Study and optimization of ion-irradiated High-Tc Josephson nanoJunctions by Monte Carlo simulations

High Tc Josephson nanoJunctions (HTc JnJ) made by ion irradiation have remarkable properties for technological applications. However, the spread in their electrical characteristics increases with the ion dose. We present a simple model to explain the JnJ inhomogeneities, which accounts quantitatively for experimental data. The spread in the slit's width of the irradiation mask is the limiting factor.Monte Carlo simulations have been performed using different irradiation conditions to study their influence on the spread of the JnJ charcateristics. A "universal" behavior has been evidenced, which allows to propose new strategies to optimize JnJ reproducibility.Comment: 14 pages, 6 Figures. accepted in Journal of Applied Physic

Improving the Yule-Nielsen modified spectral Neugebauer model by dot surface coverages depending on the ink superposition conditions

The improvement of Yule-Nielsen modified spectral Neugebauer model incorporating a single halftone reproduction curve of various ink by dot surfaces coverages depending on the ink superposition conditions was analyzed. In the first model, the ink spreading which occurs when an ink halftone is printed on top of one or two solid inks was considered. In the second model, the concept was generalized to ink halftones printed on top or below solid inks. Results show that for thermal transfer prints at 75 lpi, ink spreading in all superposition condition reduces the mean prediction error

Spectral reflection and dot surface prediction models for color halftone prints

The proposed new spectral reflection model enhances the classical Clapper-Yule model by taking into account the fact that proportionally more incident light through a given colorant surface is reflected back onto the same colorant surface than onto other colorant surfaces. It comprises a weighted mean between a component specifying the part of the incident light that exits through the same colorant as the colorant from which it enters (Saunderson corrected Neugebauer component) and a component specifying the part of the incident light whose emerging light components exit from all colorants (Clapper-Yule component). We also propose models for taking into account ink spreading, a phenomenon that occurs when printing an ink halftone in superposition with one or several solid inks. The ink-spreading model incorporates nominal-to-effective surface coverage functions for each of the different ink superposition conditions. A system of equations yields the effective ink surface coverages of a color halftone as a weighted mean of the ink surface coverages specific to the different superposition conditions. The new spectral reflection prediction model combined with the ink-spreading model yields excellent spectral reflection predictions for clustered-dot color halftones printed on an offset press or on thermal transfer printer

The narrative self, distributed memory, and evocative objects

In this article, I outline various ways in which artifacts are interwoven with autobiographical memory systems and conceptualize what this implies for the self. I first sketch the narrative approach to the self, arguing that who we are as persons is essentially our (unfolding) life story, which, in turn, determines our present beliefs and desires, but also directs our future goals and actions. I then argue that our autobiographical memory is partly anchored in our embodied interactions with an ecology of artifacts in our environment. Lifelogs, photos, videos, journals, diaries, souvenirs, jewelry, books, works of art, and many other meaningful objects trigger and sometimes constitute emotionally-laden autobiographical memories. Autobiographical memory is thus distributed across embodied agents and various environmental structures. To defend this claim, I draw on and integrate distributed cognition theory and empirical research in human-technology interaction. Based on this, I conclude that the self is neither defined by psychological states realized by the brain nor by biological states realized by the organism, but should be seen as a distributed and relational construct

Testing the Accuracy of Aerial Surveys for Large Mammals: An Experiment with African Savanna Elephants (Loxodonta africana)

Accurate counts of animals are critical for prioritizing conservation efforts. Past research, however, suggests that observers on aerial surveys may fail to detect all individuals of the target species present in the survey area. Such errors could bias population estimates low and confound trend estimation. We used two approaches to assess the accuracy of aerial surveys for African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) in northern Botswana. First, we used double-observer sampling, in which two observers make observations on the same herds, to estimate detectability of elephants and determine what variables affect it. Second, we compared total counts, a complete survey of the entire study area, against sample counts, in which only a portion of the study area is sampled. Total counts are often considered a complete census, so comparing total counts against sample counts can help to determine if sample counts are underestimating elephant numbers. We estimated that observers detected only 76% ± SE of 2% of elephant herds and 87 ± 1% of individual elephants present in survey strips. Detectability increased strongly with elephant herd size. Out of the four observers used in total, one observer had a lower detection probability than the other three, and detectability was higher in the rear row of seats than the front. The habitat immediately adjacent to animals also affected detectability, with detection more likely in more open habitats. Total counts were not statistically distinguishable from sample counts. Because, however, the double-observer samples revealed that observers missed 13% of elephants, we conclude that total counts may be undercounting elephants as well. These results suggest that elephant population estimates from both sample and total counts are biased low. Because factors such as observer and habitat affected detectability of elephants, comparisons of elephant populations across time or space may be confounded. We encourage survey teams to incorporate detectability analysis in all aerial surveys for mammals

Design and descriptive results of the "Growth, Exercise and Nutrition Epidemiological Study In preSchoolers": The GENESIS Study

BACKGROUND: The Growth, Exercise and Nutrition Epidemiological Study in preSchoolers (GENESIS) attempts to evaluate the food and nutrient intakes, as well as growth and development of a representative sample of Greek toddlers and preschool children. In the current work the study design, data collection procedures and some preliminary data of the GENESIS study are presented. METHODS: From April 2003 to July 2004, 1218 males and 1156 females 1 to 5 years old, stratified by parental educational level (Census 1999), were examined from 105 nurseries in five counties. Approximately 300 demographic, lifestyle, physical activity, dietary, anthropometrical and DNA variables have been recorded from the study population (children and parents). RESULTS: Regarding anthropometrical indices, boys were found to be taller than girls at all ages (P < 0.05) and heavier only for the age period from 1 to 3 years old (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between genders regarding the prevalence of at risk of overweight (16.5% to 18.6% for boys and 18.5 to 20.6 % for girls) and overweight (14.0% to 18.9% for boys and 12.6% to 20.0% for girls). Additionally, boys older than 2 years of age were found to have a higher energy intake compared to girls (P < 0.05). A similar tendency was observed regarding the mean dietary intake of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates and protein with boys exhibiting a higher intake than girls in most age groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight in the current preschool population is considerably high. Future but more extensive analyses of the GENESIS data will be able to reveal the interactions of the parameters leading to this phenomenon