1,618 research outputs found
Transport enhancement from incoherent coupling between one-dimensional quantum conductors
We study the non-equilibrium transport properties of a highly anisotropic
two-dimensional lattice of spin-1/2 particles governed by a Heisenberg XXZ
Hamiltonian. The anisotropy of the lattice allows us to approximate the system
at finite temperature as an array of incoherently coupled one-dimensional
chains. We show that in the regime of strong intrachain interactions, the weak
interchain coupling considerably boosts spin transport in the driven system.
Interestingly, we show that this enhancement increases with the length of the
chains, which is related to superdiffusive spin transport. We describe the
mechanism behind this effect, compare it to a similar phenomenon in single
chains induced by dephasing, and explain why the former is much stronger
The Space Interferometry Mission Astrometric Grid Giant-Star Survey. I. Stellar Parameters and Radial Velocity Variability
We present results from a campaign of multiple epoch echelle spectroscopy of
relatively faint (V = 9.5-13.5 mag) red giants observed as potential
astrometric grid stars for the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM PlanetQuest).
Data are analyzed for 775 stars selected from the Grid Giant Star Survey
spanning a wide range of effective temperatures (Teff), gravities and
metallicities. The spectra are used to determine these stellar parameters and
to monitor radial velocity (RV) variability at the 100 m/s level. The degree of
RV variation measured for 489 stars observed two or more times is explored as a
function of the inferred stellar parameters. The percentage of radial velocity
unstable stars is found to be very high -- about 2/3 of our sample. It is found
that the fraction of RV-stable red giants (at the 100 m/s level) is higher
among stars with Teff \sim 4500 K, corresponding to the calibration-independent
range of infrared colors 0.59 < (J-K_s)_0 < 0.73. A higher percentage of
RV-stable stars is found if the additional constraints of surface gravity and
metallicity ranges 2.3< log g < 3.2 and -0.5 < [Fe/H] < -0.1, respectively, are
applied. Selection of stars based on only photometric values of effective
temperature (4300 K < Teff < 4700 K) is a simple and effective way to increase
the fraction of RV-stable stars. The optimal selection of RV-stable stars,
especially in the case when the Washington photometry is unavailable, can rely
effectively on 2MASS colors constraint 0.59 < (J-K_s)_0 < 0.73. These results
have important ramifications for the use of giant stars as astrometric
references for the SIM PlanetQuest.Comment: Astronomical Journal, in press, 22 pages, 11 Postscript figures, uses
aastex.cl
The Role of IL-33 in Host Response to Candida albicans
Background. Interleukin (IL) 33 is a recently identified pleiotropic cytokine that influences the activity of multiple cell types and orchestrates complex innate and adaptive immune responses. Methods. We performed an extensive review of the literature published between 2005 and 2013 on IL-33 and related cytokines, their functions, and their regulation of the immune system following Candida albicans colonization. Our literature review included cross-references from retrieved articles and specific data from our own studies. Results. IL-33 (IL-1F11) is a recently identified member of the IL-1 family of cytokines. Accumulating evidence suggests a pivotal role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in host immune defense against fungal pathogens, including C. albicans. IL-33 induces a Th2-type inflammatory response and activates both innate and adaptive immunity. Studies in animal models have shown that Th2 inflammatory responses have a beneficial role in immunity against gastrointestinal and systemic infections by Candida spp. Conclusions. This review summarizes the most important clinical studies and case reports describing the beneficial role of IL-33 in immunity and host defense mechanisms against pathogenic fungi. The finding that the IL-33/ST2 axis is involved in therapeutic target has implications for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases, including acute or chronic candidiasis
Traffic on complex networks: Towards understanding global statistical properties from microscopic density fluctuations
We study the microscopic time fluctuations of traffic load and the global statistical properties of a dense traffic of particles on scale-free cyclic graphs. For a wide range of driving rates R the traffic is stationary and the load time series exhibits antipersistence due to the regulatory role of the superstructure associated with two hub nodes in the network. We discuss how the superstructure affects the functioning of the network at high traffic density and at the jamming threshold. The degree of correlations systematically decreases with increasing traffic density and eventually disappears when approaching a jamming density Rc. Already before jamming we observe qualitative changes in the global network-load distributions and the particle queuing times. These changes are related to the occurrence of temporary crises in which the network-load increases dramatically, and then slowly falls back to a value characterizing free flow
Search in weighted complex networks
We study trade-offs presented by local search algorithms in complex networks
which are heterogeneous in edge weights and node degree. We show that search
based on a network measure, local betweenness centrality (LBC), utilizes the
heterogeneity of both node degrees and edge weights to perform the best in
scale-free weighted networks. The search based on LBC is universal and performs
well in a large class of complex networks.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables, minor changes, added a referenc
Stability of Boolean Multilevel Networks
The study of the interplay between the structure and dynamics of complex
multilevel systems is a pressing challenge nowadays. In this paper, we use a
semi-annealed approximation to study the stability properties of Random Boolean
Networks in multiplex (multi-layered) graphs. Our main finding is that the
multilevel structure provides a mechanism for the stabilization of the dynamics
of the whole system even when individual layers work on the chaotic regime,
therefore identifying new ways of feedback between the structure and the
dynamics of these systems. Our results point out the need for a conceptual
transition from the physics of single layered networks to the physics of
multiplex networks. Finally, the fact that the coupling modifies the phase
diagram and the critical conditions of the isolated layers suggests that
interdependency can be used as a control mechanism.Comment: Final version. It includes the generalization to the case of having
an arbitrary number of layer
Contrast-enhanced mammography-guided biopsy: technical feasibility and first outcomes
Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM)-guided biopsy at Hospital del Mar, a Spanish university hospital. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive women with a suspicious enhancing finding eligible for CEM-guided biopsy, who were prospectively enrolled in a pre-marketing clinical validation and feasibility study (October 2019 to September 2021). CEM-guided biopsy is a stereotactic-based procedure that, by using intravenous iodinated contrast media administration and dual-energy acquisition, provides localisation of enhancing lesions. All the biopsies were performed using a vacuum-assisted device. We collected procedural characteristics (patient position and type of approach), and histopathological results. Feasibility endpoints included success (visualisation of the enhancing lesion, post-procedural biopsy changes and clip placement), procedural time, number of scout acquisitions and complications. Results A total of 66 suspicious enhancing lesions (18.0% foci, 44.0% mass, 38.0% non-mass enhancement; median size 8.5 mm) in 64 patients (median age 59 years, mostly minimal [48.4%] or mild [32.8%] background parenchymal enhancement) were referred for CEM-guided biopsy in the study period. The success rate was 63/66 (95.4%). Amongst successful procedures, patients were most frequently seated (52/63, 82.5%) and the preferred approach was horizontal (48/63, 76.2%). Median total time per procedure was 15 min. Median number of acquisitions needed before targeting was 2 (range 1-4). Complications consisted of hematoma (17/63, 27%) and vasovagal reaction (2/63, 3.2%). At histology, the malignancy rate was 25/63 (39.7%). Conclusion In this first patient series, CEM-guided breast biopsy was feasible, with success and complication rates similar to those previously reported for magnetic resonance guidance
Variaciones temporales del contenido en ácidos grasos de leche de oveja
El presente trabajo ha consistido en la estimación de la repetibilidad tem-
poral diaria, semanal y mensual, del contenido de los ácidos grasos de la leche de oveja en el curso de una lactación. Se ha realizado la cuantificación para 36 ácidos grasos y 6 agrupaciones en 596 muestras de leche procedente de 32 ovejas de las razas Churra y Assaf. Las bajas repetibilidades, en aquellos ácidos con muy baja concentración, son debido a un efecto de falta de precisión en su cuantificación, originado por el bajo contenido de dicho ácido graso. La concentración de ácidos grasos en la leche ovina, presenta una variación a lo largo de la lactación que es proporcional a las distancia entre controles. Para las variables cuantitativamente importantes, las repetibilidades medias diarias, semanales y mensuales fueron 0,55, 0,46 y 0,32 respectivamente
Life at the extreme:Plant-driven hotspots of soil nutrient cycling in the hyper-arid core of the Atacama Desert
The hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert represents one of the most intense environments on Earth, often being used as an analog for Mars regolith. The area is characterized by extremes in climate (e.g., temperature, humidity, UV irradiation) and edaphic factors (e.g., hyper-salinity, high pH, compaction, high perchlorates, and low moisture, phosphorus and organic matter). However, the halophytic C4 plant Distichlis spicata appears to be one of the few species on the planet that can thrive in this environment. Within this habitat it captures windblown sand leading to the formation of unique structures and the generation of above-ground phyllosphere soil. Using a combination of approaches (e.g., X-ray Computed Tomography, TXRF, δ13C/δ15N isotope profiling, microbial PLFAs, 14C turnover, phosphate sorption isotherms) we examined the factors regulating the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and carbon (C) in both vegetated and unvegetated areas. Our results showed that D. spicata rhizomes with large aerenchyma were able to break through the highly cemented topsoil layer leading to root proliferation in the underlying soil. The presence of roots increased soil water content, P availability and induced a change in microbial community structure and promoted microbial growth and activity. In contrast, soil in the phyllosphere exhibited almost no biological activity. Organic C stocks and recent C4 plant derived input increased as follows: phyllosphere (1941 g C m−2; 85% recent) > soils under plants (575–748 g C m−2; 55–60%) > bare soils (491–642 g C m−2; 9–17%). Due to the high levels of nitrate in soil (>2 t ha−1) and high rates of P sorption/precipitation, our data suggest that the microbial activity is both C and P, but not N limited. Root-mediated salt uptake combined with foliar excretion and dispersal of NaCl into the surrounding area indicated that D. spicata was responsible for actively removing ca. 55% of the salt from the rhizosphere. We also demonstrate that NH3 emissions may represent a major N loss pathway from these soil ecosystems during the processing of organic N. We attribute this to NH3 volatilization to the high pH of the soil and slow rates of nitrification. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the extremophile D. spicata physically, chemically and biologically reengineers the soil to create a highly bioactive hotspot within the climate-extreme of the Atacama Desert.</p
- …