3,405 research outputs found
Extremely asymmetrical scattering in gratings with varying mean structural parameters
Extremely asymmetrical scattering (EAS) is an unusual type of Bragg
scattering in slanted periodic gratings with the scattered wave (the +1
diffracted order) propagating parallel to the grating boundaries. Here, a
unique and strong sensitivity of EAS to small stepwise variations of mean
structural parameters at the grating boundaries is predicted theoretically (by
means of approximate and rigorous analyses) for bulk TE electromagnetic waves
and slab optical modes of arbitrary polarization in holographic (for bulk
waves) and corrugation (for slab modes) gratings. The predicted effects are
explained using one of the main physical reasons for EAS--the diffractional
divergence of the scattered wave (similar to divergence of a laser beam). The
approximate method of analysis is based on this understanding of the role of
the divergence of the scattered wave, while the rigorous analysis uses the
enhanced T-matrix algorithm. The effect of small and large stepwise variations
of the mean permittivity at the grating boundaries is analysed. Two distinctly
different and unusual patterns of EAS are predicted in the cases of wide and
narrow (compared to a critical width) gratings. Comparison between the
approximate and rigorous theories is carried out.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure
Mapping the Nephron Exercise Incorporates Multiple Learning Strategies
Introduction:
Understanding the location and action of nephron transporters and channels is important to the understanding of renal function. As each region of the nephron is unique in its inclusion of specific transporters and channels, mapping of the nephron is an effective first step in understanding overall nephron processing. We describe a small-group, active-learning exercise that facilitates students' ability to understand renal processing within each region of the nephron.
Methods:
Following an overview lecture on renal transporters and channels, small groups of students worked cooperatively to map the nephron. This 2-hour, collaborative exercise was developed to reinforce key concepts in renal processing of ions and nutrients and, at the same time, utilize effective learning strategies. Learning strategies incorporated in this exercise include small-group collaboration, peer teaching, retrieval practice using an audience response system, and elaboration through discussion.
Results:
Written examination was used to assess student understanding. Students demonstrated higher performance on a subset of questions related to this learning activity compared to the overall exam. Highly positive feedback was provided by a convenience sample of students completing an anonymous survey.
Discussion:
This nephron-mapping exercise was an effective means to promote synthesis and analysis of lecture content and engage students in methods that enhance learning
Apparent Complete Response of a Treatment Refractory and Recurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma Lesion to Photochemical Internalization: A Clinical Case Study
Photochemical internalisation (PCI) depends on the delivery of subâlethal photodynamic reaction to facilitate the work of a chemotherapeutic agent. We discuss our experience in managing a patient with extensive squamous cell carcinoma of the right face and scalp under the TPCS2aâbased bleomycin PCI treatment protocol. In this case, an 84âyearâold Caucasian received 0.25mg/kg of TPCS2a (AmphinexÂŽ). Surface illumination photochemical internalisation was carried out after 4 days, which was preceded by the chemotherapeutic agent infusion (Bleomycin). After one week from the illumination time, tissue necrosis was evident and tumour shrinkage was most noticeable at day 14 postâillumination. Followâup at 6 weeks continued to show tissue healing and regeneration with no clinical evidence of recurrence. Multiple surgical biopsies were taken at 1 and 3 months postâillumination and found to be tumour free. PCIâs depth of effect has been very significant with negligible damage to the collateral tissues. This technology has a role in interventional oncology especially when managing challenging cases
The AMSC mobile satellite system
The American Mobile Satellite Consortium (AMSC) Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) system is described. AMSC will use three multi-beam satellites to provide L-band MSS coverage to the United States, Canada and Mexico. The AMSC MSS system will have several noteworthy features, including a priority assignment processor that will ensure preemptive access to emergency services, a flexible SCPC channel scheme that will support a wide diversity of services, enlarged system capacity through frequency and orbit reuse, and high effective satellite transmitted power. Each AMSC satellite will make use of 14 MHz (bi-directional) of L-band spectrum. The Ku-band will be used for feeder links
Mobile satellite service in the United States
Mobile satellite service (MSS) has been under development in the United States for more than two decades. The service will soon be provided on a commercial basis by a consortium of eight U.S. companies called the American Mobile Satellite Consortium (AMSC). AMSC will build a three-satellite MSS system that will offer superior performance, reliability and cost effectiveness for organizations requiring mobile communications across the U.S. The development and operation of MSS in North America is being coordinated with Telesat Canada and Mexico. AMSC expects NASA to provide launch services in exchange for capacity on the first AMSC satellite for MSAT-X activities and for government demonstrations
Dietary iron and the elite dancer
Dancers are an athlete population at high risk of developing iron deficiency (ID). The aesthetic nature of the discipline means dancers potentially utilise dietary restriction to meet physique goals. In combination with high training demands, this means dancers are susceptible to problems related to low energy availability (LEA), which impacts nutrient intake. In the presence of LEA, ID is common because of a reduced mineral content within the low energy diet. Left untreated, ID becomes an issue that results in fatigue, reduced aerobic work capacity, and ultimately, iron deficient anaemia (IDA). Such progression can be detrimental to a dancerâs capacity given the physically demanding nature of training, rehearsal, and performances. Previous literature has focused on the manifestation and treatment of ID primarily in the context of endurance athletes; however, a dance-specific context addressing the interplay between dance training and performance, LEA and ID is essential for practitioners working in this space. By consolidating findings from identified studies of dancers and other relevant athlete groups, this review explores causal factors of ID and potential treatment strategies for dancers to optimise absorption from an oral iron supplementation regime to adequately support health and performance
Dietary iron and the elite dancer
Dancers are an athlete population at high risk of developing iron deficiency (ID). The aesthetic nature of the discipline means dancers potentially utilise dietary restriction to meet physique goals. In combination with high training demands, this means dancers are susceptible to problems related to low energy availability (LEA), which impacts nutrient intake. In the presence of LEA, ID is common because of a reduced mineral content within the low energy diet. Left untreated, ID becomes an issue that results in fatigue, reduced aerobic work capacity, and ultimately, iron deficient anaemia (IDA). Such progression can be detrimental to a dancerâs capacity given the physically demanding nature of training, rehearsal, and performances. Previous literature has focused on the manifestation and treatment of ID primarily in the context of endurance athletes; however, a dance-specific context addressing the interplay between dance training and performance, LEA and ID is essential for practitioners working in this space. By consolidating findings from identified studies of dancers and other relevant athlete groups, this review explores causal factors of ID and potential treatment strategies for dancers to optimise absorption from an oral iron supplementation regime to adequately support health and performance
Validation study of risk prediction models for female relatives of Australian women with breast cancer
'Mindless markers of the nation': The routine flagging of nationhood across the visual environment
The visual environment has increasingly been used as a lens with which to understand wider processes of social and economic change with studies employing in-depth qualitative approaches to focus on, for example, gentrification or trans-national networks. This exploratory paper offers an alternative perspective by using a novel method, quantitative photo mapping, to examine the extent to which a particular socio-cultural marker, the nation, is âflaggedâ across three contrasting sites in Britain. As a multi-national state with an increasingly diverse population, Britain offers a particularly fruitful case study, drawing in debates around devolution, European integration and Commonwealth migration. In contributing to wider debates around banal nationalism, the paper notes the extent to which nations are increasingly articulated through commerce, consumption and market exchange and the overall significance of everyday markers (signs, objects, infrastructure) in naturalising a national view of the world
Chimpanzees demonstrate individual differences in social information use
Studies of transmission biases in social learning have greatly informed our understanding of how behaviour patterns may diffuse through animal populations, yet within-species inter-individual variation in social information use has received little attention and remains poorly understood. We have addressed this question by examining individual performances across multiple experiments with the same population of primates. We compiled a dataset spanning 16 social learning studies (26 experimental conditions) carried out at the same study site over a 12-year period, incorporating a total of 167 chimpanzees. We applied a binary scoring system to code each participantâs performance in each study according to whether they demonstrated evidence of using social information from conspecifics to solve the experimental task or not (Social Information ScoreââSISâ). Bayesian binomial mixed effects models were then used to estimate the extent to which individual differences influenced SIS, together with any effects of sex, rearing history, age, prior involvement in research and task type on SIS. An estimate of repeatability found that approximately half of the variance in SIS was accounted for by individual identity, indicating that individual differences play a critical role in the social learning behaviour of chimpanzees. According to the model that best fit the data, females were, depending on their rearing history, 15â24% more likely to use social information to solve experimental tasks than males. However, there was no strong evidence of an effect of age or research experience, and pedigree records indicated that SIS was not a strongly heritable trait. Our study offers a novel, transferable method for the study of individual differences in social learning
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