Mapping Exoplanets

The varied surfaces and atmospheres of planets make them interesting places to live, explore, and study from afar. Unfortunately, the great distance to exoplanets makes it impossible to resolve their disk with current or near-term technology. It is still possible, however, to deduce spatial inhomogeneities in exoplanets provided that different regions are visible at different times---this can be due to rotation, orbital motion, and occultations by a star, planet, or moon. Astronomers have so far constructed maps of thermal emission and albedo for short period giant planets. These maps constrain atmospheric dynamics and cloud patterns in exotic atmospheres. In the future, exo-cartography could yield surface maps of terrestrial planets, hinting at the geophysical and geochemical processes that shape them.Comment: Updated chapter for Handbook of Exoplanets, eds. Deeg & Belmonte. 17 pages, including 6 figures and 4 pages of reference

Effet de l’entreposage à l’état congelé sur la qualité de la sardine (Sardina pilchardus)

Pour une meilleure compréhension des effets du stockage à l’état congelé de la sardine (Sardina pilchardus), principale espèce de poissons pélagiques produite au Maroc, la présente étude s’est proposée d’évaluer les effets du stockage à différentes températures (- 18°C, - 25°C et - 30°C) durant 6 mois sur les paramètres organoleptiques et nutritionnels principalement les acides gras polyinsaturés de la famille des oméga 3 ( EPA et DHA) de la sardine congelée. Les résultats obtenus ont montré que l’utilisation de la glace pour refroidissement avant congélation a un effet positif sur la qualité sensorielle et chimique de la sardine après capture. La sardine congelée puis entreposée aux températures les plus basses (-30°C) a conservée de meilleurs propriétés sensorielles et nutritionnelles (oméga 3 : EPA-DHA). De même, la sardine congelée conserve une meilleure qualité organoleptique et nutritionnelle lorsqu’elle est conservée entière. D’autres part, la corrélation de l’évolution des teneurs en ABVT avec l’altération organoleptique a permis de conclure que l’ABVT peut être utilisé comme indice fiable et objectif pour évaluer la qualité de la sardine congelée.Mots-clés: conservabilité, sardine, congélation, altération chimique, acides gras omega-3, EPA, DHA, ABVT et organoleptique. Effect of frozen storage on quality of sardine (Sardina pilchardus)For a better understanding of the effects of storage frozen sardine (Sardina pilchardus), the main species of pelagic fish produced in Morocco, this study is proposed to evaluate the effects of storage at different temperatures (- 18°C, - 25°C, - 30°C) for 6 months on the organoleptic and nutritional parameters mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids omega 3 (EPA and DHA) of frozen sardine. The results showed that the use of ice for cooling before freezing has a positive effect on the sensory and chemical quality of the sardine after capture. Frozen sardine stored at lower temperatures (-30 °C) was maintained better sensory and nutritional properties (omega 3 EPA - DHA). Similarly, frozen sardines retains better organoleptic and nutritional quality when stored whole. On the other hand, the correlation of changes in TVB-N with impaired sensory concluded that TVB can be used as reliable and objective index to evaluate the quality of frozen sardine.Keywords: conservability, sardine, freezing, chemical weathering, omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, DHA, TVB-N and organoleptic

An in vitro comparison between two methods of electrical resistance measurement for occlusal caries detection

Because of different measurement techniques and the easier design of the CRM prototype, this in vitro study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance and reproducibility of two electrical methods (Electronic Caries Monitor III, ECM and Cariometer 800, CRM) for occlusal caries detection, and to evaluate the effect of staining/ discoloration of fissures on diagnostic performance. Hundred and seventeen third molars with no apparent occlusal cavitation were selected. Six examiners inspected all specimens independently, using the CRM, and a subgroup of 4 using the ECM. Histological validation using a stereomicroscope was performed after hemisectioning. Intra- and interexaminer reproducibility was assessed by Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Bland and Altman analysis. Diagnostic performance parameters included sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP) and area under the ROC curve (A(z)). The CCC yielded an intra- and interexaminer reproducibility of 0.69/0.62 (ECM) and of 0.79/0.74 (CRM). The mean intra- and interexaminer 95% range of measurements (range between Bland and Altman limits of agreement) given in percentages of the instrument reading were 67%/65% for the ECM and 28%/33% for the CRM. A(z) at the D3-4 level was 0.74 (ECM) and 0.78 (CRM). The CRM showed at least equivalent diagnostic performance to the ECM. However, improvement is still desirable. Diagnostic performance appeared to be enhanced in discolored lesions; however, this may be related to sample lesion distribution characteristics. Copyright (C) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

Optical alignment and spinning of laser-trapped microscopic particles

Light-induced rotation of absorbing microscopic particles by transfer of angular momentum from light to the material raises the possibility of optically driven micromachines. The phenomenon has been observed using elliptically polarized laser beams or beams with helical phase structure. But it is difficult to develop high power in such experiments because of overheating and unwanted axial forces, limiting the achievable rotation rates to a few hertz. This problem can in principle be overcome by using transparent particles, transferring angular momentum by a mechanism first observed by Beth in 1936, when he reported a tiny torque developed in a quartz waveplate due to the change in polarization of transmitted light. Here we show that an optical torque can be induced on microscopic birefringent particles of calcite held by optical tweezers. Depending on the polarization of the incident beam, the particles either become aligned with the plane of polarization (and thus can be rotated through specified angles) or spin with constant rotation frequency. Because these microscopic particles are transparent, they can be held in three-dimensional optical traps at very high power without heating. We have observed rotation rates in excess of 350 Hz.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Functionally Annotating Regulatory Elements in the Equine Genome Using Histone Mark ChIP-Seq.

One of the primary aims of the Functional Annotation of ANimal Genomes (FAANG) initiative is to characterize tissue-specific regulation within animal genomes. To this end, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to map four histone modifications (H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K27ac, and H3K27me3) in eight prioritized tissues collected as part of the FAANG equine biobank from two thoroughbred mares. Data were generated according to optimized experimental parameters developed during quality control testing. To ensure that we obtained sufficient ChIP and successful peak-calling, data and peak-calls were assessed using six quality metrics, replicate comparisons, and site-specific evaluations. Tissue specificity was explored by identifying binding motifs within unique active regions, and motifs were further characterized by gene ontology (GO) and protein-protein interaction analyses. The histone marks identified in this study represent some of the first resources for tissue-specific regulation within the equine genome. As such, these publicly available annotation data can be used to advance equine studies investigating health, performance, reproduction, and other traits of economic interest in the horse

The Evolution of Android Malware and Android Analysis Techniques

Publisher policy: author can archive post-print on institutional repository. Publisher's version/PDF cannot be used. Publisher copyright and source must be acknowledged. Must link to publisher version with statement that this is the definitive version and DOI. Must state that version on repository is the authors versio

An unexpected supraclavicular swelling

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Colorectal cancer is the third commonest cause of cancer death in UK. It commonly metastasises to the liver but rarely to small bones.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe a case of a patient with adenocarcinoma of the descending colon who presented preoperatively with a right supraclavicular swelling. Subsequent imaging and cytology of the lesion revealed this to be a metastasis to the right clavicle resulting in a pathological fracture.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This report describes the rare occurrence of a colorectal metastasis to the clavicle. It emphasises that although bone metastases from primary colorectal tumours are rare events, they tend to metastasise to small, non-weight bearing bones. It also discusses the utility of isotope bone scanning and that on certain occasions this imaging method may prove to be equivocal. In such circumstances, biopsy or magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive for the detection of bone metastases.</p

Assessment of mood in aphasia following stroke: validation of the Dynamic Visual Analogue Mood Scales (D-VAMS)

OBJECTIVES: To validate a non-verbal self-report measure of mood - the Dynamic Visual Analogue Mood Scales (D-VAMS) - against the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and assess its suitability as an outcome measure or screening measure for depressed mood following stroke. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six stroke survivors (24% with aphasia) recruited from online, from stroke clubs and via an NHS rehabilitation service. METHODS: A set of seven bipolar scales was developed enabling users to report mood by modifying facial expression images using a slider. Participants completed a tablet/computer task, reporting their mood on these scales mixed randomly with versions which used only words. The HADS was then completed, followed by a repeat run of the two versions in a different, random sequence. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis identified one factor consistent with pleasantness of mood accounting for 80% of the variance. Internal consistency of D-VAMS was high ( α = 0.95), and there was a high correlation between face-only D-VAMS scores and HADS total scores ( r = -0.80, P < 0.001), as well as HADS-D/HADS-A subscale scores ( r = -0.73, P < 0.001; r = -0.71, P < 0.001). D-VAMS showed good sensitivity and specificity against HADS, with means of 85%/77% (sensitivity/specificity) against the HADS-D and 80%/77% against the HADS-A across nine cut-offs. CONCLUSION: D-VAMS is a valid and reliable measure likely suitable for assessment of depressed mood in aphasia following stroke. Though D-VAMS performed well as a screening measure in this study sample, further study is needed in the acute stage post-stroke

Reproductive Life Planning in Adolescents

Unplanned pregnancy in adolescents contributes to the burden of disease, mortality, and health and educational disparities experienced by young people during this vulnerable period between childhood and adulthood. Reproductive life planning (RLP) is an approach that has been endorsed and adopted internationally, which prompts individuals and couples to set personal goals regarding if and when to have children based on their own personal priorities. This review discusses RLP tools, their acceptability, effectiveness, and issues in implementation across different contexts, with a specific focus on how RLP has been applied for adolescents. While a range of RLP tools are available and considered acceptable in adult populations, there is minimal evidence of their potential benefits for adolescent populations. Online platforms and information technology are likely to promote reach and implementation of RLP interventions in adolescents. Consideration of the socioecological contexts where adolescent pregnancies are more common should be integral to much needed future work that explores RLP interventions in adolescents