The PANDA GEM-based TPC Prototype

We report on the development of a GEM-based TPC prototype for the PANDA experiment. The design and requirements of this device will be illustrated, with particular emphasis on the properties of the recently tested GEM-detector, the characterization of the read-out electronics and the development of the tracking software that allows to evaluate the GEM-TPC data.Comment: submitted to NIMA 4 pages, 6 picture

'Proximal' and 'distal' in language and cognition: Evidence from deictic demonstratives in Dutch

In this paper we examine the differences in use between distal and proximal demonstrative terms (e.g., singular '�this�' and '�that�', and plural '�these�' and '�those�' in English). The proximal–distal distinction appears to be made in all languages and therefore promises to be an important window on the cognitive mechanisms underlying language production and comprehension. We address the problem of accounting for the distinction through a corpus-based quantitative study of the deictic use of demonstratives in Dutch. Our study suggests that the distal–proximal distinction corresponds with use of the proximal for intensive/strong indicating (i.e., directing of attention) and the distal for neutral indicating. We compare our findings with empirical findings on the use of English demonstratives and argue that, despite some apparent differences, Dutch and English demonstratives behave roughly similarly though not identically. Finally, we put our findings into context by pulling together evidence from a number of converging sources on the relationship between indicating and describing as alternative modes of reference in the use of distal and proximal demonstratives. This will also lead us to a new understanding of the folk-view on distals and proximals as distinguishing between nearby and faraway objects

Coincident beach surveys using UAS, vehicle mounted and airborne laser scanner: point cloud inter-comparison and effects of surface type heterogeneity on elevation accuracies

Reliable and consistent topographic data is key to a multitude of environmental manangement and research applications. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are fast establishing themselves as a promising additional remote sensing platform that provides high spatial resolution not only of topography but also surface types and coastal features together with comparatively low costs and high deployment flexibility. However, comprehensive information on the accuracy of UAS-based elevation models in comparison to other available surveying methodology is regulary limited to be referenced to individual methods. This paper addresses this shortcoming by comparing coincident beach surveys of three different point cloud generating methods: ATV mounted mobile laser scan (MLS), airborne LiDAR (ALS), and UAS. This was complemented by two RTK-GPS surveys on a pole with wheel attachment and mounted on an ATV. We present results in relation to elevation accuracies on a concrete control surface, the entire beach and for six different beach surface types together with how differences between point clouds propagate during the construction of gridded elevation models. Overall, UAS point cloud elevations were consistently higher than those of ALS (+0.063 m) and MLS (+0.087 m). However, these results for the entire beach mask larger and smaller differences related to the individual surface characteristics. For all surface types, UAS records higher (from 0.006 m for wet sand to 0.118 m for cobbles, average of 0.063 m) elevations than ALS. The MLS on the other hand, records predominantly lower elevation than ALS (-0.005 m for beach gravel to -0.089 m for soft mud, average of -0.025 m) except for cobbles, where elevations are 0.056 m higher. The comparison shows that all point cloud methods produce elevations that are suitable for monitoring changes in beach topography in the context of operational coastal management applications. However, due to the systematic differences between respective monitoring approaches, care needs to be taken when analysing beach topographies for the same area based on different methods. The eventual choice of monitoring method is therefore guided by a range of practical factors, including capital cost of the system and operating costs per survey area, conditions under which the system can operate, data processing time, and legal restrictions in the use of the system such as air safety regulations or limitation of ground access to areas with environmental protection

From Saussure to sociology and back to linguistics

The article highlights a semiotically relevant aspect of Niklas Luhmann’s Theory of Social Systems: its reception of the Saussurean dichotomies signifiant/signifié and langue/parole. Luhmann’s position is weighted against the Cours as well as Saussure’s original writings, sampling their approaches to form, meaning, the sign’s two-sidedness, and the relation of linguistic structure and speech events. Ultimately, the article proposes a social ontology of linguistic abstraction in line with general semiology that explains the motility of language through communication, thereby accounting for variability and optionality. It also indicates as to how the theoretical framework can feed into a model of linguistic description.Peer Reviewe

PTX3 Polymorphisms and Invasive Mold Infections After Solid Organ Transplant

Donor PTX3 polymorphisms were shown to influence the risk of invasive aspergillosis among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Here, we show that PTX3 polymorphisms are independent risk factors for invasive mold infections among 1101 solid organ transplant recipients, thereby strengthening their role in mold infection pathogenesis and patients' risk stratificatio