658 research outputs found
A Semi-Analytical Analysis of Texture Collapse
This study presents a simplified approach to studying the dynamics of global
texture collapse. We derive equations of motion for a spherically symmetric
field configuration using a two parameter ansatz. Then we analyse the effective
potential for the resulting theory to understand possible trajectories of the
field configuration in the parameter space of the ansatz. Numerical results are
given for critical winding and collapse time in spatially flat non-expanding,
and flat expanding universes. In addition, the open non-expanding and
open-expanding cases are studied.Comment: 12 pages, figures available from author, BROWN-HET-895, uses phyzz
Attractive Channel Skyrmions and the Deuteron
The deuteron is described as a quantum state on a ten-dimensional manifold
of Skyrme fields of degree two, which are obtained by calculating the
holonomy of instantons. The manifold includes both toroidal
configurations of minimal energy and configurations which are approximately the
product of two Skyrmions in the most attractive relative orientation. The
quantum Hamiltonian is of the form , where is the
covariant Laplace operator on and is the potential which
inherits from the Skyrme potential energy functional. Quantum states are
complex-valued functions on the double cover of satisfying certain
constraints. There is a unique bound state with the quantum numbers of the
deuteron, and its binding energy is approximately 6 MeV. Some of the deuteron's
electrostatic and magnetostatic properties are also calculated and compared
with experiment.Comment: 38 pages, latex, 9 figure
937-2 Safety and Efficacy of QW3600 (EchoGenÂź) in Producing LV Opacification During Stress Echocardiography in Normals
QW 3600 (EchoGenÂź) (EG) is a new ultrasonic contrast agent which produces intense LV cavity and even myocardial opacification following IV injection in animals. However, no data exists regarding the potential of this agent to be used in conjunction with stress echo in humans. Therefore, in 17 normals we compared the results of injecting equal volumes of normal saline and progressive doses of EG: 0.02 cc/kg (5 pts). 0.05cc/kg (4). and 0.1cc/kg (8) during stress echo performed to 85% of maximal heart rate. Echo was performed in apical 4 chamber view, and LV contrast opacification was assessed qualitatively (1 + weak and incomplete, 2+ complete cavity. 3+dense and complete) and by videodensitometry (0.3cm2) region of interest in mid cavity. All subjects tolerated the injections well without adverse events. No significant changes were observed in pulse oximetry, the ECG, or 25 laboratory studies. We analyzed the maximal change (Î) in systolic (S) and diastolic (D) pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (HR) and peak videointensity (PVI) from baseline to post exertion following the injection of either saline or EG (Table, all p=NS for saline vs EG except PVI)DoseSalineEGÎHRÎSBPÎDBPPVIÎHRÎSBPÎDBPPVI0.0248431813424917280.0537351611434321420.13740191037441962LV opacification was absent with saline, was inconsistent at 0.02 and 0.05cc/kg doses, but wasâ„ 2+ in all but one 0.1cc/kg administration (mean 2.4). Peak LV videointensity after EG was 62 for 0.1cc/kg. Thus, EchoGenÂź is a new contrast agent which is well tolerated when used with stress echo in normals and results in complete LV opacification at a dose of 0.1cc/kg. EchoGenÂź should prove to be a useful adjunct to clinical stress echo
Reparametrising the Skyrme Model using the Lithium-6 Nucleus
The minimal energy B=6 solution of the Skyrme model is a static soliton with
symmetry. The symmetries of the solution imply that the quantum
numbers of the ground state are the same as those of the Lithium-6 nucleus.
This identification is considered further by obtaining expressions for the mean
charge radius and quadrupole moment, dependent only on the Skyrme model
parameters (a dimensionless constant) and (the pion decay
constant). The optimal values of these parameters have often been deliberated
upon, and we propose, for , changing them from those which are most
commonly accepted. We obtain specific values for these parameters for B=6, by
matching with properties of the Lithium-6 nucleus. We find further support for
the new values by reconsidering the -particle and deuteron as quantized
B=4 and B=2 Skyrmions.Comment: 18 page
Rates of referable eye disease in the Scottish National Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme
Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Grafting from versus Grafting to Approaches for the Functionalization of Graphene Nanoplatelets with Poly(methyl methacrylate)
Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were exfoliated using a nondestructive chemical reduction method and subsequently decorated with polymers using two different approaches: grafting from and grafting to. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with varying molecular weights was covalently attached to the GNP layers using both methods. The grafting ratios were higher (44.6% to 126.5%) for the grafting from approach compared to the grafting to approach (12.6% to 20.3%). The products were characterized using thermogravimetric analysisâmass spectrometry (TGA-MS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The grafting from products showed an increase in the grafting ratio and dispersibility in acetone with increasing monomer supply; on the other hand, due to steric effects, the grafting to products showed lower absolute grafting ratios and a decreasing trend with increasing polymer molecular weight. The excellent dispersibility of the grafting from functionalized graphene, 900 ÎŒg/mL in acetone, indicates an increased compatibility with the solvent and the potential to increase graphene reinforcement performance in nanocomposite applications
Grafting from versus grafting to approaches for the functionalisation of graphene nanoplatelets with poly(methyl methacrylate)
Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were exfoliated using a nondestructive chemical reduction method and subsequently decorated with polymers using two different approaches: grafting from and grafting to. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with varying molecular weights was covalently attached to the GNP layers using both methods. The grafting ratios were higher (44.6% to 126.5%) for the grafting from approach compared to the grafting to approach (12.6% to 20.3%). The products were characterized using thermogravimetric analysisâmass spectrometry (TGA-MS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The grafting from products showed an increase in the grafting ratio and dispersibility in acetone with increasing monomer supply; on the other hand, due to steric effects, the grafting to products showed lower absolute grafting ratios and a decreasing trend with increasing polymer molecular weight. The excellent dispersibility of the grafting from functionalized graphene, 900 ÎŒg/mL in acetone, indicates an increased compatibility with the solvent and the potential to increase graphene reinforcement performance in nanocomposite applications
Polymorphism in <i>INSR</i> Locus Modifies Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients on Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy
AimsAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a risk for patients receiving thyroid hormone replacement therapy. No published work has focused on pharmacogenetics relevant to thyroid dysfunction and AF risk. We aimed to assess the effect of L-thyroxine on AF risk stratified by a variation in a candidate gene.Methods and ResultsA retrospective follow-up study was done among European Caucasian patients from the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research in Tayside Scotland cohort (Scotland, United Kingdom). Linked data on biochemistry, prescribing, hospital admissions, demographics, and genetic biobank were used to ascertain patients on L-thyroxine and diagnosis of AF. A GWAS-identified insulin receptor-INSR locus (rs4804416) was the candidate gene. Cox survival models and sensitivity analyses by taking competing risk of death into account were used. Replication was performed in additional sample (The Genetics of Scottish Health Research register, GoSHARE), and meta-analyses across the results of the study and replication cohorts were done. We analyzed 962 exposed to L-thyroxine and 5,840 unexposed patients who were rs4804416 genotyped. The rarer G/G genotype was present in 18% of the study population. The total follow-up was up to 20 years, and there was a significant increased AF risk for patients homozygous carriers of the G allele exposed to L-thyroxine (RHR = 2.35, P = 1.6eâ02). The adjusted increased risk was highest within the first 3 years of exposure (RHR = 9.10, P = 8.5eâ04). Sensitivity analysis yielded similar results. Effects were replicated in GoSHARE (n = 3,190).ConclusionHomozygous G/G genotype at the INSR locus (rs4804416) is associated with an increased risk of AF in patients on L-thyroxine, independent of serum of free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone serum concentrations
Magnetic bubble refraction and quasibreathers in inhomogeneous antiferromagnets
The dynamics of magnetic bubble solitons in a two-dimensional isotropic
antiferromagnetic spin lattice is studied, in the case where the exchange
integral J(x,y) is position dependent. In the near continuum regime, this
system is described by the relativistic O(3) sigma model on a spacetime with a
spatially inhomogeneous metric, determined by J. The geodesic approximation is
used to describe low energy soliton dynamics in this system: n-soliton motion
is approximated by geodesic motion in the moduli space of static n-solitons,
equipped with the L^2 metric. Explicit formulae for this metric for various
natural choices of J(x,y) are obtained. From these it is shown that single
soliton trajectories experience refraction, with 1/J analogous to the
refractive index, and that this refraction effect allows the construction of
simple bubble lenses and bubble guides. The case where J has a disk
inhomogeneity (taking the value J_1 outside a disk, and J_2<J_1 inside) is
considered in detail. It is argued that, for sufficiently large J_1/J_2 this
type of antiferromagnet supports approximate quasibreathers: two or more
coincident bubbles confined within the disk which spin internally while their
shape undergoes periodic oscillations with a generically incommensurate period.Comment: Conference proceedings paper for talk given at Nonlinear Physics
Theory and Experiment IV, Gallipoli, Italy, June 200
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