Steady-state composition of a two-component gas bubble growing in a liquid solution: self-similar approach

The paper presents an analytical description of the growth of a two-component bubble in a binary liquid-gas solution. We obtain asymptotic self-similar time dependence of the bubble radius and analytical expressions for the non-steady profiles of dissolved gases around the bubble. We show that the necessary condition for the self-similar regime of bubble growth is the constant, steady-state composition of the bubble. The equation for the steady-state composition is obtained. We reveal the dependence of the steady-state composition on the solubility laws of the bubble components. Besides, the universal, independent from the solubility laws, expressions for the steady-state composition are obtained for the case of strong supersaturations, which are typical for the homogeneous nucleation of a bubble.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

Dynamics of gas bubble growth in a supersaturated solution with Sievert's solubility law

This paper presents a theoretical description of diffusion growth of a gas bubble after its nucleation in supersaturated liquid solution. We study systems where gas molecules completely dissociate in the solvent into two parts, thus making Sievert's solubility law valid. We show that the difference between Henry's and Sievert's laws for chemical equilibrium conditions causes the difference in bubble growth dynamics. Assuming that diffusion flux is steady we obtain a differential equation on bubble radius. Bubble dynamics equation is solved analytically for the case of homogeneous nucleation of a bubble, which takes place at a significant pressure drop. We also obtain conditions of diffusion flux steadiness. The fulfillment of these conditions is studied for the case of nucleation of water vapor bubbles in magmatic melts.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figure

On details of the thermodynamical derivation of the Ginsburg--Landau equations

We examine the procedure of thermodynamical derivation of the Ginsburg--Landau equation for current, which is given unclear and contradictory interpretations in existing textbooks. We clarify all steps of this procedure and find as a consequence a limitation on the validity range of the thermodynamic Ginsburg--Landau theory, which does not seem to be explicitely stated up to now: we conclude that the thermodynamic theory is applicable only to a superconducting specimen that is not a part of an external current-carrying loop.Comment: 11 pages. Accepted for publication in 'Superconductor Science and Technology

The Twin Deficit and the Macroeconomic variables in Kenya

The purpose of this paper is to test the twin deficit hypothesis and empirical relationship between current account balance and budget deficit while including other important macroeconomic variables such as growth, interest rates, money supply (M3) in Kenya from 1963-2012. The study was based on co integration analysis and error correction model (ECM). The results reveal a long-run association between the trade deficit and the fiscal deficit. The findings indicate that the Keynesian view fits well for Kenya since the causality runs from budget deficit to current account deficit. We detected unidirectional causation between the twin deficits, running from budget deficit to current account directly and indirectly through budget deficits which raise real interest rates, crowd out domestic investment, and cause the currency to appreciate in relation to the other currencies and further deteriorates the current account deficit

Design and performance testing of quantitative real time PCR assays for influenza A and B viral load measurement

Background: The antiviral effect of anti-influenza drugs such as zanamivir may be demonstrated in patients as an increased rate of decline in viral load over a time course of treatment as compared with placebo. Historically this was measured using plaque assays, or Culture Enhanced Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (CE-ELISA). Objectives: to develop and characterise real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays to measure influenza A and B viral load in clinical samples, that offer improvements over existing methods, in particular virus infectivity assays. Study design: The dynamic range and robustness were established for the real time qPCR assays along with stability of the assay components. Cross validation of the real time PCR assays with CE-ELISA was performed by parallel testing of both serial dilutions of three different subtypes of cultured virus and a panel of influenza positive throat swab specimens. Results: the assays were specific for influenza A and B and the dynamic ranges were at least seven logs. The assay variability was within acceptable limits but increased towards the lower limit of quantification, which was 3.33 log10 viral cDNA copies/ml of virus transport medium (ten viral RNA copies/PCR). The components of the assay were robust enough to withstand extended storage and several freeze–thawcycles. For the real time PCR assays the limit of quantification was equivalent to the virus infectivity cut off, which equates to a 93-fold increase in sensitivity. Conclusion: Well characterised real time PCR assays offer significant improvements over the existing methods for measuring the viral load of strains of influenza A and B in clinical specimens

Switchable collective pinning of flux quanta using magnetic vortex arrays

We constructed a superconducting/ferromagnetic hybrid system in which the ordering of the pinning potential landscape for flux quanta can be manipulated. Flux pinning is induced by an array of magnetic nanodots in the magnetic vortex state, and controlled by the magnetic history. This allows switching on and off the collective pinning of the flux-lattice. In addition, we observed field-induced superconductivity that originates from the annihilation of flux quanta induced by the stray fields from the magnetic vortices.Comment: PDF file 18 pages including 5 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Metastable bound state of a pair of two-dimensional spatially separated electrons in anti-parallel magnetic fields

We propose a new mechanism for binding of two equally charged carriers in a double-layer system subjected by a magnetic field of a special form. A field configuration for which the magnetic fields in adjacent layers are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction is considered. In such a field an additional integral of motion - the momentum of the pair P arises. For the case when in one layer the carrier is in the zero (n=0) Landau level while in the other layer - in the first (n=1) Landau level the dependence of the energy of the pair on its momentum E(P} is found. This dependence turns out to be nonmonotonic one : a local maximum and a local minimum appears, indicating the emergence of a metastable bound state of two carrier with the same sign of electrical charge.Comment: 7 page

Some remarks on D-branes and defects in Liouville and Toda field theories

In this paper we analyze the Cardy-Lewellen equation in general diagonal model. We show that in these models it takes simple form due to some general properties of conformal field theories, like pentagon equations and OPE associativity. This implies, that the Cardy-Lewellen equation has simple form also in non-rational diagonal models. We specialize our finding to the Liouville and Toda field theories. In particular we prove, that conjectured recently defects in Toda field theory indeed satisfy the cluster equation. We also derive the Cardy-Lewellen equation in all $sl(n)$ Toda field theories and prove that the forms of boundary states found recently in $sl(3)$ Toda field theory hold in all $sl(n)$ theories as well.Comment: 30 pages, some comments, explanations and references adde

Superconducting tunneling-junction detectors of X-ray radiation. Issues concerning the energy resolution

Abstract -The effect of the recombination-and edge-related losses of nonequilibrium quasiparticles on the energy resolution of superconducting tunneling detectors is studied. The dependence of the signal on the energy of X-ray photons is measured and the shape of instrument-related lines is studied for the Ti/Nb/Al/AlO x /Al/Nb/NbN detectors with the Ti/Nb passive electrode. Experimental data are analyzed using the diffusion-based model of tunneling detectors

The CD100 Receptor Interacts with Its Plexin B2 Ligand to Regulate Epidermal γδ T Cell Function

Summaryγδ T cells respond rapidly to keratinocyte damage, providing essential contributions to the skin wound healing process. The molecular interactions regulating their response are unknown. Here, we identify a role for interaction of plexin B2 with the CD100 receptor in epithelial repair. In vitro blocking of plexin B2 or CD100 inhibited γδ T cell activation. Furthermore, CD100 deficiency in vivo resulted in delayed repair of cutaneous wounds due to a disrupted γδ T cell response to keratinocyte damage. Ligation of CD100 in γδ T cells induced cellular rounding via signals through ERK kinase and cofilin. Defects in this rounding process were evident in the absence of CD100-mediated signals, thereby providing a mechanistic explanation for the defective wound healing in CD100-deficient animals. The discovery of immune functions for plexin B2 and CD100 provides insight into the complex cell-cell interactions between epithelial resident γδ T cells and the neighboring cells they support