Comparison of Lightning Activity and Radar-Retrieved Microphysical Properties in EULINOX Storms

A combined analysis of microphysical thunderstorm properties derived by C-band polarimetric Doppler radar measurements and lightning observations from two ground-based systems are presented. Three types of storms, a multicell, a supercell, and a squall line, that were observed during the European Lightning Nitrogen Oxides project (EULINOX) are investigated. Correlations are sought between the mass of rain, graupel, hail, and snow derived form radar observations at different height levels and the electrical activity, represented either by cloud-to-ground or intracloud flashes. These relationships are explained by connecting the radar-derived properties with the non-inductive charging process. For the multicell and the supercell storm, the lightning activity can be linearly correlated to both the hydrometeor total mass and class specific mass in the upper part of the storm. It is shown that the fractions of graupel and hail above the −20 °C-level in these storms positively correlate with the intracloud flash activity in the supercell, and negatively for the cloud-to-ground lightning frequency in the multicell. No such relation can be established for the squall line, indicating that the convective organization plays a crucial role in the lightning development. The analysis of the masses in the different storms shows that lightning activity cannot be parameterized by total mass alone, other parameters have to be identified. The results provide important information for all lightning studies that rely on bulk properties of thunderstorms, e.g., the parameterization of lightning in mesoscale models or the nowcasting of lightning by radar

Display blindness? Looking again at the visibility of situated displays using eye tracking

Observational studies of situated displays have suggested that they are rarely looked at, and when they are it is typically only for a short period of time. Using a mobile eye tracker during a realistic shopping task in a shopping center, we show that people look at displays more than would be predicted from these observational studies, but still only short glances and often from quite far away. We characterize the patterns of eye-movements that precede looking at a display and discuss some of the design implications for the design of situated display technologies that are deployed in public space

Profils et taux de renouvellement en minéraux dans le pré-estomac de dromadaires pâturant en diverses saisons au Kenya

Les volumes et les taux de renouvellement du liquide des pré-estomacs ont été mesurés sur quatre dromadaires adultes fistulés entretenus sur pâturage dans les savanes arbustives à épineux du Kenya. Simultanément, les concentrations en minéraux et leur renouvellement ont été déterminés dans les compartiments C1 (rumen) et C2 (réseau). Les études ont été menées durant la saison humide et durant la saison sèche ; les comportements alimentaires ont été observés pour déterminer les régimes. Les volumes du liquide du pré-estomac n’étaient pas différents d’une saison à l’autre mais les taux de renouvellement du liquide étaient beaucoup plus bas en saison sèche. Les profils de concentration en minéraux Na, K, Ca, Mg et en phosphore inorganique variaient dans la journée selon les différents régimes alimentaires et probablement la production de salive. Le renouvellement journalier des cinq minéraux, dans les pré-estomacs a diminué durant la saison sèche

Targeting ALK in Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung

Background Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements are known oncogenic drivers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Few case reports described the occurrence of such rearrangements in large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs) of the lung without information on clinical responses to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in these cases. Currently, neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs are not screened for ALK rearrangements. Methods To illustrate the clinical impact of molecular characterization in LCNECs, we report the disease course in three patients with ALK-rearranged metastatic LCNEC from our clinical routine, as well as their treatment response to ALK TKIs (index cases). To gain insight into the prevalence of ALK rearrangements in neuroendocrine tumors of the lung, we analyzed a retrospective cohort of 436 tumor biopsies including LCNEC (n = 61), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (n = 206), typical (n = 91) and atypical (n = 69) carcinoids, and mixed histology (n = 9) for the presence of ALK rearrangements using a sequential diagnostic algorithm. ALK immunohistochemistry (IHC) was evaluable in 362 cases; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was evaluable in 28 out of the 35 IHC-positive cases, followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) that was available in 12 cases. Results Within the retrospective cohort, ALK IHC was positive in 35 out of 362 (9.7%) evaluable samples. FISH was positive in 3 out of the 28 (10.7%) evaluable cases: 2 with atypical carcinoids and 1 with LCNEC. Additionally, the 3 index cases showed positive ALK IHC, which was confirmed by NGS. Within the retrospective cohort, NGS confirmed the presence of an ALK genomic rearrangement in one FISH-positive atypical carcinoid where material was sufficient for sequencing. Two out of three patients with metastatic ALK-rearranged LCNEC received up-front treatment with the ALK TKI alectinib and showed rapid tumor response at all metastatic sites, including multiple brain metastases. Conclusions ALK rearrangements represent rare but targetable oncogenic driver alterations in LCNEC. Contrarily to NSCLC, the detection of ALK rearrangements in neuroendocrine tumors of the lung is challenging, since ALK IHC can lead to false-positive results and therefore needs confirmation by FISH or NGS. Up-front comprehensive molecular profiling with NGS should be performed in metastatic LCNEC in order not to miss actionable genomic alterations

Targeting ALK in Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung.

Background Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements are known oncogenic drivers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Few case reports described the occurrence of such rearrangements in large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs) of the lung without information on clinical responses to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in these cases. Currently, neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs are not screened for ALK rearrangements. Methods To illustrate the clinical impact of molecular characterization in LCNECs, we report the disease course in three patients with ALK-rearranged metastatic LCNEC from our clinical routine, as well as their treatment response to ALK TKIs (index cases). To gain insight into the prevalence of ALK rearrangements in neuroendocrine tumors of the lung, we analyzed a retrospective cohort of 436 tumor biopsies including LCNEC (n = 61), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (n = 206), typical (n = 91) and atypical (n = 69) carcinoids, and mixed histology (n = 9) for the presence of ALK rearrangements using a sequential diagnostic algorithm. ALK immunohistochemistry (IHC) was evaluable in 362 cases; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was evaluable in 28 out of the 35 IHC-positive cases, followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) that was available in 12 cases. Results Within the retrospective cohort, ALK IHC was positive in 35 out of 362 (9.7%) evaluable samples. FISH was positive in 3 out of the 28 (10.7%) evaluable cases: 2 with atypical carcinoids and 1 with LCNEC. Additionally, the 3 index cases showed positive ALK IHC, which was confirmed by NGS. Within the retrospective cohort, NGS confirmed the presence of an ALK genomic rearrangement in one FISH-positive atypical carcinoid where material was sufficient for sequencing. Two out of three patients with metastatic ALK-rearranged LCNEC received up-front treatment with the ALK TKI alectinib and showed rapid tumor response at all metastatic sites, including multiple brain metastases. Conclusions ALK rearrangements represent rare but targetable oncogenic driver alterations in LCNEC. Contrarily to NSCLC, the detection of ALK rearrangements in neuroendocrine tumors of the lung is challenging, since ALK IHC can lead to false-positive results and therefore needs confirmation by FISH or NGS. Up-front comprehensive molecular profiling with NGS should be performed in metastatic LCNEC in order not to miss actionable genomic alterations

Chaos in Axially Symmetric Potentials with Octupole Deformation

Classical and quantum mechanical results are reported for the single particle motion in a harmonic oscillator potential which is characterized by a quadrupole deformation and an additional octupole deformation. The chaotic character of the motion is srongly dependent on the quadrupole deformation in that for a prolate deformation virtually no chaos is discernible while for the oblate case the motion shows strong chaos when the octupole term is turned on.Comment: 6 pages LaTex plus 4 figures available by contacting the authors directly, published in PHYS.REV.LETT. 72(1994) 235

Изучение структуры цинктитановых боросиликатных стекол по данным рассеяния рентгеновских лучей под малыми углами

В статті вивчено мікронеоднорідну будову цинктитанових боросилікатних стекол та процесів фазового розділу в них за даним розсіяння нейтронів під малими кутами. Зроблено висновок про характер розподілення часток, що виділяються за розмірами, які змінюються в дослідних стеклах в залежності від вмісту в них TiO₂ та ZnO. Встановлено вплив наявності мікронеоднорідностей після варки на характер їх фазовогорозподілення.In paper the micronon-uniform structure zinc-titanium borosilicate glass and processes of phase separation in them according to diffusing under vanishing angles of neutrons is investigated. It is drawn a In paper the micronon-uniform structure zinc-titanium borosilicate glass and processes of phase separation in them according to diffusing under vanishing angles of neutrons is investigated. It is drawn a leading-out on distribution of depositing corpuscles character on sizes which changes in studied glasses depending on the contents in them TiO₂ and ZnO. Effect of presence micro micronon-uniforms after melting on character of their phase separationis established

Microscopic Structure of High-Spin Vibrational Excitations in Superdeformed 190,192,194Hg

Microscopic RPA calculations based on the cranked shell model are performed to investigate the quadrupole and octupole correlations for excited superdeformed bands in 190Hg, 192Hg, and 194Hg. The K=2 octupole vibrations are predicted to be the lowest excitation modes at zero rotational frequency. At finite frequency, however, the interplay between rotation and vibrations produces different effects depending on neutron number: The lowest octupole phonon is rotationally aligned in 190Hg, is crossed by the aligned two-quasiparticle bands in 192Hg, and retains the K=2 octupole vibrational character up to the highest frequency in 194Hg. The gamma vibrations are predicted to be higher in energy and less collective than the octupole vibrations. From a comparison with the experimental dynamic moments of inertia, a new interpretation of the observed excited bands invoking the K=2 octupole vibrations is proposed, which suggests those octupole vibrations may be prevalent in SD Hg nuclei.Comment: 22 pages, REVTeX, 12 postscript figures are available on reques