381 research outputs found
Fabric anisotropy & DEM informed two-surface hyperplasticity : constitutive formulation, asymptotic states & experimental validation.
In geotechnical analysis continuum idealisations of the bulk material still provide the most appropriate approach for engineers designing large-scale structures. In this area, the most successful framework for describing the behaviour of soils is Critical State (CS) soil mechanics. However, the findings from discrete element method (DEM) analysis, such as the uniqueness of the CS, can provide invaluable information in the
development such models. This paper details the key concepts behind a two-surface hyperplasticity model (?) whose development was informed by recent DEM findings on the uniqueness of the CS. Asymptotic states of the model will be confirmed and the DEM-continuum-experimental loop will be closed through comparison of the developed model with experimental data on coarse-grained particulate media. This will demonstrate, that providing the previous stress history is accounted for, the proposed model is suitable for a variety of particulate media
The dark matter halo shape of edge-on disk galaxies I. HI observations
This is the first paper of a series in which we will attempt to put
constraints on the flattening of dark halos in disk galaxies. We observe for
this purpose the HI in edge-on galaxies, where it is in principle possible to
measure the force field in the halo vertically and radially from gas layer
flaring and rotation curve decomposition respectively. In this paper, we define
a sample of 8 HI-rich late-type galaxies suitable for this purpose and present
the HI observations.Comment: Accepted for publication by Astronomy & Astrophysics. For a higher
resolution version see
http://www.astro.rug.nl/~vdkruit/jea3/homepage/12565.pd
Constraints on growth index parameters from current and future observations
We use current and future simulated data of the growth rate of large scale
structure in combination with data from supernova, BAO, and CMB surface
measurements, in order to put constraints on the growth index parameters. We
use a recently proposed parameterization of the growth index that interpolates
between a constant value at high redshifts and a form that accounts for
redshift dependencies at small redshifts. We also suggest here another
exponential parameterization with a similar behaviour. The redshift dependent
parametrizations provide a sub-percent precision level to the numerical growth
function, for the full redshift range. Using these redshift parameterizations
or a constant growth index, we find that current available data from galaxy
redshift distortions and Lyman-alpha forests is unable to put significant
constraints on any of the growth parameters. For example both CDM and
flat DGP are allowed by current growth data. We use an MCMC analysis to study
constraints from future growth data, and simulate pessimistic and moderate
scenarios for the uncertainties. In both scenarios, the redshift
parameterizations discussed are able to provide significant constraints and
rule out models when incorrectly assumed in the analysis. The values taken by
the constant part of the parameterizations as well as the redshift slopes are
all found to significantly rule out an incorrect background. We also find that,
for our pessimistic scenario, an assumed constant growth index over the full
redshift range is unable to rule out incorrect models in all cases. This is due
to the fact that the slope acts as a second discriminator at smaller redshifts
and therefore provide a significant test to identify the underlying gravity
theory.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, matches JCAP accepted versio
Influence of climatic variables on crown condition in pine forests of Northern Spain
Producción CientíficaThe aim of this study was to find relationships between crown condition and
some climatic parameters to identify which are those having a main influence on
crown condition, and how this influence is shown in the tree (crown transparency),
and to contribute to the understanding of how these parameters will affect under
future climate change scenarios
Associations between cognitive impairment and patient-reported measures of physical/mental functioning in older people living with HIV
Objectives: While cognitive impairment is frequently reported in HIV-positive individuals and has historically been associated with poorer functional outcomes, the associations between cognitive impairment and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in contemporary cohorts are unclear.
Methods: We tested cognitive function using a computerized battery (CogState™) in 290 HIV-positive and 97 HIV-negative individuals aged ≥ 50 years participating in the Pharmacokinetic and Clinical Observations in People Over Fifty (POPPY) study. Participants completed questionnaires detailing physical and mental health [Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)], cognitive function [European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) questions], activities of daily living [Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)], depression [Patient Depression Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Centres for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D)], falls and sexual desire. Cognitive impairment was defined using the Frascati criteria, global deficit score (GDS) and multivariate normative comparison (MNC). In the HIV-positive group, the classification performances of the different definitions of cognitive impairment and dichotomized questionnaire results were calculated.
Results: The prevalence of cognitive impairment in the HIV-positive group was 34.5% (GDS), 30.0% (Frascati) and 22.1% (MNC), with only 2% diagnosed with HIV-associated dementia. In general, the associations between cognitive impairment and PROMs were weak regardless of the definition used: mean c-statistics were 0.543 (GDS), 0.530 (MNC) and 0.519 (Frascati). Associations were similar using the global T-score to define cognitive impairment. Summary health scores (SF-36) were lower, but only significantly so for those with cognitive impairment identified using MNC, for both mental health (61.4 vs. 75.8; P = 0.03) and physical health (60.9 vs. 75.0; P = 0.03).
Conclusions: The associations between cognitive impairment and PROMs were weak, possibly because impairment was mild and therefore largely asymptomatic. Further work is needed to elucidate the clinical implications of cognitive impairment in HIV-disease
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Tsunami Risk Reduction for the United States: A Framework for Action
This document describes proposals for making communities better prepared and more resilient to catastrophic natural disasters like the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2006. Methods described include warning systems, data sharing, and land use decisions
High‐risk behaviours, and their associations with mental health, adherence to antiretroviral therapy and HIV parameters, in HIV ‐positive men who have sex with men
Objectives
To investigate the patterns and frequency of multiple risk behaviours (alcohol, drugs, smoking, higher risk sexual activity) among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV.
Methods
Cross sectional study.
Results
819 HIV-positive MSM exhibited a high-risk phenotype (defined as >3 of smoking, excess alcohol, sexually transmitted infection and recent recreational drug use). This phenotype was associated with younger age, depressive symptoms and <90% adherence in multivariable logistic regression.
Conclusion
In a cohort of MSM, a small, but significant proportion exhibited multiple concurrent risk behaviours
Equilibrium configurations of two charged masses in General Relativity
An asymptotically flat static solution of Einstein-Maxwell equations which
describes the field of two non-extreme Reissner - Nordstr\"om sources in
equilibrium is presented. It is expressed in terms of physical parameters of
the sources (their masses, charges and separating distance). Very simple
analytical forms were found for the solution as well as for the equilibrium
condition which guarantees the absence of any struts on the symmetry axis. This
condition shows that the equilibrium is not possible for two black holes or for
two naked singularities. However, in the case when one of the sources is a
black hole and another one is a naked singularity, the equilibrium is possible
at some distance separating the sources. It is interesting that for
appropriately chosen parameters even a Schwarzschild black hole together with a
naked singularity can be "suspended" freely in the superposition of their
fields.Comment: 4 pages; accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
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