Effects of a social network HIV/STD prevention intervention for MSM in Russia and Hungary: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To test a novel social network HIV risk-reduction intervention for MSM in Russia and Hungary, where same-sex behavior is stigmatized and men may best be reached through their social network connections. Design: A two-arm trial with 18 sociocentric networks of MSM randomized to the social network intervention or standard HIV/STD testing/counseling. Setting: St. Petersburg, Russia and Budapest, Hungary

Quark Imaging in the Proton Via Quantum Phase-Space Distributions

We develop the concept of quantum phase-space (Wigner) distributions for quarks and gluons in the proton. To appreciate their physical content, we analyze the contraints from special relativity on the interpretation of elastic form factors, and examine the physics of the Feynman parton distributions in the proton's rest frame. We relate the quark Wigner functions to the transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions and generalized parton distributions, emphasizing the physical role of the skewness parameter. We show that the Wigner functions allow to visualize quantum quarks and gluons using the language of the classical phase space. We present two examples of the quark Wigner distributions and point out some model-independent features.Comment: 20 pages with 3 fiture

Teaching computer language handling - From compiler theory to meta-modelling

Most universities teach computer language handling by mainly focussing on compiler theory, although MDA (model-driven architecture) and meta-modelling are increasingly important in the software industry as well as in computer science. In this article, we investigate how traditional compiler theory compares to meta-modelling with regard to formally defining the different aspects of a language, and how we can expand the focus in computer language handling courses to also include meta-model-based approaches. We give an outline of a computer language handling course that covers both paradigms, and share some experiences from running a course based on this outline at the University of Agder

Charge-Coupled Device Panoramic Radiography: Area Image Distortion Factors as Selected Image Layer Contours

Svrha: Svrha ove studije bila je odrediti svojstva čimbenika izobličenja kontura razlučivanja odabranog sloja slike ortopantomografa OP 100®Instrumentarium Imaging, Tuusula, Finland) kombiniranog sa senzorom vrste CCD (charge-coupled device) tipa (Trophy Radiologie, Vincennes, France). Materijal i metode: Upotrebom mreže kojom se određuje razlučivanje postavljene u razmacima uzduž iskustveno ustanovljenih putanja projekcijskog snopa, konture sloja slike proizvodene ortopantomografom OP 100® modificiranim s osjetilom DigiPan® prethodno su određene za granice razlučivanja od 4,0, 3,0 i 1,5 lp m m 1. Za određivanje čimbenika povećanja uz odabrane granice razlučivanja i vodoravne angulacije snopa bila je upotrebljena jedna šestokutna ispitna naprava, uz uporabu mjernog algoritma koji pripada vlastitom softwareu (programskoj podršci) osjetila DigiPan®. Zatim su upotrebljena vodoravna i okomita povećanja kako be se odredili čimbenici izobličenja za svaku konturu razlučivanja uzduž odabrane angulacije snopa. Rezultati: Uz konture razlučivanja sloja slike od 4 lp m m 1 svi čimbenici izobličenja površine bili su približno jedinica. U području omeđenom tim konturama razlučivanja mjerni je algoritam kompenzirao učinke izobličenja svojstvene povećanju, uzrokovanom geometrijom snopa X-zraka. Uz 1,5 lp m m 1 čimbenici izobličenja površine kretali su se od 1,16 do 1,19 facijalno i 1,14 do 1,22 lingvalno u odnosu prema konturi sloja slike najvećeg razlučivanja. Kontura sloja slike s najvećim prostornim razlučivanjem bila je postavljena lingvalno u odnosu spram geometrijskome središtu žarišta. Zaključak: Upotrebom osjetila DigiPan® i uređaja OP 100® ustanovljene vrijednosti izobličenja odgovaraju vrijednostima već ustanovljenim s pomoću konvencionalnih receptora vrste film/zaslon. U području najvećeg razlučivanja mjerni algoritam programa djelotvorno je kompenzirao izobličenje povećanja projekcionog snopa.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the distortion factor characteristics for selected image layer resolution contours of the Orthopantomograph OP 100® (Instrumentarium Imaging, Tuusula, Finland), combined with the DigiPan® (Trophy Radiologie, Vincennes, France) charge-coupled device receptor. Material and Methods: Using a resolution grid positioned at intervals along empirically determined beam projection paths, the image layer contours produced with the DigiPan® modification o f the Orthopantomograph OP 100® had previously been determined for resolution limits o f 4.0, 3.0 and 1.5 Ip m m 1. An hexagonal test device was used to determine the magnification factors at the selected resolution limits and horizontal beam angulations using the resident measurement algorithm o f the DigiPan® proprietary software. The horizontal and vertical magnifications were then used to determine the distortion factors at each resolution contour along selected beam angulations. Results: At the image layer resolution contours of 4 Ip m m 1 all area distortion factors approached unity. Furthermore, in the region bounded by these resolution contours the measurement algorithm compensated for the inherent magnification distortion artefact caused by the X-ray beam geometry. At 1.5 Ip m m 1, the area distortion factors ranged from 1.16 to 1.19 facially and 1.14 to 1.22 lingually to image layer contour of maximum resolution. The image layer contour of maximum spatial resolution was positioned lingually to the geometric center o f the focal trough. Conclusion: Using the DigiPan®, and the op 100® the distortion values conform o f those previously found using conventional film/screen receptors. In the region o f maximum resolution, the software measurement algotirhm effectively compensated for beam- projection magnification distortion

Schooling for violence and peace : how does peace education differ from ‘normal’ schooling?

This article reviews literature on the roles of schooling in both reproducing and actively perpetrating violence, and sets out an historical explanation of why schools are socially constructed in such a way as to make these roles possible. It then discusses notions of peace education in relation to one particular project in England before using empirical data from research on the project to examine contrasts between peace education approaches and ‘normal’ schooling from the viewpoints of project workers, pupils and teachers. It concludes that such contrasts and tensions do indeed exist and that this raises serious questions about the compatibility of peace education and formal schooling

Neutrino Quasielastic Scattering on Nuclear Targets: Parametrizing Transverse Enhancement (Meson Exchange Currents)

We present a parametrization of the observed enhancement in the transverse electron quasielastic (QE) response function for nucleons bound in carbon as a function of the square of the four momentum transfer ($Q^2$) in terms of a correction to the magnetic form factors of bound nucleons. The parametrization should also be applicable to the transverse cross section in neutrino scattering. If the transverse enhancement originates from meson exchange currents (MEC), then it is theoretically expected that any enhancement in the longitudinal or axial contributions is small. We present the predictions of the "Transverse Enhancement" model (which is based on electron scattering data only) for the $\nu_\mu, \bar{\nu}_\mu$ differential and total QE cross sections for nucleons bound in carbon. The $Q^2$ dependence of the transverse enhancement is observed to resolve much of the long standing discrepancy in the QE total cross sections and differential distributions between low energy and high energy neutrino experiments on nuclear targets.Comment: Revised Version- July 21, 2011: 17 pages, 20 Figures. To be published in Eur. Phys. J.

Network Flows Heuristics for Complementary Cell Suppression: An Empirical Evaluation and Extensions

Several network flows heuristics have been suggested in the past for the solution of the complementary suppression problem. However, a limited computational experience using them is reported in the literature, and, moreover, they were only appropriate for two-dimensional tables. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we perform an em-pirical comparison of two network flows heuristics. They are improved versions of already existing approaches. Second, we show that exten-sions of network flows methods (i.e., multicommodity network flows and network flows with side constraints) can model three-dimensional, hierarchical and linked tables. Exploiting this network structure can improve the performance of any solution method solely based on linear programming formulations

Survey of nucleon electromagnetic form factors

A dressed-quark core contribution to nucleon electromagnetic form factors is calculated. It is defined by the solution of a Poincare' covariant Faddeev equation in which dressed-quarks provide the elementary degree of freedom and correlations between them are expressed via diquarks. The nucleon-photon vertex involves a single parameter; i.e., a diquark charge radius. It is argued to be commensurate with the pion's charge radius. A comprehensive analysis and explanation of the form factors is built upon this foundation. A particular feature of the study is a separation of form factor contributions into those from different diagram types and correlation sectors, and subsequently a flavour separation for each of these. Amongst the extensive body of results that one could highlight are: r_1^{n,u}>r_1^{n,d}, owing to the presence of axial-vector quark-quark correlations; and for both the neutron and proton the ratio of Sachs electric and magnetic form factors possesses a zero.Comment: 43 pages, 17 figures, 12 tables, 5 appendice

The development of Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence: Amnesia and Déjà Vu

Scotland’s new Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) has been widely acknowledged as the most significant educational development in a generation, with the potential to transform learning and teaching in Scottish schools. In common with recent developments elsewhere, CfE seeks to re-engage teachers with processes of curriculum development, to place learning at the heart of the curriculum and to change engrained practices of schooling. This article draws upon well-established curriculum theory (notably the work of both Lawrence Stenhouse and A.V. Kelly) to analyse the new curriculum. We argue that by neglecting to take account of such theory, the curricular offering proposed by CfE is subject to a number of significant structural contradictions which may affect the impact that it ultimately exerts on learning and teaching; in effect, by ignoring the lessons of the past, CfE runs the risk of undermining the potential for real change