357 research outputs found
Investigation of physicochemical and tribological properties of TiO2 nano-lubricant oil of different concentrations
Nano-lubricants provide enhanced tribological properties in several applications like machines and engines. The presence of nanoparticles in the lubricating oil effects its wear, friction, thermal, chemical and physical properties in many ways. This article reports effect of TiO2 nanoparticles suspended in servo system lubricating oil prepared by sonication process without adding any surfactant. Four different volume concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8%) of TiO2 nanoparticles in the base lubricating oil are used for analysis. Calorific value, flash point, viscosity are the physicochemical properties of the TiO2 nano-lubricant investigated at different Volume Concentrations (VC). Wear scar diameter and coefficient of friction are the tribological properties analyzed for the prepared nano-lubricant at different VCs. Calorific value and flash point of the nano-lubricant was found to be decreasing with increasing VCs compared to base lubricant oil. Viscosity, on the other hand was almost same as the base lubricant oil for the proposed VCs. Wear scar diameter and friction coefficient was found to increase with increase in VC of TiO2 nanoparticles in the lubricant oil. It is concluded that, to obtain better results agglomeration of nanoparticles has to be avoided which can be achieved with the use of surfactant
Unfrustrated Qudit Chains and their Ground States
We investigate chains of 'd' dimensional quantum spins (qudits) on a line
with generic nearest neighbor interactions without translational invariance. We
find the conditions under which these systems are not frustrated, i.e. when the
ground states are also the common ground states of all the local terms in the
Hamiltonians. The states of a quantum spin chain are naturally represented in
the Matrix Product States (MPS) framework. Using imaginary time evolution in
the MPS ansatz, we numerically investigate the range of parameters in which we
expect the ground states to be highly entangled and find them hard to
approximate using our MPS method.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures. Typos correcte
Analysis of Chitosan Polymer Doped with Nano Al 2 O 3 and Nano CuO
Abstract Chitin is a naturally abundant mucopolysaccharide which by the process of N-deacetylation gives the polymer Chitosan. High percentage of nitrogen compared to synthetically substituted cellulose gives an added commercial edge for the polymer. Chitosan is very relevant in terms of wide availability and reduced cost of the raw material. Enhanced properties of chitosan can be exploited for wider applications strengthening its existing vital role in medical and waste water treatment. Objective of the investigation carried out in this work is to study the effect of nano-copper oxide (CuO) and nano-aluminium oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) particles on the mechanical properties of chitosan. Chitosan nano films have been fabricated by solution casting process using acetic acid as a solvent. Each film was tested for its Tensile Strength, Young's modulus, Stiffness and Elongation at Fracture. It is observed that, the polymer when doped with Al 2 O 3 , CuO nano particles show favourable properties only upto a certain composition limit
Neorealism and the Organization of American States (OAS): an examination of CARICOM rationality toward Venezuela and the United States
Since 2017, CARICOM member states have been divided in the positions they take on Organization of American States (OAS)
resolutions addressing political instability in Venezuela. This article uses a neorealism framework to determine whether or
not the provision of energy investments by Venezuela and the United States to CARICOM member countries is an attempt
on their part to skew the OAS voting mechanism in their national interests. The article also examines the extent to which
CARICOM member states’ response to Venezuela’s and United States’ interest in the OAS demonstrates a pattern of
rationality. The findings suggest that though the OAS provides a medium for states to negotiate mutually beneficial solutions,
states are rational actors and even where they do corporate, dominant states may try to manifest their self-interest
Ignition conditions for inertial confinement fusion targets with a nuclear spin-polarized DT fuel
The nuclear fusion cross-section is modified when the spins of the interacting nuclei are polarized. In the case of deuterium?tritium it has been theoretically predicted that the nuclear fusion cross-section could be increased by a factor d = 1.5 if all the nuclei were polarized. In inertial confinement fusion this would result in a modification of the required ignition conditions. Using numerical simulations it is found that the required hot-spot temperature and areal density can both be reduced by about 15% for a fully polarized nuclear fuel. Moreover, numerical simulations of a directly driven capsule show that the required laser power and energy to achieve a high gain scale as d-0.6 and d-0.4 respectively, while the maximum achievable energy gain scales as d0.9
Cauchy's infinitesimals, his sum theorem, and foundational paradigms
Cauchy's sum theorem is a prototype of what is today a basic result on the
convergence of a series of functions in undergraduate analysis. We seek to
interpret Cauchy's proof, and discuss the related epistemological questions
involved in comparing distinct interpretive paradigms. Cauchy's proof is often
interpreted in the modern framework of a Weierstrassian paradigm. We analyze
Cauchy's proof closely and show that it finds closer proxies in a different
modern framework.
Keywords: Cauchy's infinitesimal; sum theorem; quantifier alternation;
uniform convergence; foundational paradigms.Comment: 42 pages; to appear in Foundations of Scienc
Mathematical and Statistical Techniques for Systems Medicine: The Wnt Signaling Pathway as a Case Study
The last decade has seen an explosion in models that describe phenomena in
systems medicine. Such models are especially useful for studying signaling
pathways, such as the Wnt pathway. In this chapter we use the Wnt pathway to
showcase current mathematical and statistical techniques that enable modelers
to gain insight into (models of) gene regulation, and generate testable
predictions. We introduce a range of modeling frameworks, but focus on ordinary
differential equation (ODE) models since they remain the most widely used
approach in systems biology and medicine and continue to offer great potential.
We present methods for the analysis of a single model, comprising applications
of standard dynamical systems approaches such as nondimensionalization, steady
state, asymptotic and sensitivity analysis, and more recent statistical and
algebraic approaches to compare models with data. We present parameter
estimation and model comparison techniques, focusing on Bayesian analysis and
coplanarity via algebraic geometry. Our intention is that this (non exhaustive)
review may serve as a useful starting point for the analysis of models in
systems medicine.Comment: Submitted to 'Systems Medicine' as a book chapte
Divergent Perturbation Series
Various perturbation series are factorially divergent. The behavior of their
high-order terms can be found by Lipatov's method, according to which they are
determined by the saddle-point configurations (instantons) of appropriate
functional integrals. When the Lipatov asymptotics is known and several lowest
order terms of the perturbation series are found by direct calculation of
diagrams, one can gain insight into the behavior of the remaining terms of the
series. Summing it, one can solve (in a certain approximation) various
strong-coupling problems. This approach is demonstrated by determining the
Gell-Mann - Low functions in \phi^4 theory, QED, and QCD for arbitrary coupling
constants. An overview of the mathematical theory of divergent series is
presented, and interpretation of perturbation series is discussed. Explicit
derivations of the Lipatov asymptotic forms are presented for some basic
problems in theoretical physics. A solution is proposed to the problem of
renormalon contributions, which hampered progress in this field in the late
1970s. Practical schemes for summation of perturbation series are described for
a coupling constant of order unity and in the strong-coupling limit. An
interpretation of the Borel integral is given for 'non-Borel-summable' series.
High-order corrections to the Lipatov asymptotics are discussed.Comment: Review article, 45 pages, PD
Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma Genomic Profile Is Characterized by Alterations in Genes Regulating NF-κB and Immune Checkpoints.
Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is an uncommon lymphoma with an aggressive clinical course characterized by selective growth of tumor cells within the vessels. Its pathogenesis is still uncertain and there is little information on the underlying genomic alterations. In this study, we performed a clinicopathologic and next-generation sequencing analysis of 15 cases of IVLBCL using a custom panel for the detection of alterations in 68 recurrently mutated genes in B-cell lymphomagenesis. Six patients had evidence of hemophagocytic syndrome. Four patients presented concomitantly a solid malignancy. Tumor cells outside the vessels were observed in 7 cases, 2 with an overt diffuse large B-cell cell lymphoma. In 4 samples, tumor cells infiltrated lymphatic vessel in addition to blood capillaries. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) was positive in tumor cells in 4 of 11 evaluable samples and in macrophages intermingled with tumor cells in 8. PD-L1 copy number gains were identified in a higher proportion of cases expressing PD-L1 than in negative tumors. The most frequently mutated gene was PIM1 (9/15, 60%), followed by MYD88L265P and CD79B (8/15, 53% each). In 6 cases, MYD88L265P and CD79B mutations were detected concomitantly. We also identified recurrent mutations in IRF4 , TMEM30A , BTG2 , and ETV6 loci (4/15, 27% each) and novel driver mutations in NOTCH2 , CCND3 , and GNA13 , and an IRF4 translocation in 1 case each. The mutational profile was similar in patients with and without evidence of hemophagocytic syndrome and in cases with or without dissemination of tumor cells outside the vessels. Our results confirm the relevance of mutations in B-cell receptor/nuclear factor-κB signaling and immune escape pathways in IVLBCL and identify novel driver alterations. The similar mutational profile in tumors with extravascular dissemination suggests that these cases may also be considered in the spectrum of IVLBCL
Influence of hypothermia on right atrial cardiomyocyte apoptosis in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement
BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that programmed cell death can be triggered during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and may be involved in postoperative complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether apoptosis occurs during aortic valve surgery and whether modifying temperature during CPB has any influence on cardiomyocyte apoptotic death rate. METHODS: 20 patients undergoing elective aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis were randomly assigned to either moderate hypothermic (ModHT group, n = 10, 28°C) or mild hypothermic (MiHT group, n = 10, 34°C) CPB. Myocardial samples were obtained from the right atrium before and after weaning from CPB. Specimens were examined for apoptosis by flow cytometry analysis of annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) and Fas death receptor staining. RESULTS: In the ModHT group, non apoptotic non necrotic cells (annexin negative, PI negative) decreased after CPB, while early apoptotic (annexin positive, PI negative) and late apoptotic or necrotic (PI positive) cells increased. In contrast, no change in the different cell populations was observed over time in the MiHT group. Fas expression rose after reperfusion in the ModHT group but not in MiHT patients, in which there was even a trend for a lower Fas staining after CPB (p = 0.08). In ModHT patients, a prolonged ischemic time tended to induce a higher increase of Fas (p = 0.061). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that apoptosis signal cascade is activated at early stages during aortic valve replacement under ModHT CPB. This apoptosis induction can effectively be attenuated by a more normothermic procedure
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