Event by Event fluctuations and Inclusive Distribution

Event-by-event observables are compared with conventional inclusive measurements. We find that moments of event-by-event fluctuations are closely related to inclusive correlation functions. Implications for upcomming heavy ion experiments are discussed.Comment: Several typos corrected, conclusions unchange

Does User Participation Lead to System Success?

The effect of user participation on successful systems development has been the focus of much attention for information systems researchers for some time. Common understanding has been that extensive user participation is not only important, but absolutely essential to system success. However, earlier studies trying to link user participation to system success have shown mixed results. In this paper, we analyze fourteen more recently published, empirical research studies that investigate the significance of user participation. From our results we conclude that user participation in the systems development process is indeed critical to system success. Common themes are identified

A New Look at the Relationship between User Involvement in Systems Development and System Success

The relationship of user involvement to successful systems development has been the focus of much attention for information systems researchers for some time. Common understanding has been that extensive user involvement is not only important, but absolutely essential to system success. However, earlier studies trying to link user involvement to system success have shown mixed results. In this paper we review 28 empirical research studies that investigate the significance of user involvement. From our results we conclude that user involvement in the systems development process is indeed important to system success. We further identify several key points pertinent to making user involvement effective

Noyal-sur-Vilaine – Le Bois Orcan, une étude pluridisciplinaire

Les fouilles de 1998 au Bois Orcan font partie d’une étude pluridisciplinaire intitulée « les bâtiments domestiques seigneuriaux de Bretagne », commencée au début des années 1980, et qui comporte trois directions principales : l’étude architecturale et archéologique du bâti, l’examen des archives écrites et iconographiques, la datation par la dendrochronologie de bâtiments choisis et des fouilles. Ce projet de recherche est sous la direction du professeur Meirion-Jones (université de Reading)..

Sublattice Magnetization in Several Rare‐Earth and Yttrium Iron Garnets by Means of \u3csup\u3e57\u3c/sup\u3eFe NMR

We have observed the NMR of 57Fe on the a and d sublattices of YIG, GdIG, and LuIG between 4° and 200°K. Using the spin‐echo technique the frequencies could be determined to within a few kHz. For LuIG the determination of the frequency was less accurate due to the presence of the lutetium resonances which overlay the iron resonances. Assuming the frequency is proportional to the sublattice magnetization, the data were fitted to the equation derived from spin‐wave theory. For YIG and LuIG inclusion of the T 7/2 term was necessary to represent the data above 40°K. Using the theory of noninteracting spin waves we have derived expressions for the sublattice magnetizations in terms of the exchange integrals Jaa, Jad, Jdd , and J′ad , where J′ad describes interactions between next‐nearest‐neighboring pairs of spins on the a and d sublattices. Our experimental results indicate that Jaa and Jdd are not negligible. The T3/2 coefficients were found to be about 15% larger for LuIG than for YIG. Our value of the exchange stiffness constant of YIG is 10% larger than those determined calorimetrically and hence agrees with values determined by microwave instability measurements. For LuIG our value of this constant agrees with the specific heat value

Deep images of cluster radio halos

New radio data are presented for the clusters A401, A545, A754, A1914, A2219 and A2390, where the presence of diffuse radio emission was suggested from the images of the NRAO VLA Sky Survey. Sensitive images of these clusters, obtained with the Very Large Array (VLA)at 20 cm confirm the existence of the diffuse sources and allow us to derive their fluxes and intrinsic parameters.The correlation between the halo radio power and cluster X-ray luminosity is derived for a large sample of halo clusters, and is briefly discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figures, Astron. Astrophys. in pres

Measuring Cosmic Elements with Gamma-Ray Telescopes

Gamma-ray telescopes are capable of measuring radioactive trace isotopes from cosmic nucleosynthesis events. Such measurements address new isotope production rather directly for a few key isotopes such as 44Ti, 26Al, 60Fe, and 56Ni, as well as positrons from the beta^+-decay variety. Experiments of the past decades have now established an astronomy with gamma-ray lines, which is an important part of the study of nucleosynthesis environments in cosmic sources. For massive stars and supernovae, important constraints have been set: Co isotope decays in SN1987A directly demonstrated the synthesis of new isotopes in core-collapse supernovae, 44Ti from the 340-year old Cas A supernova supports the concept of alpha-rich freeze-out, but results in interesting puzzles pursued by theoretical studies and future experiments. 26Al and 60Fe has been measured from superimposed nucleosynthesis within our Galaxy, and sets constraints on massive-star interior structure through its intensity ratio of ~15%. The 26Al gamma-ray line is now seen to trace current star formation and even the kinematics of interstellar medium throughout the Galaxy. Positron annihilation emission from nucleosynthesis throughout the plane of our Galaxy appears to be mainly from 26Al and other supernova radioactivity, but the striking brightness of the Galaxy's bulge region in positron annihilation gamma-rays presents a puzzle involving several astrophysics issues beyond nuclear astrophysics. This paper focuses mainly on a discussion of 26Al and 60Fe from massive star nucleosynthesis.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in special PASA issue on the "The Origin of the Elements heavier than Iron" in honor of the 70th birthday of Roberto Gallin

Insights for Care:The Healthcare Utilisation and Cost Impact of Managing Type 2 Diabetes-Associated Microvascular Complications

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the UK imposes a significant burden on the National Health Service (NHS). Despite the availability of effective treatments, the loss of glycaemic control over time results in significant comorbidities, including nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy. The cost of treating these microvascular complications has not been well documented, and this study aimed to provide an accurate assessment of the healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) associated with managing T2DM and its complications. Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilised electronic medical records from patients with T2DM from the Heart of England Foundation Trust (HEFT), which captures data from patients using secondary care services. Patients were diagnosed with microvascular complications based on ICD-10 or OPCS codes. HCRU over a 2-year period was based on NHS Tariffs for healthcare services for inpatient, accident and emergency, and dialysis clinic usage. Results: The study cohort comprised 26,629 patients with T2DM who used HEFT services during the study period, 22.6%, 20.8% and 3.1% of whom had comorbid nephropathy, retinopathy or neuropathy, respectively. While the prevalence of diabetes in the overall HEFT population was reported to be 7% in 2012, diabetes and its associated complications accounted for more than 30% of secondary care costs. Furthermore, while patients with diabetes represent only 17% of HEFT inpatients, they account for more than 20% of service usage. The economic burden of microvascular complications increased substantially with the severity of the condition, with the overall cost exceeding £70 million over the 2-year period. Conclusion: This study of patients with T2DM in a typical secondary care provider in the UK showed that avoiding the progression of microvascular complications could provide substantial cost savings through targeted interventions that improve outcomes and lower resource use. Funding: Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited

The reformatting advantage: photonics vs conventional optics!

In recent decades, spectroscopic capabilities have been significantly enhanced by new technological developments, in particular spatial reformatting. Spatial reformatting allows multiple functionalities: the observation of a larger area of sky, obtaining the spectra of all spatial elements under the same atmospheric conditions; modification of the shape and size of the field of view; focal-ratio conversion for the optimized coupling between the telescope and the spectrograph; increase in the spatial and spectral resolving power; the observation of multiple objects; homogeneity in the illumination; scrambling of spatial and/or phase induced structure with the instrument, thus improving the system stability; relocation of the exit pupil, especially important for telecentric systems. The impact of reformatting and the breadth of science cases is so great that many alternative methods and technologies have been proposed: image slicers using refractive or reflective solutions; optical fibers with different core sizes and geometries; microlenses used in isolation or combined with fibers and more recently, photonic devices such as Photonic lanterns to produce modal decomposition. In this paper, a comparison between all currently available options is presented, with a detailed analysis of their advantages and limitations and a proposal for a new reformatter combining slicers and photonic devices. This proposal presents the advantages of the other alternatives and additionally offers: minimization of focal-ratio degradation; produces image and modal decomposition; improves the throughput along the spectral range, increases the spectral resolving power and adds the functionality of scrambling. All of these advantages are combined in a system where photonic and astronomical instrumentation capabilities are joined in an innovative solution with many applications, like for example, the Extremely Large Telescope