Computing and teaching microsymposia at ECM [European Crystallographic Meeting 20, Krakow, August 2001]

Microsymposia on the contemporary topic of Computing and Teaching Some key issues regarding different models for delivery of the curriculum, the pace of introducing the new technologies, the role of government in delivering mass education and the pressures on institutions in responding to the novel methods of education were raised during the talks

A production modeling approach to the assessment of the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) population in Delaware Bay

Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is harvested commercially, used by the biomedical industry, and provides food for migrating shorebirds, particularly in Delaware Bay. Recently, decreasing crab population trends in this region have raised concerns that the stock may be insufficient to fulfill the needs of these diverse user groups. To assess the Delaware Bay horseshoe crab population, we used surplus production models (programmed in ASPIC), which incorporated data from fishery-independent surveys, fishery-dependent catch-per-unit-of-effort data, and regional harvest. Results showed a depleted population (B2003/=0.03−0.71) BMSY and high relative fishing mortality /FMSY=0.9−9.5). Future harvest (F2002strategies for a 15-year period were evaluated by using population projections with ASPICP software. Under 2003 harvest levels (1356 t), population recovery to BMSY would take at least four years, and four of the seven models predicted that the population would not reach BMSY within the 15year period. Production models for horseshoe crab assessment provided management benchmarks for a species with limited data and no prior stock assessmen

The Pseudosynchronization of Binary Stars Undergoing Strong Tidal Interactions

Eccentric binaries known as heartbeat stars experience strong dynamical tides as the stars pass through periastron, providing a laboratory to study tidal interactions. We measure the rotation periods of 24 heartbeat systems, using the Kepler light curves to identify rotation peaks in the Fourier transform. Where possible, we compare the rotation period to the pseudosynchronization period derived by Hut 1981. Few of our heartbeat stars are pseudosynchronized with the orbital period. For four systems, we were able to identify two sets of rotation peaks, which we interpret as the rotation from both stars in the binary. The majority of the systems have a rotation period that is approximately 3/2 times the pseudosynchronization period predicted by Hut 1981, suggesting that other physical mechanisms influence the stars' rotation, or that stars typically reach tidal spin equilibrium at a rotation period slightly longer than predicted.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, 1 table

Accelerated Tidal Circularization Via Resonance Locking in KIC 8164262

Tidal dissipation in binary star and planetary systems is poorly understood. Fortunately, eccentric binaries known as heartbeat stars often exhibit tidally excited oscillations, providing observable diagnostics of tidal circularization mechanisms and timescales. We apply tidal theories to observations of the heartbeat star KIC 8164262, which contains an F-type primary in a very eccentric orbit that exhibits a prominent tidally excited oscillation. We demonstrate that the prominent oscillation is unlikely to result from a chance resonance between tidal forcing and a stellar oscillation mode. However, the oscillation has a frequency and amplitude consistent with the prediction of resonance locking, a mechanism in which coupled stellar and orbital evolution maintain a stable resonance between tidal forcing and a stellar oscillation mode. The resonantly excited mode produces efficient tidal dissipation (corresponding to an effective tidal quality factor $Q \sim 5 \times 10^4$), such that tidal orbital decay/circularization proceeds on a stellar evolution time scale.Comment: Published in MNRAS Letters. For an interactive 3D model of the system, go to http://www.glowscript.org/#/user/slantburns/folder/Public/program/KIC816426

Generative Design in Minecraft (GDMC), Settlement Generation Competition

This paper introduces the settlement generation competition for Minecraft, the first part of the Generative Design in Minecraft challenge. The settlement generation competition is about creating Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents that can produce functional, aesthetically appealing and believable settlements adapted to a given Minecraft map - ideally at a level that can compete with human created designs. The aim of the competition is to advance procedural content generation for games, especially in overcoming the challenges of adaptive and holistic PCG. The paper introduces the technical details of the challenge, but mostly focuses on what challenges this competition provides and why they are scientifically relevant.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, Part of the Foundations of Digital Games 2018 proceedings, as part of the workshop on Procedural Content Generatio

KIC 4142768: An Evolved Gamma Doradus/Delta Scuti Hybrid Pulsating Eclipsing Binary with Tidally Excited Oscillations

We present the characterization of KIC 4142768, an eclipsing binary with two evolved A-type stars in an eccentric orbit with a period of 14 days. We measure the fundamental parameters of the two components (M₁ = 2.05M_⊙, R₁ = 2.96R_⊙ and M₂ = 2.05M_⊙, R₂ = 2.51R_⊙) by combining Kepler photometry and spectra from the Keck HIRES. The measured surface rotation rates are only one-fifth of the pseudo-synchronous rate of the eccentric orbit. The Fourier spectrum of the light curve reveals hybrid pulsations of δ Scuti and γ Doradus type, with pulsation frequencies at about 15–18 day⁻¹ for p modes and about 0.2–1.2 day⁻¹ for low-frequency g modes. Some of the g modes are exact orbital harmonics and are likely tidally excited. Their pulsation amplitudes and phases both agree with predictions from linear tidal theory for l = 2, m = 2 prograde modes. We examine the period spacing patterns in the self-driven g modes and identify them mostly as prograde sectoral dipole modes. The unstable frequency range and frequency spacing of the p modes and the inferred asymptotic g-mode period spacings both agree with the stellar model for the primary star evolved to a late stage of the main sequence. The inferred rotation rate of the convective core boundary is very slow, similar to the small surface rotation rate inferred from the spectroscopy. The measured surface and near-core rotation rates provide constraints for testing the mechanism of angular momentum transfer and tidal synchronization in evolved eccentric binary star systems

Electronic healthcare databases in Europe:descriptive analysis of characteristics and potential for use in medicines regulation

ObjectiveElectronic healthcare databases (EHDs) are useful tools for drug development and safety evaluation but their heterogeneity of structure, validity and access across Europe complicates the conduct of multidatabase studies. In this paper, we provide insight into available EHDs to support regulatory decisions on medicines. Methods EHDs were identified from publicly available information from the European Network of Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance resources database, textbooks and web-based searches. Databases were selected using criteria related to accessibility, longitudinal dimension, recording of exposure and outcomes, and generalisability. Extracted information was verified with the database owners. Results A total of 34 EHDs were selected after applying key criteria relevant for regulatory purposes. The most represented regions were Northern, Central and Western Europe. The most frequent types of data source were electronic medical records (44.1%) and record linkage systems (29.4%). The median number of patients registered in the 34 data sources was 5million (range 0.07–15million) while the median time covered by a database was 18.5 years. Paediatric patients were included in 32 databases (94%). Completeness of information on drug exposure was variable. Published validation studies were found for only 17 databases (50%). Some level of access exists for 25 databases (73.5%), and 23 databases (67.6%) can be linked through a personal identification number to other databases with parent–child linkage possible in 7 (21%) databases. Eight databases (23.5%) were already transformed or were in the process of being transformed into a common data model that could facilitate multidatabase studies. Conclusion A Few European databases meet minimal regulatory requirements and are readily available to be used in a regulatory context. Accessibility and validity information of the included information needs to be improved. This study confirmed the fragmentation, heterogeneity and lack of transparency existing in many European EHDs

Huntington’s Disease: Assessing The Needs of Patients and Caregivers in Vermont

Introduction: Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited neurological disorder that causes a progressive decline in motor, cognitive and psychiatric function. • HD affects 30,000 people in the USA. In Vermont it is estimated that 69 individuals have HD and 420 people are at risk for developing the disease. • Crescent Manor Care Centers is currently the only long term care facility in Vermont that houses Huntington’s patients. Patients receive care specific to HD including PT, OT, Speech Therapy and community activities. Currently, 13 of 40 beds are occupied. • There is one HD support group in the state located in South Burlington which meets once a month. Due to the low population of HD patients in the state, there is no single state government agency responsible for managing the care of HD patients.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1077/thumbnail.jp

British Crystallographic Association Spring meeting, Heriot Watt University, 5 April 2000. Meeting report: Controlled environment XRD

X-Ray Diffraction experiments performed under controlled environment