Spatially resolving the outer atmosphere of the M giant BK Vir in the CO first overtone lines with VLTI/AMBER

The mass-loss mechanism in normal K--M giant stars with small variability amplitudes is not yet understood, although they are the majority among red giant stars. We present high-spatial and high-spectral resolution observations of the 2.3 micron CO lines in the M7 giant BK Vir with a spatial resolution of 9.8 mas and a spectral resolution of 12000, using AMBER at the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). The angular diameters observed in the CO lines are 12--31% larger than those measured in the continuum. We also detected asymmetry in the CO line-forming region. The data taken 1.5 months apart show possible time variation on a spatial scale of 30 mas (corresponding to 3 x stellar diameter) at the CO band head. Comparison of the observed data with the MARCS photospheric model shows that whereas the observed CO line spectrum can be well reproduced by the model, the angular sizes observed in the CO lines are much larger than predicted by the model. Our model with two additional CO layers above the MARCS photosphere reproduces the observed spectrum and interferometric data in the CO lines simultaneously. This model suggests that the inner CO layer at ~1.2 stellar radii is very dense and warm with a CO column density of ~10^{22} cm^{-2} and temperatures of 1900--2100K, while the outer CO layer at 2.5--3.0 stellar radii is characterized by column densities of 10^{19}--10^{20} cm^{-2} and temperatures of 1500--2100K. Our AMBER observations of BK Vir have spatially resolved the extended molecular outer atmosphere of a normal M giant in the individual CO lines for the first time. The temperatures derived for the CO layers are higher than or equal to the uppermost layer of the MARCS photospheric model, implying the operation of some heating mechanism in the outer atmosphere.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

History made out of dreams: Dream narratives as sources of European cultural history

The article focuses on the question whether dream narratives can be used as sources of European cultural history and moreover, how this might contribute specific insights into the history of subjectivity. The first part of the article provides an overview of different modes of dream analysis in cultural history. The author pays special attention to the relation between cultural history and psychoanalysis. In the second part the article presents a thick description of 21 dream narratives published in diaries of the late 18th and the 19th century. The author recognises a remarkable shift: Interpreting dreams becomes a part of the modern skill to construct one’s inner (or psychological) self, whereas in early modern times dream narratives followed the idea of divine destiny and collective human fate within the simultaneity of the present and the future. This is due to the European ‘individualization process’.The article focuses on the question whether dream narratives can be used as sources of European cultural history and moreover, how this might contribute specific insights into the history of subjectivity. The first part of the article provides an overview of different modes of dream analysis in cultural history. The author pays special attention to the relation between cultural history and psychoanalysis. In the second part the article presents a thick description of 21 dream narratives published in diaries of the late 18th and the 19th century. The author recognises a remarkable shift: Interpreting dreams becomes a part of the modern skill to construct one’s inner (or psychological) self, whereas in early modern times dream narratives followed the idea of divine destiny and collective human fate within the simultaneity of the present and the future. This is due to the European ‘individualization process’

Early lung cancer detection using spiral computed tomography and positron emission tomography

RATIONALE: Lung cancer screening using computed tomography (CT) is effective in detecting lung cancer in early stages. Concerns regarding false-positive rates and unnecessary invasive procedures have been raised. OBJECTIVE: To study the efficiency of a lung cancer protocol using spiral CT and F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). METHODS: High-risk individuals underwent screening with annual spiral CTs. Follow-up CTs were done for noncalcified nodules of 5 mm or greater, and FDG-PET was done for nodules 10 mm or larger or smaller (> 7 mm), growing nodules. RESULTS: A total of 911 individuals completed a baseline CT study and 424 had at least one annual follow-up study. Of the former, 14% had noncalcified nodules of 5 mm or larger, and 3.6% had nodules of 10 mm or larger. Eleven non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and one small cell lung cancer (SCLC) were diagnosed in the baseline study (prevalence rate, 1.32%), and two NSCLCs in the annual study (incidence rate, 0.47%). All NSCLCs (92% of prevalence cancers) were diagnosed in stage I (12 stage IA, 1 stage IB). FDG-PET was helpful for the correct diagnosis in 19 of 25 indeterminate nodules. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of FDG-PET for the diagnosis of malignancy were 69, 91, 90, and 71%, respectively. However, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of the screening algorithm, which included a 3-month follow-up CT for nodules with a negative FDG-PET, was 100%. CONCLUSION: A protocol for early lung cancer detection using spiral CT and FDG-PET is useful and may minimize unnecessary invasive procedures for benign lesions

Creating a shared vision by uniting local stakeholders to tackle plastic bag consumption

Single-use plastic bags contribute significantly to the plastic pollution in South Africa posing a serious environmental challenge. Hence, there is a need for comprehensive strategies to reduce plastic bag consumption. We report the results of an online workshop aimed to create a positive, shared future vision. The workshop was attended by 12 invited participants from diverse backgrounds and disciplines and utilized a collaborative approach to propose a framework for reducing plastic bag usage during grocery shopping in South Africa. The findings suggest that a combination of economic, structural and behavioral interventions is necessary to promote lasting behavior change, including financial incentives, a broad introduction of more environmentally friendly alternatives, and promoting bag reuse. Additionally, the vision underscored the importance of using social channels such as education and social norms. The invited stakeholders did not endorse conventional approaches such as increasing an already existing levy or implementing a complete ban on plastic bags. They also questioned the introduction of fully recycled plastic bags. Instead, the proposed vision encourages an integrated approach to reducing plastic bag usage involving individual behavior change and community engagement. The development of a creative product such as a video to showcase a future vision offers a powerful tool for communication with further stakeholders and political authorities, to engage with the community and broader population and for inspiring collective action. Overall, the findings have implications for policymakers, business leaders, environmental educators, and individuals committed to reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices in South Africa.publishedVersio

Assessing Diversity Dimensions in Environmental Psychology: Challenges and Recommendations

Representing diversity is a ubiquitous challenge in environmental psychology: Many researchers aim to describe the diversity of their samples by collecting characteristics such as gender, age, and socioeconomic status, and the (lack of) diversity of participants is often discussed when dealing with the generalizability of environmental psychology findings (e.g., for different ethnic groups). Some standard instruments for measuring sociodemographic characteristics can be problematic because they are based on outdated concepts (e.g., a two-gender system) and are inappropriate for accurately capturing participant heterogeneity. To address this issue, we compare and extend existing approaches for the operationalization of sociodemographic characteristics and provide recommendations for capturing and documenting diversity in environmental psychology in particular. In addition, we discuss measures of specific diversity dimensions (migration/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender and sexual orientation) and provide recommendations for assessing them in general. Thereby, we aim to promote the use of more inclusive measures to assess sociodemographic characteristics and to stimulate an enriching discussion about representing diversity dimensions in environmental psychology.acceptedVersio

Tendência temporal da mortalidade por suicídio de adolescentes no Brasil segundo macrorregiões de 2000 a 2015

TCC(graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Medicina.Objetivos: Analisar a tendência temporal de mortalidade por suicídio entre adolescentes no Brasil de 2000 a 2015. Métodos: Os dados foram coletados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) e do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). As variáveis do estudo foram sexo, ano e causa básica de morte. O estudo incluiu mortes por Lesões Autoprovocadas Intencionalmente, X60-X84 - de acordo com a 10ª Revisão da Classificação Internacional de Doenças (CID-10), de adolescentes de 10 a 19 anos. A técnica estatística utilizada foi a de regressão linear simples e os resultados foram considerados estatisticamente significativos quando p ≤ 5%. Resultados: Entre 2000 e 2015, foram observados 11.947 óbitos por suicídio em adolescentes no Brasil, sendo que 67% deles foram no sexo masculino, o que corresponde a uma relação de 2,06:1 entre os sexos. Houve crescimento estatisticamente significativo da mortalidade por suicídio de adolescentes no Brasil (p = 0,016), a qual passou de 1,71 por 100.000 habitantes em 2000 para 2,51 em 2015, crescimento de 47%. Essa expansão ocorreu em função do incremento nos suicídios de adolescentes do sexo masculino (p = 0,001), especificamente no norte (p <0,001) e nordeste (p <0,001) do Brasil. Em relação ao sexo feminino, houve tendência de diminuição da mortalidade por suicídio na região Centro-Oeste (p = 0,039), mas quando se trata do Brasil como um todo, houve oscilação da mortalidade por suicídio. Conclusões: Houve crescimento significativo da mortalidade por suicídio entre os adolescentes no Brasil, particularmente na população masculina.Objectives: Analyze the suicide mortality time trends among adolescents in Brazil from 2000 to 2015. Methods: Data was collected from the Brazilian Mortality Database and from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Study variables were sex, year and underlying cause of death. The study included deaths from Intentional Self-Harm, X60-X84 - according to the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), of adolescents aged 10 to 19. Simple linear regression technique was used, and results were considered statistically significant when p ≤ 5%. Results: From 2000 to 2015, there were 11,947 deaths due to suicide of adolescents in Brazil and 67% of these occurred in male adolescents, which corresponds to a 2,06:1 male-female ratio. There was a statistically significant increase in adolescent suicide mortality in Brazil (p=0.016), which increased from 1.71 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2000 to 2.51 in 2015, a raise of 47%. The increase occurred on account of the increment in suicides of male adolescents (p=0.001) specifically in the North (p<0.001) and Northeast (p<0.001) of Brazil. In regard to the female group, there was a decline of mortality by suicide in the Center West region (p=0.039), but when it comes to Brazil as a whole, there was a stabilization behavior of mortality by suicide. Conclusions: These results indicate an increase in the suicide rate of adolescents in Brazil, particularly in the male population. The improvement of suicide prevention strategies in Brazil is imperative

A note on comonotonicity and positivity of the control components of decoupled quadratic FBSDE

In this small note we are concerned with the solution of Forward-Backward Stochastic Differential Equations (FBSDE) with drivers that grow quadratically in the control component (quadratic growth FBSDE or qgFBSDE). The main theorem is a comparison result that allows comparing componentwise the signs of the control processes of two different qgFBSDE. As a byproduct one obtains conditions that allow establishing the positivity of the control process.Comment: accepted for publicatio

ジコ オ シルス : 18セイキ オヨビ 19セイキ ノ ドイツゴケン ニッキ ニ アラワレタ ケイケン、シュタイセイ、ソシテ コジンセイ ニツイテ

第2部 近世に生き、死ぬ訳:服部いつみapplication/pdfresearch repor

Homozygous deletions localize novel tumor suppressor genes in B-cell lymphomas

Integrative genomic and gene-expression analyses have identified amplified oncogenes in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), but the capability of such technologies to localize tumor suppressor genes within homozygous deletions remains unexplored. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and gene-expression microarray analysis of 48 cell lines derived from patients with different B-NHLs delineated 20 homozygous deletions at 7 chromosome areas, all of which contained tumor suppressor gene targets. Further investigation revealed that only a fraction of primary biopsies presented inactivation of these genes by point mutation or intragenic deletion, but instead some of them were frequently silenced by epigenetic mechanisms. Notably, the pattern of genetic and epigenetic inactivation differed among B-NHL subtypes. Thus, the P53-inducible PIG7/LITAF was silenced by homozygous deletion in primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma and by promoter hypermethylation in germinal center lymphoma, the proapoptotic BIM gene presented homozygous deletion in mantle cell lymphoma and promoter hypermethylation in Burkitt lymphoma, the proapoptotic BH3-only NOXA was mutated and preferentially silenced in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and INK4c/P18 was silenced by biallelic mutation in mantle-cell lymphoma. Our microarray strategy has identified novel candidate tumor suppressor genes inactivated by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that substantially vary among the B-NHL subtypes