A new method for the inversion of atmospheric parameters of A/Am stars

We present an automated procedure that derives simultaneously the effective temperature $T_{eff}$, the surface gravity logg, the metallicity [Fe/H], and the equatorial projected rotational velocity vsini for "normal" A and Am stars. The procedure is based on the principal component analysis inversion method of Paletou et al. (2015a). A sample of 322 high resolution spectra of F0-B9 stars, retrieved from the Polarbase, SOPHIE, and ELODIE databases, were used to test this technique with real data. We have selected the spectral region from 4400-5000\AA\ as it contains many metallic lines and the Balmer H$\beta$ line. Using 3 datasets at resolving powers of R=42000, 65000 and 76000, about 6.6x$10^6$ synthetic spectra were calculated to build a large learning database. The Online Power Iteration algorithm was applied to these learning datasets to estimate the principal components (PC). The projection of spectra onto the few PCs offered an efficient comparison metric in a low dimensional space. The spectra of the well known A0- and A1-type stars, Vega and Sirius A, were used as control spectra in the three databases. Spectra of other well known A-type stars were also employed in order to characterize the accuracy of the inversion technique. All observational spectra were inverted and atmospheric parameters derived. After removal of a few outliers, the PCA-inversion method appears to be very efficient in determining $T_{eff}$, [Fe/H], and vsini for A/Am stars. The derived parameters agree very well with previous determinations. Using a statistical approach, deviations of around 150 K, 0.35 dex, 0.15 dex, and 2 km/s were found for $T_{eff}$, logg, [Fe/H], and vsini with respect to literature values for A-type stars. The PCA-inversion proves to be a very fast, practical, and reliable tool for estimating stellar parameters of FGK and A stars, and deriving effective temperatures of M stars.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures. Accepted in A&

PERBEDAAN KADAR KOLESTEROL TOTAL SEBELUM DAN SESUDAH PEMBERIAN JUS KACANG HIJAU (Phaseolus radiatus Linn) PADA PRIA HIPERKOLESTEROLEMIA

Latar belakang: Kadar kolesterol total darah yang tinggi merupakan salah satu faktor risiko kejadian penyakit kardiovaskuler. Kacang hijau mengandung isoflavon, serat larut dan protein yang dapat menurunkan kadar kolesterol total. Tujuan: Mengetahui perbedaan kadar kolesterol total sebelum dan sesudah pemberian jus kacang hijau pada pria hiperkolesterolemia. Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan rancangan control group pre test - post test. Subjek penelitian adalah 28 orang pria usia 40-58 tahun dengan kadar kolesterol total 200-250 mg/dl, dibagi menjadi dua kelompok yaitu kelompok perlakuan memperoleh jus kacang hijau 400 ml dan kelompok kontrol memperoleh air kemasan selama 21 hari. Seluruh subjek diberikan konseling sebelum intervensi. Asupan makanan diukur menggunakan metode recall 24 jam selama intervensi dan dianalisis menggunakan program nutrisurvey. Data dianalisis menggunakan Paired t-test, independent samples t-test, dan Mann-Whitney. Hasil: Rerata kadar kolesterol total sebelum dan sesudah intervensi pada kelompok perlakuan berturut-turut 229,57 mg/dl dan 218,50 mg/dl. Terdapat perbedaan kadar kolesterol total sebelum dan sesudah intervensi pada kelompok perlakuan (p=0,034). Rerata kadar kolesterol total sebelum dan sesudah intervensi pada kelompok kontrol berturut-turut 226,36 mg/dl dan 240,29 mg/dl. Terdapat perbedaan kadar kolesterol total sebelum dan sesudah intervensi pada kelompok kontrol (p=0,004). Terdapat perbedaan perubahan kadar kolesterol total antara kedua kelompok (p=0,000). Simpulan: Pemberian jus kacang hijau dengan dosis 400 ml/hari selama 21 hari terbukti menurunkan kadar kolesterol total pria hiperkolesterolemia secara signifikan

A content, pedagogy and technology [CPT] approach to TPACK

TPACK is a framework for the learning process in which educators combine Technological, Pedagogical and Content Knowledge to deliver the learning experience. Therefore, TPACK can be defined as a complex interaction between the technology, pedagogy and content. TPACK expresses the overlap between these factors in a two-dimensional space, placing TPACK at the centre. Educators can place their teaching episode within this space and ask, if I place my delivery at this point is it the best point in the TPACK space? Secondly educators may ask how can the best point within the space be determined? The CPT model proposes an attempt to address these questions by recasting TPACK as a three-dimensional pseudo-vector space allowing expected outcomes and observed outcomes to be analysed. For the study presented here our null hypothesis is: H0 = there is no significant difference between the observed and expected outcomes

Developing a predictive model for the enhanced learning outcomes by the use of technology

This paper reports on the initial outcomes of a study to develop a model to identify the relationship between technological facilities such as iPad, MacBook, Apps and software etc., pedagogy (that can be defined as any conscious activity by one person designed to enhance learning in another (Watkins and Mortimore, 1999 [1])), curriculum and learning. The new model can be called CPT Model. This is a new area of study. The model will test the difference between the observed learning outcomes and the learning outcomes predicted. This model can predict the outcomes for assessing the students’ progress. Using a three-dimensional vector space in the form of 3D equations, after the integration between the ICT and the education, students’ observed and predicted progress (that was calculated using the CPT model) were compared. These rates were very close to each other. Therefore the null hypothesis, "there is not a significant difference between the observed (actual) and expected outcomes"

Severe B Cell Deficiency in Mice Lacking the Tec Kinase Family Members Tec and Btk

The cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase Tec has been proposed to have important functions in hematopoiesis and lymphocyte signal transduction. Here we show that Tec-deficient mice developed normally and had no major phenotypic alterations of the immune system. To reveal potential compensatory roles of other Tec kinases such as Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), Tec/Btk double-deficient mice were generated. These mice exhibited a block at the B220+CD43+ stage of B cell development and displayed a severe reduction of peripheral B cell numbers, particularly immunoglobulin (Ig)MloIgDhi B cells. Although Tec/Btknull mice were able to form germinal centers, the response to T cell–dependent antigens was impaired. Thus, Tec and Btk together have an important role both during B cell development and in the generation and/or function of the peripheral B cell pool. The ability of Tec to compensate for Btk may also explain phenotypic differences in X-linked immunodeficiency (xid) mice compared with human X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) patients

Preparation and consumer acceptability tests of fermented camel milk in Kenya

There are estimated to be 600000 camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Kenya (Wandera, 1985). Almost 80% of these are kept by pastoral tribes living in arid areas in eastern and north-eastern parts of the country. In these regions, camels are important dairy animals. A camel in north-east Kenya can be expected to yield about 4 kg milk daily as compared with 0·5-1·5 kg for a cow in the same area. Most of the camel milk is consumed in the form of fermented milk. The milk is allowed to ferment naturally at ambient temperature and without prior heat treatment until it turns sour. The resulting fermented camel milk is known as Susa. Due to the spontaneous nature of the fermentation, this traditional method results in a product with varying taste and flavour and is often of poor hygienic quality, in addition, because of the limited scale of production, the product can be sold only in the immediate vicinity of the herd. For production of fermented milk under controlled conditions, thermophilic or mesophilic lactic acid cultures are normally used. In warm countries, mesophilic lactic cultured milk offers some advantages, as it can be incubated at ambient temperature (20-30 °C) and the fermentation stops at 1-1·2% lactic acid, eliminating the need for cooling to stop further souring as occurs in the case of yoghurt (Kurwijila, 1980