426 research outputs found
Alternatives to steel and lead
Mark Malins and Peter Oliver look at how deer and trees might co-exist more comfortably
Identification of structure in condensed matter with the topological cluster classification
We describe the topological cluster classification (TCC) algorithm. The TCC
detects local structures with bond topologies similar to isolated clusters
which minimise the potential energy for a number of monatomic and binary simple
liquids with particles. We detail a modified Voronoi bond detection
method that optimizes the cluster detection. The method to identify each
cluster is outlined, and a test example of Lennard-Jones liquid and crystal
phases is considered and critically examined.Comment: 28 pages, 28 figure
The photoionization dynamics of the three structural isomers of dichloroethene
Using tunable vacuum-UV radiation from a synchrotron, the threshold photoelectron spectrum, threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectrum and ion breakdown diagram of the 1,1, cis-1,2 and trans-1,2 isomers of CHCl have been recorded in the range 9-23 eV. The energies of the peaks in the threshold photoelectron spectrum are in good agreement with outer-valence Greens function caculations. The major difference between the isomers, both predicted and observed experimentally is that the F and G states of CHCl are approximately degenerate for 1,1 and trans-1,2, but well separated for the cis-1,2 isomer. The ground and low-lying valence states of CHCl are bound, with higher-lying states dissociating to CHCl or CH. The translational kinetic energy release into CHCl + Cl is determined as a function of energy. Isolated-state behaviour for the low-lying electronic states of CHCl becomes more statistical as the energy increases
The effect of attractions on the local structure of liquids and colloidal fluids
We revisit the role of attractions in liquids and apply these concepts to
colloidal suspensions. Two means are used to investigate the structure; the
pair correlation function and a recently developed topological method. The
latter identifies structures topologically equivalent to ground state clusters
formed by isolated groups of 5 < m < 13 particles, which are specific to the
system under consideration. Our topological methodology shows that, in the case
of Lennard-Jones, the addition of attractions increases the system's ability to
form larger (m>8) clusters, although pair-correlation functions are almost
identical. Conversely, in the case of short-ranged attractions, pair
correlation functions show a significant response to adding attraction, while
the liquid structure exhibits a strong decrease in clustering upon adding
attractions. Finally, a compressed, weakly interacting system shows a similar
pair structure and topology.Comment: 22 page
Fluorescent carbon dioxide indicators
Over the last decade, fluorescence has become the dominant tool in biotechnology and medical imaging. These exciting advances have been underpinned by the advances in time-resolved techniques and instrumentation, probe design, chemical / biochemical sensing, coupled with our furthered knowledge in biology. Complementary volumes 9 and 10, Advanced Concepts of Fluorescence Sensing: Small Molecule Sensing and Advanced Concepts of Fluorescence Sensing: Macromolecular Sensing, aim to summarize the current state of the art in fluorescent sensing. For this reason, Drs. Geddes and Lakowicz have invited chapters, encompassing a broad range of fluorescence sensing techniques. Some chapters deal with small molecule sensors, such as for anions, cations, and CO2, while others summarize recent advances in protein-based and macromolecular sensors. The Editors have, however, not included DNA or RNA based sensing in this volume, as this were reviewed in Volume 7 and is to be the subject of a more detailed volume in the near future
Travelling and sticky affects: : Exploring teens and sexualized cyberbullying through a Butlerian-Deleuzian- Guattarian lens
In this paper we combine the thinking of Deleuze and Guattari (1984, 1987) with Judith Butler’s (1990, 1993, 2004, 2009) work to follow the rhizomatic becomings of young people’s affective relations in a range of on- and off-line school spaces. In particular we explore how events that may be designated as sexual cyberbullying are constituted and how they are mediated by technology (such as texting or in/through social networking sites). Drawing on findings from two different studies looking at teens’ uses of and experiences with social networking sites, Arto in Denmark, and Bebo in the UK, we use this approach to think about how affects flow, are distributed, and become fixed in assemblages. We map how affects are manoeuvred and potentially disrupted by young people, suggesting that in the incidences discussed affects travel as well as stick in points of fixation. We argue that we need to grasp both affective flow and fixity in order to gain knowledge of how subjectification of the gendered/classed/racialised/sexualised body emerges. A Butlerian-Deleuzian-Guattarian frame helps us to map some of these affective complexities that shape sexualized cyberbully events; and to recognize technologically mediated lines of flight when subjectifications are at least temporarily disrupted and new terms of recognition and intelligibility staked out. Keywords
Geometric frustration in small colloidal clusters
We study the structure of clusters in a model colloidal system with competing
interactions using Brownian dynamics simulations. A short-ranged attraction
drives clustering, while a weak, long-ranged repulsion is used to model
electrostatic charging in experimental systems. The former is treated with a
short-ranged Morse attractive interaction, the latter with a repulsive Yukawa
interaction. We consider the yield of clusters of specific structure as a
function of the strength of the interactions, for clusters with m=3,4,5,6,7,10
and 13 colloids. At sufficient strengths of the attractive interaction (around
10 kT), the average bond lifetime approaches the simulation timescale and the
system becomes nonergodic. For small clusters m<=5 where geometric frustration
is not relevant, despite nonergodicity, for sufficient strengths of the
attractive interaction the yield of clusters which maximise the number of bonds
approaches 100%. However for and higher, in the nonergodic regime we find
a lower yield of these structures where we argue geometric frustration plays a
significant role. is a special case, where two structures, of octahedral
and C2v symmetry compete, with the latter being favoured by entropic
contributions in the ergodic regime and by kinetic trapping in the nonergodic
regime. We believe that our results should be valid as far as the one-component
description of the interaction potential is valid. A system with competing
electrostatic repulsions and van der Waals attractions may be such an example.
However, in some cases, the one-component description of the interaction
potential may not be appropriate.Comment: 21 pages, accepted for publication by J. Phys. Condens. Matte
Modest induction of phase 2 enzyme activity in the F-344 rat prostate
BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men and is thought to arise as a result of endogenous oxidative stress in the face of compromised carcinogen defenses. We tested whether carcinogen defense (phase 2) enzymes could be induced in the prostate tissues of rats after oral feeding of candidate phase 2 enzyme inducing compounds. METHODS: Male F344 rats were gavage fed sulforaphane, β-naphthoflavone, curcumin, dimethyl fumarate or vehicle control over five days, and on the sixth day, prostate, liver, kidney and bladder tissues were harvested. Cytosolic enzyme activities of nicotinamide quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), total glutathione transferase (using DCNB) and mu-class glutathione transferase (using CDNB) were determined in the treated and control animals and compared. RESULTS: In prostatic tissues, sulforaphane produced modest but significant increases in the enzymatic activities of NQO1, total GST and GST-mu compared to control animals. β-naphthoflavone significantly increased NQO1 and GST-mu activities and curcumin increased total GST and GST-mu enzymatic activities. Dimethyl fumarate did not significantly increase prostatic phase 2 enzyme activity. Compared to control animals, sulforaphane also significantly induced NQO1 or total GST enzyme activity in the liver, kidney and, most significantly, in the bladder tissues. All compounds were well tolerated over the course of the gavage feedings. CONCLUSION: Orally administered compounds will induce modestly phase 2 enzyme activity in the prostate although the significance of this degree of induction is unknown. The 4 different compounds also altered phase 2 enzyme activity to different degrees in different tissue types. Orally administered sulforaphane potently induces phase 2 enzymes in bladder tissues and should be investigated as a bladder cancer preventive agent
Multiwavelength Observations of Supersonic Plasma Blob Triggered by Reconnection Generated Velocity Pulse in AR10808
Using multi-wavelength observations of Solar and Heliospheric Observatory
(SoHO)/Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI), Transition Region and Coronal Explorer
(TRACE) 171 \AA, and H from Culgoora Solar Observatory at Narrabri,
Australia, we present a unique observational signature of a propagating
supersonic plasma blob before an M6.2 class solar flare in AR10808 on 9th
September 2005. The blob was observed between 05:27 UT to 05:32 UT with almost
a constant shape for the first 2-3 minutes, and thereafter it quickly vanished
in the corona. The observed lower bound speed of the blob is estimated as
215 km s in its dynamical phase. The evidence of the blob with
almost similar shape and velocity concurrent in H and TRACE 171 \AA\
supports its formation by multi-temperature plasma. The energy release by a
recurrent 3-D reconnection process via the separator dome below the magnetic
null point, between the emerging flux and pre-existing field lines in the lower
solar atmosphere, is found to be the driver of a radial velocity pulse outwards
that accelerates this plasma blob in the solar atmosphere. In support of
identification of the possible driver of the observed eruption, we solve the
two-dimensional ideal magnetohydrodynamic equations numerically to simulate the
observed supersonic plasma blob. The numerical modelling closely match the
observed velocity, evolution of multi-temperature plasma, and quick vanishing
of the blob found in the observations. Under typical coronal conditions, such
blobs may also carry an energy flux of 7.0 ergs cm
s to re-balance the coronal losses above active regions.Comment: Solar Physics; 22 Pages; 8 Figure
Simulation and Analysis of Dynamic Regimes Involving Ground and Excited State Transitions in Quantum Dot Passively Mode-Locked Lasers
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