Analytic and Numerical Aspects of the Nonsingular Laplacian Representation of the Asymptotic Part of the Layered-Medium Green Function in the Mixed Potential Formulation

We report on developments in the evaluation of matrix elements of the electric and magnetic field operators involving the asymptotic (large transverse wave-number or small transverse distances) components of the mixed-potential Green's function of a layered medium. Subtracting these asymptotic terms significantly accelerates numerical computation of the Sommerfeld-type integrals required in constructing Green's function and then the matrix elements [1]

New Simplified Analytic Expressions for the Matrix Elements of the Asymptotic Part of the Layered Medium Green Function in the Mixed Potential Formulation

We report new developments in the analytical evaluation of the near-field contribution to the matrix elements of the electric and magnetic field operators for planar conducting structures embedded in a layered medium. The method is applicable to Rao-Wilton-Glisson (RWG) basis functions supported on parallel interfaces in the medium. Our method is an extension of the approach described in [1] of representing a Green function as a two-dimensional Laplacian of an auxiliary function. Such Laplacian representations can be obtained for the asymptotic forms of the Green functions, which are being subtracted in order to regularize the behavior of the Sommerfeld-type integrals. Matrix elements resulting from these asymptotic forms, given originally as quadruple surface integrals with singular integrands, are then reduced to double contour integrals over the perimeters of the surface elements, involving simple closed-form non-singular auxiliary functions

Separable time-causal and time-recursive spatio-temporal receptive fields

We present an improved model and theory for time-causal and time-recursive spatio-temporal receptive fields, obtained by a combination of Gaussian receptive fields over the spatial domain and first-order integrators or equivalently truncated exponential filters coupled in cascade over the temporal domain. Compared to previous spatio-temporal scale-space formulations in terms of non-enhancement of local extrema or scale invariance, these receptive fields are based on different scale-space axiomatics over time by ensuring non-creation of new local extrema or zero-crossings with increasing temporal scale. Specifically, extensions are presented about parameterizing the intermediate temporal scale levels, analysing the resulting temporal dynamics and transferring the theory to a discrete implementation in terms of recursive filters over time.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1404.203

Results for Greenland halibut, American plaice and Atlantic cod of the Spanish survey in NAFO Div. 3NO for the period 1997-2019

Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) indices from the bottom trawl survey that Spain carries out in Spring since 1995 in Div. 3NO of the NAFO Regulatory Area are presented. Biomass, stratified mean catches and mean number per tow for the three species are presented since 1997, year in which the survey extended the depth strata. Mean catch per tow, length distribution and age distribution (this last except for American plaice) are presented for the last five years (2015-2019). Greenland halibut biomass and abundance estimates presented a decreasing trend since 1999, cut in 2007- 2009 with a high increase. In 2011 the biomass drops under the 2008 value, being stable since then until 2014 with a slight increase in 2015-2019 comprising a big increase in 2017, reaching the maximum of the series. In last years it can be seen a presence of juveniles, mainly in 2004, but the greatest lengths have failed, although in 2009 there is a quite good presence of individuals of ages 6-7 and in 2010 between 5-7. In 2011-2019 the presence of all ages is poor. In 2018 the mode was at 1-2 years, and 2-3 years in 2019, suggesting a fairly strong 2017 cohort. For American plaice we can see a slightly increasing trend from 1999 to 2015, reaching a maximum of mean catch and number in 2006, and a severe decline since 2016, being the 2019 the lowest value of the entire series. The greatest recruitment in the presented series occurred in 2004 and we can follow their mode along the years. No good recruitments were seen since then. In last years the level of all the ages is low. No 2019 age indices are available at this moment. For Atlantic cod, it can be seen a low biomass until 2008, being higher and variable since then, reaching a historical maximum in 2014. From 2015, biomass decreased reaching in 2019 poor values at the level of the 2005 biomass. In 2007-2008 the youngest length classes were much over the rest of the length classes. With the 2006 cohort the series reaches the maximum number of its historical values at five years in 2011. There have been no good recruitments since 2009, although in 2015 and 2016 a discrete presence of individuals of age 1 can be seen

Results of the Spanish survey in NAFO Division 3NO

Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), redfish (Sebastes spp.), witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus), roughhead grenadier (Macrourus berglax), thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata), white hake (Urophycis tenuis), squid (Illex illecebrosus) and capelin (Mallotus villosus) indices from the bottom trawl survey that Spain carries out in Spring since 1995 in Divisions 3NO of the NAFO Regulatory Area are presented. In 2020, the survey was not carried out due to the COVID pandemic situation. The presented indices are biomass by stratum, total length distribution and a and b parameters for the length-weight relationship; age distribution is also presented for Greenland halibut, Atlantic cod and American plaice.Versión del editor

Photoreceptor perturbation around subretinal drusenoid deposits as revealed by adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy

PURPOSE: To describe the microscopic structure of photoreceptors impacted by subretinal drusenoid deposits, also called pseudodrusen, an extracellular lesion associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO). DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: We recruited 53 patients with AMD and 10 age-similar subjects who had normal retinal health. All subjects underwent color fundus photography, infrared reflectance, red-free reflectance, autofluorescence, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Subretinal drusenoid deposits were classified by a 3-stage OCT-based grading system. Lesions and surrounding photoreceptors were examined by AOSLO. RESULTS: Subretinal drusenoid deposits were found in 26 eyes of 13 patients with AMD and imaged by AOSLO and spectral-domain OCT in 18 eyes (n = 342 lesions). Spectral-domain OCT showed subretinal drusenoid deposits as highly reflective material accumulated internal to the retinal pigment epithelium. AOSLO revealed that photoreceptor reflectivity was qualitatively reduced by stage 1 subretinal drusenoid deposits and was greatly reduced by stage 2. AOSLO presented a distinct structure in stage 3, a hyporeflective annulus consisting of deflected, degenerated or absent photoreceptors. A central core with a reflectivity superficially resembling photoreceptors is formed by the lesion material itself. A hyporeflective gap in the photoreceptor ellipsoid zone on either side of this core shown in spectral-domain OCT corresponded to the hyporeflective annulus seen by AOSLO. CONCLUSIONS: AOSLO and multimodal imaging of subretinal drusenoid deposits indicate solid, space-filling lesions in the subretinal space. Associated retinal reflectivity changes are related to lesion stages and are consistent with perturbations to photoreceptors, as suggested by histology

Factors affecting site use preference of grazing cattle studied from 2000 to 2020 through GPS tracking - A review

Understanding the behaviour of grazing animals at pasture is crucial in order to develop management strategies that will increase the potential productivity of grazing systems and simultaneously decrease the negative impact on the environment. The objective of this review is to summarize and analyse the scientific literature that has addressed the site use preference of grazing cattle using global positioning systems (GPS) collars in the past 21 years (2000-2020) to aid the development of more sustainable grazing livestock systems. The 84 studies identified were undertaken in several regions of the world, in diverse production systems, under different climate conditions and with varied methodologies and animal types. This work presents the information in categories according to the main findings reviewed, covering management, external and animal factors driving animal movement patterns. The results show that some variables such as stocking rate, water and shade location, weather conditions and pasture (terrain and vegetation) characteristics have a significant impact on the behaviour of grazing cattle. Other types of bio-loggers can be deployed in grazing ruminants to gain insights into their metabolism and its relationship with the landscape they utilise. Changing management practices based on these findings could improve the use of grasslands towards more sustainable and productive livestock systems

Overview of mathematical approaches used to model bacterial chemotaxis II: bacterial populations

We review the application of mathematical modeling to understanding the behavior of populations of chemotactic bacteria. The application of continuum mathematical models, in particular generalized Keller–Segel models, is discussed along with attempts to incorporate the microscale (individual) behavior on the macroscale, modeling the interaction between different species of bacteria, the interaction of bacteria with their environment, and methods used to obtain experimentally verified parameter values. We allude briefly to the role of modeling pattern formation in understanding collective behavior within bacterial populations. Various aspects of each model are discussed and areas for possible future research are postulated

Prophylactic antibiotics in the prevention of infection after operative vaginal delivery (ANODE): a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for maternal infection are clearly recognised, including caesarean section and operative vaginal birth. Antibiotic prophylaxis at caesarean section is widely recommended because there is clear systematic review evidence that it reduces incidence of maternal infection. Current WHO guidelines do not recommend routine antibiotic prophylaxis for women undergoing operative vaginal birth because of insufficient evidence of effectiveness. We aimed to investigate whether antibiotic prophylaxis prevented maternal infection after operative vaginal birth. METHODS: In a blinded, randomised controlled trial done at 27 UK obstetric units, women (aged ≥16 years) were allocated to receive a single dose of intravenous amoxicillin and clavulanic acid or placebo (saline) following operative vaginal birth at 36 weeks gestation or later. The primary outcome was confirmed or suspected maternal infection within 6 weeks of delivery defined by a new prescription of antibiotics for specific indications, confirmed systemic infection on culture, or endometritis. We did an intention-to-treat analysis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN, number 11166984, and is closed to accrual. FINDINGS: Between March 13, 2016, and June 13, 2018, 3427 women were randomly assigned to treatment: 1719 to amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, and 1708 to placebo. Seven women withdrew, leaving 1715 in the amoxicillin and clavulanic acid group and 1705 in the placebo groups. Primary outcome data were missing for 195 (6%) women. Significantly fewer women allocated to amoxicillin and clavulanic acid had a confirmed or suspected infection (180 [11%] of 1619) than women allocated to placebo (306 [19%] of 1606; risk ratio 0·58, 95% CI 0·49-0·69; p<0·0001). One woman in the placebo group reported a skin rash and two women in the amoxicillin and clavulanic acid reported other allergic reactions, one of which was reported as a serious adverse event. Two other serious adverse events were reported, neither was considered causally related to the treatment. INTERPRETATION: This trial shows benefit of a single dose of prophylactic antibiotic after operative vaginal birth and guidance from WHO and other national organisations should be changed to reflect this. FUNDING: NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme