1,886 research outputs found
Anisotropic Energy Distribution in Three-Dimensional Vibrofluidized Granular Systems
We examine the energy distribution in a three-dimensional model granular
system contained in an open cylinder under the influence of gravity. Energy is
supplied to the system by a vibrating base. We introduce spatially resolved,
partial particle-particle ``dissipations'' for directions parallel and
perpendicular to the energy input, respectively. Energy balances show that the
total (integrated) ``dissipation'' is less than zero in the parallel direction
while greater than zero in the perpendicular directions. The energy supplied to
the perpendicular directions is dissipated by particle-wall collisions. We
further define a fractional energy transfer, which in the steady state
represents the fraction of the power supplied by the vibrating base that is
dissipated at the wall. We examine the dependence of the fractional energy
transfer on the number of particles, the velocity of the vibrating base, the
particle-particle restitution coefficient, and the particle-wall restitution
coefficient. We also explore the influence of the system parameters on the
spatially dependent partial dissipations.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, RevTeX forma
Public domain small-area cancer incidence data for New York State, 2005-2009
There has long been a demand for cancer incidence data at a fine geographic resolution for use in etiologic hypothesis generation and testing, methodological evaluation, and teaching. In this paper we describe a public domain data set containing data for 23 anatomic sites of cancer diagnosed in New York State between 2005 and 2009 at the level of the census block group. The data set includes 524,503 tumors distributed across 13,823 block groups with an average population of about 1,400. In addition, the data have been linked with race and ethnicity and with socioeconomic indicators such as income, educational attainment, and language proficiency. We demonstrate the application of the data set by confirming two well-established relationships: that between breast cancer and median household income, and that between stomach cancer and Asian race. We foresee that this data set will serve as the basis for a wide range of spatial analyses and serve as a benchmark data set for evaluating spatial methods in the future
Exact solution of a one-dimensional Boltzmann equation for a granular tracer particle
We consider a one-dimensional system consisting of a granular tracer particle
of mass in a bath of thermalized particles each of mass . When the mass
ratio, , is equal to the coefficient of restitution, , the system
maps to a a one-dimensional elastic gas. In this case, Boltzmann equation can
be solved exactly. We also obtain expressions for the velocity autocorrelation
function and the diffusion coefficient. Numerical simulations of the Boltzmann
equation are performed for where no analytical solution is
available. It appears that the dynamical features remain qualitatively similar
to those found in the exactly solvable case.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures, Accepted in Physica
Evaluation of Dynamic Cell Processes and Behavior Using Video Bioinformatics Tools
Just as body language can reveal a person’s state of well-being, dynamic changes in cell behavior and
morphology can be used to monitor processes in cultured cells. This chapter discusses how CL-Quant
software, a commercially available video bioinformatics tool, can be used to extract quantitative data on:
(1) growth/proliferation, (2) cell and colony migration, (3) reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and
(4) neural differentiation. Protocols created using CL-Quant were used to analyze both single cells and
colonies. Time-lapse experiments in which different cell types were subjected to various chemical
exposures were done using Nikon BioStations. Proliferation rate was measured in human embryonic stem
cell colonies by quantifying colony area (pixels) and in single cells by measuring confluency (pixels).
Colony and single cell migration were studied by measuring total displacement (distance between the
starting and ending points) and total distance traveled by the colonies/cells. To quantify ROS production,
cells were pre-loaded with MitoSOX Redâ„¢, a mitochondrial ROS (superoxide) indicator, treated with
various chemicals, then total intensity of the red fluorescence was measured in each frame. Lastly, neural
stem cells were incubated in differentiation medium for 12 days, and time lapse images were collected
daily. Differentiation of neural stem cells was quantified using a protocol that detects young neurons. CLQuant
software can be used to evaluate biological processes in living cells, and the protocols developed in
this project can be applied to basic research and toxicological studies, or to monitor quality control in
culture facilities
Thermalization of an anisotropic granular particle
We investigate the dynamics of a needle in a two-dimensional bath composed of
thermalized point particles. Collisions between the needle and points are
inelastic and characterized by a normal restitution coefficient . By
using the Enskog-Boltzmann equation, we obtain analytical expressions for the
translational and rotational granular temperatures of the needle and show that
these are, in general, different from the bath temperature. The translational
temperature always exceeds the rotational one, though the difference decreases
with increasing moment of inertia. The predictions of the theory are in very
good agreement with numerical simulations of the model.Comment: 7 pages, 6 Figures, submitted to PRE. Revised version (Fig1, Fig5 and
Fig6 corrected + minor typos
Analysis of Granular Flow in a Pebble-Bed Nuclear Reactor
Pebble-bed nuclear reactor technology, which is currently being revived
around the world, raises fundamental questions about dense granular flow in
silos. A typical reactor core is composed of graphite fuel pebbles, which drain
very slowly in a continuous refueling process. Pebble flow is poorly understood
and not easily accessible to experiments, and yet it has a major impact on
reactor physics. To address this problem, we perform full-scale,
discrete-element simulations in realistic geometries, with up to 440,000
frictional, viscoelastic 6cm-diameter spheres draining in a cylindrical vessel
of diameter 3.5m and height 10m with bottom funnels angled at 30 degrees or 60
degrees. We also simulate a bidisperse core with a dynamic central column of
smaller graphite moderator pebbles and show that little mixing occurs down to a
1:2 diameter ratio. We analyze the mean velocity, diffusion and mixing, local
ordering and porosity (from Voronoi volumes), the residence-time distribution,
and the effects of wall friction and discuss implications for reactor design
and the basic physics of granular flow.Comment: 18 pages, 21 figure
Field induced stationary state for an accelerated tracer in a bath
Our interest goes to the behavior of a tracer particle, accelerated by a
constant and uniform external field, when the energy injected by the field is
redistributed through collision to a bath of unaccelerated particles. A non
equilibrium steady state is thereby reached. Solutions of a generalized
Boltzmann-Lorentz equation are analyzed analytically, in a versatile framework
that embeds the majority of tracer-bath interactions discussed in the
literature. These results --mostly derived for a one dimensional system-- are
successfully confronted to those of three independent numerical simulation
methods: a direct iterative solution, Gillespie algorithm, and the Direct
Simulation Monte Carlo technique. We work out the diffusion properties as well
as the velocity tails: large v, and either large -v, or v in the vicinity of
its lower cutoff whenever the velocity distribution is bounded from below.
Particular emphasis is put on the cold bath limit, with scatterers at rest,
which plays a special role in our model.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figures v3:minor corrections in sec.III and added
reference
Detection of Aspergillus-specific antibodies by agar gel double immunodiffusion and IgG ELISA in feline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis.
Highlights: Feline antibodies against cryptic Aspergillus spp. cross react with an aspergillin containing A. fumigatus antigens. • Brachycephalic cats are prone to upper respiratory tract aspergillosis (URTA). • The agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) assay has low sensitivity for diagnosis of URTA. • IgG ELISA has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of URTA. • This study provides evidence that cats with URTA are systemically immunocompetent. Abstract Feline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis (URTA) is an emerging infectious disease. The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the diagnostic value of detection of Aspergillus-specific antibodies using an agar gel double immunodiffusion (AGID) assay and an indirect immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA; and (2) to determine if an aspergillin derived from mycelia of Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus can be used to detect serum antibodies against cryptic Aspergillus spp. in Aspergillus section Fumigati. Sera from cats with URTA (group 1: n = 21) and two control groups (group 2: cats with other upper respiratory tract diseases, n = 25; group 3: healthy cats and cats with non-respiratory, non-fungal illness, n = 84) were tested. Isolates from cats with URTA comprised A. fumigatus (n = 5), A. flavus (n = 1) and four cryptic species: Aspergillus felis (n = 12), Aspergillus thermomutatus (Neosartorya pseudofischeri, n = 1), Aspergillus lentulus (n = 1) and Aspergillus udagawae (n = 1). Brachycephalic purebred cats were significantly more likely to develop URTA than other breeds (P = 0.013). The sensitivity (Se) of the AGID was 43% and the specificity (Sp) was 100%. At a cut-off value of 6 ELISA units/mL, the Se of the IgG ELISA was 95.2% and the Sp was 92% and 92.9% for groups 2 and 3 cats, respectively. Aspergillus-specific antibodies against all four cryptic species were detected in one or both assays. Assay Se was not associated with species identity. Detection of Aspergillus-specific antibodies by IgG ELISA has high Se and Sp for diagnosis of feline URTA. Keywords: Aspergillosis; Aspergillus spp; Sino-nasal; Sino-orbital; Felinefunded by an Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation grant (015/201
Recommended from our members
Enhanced viability of corneal epithelial cells for efficient transport/storage using a structurally-modified calcium alginate hydrogel
Aims: Therapeutic limbal epithelial stem cells could be managed more efficiently if clinically validated
batches were transported for ‘on-demand’ use. Materials & methods: In this study, corneal epithelial cell
viability in calcium alginate hydrogels was examined under cell culture, ambient and chilled conditions
for up to 7 days. Results: Cell viability improved as gel internal pore size increased, and was further
enhanced with modification of the gel from a mass to a thin disc. Ambient storage conditions were optimal
for supporting cell viability in gel discs. Cell viability in gel discs was significantly enhanced with increases
in pore size mediated by hydroxyethyl cellulose. Conclusion: Our novel methodology of controlling alginate
gel shape and pore size together provides a more practical and economical alternative to established
corneal tissue/cell storage methods
- …