A periodic elastic medium in which periodicity is relevant

We analyze, in both (1+1)- and (2+1)- dimensions, a periodic elastic medium in which the periodicity is such that at long distances the behavior is always in the random-substrate universality class. This contrasts with the models with an additive periodic potential in which, according to the field theoretic analysis of Bouchaud and Georges and more recently of Emig and Nattermann, the random manifold class dominates at long distances in (1+1)- and (2+1)-dimensions. The models we use are random-bond Ising interfaces in hypercubic lattices. The exchange constants are random in a slab of size $L^{d-1} \times \lambda$ and these coupling constants are periodically repeated along either {10} or {11} (in (1+1)-dimensions) and {100} or {111} (in (2+1)-dimensions). Exact ground-state calculations confirm scaling arguments which predict that the surface roughness $w$ behaves as: $w \sim L^{2/3}, L \ll L_c$ and $w \sim L^{1/2}, L \gg L_c$, with $L_c \sim \lambda^{3/2}$ in $(1+1)$-dimensions and; $w \sim L^{0.42}, L \ll L_c$ and $w \sim \ln(L), L \gg L_c$, with $L_c \sim \lambda^{2.38}$ in $(2+1)$-dimensions.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Response to antipsychotic drugs in treatment-resistant schizophrenia : Conclusions based on systematic review

Peer reviewe

Magnetic nanocomposites at microwave frequencies

Most conventional magnetic materials used in the electronic devices are ferrites, which are composed of micrometer-size grains. But ferrites have small saturation magnetization, therefore the performance at GHz frequencies is rather poor. That is why functionalized nanocomposites comprising magnetic nanoparticles (e.g. Fe, Co) with dimensions ranging from a few nm to 100 nm, and embedded in dielectric matrices (e.g. silicon oxide, aluminium oxide) have a significant potential for the electronics industry. When the size of the nanoparticles is smaller than the critical size for multidomain formation, these nanocomposites can be regarded as an ensemble of particles in single-domain states and the losses (due for example to eddy currents) are expected to be relatively small. Here we review the theory of magnetism in such materials, and we present a novel measurement method used for the characterization of the electromagnetic properties of composites with nanomagnetic insertions. We also present a few experimental results obtained on composites consisting of iron nanoparticles in a dielectric matrix.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, 5 table

Aeolian sans ripples: experimental study of saturated states

We report an experimental investigation of aeolian sand ripples, performed both in a wind tunnel and on stoss slopes of dunes. Starting from a flat bed, we can identify three regimes: appearance of an initial wavelength, coarsening of the pattern and finally saturation of the ripples. We show that both initial and final wavelengths, as well as the propagative speed of the ripples, are linear functions of the wind velocity. Investigating the evolution of an initially corrugated bed, we exhibit non-linear stable solutions for a finite range of wavelengths, which demonstrates the existence of a saturation in amplitude. These results contradict most of the models.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett. Title changed, figures corrected and simplified, more field data included, text clarifie

Quasi-static cracks and minimal energy surfaces

We compare the roughness of minimal energy(ME) surfaces and scalar ``quasi-static'' fracture surfaces(SQF). Two dimensional ME and SQF surfaces have the same roughness scaling, w sim L^zeta (L is system size) with zeta = 2/3. The 3-d ME and SQF results at strong disorder are consistent with the random-bond Ising exponent zeta (d >= 3) approx 0.21(5-d) (d is bulk dimension). However 3-d SQF surfaces are rougher than ME ones due to a larger prefactor. ME surfaces undergo a ``weakly rough'' to ``algebraically rough'' transition in 3-d, suggesting a similar behavior in fracture.Comment: 7 pages, aps.sty-latex, 7 figure

Comparing ischaemic stroke in six European countries. The EuroHOPE register study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The incidence of hospitalizations, treatment and case fatality of ischaemic stroke were assessed utilizing a comprehensive multinational database to attempt to compare the healthcare systems in six European countries, aiming also to identify the limitations and make suggestions for future improvements in the between-country comparisons. METHODS: National registers of hospital discharges for ischaemic stroke identified by International Classification of Diseases codes 433-434 (ICD-9) and code I63 (ICD-10), medication purchases and mortality were linked at the patient level in each of the participating countries and regions: Finland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland and Sweden. Patients with an index admission in 2007 were followed for 1 year. RESULTS: In all, 64 170 patients with a disease code for ischaemic stroke were identified. The number of patients registered per 100 000 European standard population ranged from 77 in Scotland to 407 in Hungary. Large differences were observed in medication use. The age- and sex-adjusted all-cause case fatality amongst hospitalized patients at 1 year from stroke was highest in Hungary at 31.0% (95% confidence interval 30.5-31.5). Regional differences in age- and sex-adjusted 1-year case fatality within countries were largest in Hungary (range 23.6%-37.6%) and smallest in the Netherlands (20.5%-27.3%). CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to link population-wide register data amongst European countries to describe incidence of hospitalizations, treatment patterns and case fatality of ischaemic stroke on a national level. However, the coverage and validity of administrative register data for ischaemic stroke should be developed further, and population-based and clinical stroke registers should be created to allow better control of case mix

International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force consensus report on epilepsy definition, classification and terminology in companion animals

Dogs with epilepsy are among the commonest neurological patients in veterinary practice and therefore have historically attracted much attention with regard to definitions, clinical approach and management. A number of classification proposals for canine epilepsy have been published during the years reflecting always in parts the current proposals coming from the human epilepsy organisation the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). It has however not been possible to gain agreed consensus, “a common language”, for the classification and terminology used between veterinary and human neurologists and neuroscientists, practitioners, neuropharmacologists and neuropathologists. This has led to an unfortunate situation where different veterinary publications and textbook chapters on epilepsy merely reflect individual author preferences with respect to terminology, which can be confusing to the readers and influence the definition and diagnosis of epilepsy in first line practice and research studies. In this document the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF) discusses current understanding of canine epilepsy and presents our 2015 proposal for terminology and classification of epilepsy and epileptic seizures. We propose a classification system which reflects new thoughts from the human ILAE but also roots in former well accepted terminology. We think that this classification system can be used by all stakeholders

Genetic variants and blood pressure in a population-based cohort: the cardiovascular risk in young Finns study

Clinical relevance of a genetic predisposition to elevated blood pressure was quantified during the transition from childhood to adulthood in a population-based Finnish cohort (N=2357). Blood pressure was measured at baseline in 1980 (age 3–18 years) and in follow-ups in 1983, 1986, 2001, and 2007. Thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with blood pressure were genotyped, and 3 genetic risk scores associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures and their combination were derived for all of the participants. Effects of the genetic risk score were 0.47 mm Hg for systolic and 0.53 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressures (both P&lt;0.01). The combination genetic risk score was associated with diastolic blood pressure from age 9 years onward (β=0.68 mm Hg; P=0.015). Replications in 1194 participants of the Bogalusa Heart Study showed essentially similar results. The participants in the highest quintile of the combination genetic risk score had a 1.82-fold risk of hypertension in adulthood (P&lt;0.0001) compared with the lowest quintile, independent of a family history of premature hypertension. These findings show that genetic variants are associated with preclinical blood pressure traits in childhood; individuals with several susceptibility alleles have, on average, a 0.5-mm Hg higher blood pressure, and this trajectory continues from childhood to adulthood.<br/