An investigation into differential lateral dispersion of fossil forest tree pollen

Pollen rain phenomena with particular reference to forest pollen are discussed with evidence from FAEGRI.K and IVERSON.J, TAUBER.H, TURNER.J, and DAVIS .M. B. The existence of fossil tree pollen rain in raised bogs is postulated. The problem of local bog pollen in the peat against which to count a varying forest pollen rain is seen as the major statistical problem', relating to even distribution both vertically and horizontally in the peat. Bolton Fell is described as an ideal zone VIb bog to illustrate fossil tree pollen dispersion. Preliminary Investigation of peat showed this bog to contain VIIb peat and the N. margin of the bog proved most suitable. A 500m transect was laid out and levelled with depth measurements every l0m. Thirteen profile simples were taken at Intervals. From eight replicate samples taken over the centre metre of each profile pollen slides were prepared and all grains counted until 150 tree grains had bean recorded. The varying numbers of bog plant pollen were used to compute the actual change in forest pollen frequency. The figures obtained are plotted against distance. A real reduction in forest pollen frequency is clearly shown from 0-100m with differences between values statistically valid, so confirming the work of TAUBER and TURNER on extant forest pollen dispersion. Anomalously higher values for fores pollen further out on transect are discussed, and an explanatory hypothesis outlined of a slowly growing bog with trees possibly growing in it on 'islands' of shallow peat

Long time-scale variability of X-ray binaries with late type giant companions

In this paper we propose and examine a physical mechanism which can lead to the generation of noise in the mass accretion rate of low mass X-ray binaries on time-scales comparable to the orbital period of the system. We consider modulations of mass captured by the compact object from the companion star's stellar wind in binaries with late type giants, systems which usually have long orbital periods. We show that a hydrodynamical interaction of the wind matter within a binary system even without eccentricity results in variability of the mass accretion rate with characteristic time-scales close to the orbital period. The cause of the variability is an undeveloped turbulent motion (perturbed motion without significant vorticity) of wind matter near the compact object. Our conclusions are supported by 3D simulations with two different hydrodynamic codes based on Lagrangian and Eulerian approaches -- the SPH code GADGET and the Eulerian code PLUTO. In this work we assume that the wind mass loss rate of the secondary is at the level of $(0.5-1)\times10^{-7} M_\odot$/year, required to produce observable variations of the mass accretion rate on the primary. This value is higher than that, estimated for single giant stars of this type, but examples of even higher mass loss rate of late type giants in binaries do exist. Our simulations show that the stellar wind matter intercepted by the compact object might create observational appearances similar to that of an accretion disc corona/wind and could be detected via high energy resolution observations of X-ray absorption lines, in particular, highly ionized ions of heavy elements.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, 1 tabl

Can we use starlings' aversion to eyespots as the basis for a novel 'cognitive bias' task?

Experiments in humans have shown that changes in emotional (affective) state cause adaptive changes in the processing of incoming information, termed "cognitive bias". For instance, the states of anxiety and depression have been shown to be associated with "pessimistic" judgements of ambiguous stimuli intermediate between stimuli associated with positive and negative outcomes. This phenomenon provides a promising method for objectively assessing animal emotional states and has been successfully demonstrated in preliminary studies. However, the experiments yielding these results required extensive training to establish the necessary positive and negative associations. Here we present an experiment using responses to eyespot stimuli that are naturally aversive to many bird species, and require no explicit associative training. We manipulated the state of wild-caught European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) by playing one of four possible sounds: starling "threat call" (control manipulation), a sparrowhawk call (i.e. predator), starling alarm call or white noise, on the assumption that the latter three sounds would cause anxiety. Immediately following the auditory stimulus, we recorded the birds' behaviour in the presence of each of three visual stimuli: eyespots, ambiguous eyespots or no eyespots. We hypothesised that there would be an interaction between the state of the birds and their response to eyespots, with birds showing enhanced aversion to ambiguous eyespots when anxious. We found evidence that white noise and alarm calls generated anxiety, and that eyespots were aversive. However, there was no interaction between state and response to eyespots. In an attempt to understand our failure to obtain the predicted cognitive bias, we discuss evidence that the aversive nature of eyespots is not attributable to predator mimicry, and is therefore not modulated by anxiety. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The comprehensive cancer monitoring programme in Europe.

BACKGROUND: There continue to be major public health challenges arising from the increasing cancer burden in Europe. Drawing upon expertise from other European centres and networks, the Comprehensive Cancer Monitoring Programme in Europe project (CaMon) provides a central information resource of the cancer profile in European populations. METHODS: The cancer indicators fundamental to disease monitoring in Europe are illustrated in terms of definitions and availability. Where necessary data are supplemented by estimates, in order to make available cancer data to individuals and institutions in all Member and Applicant countries of the European Union (EU). The relevant methodologies are discussed. Finally, a major ongoing project examining time trends of cancer incidence and mortality in 38 European countries is described. RESULTS: In the European Union, there were approximately 1.6 million new cases of cancer according to the latest year available, and approximately, one million cancer deaths. About 2.6 million new cases of cancer, and 1.6 million deaths were estimated in Europe. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Europe and together with cancers of the colon and rectum and female breast represent approximately 40% of new cases in Europe. CONCLUSION: The statistics generated by the project on cancer incidence, mortality, survival and prevalence, together with time trends and projections will be regularly updated and made available to a European Commission, and to a Community-wide audience via the CaMon website and via other means of dissemination, such as peer-reviewed journals

The Knowledge of the Grid: A Grid Ontology

This paper presents a knowledge architecture and set of ontologies that can be used as the foundation to facilitate the matching of abstract resource requests to services and resources, to determine the functional equivalence of Grid middle wares and deployments and to allow the description of ‘hybrid’ compound Grids composed of individual heterogeneous Grids. This is necessary as in all these cases what is required is mediation between different views or descriptions of Grids, which requires a formal reference vocabulary. We present a framework and ontologies for achieving this

A novel approach for quality control system using sensor fusion of infrared and visual image processing for laser sealing of food containers

This paper presents a new mechatronic approach of using infrared thermography combined with image processing for the quality control of a laser sealing process for food containers. The suggested approach uses an on-line infrared system to assess the heat distribution within the container seal in order to guarantee the integrity of the process. Visual image processing is then used for quality assurance to guarantee optimum sealing. The results described in this paper show examples of the capability of the condition monitoring system to detect faults in the sealing process. The results found indicate that the suggested approach could form an effective quality control and assurance system