130 research outputs found
The decays within the standard model
We study the reactions within the
minimal standard model. We use isospin symmetry to relate the matrix elements
to the form factors measured in . We argue that these modes are
short distance dominated and can be used for precise determinations of the CKM
parameters and . Depending on the value of the CKM angles we find
branching ratios in the following ranges: ; ; . We also discuss a possible -odd
observable.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 2 Postscript figures. Title and abstract have been
revised to better reflect the content of the paper. This is the final version
as publishe
Prediction of crop coefficients from fraction of ground cover and height. Background and validation using ground and remote sensing data
ReviewThe current study aims at reviewing and providing advances on methods for estimating and applying crop coefficients
from observations of ground cover and vegetation height. The review first focuses on the relationships between single
Kc and basal Kcb and various parameters including the fraction of ground covered by the canopy (fc), the leaf area index
(LAI), the fraction of ground shaded by the canopy (fshad), the fraction of intercepted light (flight) and intercepted
photosynthetic active radiation (fIPAR). These relationships were first studied in the 1970’s, for annual crops, and later,
in the last decennia, for tree and vine perennials. Research has now provided a variety of methods to observe and
measure fc and height (h) using both ground and remote sensing tools, which has favored the further development of Kc
related functions. In the past, these relationships were not used predictively but to support the understanding of
dynamics of Kc and Kcb in relation to the processes of evapotranspiration or transpiration, inclusive of the role of soil
evaporation. Later, the approach proposed by Allen and Pereira (2009), the A&P approach, used fc and height (h) or LAI
data to define a crop density coefficient that was used to directly estimate Kc and Kcb values for a variety of annual and
perennial crops in both research and practice. It is opportune to review the A&P method in the context of a variety of
studies that have derived Kc and Kcb values from field measured data with simultaneously observed ground cover fc and
height. Applications used to test the approach include various tree and vine crops (olive, pear, and lemon orchards and
vineyards), vegetable crops (pea, onion and tomato crops), field crops (barley, wheat, maize, sunflower, canola, cotton
and soybean crops), as well as a grassland and a Bermudagrass pasture. Comparisons of Kcb values computed with the A
&P method produced regression coefficients close to 1.0 and coefficients of determination≥0.90, except for orchards.
Results indicate that the A&P approach can produce estimates of potential Kcb, using vegetation characteristics alone,
within reasonable or acceptable error, and are useful for refining Kcb for conditions of plant spacing, size and density
that differ from standard values. The comparisons provide parameters appropriate to applications for the tested crops.
In addition, the A&P approach was applied with remotely sensed fc data for a variety of crops in California using the
Satellite Irrigation Management Support (SIMS) framework. Daily SIMS crop ET (ETc-SIMS) produced Kcb values using
the FAO56 and A&P approaches. Combination of satellite derived fc and Kcb values with ETo data from Spatial CIMIS
(California Irrigation Management Information System) produced ET estimates that were compared with daily actual
crop ET derived from energy balance calculations from micrometeorological instrumentation (ETc EB).Results produced
coefficients of regression of 1.05 for field crops and 1.08 for woody crops, and R2 values of 0.81 and 0.91, respectively.
These values suggest that daily ETc-SIMS -based ET can be accurately estimated within reasonable error and that the A&P
approach is appropriate to support that estimation. It is likely that accuracy can be improved via progress in remote
sensing determination of fc. Tabulated Kcb results and calculation parameters are presented in a companion paper in this
Special Issueinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Developing the digital self-determined learner through heutagogical design
This empirical qualitative study investigates whether the introduction of heutagogy in contemporary nursing education can foster the development of the digital self-determined learner, who is prepared to work and live in the fourth industrial age and beyond. The impact of heutagogical design on learner process and outcomes is explored through qualitative framework analysis of learner data and reflective educator observations. Findings suggest that with careful scaffolding and courage in remaining true to the educational philosophy, this approach has the potential to develop learners who demonstrate key principles of heutagogy including non-linear learning, learner agency, capability, self-reflection and metacognition and double-loop learning. This innovative study provides insight into the process of developing the self-determined learner and encourages further research into flexible and learner-centred approaches across Higher Education
APOE ɛ4 exacerbates age-dependent deficits in cortical microstructure
The apolipoprotein E ɛ4 allele is the primary genetic risk factor for the sporadic type of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the mechanisms by which apolipoprotein E ɛ4 are associated with neurodegeneration are still poorly understood. We applied the Neurite Orientation Dispersion Model to characterize the effects of apolipoprotein ɛ4 and its interactions with age and education on cortical microstructure in cognitively normal individuals. Data from 1954 participants were included from the PREVENT-Dementia and ALFA (ALzheimer and FAmilies) studies (mean age = 57, 1197 non-carriers and 757 apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers). Structural MRI datasets were processed with FreeSurfer v7.2. The Microstructure Diffusion Toolbox was used to derive Orientation Dispersion Index maps from diffusion MRI datasets. Primary analyses were focused on (i) the main effects of apolipoprotein E ɛ4, and (ii) the interactions of apolipoprotein E ɛ4 with age and education on lobar and vertex-wise Orientation Dispersion Index and implemented using Permutation Analysis of Linear Models. There were apolipoprotein E ɛ4 × age interactions in the temporo-parietal and frontal lobes, indicating steeper age-dependent Orientation Dispersion Index changes in apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers. Steeper age-related Orientation Dispersion Index declines were observed among apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers with lower years of education. We demonstrated that apolipoprotein E ɛ4 worsened age-related Orientation Dispersion Index decreases in brain regions typically associated with atrophy patterns of Alzheimer’s disease. This finding also suggests that apolipoprotein E ɛ4 may hasten the onset age of dementia by accelerating age-dependent reductions in cortical Orientation Dispersion Index
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