4,152 research outputs found
Behavioral-Independent Features of Complex Heartbeat Dynamics
We test whether the complexity of cardiac interbeat interval time series is
simply a consequence of the wide range of scales characterizing human behavior,
especially physical activity, by analyzing data taken from healthy adult
subjects under three conditions with controls: (i) a ``constant routine''
protocol where physical activity and postural changes are kept to a minimum,
(ii) sympathetic blockade, and (iii) parasympathetic blockade. We find that
when fluctuations in physical activity and other behavioral modifiers are
minimized, a remarkable level of complexity of heartbeat dynamics remains,
while for neuroautonomic blockade the multifractal complexity decreases.Comment: 4 pages with 6 eps figures. Latex file. For more details or for
downloading the PDF file of the published article see
http://polymer.bu.edu/~amaral/Heart.html and
http://polymer.bu.edu/~amaral/Multifractal.htm
Microhardness and friction coefficient of multi-walled carbon nanotube-yttria-stabilized ZrO2 composites prepared by spark plasma sintering
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (eight walls) are mixed with an yttria-stabilized ZrO2 powder. The specimens are densified by spark plasma sintering. Compared to ZrO2, there is a 3.8-fold decrease of the friction coefficient against alumina upon the increase in carbon content. Examinations of the friction tracks show that wear is very low when the carbon content is sufficient. Exfoliation of the nanotubes due to shearing stresses and incorporation of the debris into a lubricating film over the contact area is probable
Specific Heat Study on a Novel Spin-Gapped System : (CH_3)_2NH_2CuCl_3
Specific heat measurements down to 120mK have been performed on a
quasi-one-dimensional spin-gapped system (CH)NHCuCl in
a magnetic field up to 8 T. This compound has a characteristic magnetization
curve which shows a gapless ground state and a plateau at 1/2 of the saturation
value. We have observed a spontaneous antiferromagnetic ordering and a
field-induced one below and above the 1/2 plateau field range, respectively.
The field versus temperature phase diagram is quite unusual and completely
different from those of the other quantum spin systems investigated so far. In
the plateau field range, a double-structure in the specific heat is observed,
reflecting the coexistence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic excitations.
These behaviors are discussed on the basis of a recently proposed novel quantum
spin chain model consisting of weakly coupled ferromagnetic and
antiferromagnetic dimers.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to J. Phys. Soc. Jp
Measurement of Low-Energy Cosmic-Ray Antiprotons at Solar Minimum
The absolute fluxes of the cosmic-ray antiprotons at solar minimum are
measured in the energy range 0.18 to 1.4 GeV, based on 43 events unambiguously
detected in BESS '95 data. The resultant energy spectrum appears to be flat
below 1 GeV, compatible with a possible admixture of primary antiproton
component with a soft energy spectrum, while the possibility of secondary
antiprotons alone explaining the data cannot be excluded with the present
accuracy. Further improvement of statistical accuracy and extension of the
energy range are planned in future BESS flights.Comment: REVTeX, 4 pages including 4 eps figures. Submitted to PR
DNA Methylation of the ABO Promoter Underlies Loss of ABO Allelic Expression in a Significant Proportion of Leukemic Patients
Background: Loss of A, B and H antigens from the red blood cells of patients with myeloid malignancies is a frequent occurrence. Previously, we have reported alterations in ABH antigens on the red blood cells of 55% of patients with myeloid malignancies. Methodology/Principal Findings: To determine the underlying molecular mechanisms of this loss, we assessed ABO allelic expression in 21 patients with ABH antigen loss previously identified by flow cytometric analysis as well as an additional 7 patients detected with ABH antigen changes by serology. When assessing ABO mRNA allelic expression, 6/12 (50%) patients with ABH antigen loss detected by flow cytometry and 5/7 (71%) of the patients with ABH antigen loss detected by serology had a corresponding ABO mRNA allelic loss of expression. We examined the ABO locus for copy number and DNA methylation alterations in 21 patients, 11 with loss of expression of one or both ABO alleles, and 10 patients with no detectable allelic loss of ABO mRNA expression. No loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the ABO locus was observed in these patients. However in 8/11 (73%) patients with loss of ABO allelic expression, the ABO promoter was methylated compared with 2/10 (20%) of patients with no ABO allelic expression loss (P = 0.03). Conclusions/Significance: We have found that loss of ABH antigens in patients with hematological malignancies is associated with a corresponding loss of ABO allelic expression in a significant proportion of patients. Loss of ABO allelic expression was strongly associated with DNA methylation of the ABO promoter.Tina Bianco-Miotto, Damian J. Hussey, Tanya K. Day, Denise S. O'Keefe and Alexander Dobrovi
Single electron quantum tomography in quantum Hall edge channels
We propose a quantum tomography protocol to measure single electron coherence
in quantum Hall edge channels and therefore access for the first time the wave
function of single electron excitations propagating in ballistic quantum
conductors. Its implementation would open the way to quantitative studies of
single electron decoherence and would provide a quantitative tool for analyzing
single to few electron sources. We show how this protocol could be implemented
using ultrahigh sensitivity noise measurement schemes.Comment: Version 3: long version (7 figures): corrections performed and
references have been added. Figures reprocessed for better readabilit
Studies on resistance to yellow mosaic disease in barley. I. A screening test for resistance of two-rowed and six-rowed barleys.
Unconditional Continuous Variable Dense Coding
We investigate the conditions under which unconditional dense coding can be
achieved using continuous variable entanglement. We consider the effect of
entanglement impurity and detector efficiency and discuss experimental
verification. We conclude that the requirements for a strong demonstration are
not as stringent as previously thought and are within the reach of present
technology
- …