886 research outputs found
Cluster density functional theory for lattice models based on the theory of Mobius functions
Rosenfeld's fundamental measure theory for lattice models is given a rigorous
formulation in terms of the theory of Mobius functions of partially ordered
sets. The free-energy density functional is expressed as an expansion in a
finite set of lattice clusters. This set is endowed a partial order, so that
the coefficients of the cluster expansion are connected to its Mobius function.
Because of this, it is rigorously proven that a unique such expansion exists
for any lattice model. The low-density analysis of the free-energy functional
motivates a redefinition of the basic clusters (zero-dimensional cavities)
which guarantees a correct zero-density limit of the pair and triplet direct
correlation functions. This new definition extends Rosenfeld's theory to
lattice model with any kind of short-range interaction (repulsive or
attractive, hard or soft, one- or multi-component...). Finally, a proof is
given that these functionals have a consistent dimensional reduction, i.e. the
functional for dimension d' can be obtained from that for dimension d (d'<d) if
the latter is evaluated at a density profile confined to a d'-dimensional
subset.Comment: 21 pages, 2 figures, uses iopart.cls, as well as diagrams.sty
(included
Effectiveness of slow motion video compared to real time video in improving the accuracy and consistency of subjective gait analysis in dogs
Objective measures of canine gait quality via force plates, pressure mats or kinematic analysis are considered superior to subjective gait assessment (SGA). Despite research demonstrating that SGA does not accurately detect subtle lameness, it remains the most commonly performed diagnostic test for detecting lameness in dogs. This is largely because the financial, temporal and spatial requirements for existing objective gait analysis equipment makes this technology impractical for
use in general practice. The utility of slow motion video as a potential tool to augment SGA is currently untested. To evaluate a more accessible way to overcome the limitations of SGA, a slow motion video study was undertaken. Three experienced veterinarians reviewed video footage of 30 dogs, 15 with a diagnosis of primary limb lameness based on history and physical examination, and 15 with no indication of limb lameness based on history and physical examination. Four different videos were made for each dog, demonstrating each dog walking and trotting in real time, and then again walking and trotting in 50% slow motion. For each video, the veterinary raters assessed both the degree of lameness, and which limb(s) they felt represented the source of the lameness. Spearman’s rho, Cramer’s V, and t-tests were performed to determine if slow motion video increased either the accuracy or consistency of raters’ SGA relative to real time video. Raters demonstrated no significant increase in consistency or accuracy in their SGA of slow motion video relative to real time video. Based on these findings, slow motion video does not increase the consistency or accuracy of SGA values. Further research is required to determine if slow motion video will benefit SGA in other ways
Treatment of hemorrhagic hepatic cysts with omentalization in a serval.
A 2 year old, spayed female African serval was evaluated for a history of abdominal distention. Physical examination findings were consistent with cranial abdominal masses and anemia. Abdominal imaging revealed soft tissue opacity masses in the cranial abdomen and hypoechoic cysts arising from the liver parenchyma. Conservative management failed to improve clinical signs, and a midline exploratory laparotomy was performed. Three large hemorrhagic cysts were visualized occupying a significant amount of the liver parenchyma. The cysts were drained, omentalized and partially closed with a surgical stapler and suture. Histopatological evaluation of the resected tissue was consistent with a chronic hepatic hematoma. The patient recovered well and was discharged 3 days postoperatively. Two years later, the patient was readmitted with the same clinical signs and large multiple hepatic cysts involving most of the liver lobes. These were surgically omentalized similarly to the previous surgery and the patient recovered well postoperatively. Two years later, return to normal life and no recurrence of the cysts was reported
Lattice density-functional theory of surface melting: the effect of a square-gradient correction
I use the method of classical density-functional theory in the
weighted-density approximation of Tarazona to investigate the phase diagram and
the interface structure of a two-dimensional lattice-gas model with three
phases -- vapour, liquid, and triangular solid. While a straightforward
mean-field treatment of the interparticle attraction is unable to give a stable
liquid phase, the correct phase diagram is obtained when including a suitably
chosen square-gradient term in the system grand potential. Taken this theory
for granted, I further examine the structure of the solid-vapour interface as
the triple point is approached from low temperature. Surprisingly, a novel
phase (rather than the liquid) is found to grow at the interface, exhibiting an
unusually long modulation along the interface normal. The conventional
surface-melting behaviour is recovered only by artificially restricting the
symmetries being available to the density field.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figure
The lattice of Fitting classes which are right extensible by soluble groups
In this paper we study the set of Fitting classes which are right extensible by soluble groups ordered by the inclusion relation. The consideration of the associated lattices gives rise to new Fitting classes and it allows to obtain some injectivity criteria for general Fitting classes
Corpus cavernosum from men with vasculogenic impotence is partially resistant to adenosine relaxation due to endothelial A(2B) receptor dysfunction
ABSTRACT
Although adenosine has been implicated in penile erection in
human males, the receptor subtype responsible for adenosine
regulation of human corpus cavernosum (HCC) smooth muscle
tone is still a matter of debate. Using selective adenosine
agonists and antagonists, we aimed at characterizing the adenosine
receptors mediating relaxation of precontracted (with 1
M phenylephrine) HCC strips. HCC specimens were collected
from control subjects (organ donors) and from patients with
severe vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). In control subjects,
adenosine and 5 -N-ethyl-carboxamide adenosine
(NECA) fully relaxed HCC. The selective A2A receptor agonist
2-[4-(2-p-carboxy ethyl)phenylamino]-5 -N-ethylcarboxamido
adenosine (CGS21680C) produced only a partial relaxation
(30–50%) of HCC, which could be further enhanced by simultaneous
application of 100 M NECA. The selective A2B receptor
antagonist N-(4-acetylphenyl)-2-[4-(2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-
2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-1H-purin-8-il)phenoxy] acetamida
(MRS1706) (10 nM) attenuated NECA-induced relaxation without
affecting CGS21680C action. The A2A receptor antagonist
4-{2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo-[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-
ylamino]ethyl}phenol (ZM241385) (50 nM) consistently reduced
the actions of both agonists. In contrast to CGS21680C, NECAinduced
relaxation was attenuated when endothelial production
of NO and prostanoids was reduced by 100 M NG-nitro-Larginine
and 10 M indomethacin, respectively. HCC strips
from patients with vasculogenic ED were partially resistant to
NECA but kept relaxation to CGS21680C; the remaining effect
was sensitive to blockade of A2A receptors with 50 nM
ZM241385. Data suggest that adenosine regulates HCC
smooth muscle tone through the activation of two receptor
populations, CGS21680C-sensitive (A2A) and -insensitive (A2B)
receptors, located on smooth muscle fibers and on endothelial
cells, respectively. Endothelial dysfunction may be correlated
with a loss of adenosine A2B receptor activity in penile vessels
from men with vasculogenic ED
Many ways to make darker flies: Intra- and inter-specific variation in Drosophila body pigmentation components
Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT)info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersio
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