21,088 research outputs found
Strengths of sulfur-basalt concretes
Sulfur used in bonding high strength basalt aggregates to form sulfur-basalt concrete
Numerical algebraic geometry for model selection and its application to the life sciences
Researchers working with mathematical models are often confronted by the
related problems of parameter estimation, model validation, and model
selection. These are all optimization problems, well-known to be challenging
due to non-linearity, non-convexity and multiple local optima. Furthermore, the
challenges are compounded when only partial data is available. Here, we
consider polynomial models (e.g., mass-action chemical reaction networks at
steady state) and describe a framework for their analysis based on optimization
using numerical algebraic geometry. Specifically, we use probability-one
polynomial homotopy continuation methods to compute all critical points of the
objective function, then filter to recover the global optima. Our approach
exploits the geometric structures relating models and data, and we demonstrate
its utility on examples from cell signaling, synthetic biology, and
epidemiology.Comment: References added, additional clarification
Low Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGAD) for particle physics and synchrotron applications
A new avalanche silicon detector concept is introduced with a low gain in the region of ten, known as a Low Gain Avalanche Detector, LGAD. The detector's characteristics are simulated via a full process simulation to obtain the required doping profiles which demonstrate the desired operational characteristics of high breakdown voltage (500 V) and a gain of 10 at 200 V reverse bias for X-ray detection. The first low gain avalanche detectors fabricated by Micron Semiconductor Ltd are presented. The doping profiles of the multiplication junctions were measured with SIMS and reproduced by simulating the full fabrication process which enabled further development of the manufacturing process. The detectors are 300 μm thick p-type silicon with a resistivity of 8.5 kΩcm, which fully depletes at 116 V. The current characteristics are presented and demonstrate breakdown voltages in excess of 500 V and a current density of 40 to 100 nAcm−2 before breakdown measured at 20oC. The gain of the LGAD has been measured with a red laser (660 nm) and shown to be between 9 and 12 for an external bias voltage range from 150 V to 300 V
Vibronic interactions in the visible and near-infrared spectra of C60− anions
Electron-phonon coupling is an important factor in understanding many properties of the C60 fullerides. However, there has been little success in quantifying the strength of the vibronic coupling in C60 ions, with considerable disagreement between experimental and theoretical results. We will show that neglect of quadratic coupling in previous models for C60- ions results in a significant overestimate of the linear coupling constants. Including quadratic coupling allows a coherent interpretation to be made of earlier experimental and theoretical results which at first sight are incompatible
Probing a non-biaxial behavior of infinitely thin hard platelets
We give a criterion to test a non-biaxial behavior of infinitely thin hard
platelets of symmetry based upon the components of three order
parameter tensors. We investigated the nematic behavior of monodisperse
infinitely thin rectangular hard platelet systems by using the criterion.
Starting with a square platelet system, and we compared it with rectangular
platelet systems of various aspect ratios. For each system, we performed
equilibration runs by using isobaric Monte Carlo simulations. Each system did
not show a biaxial nematic behavior but a uniaxial nematic one, despite of the
shape anisotropy of those platelets. The relationship between effective
diameters by simulations and theoretical effective diameters of the above
systems was also determined.Comment: Submitted to JPS
Morphine : friend or foe?
‘it's a bad drug it can kill and even its side effect(s) are very dangerous'.
This was the comment of an elderly nurse working in the pharmacy of a local Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) facility when asked about oral morphine. Is this what everyone thought? Is this what you think?Malawi Medical Journal Vol. 20 (4) 2008: pp. 112-11
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