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Main Properties (main + property)
Selected AbstractsLong-term monitoring in IC4665: fast rotation and weak variability in very low mass objectsMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 3 2009Alexander Scholz ABSTRACT We present the combined results of three photometric monitoring campaigns targeting very low mass (VLM) stars and brown dwarfs in the young open cluster IC4665 (age ,40 Myr). Each of our observing runs covers time-scales of ,5 d in the seasons 1999, 2001 and 2002, respectively. In all three runs, we observe ,100 cluster members, allowing us for the first time to put limits on the evolution of spots and magnetic activity in fully convective objects on time-scales of a few years. For 20 objects covering masses from 0.05 to 0.5 M,, we detect a periodic flux modulation, indicating the presence of magnetic spots co-rotating with the objects. The detection rate of photometric periods (,20 per cent) is significantly lower than in solar-mass stars at the same age, which points to a mass dependence in the spot properties. With two exceptions, none of the objects exhibits variability and thus spot activity in more than one season. This is contrary to what is seen in solar-mass stars and indicates that spot configurations capable of producing photometric modulations occur relatively rarely and are transient in VLM objects. The rotation periods derived in this paper range from 3 to 30 h, arguing for a lack of slow rotators among VLM objects. The periods fit into a rotational evolution scenario with pre-main sequence contraction and moderate (40,50 per cent) angular momentum losses due to wind braking. By combining our findings with literature results, we identify two regimes of rotational and magnetic properties, called C- and I-sequence. Main properties on the C-sequence are fast rotation, weak wind braking, H, emission and saturated activity levels, while the I-sequence is characterized by slow rotation, strong wind braking, no H, emission and linear activity-rotation relationship. Rotation rate and stellar mass are the primary parameters that determine in which regime an object is found. We outline a general scheme to understand rotational evolution for low-mass objects in the context of these two regimes and discuss the potential as well as the problems of this picture. [source] Model,data synthesis in terrestrial carbon observation: methods, data requirements and data uncertainty specificationsGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005M. R. Raupach Systematic, operational, long-term observations of the terrestrial carbon cycle (including its interactions with water, energy and nutrient cycles and ecosystem dynamics) are important for the prediction and management of climate, water resources, food resources, biodiversity and desertification. To contribute to these goals, a terrestrial carbon observing system requires the synthesis of several kinds of observation into terrestrial biosphere models encompassing the coupled cycles of carbon, water, energy and nutrients. Relevant observations include atmospheric composition (concentrations of CO2 and other gases); remote sensing; flux and process measurements from intensive study sites; in situ vegetation and soil monitoring; weather, climate and hydrological data; and contemporary and historical data on land use, land use change and disturbance (grazing, harvest, clearing, fire). A review of model,data synthesis tools for terrestrial carbon observation identifies ,nonsequential' and ,sequential' approaches as major categories, differing according to whether data are treated all at once or sequentially. The structure underlying both approaches is reviewed, highlighting several basic commonalities in formalism and data requirements. An essential commonality is that for all model,data synthesis problems, both nonsequential and sequential, data uncertainties are as important as data values themselves and have a comparable role in determining the outcome. Given the importance of data uncertainties, there is an urgent need for soundly based uncertainty characterizations for the main kinds of data used in terrestrial carbon observation. The first requirement is a specification of the main properties of the error covariance matrix. As a step towards this goal, semi-quantitative estimates are made of the main properties of the error covariance matrix for four kinds of data essential for terrestrial carbon observation: remote sensing of land surface properties, atmospheric composition measurements, direct flux measurements, and measurements of carbon stores. [source] Circuits, computers, and beyond Boolean logic,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUIT THEORY AND APPLICATIONS, Issue 5-6 2007Tamás Roska Abstract Historically, the invention of the stored programmable computer architecture, introduced by John Von Neumann, was also influenced by electrical circuit implementation aspects, as well as tied to fundamental insight of logic reasoning. It can also be considered as a mind-inspired machine. Since then, the implementation of logic gates, control and memories has developed independently of the architecture. The Cellular Wave Computer architecture (IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. II 1993; 40:163,173; Electron. Lett. 2007; 43:427,449; J. Circuits Syst. Comput. 2003; 5(2):539,562) as a spatial,temporal universal machine on flows has also been influenced by circuit aspects of very large-scale integration (VLSI) technology, as well as some motivating living neural circuits, via the cellular nonlinear (neural) network (CNN). It might be considered as a brain-inspired machine. In this paper, after summarizing the main properties of the Cellular Wave Computer, we highlight a few basic properties of this new kind of computer and computing. In particular, phenomena related to (i) the one-pass solution of a set of implicit equations due to real-time spatial array feedback, (ii) the true random signal array generation via the insertion of the continuous physical noise signals, (iii) the finite synchrony radius due to the functional delay of wires, as well as to (iv) biology relevance. We also show that the Cellular Wave Computer is performing spatial,temporal inference that goes beyond Boolean logic, a characteristic of living neural circuits. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] In search of simple structures in climate: simplifying EOFsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2006A. Hannachi Abstract Empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) are widely used in climate research to identify dominant patterns of variability and to reduce the dimensionality of climate data. EOFs, however, can be difficult to interpret. Rotated empirical orthogonal functions (REOFs) have been proposed as more physical entities with simpler patterns than EOFs. This study presents a new approach for finding climate patterns with simple structures that overcomes the problems encountered with rotation. The method achieves simplicity of the patterns by using the main properties of EOFs and REOFs simultaneously. Orthogonal patterns that maximise variance subject to a constraint that induces a form of simplicity are found. The simplified empirical orthogonal function (SEOF) patterns, being more ,local', are constrained to have zero loadings outside the main centre of action. The method is applied to winter Northern Hemisphere (NH) monthly mean sea level pressure (SLP) reanalyses over the period 1948,2000. The ,simplified' leading patterns of variability are identified and compared to the leading patterns obtained from EOFs and REOFs. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society. [source] Gain,bandwidth limitations of microwave transistorINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RF AND MICROWAVE COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2002Filiz Güne Abstract This work enables one to obtain the potential gain (GT) characteristics with the associated source (ZS) and load (ZL) termination functions, depending upon the input mismatching (Vi), noise (F), and the device operation parameters, which are the configuration type (CT), bias conditions (VDS, IDS), and operation frequency (f). All these functions can straightforwardly provide the following main properties of the device for use in the design of microwave amplifiers with optimum performance: the extremum gain functions (GT max, GT min) and their associated ZS, ZL terminations for the Vi and F couple and the CT, VDS, IDS, and f operation parameters of the device point by point; all the compatible performance (F, voltage,standing wave ratio Vi, GT) triplets within the physical limits of the device, which are F , Fmin, Vi , 1, GT min , GT , GT max, together with their ZS, ZL termination functions; and the potential operation frequency bandwidth for a selected performance (F, Vi, GT) triplet. The selected performance triplet and termination functions can be realized together with their potential operation bandwidth using the novel amplifier design techniques. Many examples are presented for the potential gain characteristics of the chosen low-noise or ordinary types of transistor. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 12, 483,495, 2002. Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mmce.10049 [source] The cross-correlation function: main properties and first applicationsJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2010Benedetta Carrozzini When a model structure, and more generally a model electron density ,M(r), is available, its cross-correlation function C(u) with the unknown true structure ,(r) cannot be exactly calculated. A useful approximation of C(u) is obtained by replacing exp[i(,h , ,Mh)] by its expected value. In this case C,(u), a potentially useful approximation of the function C(u), is obtained. In this paper the main crystallographic properties of the functions C(u) and C,(u) are established. It is also shown that such functions may be useful for the success of the phasing process. [source] Pain: a review of three commonly used pain rating scalesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 7 2005Amelia Williamson MSc Aims and objectives., This review aims to explore the research available relating to three commonly used pain rating scales, the Visual Analogue Scale, the Verbal Rating Scale and the Numerical Rating Scale. The review provides information needed to understand the main properties of the scales. Background., Data generated from pain-rating scales can be easily misunderstood. This review can help clinicians to understand the main features of these tools and thus use them effectively. Method., A MedLine review via PubMed was carried out with no restriction of age of papers retrieved. Papers were examined for methodological soundness before being included. The search terms initially included pain rating scales, pain measurement, Visual Analogue Scale, VAS, Verbal Rating Scale, VRS, Numerical/numeric Rating Scale, NRS. The reference lists of retrieved articles were used to generate more papers and search terms. Only English Language papers were examined. Conclusions., All three pain-rating scales are valid, reliable and appropriate for use in clinical practice, although the Visual Analogue Scale has more practical difficulties than the Verbal Rating Scale or the Numerical Rating Scale. For general purposes the Numerical Rating Scale has good sensitivity and generates data that can be statistically analysed for audit purposes. Patients who seek a sensitive pain-rating scale would probably choose this one. For simplicity patients prefer the Verbal Rating Scale, but it lacks sensitivity and the data it produces can be misunderstood. Relevance to clinical practice., In order to use pain-rating scales well clinicians need to appreciate the potential for error within the tools, and the potential they have to provide the required information. Interpretation of the data from a pain-rating scale is not as straightforward as it might first appear. [source] Emulsion polymerization: From fundamental mechanisms to process developmentsJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 5 2004José M. Asua Abstract Emulsion polymers are "products by process" whose main properties are determined during polymerization. In this scenario of margins reduction, increasing competition, and public sensitivity to environmental issues, the challenge is to achieve an efficient production of high-quality materials in a consistent, safe, and environmentally friendly way. This highlight reviews the investigations carried out at The University of the Basque Country to develop a knowledge-based strategy to achieve these goals. First, the research in fundamental mechanisms is discussed. This includes studies in radical entry and exit, oil-soluble initiators, propagation-rate constants of acrylic monomers, processes involved in the formation of branched and crosslinked polymers, microstructure modification by postreaction operations, the formation of particle morphology, and reactive surfactants. The advanced mathematical models developed in the group are also reviewed. In the second part, the advances in process development (optimization, online monitoring and control, monomer removal, production of high-solids, low-viscosity latices, and process intensification) are presented. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1025,1041, 2004 [source] Review article: yeast as probiotics ,Saccharomyces boulardiiALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2007D. CZERUCKA Summary Background Probiotics are defined as live micro-organisms which confer a health benefit on the host. Although most probiotics are bacteria, one strain of yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii, has been found to be an effective probiotic in double-blind clinical studies. Aims To compare the main properties that differentiates yeast from bacteria and to review the properties of S. boulardii explaining its potential benefits as a probiotic. Methods The PubMed and Medline databases were searched using the keywords ,probiotics', ,yeast', ,antibiotic associated diarrhea', ,Saccharomyces boulardii',,bacterial diarrhea' and ,inflammatory bowel disease' in various combinations. Results Several clinical studies have been conducted with S. boulardii in the treatment and prevention of various forms of diarrhoea. Promising research perspectives have been opened in terms of maintenance treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. The mechanism of S. boulardii's action has been partially elucidated. Conclusion Saccharomyces boulardii is a strain of yeast which has been extensively studied for its probiotic effects. The clinical activity of S. boulardii is especially relevant to antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and recurrent Clostridium difficile intestinal infections. Experimental studies clearly demonstrate that S. boulardii has specific probiotic properties, and recent data has opened the door for new therapeutic uses of this yeast as an ,immunobiotic'. [source] Diode-pumped fiber lasers: A new clinical tool?LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 3 2002Stuart D. Jackson PhD Abstract Background and Objective Diode-pumped fiber lasers are a compact and an efficient source of high power laser radiation. These laser systems have found wide recognition in the area of lasers as a result of these very practical characteristics and are now becoming important tools for a large number of applications. In this review, we outline the basic physics of fiber lasers and illustrate how a number of clinical procedures would benefit from their employment. Study Design/Materials and Methods The pump mechanisms, the relevant pump and laser transitions between the energy levels, and the main properties of the output from fiber lasers will be briefly reviewed. The main types of high power fiber lasers that have been demonstrated will be examined along with some recent medical applications that have used these lasers. We will also provide a general review of some important medical specialties, highlighting why these fields would gain from the introduction of the fiber laser. Results/Conclusion It is established that while the fiber laser is still a new form of laser device and hence not commercially available in a wide sense, a number of important medical procedures will benefit from its general introduction into medicine. With the number of medical and surgical applications requiring high power laser radiation steadily increasing, the demand for more efficient and compact laser systems providing this capacity will grow commensurately. The high power fiber laser is one system that looks like a promising modality to meet this need. Lasers Surg. Med. 30:184-190, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Gas-phase basicities of polyfunctional molecules.MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS, Issue 6 2007Part 1: Theory, methods Abstract The experimental and theoretical methods of determination of gas-phase basicities, proton affinities and protonation entropies are presented in a tutorial form. Particularities and limitations of these methods when applied to polyfunctional molecules are emphasized. Structural effects during the protonation process in the gas-phase and their consequences on the corresponding thermochemistry are reviewed and classified. The role of the nature of the basic site (protonation on non-bonded electron pairs or on ,-electron systems) and of substituent effects (electrostatic and resonance) are first examined. Then, linear correlations observed between gas-phase basicities and ionization energies or substituent constants are recalled. Hydrogen bonding plays a special part in proton transfer reactions and in the protonation characteristics of polyfunctional molecules. A survey of the main properties of intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding in both neutral and protonated species is proposed. Consequences on the protonation thermochemistry, particularly of polyfunctional molecules are discussed. Finally, chemical reactions which may potentially occur inside protonated clusters during the measurement of gas-phase basicities or inside a protonated polyfunctional molecule is examined. Examples of bond dissociations with hydride or alkyl migrations, proton transport catalysis, tautomerization, cyclization, ring opening and nucleophilic substitution are presented to illustrate the potentially complex chemistry that may accompany the protonation of polyfunctional molecules. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 26:775,835, 2007 [source] Generalized factorization for N×N Daniele,Khrapkov matrix functionsMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 13 2001M. C. Câmara Abstract A generalization to N×N of the 2×2 Daniele,Khrapkov class of matrix-valued functions is proposed. This class retains some of the features of the 2×2 Daniele,Khrapkov class, in particular, the presence of certain square-root functions in its definition. Functions of this class appear in the study of finite-dimensional integrable systems. The paper concentrates on giving the main properties of the class, using them to outline a method for the study of the Wiener,Hopf factorization of the symbols of this class. This is done through examples that are completely worked out. One of these examples corresponds to a particular case of the motion of a symmetric rigid body with a fixed point (Lagrange top). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A compact dual-port, dual-band planar microstrip antennaMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 4 2002A. Gadzina Abstract A compact dual-band, dual-port planar microstrip antenna is described. Its main properties are wide bandwidth, high and constant gain at both frequency bands, and a simple planar structure, which results from etching all patches onto a common substrate. As an example of application an antenna for GSM900/1800 has been realized and described with measured data. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 302,305, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10443 [source] A systematic investigation on the influence of the chemical treatment of natural fibers on the properties of their polymer matrix compositesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 5 2004Jerico Biagiotti This paper reports a systematic study of the effects on composite properties of different chemical treatments on natural fibers. Both short flax fibers and flax cellulose pulp in a polypropylene matrix have been investigated. The influence of treatments on fiber properties was investigated by means of spectroscopic, thermal and mechanical tests. Moreover, the effects of fiber treatment on the crystallinity of the matrix were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. The mechanical properties of the composites obtained were studied using tensile and bending tests. It is shown that most of the main properties of the composites can be improved by adequately treating the fibers. The results of this study provide a database mainly devoted to material selection for the automotive industry. This research has been performed as a part of the ECOFINA project in the framework of the 5th European Research Program of the European Community. Polym. Compos. 25:470,479, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source] A unified view on skewed distributions arising from selectionsTHE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 4 2006Reinaldo B. Arellano-Valle Abstract Parametric families of multivariate nonnormal distributions have received considerable attention in the past few decades. The authors propose a new definition of a selection distribution that encompasses many existing families of multivariate skewed distributions. Their work is motivated by examples that involve various forms of selection mechanisms and lead to skewed distributions. They give the main properties of selection distributions and show how various families of multivariate skewed distributions, such as the skew-normal and skew-elliptical distributions, arise as special cases. The authors further introduce several methods of constructing selection distributions based on linear and nonlinear selection mechanisms. Une perspective intégrée des lois asymétriques issues de processus de sélection Les familles paramétriques de lois multivariées non gaussiennes ont suscité beaucoup d'intér,t depuis quelques décennies. Les auteurs proposent une nouvelle définition du concept de loi de sélection qui englobe plusieurs familles connues de lois asymétriques multivariées. Leurs travaux sont motivés par diverses situations faisant intervenir des mécanismes de sélection et conduisant à des lois asymétriques. Ds mentionnent les principales propriétés des lois de sélection et montrent comment diverses familles de lois asymétriques multivariées telles que les lois asymétriques normales ou elliptiques émergent comme cas particuliers. Les auteurs présentent en outre plusieurs méthodes de construction de lois de sélection fondées sur des mécanismes linéaires ou non linéaires. [source] A STOCHASTIC ORDERING FOR RANDOM VARIABLES WITH APPLICATIONSAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 1 2010Miguel López-Díaz Summary A new univariate stochastic ordering is introduced. Some characterization results for such an ordering are stated. It is proved that the ordering is an integral stochastic ordering, obtaining a maximal generator. By means of this generator, the main properties of the ordering are deduced. A method for introducing univariate stochastic orderings, suggested by the new ordering, is analysed. Relationships with other stochastic orderings are also developed. To conclude, an example of an application of the new ordering to the field of medicine is proposed. [source] Advanced dynamical risk analysis for monitoring anaerobic digestion processBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2009Jonathan Hess Abstract Methanogenic fermentation involves a natural ecosystem that can be used for waste water treatment. This anaerobic process can have two locally stable steady-states and an unstable one making the process hard to handle. The aim of this work is to propose analytical criteria to detect hazardous working modes, namely situations where the system evolves towards the acidification of the plant. We first introduce a commonly used simplified model and recall its main properties. To assess the evolution of the system we study the phase plane and split it into nineteen zones according to some qualitative traits. Then a methodology is introduced to monitor in real-time the trajectory of the system across these zones and determine its position in the plane. It leads to a dynamical risk index based on the analysis of the transitions from one zone to another, and generates a classification of the zones according to their dangerousness. Finally the proposed strategy is applied to a virtual process based on model ADM1. It is worth noting that the proposed approach do not rely on the value of the parameters and is thus very robust. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||