2,847 research outputs found
A systematic review of associations between environmental exposures and development of asthma in children aged up to 9 years
Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
On the Correlated X-ray and Optical Evolution of SS Cygni
We have analyzed the variability and spectral evolution of the prototype
dwarf nova system SS Cygni using RXTE data and AAVSO observations. A series of
pointed RXTE/PCA observations allow us to trace the evolution of the X-ray
spectrum of SS Cygni in unprecedented detail, while 6 years of optical AAVSO
and RXTE/ASM light curves show long-term patterns. Employing a technique in
which we stack the X-ray flux over multiple outbursts, phased according to the
optical light curve, we investigate the outburst morphology. We find that the
3-12 keV X-ray flux is suppressed during optical outbursts, a behavior seen
previously, but only in a handful of cycles. The several outbursts of SS Cygni
observed with the more sensitive RXTE/PCA also show a depression of the X-rays
during optical outburst. We quantify the time lags between the optical and
X-ray outbursts, and the timescales of the X-ray recovery from outburst. The
optical light curve of SS Cygni exhibits brief anomalous outbursts. During
these events the hard X-rays and optical flux increase together. The long-term
data suggest that the X-rays decline between outburst. Our results are in
general agreement with modified disk instability models (DIM), which invoke a
two-component accretion flow consisting of a cool optically thick accretion
disk truncated at an inner radius, and a quasi-spherical hot corona-like flow
extending to the surface of the white dwarf. We discuss our results in the
framework of one such model, involving the evaporation of the inner part of the
optically thick accretion disk, proposed by Meyer & Meyer-Hofmeister (1994).Comment: 24 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in Ap
Patients' and health professionals' understanding of and preferences for graphical presentation styles for individual-level EORTC QLQ-C30 scores
Purpose To investigate patients’ and health professionals’ understanding of and preferences for different graphical presentation styles for individual-level EORTC QLQC30 scores.
Methods We recruited cancer patients (any treatment and
diagnosis) in four European countries and health professionals in the Netherlands. Using a questionnaire, we
assessed objective and self-rated understanding of QLQ-C30
scores and preferences for five presentation styles (bar and
line charts, with or without color coding, and a heat map).
Results In total, 548 patients and 227 health professionals
participated. Eighty-three percent of patients and 85 % of
professionals self-rated the graphs as very or quite easy to
understand; this did not differ between graphical presentation styles. The mean percentage of correct answers to
questions objectively assessing understanding was 59 % in
patients, 78 % in medical specialists, and 74 % in other
health professionals. Objective understanding did not differ
between graphical formats in patients. For non-colored
charts, 49.8 % of patients did not have a preference.
Colored bar charts (39 %) were preferred over heat maps
(20 %) and colored line charts (12 %). Medical specialists
preferred heat maps (46 %) followed by non-colored bar
charts (19 %), whereas these charts were equally valued by
other health professionals (both 32 %).
Conclusion The substantial discrepancy between participants’ high self-rated and relatively low objective understanding of graphical presentation of PRO results
highlights the need to provide sufficient guidance when
presenting such results. It may be appropriate to adapt the
presentation of PRO results to individual preferences. This
could be facilitated when PROs are administered and presented to patients and health professionals electronically
Advanced information processing system: The Army fault tolerant architecture conceptual study. Volume 1: Army fault tolerant architecture overview
Digital computing systems needed for Army programs such as the Computer-Aided Low Altitude Helicopter Flight Program and the Armored Systems Modernization (ASM) vehicles may be characterized by high computational throughput and input/output bandwidth, hard real-time response, high reliability and availability, and maintainability, testability, and producibility requirements. In addition, such a system should be affordable to produce, procure, maintain, and upgrade. To address these needs, the Army Fault Tolerant Architecture (AFTA) is being designed and constructed under a three-year program comprised of a conceptual study, detailed design and fabrication, and demonstration and validation phases. Described here are the results of the conceptual study phase of the AFTA development. Given here is an introduction to the AFTA program, its objectives, and key elements of its technical approach. A format is designed for representing mission requirements in a manner suitable for first order AFTA sizing and analysis, followed by a discussion of the current state of mission requirements acquisition for the targeted Army missions. An overview is given of AFTA's architectural theory of operation
Advanced information processing system: The Army fault tolerant architecture conceptual study. Volume 2: Army fault tolerant architecture design and analysis
Described here is the Army Fault Tolerant Architecture (AFTA) hardware architecture and components and the operating system. The architectural and operational theory of the AFTA Fault Tolerant Data Bus is discussed. The test and maintenance strategy developed for use in fielded AFTA installations is presented. An approach to be used in reducing the probability of AFTA failure due to common mode faults is described. Analytical models for AFTA performance, reliability, availability, life cycle cost, weight, power, and volume are developed. An approach is presented for using VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) to describe and design AFTA's developmental hardware. A plan is described for verifying and validating key AFTA concepts during the Dem/Val phase. Analytical models and partial mission requirements are used to generate AFTA configurations for the TF/TA/NOE and Ground Vehicle missions
Hypoxia alters posterior cingulate cortex metabolism during a memory task: a 1H fMRS study
Environmental hypoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen (F(I)O(2)) ~ 0.120) is known to trigger a global increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF). However, regionally, a heterogeneous response is reported, particularly within the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) where decreased CBF is found after two hours of hypoxic exposure. Furthermore, hypoxia reverses task-evoked BOLD signals within the PCC, and other regions of the default mode network, suggesting a reversal of neurovascular coupling. An alternative explanation is that the neural architecture supporting cognitive tasks is reorganised. Therefore, to confirm if this previous result is neural or vascular in origin, a measure of neural activity that is not haemodynamic-dependant is required. To achieve this, we utilised functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy to probe the glutamate response to memory recall in the PCC during normoxia (F(I)O(2) = 0.209) and after two hours of poikilocapnic hypoxia (F(I)O(2) = 0.120). We also acquired ASL-based measures of CBF to confirm previous findings of reduced CBF within the PCC in hypoxia. Consistent with previous findings, hypoxia induced a reduction in CBF within the PCC and other regions of the default mode network. Under normoxic conditions, memory recall was associated with an 8% increase in PCC glutamate compared to rest (P = 0.019); a change which was not observed during hypoxia. However, exploratory analysis of other neurometabolites showed that PCC glucose was reduced during hypoxia compared to normoxia both at rest (P = 0.039) and during the task (P = 0.046). We conclude that hypoxia alters the activity-induced increase in glutamate, which may reflect a reduction in oxidative metabolism within the PCC. The reduction in glucose in hypoxia reflects continued metabolism, presumably by non-oxidative means, without replacement of glucose due to reduced CBF
An interdisciplinary framework for measuring and supporting adherence in HIV prevention trials of ARV‐based vaginal rings
Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138229/1/jia29158.pd
Gate-induced band ferromagnetism in an organic polymer
We propose that a chain of five-membered rings (polyaminotriazole) should be
ferromagnetic with an appropriate doping that is envisaged to be feasible with
an FET structure. The ferromagnetism is confirmed by a spin density functional
calculation, which also shows that ferromagnetism survives the Peierls
instability. We explain the magnetism in terms of Mielke and Tasaki's flat-band
ferromagnetism with the Hubbard model. This opens a new possibility of band
ferromagnetism in purely organic polymers.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figure
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