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Dark states in the light-harvesting complex 2 revealed by two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy
Energy transfer and trapping in the light harvesting antennae of purple photosynthetic bacteria is an ultrafast process, which occurs with a quantum efficiency close to unity. However the mechanisms behind this process have not yet been fully understood. Recently it was proposed that low-lying energy dark states, such as charge transfer states and polaron pairs, play an important role in the dynamics and directionality of energy transfer. However, it is difficult to directly detect those states because of their small transition dipole moment and overlap with the B850/B870 exciton bands. Here we present a new experimental approach, which combines the selectivity of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy with the availability of genetically modified light harvesting complexes, to reveal the presence of those dark states in both the genetically modified and the wild-type light harvesting 2 complexes of Rhodopseudomonas palustris. We suggest that Nature has used the unavoidable charge transfer processes that occur when LH pigments are concentrated to enhance and direct the flow of energy
Quantification of Linear and Nonlinear Cardiorespiratory Interactions under Autonomic Nervous System Blockade
This paper proposes a methodology to extract both linear and nonlinear respiratory influences from the heart rate variability (HRV), by decomposing the HRV into a respiratory and a residual component. This methodology is based on least-squares support vector machines (LS-SVM) formulated for nonlinear function estimation. From this decomposition, a better estimation of the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and the sympathovagal balance (SB) can be achieved. These estimates are first analyzed during autonomic blockade and an orthostatic maneuver, and then compared against the classical HRV and a model that considers only linear interactions. Results are evaluated using surrogate data analysis and they indicate that the classical HRV and the linear model underestimate the cardiorespiratory interactions. Moreover, the linear and nonlinear interactions appear to be mediated by different control mechanisms. These findings will allow to better assess the ANS and to improve the understanding of the interactions within the cardiorespiratory system
Non-Fermi-liquid behavior in Ce(RuFe)Ge: cause and effect
We present inelastic neutron scattering measurements on the intermetallic
compounds Ce(RuFe)Ge (=0.65, 0.76 and 0.87). These
compounds represent samples in a magnetically ordered phase, at a quantum
critical point and in the heavy-fermion phase, respectively. We show that at
high temperatures the three compositions have the identical response of a local
moment system. However, at low temperatures the spin fluctuations in the
critical composition are given by non-Fermi-liquid dynamics, while the spin
fluctuations in the heavy fermion system show a simple exponential decay in
time. In both compositions, the lifetime of the fluctuations is determined
solely by the distance to the quantum critical point. We discuss the
implications of these observations regarding the possible origins of
non-Fermi-liquid behavior in this system.Comment: 4 figures, submitted to PR
A spatially-structured PCG method for content diversity in a Physics-based simulation game
This paper presents a spatially-structured evolutionary algorithm (EA) to procedurally generate game maps of di ferent levels of di ficulty to be solved, in Gravityvolve!, a physics-based simulation videogame that we have implemented and which is inspired by the n-
body problem, a classical problem in the fi eld of physics and mathematics. The proposal consists of a steady-state EA whose population is partitioned into three groups according to the di ficulty of the generated content (hard, medium or easy) which can be easily adapted to handle the automatic creation of content of diverse nature in other games. In addition, we present three fitness functions, based on multiple criteria (i.e:, intersections, gravitational acceleration and simulations), that were used experimentally to conduct the search process for creating a database of
maps with di ferent di ficulty in Gravityvolve!.Universidad de MĂĄlaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional AndalucĂa Tech
Information Seeking Behaviors, Attitudes, and Choices of Academic Physicists
Physicists in academic institutions utilize a variety of resources and strategies to seek, find, and use scholarly information and news. Using a sample of physicists, researchers surveyed 182 students and faculty at seven Canadian university institutions to explore self-perceived success rates, resources consulted, databases used, and use of social media and citation management systems. To complement the survey, 11 follow up interviews/focus groups were completed with participants to further uncover information-seeking behaviors, choices, strategies, and feelings around keeping up to date with information needs. According to survey results, a minority of physicists (15.4%) acknowledged that they were successfully keeping up to date. However, a significant number of physicists (28.6%) indicated that they were unsuccessful and could do better in remaining current with information needs. Co-investigators, using qualitative analyses, identified four emergent themes: (1) There are âtoo many papers â and not enough timeâ to effectively search, evaluate and read scholarly papers of interest; (2) Staying up to date is important especially in competitive research areas; (3) Graduate students seek information differently than faculty and experienced researchers; and (4) The arXiv database is important to many physicists. Additional minor themes included physics-related publishing is constantly evolving; physicists use a variety of information-seeking behaviors; and, information-seeking methods can differ between physics subdisciplines. This study aims to shed light on opportunities for academic librarians to identify and meet physicistsâ evolving information behaviors, attitudes, choices, and needs
Measuring population health from a broader perspective:Assessing the My Quality of Life Questionnaire
Introduction: Population health perspectives increasingly focus on peopleâs perception of resilience, ability to adapt and self-manage. The goal of this study is to determine whether the MijnKwaliteitVanLeven.nl (âMyQualityOfLife.nlâ) survey is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the broader health perspectives at population level.Methods: 19,809 entries of the MyQualityOfLife.nl survey were used. To assess face validity, Huberâs six dimensions of positive health were used as a framework for expert feedback. A confirmative factor analyses was done using the expertâs item clustering, followed by data-driven explorative factor analyses and reliability tests.Results: Experts distributed 74 of the 118 items over all six dimensions of positive health. The confirmatory factor analysis model based on expert classification was not confirmed. The subsequent exploratory factor analysis excluded most items based on factor loading and suggested two factors; âquality of lifeâ and âdaily functioningâ, both showing excellent reliability.Conclusion: The MyQualityOfLife.nl survey can assess the broader concept of health in a population as well as âquality of lifeâ and âdaily functioningâ. However, the survey can currently not evaluate several of the positive health dimensions separately. Further research is needed to determine whether this is due to the instrument or the positive health dimensions
Harvesting the wisdom of the crowd: using online ratings to explore care experiences in regions.
Regional population health management (PHM) initiatives need an understanding of regional patient experiences to improve their services. Websites that gather patient ratings have become common and could be a helpful tool in this effort. Therefore, this study explores whether unsolicited online ratings can provide insight into (differences in) patient's experiences at a (regional) population level
Liquid crystal elastomer coatings with programmed response of surface profile
Stimuli-responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) with a strong coupling of
orientational molecular order and rubber-like elasticity, show a great
potential as working elements in soft robotics, sensing, transport and
propulsion systems. We demonstrate a dynamic thermal control of the surface
topography of LCE coatings achieved through pre-designed patterns of in-plane
molecular orientation. These patterns determine whether the LCE coating
develops elevations, depressions, or in-plane deformations. The deterministic
dependence of the out-of-plane dynamic surface profile on the in-plane
orientational pattern is explained by activation forces. These forces are
caused by two factors: (i) stretching-contraction of the polymer networks
driven by temperature; (ii) spatially varying orientation of the LCE. The
activation force concept brings the responsive LCEs into the domain of active
matter. The demonstrated relationship can be used to design programmable
coatings with functionalities that mimic biological tissues such as skin
Intranasal Dexmedetomidine for Procedural Distress in Children: A Systematic Review.
CONTEXT: Intranasal dexmedetomidine (IND) is an emerging agent for procedural distress in children.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of IND for procedural distress in children.
DATA SOURCES: We performed electronic searches of Medline (1946-2019), Embase (1980-2019), Google Scholar (2019), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (1981-2019), and Cochrane Central Register.
STUDY SELECTION: We included randomized trials of IND for procedures in children.
DATA EXTRACTION: Methodologic quality of evidence was evaluated by using the Cochrane Collaboration\u27s risk of bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system, respectively. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with adequate sedation.
RESULTS: Among 19 trials (
LIMITATIONS: The adequacy of sedation was subjective, which possibly led to biased outcome reporting.
CONCLUSIONS: Given the methodologic limitations of included trials, IND is likely more effective at sedating children compared to oral chloral hydrate and oral midazolam. However, this must be weighed against the potential for adverse cardiovascular effects
Timing measurements with a 3D silicon sensor on Timepix3 in a 180 GeV/<i>c</i> hadron beam
Test beam measurements have been carried out with a 3D sensor on a Timepix3 ASIC and the time measurements are presented. The measurements are compared to those of a thin planar sensor on Timepix3. It is shown that for a perpendicularly incident beam the time resolution of both detectors is dominated by the Timepix3 front-end. The 3D detector is dominated by the time-to-digital conversion whereas the analog front-end jitter also gives a significant contribution for the thin planar detector. The 3D detector reaches an overall time resolution of 567 ± 6 ps compared to 683 ± 8 ps for the thin planar detector. For a grazing angle beam, however, the thin planar detector achieves a better time resolution because it has a lower pixel capacitance, and therefore suffers less from jitter in the analog front-end for the low charge signals that mainly occur in this type of measurement. Finally, it is also shown that the 3D and thin planar detector can achieve time resolutions for large clusters of about 100 ps and 250 ps, respectively, by combining many single hit measurements
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