Past and present cosmic structure in the SDSS DR7 main sample

We present a chrono-cosmography project, aiming at the inference of the four dimensional formation history of the observed large scale structure from its origin to the present epoch. To do so, we perform a full-scale Bayesian analysis of the northern galactic cap of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 7 main galaxy sample, relying on a fully probabilistic, physical model of the non-linearly evolved density field. Besides inferring initial conditions from observations, our methodology naturally and accurately reconstructs non-linear features at the present epoch, such as walls and filaments, corresponding to high-order correlation functions generated by late-time structure formation. Our inference framework self-consistently accounts for typical observational systematic and statistical uncertainties such as noise, survey geometry and selection effects. We further account for luminosity dependent galaxy biases and automatic noise calibration within a fully Bayesian approach. As a result, this analysis provides highly-detailed and accurate reconstructions of the present density field on scales larger than $\sim~3$ Mpc$/h$, constrained by SDSS observations. This approach also leads to the first quantitative inference of plausible formation histories of the dynamic large scale structure underlying the observed galaxy distribution. The results described in this work constitute the first full Bayesian non-linear analysis of the cosmic large scale structure with the demonstrated capability of uncertainty quantification. Some of these results will be made publicly available along with this work. The level of detail of inferred results and the high degree of control on observational uncertainties pave the path towards high precision chrono-cosmography, the subject of simultaneously studying the dynamics and the morphology of the inhomogeneous Universe.Comment: 27 pages, 9 figure

The 8 Learning Events Model: a Pedagogic Conceptual Tool Supporting Diversification of Learning Methods

This paper presents the 8 Learning Events Model (8LEM), a pedagogical reference framework which was used, in more than 100 online course, as a starting point for instructional planning. Besides supporting teachers in early stages of the learning design continuum, the paper shows how this learning/teaching model, as a professional development tool, prompts them to diversify the learning methods experienced by students in their courses. A two-pronged rationale about the importance of this diversification with respect to "mathetic" competence development and epistemology is also proposed to discussion. Keywords: mathetical competences, learning methods, teacher's professional development

The 8 Learning Events Model: a Pedagogic Conceptual Tool Supporting Diversification of Learning Methods

This paper presents the 8 Learning Events Model (8LEM), a pedagogical reference framework which was used, in more than 100 online course, as a starting point for instructional planning. Besides supporting teachers in early stages of the learning design continuum, the paper shows how this learning/teaching model, as a professional development tool, prompts them to diversify the learning methods experienced by students in their courses. A two-pronged rationale about the importance of this diversification with respect to "mathetic" competence development and epistemology is also proposed to discussion. Keywords: mathetical competences, learning methods, teacher's professional development

Trigeminal neuralgia

AbstractTwo different clinical entities, essential or secondary neuralgia, are associated with different pathologies. The pathways of CN V comprise the cervical spine, the brainstem, the root of the nerve and the three peripheral branches: V1, V2 and V3. The lesions responsible for neuralgia are neoplastic, vascular, inflammatory, malformative or post-traumatic. The examination protocol should explore the set of CN V pathways. Neurovascular compression is the main cause of essential neuralgia. It is investigated by T2-weighted inframillimetric volume. Two conditions are necessary to diagnose a neurovascular compression: localised on the root entry zone [(REZ), 2–6mm from the emergence of the pons] and perpendicularly. In the absence of neurovascular compression, thin slices and a gadolinium injection are necessary

Personalized medicine support system : resolving conflict in allocation to risk groups and predicting patient molecular response to targeted therapy

Treatment management in cancer patients is largely based on the use of a standardized set of predictive and prognostic factors. The former are used to evaluate specific clinical interventions, and they can be useful for selecting treatments because they directly predict the response to a treatment. The latter are used to evaluate a patient’s overall outcomes, and can be used to identify the risks or recurrence of a disease. Current intelligent systems can be a solution for transferring advancements in molecular biology into practice, especially for predicting the molecular response to molecular targeted therapy and the prognosis of risk groups in cancer medicine. This framework primarily focuses on the importance of integrating domain knowledge in predictive and prognostic models for personalized treatment. Our personalized medicine support system provides the needed support in complex decisions and can be incorporated into a treatment guide for selecting molecular targeted therapies.Haneen Banjar, David Adelson, Fred Brown, and Tamara Leclerc

Design of a low-noise aeroacoustic wind tunnel facility at Brunel University

This paper represents the design principle of a quiet, low turbulence and moderately high speed aeroacoustic wind tunnel which was recently commissioned at Brunel University. A new hemi-anechoic chamber was purposely built to facilitate aeroacoustic measurements. The wind tunnel can achieve a maximum speed of about 80 ms-1. The turbulence intensity of the free jet in the potential core is between 0.1–0.2%. The noise characteristic of the aeroacoustic wind tunnel was validated by three case studies. All of which can demonstrate a very low background noise produced by the bare jet in comparison to the noise radiated from the cylinder rod/flat plate/airfoil in the air stream.The constructions of the aeroacoustic wind tunnel and the hemi-anechoic chamber are financially supported by the School of Engineering and Design at Brunel University

Cerebral tumor or pseudotumor?

AbstractPseudotumoral lesions are uncommon but important to identity lesions. They can occur during inflammatory diseases (systemic diseases, vasculitis, demyelinating diseases), infectious, and vascular diseases. Also, in a patient with a treated tumor, pseudo-progression and radionecrosis must be differentiated from the tumoral development. Diagnosis can be difficult on an MRI scan, but some MRI aspects in conventional sequences, diffusion, perfusion and spectroscopy can suggest the pseudotumoral origin of a lesion. Imaging must be interpreted according to the context, the clinic and the biology. The presence of associated intracranial lesions can orientate towards a systemic or infectious disease. A T2 hyposignal lesion suggests granulomatosis or histiocytosis, especially if a meningeal or hypothalamic–pituitary involvement is associated. Non-tumoral lesions are generally not hyperperfused. In the absence of a definitive diagnosis, the evolution of these lesions, whether under treatment or spontaneous, is fundamental

Optimization of selectivity by tuning column temperatures for series-coupled capillary columns in dual-oven gas chromatographic systems

A method has been developed and evaluated for optimization of the selectivity of series-coupled capillary columns in a twin-oven gas chromatographic system in the shortest possible analysis time. The temperatures of either one or both columns were varied independently (partial optimization) or simultaneously (overall optimization), in order to separate the maximum number of sample components. The method is based upon computer-aided calculation of Kováts indices of the coupled columns by means of second and third order (polynomial) functions of the temperatures of the individual columns. The applicability and limitations of the methods are discussed and illustrated with separations of a synthetic hydrocarbon mixture of 33 components

L-Grassf: A New Model for Simulating the Genetic Environment Interactions on the Reproductive Phenology of Grasses

Predicting the reproductive phenology in perennial grasses is a major concern because it determines the quantity and quality of forage. It varies a lot depending on site, year and cultivar. Projections of future climates suggest significant changes in seasonal temperature pattern, with new combinations of temperature and photoperiod, whose consequences on the floral induction of perennial grasses are unknown. L-GrassF is a new Functional Structural Plant Model simulating genetic variability of the phenology of perennial ryegrass in order to better understand the perenniality of grasslands and better anticipate the effects of climate change. L-GrassF stems from a previous model (L-Grass) and now simulates the reproductive stages by integrating the interactions between vegetative growth, floral induction and reproductive organ development. The sensitivity analysis of a set of parameters was studied in the range of oceanic temperate climate conditions, on several European cultivars. It was further calibrated and validated on two independent datasets from the French Variety and Seed Study and Control Group (GEVES), which include the observations of heading dates for seven cultivars of Lolium perenne grown in six French locations between 2001 and 2017