Extension rates across the northern Shanxi Grabens, China, from Quaternary geology, seismicity and geodesy

Discrepancies between geological, seismic and geodetic rates of strain can indicate that rates of crustal deformation, and hence seismic hazard, are varying through time. Previous studies in the northern Shanxi Grabens, at the northeastern corner of the Ordos Plateau in northern China, have found extension rates of anywhere between 0 and 6 mm a−1 at an azimuth of between 95° and 180°. In this paper we determine extension rates across the northern Shanxi Grabens from offset geomorphological features and a variety of Quaternary dating techniques (including new IRSL and Ar-Ar ages), a Kostrov summation using a 700 yr catalogue of historical earthquakes, and recent campaign GPS measurements. We observe good agreement between Quaternary, seismic and geodetic rates of strain, and we find that the northern Shanxi Grabens are extending at around 1–2 mm a−1 at an azimuth of ≈151°. The azimuth of extension is particularly well constrained and can be reliably inferred from catalogues of small earthquakes. We do not find evidence for any substantial variations in extension rate through time, though there is a notable seismic moment rate deficit since 1750. This deficit could indicate complex fault interactions across large regions, aseismic accommodation of deformation, or that we are quite late in the earthquake cycle with the potential for larger earthquakes in the relatively near future

Electrical properties of Bi-implanted amorphous chalcogenide films

The impact of Bi implantation on the conductivity and the thermopower of amorphous chalcogenide films is investigated. Incorporation of Bi in Ge-Sb-Te and GeTe results in enhanced conductivity. The negative Seebeck coefficient confirms onset of the electron conductivity in GeTe implanted with Bi at a dose of 2x1016 cm-2. The enhanced conductivity is accompanied by defect accumulation in the films upon implantation as is inferred by using analysis of the space-charge limited current. The results indicate that native coordination defects in lone-pair semiconductors can be deactivated by means of ion implantation, and higher conductivity of the films stems from additional electrically active defects created by implantation of bismuth.Comment: This is an extended version of the results presented in Proc. SPIE 8982, 898213 (2014

Spectral and picosecond temporal properties of flared guide Y‐coupled phase‐locked laser arrays

Spatio‐spectral and spatio‐temporal properties of flared waveguide ‘‘Y’’‐coupled laser arrays are investigated in both cw and pulsed operation. In each case, regular sustained self‐pulsations are exhibited. Destabilization of phase locking, caused by amplitude phase coupling, is thought to be the origin of the pulsations.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70525/2/APPLAB-53-24-2380-1.pd

Social cognition in multiple sclerosis:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To quantify the magnitude of deficits in theory of mind (ToM) and facial emotion recognition among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) relative to healthy controls. Methods: An electronic database search of Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase was conducted from inception to April 1, 2016. Eligible studies were original research articles published in peer-reviewed journals that examined ToM or facial emotion recognition among patients with a diagnosis of MS and a healthy control comparison group. Data were independently extracted by 2 authors. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges g. Results: Twenty-one eligible studies were identified assessing ToM (12 studies) and/or facial emotion recognition (13 studies) among 722 patients with MS and 635 controls. Deficits in both ToM (g -0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.88 to -0.55, p < 0.001) and facial emotion recognition (g -0.64, 95% CI -0.81 to -0.47, p < 0.001) were identified among patients with MS relative to healthy controls. The largest deficits were observed for visual ToM tasks and for the recognition of negative facial emotional expressions. Older age predicted larger emotion recognition deficits. Other cognitive domains were inconsistently associated with social cognitive performance. Conclusions: Social cognitive deficits are an overlooked but potentially important aspect of cognitive impairment in MS with potential prognostic significance for social functioning and quality of life. Further research is required to clarify the longitudinal course of social cognitive dysfunction, its association with MS disease characteristics and neurocognitive impairment, and the MS-specific neurologic damage underlying these deficits

Contract Report for FY 2019 & FY 2020 National Geological & Geophysical Data Preservation Project

The Bureau of Economic Geology has a rich history of mineral exploration and mining that predates its role as the Geological Survey of Texas, established in 1858. Many publications from the United States Geological Survey, United States Bureau of Mines, and Bureau of Economic Geology addressing mineral resources were published before the digital age and the development of the internet. Most of this valuable information is preserved and archived as annual mineral reports, reports of investigations, mineral circulars, and other products published between 1858 and 1990. As part of the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Project funded through the United States Geological Survey, two project goals were developed to assist in the identification of critical minerals in Texas. Project Goal 1 for 2019 and 2020 aimed to acquire and review all publications, materials, and data that reference and describe mineral information, mineral deposits, and occurrences hosting critical minerals. This data was transcribed into provided spreadsheets and information templates, including details such as name, location, geology, resource information on contained commodities, production information, resource or reserve estimations, ore grade, deposit type, mining history, reference citations, and other relevant information. Project Goal 2 aimed to develop a statewide depth to Precambrian basement map in common geospatial digital data format using the national Geologic Map Schema (GeMS) and available seismic and drill core data. Although Precambrian basement has been mapped and interpolated in oil and gas basins, and identified as surface (and near-surface) exposure in central and western Texas, there had not been an effort to compile all of these data into a complete and distributable geospatial dataset and published basement map. The state of Texas boasts abundant well log data, and the Bureau of Economic Geology, functioning as the state geological survey, possesses numerous seismic and geophysical surveys, as well as thousands of cross-sections and drill core data. This project aimed to leverage these resources to create a comprehensive and accessible dataset and map of Precambrian basement depths across the state.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Discovery of pyrazolopyrimidines that selectively inhibit CSF-1R kinase by iterative design, synthesis and screening against glioblastoma cells

We are grateful to Medical Research Scotland (PHD-1046-2016) for funding and a joint Cancer Research UK (A28596) and The Brain Tumour Charity award (GN-000676) to N. O. C. T. V. thanks EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skls PHD-1046-2016Medical Research Scotland A28596Cancer Research UK GN-000676Brain Tumour Charity award 749299European Union (EU)MS

How much do helioseismological inferences depend upon the assumed reference model?

We investigate systematic uncertainties in determining the profiles of the solar sound speed, density, and adiabatic index by helioseismological techniques. We find that rms uncertainties-averaged over the sun of ~ 0.2%-0.4% are contributed to the sound speed profile by each of three sources: 1)the choice of assumed reference model, 2) the width of the inversion kernel, and 3) the measurements errors. The density profile is about an order of magnitude less well determined by the helioseismological measurements. The profile of the adiabatic index is determined to an accuracy of about 0.2% . We find that even relatively crude reference models yield reasonably accurate solar parameters.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ . Related material at http://www.sns.ias.edu/~jn

Walking the walk: a phenomenological study of long distance walking

Evidence suggests that regular walking can elicit significant psychological benefits although little evidence exists concerning long distance walking. The purpose of this study was to provide detailed accounts of the experiences of long distance walkers. Phenomenological interviews were conducted with six long distance walkers. Data were transcribed verbatim before researchers independently analyzed the transcripts. Participants reported a cumulative effect with positive feelings increasing throughout the duration of the walk. Long distance walking elicited positive emotions, reduced the effects of life-stress, and promoted an increased sense of well-being and personal growth. Results are aligned to theories and concepts from positive psychology

Symptoms Relevant to Surveillance for Ovarian Cancer

To examine how frequently and confidently healthy women report symptoms during surveillance for ovarian cancer. A symptoms questionnaire was administered to 24,526 women over multiple visits accounting for 70,734 reports. A query of reported confidence was included as a confidence score (CS). Chi square, McNemars test, ANOVA and multivariate analyses were performed. 17,623 women completed the symptoms questionnaire more than one time and \u3e 9500 women completed it more than one four times for \u3e 43,000 serially completed questionnaires. Reporting ovarian cancer symptoms was ~245 higher than ovarian cancer incidence. The positive predictive value (0.073%) for identifying ovarian cancer based on symptoms alone would predict one malignancy for 1368 cases taken to surgery due to reported symptoms. Confidence on the first questionnaire (83.3%) decreased to 74% when more than five questionnaires were completed. Age-related decreases in confidence were significant (p \u3c 0.0001). Women reporting at least one symptom expressed more confidence (41,984/52,379 = 80.2%) than women reporting no symptoms (11,882/18,355 = 64.7%), p \u3c 0.0001. Confidence was unrelated to history of hormone replacement therapy or abnormal ultrasound findings (p = 0.30 and 0.89). The frequency of symptoms relevant to ovarian cancer was much higher than the occurrence of ovarian cancer. Approximately 80.1% of women expressed confidence in what they reported