A new proof of the Vorono\"i summation formula

We present a short alternative proof of the Vorono\"i summation formula which plays an important role in Dirichlet's divisor problem and has recently found an application in physics as a trace formula for a Schr\"odinger operator on a non-compact quantum graph \mathfrak{G} [S. Egger n\'e Endres and F. Steiner, J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 44 (2011) 185202 (44pp)]. As a byproduct we give a new proof of a non-trivial identity for a particular Lambert series which involves the divisor function d(n) and is identical with the trace of the Euclidean wave group of the Laplacian on the infinite graph \mathfrak{G}.Comment: Enlarged version of the published article J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 44 (2011) 225302 (11pp

Damping of Fe-Al Alloy Electrodeposited in an Ionic Liquid

Iron-Aluminium alloys were produced by the electro-deposition of iron-aluminium on a copper substrate. The electro-deposition process was done in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoromethylsulfonate, [Py1,4]TfO. A solution of (0.2 M FeCl2 + 2.75 M AlCl3)/ [Py1,4] TfO was used at a temperature of T=363 K because this mixture is solid at room temperature. Electrodeposited samples were studied by means of mechanical spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis and laser light microscopy. Mechanical spectroscopy studies were performed as a function of temperature, frequency and strain. The usual damping peaks for copper, low temperature grain boundary peak, recovery peak and intermediate temperature grain boundary peak were observed. In addition, a new damping peak at around 800 K which is not thermally activated was discovered. The physical mechanism controlling the appearance of this new peak is the dissolution of small precipitates or agglomerates of defects which take place at around 800 K during the warming and the subsequent re-precipitation/re-agglomeration during the cooling. This process could occur either in the copper substrate or at the Fe-Al electrodeposit.Fil: Lambri, Osvaldo Agustin F.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Ingeniería y Agrimensura. Escuela de Ingeniería Eléctrica. Laboratorio de Extensión e Investigación en Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Weidenfeller, Bernd. Technische Universitat Clausthal; AlemaniaFil: Bonifacich, Federico Guillermo. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Ingeniería y Agrimensura. Escuela de Ingeniería Eléctrica. Laboratorio de Extensión e Investigación en Materiales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Pulletikurthi, Giridar. Technische Universitat Clausthal; AlemaniaFil: Xu, Jiayi. Technische Universitat Clausthal; AlemaniaFil: Weidenfeller, Laura. Technische Universitat Clausthal; Alemani

A new perspective at the ship-air-sea interface: the environmental impacts of exhaust gas scrubber discharge

Shipping emissions are likely to increase significantly in the coming decades, alongside increasing emphasis on the sustainability and environmental impacts of the maritime transport sector. Exhaust gas cleaning systems (“scrubbers”), using seawater or fresh water as cleaning media for sulfur dioxide, are progressively used by shipping companies to comply with emissions regulations. Little is known about the chemical composition of the scrubber effluent and its ecological consequences for marine life and biogeochemical processes. If scrubbers become a central tool for atmospheric pollution reduction from shipping, modeling, and experimental studies will be necessary to determine the ecological and biogeochemical effects of scrubber wash water discharge on the marine environment. Furthermore, attention must be paid to the regulation and enforcement of environmental protection standards concerning scrubber use. Close collaboration between natural scientists and social scientists is crucial for progress toward sustainable shipping and protection of the marine environment

Screening for common eye diseases in the elderly with Optos ultra-wide-field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy: a pilot study with focus on ocular toxoplasmosis

Purpose Studies on the occurrence of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) in a general population are rare. Therefore, we conducted this pilot study to assess whether a nonmydriatic ultra-wide-field (UWF) scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) is suitable for a simple, rapid screening procedure. Methods The population of this cross-sectional study was randomly recruited from a cohort of hospital-based patients in an urban geriatric hospital. Ophthalmologic evaluation was performed on 201 eyes from 101 participants through nonmydriatic UWF-SLO (Optos Daytona) and assessed for suspicious lesions and other relevant ocular findings. All images were evaluated by two independent examiners. Individuals who presented lesions with a morphological appearance suggestive of OT underwent fundoscopy and serological analysis of Toxoplasma gondii-specific antibodies. Results The mean age of the study group was 76 years, and 63 (62%) were female. Despite many health restrictions, the SLO examination was carried out easily in this geriatric population. Three participants presented findings by SLO suspicious for T. gondii-related injury. Further clinical examination and serological investigation confirmed the diagnosis, with funduscopic evaluation and positive T. gondii ELISA testing. In addition, a high rate of arterial hypertension and dyslipidemias within the cohort led to a high incidence of vascular changes and age-related fundus findings. Conclusion In our study, we confirm that UWF-SLO technology is helpful in the rapid detection of peripheral retinal injuries in elderly patients such as OT and may be used as a routine screening tool