8,379 research outputs found
Orbiting black-hole binaries and apparent horizons in higher dimensions
We study gravitational wave emission and the structure and formation of
apparent horizons in orbiting black-hole binary systems in higher-dimensional
general relativity. For this purpose we present an apparent horizon finder for
use in higher dimensional numerical simulations and test the finder's accuracy
and consistency in single and binary black-hole spacetimes. The black-hole
binaries we model in dimensions complete up to about one orbit before
merging or scatter off each other without formation of a common horizon. In
agreement with the absence of stable circular geodesic orbits around
higher-dimensional black holes, we do not find binaries completing multiple
orbits without finetuning of the initial data. All binaries radiate about
to of the total mass-energy in gravitational waves, over
an order of magnitude below the radiated energy measured for four-dimensional
binaries. The low radiative efficiency is accompanied by relatively slow
dynamics of the binaries as expected from the more rapid falloff of the binding
gravitational force in higher dimensions
Multi-Estimator Full Left Ventricle Quantification through Ensemble Learning
Cardiovascular disease accounts for 1 in every 4 deaths in United States.
Accurate estimation of structural and functional cardiac parameters is crucial
for both diagnosis and disease management. In this work, we develop an ensemble
learning framework for more accurate and robust left ventricle (LV)
quantification. The framework combines two 1st-level modules: direct estimation
module and a segmentation module. The direct estimation module utilizes
Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to achieve end-to-end quantification. The
CNN is trained by taking 2D cardiac images as input and cardiac parameters as
output. The segmentation module utilizes a U-Net architecture for obtaining
pixel-wise prediction of the epicardium and endocardium of LV from the
background. The binary U-Net output is then analyzed by a separate CNN for
estimating the cardiac parameters. We then employ linear regression between the
1st-level predictor and ground truth to learn a 2nd-level predictor that
ensembles the results from 1st-level modules for the final estimation.
Preliminary results by testing the proposed framework on the LVQuan18 dataset
show superior performance of the ensemble learning model over the two base
modules.Comment: Jiasha Liu, Xiang Li and Hui Ren contribute equally to this wor
A novel process for preparing PZT thick films
2000-2001 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe
Optimal packetisation of MPEG-4 using RTP over mobile networks
The introduction of third-generation wireless networks should result in real-time mobile
video communications becoming a reality. Delivery of such video is likely to be facilitated by the realtime
transport protocol (RTP). Careful packetisation of the video data is necessary to ensure the
optimal trade-off between channel utilisation and error robustness. Theoretical analyses for two basic
schemes of MPEG-4 data encapsulation within RTP packets are presented. Simulations over a GPRS
(general packet radio service) network are used to validate the analysis of the most efficient scheme.
Finally, a motion adaptive system for deriving MPEG-4 video packet sizes is presented. Further
simulations demonstrate the benefits of the adaptive system
Solar influenced late Holocene temperature changes on the northern Tibetan Plateau
Considerable efforts have been made to extend temperature records beyond the instrumental period through proxy reconstructions, in order to further understand the mechanisms of past climate variability. Yet, the global coverage of existing temperature records is still limited, especially for some key regions like the Tibetan Plateau and for earlier times including the Medieval Warm Period (MWP). Here we present decadally-resolved, alkenone-based, temperature records from two lakes on the northern Tibetan Plateau. Characterized by marked temperature variability, our records provide evidence that temperatures during the MWP were slightly higher than the modern period in this region. Further, our temperature reconstructions, within age uncertainty, can be well correlated with solar irradiance changes, suggesting a possible link between solar forcing and natural climate variability, at least on the northern Tibetan Plateau. © 2013 The Author(s).published_or_final_versio
Quantum catastrophe of slow light
Catastrophes are at the heart of many fascinating optical phenomena. The
rainbow, for example, is a ray catastrophe where light rays become infinitely
intense. The wave nature of light resolves the infinities of ray catastrophes
while drawing delicate interference patterns such as the supernumerary arcs of
the rainbow. Black holes cause wave singularities. Waves oscillate with
infinitely small wave lengths at the event horizon where time stands still. The
quantum nature of light avoids this higher level of catastrophic behaviour
while producing a quantum phenomenon known as Hawking radiation. As this letter
describes, light brought to a standstill in laboratory experiments can suffer a
similar wave singularity caused by a parabolic profile of the group velocity.
In turn, the quantum vacuum is forced to create photon pairs with a
characteristic spectrum. The idea may initiate a theory of quantum
catastrophes, in addition to classical catastrophe theory, and the proposed
experiment may lead to the first direct observation of a phenomenon related to
Hawking radiation.Comment: Published as "A laboratory analogue of the event horizon using slow
light in an atomic medium
Molecular-beam Epitaxy of Monolayer MoSe2: Growth Characteristics and Domain Boundary Formation
published_or_final_versio
Quercetin Suppresses Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression and Angiogenesis through Inactivation of P300 Signaling
Quercetin, a polyphenolic bioflavonoid, possesses multiple pharmacological actions including anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties. However, the precise action mechanisms of quercetin remain unclear. Here, we reported the regulatory actions of quercetin on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an important mediator in inflammation and tumor promotion, and revealed the underlying mechanisms. Quercetin significantly suppressed COX-2 mRNA and protein expression and prostaglandin (PG) E(2) production, as well as COX-2 promoter activation in breast cancer cells. Quercetin also significantly inhibited COX-2-mediated angiogenesis in human endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The in vitro streptavidin-agarose pulldown assay and in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that quercetin considerably inhibited the binding of the transactivators CREB2, C-Jun, C/EBPÎČ and NF-ÎșB and blocked the recruitment of the coactivator p300 to COX-2 promoter. Moreover, quercetin effectively inhibited p300 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity, thereby attenuating the p300-mediated acetylation of NF-ÎșB. Treatment of cells with p300 HAT inhibitor roscovitine was as effective as quercetin at inhibiting p300 HAT activity. Addition of quercetin to roscovitine-treated cells did not change the roscovitine-induced inhibition of p300 HAT activity. Conversely, gene delivery of constitutively active p300 significantly reversed the quercetin-mediated inhibition of endogenous HAT activity. These results indicate that quercetin suppresses COX-2 expression by inhibiting the p300 signaling and blocking the binding of multiple transactivators to COX-2 promoter. Our findings therefore reveal a novel mechanism of action of quercetin and suggest a potential use for quercetin in the treatment of COX-2-mediated diseases such as breast cancers
Enhancing surface heat transfer by carbon nanofins: towards an alternative to nanofluids?
Background: Nanofluids are suspensions of nanoparticles and fibers which have recently attracted much attention because of their superior thermal properties. Nevertheless, it was proven that, due to modest dispersion of nanoparticles, such high expectations often remain unmet. In this article, by introducing the notion of nanofin, a possible solution is envisioned, where nanostructures with high aspect-ratio are sparsely attached to a solid surface (to avoid a significant disturbance on the fluid dynamic structures), and act as efficient thermal bridges within the boundary layer. As a result, particles are only needed in a small region of the fluid, while dispersion can be controlled in advance through design and manufacturing processes. Results: Toward the end of implementing the above idea, we focus on single carbon nanotubes to enhance heat transfer between a surface and a fluid in contact with it. First, we investigate the thermal conductivity of the latter nanostructures by means of classical non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. Next, thermal conductance at the interface between a single wall carbon nanotube (nanofin) and water molecules is assessed by means of both steady-state and transient numerical experiments. Conclusions: Numerical evidences suggest a pretty favorable thermal boundary conductance (order of 107 W·m-2·K-1) which makes carbon nanotubes potential candidates for constructing nanofinned surface
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