17,018 research outputs found
Spatially self-similar spherically symmetric perfect-fluid models
Einstein's field equations for spatially self-similar spherically symmetric
perfect-fluid models are investigated. The field equations are rewritten as a
first-order system of autonomous differential equations. Dimensionless
variables are chosen in such a way that the number of equations in the coupled
system is reduced as far as possible and so that the reduced phase space
becomes compact and regular. The system is subsequently analysed qualitatively
with the theory of dynamical systems.Comment: 21 pages, 6 eps-figure
The state space and physical interpretation of self-similar spherically symmetric perfect-fluid models
The purpose of this paper is to further investigate the solution space of
self-similar spherically symmetric perfect-fluid models and gain deeper
understanding of the physical aspects of these solutions. We achieve this by
combining the state space description of the homothetic approach with the use
of the physically interesting quantities arising in the comoving approach. We
focus on three types of models. First, we consider models that are natural
inhomogeneous generalizations of the Friedmann Universe; such models are
asymptotically Friedmann in their past and evolve fluctuations in the energy
density at later times. Second, we consider so-called quasi-static models. This
class includes models that undergo self-similar gravitational collapse and is
important for studying the formation of naked singularities. If naked
singularities do form, they have profound implications for the predictability
of general relativity as a theory. Third, we consider a new class of
asymptotically Minkowski self-similar spacetimes, emphasizing that some of them
are associated with the self-similar solutions associated with the critical
behaviour observed in recent gravitational collapse calculations.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figure
Timelike Hopf Duality and Type IIA^* String Solutions
The usual T-duality that relates the type IIA and IIB theories compactified
on circles of inversely-related radii does not operate if the dimensional
reduction is performed on the time direction rather than a spatial one. This
observation led to the recent proposal that there might exist two further
ten-dimensional theories, namely type IIA^* and type IIB^*, related to type IIB
and type IIA respectively by a timelike dimensional reduction. In this paper we
explore such dimensional reductions in cases where time is the coordinate of a
non-trivial U(1) fibre bundle. We focus in particular on situations where there
is an odd-dimensional anti-de Sitter spacetime AdS_{2n+1}, which can be
described as a U(1) bundle over \widetilde{CP}^n, a non-compact version of CP^n
corresponding to the coset manifold SU(n,1)/U(n). In particular, we study the
AdS_5\times S^5 and AdS_7\times S^4 solutions of type IIB supergravity and
eleven-dimensional supergravity. Applying a timelike Hopf T-duality
transformation to the former provides a new solution of the type IIA^* theory,
of the form \widetilde{CP}^2\times S^1\times S^5. We show how the Hopf-reduced
solutions provide further examples of ``supersymmetry without supersymmetry.''
We also present a detailed discussion of the geometrical structure of the
Hopf-fibred metric on AdS_{2n+1}, and its relation to the horospherical metric
that arises in the AdS/CFT correspondence.Comment: Latex, 26 page
Probing the Electronic Structure of Bilayer Graphene by Raman Scattering
The electronic structure of bilayer graphene is investigated from a resonant
Raman study using different laser excitation energies. The values of the
parameters of the Slonczewski-Weiss-McClure model for graphite are measured
experimentally and some of them differ significantly from those reported
previously for graphite, specially that associated with the difference of the
effective mass of electrons and holes. The splitting of the two TO phonon
branches in bilayer graphene is also obtained from the experimental data. Our
results have implications for bilayer graphene electronic devices.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
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Content Analysis of Online Focus Group Discussions are a Valid and Feasible Mode When Investigating Sensitive Topics Among Young Persons With a Cancer Experience
BACKGROUND: Clinical research often lacks participants of young age. Adding to the small amount of scientific studies that focus on the population entering adulthood, there are also difficulties to recruit them. To overcome this, there is a need to develop and scientifically evaluate modes for data collection that are suitable for adolescents and young adults. With this in mind we performed 39 online focus group discussions among young survivors of childhood cancer to explore thoughts and experiences around dating, being intimate with someone, and having children.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate online focus group discussions as a mode for data collection on sensitive issues among young persons with a cancer experience.
METHODS: One hundred thirty-three young persons (16-25 years) previously diagnosed with cancer, participated in 39 synchronous online focus group discussions (response rate 134/369, 36%). The mode of administration was evaluated by analyzing participant characteristics and interactions during discussions, as well as group members' evaluations of the discussions.
RESULTS: Persons diagnosed with central nervous tumors (n=30, 27%) participated to a lower extent than those with other cancer types (n=103, 39%; χ 2= 4.89, P=.03). The participants described various health impairments that correspond to what would be expected among cancer survivors including neuropsychiatric conditions and writing disabilities. Even though participants were interested in others' experiences, sexual issues needed more probing by the moderators than did fertility-related issues. Group evaluations revealed that participants appreciated communicating on the suggested topics and thought that it was easier to discuss sex when it was possible to be anonymous toward other group members.
CONCLUSIONS: Online focus group discussions, with anonymous participation, are suggested to be a feasible and valid mode for collecting sensitive data among young persons with a cancer experience
Localization and clustering in the nuclear Fermi liquid
Using the framework of nuclear energy density functionals we examine the
conditions for single-nucleon localization and formation of cluster structures
in finite nuclei. We propose to characterize localization by the ratio of the
dispersion of single-nucleon wave functions to the average inter-nucleon
distance. This parameter generally increases with mass and describes the
gradual transition from a hybrid phase in light nuclei, characterized by the
spatial localization of individual nucleon states that leads to the formation
of cluster structures, toward the Fermi liquid phase in heavier nuclei. Values
of the localization parameter that correspond to a crystal phase cannot occur
in finite nuclei. Typical length and energy scales in nuclei allow the
formation of liquid drops, clusters, and halo structures.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure
Compositional Explanation of Types and Algorithmic Debugging of Type Errors
The type systems of most typed functional programming languages are based on the Hindley-Milner type system. A practical problem with these type systems is that it is often hard to understand why a program is not type correct or a function does not have the intended type. We suggest that at the core of this problem is the difficulty of explaining why a given expression has a certain type. The type system is not defined compositionally. We propose to explain types using a variant of the Hindley-Milner type system that defines a compositional type explanation graph of principal typings. We describe how the programmer understands types by interactive navigation through the explanation graph. Furthermore, the explanation graph can be the foundation for algorithmic debugging of type errors, that is, semi-automatic localisation of the source of a type error without even having to understand the type inference steps. We implemented a prototype of a tool to explore the usefulness of the proposed methods
The cysteine 34 residue of A1M/α1-microglobulin is essential for protection of irradiated cell cultures and reduction of carbonyl groups.
α1-microglobulin (A1M) is a 26 kDa plasma and a tissue protein belonging to the lipocalin family. The reductase and free radical scavenger A1M has been shown to protect cells and extracellular matrix against oxidative and irradiation-induced damage. The reductase activity was previously shown to depend upon an unpaired cysteinyl side-chain, C34, and three lysyl side-chains, K92, 118, and 130, located around the open end of the lipocalin pocket. The aim of this work was to investigate whether the cell and matrix protection by A1M is a result of its reductase activity by using A1M-variants with site-directed mutations of the C34, K92, K118, and K130 positions. The results show that the C34 side-chain is an absolute requirement for protection of HepG2 cell cultures against alpha-particle irradiation-induced cell death, upregulation of stress response and cell cycle regulation genes. Mutation of C34 also resulted in loss of the reduction capacity toward heme- and hydrogen peroxide-oxidized collagen, and the radical species 2,2´-azino-bis (3-ethyl-benzo-thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS). Furthermore, mutation of C34 significantly suppressed the cell-uptake of A1M. The K92, K118, and K130 side-chains were of minor importance in cell protection and reduction of oxidized collagen but strongly influenced the reduction of the ABTS-radical. It is concluded that antioxidative protection of cells and collagen by A1M is totally dependent on its C34 amino acid residue. A model of the cell protection mechanism of A1M should be based on the redox activity of the free thiolyl group of the C34 side-chain and a regulatory role of the K92, K118, and K130 residues
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