A Quantitative Comparison of Opacities Calculated Using the Distorted- Wave and R\boldsymbol{R}-Matrix Methods

The present debate on the reliability of astrophysical opacities has reached a new climax with the recent measurements of Fe opacities on the Z-machine at the Sandia National Laboratory \citep{Bailey2015}. To understand the differences between theoretical results, on the one hand, and experiments on the other, as well as the differences among the various theoretical results, detailed comparisons are needed. Many ingredients are involved in the calculation of opacities; deconstructing the whole process and comparing the differences at each step are necessary to quantify their importance and impact on the final results. We present here such a comparison using the two main approaches to calculate the required atomic data, the $R$-Matrix and distorted-wave methods, as well as sets of configurations and coupling schemes to quantify the effects on the opacities for the $Fe\ XVII$ and $Ni\ XIV$ ions.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

Generalized canonical ensembles and ensemble equivalence

This paper is a companion article to our previous paper (J. Stat. Phys. 119, 1283 (2005), cond-mat/0408681), which introduced a generalized canonical ensemble obtained by multiplying the usual Boltzmann weight factor $e^{-\beta H}$ of the canonical ensemble with an exponential factor involving a continuous function $g$ of the Hamiltonian $H$. We provide here a simplified introduction to our previous work, focusing now on a number of physical rather than mathematical aspects of the generalized canonical ensemble. The main result discussed is that, for suitable choices of $g$, the generalized canonical ensemble reproduces, in the thermodynamic limit, all the microcanonical equilibrium properties of the many-body system represented by $H$ even if this system has a nonconcave microcanonical entropy function. This is something that in general the standard ($g=0$) canonical ensemble cannot achieve. Thus a virtue of the generalized canonical ensemble is that it can be made equivalent to the microcanonical ensemble in cases where the canonical ensemble cannot. The case of quadratic $g$-functions is discussed in detail; it leads to the so-called Gaussian ensemble.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures (best viewed in ps), revtex4. Changes in v2: Title changed, references updated, new paragraph added, minor differences with published versio

Genetic diversity and recombination within populations of Fusarium pseudograminearum from western Canada

Genetic diversity within populations of Fusarium pseudograminearum isolated from wheat grains from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan was investigated. Three restriction enzymes (EcoRI, HaeIII, and PstI) were used to carry out restriction analysis of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) intergenic spacer region (IGS region) and eight primers were used to generate inter-simple sequence-repeat (ISSR) molecular markers. Our study indicated substantially high genetic diversity within these two populations, but low genetic differentiation and frequent gene flow among populations. The IGS data showed no genetic distinction between the two Alberta populations and only minor genetic differentiation between the Saskatchewan and Alberta populations. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that most genetic variability resulted from differences among isolates within populations. Multilocus linkage disequilibrium analysis suggested a panmictic population genetic structure and the occurrence of significant recombination in F. pseudograminearum. Regular gene flow and random mating between isolates from different populations could result in novel genotypes with both improved pathological and biological traits. [Int Microbiol 2006; 9(1):65-68

Does risk of progression from Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma change based on the number of non-dysplastic endoscopies?

Funding: This study was funded in full by the National Institutes of Health, grant number (NIH P30DK056338‐16). The Northern Ireland Barrett’s register was funded by the UK Medical Research Council, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland (formerly the Ulster Cancer Foundation), NI HSC R&D Office, and Cancer Research UK. The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry is funded by the Public Health Agency.Peer reviewedPostprin

Landslides and synoptic weather trends in the European Alps

Landslides present a substantial geomorphological hazard in Alpine regions and there are expectations that their frequency and magnitude will change as weather and climate change in the future. Understanding the spatial extent and timing of landslides is therefore important if we are to assess their future behaviour. Using a regional landslide inventory for the European Alps (1970-2002) we analyse the influence of synoptic weather types on landsliding. Brier Skill Scores are used to assess the predictive ability of over 5,000 different synoptic weather classifications (COST733 dataset) with the landslide inventory. Monte Carlo permutation tests show a strong seasonal influence of weather types on landsliding, and that weather types associated with high precipitation are consistent with more landslides. Over the duration of the COST733 dataset (1957-2002), summer months have seen a significant increase in the number of days with weather types associated with high frequencies of landslides, whilst the converse is true of winter months; this is not reflected in the inventory landslide frequency. We finally discuss the applications of this analysis, and point to future avenues of research.We thank Lloyd’s of London for funding this research

Global Bifurcation of Rotating Vortex Patches

We rigorously construct continuous curves of rotating vortex patch solutions to the two-dimensional Euler equations. The curves are large in that, as the parameter tends to infinity, the minimum along the interface of the angular fluid velocity in the rotating frame becomes arbitrarily small. This is consistent with the conjectured existence [30, 38] of singular limiting patches with 90 corners at which the relative fluid velocity vanishes. For solutions close to the disk, we prove that there are “cat's-eyes”-type structures in the flow, and provide numerical evidence that these structures persist along the entire solution curves and are related to the formation of corners. We also show, for any rotating vortex patch, that the boundary is analytic as soon as it is sufficiently regular.</p

A card game for the treatment of delusional ideas: A naturalistic pilot trial

BACKGROUND: "Michael's game" is a card game which aims at familiarizing healthcare professionals and patients with cognitive behavioral therapy of psychotic symptoms. This naturalistic study tests the feasibility and the impact of the intervention in various naturalistic settings. METHOD: Fifty five patients were recruited in seven centers. They were assessed in pre and post-test with the Peters Delusion Inventory – 21 items (PDI-21). RESULTS: Forty five patients completed the intervention significantly reducing their conviction and preoccupation scores on the PDI-21. CONCLUSION: This pilot study supports the feasibility and effectiveness of "Michael's game" in naturalistic setting. Additional studies could validate the game in a controlled fashion

Mating type idiomorphs of Pyrenophora teres in Turkey

Pyrenophora teres f. maculata (Ptm) and Pyrenophora teres f. teres (Ptt) causes spot form and net form of net blotch diseases of barley, respectively. Although both forms of P. teres are morphologically similar, their symptoms and genetic background differ. In this study, 175 single spore (109 Ptm and 66 Ptt) isolates obtained from different regions of Turkey were evaluated for their mating type distribution and prevalence. Fungal isolates of both forms were verified using species-speci.c polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers. For mating type determination studies, duplex PCR was performed using MAT-specific single nucleotide polymorphism primers. Sixty and 49 of 109 Ptm isolates were found as MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 types, respectively and 43 and 23 of 66 Ptt isolates were found as MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 types, respectively. These results show the possibility of sexual reproduction among the Ptm isolates in Turkey and Ptt population of Central Anatolia, Turkey. However, the overall pattern of Ptt isolates did not support the sexual reproduction hypothesis in Turkey. Sexual reproduction in the life cycle of P. teres is important since it could lead to genetic and pathogenic variation. As a result of new sexual combinations more virulent pathotypes of P. teres may occur

The effect of transmucosal 0.2mg/kg Midazolam premedication on dental anxiety, anaesthetic induction and psychological morbidity in children undergoing general anaesthesia for tooth extraction

&lt;b&gt;Background:&lt;/b&gt; The project aims were to evaluate the benefit of transmucosal Midazolam 0.2mg/kg pre-medication on anxiety, induction behaviour and psychological morbidity in children undergoing general anaesthesia (GA) extractions. &lt;b&gt;Method:&lt;/b&gt; 179 children aged 5-10 years (mean 6.53 years) participated in this randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. Ninety children had Midazolam placed in the buccal pouch. Dental anxiety was recorded pre operatively and 48 hours later using a child reported MCDAS-FIS scale. Behaviour at anaesthetic induction was recorded and psychological morbidity was scored by the parent using the Rutter Scale pre-operatively and again one-week later. Subsequent dental attendance was recorded at one, three and six months after GA. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Whilst levels of mental anxiety did not reduce overall, the most anxious patients demonstrated a reduction in anxiety after receiving midazolam premedicationmay (p=0.01). Neither induction behaviour nor psychological morbidity improved. Irrespective of group, parents reported less hyperactive (p= 0.002) and more prosocial behaviour (p=0.002) after the procedure:;, older children improved most (p=0.048), Post GA Dental attendance was poor and unrelated to after the procedure and unaffected by premedication. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; 0.2mg/kg buccal Midazolam provided some evidence for reducing anxiety in the most dentally anxious patients. However, induction behaviour, psychological morbidity and subsequent dental attendance were not found to alter between the premedication groups