Multispectral scanner optical system

An optical system for use in a multispectral scanner of the type used in video imaging devices is disclosed. Electromagnetic radiation reflected by a rotating scan mirror is focused by a concave primary telescope mirror and collimated by a second concave mirror. The collimated beam is split by a dichroic filter which transmits radiant energy in the infrared spectrum and reflects visible and near infrared energy. The long wavelength beam is filtered and focused on an infrared detector positioned in a cryogenic environment. The short wavelength beam is dispersed by a pair of prisms, then projected on an array of detectors also mounted in a cryogenic environment and oriented at an angle relative to the optical path of the dispersed short wavelength beam

Radicals of 0-regular algebras

We consider a generalisation of the Kurosh--Amitsur radical theory for rings (and more generally multi-operator groups) which applies to 0-regular varieties in which all operations preserve 0. We obtain results for subvarieties, quasivarieties and element-wise equationally defined classes. A number of examples of radical and semisimple classes in particular varieties are given, including hoops, loops and similar structures. In the first section, we introduce 0-normal varieties (0-regular varieties in which all operations preserve 0), and show that a key isomorphism theorem holds in a 0-normal variety if it is subtractive, a property more general than congruence permutability. We then define our notion of a radical class in the second section. A number of basic results and characterisations of radical and semisimple classes are then obtained, largely based on the more general categorical framework of L. M\'arki, R. Mlitz and R. Wiegandt as in [13]. We consider the subtractive case separately. In the third section, we obtain results concerning subvarieties and quasivarieties based on the results of the previous section, and also generalise to subtractive varieties some results for multi-operator group radicals defined by simple equational rules. Several examples of radical and semisimple classes are given for a range of fairly natural 0-normal varieties of algebras, most of which are subtractive

Rights Myopia in Child Welfare

For decades, legal scholars have debated the proper balance of parents\u27 rights and children\u27s rights in the child welfare system. This Article argues that the debate mistakenly privileges rights. Neither parents\u27 rights nor children\u27s rights serve families well because, as implemented, a solely rights-based model of child welfare does not protect the interests of parents or children. Additionally, even if well-implemented, the model still would not serve parents or children because it obscures the important role of poverty in child abuse and neglect and fosters conflict rather than collaboration between the state and families. In lieu of a solely rights-based model, this Article proposes a problem-solving model for child welfare and explores one embodiment of such a model, family group conferencing. This Article concludes that a problem-solving model holds significant potential to address many of the profound theoretical and practical shortcomings of the current child welfare system

Surface polaritons on left-handed cylinders: A complex angular momentum analysis

We consider the scattering of electromagnetic waves by a left-handed cylinder -- i.e., by a cylinder fabricated from a left-handed material -- in the framework of complex angular momentum techniques. We discuss both the TE and TM theories. We emphasize more particularly the resonant aspects of the problem linked to the existence of surface polaritons. We prove that the long-lived resonant modes can be classified into distinct families, each family being generated by one surface polariton propagating close to the cylinder surface and we physically describe all the surface polaritons by providing, for each one, its dispersion relation and its damping. This can be realized by noting that each surface polariton corresponds to a particular Regge pole of the $S$ matrix of the cylinder. Moreover, for both polarizations, we find that there exists a particular surface polariton which corresponds, in the large-radius limit, to the surface polariton which is supported by the plane interface. There exists also an infinite family of surface polaritons of whispering-gallery type which have no analogs in the plane interface case and which are specific to left-handed materials.Comment: published version. v3: reference list correcte

Energy Absorption During Running by Leg Muscles in a Cockroach

Biologists have traditionally focused on a muscle\u27s ability to generate power. By determining muscle length, strain and activation pattern in the cockroach Blaberus discoidalis, we discovered leg extensor muscles that operate as active dampers that only absorb energy during running. Data from running animals were compared with measurements of force and power production of isolated muscles studied over a range of stimulus conditions and muscle length changes. We studied the trochanter-femoral extensor muscles 137 and 179, homologous leg muscles of the mesothoracic and metathoracic legs, respectively. Because each of these muscles is innervated by a single excitatory motor axon, the activation pattern of the muscle could be defined precisely. Work loop studies using sinusoidal strains at 8 Hz showed these trochanter-femoral extensor muscles to be quite capable actuators, able to generate a maximum of 19-25 W kg-1 (at 25ºC). The optimal conditions for power output were four stimuli per cycle (interstimulus interval 11 ms), a strain of approximately 4%, and a stimulation phase such that the onset of the stimulus burst came approximately half-way through the lengthening phase of the cycle. High-speed video analysis indicated that the actual muscle strain during running was 12% in the mesothoracic muscles and 16% in the metathoracic ones. Myographic recordings during running showed on average 3-4 muscle action potentials per cycle, with the timing of the action potentials such that the burst usually began shortly after the onset of shortening. Imposing upon the muscle in vitro the strain, stimulus number and stimulus phase characteristic of running generated work loops in which energy was absorbed (-25 W kg-1) rather than produced. Simulations exploring a wide parameter space revealed that the dominant parameter that determines function during running is the magnitude of strain. Strains required for the maximum power output by the trochanter-femoral extensor muscles simply do not occur during constant, average-speed running. Joint angle ranges of the coxa-trochanter-femur joint during running were 3-4 times greater than the changes necessary to produce maximum power output. None of the simulated patterns of stimulation or phase resulted in power production when strain magnitude was greater than 5%. The trochanter-femoral extensor muscles 137/179 of a cockroach running at its preferred speed of 20 cm s-1 do not operate under conditions which maximize either power output or efficiency. In vitro measurements, however, demonstrate that these muscles absorb energy, probably to provide control of leg flexion and to aid in its reversal

Joins of subalgebras and normals in 0-regular varieties

In any 0-normal variety (0-regular variety in which {0} is a subalgebra), every congruence class containing 0 is a subalgebra. These “normal subalgebras” of a fixed algebra constitute a lattice, isomorphic to its congruence lattice. We are interested in those 0-normal varieties for which the join of two normal subalgebras in the lattice of normal subalgebras of an algebra equals their join in the lattice of subalgebras, as happens with groups and rings. We characterise this property in terms of a Mal’cev condition, and use examples to show it is strictly stronger than being ideal determined but strictly weaker than being 0-coherent (classically ideal determined) and does not imply congruence permutability

Non-ribosomal phylogenetic exploration of Mollicute species:New insights into haemoplasma taxonomy

AbstractNine species of uncultivable haemoplasmas and several Mycoplasma species were examined by partial sequencing of two protein-encoding housekeeping genes. Partial glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapA) and heat shock protein 70 (dnaK) gene sequences were determined for these Mollicute species; in total nine gapA sequences and ten dnaK sequences were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses of these sequences, along with those of a broad selection of Mollicute species downloaded from GenBank, for the individual genes, and for the gapA and dnaK concatenated data set, revealed a clear separation of the haemoplasmas from other species within the Mycoplasma genus; indeed the haemoplasmas resided within a single clade which was phylogenetically detached from the pneumoniae group of Mycoplasmas. This is the first report to examine the use of gapA and dnaK, as well as a concatenated data set, for phylogenetic analysis of the haemoplasmas and other Mollicute species. These results demonstrate a distinct phylogenetic separation between the haemoplasmas and Mycoplasmas that corresponds with the biological differences observed in these species, indicating that further evaluation of the haemoplasmas’ relationship with the Mycoplasma genus is required to determine whether reclassification of the haemoplasmas is necessary

Exercise to preserve beta cell function in recent-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (EXTOD) - a study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Exercise has a beta cell preserving effect in patients with type 2 diabetes. This benefit of exercise has not been examined in type 1 diabetes. Significant beta cell function is present at the time of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and therefore studies of beta cell preservation are ideally conducted immediately after diagnosis.Many of the variables required to design and power such a study are currently unknown. The aim of EXTOD is to obtain the information required to design a formal study of exercise and beta cell preservation in newly diagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Barriers to exercise will initially be assessed in a qualitative study of newly diagnosed patients. Then, sixty newly diagnosed adult type 1 diabetes patients will be randomized to either conventional treatment or exercise, stratified on beta cell function and fitness. The exercise group will be encouraged to increase their level of activity to a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise per week, aiming for 240 minutes per week of exercise for 12 months. Beta cell function will be measured by meal-stimulated C peptide. Primary outcomes are recruitment, adherence to exercise, loss to follow-up, and exercise levels in the non-intervention arm (contamination). The secondary outcome of the study is rate of loss of beta cell function. DISCUSSION: The outcomes of the EXTOD study will help define the barriers, uptake and benefits of exercise in adults newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This information will enable design of a formal study to assess the effect of exercise on beta cell preservation in newly diagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current controlled trials ISRCTN91388505.Funding is provided by the Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) stream of the National Institute for Health Research UK