2,417 research outputs found
Scale Invariance in the Nonstationarity of Physiological Signals
We introduce a segmentation algorithm to probe temporal organization of
heterogeneities in human heartbeat interval time series. We find that the
lengths of segments with different local values of heart rates follow a
power-law distribution. This scale-invariant structure is not a simple
consequence of the long-range correlations present in the data. We also find
that the differences in mean heart rates between consecutive segments display a
common functional form, but with different parameters for healthy individuals
and for patients with heart failure. This finding may provide information into
the way heart rate variability is reduced in cardiac disease.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, corrected typo
Mesoscopic modeling of a two-phase flow in the presence of boundaries: the Contact Angle
We present a mesoscopic model, based on the Boltzmann Equation, for the
interaction between a solid wall and a non-ideal fluid. We present an analytic
derivation of the contact angle in terms of the surface tension between the
liquid-gas, the liquid-solid and the gas-solid phases. We study the dependency
of the contact angle on the two free parameters of the model, which determine
the interaction between the fluid and the boundaries, i.e. the equivalent of
the wall density and of the wall-fluid potential in Molecular Dynamics studies.
We compare the analytical results obtained in the hydrodynamical limit for
the density profile and for the surface tension expression with the numerical
simulations. We compare also our two-phase approach with some exact results for
a pure hydrodynamical incompressible fluid based on Navier-Stokes equations
with boundary conditions made up of alternating slip and no-slip strips.
Finally, we show how to overcome some theoretical limitations connected with a
discretized Boltzmann scheme and we discuss the equivalence between the surface
tension defined in terms of the mechanical equilibrium and in terms of the
Maxwell construction.Comment: 29 pages, 12 figure
Stochastic Model for Surface Erosion Via Ion-Sputtering: Dynamical Evolution from Ripple Morphology to Rough Morphology
Surfaces eroded by ion-sputtering are sometimes observed to develop
morphologies which are either ripple (periodic), or rough (non-periodic). We
introduce a discrete stochastic model that allows us to interpret these
experimental observations within a unified framework. We find that a periodic
ripple morphology characterizes the initial stages of the evolution, whereas
the surface displays self-affine scaling in the later time regime. Further, we
argue that the stochastic continuum equation describing the surface height is a
noisy version of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation.Comment: 4 pages, 7 postscript figs., Revtex, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Biotinyl-methyl 4-(amidomethyl)benzoate is a competitive inhibitor of human biotinidase
Training of Instrumentalists and Development of New Technologies on SOFIA
This white paper is submitted to the Astronomy and Astrophysics 2010 Decadal
Survey (Astro2010)1 Committee on the State of the Profession to emphasize the
potential of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to
contribute to the training of instrumentalists and observers, and to related
technology developments. This potential goes beyond the primary mission of
SOFIA, which is to carry out unique, high priority astronomical research.
SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP aircraft with a 2.5 meter telescope. It will enable
astronomical observations anywhere, any time, and at most wavelengths between
0.3 microns and 1.6 mm not accessible from ground-based observatories. These
attributes, accruing from the mobility and flight altitude of SOFIA, guarantee
a wealth of scientific return. Its instrument teams (nine in the first
generation) and guest investigators will do suborbital astronomy in a
shirt-sleeve environment. The project will invest $10M per year in science
instrument development over a lifetime of 20 years. This, frequent flight
opportunities, and operation that enables rapid changes of science instruments
and hands-on in-flight access to the instruments, assure a unique and extensive
potential - both for training young instrumentalists and for encouraging and
deploying nascent technologies. Novel instruments covering optical, infrared,
and submillimeter bands can be developed for and tested on SOFIA by their
developers (including apprentices) for their own observations and for those of
guest observers, to validate technologies and maximize observational
effectiveness.Comment: 10 pages, no figures, White Paper for Astro 2010 Survey Committee on
State of the Professio
Statistical signatures of critical behavior in small systems
The cluster distributions of different systems are examined to search for
signatures of a continuous phase transition. In a system known to possess such
a phase transition, both sensitive and insensitive signatures are present;
while in systems known not to possess such a phase transition, only insensitive
signatures are present. It is shown that nuclear multifragmentation results in
cluster distributions belonging to the former category, suggesting that the
fragments are the result of a continuous phase transition.Comment: 31 pages, two columns with 30 figure
A method to evaluate equitable accessibility: combining ethical theories and accessibility-based approaches
In this paper, we present the case that traditional transport appraisal methods do not sufficiently capture the social dimensions of mobility and accessibility. However, understanding this is highly relevant for policymakers to understand the impacts of their transport decisions. These dimensions include the distribution of mobility and accessibility levels over particular areas or for specific population groups, as well as how this may affect various social outcomes, including their levels of participation, social inclusion and community cohesion. In response, we propose a method to assess the socially relevant accessibility impacts (SRAIs) of policies in some of these key dimensions. The method combines the use of underlying ethics principles, more specifically the theories of egalitarianism and sufficientarianism, in combination with accessibility-based analysis and the Lorenz curve and Gini index. We then demonstrate the method in a case study example. Our suggestion is that policymakers can use these ethical perspectives to determine the equity of their policies decisions and to set minimum standards for local transport delivery. This will help them to become more confident in the development and adoption of new decision frameworks that promote accessibility over mobility and which also disaggregate the costs and benefits of transport policies over particular areas or for specific under-served population groups
Exploring miniature insect brains using micro-CT scanning techniques
This is an open access article. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Biallelic Mutations in ADPRHL2, Encoding ADP-Ribosylhydrolase 3, Lead to a Degenerative Pediatric Stress-Induced Epileptic Ataxia Syndrome.
ADP-ribosylation, the addition of poly-ADP ribose (PAR) onto proteins, is a response signal to cellular challenges, such as excitotoxicity or oxidative stress. This process is catalyzed by a group of enzymes referred to as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). Because the accumulation of proteins with this modification results in cell death, its negative regulation restores cellular homeostasis: a process mediated by poly-ADP ribose glycohydrolases (PARGs) and ADP-ribosylhydrolase proteins (ARHs). Using linkage analysis and exome or genome sequencing, we identified recessive inactivating mutations in ADPRHL2 in six families. Affected individuals exhibited a pediatric-onset neurodegenerative disorder with progressive brain atrophy, developmental regression, and seizures in association with periods of stress, such as infections. Loss of the Drosophila paralog Parg showed lethality in response to oxidative challenge that was rescued by human ADPRHL2, suggesting functional conservation. Pharmacological inhibition of PARP also rescued the phenotype, suggesting the possibility of postnatal treatment for this genetic condition
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