The Singular Set of Higher Dimensional Unstable Obstacle Type Problems

In this paper we will investigate the singular points of the following unstable free boundary problem: {equation}\label{Eq} \Delta u= -\chi_{\{u>0\}} \quad\quad\textrm{in} B_1(0) {equation} where $\chi_{\{u>0\}}$ is the characteristic function of the set $\{u>0\}$

What is Humanism?

This is the text of The Lindley Lecture for 1977, given by Georg Henrik (1916-2003), a Finnish philosopher

Brivaracetam inhibits spreading depression in rat neocortical slices in vitro

AbstractEpilepsy and migraine are episodic neurological disorders with marked co-morbidity, making migraine common among epileptic patients. Conversely, several antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are used as migraine-preventive medication. Cortical spreading depression (CSD) represents a transient suppression of bioelectric activity and is considered a key event in migraine and stroke. This study assessed the novel AED candidate brivaracetam (BRV) vs. the chemically related AED levetiracetam in a rat neocortical slice model allowing consistent quantification of drug effects on CSD. CSD episodes were regularly elicited on slices upon delivery of calibrated KCl drops and were recorded via two micropipette electrodes. After control CSDs, the drug was added to the perfusion and five subsequent CSDs were elicited during drug perfusion. Effects were assessed via CSD amplitude (Ampl) and duration at half-amplitude (D1/2). BRV, 10 and 32μM reduced the Ampl and transiently the D1/2. Levetiracetam, 32 and 100μM had no effect on either Ampl or D1/2. The anti-CSD effect of BRV in this in vitro model might suggest a potential anti-migraine activity of this compound, which warrants further investigation

Deceleration of neutral molecules in macroscopic traveling traps

A new type of decelerator is presented where polar neutral molecules are guided and decelerated using the principle of traveling electric potential wells, such that molecules are confined in stable three-dimensional traps throughout. This new decelerator is superior to the best currently operational decelerator (Scharfenberg et al., Phys.Rev.A 79, 023410(2009)), providing a substantially larger acceptance even at higher accelerations. The mode of operation is described and experimentally demonstrated by guiding and decelerating CO molecules.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure