Applying Abstract Argumentation Theory to Cooperative Game Theory

We apply ideas from abstract argumentation theory to study cooperative game theory. Building on Dung's results in his seminal paper, we further the correspondence between Dung's four argumentation semantics and solution concepts in cooperative game theory by showing that complete extensions (the grounded extension) correspond to Roth's subsolutions (respectively, the supercore). We then investigate the relationship between well-founded argumentation frameworks and convex games, where in each case the semantics (respectively, solution concepts) coincide; we prove that three-player convex games do not in general have well-founded argumentation frameworks.Comment: 15 pages, 1 tabl

Nanodiamond landmarks for subcellular multimodal optical and electron imaging.

There is a growing need for biolabels that can be used in both optical and electron microscopies, are non-cytotoxic, and do not photobleach. Such biolabels could enable targeted nanoscale imaging of sub-cellular structures, and help to establish correlations between conjugation-delivered biomolecules and function. Here we demonstrate a sub-cellular multi-modal imaging methodology that enables localization of inert particulate probes, consisting of nanodiamonds having fluorescent nitrogen-vacancy centers. These are functionalized to target specific structures, and are observable by both optical and electron microscopies. Nanodiamonds targeted to the nuclear pore complex are rapidly localized in electron-microscopy diffraction mode to enable "zooming-in" to regions of interest for detailed structural investigations. Optical microscopies reveal nanodiamonds for in-vitro tracking or uptake-confirmation. The approach is general, works down to the single nanodiamond level, and can leverage the unique capabilities of nanodiamonds, such as biocompatibility, sensitive magnetometry, and gene and drug delivery

Design and performance of ropes for climbing and sailing

Ropes are an important part of the equipment used by climbers, mountaineers, and sailors. On first inspection, most modern polymer ropes appear similar, and it might be assumed that their designs, construction, and properties are governed by the same requirements. In reality, the properties required of climbing ropes are dominated by the requirement that they effectively absorb and dissipate the energy of the falling climber, in a manner that it does not transmit more than a critical amount of force to his body. This requirement is met by the use of ropes with relatively low longitudinal stiffness. In contrast, most sailing ropes require high stiffness values to maximize their effectiveness and enable sailors to control sails and equipment precisely. These conflicting requirements led to the use of different classes of materials and different construction methods for the two sports. This paper reviews in detail the use of ropes, the properties required, manufacturing techniques and materials utilized, and the effect of service conditions on the performance of ropes. A survey of research that has been carried out in the field reveals what progress has been made in the development of these essential components and identifies where further work may yield benefits in the future

On the Temperature Dependence of the Rate Constant of the Bimolecular Reaction of Two Hydrated Electrons

It has been a longstanding issue in the radiation chemistry of water that, even though H2 is a molecular product, its “escape” yield g(H2) increases with increasing temperature. A main source of H2 is the bimolecular reaction of two hydrated electrons (e-aq). The temperature dependence of the rate constant of this reaction (k1), measured under alkaline conditions, reveals that the rate constant drops abruptly above ~150°C. Recently, it has been suggested that this temperature dependence should be regarded as being independent of pH and used in high-temperature modeling of near-neutral water radiolysis. However, when this drop in the e-aq self-reaction rate constant is included in low (isolated spurs) and high (cylindrical tracks) linear energy transfer (LET) modeling calculations, g(H2) shows a marked downward discontinuity at ~150°C which is not observed experimentally. The consequences of the presence of this discontinuity in g(H2) for both low and high LET radiation are briefly discussed in this communication. It is concluded that the applicability of the sudden drop in k1 observed at ~150°C in alkaline water to near-neutral water is questionable and that further measurements of the rate constant in pure water are highly desirable.Received:13 June 2013; Revised: 27 August 2013; Accepted: 28 August 201

Outreach obstetrics training in Western Australia improves neonatal outcome and decreases caesarean sections

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a multi-professional outreach obstetric training programme on perinatal and neonatal outcomes. This was a retrospective comparison of 5-min low Apgar scores, stillbirth, perinatal death and moderate/severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy rates in 127,753 infants born in Western Australia before and after the introduction of training in rural and remote areas. Following the introduction of the training programme, there was a highly significant (p0.003) decrease in the rate of infants born with low 5-min Apgar scores (from 20.4 to 15.4/1,000 live births). While the changes in the other three outcomes were not significant, all three demonstrated a trend for improvement in the intervention area. This is the second study of an educational intervention in obstetrics to demonstrate improvement in neonatal outcome and the first to be associated with a decrease in caesarean sections

MoS2 Nanosheets Uniformly Anchored on NiMoO4 Nanorods, a Highly Active Hierarchical Nanostructure Catalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction and Pseudo-Capacitors

Hierarchical nanostructures have attracted considerable research attention due to their applications in the catalysis field. Herein, we design a versatile hierarchical nanostructure composed of NiMoO4 nanorods surrounded by active MoS2 nanosheets on an interconnected nickel foam substrate. The as-prepared nanostructure exhibits excellent oxygen evolution reaction per-formance, producing a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 90 mV, in comparison with 220 mV necessary to reach a similar current den-sity for NiMoO4. This behavior originates from the structural/morphological properties of the MoS2 nanosheets, which present numerous surface-active sites and allow good contact with the electrolyte. Besides, the structures can effectively store charges, due to their unique branched network providing accessible active surface area, which facilitates intermediates adsorptions. Particularly, NiMoO4/MoS2 shows a charge capacity of 358 mAhg−1 at a current of 0.5 A g−1 (230 mAhg−1 for NiMoO4), thus suggesting promising applications for charge-storing devices

A translational research experience in Argentina.

Background: The Argentinean programwas initiatedmore than a decade ago as the first experience of systematic translational research focused on NCL in Latin America. The aim was to overcome misdiagnoses and underdiagnoses in the region. Subjects: 216 NCL suspected individuals from 8 different countries and their direct family members. Methods: Clinical assessment, enzyme testing, electron microscopy, and DNA screening. Results and discussion: 1) The study confirmed NCL disease in 122 subjects. Phenotypic studies comprised epileptic seizures and movement disorders, ophthalmology, neurophysiology, image analysis, rating scales, enzyme testing, and electron microscopy, carried out under a consensus algorithm; 2) DNA screening and validation of mutations in genes PPT1 (CLN1), TPP1 (CLN2), CLN3, CLN5, CLN6, MFSD8 (CLN7), and CLN8: characterization of variant types, novel/knownmutations and polymorphisms; 3) Progress of the epidemiological picture in Latin America; and 4) NCL-like pathology studies in progress. The Translational Research Program was highly efficient in addressing the misdiagnosis/underdiagnosis in the NCL disorders. The study of “orphan diseases” in a public administrated hospital should be adopted by the health systems, as it positively impacts upon the family's quality of life, the collection of epidemiological data, and triggers research advances. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: “Current Research on the Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (Batten Disease)”publishedVersio

Environmental evolution and archaeological record of Barrancas river basin, Jujuy province, Argentina

Since 2012 our research team started the “Barrancas Archaeological Project” which main goal is to study the history of the people that dwelled this locality and neighbouring areas during the last 10000 years and yo put in value the cultural heritage of these societies. This paper have two aims: 1) to characterize the general environmental evolution of the Barrancas river basin since the end of Pleistocene and to discuss its impact on the human groups that used it: and 2) to briefly describe the archaeological record recovered in the upper and mid-section of the Barrancas river, mainly the chronology and general characteristics of the archaeological sites under study and the relative chronology and placement of the currently documented rock art. Barrancas archaeological evidence conjoined with the paleoenvironmental data obtained in this basin shows that substantial changes in local habitats have had a relevant role in the way in what human groups used this spaces through time, allowing to characterize them alternatively as a nodal or inter-nodal area through Holocene.Introducción El área de estudio - Antecedentes paleoambientales suprarregionales y regionales Evolución ambiental de Barrancas - Los registros paleoambientales de Barrancas - Tendencias paleoambientales - Evolución de la capacidad de carga en la cuenca desde los 7300 cal AP Síntesis de los sitios arqueológicos y ocupaciones humanas en Barrancas - Ocupaciones humanas del Holoceno Temprano y Medio (10.000-3750 años cal. AP) - Ocupaciones humanas entre 3500-1550 años cal. AP - Ocupaciones humanas ente 1200 y 200 cal AP - Manifestaciones rupestres Discusión y Conclusió