A study ofK + p elastic scattering and reactionK + p→K + pπ+π− at 70 GeV/c

Results are presented onK ⁺ p elastic scattering and on the reactionK ⁺ p→K ⁺ pπ⁺π^? at 70 GeV/c. For the elastic channel, we measured the total ((2.29±0.04)mb) and differentialdσ/dt cross sections. The reactionK ⁺ p→K ⁺ pπ⁺π^? has a total cross section of (470±23) μb and is shown to be dominated by diffractive dissociation processes. The contributions of the quasi-two-body channels $$K^ + p \to K*^0 (890)\Delta ^{ + + } (1,236)$$ and $$K^ + p \to K*^0 (1,430)\Delta ^{ + + } (1,236)$$ and of the Double-Pomeron Exchange (DPE) processes are estimated.     

The constraints to learning in birdsong

In this work we explore the constraints that the structure of the neural motor program imposes to the possible songs learned by oscine birds. We carry out this program by translating anatomical information on the structure of these nuclei into a computational model. We investigate with analytical and numeral tools this model, and use its solutions to generate synthetic songs. This allows us to perform specific predictions on the simultaneous measurement of acoustic features and the physiological variables during the song.     

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy discriminates a spectral signature of endometriosis independent of inter-individual variation

Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. Its aetiology remains obscure, and it is difficult to diagnose ranging from asymptomatic to debilitating disease. Mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopy has become recognised as a potential clinical diagnostic tool. Biomolecules absorb mid-IR (4000 cm(-1) to 400 cm(-1)) and from this, a biochemical-cell fingerprint in the form of an absorbance spectrum can be derived. We set out to determine if IR spectroscopy could be used to identify underlying biochemical differences between endometrial tissues growing outside of the uterus (ectopic) from endometrial tissue of the uterus (eutopic). For comparative purposes, endometrial tissues from endometriosis-free women were also obtained (benign eutopic). Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform IR (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy or transmission FTIR microspectroscopy was employed for spectral acquisition. Principal component analysis (PCA)-linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used for chemometric analysis. A clear segregation was exhibited between the three categories independent of inter-individual confounding differences. Importantly, there was a marked difference between eutopic endometrial tissue from patients with or without endometriosis. This indicates that IR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis (e.g., PCA-LDA) may provide a non-invasive diagnostic tool for endometriosis. By analysing the underlying biochemistry of these endometrial tissues, this approach may facilitate a better understanding of this pathology.     

A Fiedler-like theory for the perturbed Laplacian

The perturbed Laplacian matrix of a graph G is defined as DL = D?A, where D is any diagonal matrix and A is a weighted adjacency matrix of G. We develop a Fiedler-like theory for this matrix, leading to results that are of the same type as those obtained with the algebraic connectivity of a graph. We show a monotonicity theorem for the harmonic eigenfunction corresponding to the second smallest eigenvalue of the perturbed Laplacian matrix over the points of articulation of a graph. Furthermore, we use the notion of Perron component for the perturbed Laplacian matrix of a graph and show how its second smallest eigenvalue can be characterized using this definition.     

Functions of bounded variation on the classical Wiener space and an extended Ocone–Karatzas formula

We prove an extension of the Ocone–Karatzas integral representation, valid for all BV$BV$ functions on the classical Wiener space. We also establish an elementary chain rule formula and combine the two results to compute explicit integral representations for some classes of BV$BV$ composite random variables.     

Unusual high exposure to ultraviolet-C radiation

UV radiation is known to cause acute and chronic eye and skin damage. The present case report describes a 90 min accidental exposure to UV-C radiation of 26 medical school students. Germicidal lamps were lit due to a malfunctioning of the timer system. Several hours after irradiation exposure, all subjects reported the onset of ocular symptoms, subsequently diagnosed as photokeratitis, and skin damage to the face, scalp and neck. While the ocular symptoms lasted 2-4 days, the sunburn-like condition produced significant erythema followed by deep skin exfoliation. The irradiation was calculated to be approximately 700 mJ cm(-2) absorbed energy, whereas the actual radiation emitted by the lamps was 0.14 mW cm(-2) (the radiometric measurements confirmed these calculi, because the effective irradiance measured from the height of the autopsy table to about 1 m under the UV-C lamp varied from 0.05 to 0.25 mW cm(-2)) but, more likely, the effective irradiance, according to skin phototype and symptoms, was between 50 and 100 mJ cm(-2). The ocular and skin effects produced by such a high irradiation (largely higher than that accepted by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists [ACGIH] threshold limit values [TLVs]) appeared reversible in a relatively short time.