329 research outputs found
Factorizations of Elements in Noncommutative Rings: A Survey
We survey results on factorizations of non zero-divisors into atoms
(irreducible elements) in noncommutative rings. The point of view in this
survey is motivated by the commutative theory of non-unique factorizations.
Topics covered include unique factorization up to order and similarity, 2-firs,
and modular LCM domains, as well as UFRs and UFDs in the sense of Chatters and
Jordan and generalizations thereof. We recall arithmetical invariants for the
study of non-unique factorizations, and give transfer results for arithmetical
invariants in matrix rings, rings of triangular matrices, and classical maximal
orders as well as classical hereditary orders in central simple algebras over
global fields.Comment: 50 pages, comments welcom
The First Comprehensive Photometric Study of the Algol-type System CL Aurigae
We present the first extensive photometric results of CL Aur from our BVRI
CCD photometry made on 22 nights from 2003 November through 2005 February.
Fifteen new timings of minimum light were obtained. During the past 104 years,
the orbital period has varied due to a periodic oscillation superposed on a
continuous period increase. The period and semi-amplitude of the oscillation
are about 21.6 yrs and 0.0133 d, respectively. This detail is interpreted as a
light-travel-time effect due to a low-luminosity K-type star gravitationally
bound to the CL Aur close system. Our photometric study indicates that CL Aur
is a relatively short-period Algol-type binary with values of q=0.602 and
i=88.2. Mass transfer from the secondary to the primary eclipsing
component is at least partly responsible for the observed secular period change
with a rate of dP/dt = +1.4 d yr. A cool spot model has
been calculated but we think that an alternative hot-spot model resulting from
a gas stream impact on the hot star is more reasonable despite two difficulties
with the explanation. Absolute dimensions of the eclipsing system are deduced
and its present state is compared with tracks for single star and conservative
close binary evolution. Finally, we examine the possible reconciliation of two
different calculations of the luminosity of the hot spot and a
re-interpretation of the secular term of the period variability.Comment: 26 pages, including 5 figures and 9 tables, accepted for publication
in A
Evaluation of the efficiency of vending business and the perspectives of its development in the territory of Tomsk
This article assesses the effectiveness of conducting a vending business in the territory of Tomsk and develops a business plan for creating a network of vending machines for hot drinks. During the study, the authors conducted a sociological survey, the purpose of which was to identify the gastronomic preferences of potential buyers and to determine the presence or absence of demand in the market of vending trade. Also, the advantages and disadvantages of this market niche, possible problems and prospects for its development are considered
The secret world of shrimps: polarisation vision at its best
Animal vision spans a great range of complexity, with systems evolving to
detect variations in optical intensity, distribution, colour, and polarisation.
Polarisation vision systems studied to date detect one to four channels of
linear polarisation, combining them in opponent pairs to provide
intensity-independent operation. Circular polarisation vision has never been
seen, and is widely believed to play no part in animal vision. Polarisation is
fully measured via Stokes' parameters--obtained by combined linear and circular
polarisation measurements. Optimal polarisation vision is the ability to see
Stokes' parameters: here we show that the crustacean \emph{Gonodactylus
smithii} measures the exact components required. This vision provides optimal
contrast-enhancement, and precise determination of polarisation with no
confusion-states or neutral-points--significant advantages. We emphasise that
linear and circular polarisation vision are not different modalities--both are
necessary for optimal polarisation vision, regardless of the presence of
strongly linear or circularly polarised features in the animal's environment.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, 2 table
On the Series of +CG Lightning Strokes in Dancing Sprite Events
In dancing sprite events, sprite entities and groups appear in rapid succession together with a corresponding series of parent lightning strokes. Dancing sprite events, including a case with possible sprite rebrightening, were recorded on video simultaneously from two observation sites above a mesoscale convective system in Central Europe on the night of 6 August 2013. Joint analysis of triangulated locations of sprite elements, position, type, and peak current of lightning strokes from the LINET lightning detection network database and current moment waveforms deduced at the Hylaty station, Poland, showed that subsequent sprite‐parent lightning strokes occurred no further than 21 km from the closest preceding sprite entity in the cases analyzed in this study. Additionally, it was found that longer sprite delay times tend to correspond to larger sprite location offsets from the parent +CG stroke. These observations, the occurrence of +CG lightning stroke and sprite sequences, as well as sprite‐sprite delay times and displacements can be explained if +CG strokes are part of one extended lightning flash. A corresponding production mechanism based on previous findings on the formation of sprite‐producing and general +CG lightning discharges is suggested
Testing SNe Ia distance measurement methods with SN 2011fe
The nearby, bright, almost completely unreddened Type Ia supernova 2011fe in
M101 provides a unique opportunity to test both the precision and the accuracy
of the extragalactic distances derived from SNe Ia light curve fitters. We
apply the current, public versions of the independent light curve fitting codes
MLCS2k2 and SALT2 to compute the distance modulus of SN 2011fe from
high-precision, multi-color (BVRI) light curves. The results from the two
fitting codes confirm that 2011fe is a "normal" (not peculiar) and only
slightly reddened SN Ia. New unreddened distance moduli are derived as 29.21
+/- 0.07 mag (D ~ 6.95 +/- 0.23$ Mpc, MLCS2k2), and 29.05 +/- 0.07 mag (6.46
+/- 0.21 Mpc, SALT2). Despite the very good fitting quality achieved with both
light curve fitters, the resulting distance moduli are inconsistent by 2 sigma.
Both are marginally consistent (at ~1 sigma) with the HST Key Project distance
modulus for M101. The SALT2 distance is in good agreement with the recently
revised Cepheid- and TRGB-distance to M101. Averaging all SN- and Cepheid-based
estimates, the absolute distance to M101 is ~6.6 +/- 0.5 Mpc.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in A&
Impact of month of birth on the development of autoimmune thyroid disease in the United Kingdom and Europe
CONTEXT:
Viral/bacterial infection is proposed as a trigger for the autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD): Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Previous studies in European Caucasian AITD subjects found higher birth rates in the autumn/winter, suggesting those born in the autumn/winter experience increased viral/bacterial exposure after birth, impacting upon immune system development and predisposing to AITD later in life.
OBJECTIVE:
Month of birth effects were investigated in three independent European Caucasian AITD datasets.
DESIGN:
Variation in GD and HT onset was compared across months and seasons, with fluctuations across all 12 months analyzed using a Walter-Elwood test.
SETTING:
The study was conducted at a research laboratory.
PATIENTS:
National UK Caucasian AITD Case Control Collection (2746 GD and 502 HT compared with 1 423 716 UK births), National UK Caucasian GD Family Collection (239 GD and 227 unaffected siblings), and OXAGEN AITD Caucasian Family Collection (885 GD, 717 HT, and 794 unaffected siblings of European Caucasian decent).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Case-control and family-based association studies were measured.
RESULTS:
No consistent month of birth effects were detected in GD females or males across all three collections. In HT females from the OXAGEN AITD Caucasian Family Collection, slightly higher birth rates were detected in autumn (Walter's test statistic = 7.47, P = .024) however, this was not seen in the HT females from the case-control cohort.
CONCLUSION:
Our results suggest in UK/Northern European Caucasian GD subjects, month of birth does not impact on AITD development. Although some month of birth effects for HT females in one collection cannot be excluded, only further work in larger European Caucasian AITD collections can confirm these effects
Recommended from our members
LEADER 2: baseline calcitonin in 9340 people with type 2 diabetes enrolled in the Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes: Evaluation of cardiovascular outcome Results (LEADER) trial: preliminary observations
Aims To report preliminary data on baseline serum calcitonin concentrations and associated clinical characteristics in a global population with type 2 diabetes before liraglutide or placebo randomization. Methods: The ongoing LEADER trial has enrolled 9340 people with type 2 diabetes and at high risk of cardiovascular disease at 410 centres worldwide. People with baseline serum calcitonin ≤50 ng/l were randomized to liraglutide once daily or placebo and will be followed for up to 5 years. Serum calcitonin was measured at baseline and will be measured annually thereafter. An independent committee of thyroid experts will oversee calcitonin monitoring throughout the trial and will review all calcitonin concentrations ≥20 ng/l. Results: The mean age of participants was 64.3 ± 7.2 years, 64.3% were men, and mean the body mass index was 32.5 ± 6.3 kg/m2. The median (interquartile range) baseline serum calcitonin values were 3.9 (1.0 to >7.6) ng/l in men and 1.0 (1.0 to >1) ng/l in women. Serum calcitonin was >10 ng/l in 14.6% of men and in 0.96% of women. In sex-specific multivariable linear analysis of covariance models, a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was associated with higher serum calcitonin concentrations that were statistically significant. A 20 ml/min/1.73 m2 decrease in estimated GFR (eGFR) was associated with a 14% increase in serum calcitonin in women and an 11% increase in men. Conclusions: In the LEADER population, the prevalence of elevated serum calcitonin concentrations at baseline was high, and there was an inverse association between eGFR and serum calcitonin concentrations
- …