Area distribution of two-dimensional random walks on a square lattice

The algebraic area probability distribution of closed planar random walks of length N on a square lattice is considered. The generating function for the distribution satisfies a recurrence relation in which the combinatorics is encoded. A particular case generalizes the q-binomial theorem to the case of three addends. The distribution fits the L\'evy probability distribution for Brownian curves with its first-order 1/N correction quite well, even for N rather small.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX 2e. Reformulated in terms of q-commutator

Hydroelectric System Response to Part Load Vortex Rope Excitation

The prediction of pressure and output power fluctuations amplitudes on Francis turbine prototype is a challenge for hydro-equipment industry since it is subjected to guarantees to ensure smooth and reliable operation of the hydro units. The European FP7 research project Hyperbole aims to setup a methodology to transpose the pressure fluctuations induced by the cavitation vortex rope on the reduced scale model to the prototype generating units. A Francis turbine unit of 444MW with a specific speed value of ν = 0.29, is considered as case study. A SIMSEN model of the power station including electrical system, controllers, rotating train and hydraulic system with transposed draft tube excitation sources is setup. Based on this model, a frequency analysis of the hydroelectric system is performed to analyse potential interactions between hydraulic excitation sources and electrical components

The role of pasteurella spp and of Mycoplasma bovis in respiratory diseases in young cattle

Lors des essais terrains d’un traitement antibiotique chez des veaux d’éle vage atteints de maladies respiratoires, la flore trachéobronchique a été inven toriée à différentes périodes : à l’arrivée, avant traitement et après guérison. Le rôle de l’association synergique Mycoplasma bovis - Pasteurella haemoly- tica Al apparaît clairement. Les conditions d’élevage et la participation de certains virus (RSV) sont encore des éléments importants de la pathogénèse et du pronostic des bronchopneumonies infectieuses enzootiques.When we tried an antibiotic treatment on clinical trials on weaner calves with respiratory diseases, tracheobronchial flora was examined at different moments : on the day of the arrival, before treatment and after recovery. The role of the synergistic association of Mycoplasma bovis / Pasteurella haemo- lytica A1 in the development of troubles appears to be confirmed. Bad breeding conditions and the participation of a virus (RSV) are important components of pathogenesis and prognosis of bovine Endemic Infectious Broncho pneumonia

Diode-pumped, ion-exchanged Er/Yb waveguide laser at 1.5µm in phosphorus-free silicate glass

We demonstrate the first diode-pumped, planar ErNb waveguide laser. The device was fabricated by thallium-exchange in a phosphorus-free silicate glass. Lasing was achieved with a low threshold of 15 mW, indicating the absence of the severe backtransfer effects previously reported in Er/Yb bulk laser silicate glasses

Diode-pumped, planar lossless splitter at 1.5 microns for optical networks

We demonstrate the first planar lossless splitter at 1.5µm. The ion-exchanged waveguide circuit in Er/Yb codoped silicate glass achieved 1x2 lossless splitting at 1537nm with a 980 nm laser diode pump

Both the C-Terminal Polylysine Region and the Farnesylation of K-RasB Are Important for Its Specific Interaction with Calmodulin

Background: Ras protein, as one of intracellular signal switches, plays various roles in several cell activities such as differentiation and proliferation. There is considerable evidence showing that calmodulin (CaM) binds to K-RasB and dissociates K-RasB from membrane and that the inactivation of CaM is able to induce K-RasB activation. However, the mechanism for the interaction of CaM with K-RasB is not well understood. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, by applying fluorescence spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry, we have obtained thermodynamic parameters for the interaction between these two proteins and identified the important elements of K-RasB for its interaction with Ca 2+ /CaM. One K-RasB molecule interacts with one CaM molecule in a GTP dependent manner with moderate, micromolar affinity at physiological pH and physiologic ionic strength. Mutation in the polybasic domain of K-Ras decreases the binding affinity. By using a chimera in which the C-terminal polylysine region of K-RasB has been replaced with that of H-Ras and vice versa, we find that at physiological pH, H-Ras-(KKKKKK) and Ca 2+ /CaM formed a 1:1 complex with an equilibrium association constant around 10 5 M 21, whereas no binding reaction of K-RasB-(DESGPC) with Ca 2+ /CaM is detected. Furthermore, the interaction of K-RasB with Ca 2+ /CaM is found to be enhanced by the farnesylation of K-RasB. Conclusions/Significance: We demonstrate that the polylysine region of K-RasB not only contributes importantly to th

Lossless integrated active splitters for optical networks

We discuss the latest results in the European Union RACE II project LIASON to specify and develop "lossless" splitters in integrated optics, combining an erbium-doped planar amplifier and a passive 1xN cascaded y-junction splitter

Enzymatic removal of cellulose from cotton/polyester fabric blends

The production of light-weight polyester fabrics from a polyester/cotton blended fabric, by means of the enzymatic removal of the cellulosic part of the material, was investigated. The removal of cotton from the blended fabric yielded more than 80% of insoluble microfibrillar material by the combined action of high beating effects and cellulase hydrolysis.Other major features of this enzymatic process for converting cotton fibers into microfibrillar material are bath ratio, enzyme dosage and treatment time

Supercapacitance from cellulose and carbon nanotube nanocomposite fibers

Copyright © 2013 American Chemical SocietyACS AuthorChoice open access articleMultiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/cellulose composite nanofibers have been prepared by electrospinning a MWNT/cellulose acetate blend solution followed by deacetylation. These composite nanofibers were then used as precursors for carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The effect of nanotubes on the stabilization of the precursor and microstructure of the resultant CNFs were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the incorporated MWNTs reduce the activation energy of the oxidative stabilization of cellulose nanofibers from 230 to 180 kJ mol–1. They also increase the crystallite size, structural order, and electrical conductivity of the activated CNFs (ACNFs). The surface area of the ACNFs increased upon addition of nanotubes which protrude from the fiber leading to a rougher surface. The ACNFs were used as the electrodes of a supercapacitor. The electrochemical capacitance of the ACNF derived from pure cellulose nanofibers is demonstrated to be 105 F g–1 at a current density of 10 A g–1, which increases to 145 F g–1 upon the addition of 6% of MWNTs.The authors would like to thank the [Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council] EPSRC (EP/F036914/1 and EP/I023879/1), Guangdong and Shenzhen Innovative Research Team Program (No. 2011D052,KYPT20121228160843692), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21201175), R&D Funds for basic Research Program of Shenzhen (Grant No. JCYJ20120615140007998), and the Universities of Exeter and Manchester for funding this research