On the proof of recursive Vogler algorithm for multiple knife-edge diffraction

We consider the problem of multiple knife-edge diffraction estimation which is a fundamental task in many wireless communication applications. So far, one of the most accurate methods for this problem is the Vogler one whose recursive implementation is efficient to reduce the high computational complexity of the direct one. However, in the original report, Vogler only presented the final result of the recursive algorithm without a rigorous mathematical proof, thus making the method difficult to understand and implement in practice. To tackle this shortcoming, we first analyze the mathematical structure of the problem and then present a formal proof of the result. To gain intuition of the proof and the key steps, we provide a simplified study case of four knife-edges. The insight from our proposed analysis and proof can be used to obtain a comprehensive interpretation, initiate a practical implementation and develop new efficient algorithms with similar structure

Orientation of Vortices in a Superconducting Thin-Film: Quantitative Comparison of Spin-Polarized Neutron Reflectivity and Magnetization

We present a quantitative comparison of the magnetization measured by spin-polarized neutron reflectivity (SPNR) and DC magnetometry on a 1370 \AA\ -thick Nb superconducting film. As a function of magnetic field applied in the film plane, SPNR exhibits reversible behavior whereas the DC magnetization shows substantial hysteresis. The difference between these measurements is attributed to a rotation of vortex magnetic field out of the film plane as the applied field is reduced. Since SPNR measures only the magnetization parallel to the film plane whereas DC magnetization is strongly influenced by the perpendicular component of magnetization when there is a slight sample tilt, combining the two techniques allows one to distinguish two components of magnetization in a thin film.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, It will be printed in PRB, Oct. 200

A discretized integral hydrodynamics

Using an interpolant form for the gradient of a function of position, we write an integral version of the conservation equations for a fluid. In the appropriate limit, these become the usual conservation laws of mass, momentum and energy. We also discuss the special cases of the Navier-Stokes equations for viscous flow and the Fourier law for thermal conduction in the presence of hydrodynamic fluctuations. By means of a discretization procedure, we show how these equations can give rise to the so-called "particle dynamics" of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics and Dissipative Particle Dynamics.Comment: 10 pages, RevTex, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Pomological and Olive Oil Quality Characteristics Evaluation under Short Time Irrigation of Olive Trees cv. Chemlali with Untreated Industrial Poultry Wastewater

The aim of this work was the investigation of the effect of wastewater generated from the poultry meat industry on the irrigation of olive trees, during a short time period, in order to evaluate its impact on pomological criteria and olive oil quality. Olive trees were subjected to irrigation with different water qualities: (i) poultry wastewater (PWW), (ii) poultry wastewater diluted with tap water 50:50 (v/v) (PWTWW), (iii) rain-fed cultivation system (control). The results showed that PWTWW contains the optimal mineral proportions, leading to improved pomological criteria. However, the highest significant pulp oil content was obtained using poultry wastewater irrigation (69.51%), while this was 66.71% using diluted poultry wastewater, and 58.03 % for the control. Poultry wastewater irrigation yielded the best results in oil standard quality indices. In addition, an enrichment in oil total polyphenols content was achieved. The oil fatty acid profile was not affected following irrigation with poultry wastewater. Nevertheless, there was a significant increase in the contents of oleic acid and alcohols, accompanied by a decrease in total sterols. However, heavy metals accumulation was observed in both fruits and olive oil. In conclusion, our results suggest that among the three water qualities, poultry wastewater is the best alternative to improve olive oil quality

Solar dynamo

No abstract available

Effects of electrical stimulation of dorsal raphe nucleus on neuronal response properties of barrel cortex layer IV neurons following long-term sensory deprivation

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) on response properties of layer IV barrel cortex neurons following long-term sensory deprivation. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into sensory-deprived (SD) and control (unplucked) groups. In SD group, all vibrissae except the D2 vibrissa were plucked on postnatal day one, and kept plucked for a period of 60 d. After that, whisker regrowth was allowed for 8-10 d. The D2 principal whisker (PW) and the D1 adjacent whisker (AW) were either deflected singly or both deflected in a serial order that the AW was deflected 20 ms before PW deflection for assessing lateral inhibition, and neuronal responses were recorded from layer IV of the D2 barrel cortex. DRN was electrically stimulated at inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs) ranging from 0 to 800 ms before whisker deflection. Results: PW-evoked responses increased in the SD group with DRN electrical stimulation at ISIs of 50 ms and 100 ms, whereas AW-evoked responses increased at ISI of 800 ms in both groups. Whisker plucking before DRN stimulation could enhance the responsiveness of barrel cortex neurons to PW deflection and decrease the responsiveness to AW deflection. DRN electrical stimulation significantly reduced this difference only in PW-evoked responses between groups. Besides, no DRN stimulation-related changes in response latency were observed following PW or AW deflection in either group. Moreover, condition test (CT) ratio increased in SD rats, while DRN stimulation did not affect the CT ratio in either group. There was no obvious change in 5-HT2A receptor protein density in barrel cortex between SD and control groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that DRN electrical stimulation can modulate information processing in the SD barrel cortex

Hydrodynamic fluctuations in the Kolmogorov flow: Linear regime

The Landau-Lifshitz fluctuating hydrodynamics is used to study the statistical properties of the linearized Kolmogorov flow. The relative simplicity of this flow allows a detailed analysis of the fluctuation spectrum from near equilibrium regime up to the vicinity of the first convective instability threshold. It is shown that in the long time limit the flow behaves as an incompressible fluid, regardless of the value of the Reynolds number. This is not the case for the short time behavior where the incompressibility assumption leads in general to a wrong form of the static correlation functions, except near the instability threshold. The theoretical predictions are confirmed by numerical simulations of the full nonlinear fluctuating hydrodynamic equations.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure

Hospital admission trends due to respiratory diseases in England and Wales between 1999 and 2019: an ecologic study

BACKGROUND: Identifying trends of hospital admissions for respiratory diseases is crucial for public health and research to guide future clinical improvements for better outcomes. This study aims to define the trends of respiratory disease-related hospital admissions (RRHA) in England and Wales between 1999 and 2019. METHODS: An ecological study was conducted using hospital admission data taken from the Hospital Episode Statistics database in England and the Patient Episode Database for Wales. Hospital admissions data for respiratory diseases were extracted for the period between April 1999 and March 2019. The trend in hospital admissions was assessed using a Poisson model. RESULTS: Hospital admission rate increased by 104.7% [from 1535.05 (95% CI 1531.71–1538.38) in 1999 to 3142.83 (95% CI 3138.39–3147.26) in 2019 per 100,000 persons, trend test, p < 0.01]. The most common causes were influenza and pneumonia, chronic lower respiratory diseases, other acute lower respiratory infections, which accounted for 26.6%, 26.4%, and 14.9%, respectively. The age group 75 years and above accounted for 34.1% of the total number of hospital admissions. Males contributed to 50.5% of the total number of hospital admissions. Hospital admission rate in females increased by 119.8% [from 1442.18 (95% CI 1437.66–1446.70) in 1999 to 3169.38 (95% CI 3163.11–3175.64) in 2019 per 100,000 persons, trend test, p < 0.001]. Hospital admission rate increased by 92.9% in males [from 1633.25 (95% CI 1628.32–1638.17) in 1999 to 3149.78 (95% CI 3143.46–3156.09) in 2019 per 100,000 persons, trend test, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: During the study period, hospital admissions rate due to respiratory diseases increased sharply. The rates of hospital admissions were higher among males for the vast majority of respiratory diseases. Further observational studies are warranted to identify risk factors for these hospital admissions and to offer relevant interventions to mitigate the risk

Violation of the Equivalence Principle in the light of the SNO and SK solar neutrino results

The SNO result on charged current deuteron disintegration, the SuperKamiokande 1258-day data on electron scattering, and other solar neutrino results are used to revisit the model of neutrino oscillations driven by a violation of the equivalence principle. We use a chisq minimization technique to examine oscillation between the nu(e) and another active neutrino, both massless, and find that within the Standard Solar Model the fit to the SNO and SuperKamiokande spectra are moderately good while a very good fit is obtained when the absolute normalizations of the 8B and hep neutrino fluxes are allowed to vary. The best fit prefers large, but not maximal, mixing, essentially no hep neutrinos, and a 40% reduction in the 8B neutrino flux. The fit to the total rates from the different experiments is not encouraging but when the rates and spectra are considerd together the situation is much improved. We remark on the expectations of the VEP model for the neutral current measurements at SNO.Comment: Latex, 11 pages (incl. 1 postscript figure