Generalized Near Horizon Extreme Binary Black Hole Geometry

We present a new vacuum solution of Einstein’s equations describing the near horizon region of two neutral, extreme (zero-temperature), corotating, nonidentical Kerr black holes. The metric is stationary, asymptotically near horizon extremal Kerr (NHEK), and contains a localized massless strut along the symmetry axis between the black holes. In the deep infrared, it flows to two separate throats which we call “pierced-NHEK” geometries: each throat is NHEK pierced by a conical singularity. We find that in spite of the presence of the strut for the pierced-NHEK geometries the isometry group SL(2,R)×U(1) is restored. We find the physical parameters and entropy

The effect of mixing on the extrusion-spheronisation of a micro-crystalline cellulose paste.

The effect of mixer shear strain rate on the performance of a model micro-crystalline cellulose pharmaceutical paste undergoing extrusion-spheronisation was studied using a laboratory scale planetary mixer and a screw-based mixer. The maximum shear strain rate in each mixer was estimated. Five pastes were prepared, one each at 97 and 265 s(-1) in the planetary mixer, and one each at 304, 988 and 2220 s(-1) in the screw mixer. The rheology of the pastes was quantified by Benbow-Bridgwater characterisation based on ram extrusion. Each paste was spheronised and pellet size and shape distributions obtained by automated size analysis. Mixer type (rather than shear strain rate) was found to have the strongest influence on the paste properties, with the screw-mixed material having a higher yield strength and forming smaller pellets with a narrower size distribution when spheronised under identical conditions.Support for MPB is gratefully received from Sandvik Hyperion and Ceratizit GmbH.This is the accepted manuscript. It is currently embargoed until 18/12/2015. The final version is available from Elsevier at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037851731400925

Evaluation of the model representation of the evolution of convective systems using satellite observations of outgoing longwave radiation

We introduce a technique for assessing the diurnal development of convective storm systems based on outgoing longwave radiation fields. Using the size distribution of the storms measured from a series of images, we generate an array in the lengthscale-time domain based on the standard score statistic. It demonstrates succinctly the size evolution of storms as well as the dissipation kinematics. It also provides evidence related to the temperature evolution of the cloud tops. We apply this approach to a test case comparing observations made by the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget instrument to output from the Met Office Unified Model run at two resolutions. The 12km resolution model produces peak convective activity on all lengthscales significantly earlier in the day than shown by the observations and no evidence for storms growing in size. The 4km resolution model shows realistic timing and growth evolution although the dissipation mechanism still differs from the observed data

Hyperlactatemia and Antiretroviral Therapy: The Swiss HIV Cohort Study

The prevalence, clinical presentation, and risk factors for hyperlactatemia among patients receiving antiretroviral therapy was determined during a 1-month period for patients in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study. Overall, 73 (8.3%) of 880 patients presented an increase in serum lactate of >1.1 times the upper normal limit (UNL). For 9 patients (1%), lactate elevation was moderate or severe (>2.2 times the UNL). Patients who presented with hyperlactatemia were more likely to be receiving stavudine with or without didanosine (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-4.8), as compared with patients who received zidovudine-based regimens. The risk increased with increasing time receiving stavudine with or without didanosine. The association between hyperlactatemia and stavudine with or without didanosine was not biased by these medications being more recently available and, therefore, being given preferentially to patients who had prolonged use of nucleoside analog reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. Hyperlactatemia was associated with lipoatrophy, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Age, sex, or stage of infection with human immunodeficiency virus were not predictive of hyperlactatemia. Determination of lactate levels may prove useful in the screening for mitochondrial toxicit

Landlabs: An Integrated Approach to Creating Agricultural Enterprises That Meet the Triple Bottom Line

Global demand is increasing for food, feed, and fiber; for additional agricultural outputs, such as biofuels; and for ecosystem services, such as clean water and outdoor recreation. In response, new agricultural enterprises are needed that produce more outputs from existing lands while meeting the triple bottom line of high performance in economic, environmental, and social terms. Establishing such enterprises requires coordination and development within three critical domains: landscape configurations (i.e., types and arrangements of land uses), supply/value chains (i.e., processing and utilization), and policy and governance. In this essay, we describe our efforts, as land-grant university scientists, to support coordinated innovation and enterprise development in integrated place-based institutions, which we term landlabs. We describe our experiences in three prototyping efforts and outline key features of landlabs that are emerging from these efforts. Land-grant universities have a central and crucial role to play in organizing and operating landlabs

Lipid Profiles in HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Combination Antiretroviral Therapy: Are Different Antiretroviral Drugs Associated with Different Lipid Profiles?

Levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), as well as the TC:HDL-c ratio, were compared in patients receiving different antiretroviral therapy regimens. Patients receiving first-line regimens including protease inhibitors (PIs) had higher TC and TG levels and TC:HDL-c ratios than did antiretroviral-naive patients; patients receiving 2 PIs had higher levels of each lipid. Ritonavir-containing regimens were associated with higher TC and TG levels and TC:HDL-c ratios than were indinavir-containing regimens; however, receipt of nelfinavir was associated with reduced risk of lower HDL-c levels, and receipt of saquinavir was associated with lower TC:HDL-c ratios. Patients receiving nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors had higher levels of TC and LDL-c than did antiretroviral-naive patients, although the risk of having lower HDL-c levels was lower than that in patients receiving a single PI. Efavirenz was associated with higher levels of TC and TG than was nevirapin