HYDROGEN TRAPPING IN NIOBIUM VANADIUM ALLOYS

The authors have measured the localised vibrational modes of hydrogen in a Nd0.93V0.07 alloy. As one cools the sample for the first time to 10K one observes that hydrogen is trapped at octahedral sites associated with two substitutional vanadium atoms. The trap energy is small (10-20 meV) and less than the precipitation enthalpy. The phenomenon exhibits an interesting hysteresis. On repeated cooling cycles the hydrogen atoms tend to precipitate rather than stay in the trap sites. This is due to the formation of additional nucleation sites on the first cooling cycle

Implementation of novel methods of global and nonsmooth optimization : GANSO programming library

We discuss the implementation of a number of modern methods of global and nonsmooth continuous optimization, based on the ideas of Rubinov, in a programming library GANSO. GANSO implements the derivative-free bundle method, the extended cutting angle method, dynamical system-based optimization and their various combinations and heuristics. We outline the main ideas behind each method, and report on the interfacing with Matlab and Maple packages. <br /

Utilization and accessibility of social services for Chinese Canadians

The findings show that the awareness of service agencies and opinions on the services provided are predictors of Chinese Canadians’ service utilization, and that one-third of Chinese Canadians have not used any social services, for various reasons. When planning services for an ethnic minority group like Chinese Canadians, planners should consider socio-cultural and structural factors alike.preprin

Gray-matter volume, midbrain dopamine D2/D3 receptors and drug craving in methamphetamine users.

Dysfunction of the mesocorticolimbic system has a critical role in clinical features of addiction. Despite evidence suggesting that midbrain dopamine receptors influence amphetamine-induced dopamine release and that dopamine is involved in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity, associations between dopamine receptors and gray-matter volume have been unexplored in methamphetamine users. Here we used magnetic resonance imaging and [(18)F]fallypride positron emission tomography, respectively, to measure gray-matter volume (in 58 methamphetamine users) and dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability (binding potential relative to nondisplaceable uptake of the radiotracer, BPnd) (in 31 methamphetamine users and 37 control participants). Relationships between these measures and self-reported drug craving were examined. Although no difference in midbrain D2/D3 BPnd was detected between methamphetamine and control groups, midbrain D2/D3 BPnd was positively correlated with gray-matter volume in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, insula, hippocampus and temporal cortex in methamphetamine users, but not in control participants (group-by-midbrain D2/D3 BPnd interaction, P&lt;0.05 corrected for multiple comparisons). Craving for methamphetamine was negatively associated with gray-matter volume in the insula, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, temporal cortex, occipital cortex, cerebellum and thalamus (P&lt;0.05 corrected for multiple comparisons). A relationship between midbrain D2/D3 BPnd and methamphetamine craving was not detected. Lower midbrain D2/D3 BPnd may increase vulnerability to deficits in gray-matter volume in mesocorticolimbic circuitry in methamphetamine users, possibly reflecting greater dopamine-induced toxicity. Identifying factors that influence prefrontal and limbic volume, such as midbrain BPnd, may be important for understanding the basis of drug craving, a key factor in the maintenance of substance-use disorders

Importance and Adequacy of Practice Competencies for Care Professionals in Aging-Related Fields

The rapid growth of the older population has increased the need for care professionals with training in gerontology or geriatrics. This study analyzes the perceived importance and adequacy of practice competencies for entry-level care professionals in aging-related fields in Hong Kong. The administrators of non-government organizations that provide aging-related services were surveyed. The most important competencies, those underperformed, and some that were cross-culturally relevant were identified. Potential areas and new directions for the development of competencies for care professionals were also examined. The methods used in this study could serve as a reference for further studies in gerontology and geriatrics education.preprin

Early Detection of Diabetes using Thermography and Artificial Neural Networks

The aim of this work is to demonstrate the usefulness of the artificial intelligence tools for early detection of diseases. From the historic and simple assessment of temperature by the clinical thermometer, thermal imaging camera has opened up new perspectives, and that a whole image field-of-view can be characterized in a single measurement. Thermographic assessment of temperature distribution within the examined skin enables a quick, non-contact, non-invasive relative measurement of their temperature. No literature has been found until date detection of diabetes using thermography and artificial neural networks. An attempt in this regard could help doctors make a safer decision. This work shows that the output predicted using the artificial neural network based on thermography, can be used for early detection of diabetes

Von Willebrand factor, angiodysplasia and angiogenesis

The large multimeric glycoprotein Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is best known for its role in haemostasis; however in recent years other functions of VWF have been identified, indicating that this protein is involved in multiple vascular processes. We recently described a new role for VWF in controlling angiogenesis, which may have significant clinical implications for patients with Von Willebrand disease (VWD), a genetic or acquired condition caused by the deficiency or dysfunction of VWF. VWD can be associated with angiodysplasia, a condition of degenerative blood vessels often present in the gastrointestinal tract, linked to dysregulated angiogenesis. Angiodysplasia can cause severe intractable bleeding, often refractory to conventional VWD treatments. In this review we summarise the evidence showing that VWF controls angiogenesis, and review the angiogenic pathways which have been implicated in this process. We discuss the possible mechanisms though which VWF regulates angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and integrin αvβ3, leading to signalling through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2), one of the most potent activators of angiogenesis. We also review the evidence that links VWF with angiodysplasia, and how the newly identified function of VWF in controlling angiogenesis may pave the way for the development of novel therapies for the treatment of angiodysplasia in congenital VWD and in acquired conditions such as Heyde syndrome

Low-Noise Amplification of a Continuous Variable Quantum State

We present an experimental realization of a low-noise, phase-insensitive optical amplifier using a four-wave mixing interaction in hot Rb vapor. Performance near the quantum limit for a range of amplifier gains, including near unity, can be achieved. Such low-noise amplifiers are essential for so-called quantum cloning machines and are useful in quantum information protocols. We demonstrate that amplification and ``cloning'' of one half of a two-mode squeezed state is possible while preserving entanglement.Comment: To appear in Physical Review Letters July 3rd. 4 pages, 4 figure

Quantum Teleportation is a Universal Computational Primitive

We present a method to create a variety of interesting gates by teleporting quantum bits through special entangled states. This allows, for instance, the construction of a quantum computer based on just single qubit operations, Bell measurements, and GHZ states. We also present straightforward constructions of a wide variety of fault-tolerant quantum gates.Comment: 6 pages, REVTeX, 6 epsf figure