321 research outputs found
Two-loop cusp anomaly in ABJM at strong coupling
We compute the null cusp anomalous dimension of ABJM theory at strong coupling up to two-loop order. This is done by evaluating corrections to the corresponding superstring partition function, weighted by the AdS 4 × ℂℙ3 action in AdS light-cone gauge. We compare our result, where we use an anomalous shift in the AdS 4 radius, with the cusp anomaly of N = 4 SYM, and extract the two-loop contribution to the non-trivial integrable coupling h(λ) of ABJM theory. It coincides with the strong coupling expansion of the exact expression for h(λ) recently conjectured by Gromov and Sizov. Our work provides thus a non-trivial perturbative check for the latter, as well as evidence for two-loop UV-finiteness and quantum integrability of the Type IIA AdS 4 × ℂℙ3 superstring in this gauge
Influence of Jpeg coding on image descriptors
We present in this paper an experimental study on robustness of main image descriptors regarding to the Jpeg coding noise .
We particularly introduce some results concerning histograms and differential characteristics of a given image . This study is a
preliminary work of our team in the context of content-based indexation of images and videos .Cet article propose une étude expérimentale de la robustesse des principaux descripteurs d'images par rapport aux distorsions introduites par le codage Jpeg. Tout particulièrement, nous présentons les résultats obtenus pour les histogrammes et les éléments différentiels d'une image. Cette étude est préliminaire à nos travaux sur l'indexation d'images et de vidéo1
Ultrathin, flexible and MRI-compatible microelectrode array for chronic single units recording within subcortical layers
Current techniques of neuroimaging, including electrical devices, are either
of low spatiotemporal resolution or invasive, impeding multiscale monitoring of
brain activity at both single cell and network levels. Overcoming this issue is
of great importance to assess brain's computational ability and for
neurorehabilitation projects that require real-time monitoring of neurons and
concomitant networks activities. Currently, that information could be extracted
from functional MRI when combined with mathematical models. Novel methods
enabling quantitative and long-lasting recording at both single cell and
network levels will allow to correlate the MRI data with intracortical activity
at single cell level, and to refine those models. Here, we report the
fabrication and validation of ultra-thin, optically transparent and flexible
intracortical microelectrode arrays for combining extracellular multi-unit and
fMRI recordings. The sensing devices are compatible with large-scale
manufacturing, and demonstrate both fMRI transparency at 4.7 T, and high
electrical performance, and thus appears as a promising candidate for
simultaneous multiscale neurodynamic measurements
The NIKA2 instrument, a dual-band kilopixel KID array for millimetric astronomy
NIKA2 (New IRAM KID Array 2) is a camera dedicated to millimeter wave
astronomy based upon kilopixel arrays of Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KID).
The pathfinder instrument, NIKA, has already shown state-of-the-art detector
performance. NIKA2 builds upon this experience but goes one step further,
increasing the total pixel count by a factor 10 while maintaining the
same per pixel performance. For the next decade, this camera will be the
resident photometric instrument of the Institut de Radio Astronomie
Millimetrique (IRAM) 30m telescope in Sierra Nevada (Spain). In this paper we
give an overview of the main components of NIKA2, and describe the achieved
detector performance. The camera has been permanently installed at the IRAM 30m
telescope in October 2015. It will be made accessible to the scientific
community at the end of 2016, after a one-year commissioning period. When this
happens, NIKA2 will become a fundamental tool for astronomers worldwide.Comment: Proceedings of the 16th Low Temperature Detectors workshop. To be
published in the Journal of Low Temperature Physics. 8 pages, 4 figures, 1
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Consultancy-Based Projects
This chapter will:; ; ; Show how consultancy work can inform business discourse teaching;; ; ; Discuss how needs analysis and communication audits can be used to generate recommendations for teaching and training;; ; ; Profile a number of consultancy-based business discourse projects and show how they have informed training and course development;; ; ; Provide a case study, together with a set of tasks appropriate for the business discourse classroom, and a set of further readings
Muon-induced background in the EDELWEISS dark matter search
A dedicated analysis of the muon-induced background in the EDELWEISS dark
matter search has been performed on a data set acquired in 2009 and 2010. The
total muon flux underground in the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane (LSM) was
measured to be \,muons/m/d. The
modular design of the muon-veto system allows the reconstruction of the muon
trajectory and hence the determination of the angular dependent muon flux in
LSM. The results are in good agreement with both MC simulations and earlier
measurements. Synchronization of the muon-veto system with the phonon and
ionization signals of the Ge detector array allowed identification of
muon-induced events. Rates for all muon-induced events and of WIMP-like events were extracted. After
vetoing, the remaining rate of accepted muon-induced neutrons in the
EDELWEISS-II dark matter search was determined to be at 90%\,C.L. Based on
these results, the muon-induced background expectation for an anticipated
exposure of 3000\,\kgd\ for EDELWEISS-3 is
events.Comment: 21 pages, 16 figures, Accepted for publication in Astropart. Phy
Variations in the mineral content of bottled 'carbonated or sparkling' water across Europe : a comparison of 126 brands across 10 countries
Kidney stone disease is a common disease with high recurrence rates. Sufficient intake of water is the cornerstone in primary prevention of stone disease. However, the mineral composition of water can affect urinary minerals and influence stone formation. The aim of this study is to assess the variation in the mineral composition of bottled sparkling or carbonated drinking water across Europe. The two largest supermarket chains in each participating country were visited to obtain data on mineral composition regarding bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and sulphates of sparkling or carbonated waters by reading the ingredient labels on the bottles supplied by the manufacturers. Alternatively, the web-shops of these supermarkets were consulted. In total, 126 sparkling water brands across ten European countries were analysed regarding mineral composition. The median concentrations per mineral varied greatly. The greatest variation in median mineral content was found for sodium and sulphates with levels ranging from 3.1 mg/l to 63.0 mg/l and 6.0 mg/l to 263.0 mg/l respectively. A wide distribution of calcium content was found in Switzerland, with calcium levels reaching up to 581.6 mg/l. This study confirms that the mineral composition of sparkling or carbonated water varies greatly across Europe. Patients with kidney stone disease should be aware that the mineral content of water may influence stone formation and be mindful of the great variation that exists between different water brands. Mineral water can be a source of potential promotors or inhibitors of stone formation and patients and urologists need to be mindful of this
The Crystal Structure of PPIL1 Bound to Cyclosporine A Suggests a Binding Mode for a Linear Epitope of the SKIP Protein
BACKGROUND: The removal of introns from pre-mRNA is carried out by a large macromolecular machine called the spliceosome. The peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase PPIL1 is a component of the human spliceosome and binds to the spliceosomal SKIP protein via a binding site distinct from its active site. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, we have studied the PPIL1 protein and its interaction with SKIP biochemically and by X-ray crystallography. A minimal linear binding epitope derived from the SKIP protein could be determined using a peptide array. A 36-residue region of SKIP centred on an eight-residue epitope suffices to bind PPIL1 in pull-down experiments. The crystal structure of PPIL1 in complex with the inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA) was obtained at a resolution of 1.15 A and exhibited two bound Cd(2+) ions that enabled SAD phasing. PPIL1 residues that have previously been implicated in binding of SKIP are involved in the coordination of Cd(2+) ions in the present crystal structure. Employing the present crystal structure, the determined minimal binding epitope and previously published NMR data, a molecular docking study was performed. In the docked model of the PPIL1.SKIP interaction, a proline residue of SKIP is buried in a hydrophobic pocket of PPIL1. This hydrophobic contact is encircled by several hydrogen bonds between the SKIP peptide and PPIL1. CONCLUSION: We characterized a short, linear epitope of SKIP that is sufficient to bind the PPIL1 protein. Our data indicate that this SKIP peptide could function in recruiting PPIL1 into the core of the spliceosome. We present a molecular model for the binding mode of SKIP to PPIL1 which emphasizes the versatility of cyclophilin-type PPIases to engage in additional interactions with other proteins apart from active site contacts despite their limited surface area
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