Effect of nonlinear perturbations on second order linear nonoscillatory differential equations

The aim of this paper is to show that any second order nonoscillatory linear differential equation can be converted into an oscillating system by applying a sufficiently large nonlinear perturbation. This can be achieved through a detailed analysis of possible nonoscillatory solutions of the perturbed differential equation which may exist when the perturbation is sufficiently small. As a consequence the class of oscillation-generating perturbations is determined precisely with respect to the original nonoscillatory linear equation

The effect of climate change on office building energy consumption in Japan

Global climate change is making the mild Japanese climate significantly warmer, which is expected to have a substantial impact on building energy consumption. The potential impacts of climate change on the cooling and heating loads for offices are also investigated by means of thermal analysis simulations at three sites over three periods; 1981–2000, 2031–2050, and 2081–2100. This study reveals that under the IPCC’s A2 carbon emission scenario, substantial reductions of energy consumption are expected if the full measures reviewed here are implemented. These rates differ in each location and each period due to regional climate characteristics and climate change. CO2 emissions reduction targets will depend on future electricity conversion factors which could worsen due to revisions of the national energy plan triggered by the Fukushima nuclear accident. Japan still has a vast quantity of energy inefficient old offices (pre-1981). With more specific and up-to-date technologies than those reviewed here, even greater energy reductions could be completed. A brief economic analysis suggests that these measures could be competitive with nuclear power generation. Overall, office buildings in Japan have enormous potential to reduce energy requirements and related CO2 emissions without resorting to nuclear power generation

Epitaxial growth and transport properties of Nb-doped SrTiO3_{3} thin films

Nb-doped SrTiO$_{3}$ epitaxial thin films have been prepared on (001) SrTiO$_{3}$ substrates using pulsed laser deposition. A high substrate temperature ($>1000^{\circ}{C}$) was found to be necessary to achieve 2-dimensional growth. Atomic force microscopy reveals atomically flat surfaces with 3.9 \AA $$ steps. The films show a metallic behavior, residual resistivity ratios between 10 and 100, and low residual resistivity of the order of 10$^{-4}$$\Omega$cm. At 0.3 K, a sharp superconducting transition, reaching zero resistance, is observed.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Cytokine and eicosanoid regulation by Schistosoma mansoniduring LSE penetration

Cercarial penetration, in low to moderate numbers, does not cause a normal skin inflammatory response; therefore, the authors sought to determine whether cercariae can down-regulate keratinocyte activation and thus the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids. Human living skin equivalent (LSE, Organogenesis) consisting of dermal, epidermal and stratum corneum-like layers was used as the skin substrate. The surface of the LSE membrane was exposed to 100 ng IFNγ or ~850 cercariae for 18 h. Incubation media and tissue was then assayed for IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, 5-HETE, 12-HETE, PGF2, LTB4, and LTC4 via RIA and Western Blots. TNFα was not detected. Secreted IL-1α levels were (mean ± S.E.M. (n)): Control, 1.03 ng ± 0.15 (11); IFNγ 1.90 ng ± 0.48 (5); cercariae, 1.79 ng ± 0.22 (22). In spite of this increase, cercariae down-regulated IL-8 (cercariae 11.13 ± 1.70 ng vs. IFNγ = 16.47 ± 0.29 ng, p = 0.04) and LTB4 (cercariae = 98.86 ± 19.65 pg/0.1 ml vs. IFNγ = 193.42 ± 44.21 pg/0.1 ml p = 0.02). No changes were seen in IL-6, 12-HETE, 5-HETE, and PGE2 levels. It is concluded that cercarial penetration causes a release of IL-1α consistent with skin trauma; however, schistosomulae may regulate the production of chemotactic (neutrophils, macrophages, T-cells, etc.) and activation factors such as IL-8 and LTB4