Integral transformation solution of free-space cylindrical vector beams and prediction of modified-Bessel-Gaussian vector beams

A unified description of the free-space cylindrical vector beams is presented, which is an integral transformation solution to the vector Helmholtz equation and the transversality condition. The amplitude 2-form of the angular spectrum involved in this solution can be arbitrarily chosen. When one of the two elements is zero, we arrive at either transverse-electric or transverse-magnetic beam mode. In the paraxial condition, this solution not only includes the known $J_1$ Bessel-Gaussian vector beam and the axisymmetric Laguerre-Gaussian vector beam that were obtained by solving the paraxial wave equations, but also predicts two new kinds of vector beam, called the modified-Bessel-Gaussian vector beam.Comment: 8 pages and 1 figur

Towards sarcosine determination in urine for prostatic carcinoma detection

Sarcosine, a potential biomarker for prostate cancer, can be detected in a solid state enzyme based biosensor using sarcosine oxidase, with particle immobilised reagents. A novel fusion protein of the fluorescent protein, mCherry, sarcosine oxidase (SOx), and the polypeptide R5 (R52-mCherry-SOx-R5-6H), was explored, which allowed self-immobilization on silica microparticles and long-term (90 days +) retention of activity, even at room temperature. In contrast, commercial wildtype SOx lost activity in a few days. A silica-R52-mCherry-SOx-R5-6H microparticle sensor for determination of sarcosine in urine, linked the SOx coproduct, H2O2, to a measurement catalysed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilised on silica, in the presence of Amplex Ultrared (AR) to generate fluorescence at 582 nm. Silica microparticles carrying all the reagents (R52-mCherry-SOx-R5-6H, HRP and AR) were used to produce a silica-microparticle biosensor which responded to sarcosine at micromolar levels. Interference by amino acids and uric acid was examined and it was found that the silica-reagent carrying system could be calibrated in urine and responded across the clinically relevant concentration range. This contrasted with similar assays using commercial SOx, where interference inhibited the sarcosine signal measurement in urine. The microparticle biosensor was tested in urine from healthy volunteers and prostate cancer patients, showing higher concentrations of sarcosine in cancer patients consistent with previous reports of elevated sarcosine levels.BBSRC/EPSRC funded Grant No. BB/L014130/1 Gates Cambridge Trust Generalitat Valenciana and European commission for its postdoctoral grant (APOSTD/113/2016) Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO 2016/109

Modeled climate change effects on distributions of Canadian butterfly species

Abstract: Climate change effects on biodiversity are being documented now frequently in the form of changes in phenology and distributional shifts. However, the form that these effects will take over a longer timespan is unclear; for this understanding, a quantitative, validated, predictive approach is key. Here, we use ecological niche modeling and general circulation model outputs to estimate future potential geographic distributions of 111 Canadian butterfly species. We develop future estimates under two emission scenarios from each of two climate change modeling centers; future projections for biodiversity are not only scenario dependent (more severe emission scenarios produce more severe effects on species’ distributions) but also model dependent (the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis results were more severe than the Hadley Centre results). One interesting feature is the appearance of disjunctions in species’ distributions, hence creating “vicariant events” over very short time periods. In general, however, a cost of 1%–3% additional loss of species’ distributions is associated with more severe scenarios of emissions and climate change, suggesting that subtle biodiversity consequences are associated with the different climate futures debated in political circles. Résumé : La littérature scientifique courante traite fréquemment des effets des changements climatiques sur la biodiversité, particulièrement en ce qui a trait aux changements phénologiques et aux modifications des répartitions géographiques. Cependant, la forme que prendront ces effets sur une échelle temporelle plus longue reste à préciser, car pour ce faire il est nécessaire d’avoir recours à une approche quantitative, validée et prédictive. Les résultats d’une modélisation de la niche écologique et de modèles de circulation générale nous ont servi à estimer la répartition géographique potentielle future de 111 espèces de papillons canadiens. Nous avons basé nos prédictions sur deux scénarios d’émissions provenant de deux centres de modélisation du climat; ces prédictions de la biodiversité dépendent non seulement du scénario choisi (les scénarios d’émissions plus importantes produisent des effets plus marqués sur la répartition des espèces), mais aussi du modèle retenu (les résultats du Centre canadien pour la modélisation et l’analyse du climatique sont plus rigoureux que ceux du Centre Hadley). Une caractéristique intéressante est l’apparition de fragmentations dans la répartition des espèces, ce qui crée des « événements de vicariance » sur de très courtes périodes. En général, cependant, un coût de 1 % – 3 % en perte additionnelle dans les répartitions accompagne les scénarios les plus rigoureux de changement climatique, ce qui indique que les conséquences sur la biodiversité des divers scénarios climatiques futurs discutés dans les milieux politiques sont assez subtiles. [Traduit par la Rédaction

Family Involvement in Management and Product Innovation: The Mediating Role of R&D Strategies

Following calls to capture family firms’ innovative behavior and to specifically clarify how family firms manage product innovations to achieve sustainable economic development, this study empirically investigates the mediating role of Research & Development (R&D) strategies (i.e., intramural R&D investments, extramural R&D investments, and the combination of both intramural and extramural R&D investments) in the relationship between family involvement in the management and likelihood of obtaining product innovations. Carrying out a panel data analysis that is based on 7264 observations of Spanish manufacturing firms throughout the 2000–2015 period, our results suggest a negative effect of the level of family management on the likelihood of introducing product innovations. Moreover, we found that intramural R&D investments and the investment strategy consisting of both intramural and extramural R&D mediated the family involvement in management-likelihood of obtaining product innovations relationship. Our findings contribute important insights to the comprehension of which determinants instigate product innovation in family managed firms

Basal Chromospheric Flux and Maunder Minimum-type Stars: The quiet-Sun Chromosphere as a Universal Phenomenon

Aims: We demonstrate the universal character of the quiet-Sun chromosphere among inactive stars (solar-type and giants). By assessing the main physical processes, we shed new light on some common observational phenomena. Methods: We discuss measurements of the solar Mt. Wilson S-index, obtained by the Hamburg Robotic Telescope around the extreme minimum year 2009, and compare the established chromospheric basal Ca II K line flux to the Mt. Wilson S-index data of inactive ("flat activity") stars, including giants. Results: During the unusually deep and extended activity minimum of 2009, the Sun reached S-index values considerably lower than in any of its previously observed minima. In several brief periods, the Sun coincided exactly with the S-indices of inactive ("flat", presumed Maunder Minimum-type) solar analogues of the Mt. Wilson sample; at the same time, the solar visible surface was also free of any plages or remaining weak activity regions. The corresponding minimum Ca II K flux of the quiet Sun and of the presumed Maunder Minimum-type stars in the Mt. Wilson sample are found to be identical to the corresponding Ca II K chromospheric basal flux limit. Conclusions: We conclude that the quiet-Sun chromosphere is a universal phenomenon among inactive stars. Its mixed-polarity magnetic field, generated by a local, "fast" turbulent dynamo finally provides a natural explanation for the minimal soft X-ray emission observed for inactive stars. Given such a local dynamo also works for giant chromospheres, albeit on larger length scales, i.e., l ~ R/g, with R and g as stellar radius and surface gravity, respectively, the existence of giant spicular phenomena and the guidance of mechanical energy toward the acceleration zone of cool stellar winds along flux-tubes have now become traceable.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures; Astronomy & Astrophysics (Research Note), in pres

Fate of Irgarol 1051, diuron and their main metabolites in two UK marine systems after restrictions in antifouling paints

Two major antifouling biocides used worldwide, Irgarol 1051 and diuron, and their degradation products in Shoreham Harbour and Brighton Marina, UK were studied during 2003-2004. The highest concentrations of Irgarol 1051 were 136 and 102 ng L(-1) in water and 40 and 49 ng g(-1) dry weight in sediments for Shoreham Harbour and Brighton Marina, respectively. As the degradation product of Irgarol 1051, M1 was also widespread, with the highest concentration of 59 ng L(-1) in water and 23 ng g(-1) in sediments in Shoreham Harbour, and 37 ng L(-1) in water and 5.6 ng g(-1) in sediments in Brighton Marina. The target compounds showed enhanced concentrations during the boating season (May-July), when boats were being re-painted (January-February), and where the density of pleasure crafts was high. Overall, the concentration of Irgarol 1051 decreased significantly from late 2000 to early 2004, indicating the effectiveness of controlling its concentrations in the marine environment following restricted use. Diuron was only detected in 14% of water samples, and mostly absent from sediment samples

Chromospheric activity and rotation of FGK stars in the solar vicinity. An estimation of the radial velocity jitter

Context: Chromospheric activity produces both photometric and spectroscopic variations that can be mistaken as planets. Large spots crossing the stellar disc can produce planet-like periodic variations in the light curve of a star. These spots clearly affect the spectral line profiles and their perturbations alter the line centroids creating a radial velocity jitter that might contaminate" the variations induced by a planet. Precise chromospheric activity measurements are needed to estimate the activity-induced noise that should be expected for a given star. Aims: We obtain precise chromospheric activity measurements and projected rotational velocities for nearby (d < 25 pc) cool (spectral types F to K) stars, to estimate their expected activity-related jitter. As a complementary objective, we attempt to obtain relationships between fluxes in different activity indicator lines, that permit a transformation of traditional activity indicators, i.e, CaII H & K lines, to others that hold noteworthy advantages. Methods: We used high resolution (~50000) echelle optical spectra. To determine the chromospheric emission of the stars in the sample, we used the spectral subtraction technique. Rotational velocities were determined using the cross-correlation technique. To infer activity-related radial velocity (RV) jitter, we used empirical relationships between this jitter and the R'_HK index. Results: We measured chromospheric activity, as given by different indicators throughout the optical spectra, and projected rotational velocities for 371 nearby cool stars. We have built empirical relationships among the most important chromospheric emission lines. Finally, we used the measured chromospheric activity to estimate the expected RV jitter for the active stars in the sample.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Equation of state and transport processes in self--similar spheres

We study the effect of transport processes (diffusion and free--streaming) on a collapsing spherically symmetric distribution of matter in a self--similar space--time. A very simple solution shows interesting features when it is matched with the Vaidya exterior solution. In the mixed case (diffusion and free--streaming), we find a barotropic equation of state in the stationary regime. In the diffusion approximation the gravitational potential at the surface is always constant; if we perturb the stationary state, the system is very stable, recovering the barotropic equation of state as time progresses. In the free--streaming case the self--similar evolution is stationary but with a non--barotropic equation of state.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure

Global environmental changes: setting priorities for Latin American coastal habitats.

The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.comThe Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) reports that Global Environmental Changes (GEC) are occurring quicker than at any other time over the last 25 million years and impacting upon marine environments (Bellard et al., 2012). There is overwhelming evidence showing that GEC are affecting both the quality and quantity of the goods and services provided by a wide range of marine ecosystems. In order to discuss regional preparedness for global environmental changes, a workshop was held in Ilhabela, Brazil (22- 26 April 2012) entitled "Evaluating the Sensitivity of Central and South American Benthic Communities to Global Environmental Changes" that drew together scientists from ten Latin American and three European countries. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd