Adaptive constraints for feature tracking

In this paper extensions to an existing tracking algorithm are described. These extensions implement adaptive tracking constraints in the form of regional upper-bound displacements and an adaptive track smoothness constraint. Together, these constraints make the tracking algorithm more flexible than the original algorithm (which used fixed tracking parameters) and provide greater confidence in the tracking results. The result of applying the new algorithm to high-resolution ECMWF reanalysis data is shown as an example of its effectiveness

Detecting Compton Reflection and a Broad Iron Line in MCG-5-23-16 with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer

We report the detection with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer of a Compton reflection signature in the Seyfert galaxy MCG-5-23-16. RXTE also resolves the Fe K-alpha fluorescence line with FWHM ~48,000 km s^{-1}. This measurement provides the first independent confirmation of ASCA detections in Seyfert galaxies of broad Fe K-alpha lines that are thought to be the signature of emission from the inner regions of an accretion disk orbiting a black hole. Under the assumption that reflection arises from an isotropic source located above a neutral accretion disk, and using a theoretical model that accounts for the dependence of the reflected spectrum on inclination angle, we derive a 90% confidence range for the disk inclination of i = 50 to 81 degrees. The large inclination is consistent with that expected from the unified model for MCG-5-23-16 based on its Seyfert 1.9 classification. If we assume that the high-energy cutoff in the incident spectrum lies at energies larger than a few hundred keV, then the equivalent width of the Fe K-alpha line is much larger than predicted for the amount of reflection. This implies either an enhanced iron abundance, a covering factor of reflecting material > 0.5, or a cutoff in the incident spectrum at energies between ~60 and ~200 keV.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ, LaTeX. 14 pages including 3 figures, with 1 table as a separate postscript file. Typo corrected in abstrac

Fish assemblages across the Mediterranean Sea and the effects of protection from fishing = I Popolamenti ittici nel Mediterraneo e gli effetti della protezione dall’impatto della pesca

Several studies have assessed the effectiveness of individual marine protected areas (MPAs) in protecting fish assemblages, but regional assessments of multiple parks are scarce. Here fish surveys using visual census were done in marine parks and fished areas at 31 locations across the Mediterranean Sea. Fish species richness, diversity and biomass (especially of top predators) were higher in MPAs compared to fished areas, and community structure differed significantly between MPAs and fished areas. Results suggest that MPAs are generally effective means to protect and recover fish populations and assemblages

Physical Adsorption at the Nanoscale: Towards Controllable Scaling of the Substrate-Adsorbate van der Waals Interaction

The Lifshitz-Zaremba-Kohn (LZK) theory is commonly considered as the correct large-distance limit for the van der Waals (vdW) interaction of adsorbates (atoms, molecules, or nanoparticles) with solid substrates. In the standard approximate form, implicitly based on "local" dielectric functions, the LZK approach predicts universal power laws for vdW interactions depending only on the dimensionality of the interacting objects. However, recent experimental findings are challenging the universality of this theoretical approach at finite distances of relevance for nanoscale assembly. Here, we present a combined analytical and numerical many-body study demonstrating that physical adsorption can be significantly enhanced at the nanoscale. Regardless of the band gap or the nature of the adsorbate specie, we find deviations from conventional LZK power laws that extend to separation distances of up to 10--20 nanometers. Comparison with recent experimental observation of ultra long-ranged vdW interactions in the delamination of graphene from a silicon substrate reveals qualitative agreement with the present theory. The sensitivity of vdW interactions to the substrate response and to the adsorbate characteristic excitation frequency also suggests that adsorption strength can be effectively tuned in experiments, paving the way to an improved control of physical adsorption at the nanoscale

Smoking as a cofactor for causation of chronic pancreatitis: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the evidence for tobacco smoking as a risk factor for the causation of chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis with random-effects models to estimate pooled relative risks (RRs) of chronic pancreatitis for current, former, and ever smokers, in comparison to never smokers. We also performed dose-response, heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Ten case-control studies and 2 cohort studies that evaluated, overall, 1705 patients with chronic pancreatitis satisfied the inclusion criteria. When contrasted to never smokers, the pooled risk estimates for current smokers was 2.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-4.2) overall and 2.5 (95% CI, 1.3-4.6) when data were adjusted for alcohol consumption. A dose-response effect of tobacco use on the risk was ascertained: the RR for subjects smoking less than 1 pack per day was 2.4 (95% CI, 0.9-6.6) and increased to 3.3 (95% CI, 1.4-7.9) in those smoking 1 or more packs per day. The risk diminished significantly after smoking cessation, as the RR estimate for former smokers dropped to a value of 1.4 (95% CI, 1.1-1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco smoking may enhance the risk of developing chronic pancreatitis. Recommendation for smoking cessation, besides alcohol abstinence, should be incorporated in the management of patients with chronic pancreatitis

Machine milking management and milk nitrogen fractions in primiparous ewes

Little work has been carried out on management techniques to reduce stress of first machine milking in ewes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of milking parlour training before weaning on sheep milk yield and milk protein fractions. One week before weaning, an experimental group (EG) was introduced into the machine milking parlour and hand-milked once a day, to adapt them to the new environment and noise of the milking machine, while a control group (CG) was hand-milked once a day in a traditional fold parlour until weaning. After weaning, both groups were machine milked, separately, twice a day in the milking parlour. Milk yield and nitrogen fractions were recorded for the first 10 days of machine milking. Differences between samplings within group were observed for all parameters considered. Only on the first day of machine milking, differences between groups occurred for total nitrogen, total protein and casein. Higher content of nitrogen fractions in the milk of EG was due to its lower milk production. In fact, daily production of nitrogen fractions was higher in CG than in EG. High variability for most parameters was observed during the first 5 days of machine milking in both groups. A week of training to machine milking parlour was not enough to reduce the negative effects of weaning and machine milking stresses on primiparous ewes. (interaction?

Particle-vibration coupling in halo nuclei

In halo nuclei like 11 Li and 12 Be, polarization effects based on the particle-vibration coupling mechanism leads to a density dependent pairing interaction which provides most of the observed correlation energy which stabilizes the least two bound neutrons. The same mechanism is at the basis of the parity inversion phenomenon observed in 10 Li and 11 Be

Molecular Recognition of Metal Complexes by DNA: A Comparative Study of the Interactions of the Parent Complexes [PtCl(TERPY)]Cl and [AuCl(TERPY)]Cl (2) with Double Stranded DNA

The interactions of the parent complexes [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2 and [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl with DNA were analysed by various physicochemical methods. Surprisingly, these metal complexes produce different interaction patterns with DNA in spite of their profound structural similarity. Indeed, important modifications are detected in the characteristic UV-Vis bands of [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl upon addition of ct-DNA, while the spectrum of [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2 is almost unaffected. Gel electrophoresis studies confirm these findings: [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl — but not [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2 — retards significantly the mobility of the supercoiled form of the pHV14 plasmid after a short incubation time. Ultrafiltration studies indicate that the affinity of [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl for ct-DNA is significantly greater than that of [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2. On the other hand, both [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2 and [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl induce important changes in the CD spectrum of ct-DNA, at high concentration, and increase its Tm value. Remarkably, the analysed metal-complex/DNA interaction patterns depend critically on the incubation times. We propose that [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl quickly intercalates DNA; then, formation of coordinative bonds progressively takes place with time. At variance, [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2 first interacts electrostatically with the DNA surface, with subsequent slow formation of some coordinative bonds

LDOC-1 and PARP-1 mRNA expression in leukocytes of father and son with cutaneous malignant melanoma

Abstract Apoptosis is central to the biology of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). The leucine zipper, down regulated in cancer 1 (LDOC-1) gene, is known to be a regulator of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) through inhibition of the same NF-kB. The poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) gene plays an important role for the efficient maintenance of genome integrity. PARP-1 protein is required for the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) translocation from the mitochondria to the nucleus. We report here two interesting cases of family melanoma, a father and son 84 and 40 years old, respectively. The histological evaluation of the lesions of both men revealed diffused superficial melanoma with epithelioid cells. We evaluated the differential expression of LDOC-1 and PARP-1 mRNA in peripheral blood leukocytes of both the father and son. We found that both LDOC-1 and PARP-1 genes were down-regulated in both patients compared with those of controls. These data suggest that low levels of expression of LDOC-1 and PARP-1 mRNA may be associated with familial melanoma

Characterization of power transistors as high dose dosimeters

A bipolar transistor, previously investigated as a possible radiation dosimeter and tested under industrial irradiation conditions in high-activity gamma and high-energy, high-power electron beam facilities has been subjected to stability test in order to understand its behaviour and help to improve its performances. Charge carrier lifetime was measured for several sets of transistors which were then irradiated with various doses (3-60 kGy): seven sets with Co-60 gamma rays and eight with a 10MeV electron beam. After irradiation all the transistors were measured and each set was divided into three groups: one group was left untreated, the second group was heated at 100 degrees C for 30 minutes and the third group was heated at 150 degrees C for 30 minutes, for testing the stability of the lifetime. Our data showed that heat treatment quite successfully eliminates post-irradiation changes in the response. Response measurements of the irradiated transistors, heat-treated and untreated, were carried out at room temperature over several weeks after irradiation to establish post-irradiation stability and assess if these transistors could be used for recording dose history. Calibration curves in the range 3-60 kGy for the thermally treated and untreated devices are presented. Dependence of the response of the transistors on the temperature of the measurements in the range 20-50 degrees C is reported