EXAFS Study on Local Structure of Iron Crystal by the Use of Asymmetrical Monochromator and PSPC

The EXAFS spectroscopy equipment constructed from an asymmetrical cut flat monochromator and PSPC is applied to the structural determination of pure α-iron which has small difference (0.038nm) in the first and second nearest neighbour distance. The efficiency of the curve fitting method for the two shell model of known structure material (α-iron) is discussed, in addition to describing the details of the experimental procedure of our new type of spectrometer and of the EXAFS data analysis

Estimating Autonomous Vehicle Localization Error Using 2D Geographic Information

Accurately and precisely knowing the location of the vehicle is a critical requirement for safe and successful autonomous driving. Recent studies suggest that error for map-based localization methods are tightly coupled with the surrounding environment. Considering this relationship, it is therefore possible to estimate localization error by quantifying the representation and layout of real-world phenomena. To date, existing work on estimating localization error have been limited to using self-collected 3D point cloud maps. This paper investigates the use of pre-existing 2D geographic information datasets as a proxy to estimate autonomous vehicle localization error. Seven map evaluation factors were defined for 2D geographic information in a vector format, and random forest regression was used to estimate localization error for five experiment paths in Shinjuku, Tokyo. In the best model, the results show that it is possible to estimate autonomous vehicle localization error with 69.8% of predictions within 2.5 cm and 87.4% within 5 cm

Evaluating the Capability of OpenStreetMap for Estimating Vehicle Localization Error

Accurate localization is an important part of successful autonomous driving. Recent studies suggest that when using map-based localization methods, the representation and layout of real-world phenomena within the prebuilt map is a source of error. To date, the investigations have been limited to 3D point clouds and normal distribution (ND) maps. This paper explores the potential of using OpenStreetMap (OSM) as a proxy to estimate vehicle localization error. Specifically, the experiment uses random forest regression to estimate mean 3D localization error from map matching using LiDAR scans and ND maps. Six map evaluation factors were defined for 2D geographic information in a vector format. Initial results for a 1.2 km path in Shinjuku, Tokyo, show that vehicle localization error can be estimated with 56.3% model prediction accuracy with two existing OSM data layers only. When OSM data quality issues (inconsistency and completeness) were addressed, the model prediction accuracy was improved to 73.1%

Association between aerobic fitness and attentional functions in Egyptian preadolescent children

Growing evidence indicates that culture and education can influence cognitive constructs. Studies targeting Western and Asian populations have shown a positive relationship between aerobic fitness and cognitive control in children; however, this association has yet to be explored in the Arab world. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between aerobic fitness and attentional networks in Egyptian preadolescent children. In total, 103 preadolescent children (9.76 ± 0.11) completed an assessment of aerobic fitness using a 6-min running test and a computerized attention network test that allowed for assessing alerting, orienting, and executive networks. The results revealed that higher aerobic fitness was associated with shorter response time and higher response accuracy in a more cognitively demanding task condition (i.e., incongruent trials). Furthermore, higher aerobic fitness was associated with a more efficient executive network. No associations were observed for alerting and orienting networks. These findings corroborate growing evidence indicating the importance of aerobic fitness for cognitive development and extend the literature by suggesting that the positive association between aerobic fitness and cognitive control might be generalized to the Arab population and not significantly change across cultures

On Ultrasmall Silicate Grains in the Diffuse Interstellar Medium

The abundance of both amorphous and crystalline silicates in very small grains is limited by the fact that the 10 micron silicate emission feature is not detected in the diffuse ISM. On the basis of the observed IR emission spectrum for the diffuse ISM, the observed ultraviolet extinction curve, and the 10 micron silicate absorption profile, we obtain upper limits on the abundances of ultrasmall (a < 15 Angstrom) amorphous and crystalline silicate grains. Contrary to previous work, as much as ~20% of interstellar Si could be in a < 15 Angstrom silicate grains without violating observational constraints. Not more than ~5% of the Si can be in crystalline silicates (of any size).Comment: Submitted to ApJ Letters, 11 pages, 4 figures, Late

Expression of cysLT1 and cysLT2 Receptor in Chronic Hyperplastic Eosinophilic Sinusitis

Elevated production of cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) from sinus tissues and abundant sinus eosinophils are characteristic features of chronic hyperplastic eosinophilic sinusitis (CHS). CysLTs exert their action through G-protein-coupled receptors named cysLTs receptor type I (cysLT1R) and type II (cysLT2R). These expressions of cysLT receptors in the sinus mucosa have yet to be clarified and the relationship between eosinophilia and the expression of these receptors remains obscure. We compared the expressions of cysLT1R and cysLT2R in the sinus mucosa in patients with CHS, non-eosinophilic chronic sinusitis (NECS), and control sinus tissues; and analyzed the correlation between the expression of CysLTRs and the presence of sinus eosinophils by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. A significantly higher percentage of eosinophils expressing cysLT2R protein was observed in patients with CHS compared with NECS and controls. In addition, cysLT2R mRNA expression in CHS was significantly higher than in NECS and controls. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between cysLT2R mRNA expression and the number of infiltrated eosinophils. In contrast, the cysLT1R mRNA expression did not differ significantly among these groups. The effect of cysLTs on sinus eosinophils may be mediated through the cysLT2R in patients with CHS. These results may suggest the therapeutic benefit of cysLT2R antagonists in CHS