Age-dependent transient shear banding in soft glasses

We study numerically the formation of long-lived transient shear bands during shear startup within two models of soft glasses (a simple fluidity model and an adapted `soft glassy rheology' model). The degree and duration of banding depends strongly on the applied shear rate, and on sample age before shearing. In both models the ultimate steady flow state is homogeneous at all shear rates, consistent with the underlying constitutive curve being monotonic. However, particularly in the SGR case, the transient bands can be extremely long lived. The banding instability is neither `purely viscous' nor `purely elastic' in origin, but is closely associated with stress overshoot in startup flow.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Resistance and adaptation to criminal identity: using secondary analysis to evaluate classic studies of crime and deviance

'Qualitative Daten bieten reichhaltige Einsichten in die soziale Welt, sei es in alleiniger Anwendung oder im Tandem mit statistischer Analyse. Allerdings ist die Erhebung und Auswertung qualitativer Daten mit hohen Kosten verbunden. Ferner ist allgemein bekannt, dass nur ein Teil der so aufwändig erhobenen Daten letztlich Gegenstand der Auswertung und Veröffentlichung wird. Die Sekundäranalyse ist in der quantitativen Forschung bereits eine gut etablierte Methode und gewinnt auch für die Anwendung auf qualitative Daten an Wertschätzung. Eine besondere Rolle spielt sie im Zusammenhang mit Forschung zu sensiblen Themen und/oder schwer zugänglichen Populationen, wie in dem vorliegenden Beispiel erläutert wird. Dieser Artikel leistet einen Beitrag zur Diskussion des Potenzials und der Grenzen der Sekundäranalyse qualitativer Daten, indem er die Ergebnisse einer Sekundäranalyse einer klassischen Studie zur Soziologie des Gefängnislebens - Cohen und Taylors Forschung zu Langzeit-Inhaftierung von Männern in Hochsicherheitsverwahrung - berichtet. Auf der Grundlage der Nutzung archivierter Daten der Originalstudie betrachtet der Beitrag Cohen und Taylors Originalanalyse erneut und zeigt Unterstützung für eine alternative Konzeptionalisierung. Unter den diskutierten methodologischen Aspekten befinden sich die Wiederherstellung des Kontextes der originären Feldarbeit sowie die Rolle der Sekundäranalyse innerhalb eines kumulativen Ansatzes von Wissensproduktion.' (Autorenreferat)'Qualitative data offer rich insights into the social world, whether alone or in tandem with statistical analysis. However, qualitative data are costly to collect and analyse. Moreover, it is a commonplace that only a portion of the data so labouriously collected is the subject of final analysis and publication. Secondary analysis is a well-established method in quantitative research and is raising its profile in application to qualitative data. It has a particular part to play when research is on sensitive topics and/or hard-to-reach populations, as in the example considered here. This article contributes to discussion of the potential and constraints of secondary analysis of qualitative data by reporting the outcome of the secondary analysis of a key study in the sociology of prison life, Cohen and Taylor's research on the long-term imprisonment of men in maximum security. The article re-visits Cohen and Taylor's original analysis and demonstrates support for an alternative, if complementary, conceptualisation, using archived data from the original study. Among the methodological issues discussed are the recovery of the context of the original fieldwork and the role of secondary analysis in an incremental approach to knowledge production.' (author's abstract)

SABER Data Processing

SABER is an infrared multi-spectral radiometer aboard the TIMED satellite. It measures radiatively active species in the atmospheric region from 60 km to 130 km altitude. We are particularly interested in the 2.06 μm and 1.67 μm bands as an indication of the Hydroxyl (OH) concentration in the atmosphere. Here, we detail visualization work along with early results from the SABER OH radiometer channels

Tectonics of the central Andes

Acquisition of nearly complete coverage of Thematic Mapper data for the central Andes between about 15 to 34 degrees S has stimulated a comprehensive and unprecedented study of the interaction of tectonics and climate in a young and actively developing major continental mountain belt. The current state of the synoptic mapping of key physiographic, tectonic, and climatic indicators of the dynamics of the mountain/climate system are briefly reviewed

Application of computer-aided dispatch in law enforcement: An introductory planning guide

A set of planning guidelines for the application of computer-aided dispatching (CAD) to law enforcement is presented. Some essential characteristics and applications of CAD are outlined; the results of a survey of systems in the operational or planning phases are summarized. Requirements analysis, system concept design, implementation planning, and performance and cost modeling are described and demonstrated with numerous examples. Detailed descriptions of typical law enforcement CAD systems, and a list of vendor sources, are given in appendixes

Modulation of NKG2D expression in human CD8(+) T cells corresponding with tuberculosis drug cure.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers predicting tuberculosis treatment response and cure would facilitate drug development. This study investigated expression patterns of the co-stimulation molecule NKG2D in human tuberculosis and treatment to determine its potential usefulness as a host biomarker of tuberculosis drug efficacy. METHODS: Tuberculosis patients (n = 26) were recruited in Lahore, Pakistan, at diagnosis and followed up during treatment. Household contacts (n = 24) were also recruited. NKG2D expression was measured by qRT-PCR in RNA samples both ex vivo and following overnight mycobacterial stimulation in vitro. Protein expression of NKG2D and granzyme B was measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: NKG2D expression in newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients was similar to household contacts in ex vivo RNA, but was higher following in vitro stimulation. The NKG2D expression was dramatically reduced by intensive phase chemotherapy, in both ex vivo blood RNA and CD8(+) T cell protein expression, but then reverted to higher levels after the continuation phase in successfully treated patients. CONCLUSION: The changes in NKG2D expression through successful treatment reflect modulation of the peripheral cytotoxic T cell response. This likely reflects firstly in vivo stimulation by live Mycobacterium tuberculosis, followed by the response to dead bacilli, antigen-release and finally immunopathology resolution. Such changes in host peripheral gene expression, alongside clinical and microbiological indices, could be developed into a biosignature of tuberculosis drug-induced cure to be used in future clinical trials

Propofol Sedation for Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy

A questionnaire was sent to 53 patients who had undergone an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) using intermittent Propofol. All of the patients would accept the same technique again. Out of 20 patients who had previously had the procedure performed under Diazepam sedation, 18 preferred the use of Propofol. This technique can only be used with an anaesthetist present

Stable incidence rates of tuberculosis (TB) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative South African gold miners during a decade of epidemic HIV-associated TB.

During the last decade, annual tuberculosis (TB) case-notification rates increased 4-fold, to >4000 cases/100000 person-years, in the study workforce, among whom prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was 30% in 2000. Three separate cohort studies, totalling 6454 HIV-negative participants, were combined and analyzed for time trends. Observed incidence of TB varied between 962 (1991-1994) and 1589 (1999-2000) cases/100000 person-years (P=.17, test for trend). There was, however, a progressive increase in age, and, for each period, older age was associated with increased incidence rates of TB (P<.001). Having adjusted for age differences, there was no significant association between incidence of TB and calendar period (P=.81, test for trend). Relative to 1991-1994, multivariate-adjusted incidence-rate ratios were 0.94, for 1995-1997, 0.96, for 1998-1999, and 1.05, for 1999-2000. Preventing a secondary epidemic of TB among HIV-negative individuals may be achievable with conventional means, even in settings with a high burden of HIV-associated TB