Contribution to the question of the equatorial counter current

The question of the dynamics of the equatorial counter currents of the several oceans was scarcely brought nearer solution by the research of recent years. The attempt of Sverdrup (1932), which Defant (1935) has further pursued, to explain the counter current as a result of the asymmetry about the equator of the westward-flowing north and south equatorial currents, does not suffice. This may be shown by the following short exposition

Проблемний характер інформаційно-знаннєво-прогнозних атракторів у системі науки

У роботі зосереджується увага на дослідженні самоорганізаційних процесів у науковій системі, базуючись на таких модельних атракторах, як інформація, знання і передбачення. Проведений аналіз стосується теорії розвитку наукового знання і практичного наукознавства. Показано, що для розвитку наукової системи єдино можливим є інноваційний шлях — створення віртуальних структур з раціональною та ефективною системою діяльності (на прикладі Державного фонду фундаментальних досліджень). Розглядаються інформаційні ресурси як характеристика рівня упорядкованості, складності систем знань та критерії їх оцінки. Аналізуються особливості побудови систем достовірного знання, забезпечення відкритого доступу до інформації/знань з метою стимуляції наукової ініціативи та творчості. Акцент зроблено на технічному прогнозуванні: дослідженні тенденцій, виявленні нових проблем і можливих шляхів їх розв’язання. Наведено приклади можливостей науки, її перспектив, що переконливо свідчать про потребу змін сучасної науково-технічної політики (як у формуванні, так і в реалізації) шляхом визначення пріоритетів розвитку. Деталізовано проблему реалізації об’єктивної системи оцінювання результатів фундаментальних наукових досліджень.В работе сосредоточено внимание на исследовании самоорганизационных процессов в научной системе, базируясь на таких модельных атракторах, как информация, знание и предвидение. Проведенный анализ касается теории развития научного знания и практического науковедения. Показано, что для развития научной системы единственно возможным является инновационный путь — создание виртуальных структур с рациональной и эффективной системой деятельности (на примере Государственного фонда фундаментальных исследований). Рассматриваются информационные ресурсы как характеристика упорядоченности, сложности систем знаний и критерии их оценки. Анализируются особенности построения систем достоверного знания, обеспечения открытого доступа к информации/знаниям с целью стимулирования научной инициативы и творчества. Акцент сделан на техническом прогнозировании: исследовании тенденций, выявлении новых проблем и возможных путей их решения. Приводятся примеры возможностей науки, ее перспектив, что убедительно свидетельствует о необходимости изменений научно-технической политики (как в формировании, так и в реализации) путем определения приоритетов развития. Детализирована проблема реализации объективной системы оценивания результатов фундаментальных научных исследований.Self-organizing processes within the science system are studied on the basis of model attractors such as information, knowledge and prediction. The analysis deals with the theory of scientific knowledge development and practical science of science (science studies). By example of the State Fund for Basic Research it’s shown that the development of scientific knowledge is only possible by way of innovation, that is, creation of virtual entities with rational and effective system of action. Information resources are treated as a characteristic of the level of systematization and complexity of the knowledge systems, and as their evaluation criteria. Specifics of building up authentic knowledge systems and ensuring the opened access to information\knowledge as a driver for scientific initiative and creativity are analyzed. Emphasis is made on technical prediction: studies of tendencies, identification of new problems and ways for their solutions. Examples of science capabilities and prospects are given, which convincingly proves the need for change in the current S&T policy (its formulation and implementation) through defining the development priorities. The problem related with applications of a sound system for evaluating results of basic research is shown in detail

Performance of Bridges with Damaged Elements in Extreme Flood Events

Recent floods in Southeast Queensland, Australia have caused detrimental impacts on the social, environmental and economic aspects of the country. Bridges are considered as critical infrastructure because in a time of a disaster and during its recovery stage, bridges provide access for emergency services to flood affected communities. A community has the potential to be isolated if a bridge crossing a river or creek is damaged by flooding. Therefore it is important to understand the impact that flooding has on bridges so that they can be made less vulnerable to damage from these extreme events. In order to analyse the effects of flooding, a finite element model of a case study bridge was created using the software package Strand7. The flood loads determined by the Australian Standards were applied to a case study bridge (Tenthill Creek Bridge near Gatton in the Lockyer Valley, Queensland). Damage to the bridge was also simulated by adding weakened elements to the main structural elements of the bridge. In order to compare different load cases and damage scenarios performance indicators were used to assess the vulnerability. It was found that a damaged girder subjected to log impact loading produced the maximum stress in the bridge

Jak-STAT regulation of cyst stem cell development in the Drosophila testis

Establishment and maintenance of functional stem cells is critical for organ development and tissue homeostasis. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying stem establishment during organogenesis. Drosophila testes are among the most thoroughly characterized systems for studying stem cell behavior, with germline stem cells (GSCs) and somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs) cohabiting a discrete stem cell niche at the testis apex. GSCs and CySCs are arrayed around hub cells that also comprise the niche and communication between hub cells, GSCs, and CySCs regulates the balance between stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Recent data has shown that functional, asymmetrically dividing GSCs are first established at similar to 23 h after egg laying during Drosophila testis morphogenesis (Sheng et al., 2009). This process correlates with coalescence of the hub, but development of CySCs from somatic gonadal precursors (SGPs) was not examined. Here, we show that functional CySCs are present at the time of GSC establishment, and that Jak-STAT signaling is necessary and sufficient for CySC maintenance shortly thereafter. Furthermore, hyper-activation of Jak in CySCs promotes expansion of the GSC population, while ectopic Jak activation in the germline induces GSC gene expression in GSC daughter cells but does not prevent spermatogenic differentiation. Together, these observations indicate that, similar to adult testes, Jak-STAT signaling from the hub acts on both GSCs and CySC to regulate their development and differentiation, and that additional signaling from CySCs to the GSCs play a dominant role in controlling GSC maintenance during niche formation. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Leukocyte migration in experimental inflammatory bowel disease

Emigration of leukocytes from the circulation into tissue by transendothelial migration, is mediated subsequently by adhesion molecules such as selectins, chemokines and integrins. This multistep paradigm, with multiple molecular choices at each step, provides a diversity in signals. The influx of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes into inflamed tissue is important in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The importance of each of these groups of adhesion molecules in chronic inflammatory bowel disease, either in human disease or in animal models, will be discussed below. Furthermore, the possibilities of blocking these different steps in the process of leukocyte extravasation in an attempt to prevent further tissue damage, will be taken into account

Do adults with high functioning autism or Asperger Syndrome differ in empathy and emotion recognition?

The present study examined whether adults with high functioning autism (HFA) showed greater difficulties in (i) their self-reported ability to empathise with others and/or (ii) their ability to read mental states in others’ eyes than adults with Asperger syndrome (AS). The Empathy Quotient (EQ) and ‘Reading the Mind in the Eyes’ Test (Eyes Test) were compared in 43 adults with AS and 43 adults with HFA. No significant difference was observed on EQ score between groups, while adults with AS performed significantly better on the Eyes Test than those with HFA. This suggests that adults with HFA may need more support, particularly in mentalizing and complex emotion recognition, and raises questions about the existence of subgroups within autism spectrum conditions

Multiplicity Structure of the Hadronic Final State in Diffractive Deep-Inelastic Scattering at HERA

The multiplicity structure of the hadronic system X produced in deep-inelastic processes at HERA of the type ep -> eXY, where Y is a hadronic system with mass M_Y< 1.6 GeV and where the squared momentum transfer at the pY vertex, t, is limited to |t|<1 GeV^2, is studied as a function of the invariant mass M_X of the system X. Results are presented on multiplicity distributions and multiplicity moments, rapidity spectra and forward-backward correlations in the centre-of-mass system of X. The data are compared to results in e+e- annihilation, fixed-target lepton-nucleon collisions, hadro-produced diffractive final states and to non-diffractive hadron-hadron collisions. The comparison suggests a production mechanism of virtual photon dissociation which involves a mixture of partonic states and a significant gluon content. The data are well described by a model, based on a QCD-Regge analysis of the diffractive structure function, which assumes a large hard gluonic component of the colourless exchange at low Q^2. A model with soft colour interactions is also successful.Comment: 22 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Eur. Phys. J., error in first submission - omitted bibliograph