14,109 research outputs found
Direct innervation of capillary endothelial cells in the lamina propria of the ferret stomach
Direct innervation of capillary endothelial cells in lamina propria of ferret stomac
Assessing composition gradients in multifilamentary superconductors by means of magnetometry methods
We present two magnetometry-based methods suitable for assessing gradients in
the critical temperature and hence the composition of multifilamentary
superconductors: AC magnetometry and Scanning Hall Probe Microscopy. The
novelty of the former technique lies in the iterative evaluation procedure we
developed, whereas the strength of the latter is the direct visualization of
the temperature dependent penetration of a magnetic field into the
superconductor. Using the example of a PIT Nb3Sn wire, we demonstrate the
application of these techniques, and compare the respective results to each
other and to EDX measurements of the Sn distribution within the sub-elements of
the wire.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures; broken hyperlinks are due to a problem with arXi
On the causal Barrett--Crane model: measure, coupling constant, Wick rotation, symmetries and observables
We discuss various features and details of two versions of the Barrett-Crane
spin foam model of quantum gravity, first of the Spin(4)-symmetric Riemannian
model and second of the SL(2,C)-symmetric Lorentzian version in which all
tetrahedra are space-like. Recently, Livine and Oriti proposed to introduce a
causal structure into the Lorentzian Barrett--Crane model from which one can
construct a path integral that corresponds to the causal (Feynman) propagator.
We show how to obtain convergent integrals for the 10j-symbols and how a
dimensionless constant can be introduced into the model. We propose a `Wick
rotation' which turns the rapidly oscillating complex amplitudes of the Feynman
path integral into positive real and bounded weights. This construction does
not yet have the status of a theorem, but it can be used as an alternative
definition of the propagator and makes the causal model accessible by standard
numerical simulation algorithms. In addition, we identify the local symmetries
of the models and show how their four-simplex amplitudes can be re-expressed in
terms of the ordinary relativistic 10j-symbols. Finally, motivated by possible
numerical simulations, we express the matrix elements that are defined by the
model, in terms of the continuous connection variables and determine the most
general observable in the connection picture. Everything is done on a fixed
two-complex.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX 2e, 1 figur
A spin foam model for pure gauge theory coupled to quantum gravity
We propose a spin foam model for pure gauge fields coupled to Riemannian
quantum gravity in four dimensions. The model is formulated for the
triangulation of a four-manifold which is given merely combinatorially. The
Riemannian Barrett--Crane model provides the gravity sector of our model and
dynamically assigns geometric data to the given combinatorial triangulation.
The gauge theory sector is a lattice gauge theory living on the same
triangulation and obtains from the gravity sector the geometric information
which is required to calculate the Yang--Mills action. The model is designed so
that one obtains a continuum approximation of the gauge theory sector at an
effective level, similarly to the continuum limit of lattice gauge theory, when
the typical length scale of gravity is much smaller than the Yang--Mills scale.Comment: 18 pages, LaTeX, 1 figure, v2: details clarified, references adde
Foot and mouth disease in Zambia: Spatial and temporal distributions of outbreaks, assessment of clusters and implications for control
Zambia has been experiencing low livestock productivity as well as trade restrictions owing to the occurrence of foot and mouth disease (FMD), but little is known about the epidemiology of the disease in these endemic settings. The fundamental questions relate to the spatio-temporal distribution of FMD cases and what determines their occurrence. A retrospective review of FMD cases in Zambia from 1981 to 2012 was conducted using geographical information systems and the SaTScan software package. Information was collected from peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, laboratory reports, unpublished scientific reports and grey literature. A space–time permutation probability model using a varying time window of one year was used to scan for areas with high infection rates. The spatial scan statistic detected a significant purely spatial cluster around the Mbala–Isoka area between 2009 and 2012, with secondary clusters in Sesheke–Kazungula in 2007 and 2008, the Kafue flats in 2004 and 2005 and Livingstone in 2012. This study provides evidence of the existence of statistically significant FMD clusters and an increase in occurrence in Zambia between 2004 and 2012. The identified clusters agree with areas known to be at high risk of FMD. The FMD virus transmission dynamics and the heterogeneous variability in risk within these locations may need further investigation
Dual variables and a connection picture for the Euclidean Barrett-Crane model
The partition function of the SO(4)- or Spin(4)-symmetric Euclidean
Barrett-Crane model can be understood as a sum over all quantized geometries of
a given triangulation of a four-manifold. In the original formulation, the
variables of the model are balanced representations of SO(4) which describe the
quantized areas of the triangles. We present an exact duality transformation
for the full quantum theory and reformulate the model in terms of new variables
which can be understood as variables conjugate to the quantized areas. The new
variables are pairs of S^3-values associated to the tetrahedra. These
S^3-variables parameterize the hyperplanes spanned by the tetrahedra (locally
embedded in R^4), and the fact that there is a pair of variables for each
tetrahedron can be viewed as a consequence of an SO(4)-valued parallel
transport along the edges dual to the tetrahedra. We reconstruct the parallel
transport of which only the action of SO(4) on S^3 is physically relevant and
rewrite the Barrett-Crane model as an SO(4) lattice BF-theory living on the
2-complex dual to the triangulation subject to suitable constraints whose form
we derive at the quantum level. Our reformulation of the Barrett-Crane model in
terms of continuous variables is suitable for the application of various
analytical and numerical techniques familiar from Statistical Mechanics.Comment: 33 pages, LaTeX, combined PiCTeX/postscript figures, v2: note added,
TeX error correcte
Critical properties of loop percolation models with optimization constraints
We study loop percolation models in two and in three space dimensions, in
which configurations of occupied bonds are forced to form closed loop. We show
that the uncorrelated occupation of elementary plaquettes of the square and the
simple cubic lattice by elementary loops leads to a percolation transition that
is in the same universality class as the conventional bond percolation. In
contrast to this an optimization constraint for the loop configurations, which
then have to minimize a particular generic energy function, leads to a
percolation transition that constitutes a new universality class, for which we
report the critical exponents. Implication for the physics of solid-on-solid
and vortex glass models are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure
Gastrointestinal Surface Changes: Interpretation Problems and Indexing Possibilities (A Review)
The purpose of this review on state-of-the-art and new perspectives on the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in gastrointestinal pathology is to discuss the possibility of developing an index for quantitatively grading mucosal epithelial injury. This topic is reviewed within the framework of ulcer indices previously developed for gross lesions, where analogous problems exist, and in relation to the transmission electron microscope staging of epithelial cell pathology. If such an index could be developed it would increase objectivity and standardization of data analysis from laboratory to laboratory, and would allow for quantitative and statistical analysis of morphometric data. It is concluded that an index is possible based upon fields of injured cells rather than upon the grading of individual cell injury progression. An example of a useful SEM lesion index is presented. There are definite limitations to development of such an index, and guidelines are provided to help minimize some of the numerous complicating factors. These guidelines include comments on magnification, tissue contour, cell versus tissue analysis, morphometric considerations, sources of error, and other factors
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