We consider the (scalar) gradient fields η = (ηb)—with b denoting the nearest-neighbor edges in Z—that are distributed according to the Gibbs measure proportional to eν(dη). Here H = ∑ b V (ηb) is the Hamiltonian, V is a symmetric potential, β > 0 is the inverse temperature, and ν is the Lebesgue measure on the linear space defined by imposing the loop condition ηb1 + ηb2 = ηb3 + ηb4 for each p...

Shear-coupled grain boundary (GB) migration can be an efficacious mechanism to accommodate plastic deformation when the grain size of polycrystalline materials goes small. Nevertheless, how this kind of GB motion comes into play at the atomic level has not been fully revealed. Here, we have investigated the shear-coupled migration (SCM) of typical [100] group symmetrical tilt GBs in bcc W using...

One of the key questions in spatial perception is whether the brain has a common representation of gravity that is generally accessible for various perceptual orientation tasks. To evaluate this idea, we compared the ability of six tilted subjects to indicate earth-centric directions in the dark with a visual and an oculomotor paradigm and to estimate their body tilt relative to gravity. Subjec...

There exists no clear understanding of the importance of spectral tilt for perception of stop consonants. It is hypothesized that spectral tilt may be particularly salient when formant patterns are ambiguous or degraded. Here, it is demonstrated that relative change in spectral tilt over time, not absolute tilt, significantly influences perception of /b/ vs /d/. Experiments consisted of burstle...

The prevalence of ascariasis is very high in parts of rural areas in southern China. The high prevalence of ascariasis is one of the most neglected public health problems. A longitudinal investigation on the prevalence of ascariasis in a rural community in China was reported previously. In this article, we re-analyze the reported age specific prevalence of ascariasis using a life table method. ...

We consider the Ginzburg-Landau model of superconductivity in two dimensions in the large κ limit. For applied magnetic fields weaker than the onset field HC3 but greater than HC2 it is well known that the superconductivity order parameter decays exponentially fast away from the boundary. It has been conjectured by X.B. Pan that this surface superconductivity solution converges pointwise to a c...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the relationship between Trendelenburg tilt and internal jugular vein (IJV) diameter, and to examine any cumulative effects of tilt on the IJV diameter. METHODS Using a tilt table, healthy volunteers were randomised to Trendelenburg tilts of 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, and 30 degrees. Ultrasound was used to measure and record the lateral diameter of ...

BACKGROUND Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is a complex fainting disorder commonly triggered by orthostatic stress. OBJECTIVE We developed an algorithm for VVS prediction based on the joint assessment of RR interval (RR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). METHODS Simultaneous analysis of RR and SBP trends during head-up tilt as well as their variability represented by low-frequency power (LFRR and ...

INTRODUCTION Syncope is a common problem and can lead to serious consequences in the elderly. Tilt test is useful to investigate recurrent syncope, but few studies have investigated the hemodynamic responses of this population to tilt test. OBJECTIVE To describe the tilt test responses of elderly patients with recurrent syncope of unknown origin and to determine the occurrence of altered card...

PURPOSE To report a novel method for measuring the vertical tilt angle of the optic nerve (ON) head and to investigate the associated factors. DESIGN Cross-sectional diagnostic study. METHODS One hundred and twelve normal, glaucomatous, and glaucoma suspect eyes (99 patients) were enrolled in this study. Subjects underwent a full eye examination, biometry, and spectral-domain optical cohere...