Lobster eye optics for nano-satellite x-ray monitor

The Lobster eye design for a grazing incidence X-ray optics provides wide field of view of the order of many degrees, for this reason it would be a convenient approach for the construction of space X-ray monitors. In this paper, we compare previously reported measurements of prototype lobster eye X-ray optics called P-25 with computer simulations and discuss differences between the theoretical end experimentally obtained results. Usability of this prototype lobster eye and manufacturing technology for the nano-satellite mission is assessed. The specific scientific goals are proposed

Monitoring mixed neutron-proton field near the primary proton and deuteron beams in spallation targets

282-293At the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) we are involved in the Accelerator-Driven-System (ADS) research. We perform experiments with assemblies composed of a spallation target and a subcritical blanket irradiated with high-energy proton or deuteron beams that generate high-energy neutron fields by spallation and fission reactions. In this paper, three uranium assemblies are presented: Energy plus Transmutation (E+T), QUINTA and BURAN. We discuss the results of the E+T and QUINTA irradiations by 1.6 GeV deuterons and 660 MeV protons, respectively. We have focused on the regions close to the primary beam passage through the targets. The field has been measured using activation detectors of 209Bi, 59Co, and natPb. Monte Carlo simulations using MCNPX 2.7.0 have been performed and compared to the experimental results. We discovered that the field intensity near the primary beam is very dependent on the precision of the accelerator beam settings. Therefore, a Monte Carlo-based study of the influence of the uncertainty of primary proton beam parameters on experimental result accuracy of the QUINTA assembly has been carried out. The usage of MCNPX 2.7.0 in the future BURAN irradiations has been assessed.</span

Can management intensity be more important than environmental factors? A case study along an extreme elevation gradient from central Italian cereal fields

This paper aims to assess the importance of environmental and management factors determining the weed species composition along a strong elevation gradient. A total of 76 cereal fields (39 low input and 37 intensively managed) were sampled along an elevation gradient in central Italy. Explanatory variables were recorded for each field to elucidate the role of large-scale spatial trends, of site-specific abiotic environmental conditions and of field management characters. Redundancy analysis was used to assess the relative importance of each environmental variable in explaining the variation in species composition. Our results indicate that variation in weed species composition is strongly determined by altitude, mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature and also by soil characteristics. However, the level of intensification proved to be the most influential variable. There was a significant difference in species richness and composition between low-input and intensively managed fields. Intensification leads to considerable species loss at both lower and higher elevations. Low-input fields had 296 species in total, while intensively managed fields had only 196

Effects of Age and Loading Velocity on the Delamination Strength of the Human Aorta

Delamination strength is the mechanical property which plays a key role in the pathological process referred to as Arterial Dissection. This dissection, known especially for its occurrence in the thoracic aorta, is manifested by a separation of the layers of an artery wall, and may end with total rupture and internal haemorrhaging. Although its incidence is relatively rare, from 3 to 6 cases per 100 000 per year, it is a life-threating disease with a significant lethality [1-3]. The exact conditions under which the dissection is initiated, and as a crack propagates through the arterial wall, remain an open topic in computational as well as experimental mechanics. The aim of our study is to contribute to the deepening of our knowledge of Arterial Dissection, by collecting experimental data which is suitable for the purpose of showing how the delamination strength measured in the peeling experiments depends on age and anatomical location. In addition to the effects of age and location, our study also focuses on the effect of loading rate. The experimental branch of our research is complemented by a computational modelling of the delamination interface, in which we are looking for a numerical characterization of the material parameters describing discontinuity propagation. An XFEM model of the peeling experiment is built in Abaqus, which in our approach plays the role of the regression analysis, incorporating the cohesive zone (CZ) in order to model the delaminating arterial layers. The main objective is to obtain a detailed description of a set of constitutive parameters, which would be age- and location-specific. Our present data suggest that delamination strength strongly depends on age, and furthermore, the anatomical site also seems to be a significant factor. On the other hand, the loading velocity does not cause significant changes in results

The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) Familial Hypercholesterolemia Variant Curation Expert Panel consensus guidelines for LDLR variant classification

PURPOSE: In 2015, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) published consensus standardized guidelines for sequence-level variant classification in Mendelian disorders. To increase accuracy and consistency, the Clinical Genome Resource Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) Variant Curation Expert Panel was tasked with optimizing the existing ACMG/AMP framework for disease-specific classification in FH. In this study, we provide consensus recommendations for the most common FH-associated gene, LDLR, where >2300 unique FH-associated variants have been identified. METHODS: The multidisciplinary FH Variant Curation Expert Panel met in person and through frequent emails and conference calls to develop LDLR-specific modifications of ACMG/AMP guidelines. Through iteration, pilot testing, debate, and commentary, consensus among experts was reached. RESULTS: The consensus LDLR variant modifications to existing ACMG/AMP guidelines include (1) alteration of population frequency thresholds, (2) delineation of loss-of-function variant types, (3) functional study criteria specifications, (4) cosegregation criteria specifications, and (5) specific use and thresholds for in silico prediction tools, among others. CONCLUSION: Establishment of these guidelines as the new standard in the clinical laboratory setting will result in a more evidence-based, harmonized method for LDLR variant classification worldwide, thereby improving the care of patients with FH

Classification of mesic grasslands and their transitions of South Transdanubia (Hungary)

Relevés from meadows and pastures of South Transdanubia (Hungary) are evaluated by clustering and ordination methods. The relevé selection focused on the Arrhenatheretalia order but its transitions towards other types were also included. The groups of relevés are delimited and described according to differential, dominant and constant species. Ecological conditions of the groups were compared using indicator values. Nine groups were distinguished, four of them belonging strictly to the order Arrhenatheretalia. Each alliance of Arrhenatheretalia presented in the study area (Cynosurion, Arrhenatherion) was represented by two groups. Groups from these two alliances are separated along a light gradient, while groups of the same alliance differ in nutrient values. Within Cynosurion, the nutrient-poor group cannot be identified unambiguously as any syntaxa previously known from Hungary. The nutrient-rich Cynosurion meadows are similar to Lolio–Cynosuretum, however, they show a stronger relationship with wet meadows. Within Arrhenatherion, Pastinaco–Arrhenatheretum is recognised as a hay meadow of nutrient-rich soils. The other meadow type is similar to Filipendulo–Arrhenatheretum, thus raising syntaxonomical problems. There are transitional groups towards semi-dry and wet meadows, one dynamic phase and one outlier group among the other five clusters

Generated heat by different targets irradiated by 660 MeV protons

Calorimetric experiments have been performed to analyze different thick targets of natU, C, Pb material, irradiated by 660 MeV protons at the Phasotron accelerator facility, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna, Russia. The method of online temperature measurement has been compared with MCNPX 2.7.0 simulation and selected with Ansys Transient Thermal Simulation to compare measured temperature with the simulated one. Thermocouples type T and E have been used as a temperature probe. Many different positions have been measured for each target. Temperature results are following very well the processes inside of the cylinders. Changes of heat deposition caused by drops of the proton beam intensity are displayed very well as a jagged line shown in almost every chart. Accurate temperature changing measurement is a very modest variation of how to observe inner macroscopic behavior online

Classification of the Mediterranean lowland to submontane pine forest vegetation

Vegetation SurveyAim: Vegetation types of Mediterranean thermophilous pine forests dominated by Pinus brutia, Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster and Pinus pinea were studied in various areas. However, a comprehensive formal vegetation classification of these forests based on a detailed data analysis has never been developed. Our aim is to provide the first broad-scale classification of these pine forests based on a large data set of vegetation plots. Location: Southern Europe, North Africa, Levant, Anatolia, Crimea and the Caucasus. Methods: We prepared a data set of European and Mediterranean pine forest vegetation plots. We selected 7,277 plots dominated by the cold-sensitive Mediterranean pine species Pinus brutia, Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster and Pinus pinea. We classified these plots using TWINSPAN, interpreted the ecologically and biogeographically homogeneous TWINSPAN clusters as alliances, and developed an expert system for automatic vegetation classification at the class, order and alliance levels. Results: We described Pinetea halepensis as a new class for the Mediterranean lowland to submontane pine forests, included in the existing Pinetalia halepensis order, and distinguished 12 alliances of native thermophilous pine forests, including four newly described and three informal groups merging supposedly native stands and old-established plantations. The main gradients in species composition reflect elevational vegetation belts and the west–east, and partly north–south, biogeographical differences. Both temperature and precipitation seasonality co-vary with these gradients. Conclusions: We provide the first formal classification at the order and alliance levels for all the Mediterranean thermophilous pine forests based on vegetation-plot data. This classification includes traditional syntaxa, which have been critically revised, and a new class and four new alliances. We also outline a methodological workflow that might be useful for other vegetation classification syntheses. The expert system, which is jointly based on pine dominance and species composition, is a tool for applying this classification in research and nature conservation survey, monitoring and managementinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio