced insulin production and increased beta cell death, which were all reversed by pre-treatment with the IKKβ-inhibitor. In P. obesus the IKKβ-inhibitor prevented the development of hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia, and maintained pancreatic insulin stores with no effect on body weight. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Inhibition of IKKβ activity prevents diet-induced diabetes in P. obesus and inhibits IL-1β induced reactive oxygen species, loss of insulin production and beta cell death in vitro
Hyperon Nonleptonic Weak Decays Revisited
We first review the current algebra - PCAC approach to nonleptonic octet
baryon 14 weak decay B (\to) (B^{\prime})(\pi) amplitudes. The needed four
parameters are independently determined by (\Omega \to \Xi \pi),(\Lambda K) and
(\Xi ^{-}\to \Sigma ^{-}\gamma) weak decays in dispersion theory tree order. We
also summarize the recent chiral perturbation theory (ChPT) version of the
eight independent B (\to) (B^{\prime}\pi) weak (\Delta I) = 1/2 amplitudes
containing considerably more than eight low-energy weak constants in one-loop
order.Comment: 10 pages, RevTe
The African hind's (Cephalopholis taeniops, serranidae) use of artificial reefs off Sal Island (Cape Verde): a preliminary study based on acoustic telemetry
The African hind Cephalopholis taeniops (Valenciennes, 1828) is one of the most important commercial demersal species caught in the Cape Verde archipelago. The species is closely associated with hard substrate and is one of the main attractions for SCUBA divers. In January 2006 a former Soviet fishing vessel - the Kwarcit - was sunk off Santa Maria Bay (Sal Island). Young C. taeniops are commonly observed in this artificial reef (AR). In order to investigate the species' use of the AR, 4 specimens were captured and surgically implanted underwater with Vemco brand acoustic transmitters. The fish were monitored daily with an active telemetry receiver for one week after release. Simultaneously, an array of 3 passive VR2 / VR2W receivers was set for 63 days, registering data that allowed an analysis of spatial, daily and short term temporal activity patterns. The results showed site fidelity to the AR, with no migrations to the nearby natural reef. The method used allowed to register a consistent higher activity during daytime and a preference for the area opposite the dominant current
Defining the Dose of Altitude Training: How High to Live for Optimal Sea Level Performance Enhancement
Defining the dose of altitude training: how high to live for optimal sea level performance enhancement. J Appl Physiol 116: 595-603, 2014. First published October 24, 2013; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00634.2013.-Chronic living at altitudes of 2,500 m causes consistent hematological acclimatization in most, but not all, groups of athletes; however, responses of erythropoietin (EPO) and red cell mass to a given altitude show substantial individual variability. We hypothesized that athletes living at higher altitudes would experience greater improvements in sea level performance, secondary to greater hematological acclimatization, compared with athletes living at lower altitudes. After 4 wk of group sea level training and testing, 48 collegiate distance runners (32 men, 16 women) were randomly assigned to one of four living altitudes (1,780, 2,085, 2,454, or 2,800 m). All athletes trained together daily at a common altitude from 1,250-3,000 m following a modified live high-train low model. Subjects completed hematological, metabolic, and performance measures at sea level, before and after altitude training; EPO was assessed at various time points while at altitude. On return from altitude, 3,000-m time trial performance was significantly improved in groups living at the middle two altitudes (2,085 and 2,454 m), but not in groups living at 1,780 and 2,800 m. EPO was significantly higher in all groups at 24 and 48 h, but returned to sea level baseline after 72 h in the 1,780-m group. Erythrocyte volume was significantly higher within all groups after return from altitude and was not different between groups. These data suggest that, when completing a 4-wk altitude camp following the live high-train low model, there is a target altitude between 2,000 and 2,500 m that produces an optimal acclimatization response for sea level performance
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