Pseudo-distances on symplectomorphism groups and applications to flux theory

Starting from a given norm on the vector space of exact 1-forms of a compact symplectic manifold, we produce pseudo-distances on its symplectomorphism group by generalizing an idea due to Banyaga. We prove that in some cases (which include Banyaga's construction), their restriction to the Hamiltonian diffeomorphism group is equivalent to the distance induced by the initial norm on exact 1-forms. We also define genuine "distances to the Hamiltonian diffeomorphism group" which we use to derive several consequences, mainly in terms of flux groups.Comment: 21 pages, no figure; v2. various typos corrected, some references added. Published in Mathematische Zeitschrif

Adjusting insulin doses : from knowledge to decision

The aim of this study was to analyze the absence of adjustment of insulin doses in type 1 diabetic patients with poorly controlled diabetes. Twenty-eight patients (HbA1c higher than 8.5% during the last 6 months, performing at least three capillary blood glucose determinations per day), completed a questionnaire on the degree of confidence in their own knowledge, the nature of their health beliefs, their fear of hypoglycemia, their own appreciation on how they adjust their insulin doses (subjective score). An analysis of their diabetes logbook provided an objective score of the adjustment of doses actually performed. The results show that the subjective and objective scores of adjustment were not significantly correlated. Further there was a significant negative correlation between the score of uncertainty on knowledge and the subjective score of adjustment of the insulin doses, but not with the objective score. There was a significant correlationbetween the score of positive health beliefs and the subjective score of adjustment of the insulin doses, but not with the objective score. No correlation was found between the score of fear of hypoglycemia and the subjective score of adjustment of the insulin doses. Correlation with the objective score was higher, but not significant. Actually, the fear of hypoglycemia was the most frequently given reason for not adjusting the insulin doses, when the question was asked to the patients with an open answer. This study illustrates the difference between thinking and doing. It also shows that the degree of confidence in one’s own knowledge, the health beliefs, and the fear of hypoglycemia differently influence the perception that the patients have of their behavior, and what they really do. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Development of Lumped Element Kinetic Inductance Detectors for NIKA

Lumped-element kinetic inductance detectors(LEKIDs) have recently shown considerable promise as direct absorption mm-wavelength detectors for astronomical applications. One major research thrust within the N\'eel Iram Kids Array (NIKA) collaboration has been to investigate the suitability of these detectors for deployment at the 30-meter IRAM telescope located on Pico Veleta in Spain. Compared to microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKID), using quarter wavelength resonators, the resonant circuit of a LEKID consists of a discrete inductance and capacitance coupled to a feedline. A high and constant current density distribution in the inductive part of these resonators makes them very sensitive. Due to only one metal layer on a silicon substrate, the fabrication is relatively easy. In order to optimize the LEKIDs for this application, we have recently probed a wide variety of individual resonator and array parameters through simulation and physical testing. This included determining the optimal feed-line coupling, pixel geometry, resonator distribution within an array (in order to minimize pixel cross-talk), and resonator frequency spacing. Based on these results, a 144-pixel Aluminum array was fabricated and tested in a dilution fridge with optical access, yielding an average optical NEP of ~2E-16 W/Hz^1/2 (best pixels showed NEP = 6E-17 W/Hz^1/2 under 4-8 pW loading per pixel). In October 2010 the second prototype of LEKIDs has been tested at the IRAM 30 m telescope. A new LEKID geometry for 2 polarizations will be presented. Also first optical measurements of a titanium nitride array will be discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 12 figures; ISSTT 2011 Worksho

Macroscopic urban dynamics: Analytical and numerical comparisons of existing models

In this paper we compare a single reservoir model and a trip-based model under piecewise linear MFD and a piecewise constant demand. These assumptions allow to establish the exact solution of the accumulation-based model, and continuous approximations of the trip-based model at any order using Taylor series

Why and How Meet n-3 PUFA Dietary Recommendations?

Obesity and the metabolic syndrome are systemic inflammatory diseases reaching epidemic proportions. Contemporary changes in human nutrition occurred characterized by increased consumption of fat and of vegetable oils rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) together with decrease in n-3 PUFA-rich foods, resulting in an n-6/n-3 ratio of 10–20/1 in Western diet for a ratio around 1/1 in the diet of our ancestors. The literature provides compelling evidence for the health benefit of n-3 PUFA consumption on inflammation and metabolic syndrome prevention and treatment. Such evidence led to the establishment of comprehensive recommendations. However, we show here that, both in collective catering proposed to children and in hospital diet, it is not straightforward to meet such recommendations. Willingness of governments to institute changes, with accountable decisions on catering, nutritional education, and food processing, is required to face our neglected responsibility in promoting balanced diet and consumption of foods rich in essential nutrients in the general population

Isolation, identification and characterisation of ballan wrasse Labrus bergylta plasma pigment

This work was supported by co-funding from Innovate U.K. (formerly Technology Strategy Board), Marine Harvest Scotland and Scottish Seafarms Ltd (project ref: 81199) as well as the University of Stirling, Impact studentship funding scheme. Mass spectrometry analysis was performed by the BSRC Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of St Andrews.This study confirmed that observations of blue-green colouration in plasma fractions of the ballan wrasse Labrus bergylta were caused by the linear tetra-pyrrole biliverdin and that the molecule was of the physiologically relevant IXα isomer. Accumulation appears driven by chromogenic association with an unknown protein moiety which precludes enzymatic reduction and would suggest active management. It was demonstrated that the pigment did not fluctuate relative to ontogeny, or indeed binary gender in the species of interest, but mobilisation and depletion in the subset of individuals undergoing sex change at the time of study supports a potential association with gender inversion processes. It is of note that although biliverdin does have some effect on external colouration, the evidence is indicative that crypsis is a supplementary function thus other factors must be considered.PostprintPeer reviewe

Expression of the inhibitory Ly49E receptor is not critically involved in the immune response against cutaneous, pulmonary or liver tumours

Natural killer (NK) lymphocytes are part of the innate immune system and are important in immune protection against tumourigenesis. NK cells display a broad repertoire of activating and inhibitory cell surface receptors that regulate NK cell activity. The Ly49 family of NK receptors is composed of several members that recognize major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) or MHC-I-related molecules. Ly49E is a unique inhibitory member, being triggered by the non-MHC-I-related protein urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in contrast to the known MHC-I-triggering of the other inhibitory Ly49 receptors. Ly49E also has an uncommon expression pattern on NK cells, including high expression on liver DX5-NK cells. Furthermore, Ly49E is the only Ly49 member expressed by epidermal gamma delta T cells. As gamma delta T cells and/or NK cells have been shown to be involved in the regulation of cutaneous, pulmonary and liver malignancies, and as uPA is involved in tumourigenesis, we investigated the role of the inhibitory Ly49E receptor in the anti-tumour immune response. We demonstrate that, although Ly49E is highly expressed on epidermal gamma delta T cells and liver NK cells, this receptor does not play a major role in the control of skin tumour formation or in lung and liver tumour development