126,862 research outputs found
Fast Identification of Bound Structures in Large N-body Simulations
No full textWe present an algorithm that is designed to allow the efficient identification and preliminary dynamical analysis of thousands of structures and substructures in large N-body simulations. First, we utilize a refined density gradient system (based on denmax) to identify the structures and then apply an iterative approximate method to identify unbound particles, allowing fast calculation of bound substructures. After producing a catalogue of separate energetically bound substructures, we check to see which of these are energetically bound to adjacent substructures. For such bound complex subhaloes, we combine components and check if additional free particles are also bound to the union, repeating the process iteratively until no further changes are found. Thus, our subhaloes can contain more than one density maximum, but the scheme is stable: starting with a small smoothing length initially produces small structures that must be combined later and starting with a large smoothing length produces large structures within which sub-substructure is found. We apply this algorithm to three simulations. Two that are using the TPM algorithm by Bode, Ostriker & Xu and one on a simulated halo by Diemand, Moore & Stadel. For all these haloes, we find about 5–8 per cent of the mass in substructures
Evaluation of BODE index and its relationship with systemic inflammation mediated by proinflammatory biomarkers in patients with COPD
No full textNaushad Ahmad Khan,1,2 Mradul Kumar Daga,1 Istaq Ahmad,2 Govind Mawari,1 Suman Kumar,3 Naresh Kumar,1 Syed Akhter Husain2 1Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, 2Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, 3Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India Introduction: BODE index, a multidimensional grading system which is based on Body mass index, airway Obstruction, Dyspnea scale, and Exercise capacity, has been increasingly used for the evaluation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many of the systemic manifestations of COPD are shown to be mediated by elevated levels of proinflammatory biomarkers.Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the BODE index, its components, disease severity, and proinflammatory biomarkers like C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study which included 290 clinically stable COPD patients and 80 smoker controls was conducted. Medical history, body mass index, pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walking test, and modified scale of Medical Research Council dyspnea scale were evaluated. BODE scores were determined. Systemic inflammation was evaluated with the measurement of CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the serum samples of all studied subjects. The correlation between inflammatory biomarkers and BODE index was assessed in COPD patients.Results: We found a significant relationship between COPD stages and BODE index. Our analysis showed significant association between systemic biomarkers and components of the BODE index. Both TNF-α and CRP levels exhibited weak but significant correlation with BODE index. Serum IL-6 concentrations exhibited significant correlation with 6-minute walking test, modified scale of Medical Research Council, and BODE index (r=0.201, P=0.004; r=0.068, P=0.001; and r=0.530, P=0.001, respectively). Also, an inverse and significant correlation was observed between BODE index and FEV1 (r=0.567, P=0.001). IL-6 exhibited a highly significant and inverse correlation with FEV1 (r=−0.580, P=0.001).Conclusion: BODE index should be considered for evaluating patients with COPD. Also, IL-6 seems to be a potential biomarker that may enable determination of the severity and prediction of the course of the disease. Keywords: BODE index, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, systemic inflammation, biomarker
Titius-Bode Law
No full textEnsino Médio::FísicaThe Titius-Bode Law approximates the distance 'a' from the Sun to the traditional planets. The Titius-Bode Law was formulated around 1770. There is no known scientific reason why the orbits of the primary planets seem to follow this relation. The law can be expressed as a=0.4+(0.3)2^n where 'n' is an integer representing the planet in question (0 for Venus, 1 for Earth, etc.). It is curious that Mercury needs the value n=-(infinity), the asteroid Ceres needs n=3, and the planet Neptune is skipped. At the time of discovery, Uranus and the more distant planets were not yet discovere
Titius-Bode Law
No full textEnsino Médio::FísicaThe Titius-Bode Law approximates the distance 'a' from the Sun to the traditional planets. The Titius-Bode Law was formulated around 1770. There is no known scientific reason why the orbits of the primary planets seem to follow this relation. The law can be expressed as a=0.4+(0.3)2^n where 'n' is an integer representing the planet in question (0 for Venus, 1 for Earth, etc.). It is curious that Mercury needs the value n=-(infinity), the asteroid Ceres needs n=3, and the planet Neptune is skipped. At the time of discovery, Uranus and the more distant planets were not yet discovere
Titius-Bode Law
No full textEnsino Médio::FísicaThe Titius-Bode Law approximates the distance 'a' from the Sun to the traditional planets. The Titius-Bode Law was formulated around 1770. There is no known scientific reason why the orbits of the primary planets seem to follow this relation. The law can be expressed as a=0.4+(0.3)2^n where 'n' is an integer representing the planet in question (0 for Venus, 1 for Earth, etc.). It is curious that Mercury needs the value n=-(infinity), the asteroid Ceres needs n=3, and the planet Neptune is skipped. At the time of discovery, Uranus and the more distant planets were not yet discovere
Composition in portraits: Selfies and wefies reveal similar biases in untrained modern youths and ancient masters*
No full textPrevious analyses suggest that artists prefer poses showing the left side of the subject’s face when composing a portrait, but showing the right side when composing their own self-portrait. There is also some evidence that artists may prefer compositions with key features on the right of the picture. Do these findings generalize to spontaneous, pseudo-artistic productions by individuals with no formal training in painting and art history? To investigate this issue, we tested a sample of 104 British schoolchildren and teenagers (mean age = 13.8 years; 80 females). We analysed posing biases in individual photographic self-portraits (“selfies”) as well as of self-portraits including also the portrait of a friend (“wefies”). Our results document a bias for showing the left cheek in selfies, a bias for placing the selfie-taker on the right in wefies, and a bias for showing two left cheeks over two right cheeks, again in wefies. These biases are reminiscent of what has been reported for selfies in adult non-artists and for portraits and self-portraits by artists in the 16th–18th centuries. Thus, these results provide new evidence in support of a biological basis for side biases in portraits and self-portraits independently of training and expertise
Strategies for synthesis of yardsticks and abaci for nanometre distance measurements by pulsed EPR
No full textSilvia Valera is grateful for support by EPSRC and Bela E. Bode acknowledges support by EastCHEM.Pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques have been found to be an efficient tool for elucidation of structure in complex biological systems as they give access to distances in the nanometre range. These measurements can provide additional structural information such as relative orientations, structural flexibility or aggregation states. A wide variety of model systems for calibration and optimisation of pulsed experiments has been synthesised. Their design is based on mimicking biological systems or materials in specific properties such as the distances themselves and the distance distributions. Here, we review selected approaches to the synthesis of chemical systems bearing two or more spin centres, such as nitroxide or trityl radicals, metal ions or combinations thereof and sketch their application in pulsed EPR distance measurements.Peer reviewe
Индекс BODE и риск остеопоротических переломов у больных хронической обструктивной болезнью легких
No full textThe goal of the study: to define theoretic correlation between BODE index in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and risk of osteoporotic fractures assessed as per bone mineral density and FRAX integral rate.Materials and methods. 125 men suffering from COPD smoking for a long period of time (the smoker index of 240 and time of smoking (packs/years) of 40) were included into the study. 10 year risk of osteoporotic fractures was assessed by FRAX software. The respiratory function was evaluated by the multi-module unit of MasterLab/Jaeger type. BODE index was defined in the patients.Results. The minimum level of BODE was observed in those suffering from COPD of the 2nd stage – 2.23 ± 0.88. In case of the 3rd stage of COPD BODE made 5.05 ± 1.19, in the 4th stage of COPD it made 7.0 ± 1.0. The maximum risk of fractures was detected in the patients of the 4th stage of COPD. The minimum risk of fractures was diagnosed in the patients of the 2nd stage of COPD. The confident correlations were found between BODE and bone mineral density (r = -0.71, p < 0.005), as well as confident correlations between BODE and the risk of fractures (r = -0.54, p < 0.05). Conclusions. The correlation has been found between BODE index and the risk of fractures. Цель исследования: теоретическое определение корреляционных связей между индексом BODE у мужчин с хронической обструктивной болезнью легких (ХОБЛ) и риском возникновения у них остеопоротических переломов, оцененных по минеральной плотности костной ткани (МПКТ) и интегральному показателю FRAX.Материалы и методы. Обследовано 125 мужчин с ХОБЛ, имеющих длительный стаж курения (индекс курильщика 240 и стаж курения (пачек/лет) 40). Десятилетний риск остеопоротических переломов оценивали с помощью компьютерной программы FRAX. Исследование функции внешнего дыхания проводили на многомодульной установке типа MasterLab/Jaeger. У больных определяли индекс BODE.Результаты. Минимальный уровень индекса BODE наблюдали у пациентов с ХОБЛ 2-й стадии - 2,23 ± 0,88. При 3-й стадии ХОБЛ BODE составлял 5,05 ± 1,19, при 4-й стадии ХОБЛ - 7,0 ± 1,0. Максимальный риск переломов выявлен у больных ХОБЛ 4-й стадии. Минимальный риск переломов диагностирован у больных ХОБЛ 2-й стадии. Установлены достоверные корреляционные связи BODE с МПКТ (r = -0,71, p < 0,005), достоверные корреляционные связи BODE и риска переломов (r = -0,54, p < 0,05). Выводы. Установлена взаимосвязь между индексом BODE и риском переломов
Relationship between BODE index, quality of life and inflammatory cytokines in COPD patients
No full textBackground and aims: Recently a multidimensional grading system based on the body mass index (B), degree of airflow obstruction (O), dyspnea (D) and exercise capacity (E) - the BODE index - has begun to be used increasingly for the evaluation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between the BODE index and disease duration, annual exacerbation and hospitalization rates, health related quality of life and systemic inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-8. Materials and methods: In 88 stable COPD patients we evaluated the body-mass index, pulmonary function tests, Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale and six-minute walk test (6MWT). BODE scores were determined. Disease duration, number of exacerbations and hospitalization in the previous year were recorded. We also performed arterial blood gases analysis, administered the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and measured serum levels of CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-8. Results: According to BODE score 52% of patients were BODE 1, 21% BODE 2, 15% BODE 3 and 12% were BODE 4. There was a significant relationship between BODE index and COPD stage as classified according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) (p < 0.001). Correlations between BODE score and disease duration (p = 0.011), number of exacerbations (p < 0.001) and hospitalizations (p < 0.001) in the last year were also observed. SGRQ symptom, activity, emotion scores and total scores were found to be significantly correlated to BODE (p < 0.001). Serum CRP levels and BODE were also correlated (p = 0.014); however, no correlation was found between serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-8 and BODE. Conclusions: As the BODE index shows a strong correlation with various prognostic and follow up parameters of COPD and systemic inflammation, its use should be considered for the evaluation of COPD patients
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