pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Signs of dynamical effects for Cd, Sn, Te, Xe, Ba and Sm nuclear charge radii

The experimental charge radius values along Cd, Sn, Te, Xe, Ba and Sm isotopic series have been extracted from isotope shift measurements using different methods to calibrate the electronic factor and mass shift effects. Static and dynamic charge radii have been calculated in the framework of a microscopic configuration mixing approach on the ground of Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov solutions obtained with the D1S Gogny effective nucleon–nucleon interaction. Low-energy spectroscopic observables have also been obtained. The theoretical and experimental results are compared and discussed. It is shown that dynamical effects must be taken into account especially for γ-soft and weakly deformed nuclei
PIXSCAN: Pixel detector CT-scanner for small animal imaging

A paraître dans NIMAInternational audienceThe PIXSCAN is a small animal CT-scanner based on hybrid pixel detectors. These detectors provide very large dynamic range of photons counting at very low detector noise. They also provide high counting rates with fast image readout. Detection efficiency can be optimized by selecting the sensor medium according to the working energy range. Indeed, the use of CdTe allows a detection efficiency of 100% up to 50 keV. Altogether these characteristics are expected to improve the contrast of the CT-scanner, especially for soft tissues, and to reduce both the scan duration and the absorbed dose. A proof of principle has been performed by assembling into a PIXSCAN-XPAD2 prototype the photon counting pixel detector initially built for detection of X-ray synchrotron radiations. Despite the relatively large pixel size of this detector (330×330 $\mu$m$^2$), we can present three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of mice at good contrast and spatial resolution. A new photon counting chip (XPAD3) is designed in sub-micronique technology to achieve 130×130 $\mu$m$^2$ pixels. This improved circuit has been equipped with an energy selection circuit to act as a band-pass emission filter. Furthermore, the PIXSCAN-XPAD3 hybrid pixel detectors will be combined with the Lausanne ClearPET scanner demonstrator. CT image reconstruction in this non-conventional geometry is under study for this purpose
The Snow White problem

The SnowWhite problem is introduced to demonstrate how learning something of which one could not have learnt the opposite (due to observer selection bias) can change an agent’s probability assignment. This helps us to analyse the Sleeping Beauty problem, which is deconstructed as a combinatorial engine and a subjective wrapper. The combinatorial engine of the problem is analogous to Bertrand’s boxes paradox and can be solved with standard probability theory. The subjective wrapper is clarified using the Snow White problem. Sample spaces for all three problems are presented. The conclusion is that subjectivity plays no irreducible role in solving the Sleeping Beauty problem and that no reference to centered worlds is required to provide the answer
Differential Contribution of L-, N-, and P/Q-type Calcium Channels to [Ca2+]i Changes Evoked by Kainate in Hippocampal Neurons

Abstract  We investigated the contribution of L-, N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels to the [Ca2+]i changes, evoked by kainate, in the cell bodies of hippocampal neurons, using a pharmacological approach and Ca2+ imaging. Selective Ca2+ channel blockers, namely nitrendipine, ?-Conotoxin GVIA (?-GVIA) and ?-Agatoxin IVA (?-AgaIVA) were used. The [Ca2+]i changes evoked by kainate presented a high variability, and were abolished by NBQX, a AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, but the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, D-AP5, was without effect. Each Ca2+ channel blocker caused differential inhibitory effects on [Ca2+]i responses evoked by kainate. We grouped the neurons for each blocker in three subpopulations: (1) neurons with responses below 60% of the control; (2) neurons with responses between 60% and 90% of the control, and (3) neurons with responses above 90% of the control. The inhibition caused by nitrendipine was higher than the inhibition caused by ?-GVIA or ?-AgaIVA. Thus, in the presence of nitrendipine, the percentage of cells with responses below 60% of the control was 41%, whereas in the case of ?-GVIA or ?-AgaIVA the values were 9 or 17%, respectively. The results indicate that hippocampal neurons differ in what concerns their L-, N- and P/Q- type Ca2+ channels activated by stimulation of the AMPA/kainate receptors.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11064-008-9618-
Mapping continuous potentials to discrete forms

The optimal conversion of a continuous inter-particle potential to a discrete equivalent is considered here. Existing and novel algorithms are evaluated to determine the best technique for creating accurate discrete forms using the minimum number of discontinuities. This allows the event-driven molecular dynamics technique to be efficiently applied to the wide range of continuous force models available in the literature, and facilitates a direct comparison of event-driven and time-driven molecular dynamics. The performance of the proposed conversion techniques are evaluated through application to the Lennard-Jones model. A surprising linear dependence of the computational cost on the number of discontinuities is found, allowing accuracy to be traded for speed in a controlled manner. Excellent agreement is found for static and dynamic properties using a relatively low number of discontinuities. For the Lennard-Jones potential, the optimized discrete form outperforms the original continuous form at gas densities but is significantly slower at higher densities
Swelling and shrinking behaviour of photoresponsive phosphonium-based ionogel microstructures

Photoresponsive N-isopropylacrylamide ionogel microstructures are presented in this study. These ionogels are synthesised using phosphonium based room temperature ionic liquids, together with the photochromic compound benzospiropyran. The microstructures can be actuated using light irradiation, facilitating non-contact and non-invasive operation. For the first time, the characterisation of the swelling and shrinking behaviour of several photo patterned ionogel microstructures is presented and the influence of surface-area-to-volume ratio on the swelling kinetics is evaluated. It was found that the swelling and shrinking behaviour of the ionogels is strongly dependent on the nature of the ionic liquid. In particular, the [P6,6,6,14][NTf2] ionogel exhibits the greatest degree of swelling, reaching up to 180 % of its initial size, and the fastest shrinkage rate (ksh = 29 ± 4 x 10-2 s-1)
Retrieving Biko: a black consciousness critique of whiteness

There is an important history often neglected by genealogies of ‘critical whiteness studies’: Steve Biko's Black Consciousness critique of white liberalism. What would it mean to retrieve this criticism in the context of white anti-racism in the post-apartheid era? Said's (2003) contrapuntal method proves useful here as a juxtaposing device whereby the writings of a past figure can be critically harnessed, travelling across temporal and ideological boundaries to interrogate the present. Four interlinked modes of disingenuous white anti-racism can thus be identified: (1) a fetishistic preoccupation with disproving one's racism; (2) ostentatious forms of anti-racism that function as means of self-promotion, as paradoxical means of white self-love; (3) the consolidation and extension of agency through redemptive gestures of ‘heroic white anti-racism’; (4) ‘charitable anti-racism’ which fixes tolerance within a model of charity, as an act of generosity and that reiterates the status and role of an anti-racist benefactor
The Thermodynamic Limit in Mean Field Spin Glass Models

We present a simple strategy in order to show the existence and uniqueness of
the infinite volume limit of thermodynamic quantities, for a large class of
mean field disordered models, as for example the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model,
and the Derrida p-spin model. The main argument is based on a smooth
interpolation between a large system, made of N spin sites, and two similar but
independent subsystems, made of N_1 and N_2 sites, respectively, with
N_1+N_2=N. The quenched average of the free energy turns out to be subadditive
with respect to the size of the system. This gives immediately convergence of
the free energy per site, in the infinite volume limit. Moreover, a simple
argument, based on concentration of measure, gives the almost sure convergence,
with respect to the external noise. Similar results hold also for the ground
state energy per site.Comment: 12 page
Standard setting lessons learned in the South African context: implications for international implementation

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Testing on 28 December 2012, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/15305058.2012.741085.Criterion-referenced assessments have become more common around the world, with performance standards being set to differentiate different levels of student performance. However, use of standard setting methods developed in the United States may be complicated by factors related to the political and educational contexts within another country. In this article, experience gained from conducting several standard setting studies in South Africa is shared. The legacy of the apartheid era, in which segregation and discrimination were institutionalized, affects the attitudes of South Africans toward assessment and placing students into performance levels. These issues played out as panelists were asked to make judgments related to students' likely performance in higher education. Although the instantiation of panelists' reluctance to label students may be different in South Africa compared to the United States or other countries, lessons can be learned about how the effects of these beliefs and anxieties may be addressed during standard setting activities
Thermal oxidation kinetics of additive free polyamide 6-6

Thermal aging of an additive free PA 6-6 has been elucidated at 90, 100, 120, 140, 150 and 160  C in airventiled ovens by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, viscosimetry in molten state and uniaxial tensile testing. Oxidation of methylene groups starts after a considerably shorter induction period but reaches a lower maximal rate than in additive free PE. Cleavage of CeN bonds constitutes the main source of chain scissions. It leads to the formation of aldehyde chain-ends and a catastrophic decrease in molar mass. Embrittlement occurs at a very low conversion ratio of the oxidation process, in particular when the concentration of aldehyde chain-ends reaches a critical value of [PH¼O]F z 5.6 10 3 mol l 1, corresponding to a critical value of the number average molar mass ofMnFz17 kg mol 1. At this stage, the entanglement network in the amorphous phase is deeply damaged. A non-empirical kinetic model has been derived from the oxidation mechanistic scheme previously established for PE, but improved by adding elementary reactions specific to polyamides such as the rapid decomposition of unstable hydroxylated amide groups. This model describes satisfyingly the main
features of the thermal oxidation kinetics of PA 6-6, but also of other types of aliphatic polyamides studied previously in the literature such as: PA 6, PA 12 and PA 4-6, as long as it is not controlled by oxygen diffusion. At the same time, it confirms the existence of an universal character for the thermal oxidation kinetics of aliphatic polyamides whatever their origin, i.e. their initial molar mass, crystallinity ratio, concentration of impurities, structural irregularities, etc
3D simulation of laminated shell structures using the Proper Generalized Decomposition

Numerical simulations of composite structures are generally performed using multi-layered shell elements in the context of the finite elements method. This strategy has numerous advantages like a low computation time and the capability to reproduce the comportment of composites in most of cases. The main restriction of this approach is that they require an approximation of the comportment in the thickness. This approximation is generally no more valid near the boundary and loading conditions and when non linear phenomena like delamination occurs in the thickness. This paper explores an alternative to shell computation using the framework of the Proper Generalized Decomposition that is based on a separated representation of the solution. The idea is to solve the full 3D solid problem separating the in-plane and the out-of-plane spaces. Practically, a classical shell mesh is used to describe the in-plane geometry and a simple 1D mesh is used to deal with the out-of-plane space. This allows to represents complex fields in the thickness without the complexity and the computation cost of a solid mesh which is particularly interesting when dealing with composite laminates
A potentiometric disposable sensor strip for measuring pH in saliva

In this paper, the preparation of a potentiometric strip for pH monitoring in saliva samples is reported. The potentiometric strip consists of a solid contact pH-selective and of a solidcontact ionogel reference electrode prepared on a dual screen printed substrate. The screen\ud
printing protocols, i.e., type of inks and number of deposits, were adjusted to relatively improve the batch reproducibility and the stability of the pH sensor. The pH of real saliva samples was monitored using the optimised potentiometric strip, and results were validated\ud
through parallel measurements with a standard laboratory method
Web-based physical activity interventions for older adults: a review

Most web-based physical activity interventions were built based on the principles of universal design but may have overlooked age-related impairments experienced by older adults. Thus, it is important to know how successful such web-based interventions are in enhancing older adults’ physical activity levels despite these shortcomings. The objective of this study is to review published literature regarding interactive web-based interventions promoting physical activity among older adults. EBSCOhost, ISI Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases were searched to identify relevant peer-reviewed papers. Results were summarized in a qualitative way. We included 15 papers reporting on web-based interventions with physical activity components. Ten and two studies respectively indicated positive and negative outcomes, while the outcomes of the remaining three studies are unclear. Despite the fact that computer illiteracy and age-related impairments can both be experienced, there is preliminary evidence that suggests that web-based interventions are effective in encouraging physical activity among older adults
Conceptual design of the beryllium rotating target for the ESS-Bilbao facility

The ESS-Bilbao facility, hosted by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), envisages the operation of a high-current proton accelerator delivering beams with energies up to 50 MeV. The time-averaged proton current will be 2.25 mA, delivered by 1.5 ms proton pulses with a repetition rate of 20 Hz. This beam will feed a neutron source based upon the Be (p,n) reaction, which will enable the provision of relevant neutron experimentation capabilities. The neutron source baseline concept consists in a rotating beryllium target cooled by water. The target structure will comprise a rotatable disk made of 6061-T6 aluminium alloy holding 20 beryllium plates. Heat dissipation from the target relies upon a distribution of coolant-flow channels. The practical implementation of such a concept is here described with emphasis put on the beryllium plates thermo-mechanical optimization, the chosen coolant distribution system as well as the mechanical behavior of the assembly
A methodology to compare dimensionality reduction algorithms in terms of loss of quality

Dimensionality Reduction (DR) is attracting more attention these days as a result of the increasing need to handle huge amounts of data effectively. DR methods allow the number of initial features to be reduced considerably until a set of them is found that allows the original properties of the data to be kept. However, their use entails an inherent loss of quality that is likely to affect the understanding of the data, in terms of data analysis. This loss of quality could be determinant when selecting a DR method, because of the nature of each method. In this paper, we propose a methodology that allows different DR methods to be analyzed and compared as regards the loss of quality produced by them. This methodology makes use of the concept of preservation of geometry (quality assessment criteria) to assess the loss of quality. Experiments have been carried out by using the most well-known DR algorithms and quality assessment criteria, based on the literature. These experiments have been applied on 12 real-world datasets. Results obtained so far show that it is possible to establish a method to select the most appropriate DR method, in terms of minimum loss of quality. Experiments have also highlighted some interesting relationships between the quality assessment criteria. Finally, the methodology allows the appropriate choice of dimensionality for reducing data to be established, whilst giving rise to a minimum loss of quality
Analysis of calibration results from cup and propeller anemometers. Influence on wind turbine Annual Energy Production (AEP) calculations

The calibration coefficients of several models of cup and propeller anemometers were analysed. The analysis was based on a series of laboratory calibrations between January 2003 and August 2007. Mean and standard deviation values of calibration coefficients from the anemometers studied were included. Two calibration procedures were used and compared. In the first, recommended by the Measuring network of Wind Energy Institutes (MEASNET), 13 measurement points were taken over a wind speed range of 4 to 16  m  s−1. In the second procedure, 9 measurement points were taken over a wider speed range of 4 to 23  m  s−1. Results indicated no significant differences between the two calibration procedures applied to the same anemometer in terms of measured wind speed and wind turbines' Annual Energy Production (AEP). The influence of the cup anemometers' design on the calibration coefficients was also analysed. The results revealed that the slope of the calibration curve, if based on the rotation frequency and not the anemometer's output frequency, seemed to depend on the cup center rotation radius
Storage requirements for PV power ramp-rate control

Short-term variability in the power generated by large grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) plants can negatively affect power quality and the network reliability. New grid-codes require combining the PV generator with some form of energy storage technology in order to reduce short-term PV power fluctuation. This paper proposes an effective method in order to calculate, for any PV plant size and maximum allowable ramp-rate, the maximum power and the minimum energy storage requirements alike. The general validity of this method is corroborated with extensive simulation exercises performed with real 5-s one year data of 500 kW inverters at the 38.5 MW Amaraleja (Portugal) PV plant and two other PV plants located in Navarra (Spain), at a distance of more than 660 km from Amaraleja
Renormalization-group improved fully differential cross sections for top pair production

We extend approximate next-to-next-to-leading order results for top-pair production to include the semi-leptonic decays of top quarks in the narrow-width approximation. The new hard-scattering kernels are implemented in a fully differential parton-level Monte Carlo that allows for the study of any IR-safe observable constructed from the momenta of the decay products of the top. Our best predictions are given by approximate NNLO corrections in the production matched to a fixed order calculation with NLO corrections in both the production and decay subprocesses. Being fully differential enables us to make comparisons between approximate results derived via different (PIM and 1PI) kinematics for arbitrary distributions. These comparisons reveal that the renormalization-group framework, from which the approximate results are derived, is rather robust in the sense that applying a realistic error estimate allows us to obtain a reliable prediction with a reduced theoretical error for generic observables and analysis cuts
A Higgs mechanism for vector Galileons

Vector theories with non-linear derivative self-interactions that break gauge symmetries have been shown to have interesting cosmological applications. In this paper we introduce a way to spontaneously break the gauge symmetry and construct these theories via a Higgs mechanism. In addition to the purely gauge field interactions, our method generates new ghost-free scalar-vector interactions between the Higgs field and the gauge boson. We show how these additional terms are found to reduce, in a suitable decoupling limit, to scalar bi-Galileon interactions between the Higgs field and Goldstone bosons. Our formalism is first developed in the context of abelian symmetry, which allows us to connect with earlier work on the extension of the Proca action. We then show how this formalism is straightforwardly generalised to generate theories with non-abelian symmetry
Phase structures of the black D p -D( p + 4)-brane system in various ensembles II: electrical and thermodynamic stability

By incorporating the electrical stability condition into the discussion, we continue the study on the thermodynamic phase structures of the D p -D( p + 4) black brane in GG, GC, CG, CC ensembles defined in our previous paper [27]. We find that including the electrical stability conditions in addition to the thermal stability conditions does not modify the phase structure of the GG ensemble but puts more constraints on the parameter space where black branes can stably exist in GC, CG, CC ensembles. In particular, the van der Waals-like phase structure which was supposed to be present in these ensembles when only thermal stability condition is considered would no longer be visible, since the phase of the small black brane is unstable under electrical fluctuations. However, the symmetry of the phase structure by interchanging the two kinds of brane charges and potentials is still preserved, which is argued to be the result of T-duality
Fourth generation effect on Λb decays

The rare decays of the Λb baryon governed by the quark level transitions b→s are investigated in the fourth quark generation model popularly known as SM4. Recently it has been shown that SM4, which is a very simple extension of the standard model, can successfully explain several anomalies observed in the CP violation parameters of B and Bs mesons. We find that in this model due to the additional contributions coming from the heavy t′ quark in the loop, the branching ratios and other observables in rare Λb decays deviate significantly from their standard model values. Some of these modes are within the reach of the LHCb experiment and search for such channels is strongly argue