The Origin of Sequential Chromospheric Brightenings

Sequential chromospheric brightenings (SCBs) are often observed in the immediate vicinity of erupting flares and are associated with coronal mass ejections. Since their initial discovery in 2005, there have been several subsequent investigations of SCBs. These studies have used differing detection and analysis techniques, making it difficult to compare results between studies. This work employs the automated detection algorithm of Kirk et al. (Solar Phys. 283, 97, 2013) to extract the physical characteristics of SCBs in 11 flares of varying size and intensity. We demonstrate that the magnetic substructure within the SCB appears to have a significantly smaller area than the corresponding H-alpha emission. We conclude that SCBs originate in the lower corona around 0.1 R_sun above the photosphere, propagate away from the flare center at speeds of 35 - 85 km/s, and have peak photosphere magnetic intensities of 148 +/- 2.9 G. In light of these measurements, we infer SCBs to be distinctive chromospheric signatures of erupting coronal mass ejections.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures, 5 table

Experimental archeology and serious games: challenges of inhabiting virtual heritage

Experimental archaeology has long yielded valuable insights into the tools and techniques that featured in past peoples’ relationship with the material world around them. However, experimental archaeology has, hitherto, confined itself to rigid, empirical and quantitative questions. This paper applies principles of experimental archaeology and serious gaming tools in the reconstructions of a British Iron Age Roundhouse. The paper explains a number of experiments conducted to look for quantitative differences in movement in virtual vs material environments using both “virtual” studio reconstruction as well as material reconstruction. The data from these experiments was then analysed to look for differences in movement which could be attributed to artefacts and/or environments. The paper explains the structure of the experiments, how the data was generated, what theories may make sense of the data, what conclusions have been drawn and how serious gaming tools can support the creation of new experimental heritage environments

Direct observation of size scaling and elastic interaction between nano-scale defects in collision cascades

Using in-situ transmission electron microscopy, we have directly observed nano-scale defects formed in ultra-high purity tungsten by low-dose high energy self-ion irradiation at 30K. At cryogenic temperature lattice defects have reduced mobility, so these microscope observations offer a window on the initial, primary damage caused by individual collision cascade events. Electron microscope images provide direct evidence for a power-law size distribution of nano-scale defects formed in high-energy cascades, with an upper size limit independent of the incident ion energy, as predicted by Sand et al. [Eur. Phys. Lett., 103:46003, (2013)]. Furthermore, the analysis of pair distribution functions of defects observed in the micrographs shows significant intra-cascade spatial correlations consistent with strong elastic interaction between the defects

Work Strain, Absence, and Intention of Quitting Job - From a Perspective of Occupational Difference

This research investigated how occupations influenced on stress and behaviors at work using questionnaire surveys (N = 613). Four heterogeneous occupations were recruited, including: high school teachers, shop clerks, factory employees and civil servants. Civil servants reported more sources of pressures, shop clerks reported higher levels of work strain, factory employees reported lower occurrence of absence behavior, and high school teachers reported lower intention of quitting job and higher working morale. The differences in stress and work behaviors across four occupations were due to two major factors. First, occupational differences, i.e., uniqueness and culture within the occupation. Second, individual demographics, i.e., marital status, education, job tenure, position rank and age. These individual demographics also offered account of differences in absence behavior, intention of quitting job and low working morale across four occupations. Implications of the findings and suggestion for future research are discussed

Work Strain, Absence, and Intention of Quitting Job - From a Perspective of Occupational Difference

This research investigated how occupations influenced on stress and behaviors at work using questionnaire surveys (N = 613). Four heterogeneous occupations were recruited, including high school teachers, shop clerks, factory employees and civil servants. Civil servants reported more sources of pressures, shop clerks reported higher levels of work strain, factory employees reported lower occurrence of absence behavior, and high school teachers reported lower intention of quitting job and higher working morale. The differences in stress and work behaviors across four occupations were due to two major factors. First, occupational differences, i.e., uniqueness and culture within the occupation. Second, individual demographics, i.e., marital status, education, job tenure, position rank and age. These individual demographics also offered account of differences in absence behavior, intention of quitting job and low working morale across four occupations. Implications of the findings and suggestion for future research are discussed

Origin of complexity in multicellular organisms

Through extensive studies of dynamical system modeling cellular growth and reproduction, we find evidence that complexity arises in multicellular organisms naturally through evolution. Without any elaborate control mechanism, these systems can exhibit complex pattern formation with spontaneous cell differentiation. Such systems employ a `cooperative' use of resources and maintain a larger growth speed than simple cell systems, which exist in a homogeneous state and behave 'selfishly'. The relevance of the diversity of chemicals and reaction dynamics to the growth of a multicellular organism is demonstrated. Chaotic biochemical dynamics are found to provide the multi-potency of stem cells.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, Physical Review Letters, 84, 6130, (2000

Use of a Granulocyte Immunofluorescence Assay Designed for Humans for Detection of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathies

Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) previously have been shown to be serum markers in dogs with chronic enteropathies, with dogs that have food‐responsive disease (FRD) having higher frequencies of seropositivity than dogs with steroid‐responsive disease (SRD). The indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay used in previous publications is time‐consuming to perform, with low interobserver agreement. Forty‐four dogs with FRD, 20 dogs with SRD, 20 control dogs, and 38 soft‐coated wheaten terrier (SCWT) or SCWT‐cross dogs

Multidisciplinary members’ perspectives on a pharmacist joining a rheumatology practice team

Background: Pharmacist participation in chronic disease management benefits patients in many ambulatory settings. We explored the attitudes and perceptions among multidisciplinary members of a rheumatology team towards the skills and responsibilities of a pharmacist joining their practice. Methods: The physicians, nurse, physiotherapist and staff of a rheumatology clinic were invited to participate in focus group and semistructured interviews. Practice members also completed an inventory of perceived health professional roles in the medication use process. Results: Discussions with 2 physicians, a nurse, physiotherapist and 1 office administrator were conducted. Concepts related to 3 key themes included positively viewed pharmacist roles broadly related to activities that encompass provision of medication-related services for the patients, the providers and the practice. Examples of such care included educational tasks related to therapies (rheumatological and otherwise) and maintenance of accurate drug histories. These findings were reflected in high scores for perceived pharmacist roles in education and medication review responsibilities using the Medication Use Processes Matrix instrument. Most members were not comfortable with pharmacists conducting physical assessments and emphasized the need for a team member who could adapt to variations in workflow preferences across rheumatologists in the practice. Interpretation: Perceived pharmacist roles expressed by existing rheumatology team members were largely consistent with the scope of pharmacist knowledge, skills and responsibilities in primary care. Conclusion: Overall, existing multidisciplinary staff exhibited favourable attitudes towards a pharmacist joining their practice setting. Data from this job analysis exercise were used to inform the development of a job description for a rheumatology clinical pharmacist.Qatar University gran

A randomised trial of an internet weight control resource: The UK Weight Control Trial [ISRCTN58621669]

BACKGROUND: Obesity treatment is notoriously unsuccessful and one of the barriers to successful weight loss reported by patients is a lack of social support. The Internet offers a novel and fast approach to the delivery of health information, enabling 24-hour access to help and advice. However, much of the health information available on the Internet is unregulated or not written by qualified health professionals to provide unbiased information. The proposed study aims to compare a web-based weight loss package with traditional dietary treatment of obesity in participants. The project aims to deliver high quality information to the patient and to evaluate the effectiveness of this information, both in terms of weight loss outcomes and cost-effectiveness. METHODS: This study is a randomised controlled trial of a weight loss package against usual care provided within General Practice (GP) surgeries in Leeds, UK. Participants will be recruited via posters placed in participating practices. A target recruitment figure of 220 will enable 180 people to be recruited (allowing for 22% dropout). Participants agreeing to take part in the study will be randomly allocated using minimisation to either the intervention group, receiving access to the Internet site, or the usual care group. The primary outcome of the study will be the ability of the package to promote change in BMI over 6 and 12 months compared with traditional treatment. Secondary outcomes will be the ability of the Internet package to promote change in reported lifestyle behaviours. Data will be collected on participant preferences, adherence to treatment, health care use and time off work. Difference in cost between groups in provision of the intervention and the cost of the primary outcome will also be estimated. CONCLUSION: A positive result from this study would enhance the repertoire of treatment approaches available for the management of obesity. A negative result would be used to inform the research agenda and contribute to redefining future strategies for tackling obesity