The Arthurian Legend In Malory And The 1970\u27s: A Comparison

The 1970\u27s Arthurian fiction represents the latest step in the legend\u27s growth; Sir Thomas Malory\u27s Le Morte Darthur represents a landing five-hundred years down the staircase. The comparison of Malory and these 1970\u27s authors in their handling of Arthur\u27s and Merlin\u27s characters, of magic, and of violence, not only distinguishes between authors and times, but explores the aspects of the legend which future writers will need to consider. In working with Arthur\u27s story, modern authors return the king to his place of prominence and work with explaining the inconsistencies in his character which they found in Malory - his abdication of power and fame to his knights, and his reaction to Guenever and Launcelot\u27s affair. Merlin\u27s enigmatic character in Malory also presents a challenge to modern authors and they attempt to discover the source for his concern over Arthur\u27s kingdom. In the 1970\u27s Arthur and Merlin regain their dominant roles in the legend and begin emerging as fully developed characters. Fantasy plays an integral part in Arthur and Merlin\u27s world; the legend was born when the marvelous was a natural part of everyday life, and Malory\u27s tale is itself fantasy, filled with giants, wizards, and miracles. The modern authors, somewhat estranged from the marvelous, do not deal with magic as naturally as does Malory, yet they do not sever fantasy from the tale. While they struggle to explain their magic, modern authors show future writers that the marvelous must shape and influence the entire tale. In Arthur\u27s world, war is assumed. Two aspects of violence control its use by Malory and the modern authors: relevance to the story, and distance between the reader and the violence. The appropriateness of violence is determined by purpose and the author\u27s efforts to give. man an example a life he must rise above. Malory achieves a delicate balance between distance to the reader, relevance to the story, and providing his characters with a purpose; the modern authors do not achieve that same balance and it remains the task of a future writer to do so. The differences between Malory and the modern authors show what might come next in the legend: Arthur\u27s character will continue to develop as the modern authors have struggled to develop it; the elements of fantasy and violence will also be carefully considered and explored in order to achieve a modern effort comparable to Malory\u27s work

A Deep Learning-Monte Carlo Combined Prediction of Side-Effect Impact Ionization in Highly Doped GaN Diodes

The existence of leakage current pathways leading to the appearance of impact ionization and the potential device breakdown in planar Gunn GaN diodes is analyzed by means of a combined Monte Carlo-deep learning approach. Front-view (lateral) Monte Carlo simulations of the devices show the appearance of a high-field hotspot at the anode corner of the etched region, just at the boundaries between the dielectric, the GaN-doped layer, and the buffer. Thus, if the isolation created by the etched trenches is not complete, a relevant hot carrier population within the buffer is observed at sufficiently high applied voltages, provoking the appearance of a very significant number of impact ionizations and the consequent avalanche process before the onset of Gunn oscillations. A neural network trained from Monte Carlo simulations allows predicting with extremely good precision the breakdown voltage of the diodes depending on the doping of the GaN active layer, the permittivity of the isolating dielectric, and the lattice temperature. Low doping, high temperature and high permittivity provide larger operational voltages, which implies a tradeoff with the conditions required to achieve THz Gunn oscillations at low voltages

Identification of the direct regulon of NtcA during early acclimation to nitrogen starvation in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

In cyanobacteria, nitrogen homeostasis is maintained by an intricate regulatory network around transcription factor NtcA. Although mechanisms controlling NtcA activity appear to be well understood, its regulon remains poorly defined. To determine the NtcA regulon during the early stages of nitrogen starvation for the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation, followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq), in parallel with transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq). Through combining these methods, we determined 51 genes activated and 28 repressed directly by NtcA. In addition to genes associated with nitrogen and carbon metabolism, a considerable number of genes without current functional annotation were among direct targets providing a rich reservoir for further studies. The NtcA regulon also included eight non-coding RNAs, of which Ncr1071, Syr6 and NsiR7 were experimentally validated, and their putative targets were computationally predicted. Surprisingly, we found substantial NtcA binding associated with delayed expression changes indicating that NtcA can reside in a poised state controlled by other factors. Indeed, a role of PipX as modulating factor in nitrogen regulation was confirmed for selected NtcA-targets. We suggest that the indicated poised state of NtcA enables a more differentiated response to nitrogen limitation and can be advantageous in native habitats of Synechocystis.Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) [BFU2013-41712, BIO2016-75634]; Junta de Andalucia-European Regional Funds (FEDER) [BIO-284, P12-BIO-1119]; FCT (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia) [PTDC/BIA-MIC/4418/2012, IF/00881/2013, UID/BIM/04773/2013-CBMR, UID/Multi/04326/2013-CCMAR]; School of Biomedical & Healthcare Sciences, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistryinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluación cualitativa del programa comunitario Irunsasoi para la promoción de la actividad física: la perspectiva de los médicos

Objectives: The sedentarism is an important conditioner of morbidity and mortality. The communitarian programs of promotion of physical activity that include a pursuit protocol can help and complement to the medical advice in the consultation. The objectives that we marked ourselves with this study have been to know the opinion the doctors on the prescription of physical activity and the implantation of the Irunsasoi program, collaboration between the doctors of Primary Attention and the technicians of physical activity of the council of Irún City to help the sedentary people. Methodology Design: Technique of focal groups. The discussions were recorded and later transcribed, previous authorization, for their analysis. Location: Primary attention. Irún Centro health Center. Subjects: The study population was the 15 doctors of AP. Two groups of 5 doctors, homogenous were made in age and sex, the recruitment was made, the invitation at random to participate was verbal by the investigator without no refusal took place. Measures: The discussion lines were grouped in: attitude before the advice and participation in the program, difficulties of collaboration and proposals of improvement. Results: Positive evaluation of the program to have enabled personnel, sufficient time and guarantees of pursuit. The collaboration difficulties are based on the forgetfulness not to have it built-in to our mechanics of work and to wort in other activities by lack of time. Conclusions: He is positive to work jointly with the technicians of physical activity. Aspects to improve: the formation in prescription of physical activity, the implication of nurses, the circuit of communication and the support in computerized historyObjetivos: El sedentarismo es un importante condicionante de morbilidad y mortalidad. Los programas comunitarios de promoción de actividad física que incluyan un protocolo de seguimiento pueden ayudar y complementar al consejo médico en la consulta. Los objetivos que nos marcamos con este estudio han sido conocer la opinión de los médicos sobre la prescripción de actividad física y sobre la implantación del programa Irunsasoi, de colaboración entre los médicos de Atención Primaria y los técnicos de actividad física del Ayuntamiento de Irún para ayudar a las personas sedentarias. Metodología: Diseño: Técnica de grupos focales. Las discusiones fueron grabadas y posteriormente transcritas, previa autorización, para su análisis. Emplazamiento: Atención primaria. Centro de salud Irún Centro. Sujetos: La población de estudio fueron los 15 médicos de AP. Se realizaron dos grupos de 5 médicos, homogéneos en edad y sexo, el reclutamiento se realizó al azar, la invitación a participar fue verbal por el investigador sin que se produjera ninguna negativa. Medidas: Los ejes de discusión se agruparon en: actitud ante el consejo y participación en el programa, dificultades de colaboración y propuestas de mejora. Resultados: Valoración positiva del programa por disponer de personal capacitado, tiempo suficiente y garantías de seguimiento. Las dificultades de colaboración se basan en el olvido por no tenerlo incorporado a nuestra mecánica de trabajo y priorización de otras actividades por falta de tiempo. Conclusiones: Es positivo trabajar conjuntamente con los técnicos de actividad física. Aspectos a mejorar: la formación en prescripción de actividad física, la implicación de enfermería, el circuito de comunicación y el soporte en la historia informatizad

Overexpression of toll-like receptors 3 and 4 in synovial tissue from patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: Toll-like receptor expression in early and longstanding arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the expression, regulation, and biologic relevance of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 1-10 in synovial and skin fibroblasts and to determine the expression levels of TLRs 2, 3, and 4 in synovial tissues from patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), longstanding RA, and osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Expression of TLRs 1-10 in RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs), OASFs, and skin fibroblasts was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fibroblasts were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), bacterial lipopeptide, poly(I-C), lipopolysaccharide, and flagellin. Production of IL-6 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and induction of TLRs 2-5, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 3 and 13 messenger RNA by real-time PCR. Expression of TLRs 2-4 in synovial tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Synovial fibroblasts expressed TLRs 1-6, but not TLRs 7-10. Among the expressed TLRs, TLR-3 and TLR-4 were the most abundant in synovial fibroblasts, and stimulation of synovial fibroblasts with the TLR-3 ligand poly(I-C) led to the most pronounced increase in IL-6, MMP-3, and MMP-13. In contrast, skin fibroblasts did not up-regulate MMP-3 or MMP-13 after stimulation with any of the tested stimuli. In synovial tissues from patients with early RA, TLR-3 and TLR-4 were highly expressed and were comparable to the levels of patients with longstanding RA. These expression levels were elevated as compared with those in OA. CONCLUSION: Our findings of high expression of TLRs, particularly TLRs 3 and 4, at an early stage of RA and the reactivity of synovial fibroblasts in vitro to TLR ligands suggest that TLR signaling pathways resulting in persistent inflammation and joint destruction are activated early in the disease process

Constraints on Titan's middle atmosphere ammonia abundance from Herschel/SPIRE sub-millimetre spectra

Sub-millimetre spectra measured with Herschel's SPIRE Fourier Transform Spectrometer were used to search for ammonia (NH3) in Titan's stratosphere. Observations were taken during 2010 and 2011, just after Titan's northern spring equinox, which occurred in mid-2009. In our analysis we used high spectral resolution data (0.074 cm-1 apodised) from the SPIRE shortwave spectrometer array (SSW), which provided the best possible signal-to-noise ratio for detecting any NH3 emission features. These data have the most sensitivity to NH3 spectral emission of any currently available observations, although despite this we did not detect any significant emission features above the noise. However, we can place an improved 3-sigma upper limit on NH3 abundance of <0.19ppb for altitudes 65-110 km (75 km peak sensitivity), or alternatively a column abundance of <1.23×1015molecules/cm2. These observations provide modest constraint for future photochemical models and are consistent with most current stratospheric predictions. Scaling of photochemical model profiles, in order to fit elevated abundances observed at 1100 km by Cassini's INMS instrument, are for the most part also consistent with our observations. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd

"TNOs are Cool": A survey of the trans-Neptunian region VI. Herschel/PACS observations and thermal modeling of 19 classical Kuiper belt objects

Trans-Neptunian objects (TNO) represent the leftovers of the formation of the Solar System. Their physical properties provide constraints to the models of formation and evolution of the various dynamical classes of objects in the outer Solar System. Based on a sample of 19 classical TNOs we determine radiometric sizes, geometric albedos and beaming parameters. Our sample is composed of both dynamically hot and cold classicals. We study the correlations of diameter and albedo of these two subsamples with each other and with orbital parameters, spectral slopes and colors. We have done three-band photometric observations with Herschel/PACS and we use a consistent method for data reduction and aperture photometry of this sample to obtain monochromatic flux densities at 70.0, 100.0 and 160.0 \mu m. Additionally, we use Spitzer/MIPS flux densities at 23.68 and 71.42 \mu m when available, and we present new Spitzer flux densities of eight targets. We derive diameters and albedos with the near-Earth asteroid thermal model (NEATM). As auxiliary data we use reexamined absolute visual magnitudes from the literature and data bases, part of which have been obtained by ground based programs in support of our Herschel key program. We have determined for the first time radiometric sizes and albedos of eight classical TNOs, and refined previous size and albedo estimates or limits of 11 other classicals. The new size estimates of 2002 MS4 and 120347 Salacia indicate that they are among the 10 largest TNOs known. Our new results confirm the recent findings that there are very diverse albedos among the classical TNOs and that cold classicals possess a high average albedo (0.17 +/- 0.04). Diameters of classical TNOs strongly correlate with orbital inclination in our sample. We also determine the bulk densities of six binary TNOs.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Searches for HCl and HF in comets 103P/Hartley 2 and C/2009 P1 (Garradd) with the Herschel space observatory

HCl and HF are expected to be the main reservoirs of fluorine and chlorine wherever hydrogen is predominantly molecular. They are found to be strongly depleted in dense molecular clouds, suggesting freeze-out onto grains in such cold environments. We can then expect that HCl and HF were also the major carriers of Cl and F in the gas and icy phases of the outer solar nebula, and were incorporated into comets. We aimed to measure the HCl and HF abundances in cometary ices as they can provide insights on the halogen chemistry in the early solar nebula. We searched for the J(1-0) lines of HCl and HF at 626 and 1232 GHz, respectively, using the HIFI instrument on board the Herschel Space Observatory. HCl was searched for in comets 103P/Hartley 2 and C/2009 P1 (Garradd), whereas observations of HF were conducted in comet C/2009 P1. In addition, observations of H$_2$O and H$_2^{18}$O lines were performed in C/2009 P1 to measure the H$_2$O production rate. Three lines of CH$_3$OH were serendipitously observed in the HCl receiver setting. HCl is not detected, whereas a marginal (3.6-$\sigma$) detection of HF is obtained. The upper limits for the HCl abundance relative to water are 0.011% and 0.022%, for 103P and C/2009 P1, respectively, showing that HCl is depleted with respect to the solar Cl/O abundance by a factor more than 6$^{+6}_{-3}$ in 103P, where the error is related to the uncertainty in the chlorine solar abundance. The marginal HF detection obtained in C/2009 P1 corresponds to an HF abundance relative to water of (1.8$\pm$0.5) $\times$ 10$^{-4}$, which is approximately consistent with a solar photospheric F/O abundance. The observed depletion of HCl suggests that HCl was not the main reservoir of chlorine in the regions of the solar nebula where these comets formed. HF was possibly the main fluorine compound in the gas phase of the outer solar nebula.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

First results on Martian carbon monoxide from Herschel/HIFI observations

We report on the initial analysis of Herschel/HIFI carbon monoxide (CO) observations of the Martian atmosphere performed between 11 and 16 April 2010. We selected the (7-6) rotational transitions of the isotopes ^{13}CO at 771 GHz and C^{18}O at 768 GHz in order to retrieve the mean vertical profile of temperature and the mean volume mixing ratio of carbon monoxide. The derived temperature profile agrees within less than 5 K with general circulation model (GCM) predictions up to an altitude of 45 km, however, show about 12-15 K lower values at 60 km. The CO mixing ratio was determined as 980 \pm 150 ppm, in agreement with the 900 ppm derived from Herschel/SPIRE observations in November 2009.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics (special issue on HIFI first results); minor changes to match published versio