Ensemble averages and nonextensivity at the edge of chaos of one-dimensional maps

Ensemble averages of the sensitivity to initial conditions $\xi(t)$ and the entropy production per unit time of a {\it new} family of one-dimensional dissipative maps, $x_{t+1}=1-ae^{-1/|x_t|^z}(z>0)$, and of the known logistic-like maps, $x_{t+1}=1-a|x_t|^z(z>1)$, are numerically studied, both for {\it strong} (Lyapunov exponent $\lambda_1>0$) and {\it weak} (chaos threshold, i.e., $\lambda_1=0$) chaotic cases. In all cases we verify that (i) both $[\ln_q x \equiv (x^{1-q}-1)/(1-q); \ln_1 x=\ln x]$ and $<S_q > [S_q \equiv (1-\sum_i p_i^q)/(q-1); S_1=-\sum_i p_i \ln p_i]$ {\it linearly} increase with time for (and only for) a special value of $q$, $q_{sen}^{av}$, and (ii) the {\it slope} of $$and that of$$ {\it coincide}, thus interestingly extending the well known Pesin theorem. For strong chaos, $q_{sen}^{av}=1$, whereas at the edge of chaos, $q_{sen}^{av}(z)<1$.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Transarterial Radionuclide Therapy with 188Re-Labelled Lipiodol

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually detected late, in patients with advanced disease, who are thus not eligible for radical therapy. Despite this grim scenario, new treatment options for intermediate to advanced stages hold great promise, such as internal radionuclide therapy. Several techniques have been developed for radionuclide therapy of HCC. Among these, use of transarterial injection of a radiolabelled embolizing agent, such as microspheres or Lipiodol, has led to very encouraging results. Over the last few years, efforts to label Lipiodol with rhenium-188, an attractive beta-emitter, have led to a very active area of research. Lipiodol has been labelled either directly or by solubilisation of a lipophilic 188Re-labelled complex. Preliminary clinical findings indicate the feasibility of using 188Re-labelled Lipiodol, which has shown good tolerance and good response rates in the treatment of unresectable HCC as well as in adjuvant or neo-adjuvant settings

Evaluation de l'efficacité d'une tarification optionnelle de l'eau d'irrigation en Charente

En période d'étiage, certains bassins versants connaissent un déséquilibre entre la ressource en eau disponible et les usages. En France, le développement de l'irrigation depuis les années 1970 a constitué un facteur important de ce déséquilibre. Les besoins peuvent dépasser l'offre en eau du milieu naturel. Favorisée par la loi sur l'eau de 1992 qui oblige le comptage de l'eau agricole et recommande la concertation, une gestion volumétrique s'est progressivement développée. Ce mode de gestion consiste à répartir équitablement une offre en eau en définissant, selon son état, des règles d'accès entre les différents usages. La gestion volumétrique existe déjà sur des systèmes où l'offre en eau est prévisible avec une bonne probabilité (nappe ou barrage). Le bassin de la Charente amont a la particularité de présenter un déséquilibre important auquel s'ajoute une offre en eau très sensible aux aléas climatiques comme les orages. La gestion volumétrique y est cependant pratiquée depuis la construction du barrage de Mas-Chaban, qui permet de soutenir l'étiage. Cet article présente les instruments de gestion volumétrique mis en ½uvre sur ce bassin, discute leur efficacité et propose un nouveau système de gestion basé sur une tarification optionnelle de l'eau et sur un système nouveau de comptage et de déclaration des consommations. Nous montrons alors que ce système peut permettre non seulement d'économiser la ressource mais également de réduire les iniquités au sein même de la profession agricole / In period of low water level, some river basins face an imbalance between the available water resource and the uses. In France, the development of the irrigation since the years 1970 is an important cause of this imbalance. The water needs can exceed the natural water supply. Favoured by the 1992 French water act, rending the metering progressively obligatory and that recommend dialogue among water actors, a volumetric management (VM) mechanism has progressively been implemented. A VM consists in finding a equitable distribution of the water in defining, according to its state, some access rules among users. VM already exists in systems where the water supply is foreseeable with a good probability (tablecloth or dam). The Upstream Charente river basin in France face an important imbalance added to high sensitivity of the resource to the climatic conditions. However, a VM is implemented in this basin since the creation of Mas-Chaban dam in year 2000, which allow to resupply the river. This article presents the VM instruments implemented in this basin, discusses their effectiveness and propose an alternative management system based on an optional water pricing and on a new water consumption declaration system improving control and allowing potential sanctions. It is then shown that this system can save water an in the same time reduce inequities among farmersIRRIGATION;ECONOMIE DE L'EAU;ANALYSE COUT BENEFICE;PRIX;EVALUATION ECONOMIQUE;FRANCE;CHARENTE

Comparison of Deconvolution Software: A User Point of View—Part 2

Deconvolution is an image processing technique that restores the effective object representation [3] [4], allowing to improve images analysis steps such as segmentation [1] or colocalization study [2]. We performed several deconvolution tests on different kinds of datasets. The methodology has been reported in Part 1. Evaluation criteria and results are reported here. References A. Chomik, A. Dieterlen, C. Xu, O. Haeberlé, J.J. Meyer, S. Jacquey, "Quantification in Optical Sectioning Microscopy: A Comparison of Some Deconvolution Algorithms in View of 3D Image Segmentation," Journal of Optics, vol. 28, no. 6, pp. 225-233, December 1997. L. Landmann, "Deconvolution Improves Colocalization Analysis of Multiple Fluorochromes in 3D Confocal Data Sets more than Filtering Techniques," Journal of Microscopy, vol. 208, no. 2, pp. 134-147, November 2002. J.-B. Sibarita, "Deconvolution Microscopy," Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology, vol. 95, pp. 201-243, 2005. W. Wallace, L.H. Schaefer, J.R. Swedlow, "A Workingperson's Guide to Deconvolution in Light Microscopy," BioTechniques, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1076-1097, November 2001

Formation of the system of business processes at machine building enterprises

The article studies approaches to determination of totality of business processes of machine building enterprises of the RF within structural & functional and process-oriented model of management. It was found that in functional management, algorithm is limited by six steps, and totality of business processes is “tied” to technological productive processes; that in process management, there are ten steps of determination and development of business processes, and their totality is limited by flow of value creation or by quality loop (life cycle of production). The authors offer an algorithm of formation of the system of business processes of large industrial enterprises which issue a range of technologically complicated products and are on the stage of transition from linear & functional management to process management. At the stage of transition from one model to another, it is offered to found the algorithm on the functional model of management through determination of “basic element of management” with further transformations of the system. Methodology of formation of the system of business processes of enterprises is developed which – within the PLM concept – allows: structuring activities in the sphere of different business processes, designing product and processes simultaneously, and integrating systems of creation of product of enterprises-members into the system of business processes of final manufacturer. Targeted indicators of evaluation of efficiency of main business processes are offered, which are received as a result of implementation of methodology in view of separate production of machine building enterprise of the RF which stipulate determination of the list of top-level processes, reflecting interests of most of external members of the system and of those processes which do not have reserves for improvement and are subject to changes in future.peer-reviewe

Impact of multimorbidity on disability and quality of life in the Spanish older population

Background Population aging is closely related to high prevalence of chronic conditions in developed countries. In this context, health care policies aim to increase life span cost-effectively while maintaining quality of life and functional ability. There is still, however, a need for further understanding of how chronic conditions affect these health aspects. The aim of this paper is to assess the individual and combined impact of chronic physical and mental conditions on quality of life and disability in Spain, and secondly to show gender trends. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected from the COURAGE study. A total of 3,625 participants over 50 years old from Spain were included. Crude and adjusted multiple linear regressions were conducted to detect associations between individual chronic conditions and disability, and between chronic conditions and quality of life. Separate models were used to assess the influence of the number of diseases on the same variables. Additional analogous regressions were performed for males and females. Results All chronic conditions except hypertension were statistically associated with poor results in quality of life and disability. Depression, anxiety and stroke were found to have the greatest impact on outcomes. The number of chronic conditions was associated with substantially lower quality of life [ß for 4+ diseases: -18.10 (-20.95,-15.25)] and greater disability [ß for 4+ diseases: 27.64 (24.99,30.29]. In general, women suffered from higher rates of multimorbidity and poorer results in quality of life and disability. Conclusions Chronic conditions impact greatly on quality of life and disability in the older Spanish population, especially when co-occurring diseases are added. Multimorbidity considerations should be a priority in the development of future health policies focused on quality of life and disability. Further studies would benefit from an expanded selection of diseases. Policies should also deal with gender idiosyncrasy in certain cases

Improved mechanical properties of porous nitinol by aluminum alloying

Aluminum alloying effects (up to 2 at %) on the macrostructure, microstructure, and mechanical properties of porous nitinol (NiTi) obtained by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) were studied. It has been established that Ni and Ti interactions with liquid Al (0.5–1 at % Al) in the SHS process significantly change macrostructure, decrease the size of the interpore bridges, and increase their number, resulting in a larger effective cross-sectional area. An increase in the aluminum content above 1 at % leads to larger interpore bridges in the SHS product. The microhardness of TiNi(Al) increases from 305 HV50 g to 422 HV50 g with aluminum concentration, while the fraction of the TiNi(Al) (B2 + B19′) phases decreases from 75% to 50%. The Ti2Ni(Al) phase fraction increases from 25% to 50% with Al concentration. The 64 MPa tensile strength and 2.9% fracture strain of porous Ti50Ni49Al1 alloy are higher than without Al. The increase in strength is due to the formation of a more homogeneous macrostructure and solid solution strengthening of the alloy-forming phases

Land Use in Relation to Sedimentation in Reservoirs : Trinity River Basin, Texas.

67 p