748 research outputs found
Higher modes of the Orr-Sommerfeld problem for boundary layer flows
The discrete spectrum of the Orr-Sommerfeld problem of hydrodynamic stability for boundary layer flows in semi-infinite regions is examined. Related questions concerning the continuous spectrum are also addressed. Emphasis is placed on the stability problem for the Blasius boundary layer profile. A general theoretical result is given which proves that the discrete spectrum of the Orr-Sommerfeld problem for boundary layer profiles (U(y), 0,0) has only a finite number of discrete modes when U(y) has derivatives of all orders. Details are given of a highly accurate numerical technique based on collocation with splines for the calculation of stability characteristics. The technique includes replacement of 'outer' boundary conditions by asymptotic forms based on the proper large parameter in the stability problem. Implementation of the asymptotic boundary conditions is such that there is no need to make apriori distinctions between subcases of the discrete spectrum or between the discrete and continuous spectrums. Typical calculations for the usual Blasius problem are presented
Manifestation of dynamic Jahn-Teller distortions and surface interactions in scanning tunnelling microscopy images of fullerene anion C−60
Using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), it is possible to observe detailed structure of the molecular orbitals (MOs) of fullerene anions C−60. However, understanding the experimental observations is not straightforward because of the inherent presence of Jahn–Teller (JT) interactions, which (in general) split the MOs in one of a number of equivalent ways. Tunnelling between equivalent distortions means that any observed STM image will be a superposition of images arising from the individual configurations. Interactions with the surface substrate must also be taken into account. We will show how simple ideas involving a symmetry analysis and Hückel molecular orbital theory can be used to understand observed STM images without need for the more usual but more complicated density functional calculations. In particular, we will show that when the fullerene ion is adsorbed with a pentagon, hexagon or double-bond facing the surface, STM images involving the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) can be reproduced by adding together just two images of squares of components of the LUMO, in ratios that depend on the strength of the JT effect and the surface interaction. It should always be possible to find qualitative matches to observed images involving any of these orientations by simply looking at images of the components, without doing any detailed calculations. A comparison with published images indicates that the JT effect in the C−60 ion favours D3d distortions
Promoting post-stroke recovery through focal or whole body vibration: criticisms and prospects from a narrative review
Objective: Several focal muscle vibration (fMV) and whole body vibration (WBV) protocols have been designed to promote brain reorganization processes in patients with stroke. However, whether fMV and WBV should be considered helpful tools to promote post-stroke recovery remains still largely unclear. Methods: We here achieve a comprehensive review of the application of fMV and WBV to promote brain reorganization processes in patients with stroke. By first discussing the putative physiological basis of fMV and WBV and then examining previous observations achieved in recent randomized controlled trials (RCT) in patients with stroke, we critically discuss possible strength and limitations of the currently available data. Results: We provide the first systematic assessment of fMV studies demonstrating some improvement in upper and lower limb functions, in patients with chronic stroke. We also confirm and expand previous considerations about the rather limited rationale for the application of current WBV protocols in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion: Based on available information, we propose new recommendations for optimal stimulation parameters and strategies for recruitment of specific stroke populations that would more likely benefit from future fMV or WBV application, in terms of speed and amount of post-stroke functional recovery
Design and analysis of DNA strand displacement devices using probabilistic model checking
Designing correct, robust DNA devices is difficult because of the many possibilities for unwanted interference between molecules in the system. DNA strand displacement has been proposed as a design paradigm for DNA devices, and the DNA strand displacement (DSD) programming language has been developed as a means of formally programming and analysing these devices to check for unwanted interference. We demonstrate, for the first time, the use of probabilistic verification techniques to analyse the correctness, reliability and performance of DNA devices during the design phase. We use the probabilistic model checker prism, in combination with the DSD language, to design and debug DNA strand displacement components and to investigate their kinetics. We show how our techniques can be used to identify design flaws and to evaluate the merits of contrasting design decisions, even on devices comprising relatively few inputs. We then demonstrate the use of these components to construct a DNA strand displacement device for approximate majority voting. Finally, we discuss some of the challenges and possible directions for applying these methods to more complex designs
Stochastic Simulation of Process Calculi for Biology
Biological systems typically involve large numbers of components with
complex, highly parallel interactions and intrinsic stochasticity. To model
this complexity, numerous programming languages based on process calculi have
been developed, many of which are expressive enough to generate unbounded
numbers of molecular species and reactions. As a result of this expressiveness,
such calculi cannot rely on standard reaction-based simulation methods, which
require fixed numbers of species and reactions. Rather than implementing custom
stochastic simulation algorithms for each process calculus, we propose to use a
generic abstract machine that can be instantiated to a range of process calculi
and a range of reaction-based simulation algorithms. The abstract machine
functions as a just-in-time compiler, which dynamically updates the set of
possible reactions and chooses the next reaction in an iterative cycle. In this
short paper we give a brief summary of the generic abstract machine, and show
how it can be instantiated with the stochastic simulation algorithm known as
Gillespie's Direct Method. We also discuss the wider implications of such an
abstract machine, and outline how it can be used to simulate multiple calculi
simultaneously within a common framework.Comment: In Proceedings MeCBIC 2010, arXiv:1011.005
Effects of aspect ratio on the mode couplings of thin-film bulk acoustic wave resonators
We studied mode couplings in thin film bulk acoustic wave resonators of a piezoelectric film on a dielectric layer operating with the fundamental thickness-extensional mode. A system of plate equations derived in our previous paper was used which includes the couplings to the unwanted in-plane extension, flexure, fundamental and second-order thickness shear modes. It was shown that the couplings depend strongly on the plate length/thickness ratio. For a relatively clean operating mode with weak couplings to unwanted modes, a series of discrete values of the plate length/thickness ratio should be avoided and these values were determined in the present paper. The results can be of great significance to the design and optimization of film bulk acoustic wave resonators
Facilitating adjustments : evaluating a series of reasonable adjustments workshops for mainstream healthcare professionals
Introduction: Having experienced several nationally reported clinical
incidents East Kent Hospitals (EKH) developed data that indicated that
people with Intellectual Disability (ID) were at greater risk of being
admitted via A&E, and repeatedly admitting, compared to the general
population.
Health Education England supported EKH to undertake workshops
for doctors and other local non -ID specialist professionals on making
adjustments for people with ID.
Methods: A team of three experts by experience – including people
with ID and family carers- and three ID Nurses were employed to
develop and co-facilitate a series of workshops.
Practice Development methods such as Fourth Generation Evaluation
were employed and included in the learning outcomes and educational
methods.
Results: Nine workshops were held over a two years; 120 participants
attended, only 10% had a medical background.
A thematic analysis of participant’s data indicated an emerging
concept, preparedness. Participants wished to be better prepared to make
adjustments before the patient’s arrival.
Implications: This evaluation is prescient as UK parliament is due to
consult on education for all healthcare professionals on ID in light of
#Oliverscampaign.
It is recommended that responsibility for ID education resides with
service providers, employing local experts, reflecting local data, and be
experiential with a work-based project component.
Local informatics systems ought to flag and alert staff of people with
learning disabilities using services
Electromagnetically Induced Transparency and Slow Light with Optomechanics
Controlling the interaction between localized optical and mechanical
excitations has recently become possible following advances in micro- and
nano-fabrication techniques. To date, most experimental studies of
optomechanics have focused on measurement and control of the mechanical
subsystem through its interaction with optics, and have led to the experimental
demonstration of dynamical back-action cooling and optical rigidity of the
mechanical system. Conversely, the optical response of these systems is also
modified in the presence of mechanical interactions, leading to strong
nonlinear effects such as Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and
parametric normal-mode splitting. In atomic systems, seminal experiments and
proposals to slow and stop the propagation of light, and their applicability to
modern optical networks, and future quantum networks, have thrust EIT to the
forefront of experimental study during the last two decades. In a similar
fashion, here we use the optomechanical nonlinearity to control the velocity of
light via engineered photon-phonon interactions. Our results demonstrate EIT
and tunable optical delays in a nanoscale optomechanical crystal device,
fabricated by simply etching holes into a thin film of silicon (Si). At low
temperature (8.7 K), we show an optically-tunable delay of 50 ns with
near-unity optical transparency, and superluminal light with a 1.4 microseconds
signal advance. These results, while indicating significant progress towards an
integrated quantum optomechanical memory, are also relevant to classical signal
processing applications. Measurements at room temperature and in the analogous
regime of Electromagnetically Induced Absorption (EIA) show the utility of
these chip-scale optomechanical systems for optical buffering, amplification,
and filtering of microwave-over-optical signals.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure
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