sPlot: a statistical tool to unfold data distributions

The paper advocates the use of a statistical tool dedicated to the exploration of data samples populated by several sources of events. This new technique, called sPlot, is able to unfold the contributions of the different sources to the distribution of a data sample in a given variable. The sPlot tool applies in the context of a Likelihood fit which is performed on the data sample to determine the yields of the various sources.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figures, Accepted for publication in Nucl. Instr. Method

Resonating silicon beam force sensor

A resonating silicon-beam force sensor is being deveoped using micro-machining of silicon and IC-compatible processes. Results are reported here of measurements on the force-to-frequency transfer of bare silicon prototypes. The measurements with forces on the sensor beam up to 0.4 N shows a frequency shift of 3.1 to 5.2 times the unloaded resonance frequency f0(f0 congruent with 3 to 5 kHz), depending on the exact dimensions. Considering these figures, we can predict a frequency shift of 18.3 to 27.6 kHz at the maximum load of 1.0 N for the measured samples. Due to the sample lay-out, a force transfer is present from the externally applied force to the actual pulling force on the sensor beam. Using a simple model to calculate this reduction, we obtain good agreement between the measurements and predictions

Models for low-energy Lorentz violation in the photon sector: Addendum to 'Consistency of isotropic modified Maxwell theory'

In a previous article [arXiv:1011.4258], we established the consistency of isotropic modified Maxwell theory for a finite range of the Lorentz-violating parameter \tilde{kappa}_{tr}, which includes both positive and negative values of \tilde{kappa}_{tr}. As an aside, we mentioned the existence of a physical model which, for low-energy photons, gives rise to isotropic modified Maxwell theory with a positive parameter \tilde{kappa}_{tr} (corresponding to a "slow" photon). Here, we present a related model which gives rise to isotropic modified Maxwell theory with a negative parameter \tilde{kappa}_{tr} (corresponding to a "fast" photon). Both models have an identical particle content, photon and Dirac particles, but differ in the type of spacetime manifold considered.Comment: 6 pages, v4: published versio

Testing for inherited thrombophilia does not reduce the recurrence of venous thrombosis\ud

Background: Inherited thrombophilia is only weakly associated with recurrence in patients with a first venous thrombosis (VT). In spite of this, thrombophilia testing is often performed in these patients. Positive results may influence patient management such as prolonged anticoagulant treatment or intensified prophylaxis in high-risk situations. Objective: To investigate whether thrombophilia testing reduces the risk of recurrent VT by virtue of these management alterations. Methods: From a large case–control study of patients (MEGA study), aged 18–70 years, with a first VT between 1999 and 2004, we selected 197 patients who had had a recurrence during follow-up. We compared the incidence of thrombophilia testing to that of a control cohort of 324 patients. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) for recurrent thrombosis in tested vs. non-tested patients. Only patients who were tested before recurrence were regarded as tested. All first and recurrent thrombotic events were objectively confirmed. Results: Thrombophilia tests were performed in 35% of cases and in 30% of controls. The OR for recurrence was 1.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9–1.8] for tested vs. non-tested patients. After correction for age, sex, family history, geographic region, presence of clinical risk factors, and year of first VT, the OR remained unchanged. Discussion: Thrombophilia testing in patients with a first VT does not reduce the incidence of recurrence in clinical practice.\u

Excitation and detection of vibrations of micromechanical structures using a dielectric thin film

A new technique is introduced for both the excitation and the detection of vibrations of micromechanical structures. This makes use of a dielectric thin film, sandwiched between lower and upper electrodes, on top of the vibrating structure. The excitation is based on electrostatic forces between the charged electrodes, causing deformation of the dielectric film and bending of the multilayer structure. The detection of the vibration is capacitive, based on the fluctuation of the capacitance due to the deformation of the dielectric film. Experimental results for a stoichiometric silicon nitride dielectric film on top of a silicon cantilever agree well with predicted values. The yield of the electrostatic excitation as well as of the capacitive detection are satisfactory

Early handling and repeated cross-fostering have opposite effect on mouse emotionality

Early life events have a crucial role in programming the individual phenotype and exposure to traumatic experiences during infancy can increase later risk for a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders. Animal models of postnatal stress have been developed in rodents to explore molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed short and long lasting neurobiological effects of such manipulations. The main aim of this study was to compare the behavioral and hormonal phenotype of young and adult animals exposed to different postnatal treatments. Outbred mice were exposed to (i) the classical Handling protocol (H: 15 min-day of separation from the mother from day 1 to 14 of life) or to (ii) a Repeated Cross-Fostering protocol (RCF: adoption of litters from day 1 to 4 of life by different dams). Handled mice received more maternal care in infancy and showed the already described reduced emotionality at adulthood. Repeated cross fostered animals did not differ for maternal care received, but showed enhanced sensitivity to separation from the mother in infancy and altered respiratory response to 6% CO2 in breathing air in comparison with controls. Abnormal respiratory responses to hypercapnia are commonly found among humans with panic disorders (PD), and point to RCF-induced instability of the early environment as a valid developmental model for PD. The comparisons between short-and long-term effects of postnatal handling vs. RCF indicate that different types of early adversities are associated with different behavioral profiles, and evoke psychopathologies that can be distinguished according to the neurobiological systems disrupted by early-life manipulation

Cost-effectiveness of managing Natura 2000 sites: an exploratory study for Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland

Natura 2000 sites are expected to assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. It follows that successful management of the sites is of great importance. Next to goal attainment, cost-effectiveness is increasingly recognised as a key requirement for gaining social and political acceptance for costly conservation measures. We identify and qualitatively examine issues of cost-effectiveness related to the design and implementation of management measures in Natura 2000 sites in Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Given the wide variety of management design and implementation options within the four countries, our study is purely of an exploratory nature. We derive recommendations for improving the cost-effectiveness of management in Natura 2000 sites and for future research. Examples of policy recommendations include guaranteeing the availability of funds for longer periods, and ensuring the appropriate allocation of funds between the different tasks of designing and implementing management plans. Further research should examine the cost-effectiveness of controversial suggestions such as, for example, more tailored payment schemes for conservation measures that result in higher ecological outputs but are costly to administer. Moreover, more research is needed to better understand how rules for administrations, as well as rules and governance structures for tasks within administrations, should be designed

Radio observations of peculiar galaxies

With the 1000-foot radiotelescope of the Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory we have observed the positions of 69 peculiar galaxies classified by Arp (1966). Several radio sources were detected, but they could be chance coincidences. Radio maps of the radio sources are given.Asociación Argentina de Astronomí

Radio observations of peculiar galaxies

With the 1000-foot radiotelescope of the Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory we have observed the positions of 69 peculiar galaxies classified by Arp (1966). Several radio sources were detected, but they could be chance coincidences. Radio maps of the radio sources are given.Asociación Argentina de Astronomí

Radio observations of peculiar galaxies

With the 1000-foot radiotelescope of the Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory we have observed the positions of 69 peculiar galaxies classified by Arp (1966). Several radio sources were detected, but they could be chance coincidences. Radio maps of the radio sources are given.Asociación Argentina de Astronomí