950 research outputs found
Serious Games Application for Memory Training Using Egocentric Images
Mild cognitive impairment is the early stage of several neurodegenerative
diseases, such as Alzheimer's. In this work, we address the use of lifelogging
as a tool to obtain pictures from a patient's daily life from an egocentric
point of view. We propose to use them in combination with serious games as a
way to provide a non-pharmacological treatment to improve their quality of
life. To do so, we introduce a novel computer vision technique that classifies
rich and non rich egocentric images and uses them in serious games. We present
results over a dataset composed by 10,997 images, recorded by 7 different
users, achieving 79% of F1-score. Our model presents the first method used for
automatic egocentric images selection applicable to serious games.Comment: 11 page
Two ways to be endemic. Alps and Apennines are different functional refugia during climatic cycles
Endemics co-occur because they evolved in situ and persist regionally or because they evolved ex situ and later dispersed to shared habitats, generating evolutionary or ecological endemicity centres, respectively. We investigate whether different endemicity centres can intertwine in the region ranging from Alps to Sicily, by studying their butterfly fauna. We gathered an extensive occurrence data set for butterflies of the study area (27,123 records, 269 species, in cells of 0.5 × 0.5 degrees of latitude-longitude). We applied molecular-based delimitation methods (GMYC model) to 26,557 cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences of Western Palearctic butterflies. We identified entities based on molecular delimitations and/or the checklist of European butterflies and objectively attributed occurrences to their most probable entity. We obtained a zoogeographic regionalisation based on the 69 endemics of the area. Using phylogenetic ANOVA we tested if endemics from different centres differ from each other and from nonendemics for key ecological traits and divergence time. Endemicity showed high incidence in the Alps and Southern Italy. The regionalisation separated the Alps from the Italian Peninsula and Sicily. The endemics of different centres showed a high turnover and differed in phylogenetic distances, phenology and distribution traits. Endemics are on average younger than nonendemics and the Peninsula-Sicily endemics also have lower variance in divergence than those from the Alps. The observed variation identifies Alpine endemics as paleoendemics, now occupying an ecological centre, and the Peninsula-Sicily ones as neoendemics, that diverged in the region since the Pleistocene. The results challenge the common view of the Alpine-Apennine area as a single “Italian refugium”
Rank-(n – 1) convexity and quasiconvexity for divergence free fields
The CAST experiment at CERN (European Organization of Nuclear Research)
searches for axions from the sun. The axion is a pseudoscalar particle that was
motivated by theory thirty years ago, with the intention to solve the strong CP
problem. Together with the neutralino, the axion is one of the most promising
dark matter candidates. The CAST experiment has been taking data during the
last two years, setting an upper limit on the coupling of axions to photons
more restrictive than from any other solar axion search in the mass range below
0.1 eV. In 2005 CAST will enter a new experimental phase extending the
sensitivity of the experiment to higher axion masses. The CAST experiment
strongly profits from technology developed for high energy physics and for
X-ray astronomy: A superconducting prototype LHC magnet is used to convert
potential axions to detectable X-rays in the 1-10 keV range via the inverse
Primakoff effect. The most sensitive detector system of CAST is a spin-off from
space technology, a Wolter I type X-ray optics in combination with a prototype
pn-CCD developed for ESA's XMM-Newton mission. As in other rare event searches,
background suppression and a thorough shielding concept is essential to improve
the sensitivity of the experiment to the best possible. In this context CAST
offers the opportunity to study the background of pn-CCDs and its long term
behavior in a terrestrial environment with possible implications for future
space applications. We will present a systematic study of the detector
background of the pn-CCD of CAST based on the data acquired since 2002
including preliminary results of our background simulations.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Proc. SPIE 5898, UV, X-Ray, and
Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XI
Status of the XMM-Newton cross-calibration with SASv6.5.0
Further achievements of the XMM-Newton cross-calibration - XMM internal as
well as with other X-ray missions - are presented. We explain the major changes
in the new version SASv6.5 of the XMM-Newton science analysis system. The
current status of the cross-calibration of the three EPIC cameras is shown.
Using a large sample of blazars, the pn energy redistribution at low energy
could be further calibrated, correcting the overestimation of fluxes in the
lowest energy regime. In the central CCDs of the MOSs, patches were identified
at the bore-sight positions, leading to an underestimation of the low energy
fluxes. The further improvement in the understanding of the cameras resulted in
a good agreement of the EPIC instruments down to lowest energies. The latest
release of the SAS software package already includes corrections for both
effects as shown in several examples of different types of sources. Finally the
XMM internal cross-calibration is completed by the presentation of the current
cross-calibration status between EPIC and RGS instruments. Major efforts have
been made in cross-calibrations with other X-ray missions, most importantly
with Chandra, of course, but also with currently observing satellites like
Swift.Comment: 6 pages, 23 figures. To appear in the proceedings of "The X-Ray
Universe 2005" conference, 2005 Sept 26-30, El Escorial, Madrid, Spai
From X-ray dips to eclipse: Witnessing disk reformation in the recurrent nova USco
The 10th recorded outburst of the recurrent eclipsing nova USco was observed
simultaneously in X-ray, UV, and optical by XMM-Newton on days 22.9 and 34.9
after outburst. Two full passages of the companion in front of the nova ejecta
were observed, witnessing the reformation of the accretion disk. On day 22.9,
we observed smooth eclipses in UV and optical but deep dips in the X-ray light
curve which disappeared by day 34.9, then yielding clean eclipses in all bands.
X-ray dips can be caused by clumpy absorbing material that intersects the line
of sight while moving along highly elliptical trajectories. Cold material from
the companion could explain the absence of dips in UV and optical light. The
disappearance of X-ray dips before day 34.9 implies significant progress in the
formation of the disk. The X-ray spectra contain photospheric continuum
emission plus strong emission lines, but no clear absorption lines. Both
continuum and emission lines in the X-ray spectra indicate a temperature
increase from day 22.9 to day 34.9. We find clear evidence in the spectra and
light curves for Thompson scattering of the photospheric emission from the
white dwarf. Photospheric absorption lines can be smeared out during scattering
in a plasma of fast electrons. We also find spectral signatures of resonant
line scattering that lead to the observation of the strong emission lines.
Their dominance could be a general phenomenon in high-inclination systems such
as Cal87.Comment: Submitted to ApJ. 16 pages, 16 figure
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Gut microbiome composition in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos is shaped by geographic relocation, environmental factors, and obesity.
Background: Hispanics living in the USA may have unrecognized potential birthplace and lifestyle influences on the gut microbiome. We report a cross-sectional analysis of 1674 participants from four centers of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), aged 18 to 74 years old at recruitment.Results: Amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene V4 and fungal ITS1 fragments from self-collected stool samples indicate that the host microbiome is determined by sociodemographic and migration-related variables. Those who relocate from Latin America to the USA at an early age have reductions in Prevotella to Bacteroides ratios that persist across the life course. Shannon index of alpha diversity in fungi and bacteria is low in those who relocate to the USA in early life. In contrast, those who relocate to the USA during adulthood, over 45 years old, have high bacterial and fungal diversity and high Prevotella to Bacteroides ratios, compared to USA-born and childhood arrivals. Low bacterial diversity is associated in turn with obesity. Contrasting with prior studies, our study of the Latino population shows increasing Prevotella to Bacteroides ratio with greater obesity. Taxa within Acidaminococcus, Megasphaera, Ruminococcaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Clostridiales, Christensenellaceae, YS2 (Cyanobacteria), and Victivallaceae are significantly associated with both obesity and earlier exposure to the USA, while Oscillospira and Anaerotruncus show paradoxical associations with both obesity and late-life introduction to the USA.Conclusions: Our analysis of the gut microbiome of Latinos demonstrates unique features that might be responsible for health disparities affecting Hispanics living in the USA
Regional Genetic Structure in the Aquatic Macrophyte Ruppia cirrhosa Suggests Dispersal by Waterbirds
The evolutionary history of the genus Ruppia has been shaped by hybridization, polyploidisation and vicariance that have resulted in a problematic taxonomy. Recent studies provided insight into species circumscription, organelle takeover by hybridization, and revealed the importance of verifying species identification to avoid distorting effects of mixing different species, when estimating population connectivity. In the present study, we use microsatellite markers to determine population diversity and connectivity patterns in Ruppia cirrhosa including two spatial scales: (1) from the Atlantic Iberian coastline in Portugal to the Siculo-Tunisian Strait in Sicily and (2) within the Iberian Peninsula comprising the Atlantic-Mediterranean transition. The higher diversity in the Mediterranean Sea suggests that populations have had longer persistence there, suggesting a possible origin and/or refugial area for the species. The high genotypic diversities highlight the importance of sexual reproduction for survival and maintenance of populations. Results revealed a regional population structure matching a continent-island model, with strong genetic isolation and low gene flow between populations. This population structure could be maintained by waterbirds, acting as occasional dispersal vectors. This information elucidates ecological strategies of brackish plant species in coastal lagoons, suggesting mechanisms used by this species to colonize new isolated habitats and dominate brackish aquatic macrophyte systems, yet maintaining strong genetic structure suggestive of very low dispersal.Fundacao para a Cincia e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) [PTDC/MAR/119363/2010, BIODIVERSA/0004/2015, UID/Multi/04326/2013]Pew FoundationSENECA FoundationMurcia Government, Spain [11881/PI/09]FCT Investigator Programme-Career Development [IF/00998/2014]Spanish Ministry of Education [AP2008-01209]European Community [00399/2012]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Perceptions of Cancer Risk/Efficacy and Cancer-Related Risk Behaviors : Results From the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study
This study evaluated the associations among perceived risk, perceived efficacy, and engagement in six cancer-related risk behaviors in a population-based Hispanic/Latino sample. Interviews were conducted with 5,313 Hispanic/Latino adults as part of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Participants were recruited from the study's four field centers (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; San Diego, CA) between February 2010 and June 2011. Perceived risk and perceived efficacy were assessed with questions drawn from the Health Interview National Trends Survey. More than half of the sample endorsed perceived risk of cancer associated with the six evaluated behaviors, as well as general perceived efficacy for preventing cancer. Adjusted logistic regression analyses demonstrated significant differences across Hispanic/Latino background groups for perceived risk associated with high consumption of alcohol and saturated fat, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and insufficient exercise but not with smoking or low consumption of fiber. Differences were also found for the belief, "It seems like everything causes cancer" but not for other perceived efficacy items. Perceived cancer risk and perceived efficacy for preventing cancer were neither independently nor interactively associated with engagement in cancer-related risk behaviors after controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Results suggest that perceptions of risk and efficacy with regard to cancer vary across Hispanic/Latino background groups, and therefore background group differences should be considered in prevention efforts. Perceived risk and perceived efficacy were not related to cancer-related risk behaviors among Hispanics/Latinos. Further work is needed to evaluate determinants of cancer-related risk in this population
Photovoltaic Cleaning Frequency Optimization Under Different Degradation Rate Patterns
Dust accumulation significantly affects the performance of photovoltaic modules and its impact can be mitigated by various cleaning methods. Optimizing the cleaning frequency is therefore essential to minimize the soiling losses and, at the same time, the costs. However, the effectiveness of cleaning lowers with time because of the reduced energy yield due to degradation. Additionally, economic factors such as the escalation in electricity price and inflation can either compound or counterbalance the effect of degradation. The present study analyzes the impact of degradation, escalation in electricity price and inflation on cleaning frequency and proposes a methodology than can be applied to maximize the profits of soiling mitigation in any system worldwide. The energy performance and soiling losses of a 1 MW system installed in southern Spain were analyzed and integrated with theoretical linear and nonlinear degradation rate patterns. The Levelized Cost of Energy and Net Present Value were used as criteria to identify the optimum cleaning strategies. The results showed that the two metrics convey distinct cleaning recommendations, as they are influenced by different factors. For the given site, despite the degradation effects, the optimum cleaning frequency is found to increase with time of operation
Variations in the dip properties of the low-mass X-ray binary XB 1254-69 observed with XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL
We have analysed data from five XMM-Newton observations of XB 1254-69, one of
them simultaneous with INTEGRAL, to investigate the mechanism responsible for
the highly variable dips durations and depths seen from this low-mass X-ray
binary. Deep dips were present during two observations, shallow dips during one
and no dips were detected during the remaining two observations. At high (1-4
s) time resolution ``shallow dips'' are seen to include a few, very rapid, deep
dips whilst the ``deep'' dips consist of many similar very rapid, deep,
fluctuations. The folded V-band Optical Monitor light curves obtained when the
source was undergoing deep, shallow and no detectable dipping exhibit
sinusoid-like variations with different amplitudes and phases. We fit EPIC
spectra obtained from "persistent" or dip-free intervals with a model
consisting of disc-blackbody and thermal comptonisation components together
with Gaussian emission features at 1 and 6.6 keV modified by absorption due to
cold and photo-ionised material. None of the spectral parameters appears to be
strongly correlated with the dip depth except for the temperature of the disc
blackbody which is coolest (kT ~ 1.8 keV) when deep dips are present and
warmest (kT ~ 2.1 keV) when no dips are detectable. We propose that the changes
in both disc temperature and optical modulation could be explained by the
presence of a tilted accretion disc in the system. We provide a revised
estimate of the orbital period of 0.16388875 +/- 0.00000017 day.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in A&
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