7,527 research outputs found
Stability of additive-free water-in-oil emulsions
We calculate ion distributions near a planar oil-water interface within
non-linear Poisson-Boltzmann theory, taking into account the Born self-energy
of the ions in the two media. For unequal self-energies of cations and anions,
a spontaneous charge separation is found such that the water and oil phase
become oppositely charged, in slabs with a typical thickness of the Debye
screening length in the two media. From the analytical solutions, the
corresponding interfacial charge density and the contribution to the
interfacial tension is derived, together with an estimate for the
Yukawa-potential between two spherical water droplets in oil. The parameter
regime is explored where the plasma coupling parameter exceeds the
crystallization threshold, i.e. where the droplets are expected to form
crystalline structures due to a strong Yukawa repulsion, as recently observed
experimentally. Extensions of the theory that we discuss briefly include
numerical calculations on spherical water droplets in oil, and analytical
calculations of the linear PB-equation for a finite oil-water interfacial
width.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted by JPCM for proceedings of LMC
Caudal cervical vertebral morphological variation is not associated with clinical signs in Warmblood horses
Background Variation in equine caudal cervical spine morphology at C6 and C7 has high prevalence in Warmblood horses and is suspected to be associated with pain in a large mixed-breed group of horses. At present no data exist on the relationship between radiographic phenotype and clinical presentation in Warmblood horses in a case-control study. Objectives To establish the frequency of radiographically visible morphologic variation in a large group of Warmblood horses with clinical signs and compare this with a group without clinical signs. We hypothesised that occurrence of morphologic variation in the case group would not differ from the control group, indicating there is no association between clinical signs and morphologic variation. Study design Retrospective case-control. Methods Radiographic presence or absence of morphologic variation of cervical vertebrae C6 and C7 was recorded in case (n = 245) and control horses (n = 132). Case and control groups were compared by univariable Pearson's Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression for measurement variables age, sex, breed, degenerative joint disease and morphologic variation at C6 and C7. Odds ratio and confidence intervals were obtained. A P <= 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Morphologic variation at C6 and C7 (n = 108/377 = 28.6%; Cases 58/245 = 23.7%; Control 50/132 = 38%) was less frequent in horses with clinical signs in univariable testing (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.3-0.8, P = 0.001). Age, sex, breed and degenerative joint disease were not retained in the final multivariable logistic regression step whereas morphologic variation remained significantly less present in horses with clinical signs. Main limitations Possible demographic differences between equine clinics. Conclusions Morphologic variation in the caudal cervical spine was detected more frequently in horses without clinical signs. Therefore, radiographic presence of such variation does not necessarily implicate the presence of clinical signs
Single-chip CMOS optical microspectrometer
Numerous applications, e.g., systems for chemical analysis by optical absorption and emission line characterization, will benefit from
the availability of low-cost single-chip spectrometers. A single-chip CMOS optical microspectrometer containing an array of 16
addressable Fabry–Perot etalons (each one with different resonance cavity length), photodetectors and circuits for read-out, multiplexing and driving a serial bus interface has been fabricated. The result is a chip that can operate using only four external connections (including Vdd and Vss). covering the visible spectral range of the spectrum with FWHM = 18 nm. Frequency output and serial bus interface allow easy multi-sensor, multi-chip interfacing using a microcontroller or a personal computer. Power consumption is 1250 µW for a clock frequency of 1 MHzFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT
Lattice-Boltzmann hydrodynamics of anisotropic active matter
A plethora of active matter models exist that describe the behavior of
self-propelled particles (or swimmers), both with and without hydrodynamics.
However, there are few studies that consider shape-anisotropic swimmers and
include hydrodynamic interactions. Here, we introduce a simple method to
simulate self-propelled colloids interacting hydrodynamically in a viscous
medium using the lattice-Boltzmann technique. Our model is based on
raspberry-type viscous coupling and a force/counter-force formalism which
ensures that the system is force free. We consider several anisotropic shapes
and characterize their hydrodynamic multipolar flow field. We demonstrate that
shape-anisotropy can lead to the presence of a strong quadrupole and octupole
moments, in addition to the principle dipole moment. The ability to simulate
and characterize these higher-order moments will prove crucial for
understanding the behavior of model swimmers in confining geometries.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, 3 table
Effects of quasiparticle tunneling in a circuit-QED realization of a strongly driven two-level system
We experimentally and theoretically study the frequency shift of a driven
cavity coupled to a superconducting charge qubit. In addition to previous
studies, we here also consider drive strengths large enough to energetically
allow for quasiparticle creation. Quasiparticle tunneling leads to the
inclusion of more than two charge states in the dynamics. To explain the
observed effects, we develop a master equation for the microwave dressed charge
states, including quasiparticle tunneling. A bimodal behavior of the frequency
shift as a function of gate voltage can be used for sensitive charge detection.
However, at weak drives the charge sensitivity is significantly reduced by
non-equilibrium quasiparticles, which induce transitions to a non-sensitive
state. Unexpectedly, at high enough drives, quasiparticle tunneling enables a
very fast relaxation channel to the sensitive state. In this regime, the charge
sensitivity is thus robust against externally injected quasiparticles and the
desired dynamics prevail over a broad range of temperatures. We find very good
agreement between theory and experiment over a wide range of drive strengths
and temperatures.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figure
Developing a social media response to radicalization:The role of counter-narratives in prevention of radicalization and de-radicalization
Optical microspectrometer using a micro-instrumentation platform
MEMS are usually designed for measuring one parameter and on-chip co-integration of
sensor (microstructure) and readout circuits is often pursued. In a multi-parameter measurement system, yield considerations and fabrication compatibility problems favor micro-instruments based on active Si-MCM techniques. The generic device is based on a stacked structure with a universally applicable active silicon MCM platform that contains all the infrastructural functions of a
measurement system. Customizing the microsystem requires flip-chip attach of sensor dies and a commercially available microcontroller die, which is subsequently programmed for the intended application. The micro-instrument features a data pre processing capability to provide high-level data (e.g. spectral information rather than raw sensor data) and to communicate with a host processor intelligently.STW - project DEL 55.3733.TU Delft, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - Program Praxis XXI-BD/5181/95
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