Stable non-standard imprecise probabilities

Stability arises as the consistency criterion in a betting interpretation for hyperreal imprecise previsions, that is imprecise previsions (and probabilities) which may take infinitesimal values. The purpose of this work is to extend the notion of stable coherence introduced in [8] to conditional hyperreal imprecise probabilities. Our investigation extends the de Finetti-Walley operational characterisation of (imprecise) prevision to conditioning on events which are considered "practically impossible" but not "logically impossible"

Double-Slit Interferometry with a Bose-Einstein Condensate

A Bose-Einstein "double-slit" interferometer has been recently realized experimentally by (Y. Shin et. al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 50405 (2004)). We analyze the interferometric steps by solving numerically the time-dependent Gross-Pitaevski equation in three-dimensional space. We focus on the adiabaticity time scales of the problem and on the creation of spurious collective excitations as a possible source of the strong dephasing observed experimentally. The role of quantum fluctuations is discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

SELECTED METABOLIC AND HEMODYNAMIC RESPONSES TO REPEATED STEADY-STATE BOUTS OF INDOOR CYCLING, UTILISING MARGINAL INCREASES IN MECHANICAL POWER OUTPUT: CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIVE ROAD CYCLISTS USING A PORTABLE ON-BICYCLE C

Introduction It has been demonstrated by Sanderson, Cavanaugh et a1. (1985), and the authors, (1987 , that impul e and average net power distributions (W) generated about the pedal spindle and crank arms, vary with individual cyclists, either creating a mechanically desirable circular cycling pattern where the impulse is 'smoothed', or a 'butterfly' distribution indicating unequal force distribution(s throughout each pedaling cycle. Based on research performed indoors by Cavanaugh (1985), and Anderson (1986), and this group outdoors at the United States Cycling Federation Camp in Colorado in 1987 and 1988, it appears that techniques employed to reduce the counter-propulsive tangential crank arm forces could possible improve average net power magnitudes produced by individual elite cyclists outdoors during competition, and thus improve their overall time(s) recorded for selected events

Nuove tecnologie nella pianificazione forestale trentina. Il progetto NEWFOR sulla proprietà boscata di Pellizzano (Trento)

La sempre maggiore disponibilità di dati da telerilevamento ha spinto l’amministrazione forestale della provincia di Trento a testare con varie sperimentazioni le possibilità di impiego della tecnologia LIDAR nel rilievo dei caratteri forestali per la pianificazione aziendale con risultati promettenti. La quantità di dati messi a disposizione da tale tecnologia sembra infatti consentire quel salto di qualità nella definizione del dato indispensabile per un impiego su piccola scala, quale è quello della pianificazione di dettaglio di tipo aziendale, e non solo per la valutazione di cararatteri relativi a superfici territoriali più ampie. Grazie al processo di revisione complessiva delle modalità con le quali vengono redatti i piani aziendali forestali, iniziato già dal 2009, si sono potuti quindi introdurre nella struttura dei dati tradizionale degli elementi aggiuntivi utili all’integrazione con il dato LIDAR. Per poter verificare con quali modalità tale tecnologia può essere concretamente integrata nella pianificazione forestale ordinaria si è quindi voluto realizzare un piano di gestione forestale sperimentale sulla proprietà forestale di Pellizzano. Tale sperimentazione è avvenuta nell’ambito del progetto NEWFOR, finanziato con il programma europeo SPAZIO ALPINO, del quale costituisce un’area test. Il lavoro è consistito nell’acquisizione di un rilievo LIDAR, Ortofoto e Iperspettrale sull’area esaminata, nella acquisizione a terra dei dati necessari alla redazione di un piano aziendale secondo le procedure ordinarie e delle verità a terra necessarie per la elaborazione del dato telerilevato. Vengono presentati i risultati ottenuti, il confronto tra i due sistemi ed i diversi scenari possibili di impieg

Blood compatibility of polymers derived from natural materials

Several polymers derived from natural materials are effective for tissue engineering or drug delivery applications, due to specific properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural activity. Their blood compatibility needs to be carefully evaluated to avoid thrombosis and other material-related adverse events in the hematic environment. We compared the surface properties and blood compatibility of protein and polysaccharide polymers, including fibroin, gelatin, and chitosan. Both fibroin and chitosan showed good hemocompatibility, with low platelet adhesion and spreading. Chitosan induced strong interactions with plasma proteins, especially with albumin. It was hypothesized that surface passivation by albumin inhibited the adsorption of other procoagulant and proadhesive proteins on chitosan and fibroin films, which limited platelet spreading. However, the significant and rapid polymer swelling encouraged protein entrapment within the soft, gelatin films, inducing higher platelet adhesion and activation. Thrombin generation assay confirmed the higher blood compatibility of chitosan and fibroin with regard to clottin

Comparative efficacy of transfemoral prosthetic interfaces: Analysis of gait and perceived disability

Introduction: The High-Fidelity (HiFi) interface is an emerging transfemoral interface technology. However, no comparison of this interface to traditional transfemoral interface designs is currently available. The purpose of this study is to measure the effects of the HiFi system on gait and perceived disability compared with a traditional socket design in a subject with transfemoral amputation. Methods: The subject was first tested with a traditional ischial containment socket, then fit with the HiFi system, and tested again after a 30-day accommodation period. Three-dimensionalmotion analysis was performed using an 8-camera Vicon Motion Capture system. The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire v2.0 and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis index were administered at initial and secondary testing to evaluate perceived disability. A one-way analysis of variance and Fischer\u27s least significant difference were used to determine statistical difference between conditions. The level of significance for all tests was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Notable results included an increase in self-selected gait velocity, prosthetic hip adduction, and hip extension. Reductions in lateral center of mass deviation during gait and in perceived disability was also shown with use of the HiFi condition. Discussion: This study analyzed the effects of the HiFi Interface System on biomechanical parameters of gait and perceived disability compared with a baseline IRC condition in this elderly subject with history of TF amputation. Several improvements and markers of increased stability with use of the HiFi were noted. Perceived disability was also greatly improved comparatively. Conclusions: TheHiFi Interface Systempresented some biomechanical advantages to traditional IRC socket designs in this case, which may allow for increased stability in patients utilizing a TF prosthesis. Further research with larger samples is warranted