Agenda chasing and contests among news providers

This article studies competition in contests with a focus on the news industry that is increasingly influenced by social media. The model assumes publishers to pick a single topic from a large pool based on the topics' prior “success” probabilities, thereby “chasing” potentially successful topics. Firms that publish topics that become successful divide a “reward” which can change with the number of competing firms and the number of successful topics. The results show that share structures can be categorized into three types that, in turn, lead to qualitatively different outcomes for the contest

Segond's fracture: a biomechanical cadaveric study using navigation

Background Segond’s fracture is a well-recognised radiological sign of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. While previous studies evaluated the role of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) and complex injuries on rotational stability of the knee, there are no studies on the biomechanical effect of Segond’s fracture in an ACL deficient knee. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a Segond’s fracture on knee rotation stability as evaluated by a navigation system in an ACL deficient knee. Materials and methods Three different conditions were tested on seven knee specimens: intact knee, ACL deficient knee and ACL deficient knee with Segond’s fracture. Static and dynamic measurements of anterior tibial translation (ATT) and axial tibial rotation (ATR) were recorded by the navigation system (2.2 OrthoPilot ACL navigation system B. Braun Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany). Results Static measurements at 30 showed that the mean ATT at 30 of knee flexion was 5.1 ± 2.7 mm in the ACL intact condition, 14.3 ± 3.1 mm after ACL cut (P = 0.005), and 15.2 ± 3.6 mm after Segond’s fracture (P = 0.08). The mean ATR at 30 of knee flexion was 20.7 ± 4.8 in the ACL intact condition, 26.9 ± 4.1 in the ACL deficient knee (P[0.05) and 30.9 ± 3.8 after Segond’s fracture (P = 0.005). Dynamic measurements during the pivot-shift showed that the mean ATT was 7.2 ± 2.7 mm in the intact knee, 9.1 ± 3.3 mm in the ACL deficient knee(P = 0.04) and 9.7 ± 4.3 mm in the ACL deficient knee with Segond’s fracture (P = 0.07). The mean ATR was 9.6 ± 1.8 in the intact knee, 12.3 ± 2.3 in the ACL deficient knee (P[0.05) and 19.1 ± 3.1 in the ACL deficient knee with Segond’s lesion (P = 0.016). Conclusion An isolated lesion of the ACL only affects ATT during static and dynamic measurements, while the addition of Segond’s fracture has a significant effect on ATR in both static and dynamic execution of the pivot-shift test, as evaluated with the aid of navigation

First detection of acceleration and deceleration in protostellar Jets? Time variability in the Chamaeleontis II outflows

Context. Kinematical and time variability studies of protostellar jets are fundamental for understanding the dynamics and the physics of these objects. Such studies remain very sporadic, since they require long baselines before they can be accomplished. Alms. We present for the first time a multi-epoch (20 years baseline) kinematical investigation of HH 52, 53, and 54 at optical and near-IR wavelengths, along with medium (optical) and high resolution (NIR) spectroscopic analyses, probing the kinematical and physical time variability conditions of the gas along the flows. Methods. By means of multi-epoch and multi-wavelength narrow-band images, we derived proper motions (PMs), tangential velocities, velocity and flux variability of the knots. Radial velocities and physical parameters of the gas were derived from spectroscopy. Finally, spatial velocities and inclination of the flows were obtained by combining both imaging and spectroscopy. Results. The PM analysis reveals three distinct, partially overlapping outflows. Spatial velocities of the knots vary from 50 km s -1 to 120 km s-1. The inclinations of the three flows are 58 ± 3°, 84 ± 2°, and 67 ± 3° (HH 52, HH 53, and HH 54 flows, respectively). In 20 years, about 60% of the observed knots show some degree of flux variability. Our set of observations apparently indicates acceleration and deceleration in a variety of knots along the jets. For about 20% of the knots, mostly coincident with working surfaces or interacting knots along the flows, a relevant variability in both flux and velocity is observed. We argue that both variabilities are related and that all or part of the kinetic energy lost by the interacting knots is successively radiated. The physical parameters derived from the diagnostics are quite homogeneous along and among the three outflows. The analysis indicates the presence of very light (NH � 103 cm-3), ionised (Te,. � 0.2-0.6), and hot (Te � 14000-26000 K) flows, impacting a denser medium. Several knots are deflected, especially in the HH 52 flow. At least for a couple of them (HH 54 G and GO), the deflection originates from the collision of the two. For the more massive parts of the flow, the deflection is likely the result of the flow collision with a dense cloud or with clumps. Finally, we discuss the possible driving sources of the flows. ©ESO 2009

Outflow - Core Interaction in Barnard 1

In order to study how outflows from protostars influence the physical and chemical conditions of the parent molecular cloud, we have observed Barnard 1 (B1) main core, which harbors four Class 0 and three Class I sources, in the CO (J=1-0), CH3OH (J_K=2_K-1_K), and the SiO (J=1-0) lines using the Nobeyama 45 m telescope. We have identified three CO outflows in this region; one is an elongated (~ 0.3 pc) bipolar outflow from a Class 0 protostar B1-c in the submillimeter clump SMM 2, another is a rather compact (~ 0.1 pc) outflow from a Class I protostar B1 IRS in the clump SMM 6, and the other is an extended outflow from a Class I protostar in SMM 11. In the western lobe of the SMM 2 outflow, both the SiO and CH3OH lines show broad redshifted wings with the terminal velocities of 25 km/s and 13 km/s, respectively. It is likely that the shocks caused by the interaction between the outflow and ambient gas enhance the abundance of SiO and CH3OH in the gas phase. The total energy input rate by the outflows (1.1x10^{-3} Lsun) is smaller than the energy loss rate (8.5x10^{-3} Lsun$) through the turbulence decay in B1 main core, which suggests that the outflows can not sustain the turbulence in this region. Since the outflows are energetic enough to compensate the dissipating turbulence energy in the neighboring, more evolved star forming region NGC 1333, we suggest that the turbulence energy balance depends on the evolutionary state of the star formation in molecular clouds.Comment: 34 pages, 8 figures, accepted for the publication in Ap

The Work of the Alien Property Custodian

The aim of the thesis was to investigate deficits and compensatory strategies after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in different conditions during gait and quiet standing. Although TKA is considered the gold standard treatment for end-stage knee osteoarthritis, it is associated with a number of implications. Reduced physical function after osteoarthritis is partly, but apparently not fully, remedied by surgery. The two most common deficits are reduced knee muscle strength and limited range of knee joint motion (ROM), partly due to prosthesis mechanics. Reduced postural control has also been shown shortly after surgery. In spite of sufficient passive knee joint ROM for normal ambulation, gait patterns are characterized by reduced knee flexion. Several factors such as reduced knee muscle strength, reduced proprioception, habitual strategies or fear of movement may be suggested as explanations for difficulties in gait and posture. As an effect, compensatory strategies may result. In order to focus on the implications of TKA, participants had to be less than 65 years of age and healthy, TKA being the only factor different form controls. The same 23 individuals with unilateral TKA ~ 19 months post-operative and 23 controls participated in all studies.   3D whole body kinematics was used to assess gait and posture and electromyography was used to record muscle activity. Isokinetic measurements were used to determine dynamic knee muscle strength. Gait in the frontal and sagittal planes were assessed. The tasks included in the test protocol were negotiation up and down stairs, gait on hard and soft surface, quiet standing with sensory modulation (with and without vision and on soft surface), and single limb stance.  Primary outcome variables addressed were: knee and hip joint kinematics in frontal and sagittal planes, upper body inclination, postural sway and relative knee muscle activity as an indicator of relative effort. Background factors used to explain group differences in the primary outcomes were derived from demographics, clinical examination, and questionnaires. Demographic factors were age, body mass index (BMI), and time since surgery. Clinical examinations were conducted for passive knee joint ROM, joint position sense, knee muscle strength, anterior knee joint laxity, and leg length. Questionnaires assessed fear of movement, pain, and knee related function and quality of life. The results showed that knee flexion was reduced during stair descent in both the prosthetic and the contralateral knee in the TKA group compared to controls. Although reduced passive knee joint flexion in the TKA group was sufficient for normal stair descent, it was the only factor identified that explained reduced knee flexion in stair descent. As knee muscle strength was significantly reduced in the TKA group, it is reasonable to suggest that as a contributing factor. Furthermore, the TKA group also displayed increased hip adduction during stair descent, which may indicate both a compensatory strategy as well as reduced hip muscle strength. In stair ascent, no significant group differences were found in relative knee muscle activity as expected due to knee muscle weakness. Nor were there any indications of compensatory forward inclination of the trunk to reduce knee joint moments. Instead, probably compensating for muscle weakness, the TKA group ascended stairs at a significantly slower speed. Surface modulation during level gait showed that reduced knee flexion in the prosthetic knee during the stance phase when walking on a hard surface was further decreased during gait on a soft surface. Knee and hip adduction at the stance phase were not affected by surface conditions. Nevertheless, the TKA group displayed increased knee adduction and hip adduction compared to controls, particularly in the prosthetic side. In addition, the TKA group displayed increased step width on the soft compared to hard surface. Single-limb stance for 20 seconds failed in 30 % of the TKA group and in 4 % of the control group. Those in the TKA group who were able to perform single-limb stance performed equally well as controls. During bilateral quiet standing, postural sway was similar in both groups, and inability to stand on one leg did not affect bilateral stance. Older age, higher BMI and reduced quadriceps strength determined the failure to maintain single-limb stance in the TKA group.   In conclusion, this thesis indicates that reduced knee muscle strength is a common denominator as part of the explanatory factors for reduced performance and compensatory strategies in individuals with TKA. Reduced speed during stair ascent as well as reduced knee flexion during stair descent may be compensations for reduced lower extremity strength. Increased hip adduction may compensate for reduced knee flexion in stair descent, but may also represent hip muscle weakness or reduced motor control as increased hip adduction is found also in level gait. The failure to maintain single-limb stance in the TKA group is also partly explained by reduced knee muscle strength. Muscle weakness may be and indicator for reduced physical capacity in general

The Molecular Outflows in the rho Ophiuchi Main Cloud: Implications For Turbulence Generation

We present the results of CO (J=3-2) and CO (J=1-0) mapping observations toward the active cluster forming clump, L1688, in the rho Ophiuchi molecular cloud. From the CO (J=3-2) and CO (J=1-0) data cubes, we identify five outflows, whose driving sources are VLA 1623, EL 32, LFAM 26, EL 29, and IRS 44. Among the identified outflows, the most luminous outflow is the one from the prototypical Class 0 source, VLA 1623. We also discover that the EL 32 outflow located in the Oph B2 region has very extended blueshifted and redshifted lobes with wide opening angles. This outflow is most massive and have the largest momentum among the identified outflows in the CO (J=1-0) map. We estimate the total energy injection rate due to the molecular outflows identified by the present and previous studies to be about 0.2 L_solar, larger than or at least comparable to the turbulence dissipation rate [~(0.03 - 0.1) L_solar]. Therefore, we conclude that the protostellar outflows are likely to play a significant role in replenishing the supersonic turbulence in this clump.Comment: 37 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

A Search for Fine Structure of the Knee in EAS Size Spectra

28 size spectra of extensive air showers from 7 different experiments are analysed consistently. They are fitted by adjusting either 4 or 5 parameters: knee position, power law exponents above and below the knee, overall intensity and, in addition, a parameter describing the smoothness of the bend. The residuals are then normalized to the same knee position and averaged. When 5 parameters are employed no systematic deviation from a single smooth knee is apparent at the 1% level up to a factor of 4 above the knee. At larger shower sizes a moderately significant deviation can be seen whose shape and position are compatible with a second knee caused by iron group nuclei.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figs.; Astroparticle Physics, in pres