517 research outputs found
Childrenâs comprehension monitoring of multiple situational dimensions of a narrative
Narratives typically consist of information on multiple aspects of a situation. In order to successfully create a coherent representation of the described situation, readers are required to monitor all these situational dimensions during reading. However, little is known about whether these dimensions differ in the ease with which they can be monitored. In the present study, we examined whether children in Grades 4 and 6 monitor four different dimensions (i.e., emotion, causation, time, and space) during reading, using a self-paced reading task containing inconsistencies. Furthermore, to explore what causes failure in inconsistency detection, we differentiated between monitoring processes related to availability and validation of information by manipulating the distance between two pieces of conflicting information. The results indicated that the monitoring processes varied as a function of dimension. Children were able to validate emotional and causal information when it was still active in working memory, but this was not the case for temporal and spatial information. When context and target information were more distant from each other, only emotionally charged information remained available for further monitoring processes. These findings show that the influence of different situational dimensions should be taken into account when studying childrenâs reading comprehension
Improving the sensitivity of future GW observatories in the 1-10 Hz band: Newtonian and seismic noise
The next generation gravitational wave interferometric detectors will likely be underground detectors to extend the GW detection frequency band to frequencies below the Newtonian noise limit. Newtonian noise originates from the continuous motion of the Earthâs crust driven by human activity, tidal stresses and seismic motion, and from mass density fluctuations in the atmosphere. It is calculated that on Earthâs surface, on a typical day, it will exceed the expected GW signals at frequencies below 10 Hz. The noise will decrease underground by an unknown amount. It is
important to investigate and to quantify this expected reduction and its effect on the sensitivity of future detectors, to plan for further improvement strategies. We report about some of these aspects. Analytical models can be used in the simplest scenarios to get a better qualitative and semi-quantitative understanding. As more complete modeling can be done numerically, we will discuss also some results obtained with a finite-element-based modeling tool. The method is verified by comparing its results with the results of analytic calculations for surface detectors. A key point about noise models is their initial parameters and conditions, which require detailed information about seismic motion in a real scenario. We will describe an effort to characterize the seismic activity at the Homestake mine which is currently in progress. This activity is specifically aimed to provide informations and to explore the site as a possible candidate for an underground observatory. Although the only compelling reason to put the interferometer underground is to reduce the Newtonian noise, we expect that the more stable underground environment will have a more general positive impact on the sensitivity.We will end this report with some considerations about seismic and suspension noise
MHC-B variation in maternal and paternal synthetic lines of the Argentinian Campero INTA chicken
The Campero-INTA chicken of Argentina was developed to provide a robust bird that can survive under Argentinian pasture conditions with no significant additional nutrition, producing a source of animal protein for small producers or low-income families. In previous work we described the AH paternal line of Campero and its Major Histocompatibility Complex B region (MHC-B) variation. In this work we analyzed the three remaining synthetic lines used to produce the Campero-INTA production bird: lines AS, A and E. Because of the association between variation within the MHC of chickens and disease resistance, MHC variation within this breed is of particular interest. MHC variability within the lines used to produce the Campero-INTA chicken was examined using a 90 SNP panel encompassing the chicken MHC-B region plus the VNTR, LEI0258, located within the chicken MHC. Across all four lines 12 haplotypes were found, with 7 of these being previously reported in North America/European breeds, reflecting the original breed sources for these birds. Three Campero unique haplotypes were found, two of which likely originated from MHC recombination events. MHC-B variation for all lines involved with production of the final Campero-INTA bird have now been determined.EEA PergaminoFil: Iglesias, Gabriela M. Universidad Nacional de RĂo Negro. Sede Alto Valle y Valle Medio. Escuela de Veterinaria y ProducciĂłn Agroindustrial. CĂĄtedra de GenĂ©tica; ArgentinaFil: Beker, MarĂa P. Universidad Nacional de RĂo Negro. Sede Alto Valle y Valle Medio. Escuela de Veterinaria y ProducciĂłn Agroindustrial. CĂĄtedra de GenĂ©tica; ArgentinaFil: Remolins, JosĂ© S. Universidad Nacional de RĂo Negro. Sede Alto Valle y Valle Medio. Escuela de Veterinaria y ProducciĂłn Agroindustrial. CĂĄtedra de GenĂ©tica; ArgentinaFil: Canet, Zulma Edith. Instituto Nacional de TecnologĂa Agropecuaria (INTA). EstaciĂłn Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino. SecciĂłn Avicultura; ArgentinaFil: Canet, Zulma Edith. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria. CĂĄtedra de GenĂ©tica; ArgentinaFil: Librera, JosĂ©. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. CĂĄtedra de GenĂ©tica; ArgentinaFil: Cantaro, Horacio Luis. Instituto Nacional de TecnologĂa Agropecuaria (INTA). EstaciĂłn Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle; ArgentinaFil: Cantaro, Horacio Luis. Universidad Nacional de RĂo Negro. Sede Alto Valle y Valle Medio. Escuela de Veterinaria y ProducciĂłn Agroindustrial. CĂĄtedra de GenĂ©tica; ArgentinaFil: Maizon, Daniel Omar Instituto Nacional de TecnologĂa Agropecuaria (INTA). EstaciĂłn Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Fulton, Janet E. Hy-Line International; Estados Unido
What Determines Cognitive Functioning in the Oldest-Old? The EMIF-AD 90+ Study
OBJECTIVES: Determinants of cognitive functioning in individuals aged 90 years and older, the oldest-old, remain poorly understood. We aimed to establish the association of risk factors, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), hippocampal atrophy and amyloid aggregation with cognition in the oldest-old. METHODS: We included 84 individuals without cognitive impairment and 38 individuals with cognitive impairment from the EMIF-AD 90+ Study (mean age 92.4 years) and tested cross-sectional associations between risk factors (cognitive activity, physical parameters, nutritional status, inflammatory markers and cardiovascular risk factors), brain pathology biomarkers (WMH and hippocampal volume on MRI, and amyloid binding measured with PET) and cognition. Additionally, we tested whether the brain pathology biomarkers were independently associated with cognition. When applicable, we tested whether the effect of risk factors on cognition was mediated by brain pathology. RESULTS: Lower values for handgrip strength, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), nutritional status, HbA1c and hippocampal volume, and higher values for WMH volume and amyloid binding were associated with worse cognition. Higher past cognitive activity and lower BMI were associated with increased amyloid binding, lower muscle mass with more WMH, and lower SPPB scores with more WMH and hippocampal atrophy. The brain pathology markers were independently associated with cognition. The association of SPPB with cognition was partially mediated by hippocampal volume. DISCUSSION: In the oldest-old, physical parameters, nutritional status, HbA1c, WMH, hippocampal atrophy and amyloid binding are associated with cognitive impairment. Physical performance may affect cognition through hippocampal atrophy. This study highlights the importance to consider multiple factors when assessing cognition in the oldest-old
The next detectors for gravitational wave astronomy
This paper focuses on the next detectors for gravitational wave astronomy
which will be required after the current ground based detectors have completed
their initial observations, and probably achieved the first direct detection of
gravitational waves. The next detectors will need to have greater sensitivity,
while also enabling the world array of detectors to have improved angular
resolution to allow localisation of signal sources. Sect. 1 of this paper
begins by reviewing proposals for the next ground based detectors, and presents
an analysis of the sensitivity of an 8 km armlength detector, which is proposed
as a safe and cost-effective means to attain a 4-fold improvement in
sensitivity. The scientific benefits of creating a pair of such detectors in
China and Australia is emphasised. Sect. 2 of this paper discusses the high
performance suspension systems for test masses that will be an essential
component for future detectors, while sect. 3 discusses solutions to the
problem of Newtonian noise which arise from fluctuations in gravity gradient
forces acting on test masses. Such gravitational perturbations cannot be
shielded, and set limits to low frequency sensitivity unless measured and
suppressed. Sects. 4 and 5 address critical operational technologies that will
be ongoing issues in future detectors. Sect. 4 addresses the design of thermal
compensation systems needed in all high optical power interferometers operating
at room temperature. Parametric instability control is addressed in sect. 5.
Only recently proven to occur in Advanced LIGO, parametric instability
phenomenon brings both risks and opportunities for future detectors. The path
to future enhancements of detectors will come from quantum measurement
technologies. Sect. 6 focuses on the use of optomechanical devices for
obtaining enhanced sensitivity, while sect. 7 reviews a range of quantum
measurement options
Bose-Einstein Correlations for Three-Dimensionally Expanding, Cylindrically Symmetric, Finite Systems
The parameters of the Bose-Einstein correlation function may obey an {\it
-scaling}, as observed in and reactions at CERN SPS.
This -scaling implies that the Bose-Einstein correlation functions view
only a small part of the big and expanding system. The full sizes of the
expanding system at the last interaction are shown to be measurable with the
help the invariant momentum distribution of the emitted particles. A vanishing
duration parameter can also be generated in the considered model-class with a
specific dependence.Comment: 35 pages, ReVTeX, LaTeX, no figures, discussion extende
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