1,705 research outputs found
Computational challenges of systems biology
Progress in the study of biological systems such as the heart, brain, and liver will require computer scientists to work closely with life scientists and mathematicians. Computer science will play a key role in shaping the new discipline of systems biology and addressing the significant computational challenges it poses
Characterization of the glass transition in vitreous silica by temperature scanning small-angle X-ray scattering
The temperature dependence of the x-ray scattering in the region below the
first sharp diffraction peak was measured for silica glasses with low and high
OH content (GE-124 and Corning 7980). Data were obtained upon scanning the
temperature at 10, 40 and 80 K/min between 400 K and 1820 K. The measurements
resolve, for the first time, the hysteresis between heating and cooling through
the glass transition for silica glass, and the data have a better signal to
noise ratio than previous light scattering and differential thermal analysis
data. For the glass with the higher hydroxyl concentration the glass transition
is broader and at a lower temperature. Fits of the data to the
Adam-Gibbs-Fulcher equation provide updated kinetic parameters for this very
strong glass. The temperature derivative of the observed X-ray scattering
matches that of light scattering to within 14%.Comment: EurophysicsLetters, in pres
In situ measurements of density fluctuations and compressibility in silica glass as a function of temperature and thermal history
In this paper, small-angle X-ray scattering measurements are used to
determine the different compressibility contributions, as well as the
isothermal compressibility, in thermal equilibrium in silica glasses having
different thermal histories. Using two different methods of analysis, in the
supercooled liquid and in the glassy state, we obtain respectively the
temperature and fictive temperature dependences of the isotheraml
compressibility. The values obtained in the glass and supercooled liquid states
are very close to each other. They agree with previous determinations of the
literature. The compressibility in the glass state slightly decreases with
increasing fictive temperature. The relaxational part of the compressibility is
also calculated and compared to previous determinations. We discussed the small
differences between the different determinations
Semiclassical description of spin ladders
The Heisenberg spin ladder is studied in the semiclassical limit, via a
mapping to the nonlinear model. Different treatments are needed if the
inter-chain coupling is small, intermediate or large. For intermediate
coupling a single nonlinear model is used for the ladder. Its predicts
a spin gap for all nonzero values of if the sum of the spins
of the two chains is an integer, and no gap otherwise. For small , a better
treatment proceeds by coupling two nonlinear sigma models, one for each chain.
For integer , the saddle-point approximation predicts a sharp drop
in the gap as increases from zero. A Monte-Carlo simulation of a spin 1
ladder is presented which supports the analytical results.Comment: 8 pages, RevTeX 3.0, 4 PostScript figure
Topologically disordered systems at the glass transition
The thermodynamic approach to the viscosity and fragility of amorphous oxides was used to determine the topological characteristics of the disordered network-forming systems. Instead of the disordered system of atoms we considered the congruent disordered system of interconnecting bonds. The Gibbs free energy of network-breaking defects (configurons) was found based on available viscosity data. Amorphous silica and germania were used as reference disordered systems for which we found an excellent agreement of calculated and measured glass transition temperatures. We reveal that the Hausdorff dimension of the system of bonds changes from Euclidian three-dimensional below to fractal 2.55 ± 0.05-dimensional geometry above the glass transition temperature
Do divorcing couples become happier by breaking up?
Divorce is a leap in the dark. The paper investigates whether people who split up actually become happier. Using the British Household Panel Survey, we can observe an individual's level of psychological well-being in the years before and after divorce. Our results show that divorcing couples reap psychological gains from the dissolution of their marriages. Men and women benefit equally. The paper also studies the effects of bereavement, of having dependant children and of remarriage. We measure well-being by using general health questionnaire and life satisfaction scores
ModelFLOWs-app: data-driven post-processing and reduced order modelling tools
This article presents an innovative open-source software named
ModelFLOWs-app, written in Python, which has been created and tested to
generate precise and robust hybrid reduced order models (ROMs) fully
data-driven. By integrating modal decomposition and deep learning methods in
diverse ways, the software uncovers the fundamental patterns in dynamic
systems. This acquired knowledge is then employed to enrich the comprehension
of the underlying physics, reconstruct databases from limited measurements, and
forecast the progression of system dynamics. These hybrid models combine
experimental and numerical database, and serve as accurate alternatives to
numerical simulations, effectively diminishing computational expenses, and also
as tools for optimization and control. The ModelFLOWs-app software has
demonstrated in a wide range of applications its great capability to develop
reliable data-driven hybrid ROMs, highlighting its potential in understanding
complex non-linear dynamical systems and offering valuable insights into
various applications. This article presents the mathematical background, review
some examples of applications and introduces a short tutorial of
ModelFLOWs-app
Pasts and pagan practices: moving beyond Stonehenge
Theorizing the past is not restricted to archaeology and interpretations of 'past' both influence and are themselves constituted within politicized understandings of self, community and in certain instances, spirituality. 'The past in the imagination of the present' is appropriated, variously, to give meaning to the present or to justify actions and interpret experiences. Summer solstice at Stonehenge, with an estimated 21,000 celebrants in 2005, is only the most publicized appropriation (by pagans and other adherents of alternative spirituality and partying) of a 'sacred site'; and conflicts and negotiations occurring throughout Britain are represented in popular and academic presentations of this 'icon of Britishness'. This paper presents work from the Sacred Sites, Contested Rites/Rights Project (http://www.sacredsites.org.uk) project, a collaboration of archaeology and anthropology informed by pagan and alternative approaches and standpoints investigating and theorizing discourse and practice of heritage management and pagan site users. Whether in negotiations around the Stonehenge solstice access or in dealing with numerous other sites, boundaries between groups or discourses are not clearly drawn - discursive communities merge and re-emerge. But clearly 'past' and 'site' are increasingly important within today's Britain, even as television archaeology increases its following, and pagan numbers continue to grow.</p
- …