The survival probability of a weakly subcritical multitype branching process in iid random environment

We study the asymptotic behavior of the probability of non extinction of a weakly subcritical multitype branching process in iid random environments. Under suitable assumptions, the survival probability is of order of $\rho^n n ^{-3/2}$ for some $\rho \in (0, 1)$ to specify

Ytterbium divalency and lattice disorder in near-zero thermal expansion YbGaGe

While near-zero thermal expansion (NZTE) in YbGaGe is sensitive to stoichiometry and defect concentration, the NZTE mechanism remains elusive. We present x-ray absorption spectra that show unequivocally that Yb is nearly divalent in YbGaGe and the valence does not change with temperature or with nominally 1% B or 5% C impurities, ruling out a valence-fluctuation mechanism. Moreover, substantial changes occur in the local structure around Yb with B and C inclusion. Together with inelastic neutron scattering measurements, these data indicate a strong tendency for the lattice to disorder, providing a possible explanation for NZTE in YbGaGe.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure, supplementary inf

Coupled SDW and Superconducting Order in FFLO State of CeCoIn5_5

The mechanism of incommensurate (IC) spin-density-wave (SDW) order observed in the Flude-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) phase of CeCoIn$_5$ is discussed on the basis of new mode-coupling scheme among IC-SDW order, two superconducting orders of FFLO with B$_{1{\rm g}}$ ($d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$) symmetry and $\pi$-pairing of odd-parity. Unlike the mode-coupling schemes proposed by Kenzelmann et al, Sciencexpress, 21 August (2008), that proposed in the present Letter can offer a simple explanation for why the IC-SDW order is observed only in FFLO phase and the IC wave vector is rather robust against the magnetic field.Comment: 3pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn., Vol.77 (2008), No.1

Neural Relax

We present an algorithm for data preprocessing of an associative memory inspired to an electrostatic problem that turns out to have intimate relations with information maximization

Feed Utilisation Efficiency of Lupin Inclusion in Cobia: Role of Dietary Organic Selenium Supplementation

The dietary selenium (Se) requirement has been determined for cobia Rachycentron canadum using purified diet; however, its role in the utilisation of plant-derived ingredients has not been evaluated in the species. Therefore, a 3 x 2 factorial experimental design involving three inclusion levels (0, 210 and 315 g/kg) of lupin Lupinus angustifolius kernel meal (LKM) and two concentrations (0 and 0.8 mg/kg) of Se was used to evaluate the effects of Se supplementation in conjunction with LKM on the growth, feed utilisation and physiological responses in the cobia. Six isonitrogenous (46.5 % crude protein) and isoenergetic (21 MJ/kg gross energy) diets were formulated and fed to cobia for 7 weeks in a flow-through seawater system. The results showed significant effects of Se supplementation and its interaction with dietary lupin on the growth and feed efficiency of cobia. Se supplementation significantly improved the growth and feed utilisation efficiency in cobia fed lupin-based diets. The nutrient digestibility of fish fed supplemental Se lupin-based diets was significantly higher than that of fish fed diets without Se supplementation at each inclusion level of LKM. There were no significant effects of dietary Se supplementation on the survival, muscle composition or muscle amino acids, whereas regression analysis indicated a positive linear relationship between tissue Se accumulation and dietary Se levels. An enhancement of haematological responses was also observed in cobia fed Se-supplemented diets. In summary, cobia fed lupin-based diets required higher dietary Se supplementation for higher feed utilisation efficiency than previously quantified for the casein-based diet

Location Privacy in Spatial Crowdsourcing

Spatial crowdsourcing (SC) is a new platform that engages individuals in collecting and analyzing environmental, social and other spatiotemporal information. With SC, requesters outsource their spatiotemporal tasks to a set of workers, who will perform the tasks by physically traveling to the tasks' locations. This chapter identifies privacy threats toward both workers and requesters during the two main phases of spatial crowdsourcing, tasking and reporting. Tasking is the process of identifying which tasks should be assigned to which workers. This process is handled by a spatial crowdsourcing server (SC-server). The latter phase is reporting, in which workers travel to the tasks' locations, complete the tasks and upload their reports to the SC-server. The challenge is to enable effective and efficient tasking as well as reporting in SC without disclosing the actual locations of workers (at least until they agree to perform a task) and the tasks themselves (at least to workers who are not assigned to those tasks). This chapter aims to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in protecting users' location privacy in spatial crowdsourcing. We provide a comparative study of a diverse set of solutions in terms of task publishing modes (push vs. pull), problem focuses (tasking and reporting), threats (server, requester and worker), and underlying technical approaches (from pseudonymity, cloaking, and perturbation to exchange-based and encryption-based techniques). The strengths and drawbacks of the techniques are highlighted, leading to a discussion of open problems and future work

Bisphosphonate's and Intermittent Parathyroid Hormone's Effect on Human Spinal Fusion: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

There has been a conscious effort to address osteoporosis in the aging population. As bisphosphonate and intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) therapy become more widely prescribed to treat osteoporosis, it is important to understand their effects on other physiologic processes, particularly the impact on spinal fusion. Despite early animal model studies and more recent clinical studies, the impact of these medications on spinal fusion is not fully understood. Previous animal studies suggest that bisphosphonate therapy resulted in inhibition of fusion mass with impeded maturity and an unknown effect on biomechanical strength. Prior animal studies demonstrate an improved fusion rate and fusion mass microstructure with the use of intermittent PTH. The purpose of this study was to determine if bisphosphonates and intermittent PTH treatment have impact on human spinal fusion. A systematic review of the literature published between 1980 and 2015 was conducted using major electronic databases. Studies reporting outcomes of human subjects undergoing 1, 2, or 3-level spinal fusion while receiving bisphosphonates and/or intermittent PTH treatment were included. The results of relevant human studies were analyzed for consensus on the effects of these medications in regards to spinal fusion. There were nine human studies evaluating the impact of these medications on spinal fusion. Improved fusion rates were noted in patients receiving bisphosphonates compared to control groups, and greater fusion rates in patients receiving PTH compared to control groups. Prior studies involving animal models found an improved fusion rate and fusion mass microstructure with the use of intermittent PTH. No significant complications were demonstrated in any study included in the analysis. Bisphosphonate use in humans may not be a deterrent to spinal fusion. Intermittent parathyroid use has shown early promise to increase fusion mass in both animal and human studies but further studies are needed to support routine use