A position sensitive phoswich hard X-ray detector system

A prototype position sensitive phoswich hard X-ray detector, designed for eventual astronomical usage, was tested in the laboratory. The scintillation crystal geometry was designed on the basis of a Monte Carlo simulation of the internal optics and includes a 3mm thick NaI(T1) primary X-ray detector which is actively shielded by a 20 mm thick CsI(T1) scintillation crystal. This phoswich arrangement is viewed by a number two inch photomultipliers. Measured values of the positional and spectral resolution of incident X-ray photons are compared with calculation

Chimpanzees demonstrate individual differences in social information use

Studies of transmission biases in social learning have greatly informed our understanding of how behaviour patterns may diffuse through animal populations, yet within-species inter-individual variation in social information use has received little attention and remains poorly understood. We have addressed this question by examining individual performances across multiple experiments with the same population of primates. We compiled a dataset spanning 16 social learning studies (26 experimental conditions) carried out at the same study site over a 12-year period, incorporating a total of 167 chimpanzees. We applied a binary scoring system to code each participant’s performance in each study according to whether they demonstrated evidence of using social information from conspecifics to solve the experimental task or not (Social Information Score—‘SIS’). Bayesian binomial mixed effects models were then used to estimate the extent to which individual differences influenced SIS, together with any effects of sex, rearing history, age, prior involvement in research and task type on SIS. An estimate of repeatability found that approximately half of the variance in SIS was accounted for by individual identity, indicating that individual differences play a critical role in the social learning behaviour of chimpanzees. According to the model that best fit the data, females were, depending on their rearing history, 15–24% more likely to use social information to solve experimental tasks than males. However, there was no strong evidence of an effect of age or research experience, and pedigree records indicated that SIS was not a strongly heritable trait. Our study offers a novel, transferable method for the study of individual differences in social learning

Absolute-Magnitude Distributions and Light Curves of Stripped-Envelope Supernovae

The absolute visual magnitudes of three Type IIb, 11 Type Ib and 13 Type Ic supernovae (collectively known as stripped-envelope supernovae) are studied by collecting data on the apparent magnitude, distance, and interstellar extinction of each event. Weighted and unweighted mean absolute magnitudes of the combined sample as well as various subsets of the sample are reported. The limited sample size and the considerable uncertainties, especially those associated with extinction in the host galaxies, prevent firm conclusions regarding differences between the absolute magnitudes of supernovae of Type Ib and Ic, and regarding the existence of separate groups of overluminous and normal-luminosity stripped-envelope supernovae. The spectroscopic characteristics of the events of the sample are considered. Three of the four overluminous events are known to have had unusual spectra. Most but not all of the normal luminosity events had typical spectra. Light curves of stripped-envelope supernovae are collected and compared. Because SN 1994I in M51 was very well observed it often is regarded as the prototypical Type Ic supernova, but it has the fastest light curve in the sample. Light curves are modeled by means of a simple analytical technique that, combined with a constraint on E/M from spectroscopy, yields internally consistent values of ejected mass, kinetic energy, and nickel mass.Comment: 39 pages, 14 figures, 7 tables; Accepted to A

Little angels: The mediation of parenting

This Article does not have an abstract

Post-Foucauldian governmentality: what does it offer critical social policy analysis?

This article considers the theoretical perspective of post-Foucauldian governmentality, especially the insights and challenges it poses for applied researchers within the critical social policy tradition. The article firstly examines the analytical strengths of this approach to understanding power and rule in contemporary society, before moving on to consider its limitations for social policy. It concludes by arguing that these insights can be retained, and some of the weaknesses overcome, by adopting a ‘realist governmentality’ approach (Stenson 2005, 2008). This advocates combining traditional discursive analysis with more ethnographic methods in order to render visible the concrete activity of governing, and unravel the messiness, complexity and unintended consequences involved in the struggles around subjectivity

TB STIGMA – MEASUREMENT GUIDANCE

TB is the most deadly infectious disease in the world, and stigma continues to play a significant role in worsening the epidemic. Stigma and discrimination not only stop people from seeking care but also make it more difficult for those on treatment to continue, both of which make the disease more difficult to treat in the long-term and mean those infected are more likely to transmit the disease to those around them. TB Stigma – Measurement Guidance is a manual to help generate enough information about stigma issues to design and monitor and evaluate efforts to reduce TB stigma. It can help in planning TB stigma baseline measurements and monitoring trends to capture the outcomes of TB stigma reduction efforts. This manual is designed for health workers, professional or management staff, people who advocate for those with TB, and all who need to understand and respond to TB stigma

Synchronizing Cardiac Cycle Phase with Foot Strike to Optimize Cardiac Performance in Patients with Chronic Systolic Heart Failure and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)

Despite advances in medical and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT), patients with chronic systolic heart failure (HF) have persistent symptoms including dyspnea on exertion and exercise intolerance. Novel strategies to improve exercise performance in these patients, such as optimizing cardio-locomotor coupling, could be particularly beneficial to improve functional capacity. For example, runners display a lower heart rate and higher oxygen pulse, suggestive of a higher stroke volume (SV), when foot strike occurs in diastole. Whether patients with HF undergoing CRT can similarly increase SV is unknown. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of diastolic versus systolic foot strike timing on exercise hemodynamics in patients with HF and CRT. METHODS: Ten patients (Age: 58 ± 17 years, 40% Female) with HF and previously implanted CRT pacemakers completed repeated 5-minute bouts of walking on a treadmill at a fixed but individualized speed (range: 1.5-3mph). Participants were randomized to walking to an auditory tone to synchronize their foot strike to either the systolic (ECG R-wave; 0 or 100%±15% or R-R interval) or diastolic phase (45±15% of the R-R interval) of their cardiac cycle. Participants were included if ≥50% of their steps were valid (i.e. in time). Patients wore a chest strap with an attached ECG sensor and accelerometer (CounterpaceR). Foot strike timing and associated valid step counts were assessed via CounterpaceR or post-hoc analysis of foot strike waveforms. Cardiopulmonary parameters were measured breath by breath via indirect calorimetry and cardiac output was measured via acetylene rebreathing, with SV calculated as the quotient of cardiac output and heart rate. RESULTS: There was no difference in oxygen uptake between conditions (1.02 ± 0.44 vs. 1.04 ± 0.44 L/min, P=0.298). When compared to systolic walking, stepping in diastole was associated with higher SV (Diastolic: 80 ± 28 vs. Systolic: 74 ± 26 ml, P=0.003) and cardiac output (8.3 ± 3.5 vs. 7.9 ± 3.4 L/min, P=0.004); heart rate (paced) was not different between conditions (101 ± 15 vs. 103 ± 14 bpm, P=0.300). Mean arterial pressure was significantly lower during diastolic walking (85 ± 12 vs. 98 ± 20 mmHg, P=0.007). CONCLUSION: In patients with HF and previous CRT, synchronizing foot strike with diastole during walking increased SV and cardiac output and reduced arterial pressure. Our findings indicate that in such paced hearts, diastolic stepping increases oxygen delivery and decreases afterload, which may facilitate increased exercise capacity. Therefore, if added to pacemakers, this cardio-locomotor coupling technology may maximize CRT efficiency and increase exercise participation and quality of life in patients with HF

A feasibility study into the production of a mussel matrix reference material for the cyanobacterial toxins microcystins and nodularins.

Microcystins and nodularins, produced naturally by certain species of cyanobacteria, have been found to accumulate in aquatic foodstuffs such as fish and shellfish, resulting in a risk to the health of the seafood consumer. Monitoring of toxins in such organisms for risk management purposes requires the availability of certified matrix reference materials to aid method development, validation and routine quality assurance. This study consequently targeted the preparation of a mussel tissue reference material incurred with a range of microcystin analogues and nodularins. Nine targeted analogues were incorporated into the material as confirmed through liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), with an additional 15 analogues detected using LC coupled to non-targeted high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Toxins in the reference material and additional source tissues were quantified using LC-MS/MS, two different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods and with an oxidative-cleavage method quantifying 3-methoxy-2-methyl-4-phenylbutyric acid (MMPB). Correlations between the concentrations quantified using the different methods were variable, likely relating to differences in assay cross-reactivities and differences in the abilities of each method to detect bound toxins. A consensus concentration of total soluble toxins determined from the four independent test methods was 2425 ± 575 µg/kg wet weight. A mean 43 ± 9% of bound toxins were present in addition to the freely extractable soluble form (57 ± 9%). The reference material produced was homogenous and stable when stored in the freezer for six months without any post-production stabilization applied. Consequently, a cyanotoxin shellfish reference material has been produced which demonstrates the feasibility of developing certified seafood matrix reference materials for a large range of cyanotoxins and could provide a valuable future resource for cyanotoxin risk monitoring, management and mitigation