10,783 research outputs found
VLA Polarimetry of Two Extended Radio Galaxies
Multi-wavelength VLA observations of two extended radio galaxies, 0235-197
and 1203+043 are presented. There is some evidence from earlier studies that
these two sources exhibit low frequency (<1 GHz) variability. This work shows
that both sources have linear polarizations, if any, below the detection limits
at 320 MHz, so we cannot explain the variability as being due to instrumental
polarization effects as has been suggested for 3C159. Refractive scintillation
may be the cause of the variability in 0235-197. This would require the
existence of a bright, compact component in one of the hot spots seen in these
observations. This is not implausible but the resolution of this observational
program is insufficent to address that question. The radio source 1203+043
lacks any bright compact component thereby ruling out a refractive
scintillation mechanism for its variability. Consequently, it is possible that
claims of variability in this source are spurious. However, the 320 MHz VLA
observations show that 1203+043 has an `X'-shaped radio structure. This is a
rare morphology for the brightness distribution of a radio galaxy; the
implications of this are examined.Comment: 8 pages, plain tex, accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics,
Supplement Serie
Geo-neutrinos
We review a new interdisciplinary field between Geology and Physics: the
study of the Earth's geo-neutrino flux. We describe competing models for the
composition of the Earth, present geological insights into the make up of the
continental and oceanic crust, those parts of the Earth that concentrate Th and
U, the heat producing elements, and provide details of the regional settings in
the continents and oceans where operating and planned detectors are sited.
Details are presented for the only two operating detectors that are capable of
measuring the Earth's geo-neutrinos flux: Borexino and KamLAND; results
achieved to date are presented, along with their impacts on geophysical and
geochemical models of the Earth. Finally, future planned experiments are
highlighted
KRAS early testing. Consensus initiative and cost-effectiveness evaluation for metastatic colorectal patients in an italian setting
KRAS testing is relevant for the choice of the most appropriate first-line therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Strategies for preventing unequal access to the test should be implemented, but their relevance in the practice is related to economic sustainability. The study adopted the Delphi technique to reach a consensus on several topics. Issues related to execution of KRAS testing were identified by an expert's board and proposed to 108 Italian oncologists and pathologists through two subsequent questionnaires. The emerging proposal was evaluated by decision analyses models employed by technology assessment agencies in order to assess cost-effectiveness. Alternative therapeutic strategies included most commonly used chemotherapy regimens alone or in combination with cetuximab or bevacizumab. The survey indicated that time interval for obtaining KRAS test should not exceed 15 days, 10 days being an optimal interval. To assure the access to proper treatment, a useful strategy should be to anticipate the test after radical resection in patients at high risk of relapse. Early KRAS testing in high risk CRC patients generates incremental cost-effectiveness ratios between 6,000 and 13,000 Euro per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. In extensive sensitivity analyses ICER's were always below 15,000 Euro per QALY gained, far within the threshold of 60,000 Euro/QALY gained accepted by regulatory institutions in Italy. In metastatic CRC a time interval higher than 15 days for result of KRAS testing limits access to therapeutic choices. Anticipating KRAS testing before the onset of metastatic disease in patients at high risk does not affect the sustainability and cost-effectiveness profile of cetuximab in first-line mCRC. Early KRAS testing may prevent this inequality in high-risk patients, whether they develop metastases, and is a cost-effective strategy. Based on these results, present joined recommendations of Italian societies of Oncology and Pathology should be updated including early KRAS testing
Reactor Antineutrinos Signal all over the world
We present an updated estimate of reactor antineutrino signal all over the
world, with particular attention to the sites proposed for existing and future
geo-neutrino experiment. In our calculation we take into account the most
updated data on Thermal Power for each nuclear plant, on reactor antineutrino
spectra and on three neutrino oscillation mechanism.Comment: 4 pages including 1 figur
Mantle geoneutrinos in KamLAND and Borexino
The KamLAND and Borexino experiments have observed, each at ~4 sigma level,
signals of electron antineutrinos produced in the decay chains of thorium and
uranium in the Earth's crust and mantle (Th and U geoneutrinos). Various pieces
of geochemical and geophysical information allow an estimation of the crustal
geoneutrino flux components with relatively small uncertainties. The mantle
component may then be inferred by subtracting the estimated crustal flux from
the measured total flux. To this purpose, we analyze in detail the experimental
Th and U geoneutrino event rates in KamLAND and Borexino, including neutrino
oscillation effects. We estimate the crustal flux at the two detector sites,
using state-of-the-art information about the Th and U distribution on global
and local scales. We find that crust-subtracted signals show hints of a
residual mantle component, emerging at ~2.4 sigma level by combining the
KamLAND and Borexino data. The inferred mantle flux slightly favors scenarios
with relatively high Th and U abundances, within +-1 sigma uncertainties
comparable to the spread of predictions from recent mantle models.Comment: Slight changes and improvements in the text & figures. Results
unchanged. To appear in Phys. Rev.
Regional study of the Archean to Proterozoic crust at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO+), Ontario: Predicting the geoneutrino flux
The SNO+ detector, a new kiloton scale liquid scintillator detector capable
of recording geoneutrino events, will define the strength of the Earth
radiogenic heat. A detailed 3-D model of the regional crust, centered at SNO+
and based on compiled geological, geophysical and geochemical information, was
used to characterize the physical and chemical attributes of crust and assign
uncertainties to its structure. Monte Carlo simulations were used to predict
the U and Th abundances and uncertainties in crustal lithologies and to model
the regional crustal geoneutrino signal originating from the at SNO+
The role of virtual reality in built environment education
This study builds upon previous research on the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) within the built environment curriculum and aims to investigate the role of VR and three-dimensional (3D) computer modelling on learning and teaching in a school of the built environment. In order to achieve this aim, a number of academic experiences were analysed to explore the applicability and viability of 3D computer modelling and VR into built environment subject areas. Although two-dimensional (2D) representations have been greatly accepted by built environment professions and education, 3D computer representations and VR applications, offering interactivity and immersiveness, are not yet widely accepted. The study attempts to understand the values and challenges of integrating visualisation technologies into built environment teaching and investigates tutors’ perceptions, opinions and concerns with respect to these technologies. The study reports on the integration process and considers how 3D computer modelling and VR technologies can combine with, and extend, the existing range of learning and teaching methods appropriate to different disciplines and programme areas
The Bag320 satellite DNA family in Bacillus stick insects (Phasmatodea): Different rates of molecular evolution of highly repetitive DNA in bisexual and parthenogenetic taxa
The Bag320 satellite DNA (satDNA) family was studied in seven populations of the stick insects Bacillus atticus (parthenogenetic, unisexual) and Bacillus grandii (bisexual). It was characterized as widespread in all zymoraces of B. atticus and in all subspecies of B. grandii. The copy number of this satellite is higher in the bisexual B. grandii (15%-20% of the genome) than in the parthenogenetic B. atticus (2%- 5% of the genome). The nucleotide sequences of 12 Bag320 clones from B. atticus and 17 from B. grandii differed at 13 characteristic positions by fixed nucleotide substitutions. Thus, nucleotide sequences from both species cluster conspecifically in phylogenetic dendrograms. The nucleotide sequences derived from B. grandii grandii could he clearly discriminated from those of B. grandii benazzii and B. grandii maretimi on the basis of 25 variable sites, although all taxa come from Sicily. In contrast, the Bag320 sequences from B. atticus could not he discriminated accordingly, although they derive from geographically quite distant populations of its three zymoraces (the Italian and Greek B. atticus atticus, the Greek and Turkish B. atticus carius, and the Cyprian B. atticus cyprius). The different rate of evolutionary turnover of the Bag320 satDNA in both species can he related to their different modes of reproduction. This indicates that meiosis and chromosome segregation affect processes in satDNA diversification
A satisfação dos utentes com os cuidados de saúde primários
Contexto: a satisfação dos utentes com as instituições de saúde é prioritária pois as necessidades e expectativas destes estão em constante transformação logo, as instituições devem adotar formas de organização e gestão empreendedoras, adaptadas a estas necessidades.
Objetivos: conhecer a satisfação global dos utentes em relação aos fatores organizacionais e atendimento nos Centros de Saúde (CS) e Unidades de Saúde Familiares (USF).
MĂ©todo: estudo descritivo, cuja população alvo foram os utentes de 16 Serviços de SaĂşde PĂşblica. A amostra aleatĂłria foi composta por 2665 indivĂduos que responderam a um questionário constituĂdo, essencialmente, por indicadores de satisfação com a infraestrutura e o atendimento. Consideraram-se satisfeitos os utentes que, para cada questĂŁo, responderam estar “satisfeitos” e “muito satisfeitos”, tendo sido calculadas as respetivas frequĂŞncias.
Resultados: obtiveram-se frequências de utentes satisfeitos superiores a 50% (maioria dos utentes) nas 16 instituições em relação à infraestrutura, atendimento, acesso aos profissionais e consultas. A menor satisfação relacionou-se com o espaço lúdico para crianças.
Conclusões: as frequĂŞncias encontradas relativamente Ă satisfação parecem ser consensuais e consideravelmente altas, o que pode indiciar efeito de gratidĂŁo ou um baixo nĂvel de expectativas
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