5,566 research outputs found
Development of tests for measurement of primary perceptual-motor performance
Tests for measuring primary perceptual-motor performance for assessing space environment effects on human performanc
Development of an improved perceptual-motor performance measurement system
Test console for integrated human perceptual-motor performance battery measurement syste
Variational formulas of higher order mean curvatures
In this paper, we establish the first variational formula and its
Euler-Lagrange equation for the total -th mean curvature functional
of a submanifold in a general Riemannian manifold
for . As an example, we prove that closed
complex submanifolds in complex projective spaces are critical points of the
functional , called relatively -minimal submanifolds,
for all . At last, we discuss the relations between relatively -minimal
submanifolds and austere submanifolds in real space forms, as well as a special
variational problem.Comment: 13 pages, to appear in SCIENCE CHINA Mathematics 201
Experimental X-ray Stress Analysis Procedures for Ultra High Strength Materials
X-ray stress analysis procedures for accurate measurement of elastic strain in high strength steel
Properties of extragalactic dust inferred from linear polarimetry of Type Ia Supernovae
Aims: The aim of this paper is twofold: 1) to investigate the properties of
extragalactic dust and compare them to what is seen in the Galaxy; 2) to
address in an independent way the problem of the anomalous extinction curves
reported for reddened Type Ia Supernovae (SN) in connection to the environments
in which they explode. Methods: The properties of the dust are derived from the
wavelength dependence of the continuum polarization observed in four reddened
Type Ia SN: 1986G, 2006X, 2008fp, and 2014J. [...] Results: All four objects
are characterized by exceptionally low total-to-selective absorption ratios
(R_V) and display an anomalous interstellar polarization law, characterized by
very blue polarization peaks. In all cases the polarization position angle is
well aligned with the local spiral structure. While SN~1986G is compatible with
the most extreme cases of interstellar polarization known in the Galaxy,
SN2006X, 2008fp, and 2014J show unprecedented behaviours. The observed
deviations do not appear to be connected to selection effects related to the
relatively large amounts of reddening characterizing the objects in the sample.
Conclusions: The dust responsible for the polarization of these four SN is most
likely of interstellar nature. The polarization properties can be interpreted
in terms of a significantly enhanced abundance of small grains. The anomalous
behaviour is apparently associated with the properties of the galactic
environment in which the SN explode, rather than with the progenitor system
from which they originate. For the extreme case of SN2014J, we cannot exclude
the contribution of light scattered by local material; however, the observed
polarization properties require an ad hoc geometrical dust distribution.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysic
Performance of an environmental test to detect Mycobacterium bovis infection in badger social groups
A study by Courtenay and others (2006) demonstrated that
the probability of detecting Mycobacterium bovis by PCR in
soil samples from the spoil heaps of main badger setts correlated
with the prevalence of excretion (infectiousness) of
captured badgers belonging to the social group. It has been
proposed that such a test could be used to target badger culling
to setts containing infectious animals (Anon 2007). This
short communication discusses the issues surrounding this
concept, with the intention of dispelling any misconceptions
among relevant stakeholders (farmers, policy makers and
conservationists)
Frustrations of fur-farmed mink
Captive animals may suffer if strongly motivated to perform activities that their housing does not allow. We investigated this experimentally for caged mink, and found that they would pay high costs to perform a range of natural behaviours, and release cortisol if their most preferred activity, swimming, was prevented.
Investigates the effect of limitations on caged mink. Popularity of fur farming; Research into the possible deprivation of mink, which result in their frustration; Details of the experiment; Impact of an access to water; Results which indicate that fur-farmed mink are still motivated to perform the same activities as their wild counterpart
Randomized controlled trial of a good practice approach to treatment of childhood obesity in Malaysia: Malaysian childhood obesity treatment trial (MASCOT)
Context. Few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for the treatment of childhood obesity have taken place outside the Western world. Aim. To test whether a good practice intervention for the treatment of childhood obesity would have a greater impact on weight status and other outcomes than a control condition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods. Assessor-blinded RCT of a treatment intervention in 107 obese 7- to 11-year olds. The intervention was relatively low intensity (8 hours contact over 26 weeks, group based), aiming to change child sedentary behavior, physical activity, and diet using behavior change counselling. Outcomes were measured at baseline and six months after the start of the intervention. Primary outcome was BMI z-score, other outcomes were weight change, health-related quality of life (Peds QL), objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior (Actigraph accelerometry over 5 days). Results. The intervention had no significant effect on BMI z score relative to control. Weight gain was reduced significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (+1.5 kg vs. +3.5 kg, respectively, t-test p < 0.01). Changes in health-related quality of life and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior favored the intervention group. Conclusions. Treatment was associated with reduced rate of weight gain, and improvements in physical activity and quality of life. More substantial benefits may require longer term and more intensive interventions which aim for more substantive lifestyle changes
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