3,965 research outputs found
Nanometric pitch in modulated structures of twist-bend nematic liquid crystals
The extended Frank elastic energy density is used to investigate the
existence of a stable periodically modulate structure that appears as a ground
state exhibiting a twist-bend molecular arrangement. For an unbounded sample,
we show that the twist-bend nematic phase is characterized by a
heliconical structure with a pitch in the nano-metric range, in agreement with
experimental results. For a sample of finite thickness, we show that the wave
vector of the stable periodic structure depends not only on the elastic
parameters but also on the anchoring energy, easy axis direction, and the
thickness of the sample.Comment: 11 page
Regional Positioning Services as economic and construction activity indicators: the case study of Andalusian Positioning Network (Southern Spain)
The Andalusian Positioning Network (RAP) is a regional GNSS permanent network in southern Spain that offers two public services for precise positioning: real-time (RAP-IP) and post processing (RAP-FTP). The most of registered users are linked to the construction sector, so the collapse of the housing bubble and the Spanish economic crisis influenced the use of RAP services from 2008. The behavior of these services has differed somewhat, although analysis for the years 2008 to 2013 reveals a general decline. Since 2009 the RAP-FTP service demand fell by 50%, but the RAP-IP service was stable until October 2011, when it began a steep decline in December 2012. Analyzing the temporal demand and the geospatial connections of RAP-IP with economic impact indicators, we found a high linear correlation between this service and jobs in the construction sector (0.98) and permit building (0.96). The real time and associated geoinformation are its main advantages
Uniqueness of the Fock representation of the Gowdy and models
After a suitable gauge fixing, the local gravitational degrees of freedom of
the Gowdy and cosmologies are encoded in an axisymmetric
field on the sphere . Recently, it has been shown that a standard field
parametrization of these reduced models admits no Fock quantization with a
unitary dynamics. This lack of unitarity is surpassed by a convenient
redefinition of the field and the choice of an adequate complex structure. The
result is a Fock quantization where both the dynamics and the SO(3)-symmetries
of the field equations are unitarily implemented. The present work proves that
this Fock representation is in fact unique inasmuch as, up to equivalence,
there exists no other possible choice of SO(3)-invariant complex structure
leading to a unitary implementation of the time evolution.Comment: 10 pages, minor changes, version accepted for publication in
Classical and Quantum Gravit
Regulación epigenética del IFN-y en tuberculosis
M. tuberculosis (Mtb) es el principal asesino microbiológico en el mundo. Las modificaciones epigenéticas son claves en la plasticidad del sistema inmune y como mediadores entre el ambiente y los fenotipos celulares. El IFN-v, media la respuesta protectiva frente a Mtb, pero se desconocen los mecanismos epigenéticos que regularían su activación y mediarían la susceptibilidad a la tuberculosis.Área: Ciencias Biológicas, Ambiente y Salud
Minisuperspace Examples of Quantization Using Canonical Variables of the Ashtekar Type: Structure and Solutions
The Ashtekar variables have been use to find a number of exact solutions in
quantum gravity and quantum cosmology. We investigate the origin of these
solutions in the context of a number of canonical transformations (both complex
and real) of the basic Hamiltonian variables of general relativity. We are able
to present several new solutions in the minisuperspace (quantum cosmology)
sector. The meaning of these solutions is then discussed.Comment: 23 pages, latex, 3 figures (uuencoded, separate file
Loop Quantum Cosmology II: Volume Operators
Volume operators measuring the total volume of space in a loop quantum theory
of cosmological models are constructed. In the case of models with rotational
symmetry an investigation of the Higgs constraint imposed on the reduced
connection variables is necessary, a complete solution of which is given for
isotropic models; in this case the volume spectrum can be calculated
explicitly. It is observed that the stronger the symmetry conditions are the
smaller is the volume spectrum, which can be interpreted as level splitting due
to broken symmetries. Some implications for quantum cosmology are presented.Comment: 21 page
A novel implantation technique for engineered osteo-chondral grafts
We present a novel method to support precise insertion of engineered osteochondral grafts by pulling from the bone layer, thereby minimizing iatrogenic damage associated with direct manipulation of the cartilage layer. Grafts were generated by culturing human expanded chondrocytes on Hyaff®-11 meshes, sutured to Tutobone® spongiosa cylinders. Through the bone layer, shaped to imitate the surface-contours of the talar dome, two sutures were applied: the first for anterograde implantation, to pull the graft into the defect, and the second for retrograde correction, in case of a too deep insertion. All grafts could be correctly positioned into osteochondral lesions created in cadaveric ankle joints with good fit to the surrounding cartilage. Implants withstood short-term dynamic stability tests applied to the ankle joint, without delamination or macroscopic damage. The developed technique, by allowing precise and stable positioning of osteochondral grafts without iatrogenic cartilage damage, is essential for the implantation of engineered tissues, where the cartilage layer is not fully mechanically developed, and could be considered also for conventional autologous osteochondral transplantatio
GM crops and gender issues
Correspondence in the December issue by Jonathan Gressel not only states that gender issues in rural settings have not been adequately addressed with respect to weed control biotech but also asserts that such technology can increase the quality of life of rural women in developing countries. Improved weed control is a labor-saving technology that can result in less employment in a labor surplus rural economy. Often in rural areas, wage income is the main source of income and an important determinant of the quality of life, particularly where employment opportunities are generally limited. Apart from soil preparation, planting and weeding, harvesting is also 'femanual' work that can generate more employment if yields are higher. Biotech can enhance the quality of life of women but only if the technology is associated with overall generation of rural employment
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