Large-scale Simulation of the Two-dimensional Kinetic Ising Model

We present Monte Carlo simulation results for the dynamical critical exponent $z$ of the two-dimensional kinetic Ising model using a lattice of size $10^6 \times 10^6$ spins. We used Glauber as well as Metropolis dynamics. The $z$-value of $2.16\pm 0.005$ was calculated from the magnetization and energy relaxation from an ordered state towards the equilibrium state at $T_c$.Comment: 6 pages + 2 figures as separate uuencoded compressed tar file, Postscipt also available at http://wwwcp.tphys.uni-heidelberg.de/papers

Model based optimization of transflection near infrared spectroscopy as a process analytical tool in a continuous flash pasteurizer

Near infrared spectroscopy in combination with a transflection probe was investigated as inline measurement in a continuous flash pasteurizer system with a sugar–water model solution. Robustness and reproducibility of fluctuations of recorded spectra as well as trueness of the chemometric analysis were compared under different process parameter settings. Variable parameters were the flow rate (from laminar flow at 30 L/h to turbulent flow at 90 L/h), temperature (20 to 100 °C) and the path length of the transflection probe (2 and 4 mm) while the pressure was kept constant at 2.5 bar. Temperature and path length were identified as the most affecting parameters, in case of homogenous test medium. In case of particle containing systems, the flow rate could have an impact as well. However, the application of a PLS model, which includes a broad temperature range, and the correction of prediction results by applying a polynomial regression function for prediction errors, was able to compensate these effects. Also, a path length of 2 mm leads to a higher accuracy. The applied strategy shows that by the identification of relevant process parameters and settings as well as the establishment of a compensation strategy, near infrared spectroscopy is a powerful process analytical tool for continuous flash pasteurization systems.BMBF, 13FH024IX6, IngenieurNachwuchs 2016: Cyber-Physisches System (CPS) zur thermischen Entkeimung von Getränken unter Nutzung der NIR-Sensorik als Schlüsseltechnologi

FPGA basierte, konfigurierbare OFDM Sender-Plattform für die Positionsbestimmung mittels TDoA

Für die Evaluierung von Algorithmen zur Positionsbestimmung nach dem Time Difference of Arrival – Verfahren wird eine frei konfigurierbare OFDM Sender-Plattform benötigt. Da die Berechnung in Echtzeit erfolgen soll, ist eine Implementierung in rekonfigurierbarer Hardware (FPGA) erforderlich. Das Manuskript gibt sowohl einen Überblick über die Hintergründe und die Architektur des Sendesystems, als auch einen tieferen Einblick in verschiedene Lösungsdetails

The Dynamic Exponent of the Two-Dimensional Ising Model and Monte Carlo Computation of the Sub-Dominant Eigenvalue of the Stochastic Matrix

We introduce a novel variance-reducing Monte Carlo algorithm for accurate determination of autocorrelation times. We apply this method to two-dimensional Ising systems with sizes up to $15 \times 15$, using single-spin flip dynamics, random site selection and transition probabilities according to the heat-bath method. From a finite-size scaling analysis of these autocorrelation times, the dynamical critical exponent $z$ is determined as $z=2.1665$ (12)

Neuroinflammation and structural injury of the fetal ovine brain following intra-amniotic Candida albicans exposure.

BackgroundIntra-amniotic Candida albicans (C. Albicans) infection is associated with preterm birth and high morbidity and mortality rates. Survivors are prone to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The mechanisms leading to these adverse neonatal brain outcomes remain largely unknown. To better understand the mechanisms underlying C. albicans-induced fetal brain injury, we studied immunological responses and structural changes of the fetal brain in a well-established translational ovine model of intra-amniotic C. albicans infection. In addition, we tested whether these potential adverse outcomes of the fetal brain were improved in utero by antifungal treatment with fluconazole.MethodsPregnant ewes received an intra-amniotic injection of 10(7) colony-forming units C. albicans or saline (controls) at 3 or 5 days before preterm delivery at 0.8 of gestation (term ~ 150 days). Fetal intra-amniotic/intra-peritoneal injections of fluconazole or saline (controls) were administered 2 days after C. albicans exposure. Post mortem analyses for fungal burden, peripheral immune activation, neuroinflammation, and white matter/neuronal injury were performed to determine the effects of intra-amniotic C. albicans and fluconazole treatment.ResultsIntra-amniotic exposure to C. albicans caused a severe systemic inflammatory response, illustrated by a robust increase of plasma interleukin-6 concentrations. Cerebrospinal fluid cultures were positive for C. albicans in the majority of the 3-day C. albicans-exposed animals whereas no positive cultures were present in the 5-day C. albicans-exposed and fluconazole-treated animals. Although C. albicans was not detected in the brain parenchyma, a neuroinflammatory response in the hippocampus and white matter was seen which was characterized by increased microglial and astrocyte activation. These neuroinflammatory changes were accompanied by structural white matter injury. Intra-amniotic fluconazole reduced fetal mortality but did not attenuate neuroinflammation and white matter injury.ConclusionsIntra-amniotic C. albicans exposure provoked acute systemic and neuroinflammatory responses with concomitant white matter injury. Fluconazole treatment prevented systemic inflammation without attenuating cerebral inflammation and injury

Neurologic complications in adult living donor liver transplant patients: an underestimated factor?

Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment in patients with end-stage liver disease. Neurological complications (NC) are increasingly reported to occur in patients after cadaveric liver transplantation. This retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the incidence and causes of NC in living donor liver transplant (LDLT) patients in our transplant center. Between August 1998 and December 2005, 121 adult LDLT patients were recruited into our study. 17% of patients experienced NC, and it occurred significantly more frequently in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (42%) and autoimmune hepatitis (43%) as compared with patients with hepatitis B or C (9/10%, P = 0.013). The most common NC was encephalopathy (47.6%) followed by seizures (9.5%). The choice of immunosuppression by calcineurin inhibitor (Tacrolimus or Cyclosporin A) showed no significant difference in the incidence of NC (19 vs. 17%). The occurrence of NC did not influence the clinical outcome, since mortality rate, median ICU stay and length of hospital stay were similar between the two groups. Most patients who survived showed a nearly complete recovery of their NC. NCs occur in approximately 1 in 6 patients after LDLT and seem to be predominantly transient in nature, without major impact on clinical outcome