21,817 research outputs found
Modeling Hybrid Stars
We study the so called hybrid stars, which are hadronic stars that contain a
core of deconfined quarks. For this purpose, we make use of an extended version
of the SU(3) chiral model. Within this approach, the degrees of freedom change
naturally from hadrons (baryon octet) to quarks (u, d, s) as the temperature
and/or density increases. At zero temperature we are still able to reproduce
massive stars, even with the inclusion of hyperons.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of Conference C12-08-0
Evaluation of the Childcare Taster Pilot and Extended Schools Childcare Pilot programmes: final report on qualitative research into implementation
Isolation and Identification of \u3ci\u3eMycoplasma agalactiae \u3c/i\u3esubsp. \u3ci\u3ebovis\u3c/i\u3e from Arthritic Cattle in Iowa and Nebraska
Two strains of Mycoplasma were isolated from synovial fluids of arthritic feeder cattle and were identified as Mycoplasma agalactiae subsp. bovis by growth inhibition and fluorescent antibody tests. The strains (Iowa 1136 and Nebraska 2) could not be distinguished from known strains (Donetta and California 01) by immunoelectrophoresis or by agar gel precipitation
Two-Particle Microrheology of quasi-2D Viscous Systems
We study the correlated motions of colloidal particles in a quasi-2D system
(Human Serum Albumin (HSA) protein molecules at an air-water interface) for
different surface viscosities . We observe a transition in the
behavior of the correlated motion, from 2-D interface dominated at high
to bulk fluid-dependent at low . The correlated motions
can be scaled onto a master curve which captures the features of this
transition. This master curve also characterizes the spatial dependence of the
flow field of a viscous interface in response to a force. From the flow field
and the correlated particle motions, we calculate a two-particle MSD (mean
square displacement) for direct comparison with rheological measurements.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PR
Development of Prognosis in Palliative care Study (PiPS) predictor models to improve prognostication in advanced cancer: prospective cohort study
OBJECTIVE: To develop a novel prognostic indicator for use in patients with advanced cancer that is significantly better than clinicians' estimates of survival.
DESIGN: Prospective multicentre observational cohort study. SETTING: 18 palliative care services in the UK (including hospices, hospital support teams, and community teams). PARTICIPANTS: 1018 patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer, no longer being treated for cancer, and recently referred to palliative care services.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Performance of a composite model to predict whether patients were likely to survive for "days" (0-13 days), "weeks" (14-55 days), or "months+" (>55 days), compared with actual survival and clinicians' predictions.
RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, 11 core variables (pulse rate, general health status, mental test score, performance status, presence of anorexia, presence of any site of metastatic disease, presence of liver metastases, C reactive protein, white blood count, platelet count, and urea) independently predicted both two week and two month survival. Four variables had prognostic significance only for two week survival (dyspnoea, dysphagia, bone metastases, and alanine transaminase), and eight variables had prognostic significance only for two month survival (primary breast cancer, male genital cancer, tiredness, loss of weight, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin). Separate prognostic models were created for patients without (PiPS-A) or with (PiPS-B) blood results. The area under the curve for all models varied between 0.79 and 0.86. Absolute agreement between actual survival and PiPS predictions was 57.3% (after correction for over-optimism). The median survival across the PiPS-A categories was 5, 33, and 92 days and survival across PiPS-B categories was 7, 32, and 100.5 days. All models performed as well as, or better than, clinicians' estimates of survival.
CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced cancer no longer being treated, a combination of clinical and laboratory variables can reliably predict two week and two month survival
Andreev reflection eigenvalue density in mesoscopic conductors
The energy-dependent Andreev reflection eigenvalues determine the transport
properties of normal-superconducting systems. We evaluate the eigenvalue
density to get an insight into formation of resonant electron-hole transport
channels. The circuit-theory-like method developed can be applied to any
generic mesoscopic conductor or combinations thereof. We present the results
for experimentally relevant cases of a diffusive wire and a double tunnel
junction.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Type 2 solar radio events observed in the interplanetary medium. Part 1: General characteristics
Twelve type 2 solar radio events were observed in the 2 MHz to 30 kHz frequency range by the radio astronomy experiment on the ISEE-3 satellite over the period from September 1978 to December 1979. These data provide the most comprehensive sample of type 2 radio bursts observed at kilometer wavelengths. Dynamic spectra of a number of events are presented. Where possible, the 12 events were associated with an initiating flare, ground based radio data, the passage of a shock at the spacecraft, and the sudden commencement of a geomagnetic storm. The general characteristics of kilometric type 2 bursts are discussed
Relativistic Mean-Field Hadronic Models under Nuclear Matter Constraints
Relativistic mean-field (RMF) models have been widely used in the study of
many hadronic frameworks because of several important aspects not always
present in nonrelativistic models, such as intrinsic Lorentz covariance,
automatic inclusion of spin, appropriate saturation mechanism for nuclear
matter, causality and, therefore, no problems related to superluminal speed of
sound. With the aim of identifying the models which best satisfy well known
properties of nuclear matter, we have analyzed parameterizations of seven
different types of RMF models under three different sets of constraints related
to symmetric nuclear matter, pure neutron matter, symmetry energy, and its
derivatives. One of these (SET1) is formed of the same constraints used in a
recent work [M. Dutra et al., Phys. Rev. C 85, 035201 (2012)] in which we
analyzed Skyrme parameterizations. The results pointed to models
consistent with all constraints. By using another set of constraints, namely,
SET2a, formed by the updated versions of the previous one, we found models
approved simultaneously. Finally, in the third set, named SET2b, in which the
values of the constraints are more restrictive, we found consistent models.
Another interesting feature of our analysis is that the results change
dramatically if we do not consider the constraint regarding the volume part of
the isospin incompressibility (). In this case, we have
approved models in SET2a and in SET2b.Comment: 63 pages, 3 figures and 9 tables. Version accepted for publication in
PR
Recurrent cerebellar architecture solves the motor-error problem
Current views of cerebellar function have been heavily influenced by the models of Marr and Albus, who suggested that the climbing fibre input to the cerebellum acts as a teaching signal for motor learning. It is commonly assumed that this teaching signal must be motor error (the difference between actual and correct motor command), but this approach requires complex neural structures to estimate unobservable motor error from its observed sensory consequences.
We have proposed elsewhere a recurrent decorrelation control architecture in which Marr-Albus models learn without requiring motor error. Here, we prove convergence for this architecture and demonstrate important advantages for the modular control of systems with multiple degrees of freedom. These results are illustrated by modelling adaptive plant compensation for the three-dimensional vestibular ocular reflex. This provides a functional role for recurrent cerebellar connectivity, which may be a generic anatomical feature of projections between regions of cerebral and cerebellar cortex
Making informed decisions on change: key points for health care managers and professionals
A booklet, drawing on 'Organisational Change: A review for health care managers, professionals and researchers' (NSCCSDO, 2001), which aims to encourage managers and professionals to reflect on and share what helps and hinders successful change to improve the quality of services
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