482 research outputs found
Recommended from our members
Developing a grid computing system for commercial-off-the-shelf simulation packages
Today simulation is becoming an increasingly
pervasive technology across major business
sectors. Advances in COTS Simulation Packages
and Commercial Simulation Software have made
it easier for users to build models, often of large complex processes. These two factors combined are to be welcomed and when used correctly can be of great benefit to organisations that make use of the technology. However, it is also the case
that users hungry for answers do not always have the time, or possibly the patience, to wait for results from multiple replications and multiple experiments as standard simulation practice would demand. There is therefore a need to support this advance in the use of simulation within today’s business with improved computing technology. Grid computing has been put forward as a potential commercial solution to this requirement. To this end, Saker Solutions and the Distributed Systems Research Group at Brunel University have developed a dedicated Grid Computing System (SakerGrid) to support the deployment of simulation models across a desktop grid of PCs. The paper identifies route taken to solve this challenging issue and suggests where the future may lie for this exciting integration of two effective but underused technologies
Growth and form of the mound in Gale Crater, Mars: Slope wind enhanced erosion and transport
Ancient sediments provide archives of climate and habitability on Mars. Gale Crater, the landing site for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), hosts a 5-km-high sedimentary mound (Mount Sharp/Aeolis Mons). Hypotheses for mound formation include evaporitic, lacustrine, fluviodeltaic, and aeolian processes, but the origin and original extent of Gale’s mound is unknown. Here we show new measurements of sedimentary strata within the mound that indicate ∼3° outward dips oriented radially away from the mound center, inconsistent with the first three hypotheses. Moreover, although mounds are widely considered to be erosional remnants of a once crater-filling unit, we find that the Gale mound’s current form is close to its maximal extent. Instead we propose that the mound’s structure, stratigraphy, and current shape can be explained by growth in place near the center of the crater mediated by wind-topography feedbacks. Our model shows how sediment can initially accrete near the crater center far from crater-wall katabatic winds, until the increasing relief of the resulting mound generates mound-flank slope winds strong enough to erode the mound. The slope wind enhanced erosion and transport (SWEET) hypothesis indicates mound formation dominantly by aeolian deposition with limited organic carbon preservation potential, and a relatively limited role for lacustrine and fluvial activity. Morphodynamic feedbacks between wind and topography are widely applicable to a range of sedimentary and ice mounds across the Martian surface, and possibly other planets
Geodynamics and Rate of Volcanism on Massive Earth-like Planets
We provide estimates of volcanism versus time for planets with Earth-like
composition and masses from 0.25 to 25 times Earth, as a step toward predicting
atmospheric mass on extrasolar rocky planets. Volcanism requires melting of the
silicate mantle. We use a thermal evolution model, calibrated against Earth, in
combination with standard melting models, to explore the dependence of
convection-driven decompression mantle melting on planet mass. Here we show
that (1) volcanism is likely to proceed on massive planets with plate tectonics
over the main-sequence lifetime of the parent star; (2) crustal thickness (and
melting rate normalized to planet mass) is weakly dependent on planet mass; (3)
stagnant lid planets live fast (they have higher rates of melting than their
plate tectonic counterparts early in their thermal evolution) but die young
(melting shuts down after a few Gyr); (4) plate tectonics may not operate on
high mass planets because of the production of buoyant crust which is difficult
to subduct; and (5) melting is necessary but insufficient for efficient
volcanic degassing - volatiles partition into the earliest, deepest melts,
which may be denser than the residue and sink to the base of the mantle on
young, massive planets. Magma must also crystallize at or near the surface, and
the pressure of overlying volatiles must be fairly low, if volatiles are to
reach the surface. If volcanism is detected in the Tau Ceti system, and tidal
forcing can be shown to be weak, this would be evidence for plate tectonics.Comment: Revised version, accepted by Astrophysical Journa
Unveiling Shrouded Oceans on Temperate sub-Neptunes via Transit Signatures of Solubility Equilibria versus Gas Thermochemistry
The recent discovery and initial characterization of sub-Neptune-sized exoplanets that receive stellar irradiance of approximately Earth's raised the prospect of finding habitable planets in the coming decade, because some of these temperate planets may support liquid-water oceans if they do not have massive H2/He envelopes and are thus not too hot at the bottom of the envelopes. For planets larger than Earth, and especially planets in the 1.7-3.5 R⊕ population, the mass of the H2/He envelope is typically not sufficiently constrained to assess the potential habitability. Here we show that the solubility equilibria versus thermochemistry of carbon and nitrogen gases typically results in observable discriminators between small H2 atmospheres versus massive ones, because the condition to form a liquid-water ocean and that to achieve the thermochemical equilibrium are mutually exclusive. The dominant carbon and nitrogen gases are typically CH4 and NH3 due to thermochemical recycling in a massive atmosphere of a temperate planet, and those in a small atmosphere overlying a liquid-water ocean are most likely CO2 and N2, followed by CO and CH4 produced photochemically. NH3 is depleted in the small atmosphere by dissolution into the liquid-water ocean. These gases lead to distinctive features in the planet's transmission spectrum, and a moderate number of transit observations with the James Webb Space Telescope should tell apart a small atmosphere versus a massive one on planets like K2-18 b. This framework thus points to a way to use near-term facilities to constrain the atmospheric mass and habitability of temperate sub-Neptune exoplanets
Possible Disintegrating Short-Period Super-Mercury Orbiting KIC 12557548
We report here on the discovery of stellar occultations, observed with
Kepler, that recur periodically at 15.685 hour intervals, but which vary in
depth from a maximum of 1.3% to a minimum that can be less than 0.2%. The star
that is apparently being occulted is KIC 12557548, a K dwarf with T_eff = 4400
K and V = 16. Because the eclipse depths are highly variable, they cannot be
due solely to transits of a single planet with a fixed size. We discuss but
dismiss a scenario involving a binary giant planet whose mutual orbit plane
precesses, bringing one of the planets into and out of a grazing transit. We
also briefly consider an eclipsing binary, that either orbits KIC 12557548 in a
hierarchical triple configuration or is nearby on the sky, but we find such a
scenario inadequate to reproduce the observations. We come down in favor of an
explanation that involves macroscopic particles escaping the atmosphere of a
slowly disintegrating planet not much larger than Mercury. The particles could
take the form of micron-sized pyroxene or aluminum oxide dust grains. The
planetary surface is hot enough to sublimate and create a high-Z atmosphere;
this atmosphere may be loaded with dust via cloud condensation or explosive
volcanism. Atmospheric gas escapes the planet via a Parker-type thermal wind,
dragging dust grains with it. We infer a mass loss rate from the observations
of order 1 M_E/Gyr, with a dust-to-gas ratio possibly of order unity. For our
fiducial 0.1 M_E planet, the evaporation timescale may be ~0.2 Gyr. Smaller
mass planets are disfavored because they evaporate still more quickly, as are
larger mass planets because they have surface gravities too strong to sustain
outflows with the requisite mass-loss rates. The occultation profile evinces an
ingress-egress asymmetry that could reflect a comet-like dust tail trailing the
planet; we present simulations of such a tail.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures; submitted to ApJ, January 10, 2012; accepted
March 21, 201
The Influence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Other Related Factors upon Health-Related Quality of Life in Women of Reproductive Age: A Case-Control Study
This study aimed to assess the impact of a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis and other factors on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women of reproductive age. Online questionnaires were completed and study groups compared. Potential causal relationships were evaluated using path analysis. Analyses revealed that a PCOS diagnosis alongside BMI had the largest effect on HRQoL. Higher levels of physical activity (PA) were not associated with greater HRQoL, and PA was not directly affected by any other outcome. However, reduced self-esteem was identified as a key factor in the promotion of physical and mental health
Localized precipitation and runoff on Mars
We use the Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (MRAMS) to simulate lake
storms on Mars, finding that intense localized precipitation will occur for
lake size >=10^3 km^2. Mars has a low-density atmosphere, so deep convection
can be triggered by small amounts of latent heat release. In our reference
simulation, the buoyant plume lifts vapor above condensation level, forming a
20km-high optically-thick cloud. Ice grains grow to 200 microns radius and fall
near (or in) the lake at mean rates up to 1.5 mm/hr water equivalent (maximum
rates up to 6 mm/hr water equivalent). Because atmospheric temperatures outside
the surface layer are always well below 273K, supersaturation and condensation
begin at low altitudes above lakes on Mars. In contrast to Earth lake-effect
storms, lake storms on Mars involve continuous precipitation, and their
vertical velocities and plume heights exceed those of tropical thunderstorms on
Earth. Convection does not reach above the planetary boundary layer for lakes
O(10^2) mbar. Instead, vapor is
advected downwind with little cloud formation. Precipitation occurs as snow,
and the daytime radiative forcing at the land surface due to plume vapor and
storm clouds is too small to melt snow directly (<+10 W/m^2). However, if
orbital conditions are favorable, then the snow may be seasonally unstable to
melting and produce runoff to form channels. We calculate the probability of
melting by running thermal models over all possible orbital conditions and
weighting their outcomes by probabilities given by Laskar et al., 2004. We
determine that for an equatorial vapor source, sunlight 15% fainter than at
present, and snowpack with albedo 0.28 (0.35), melting may occur with 4%(0.1%)
probability. This rises to 56%(12%) if the ancient greenhouse effect was
modestly (6K) greater than today.Comment: Submitted to JGR Planet
Exercise interventions significantly reduce fasting insulin, but not fasting glucose, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome when compared with no intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis
This is an accepted manuscript of an abstract published by Wiley on 14/03/2018, available online: https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.8_13571 The accepted version may differ from the final published version.Published versio
Sleep Disruption and Depression, Stress and Anxiety Levels in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) During the Lockdown Measures for COVID-19 in the UK
Background: Lockdown measures have been enforced globally in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the comorbidity burden in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), these lockdown measures may have a particularly negative impact on sleep health, quality of life (QoL), and depression/stress levels in this population. The aim of this study was to explore whether such potential problems were present in women with PCOS during the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK. Methods: UK women with PCOS were recruited through social media into a cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study survey was delivered online, and included demographic and COVID-19 relevant questions, as well as validated questionnaires/scales, namely the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and PCOSQOL questionnaire. Results: Three hundred and thirty-three women with PCOS [median age: 30.0 (9.0) years] were recruited. Participants were dichotomized based on responses regarding the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on their sleep [negative (N = 242) vs. no/positive (N = 91) impact]. No differences were noted between groups regarding age, time since PCOS diagnosis, body mass index, or number of comorbidities. Based on the ISI, 44.2% of participants reporting a negative impact on sleep exhibited at least moderately severe clinical insomnia. Compared to those who reported no/positive effect on sleep, the participants reporting a negative impact on sleep also reported poorer QoL, based on the total PCOSQOL score, with a greater impact of PCOS and poorer mood in the corresponding PCOSQOL domains. Based on the DASS-21, the latter also had statistically higher depression and stress levels compared to the former. Finally, for this cohort significant inverse correlations were noted between the ISI and PCOSQOL scores (total and domain scores), whilst the DASS-21 and ISI scores were positively correlated (all p-values <0.001). Conclusion: The majority of recruited UK women with PCOS reported that the COVID-19 lockdown had a negative impact on their sleep, which was also associated with impaired QoL and higher depression/stress levels. Whilst further research is required, women with PCOS should be considered a vulnerable population that may experience an adverse impact on sleep, QoL and mental health well-being due to lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic
Sleep Disruption and Depression, Stress and Anxiety Levels in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) During the Lockdown Measures for COVID-19 in the UK
From Frontiers via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: collection 2021, received 2021-01-03, accepted 2021-05-12, epub 2021-06-04Publication status: PublishedBackground: Lockdown measures have been enforced globally in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the comorbidity burden in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), these lockdown measures may have a particularly negative impact on sleep health, quality of life (QoL), and depression/stress levels in this population. The aim of this study was to explore whether such potential problems were present in women with PCOS during the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK. Methods: UK women with PCOS were recruited through social media into a cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study survey was delivered online, and included demographic and COVID-19 relevant questions, as well as validated questionnaires/scales, namely the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and PCOSQOL questionnaire. Results: Three hundred and thirty-three women with PCOS [median age: 30.0 (9.0) years] were recruited. Participants were dichotomized based on responses regarding the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on their sleep [negative (N = 242) vs. no/positive (N = 91) impact]. No differences were noted between groups regarding age, time since PCOS diagnosis, body mass index, or number of comorbidities. Based on the ISI, 44.2% of participants reporting a negative impact on sleep exhibited at least moderately severe clinical insomnia. Compared to those who reported no/positive effect on sleep, the participants reporting a negative impact on sleep also reported poorer QoL, based on the total PCOSQOL score, with a greater impact of PCOS and poorer mood in the corresponding PCOSQOL domains. Based on the DASS-21, the latter also had statistically higher depression and stress levels compared to the former. Finally, for this cohort significant inverse correlations were noted between the ISI and PCOSQOL scores (total and domain scores), whilst the DASS-21 and ISI scores were positively correlated (all p-values <0.001). Conclusion: The majority of recruited UK women with PCOS reported that the COVID-19 lockdown had a negative impact on their sleep, which was also associated with impaired QoL and higher depression/stress levels. Whilst further research is required, women with PCOS should be considered a vulnerable population that may experience an adverse impact on sleep, QoL and mental health well-being due to lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic
- …