220 research outputs found
Benchmark on neutron capture extracted from reactions
Direct neutron capture reactions play an important role in nuclear
astrophysics and applied physics. Since for most unstable short-lived nuclei it
is not possible to measure the cross sections, reactions
have been used as an alternative indirect tool. We analyze simultaneously
at deuteron energies and 56 MeV
and the thermal reaction at 25 meV. We include results for the
ground state and the first excited state of Ca. From the low-energy
reaction, the neutron asymptotic normalization coefficient (ANC) is
determined. Using this ANC, we extract the spectroscopic factor (SF) from the
higher energy data and the data. The SF obtained through
the 56 MeV data are less accurate but consistent with those from the
thermal capture. We show that to have a similar dependence on the single
particle parameters as in the , the (d,p) reaction should be
measured at 30 MeV.Comment: 5 pg, 4 figs, Phys. Rev. C (rapid) in pres
Diversity and occurrence of siphonophores in Irish coastal waters
Siphonophores are at times amongst the most abundant invertebrate zooplankton predators in the oceans. Historically, siphonophores have been under-sampled and of the studies conducted there has been a bias towards oceanic oligotrophic waters where they are considered to be more important. In temperate coastal regions, comparatively less is known about the diversity and abundance of siphonophores, where periodic blooms can restructure the plankton communities and have been correlated with high mortalities in the salmon aquaculture industry. To address this lack of knowledge, plankton samples were collected during two periods (March 2009-March 2011 and April 2014-November 2015) from a coastal embayment in the southwest of Ireland. In total, three siphonophore species were found, the calycophoran Muggiaea atlantica, and the physonects, Nanomia bijuga and Agalma elegans. Muggiaea atlantica was the most abundant species (250 colonies m−3), with densities an order of magnitude higher than either physonect. Muggiaea atlantica displayed a distinct seasonality, whereas the physonect species were sporadic in occurrence. Comparing siphonophores in Bantry Bay and the Western English Channel (Plymouth Marine Laboratory's L4 station) indicates both regions share a similar pattern of inter-annual occurrence and provides novel information on the seasonality and occurrence of siphonophores in Irish coastal waters
Development of a Methodology for the Quantitative Assessment of Ireland’s Inshore Kelp Resource
Lead Partner: Queen’s University, Belfast. Project Partners: University College Cork and Envision Mapping Ltd.The main aim of the project was to develop and demonstrate an acoustic methodology for the estimation of kelp biomass based on a low-cost commercial marine acoustic system and modification of the standard software. The approach will be of significant value to regulatory authorities for the monitoring of healthy kelp beds and their associated fauna and flora. It will also provide a scientific basis for future kelp harvesting trials, be instrumental in developing appropriate management plans for such practices and will aid in the evaluation of the recovery in harvested areas.This project (Grant-Aid Agreement No. PBA/SW/07/002(01)) was carried out under the
Sea Change strategy with the support of the Marine Institute and the Marine Research
Sub-Programme of the National Development Plan 2007–2013.Funder: Marine Institut
Biofouling of the hydroid Ectopleura larynx on aquaculture nets in Ireland: implications for finfish health
Peer-reviewedThe potential direct health problems posed to marine-farmed salmonids by the biofouling hydroid Ectopleura larynx (Phylum Cnidaria, Class Hydrozoa) and in situ net washing processes to remove the fouling organisms have not yet been addressed. In an attempt to address the possible impacts, the rate of E. larynx growth on aquaculture nets over a net-cleaning cycle was assessed and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts were exposed to hydroid-biofouled nets under experimental challenge. After only 1 week of immersion, there was a high settlement of E. larynx on net panels, with the maximum growth observed after 3 week of immersion. For the challenges trials, experimental treatment groups of S. salar were exposed to hydroid net panels or loose hydroid material for 11 hours under controlled conditions. Gills were examined for signs of gross damage and assigned a histopathological gill score. Prior to the experiment, the gills were healthy and did not show signs of damage from any insult. After exposure to E. larynx, focal areas of epithelial sloughing, necrosis and haemorrhage were visible on the gills under histopathology and a maximum gill score of 4 was observed. These results are the first in an investigation of this kind and suggest that E. larynx can damage the gills of S. salar. Further work on this area is vital to develop a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the damage caused by hydroids and their long-term effects on fish health, growth and survival
You turn me cold: evidence for temperature contagion
Introduction
During social interactions, our own physiological responses influence those of others. Synchronization of physiological (and behavioural) responses can facilitate emotional understanding and group coherence through inter-subjectivity. Here we investigate if observing cues indicating a change in another's body temperature results in a corresponding temperature change in the observer.
Methods
Thirty-six healthy participants (age; 22.9±3.1 yrs) each observed, then rated, eight purpose-made videos (3 min duration) that depicted actors with either their right or left hand in visibly warm (warm videos) or cold water (cold videos). Four control videos with the actors' hand in front of the water were also shown. Temperature of participant observers' right and left hands was concurrently measured using a thermistor within a Wheatstone bridge with a theoretical temperature sensitivity of <0.0001°C. Temperature data were analysed in a repeated measures ANOVA (temperature × actor's hand × observer's hand).
Results
Participants rated the videos showing hands immersed in cold water as being significantly cooler than hands immersed in warm water, F(1,34) = 256.67, p0.1). There was however no evidence of left-right mirroring of these temperature effects p>0.1). Sensitivity to temperature contagion was also predicted by inter-individual differences in self-report empathy.
Conclusions
We illustrate physiological contagion of temperature in healthy individuals, suggesting that empathetic understanding for primary low-level physiological challenges (as well as more complex emotions) are grounded in somatic simulation
Thermography and thermoregulation of the face
BACKGROUND: Although clinical diagnosis of thermoregulation is gaining in importance there is no consistent evidence on the value of thermography of the facial region. In particular there are no reference values established with standardised methods. METHODS: Skin temperatures were measured in the facial area at 32 fixed measuring sites in 26 health subjects (7–72 years) with the aid of a contact thermograph (Eidatherm). A total of 6 measurements were performed separately for the two sides of the face at intervals of equal lengths (4 hours) over a period of 24 hours. Thermoregulation was triggered by application of a cold stimulus in the region of the ipsilateral ear lobe. RESULTS: Comparison of the sides revealed significant asymmetry of face temperature. The left side of the face showed a temperature that was on the average 0.1°C lower than on the right. No increase in temperature was found following application of the cold stimulus. However, a significant circadian rhythm with mean temperature differences of 0.7°C was observed. CONCLUSION: The results obtained should be seen as an initial basis for compiling an exact thermoprofile of the surface temperature of the facial region that takes into account the circadian rhythm, thus closing gaps in studies on physiological changes in the temperature of the skin of the face
Cardiovascular and autonomic modulation by the central nervous system after aerobic exercise training
Time course of the hemodynamic responses to aortic depressor nerve stimulation in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats
The science of european marine reserves: Status, efficacy, and future needs
The ecologically and socio-economically important marine ecosystems of Europe are facing severe
threats from a variety of human impacts. To mitigate and potentially reverse some of these impacts, the
European Union (EU) has mandated the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
(MSFD) in order to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) in EU waters by 2020. The primary
initiative for achieving GES is the implementation of coherent networks of marine protected areas
(MPAs). Marine reserves are an important type of MPA in which no extraction is allowed, but their
usefulness depends upon a number of ecological, management, and political factors. This paper
provides a synthesis of the ecological effects of existing European marine reserves and the factors
(social and ecological) underlying their effectiveness. Results show that existing European marine
reserves foster significant positive increases in key biological variables (density, biomass, body size, and
species richness) compared with areas receiving less protection, a pattern mirrored by marine reserves
around the globe. For marine reserves to achieve their ecological and social goals, however, they must
be designed, managed, and enforced properly. In addition, identifying whether protected areas are
ecologically connected as a network, as well as where new MPAs should be established according to the
MSFD, requires information on the connectivity of populations across large areas. The adoption of the
MSFD demonstrates willingness to achieve the long-term protection of Europe’s marine ecosystems,
but whether the political will (local, regional, and continent wide) is strong enough to see its mandates
through remains to be seen. Although the MSFD does not explicitly require marine reserves, an
important step towards the protection of Europe’s marine ecosystems is the establishment of marine
reserves within wider-use MPAs as connected networks across large spatial scales
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