Search

From the chemodynamical properties of tidal debris in the Milky Way, it has been inferred that the dwarf satellites that have been disrupted had different chemical abundances from their present-day counterparts of similar mass that survive today, specifically, they had lower [Fe/H] and higher [Mg/Fe]. Here we use the A rtemis simulations to study the relation between the chemical abundances of disrupted progenitors of MW-mass galaxies and their stellar mass, and the evolution of the stellar mass–metallicity relations (MZR) of this population with redshift. We find that these relations have significant scatter, which correlates with the accretion redshifts (z acc) of satellites, and with their cold gas fractions. We investigate the MZRs of dwarf populations accreted at different redshifts and find that they have similar slopes, and also similar with the slope of the MZR of the surviving population (≈0.32). However, the entire population of disrupted dwarfs displays a steeper MZR, with a slope of ≈0.48, which can be explained by the changes in the mass spectrum of accreted dwarf galaxies with redshift. We find strong relations between the (mass-weighted) 〈 z acc〉 of the disrupted populations and their global chemical abundances (〈[Fe/H]〉 and 〈[Mg/Fe]〉), which suggests that chemical diagnostics of disrupted dwarfs can be used to infer the types of merger histories of their hosts. For the case of the MW, our simulations predict that the bulk of the disrupted population was accreted at 〈 z acc〉 ≈ 2, in agreement with other findings. We also find that disrupted satellites form and evolve in denser environments, closer to their hosts, than their present-day counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: After standard treatment for glioblastoma, perfusion MRI remains challenging for differentiating tumor progression from post-treatment changes. Our objectives were (1) to correlate rCBV values at diagnosis and at first tumor progression and (2) to analyze the relationship of rCBV values at tumor recurrence with enhancing volume, localization of tumor progression, and time elapsed since the end of radiotherapy in tumor recurrence. Methods: Inclusion criteria were (1) age > 18 years, (2) histologically confirmed glioblastoma treated with STUPP regimen, and (3) tumor progression according to RANO criteria > 12 weeks after radiotherapy. Co-registration of segmented enhancing tumor VOIs with dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI was performed using Olea Sphere software. For tumor recurrence, we correlated rCBV values with enhancing tumor volume, with recurrence localization, and with time elapsed from the end of radiotherapy to progression. Analyses were performed with SPSS software. Results: Sixty-four patients with glioblastoma were included in the study. Changes in rCBV values between diagnosis and first tumor progression were significant (p < 0.001), with a mean and median decreases of 32% and 46%, respectively. Mean rCBV values were also different (p < 0.01) when tumors progressed distally (radiation field rCBV values of 1.679 versus 3.409 distally). However, changes and, therefore, low rCBV values after radiotherapy in tumor recurrence were independent of time. Conclusion: Chemoradiation alters tumor perfusion and rCBV values may be decreased in the setting of tumor progression. Changes in rCBV values with respect to diagnosis, with low rCBV in tumor progression, are independent of time but related to the site of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum information science is an interdisciplinary subject spanning physics, mathematics, and computer science. It involves finding new ways to apply natural quantum-mechanical effects, particularly superposition and entanglement, to information processing in an attempt to exceed the limits of traditional computing. In addition to promoting its mathematical and physical foundations, scientists and engineers have increasingly begun studying cross-disciplinary fields in quantum information processing, such as quantum machine learning, quantum neural networks, and quantum image processing (QIMP). Herein, we present an overview of QIMP consisting of a succinct review of state-of-the-art techniques along with a critical analysis of several key issues important for advancing the field. These issues include improving current models of quantum image representations, designing quantum algorithms for solving sophisticated operations, and developing physical equipment and software architecture for capturing and manipulating quantum images. The future directions identified in this work will be of interest to researchers working toward the greater realization of QIMP-based technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unitary coined discrete-time quantum walks (UCDTQW) constitute a universal model of computation, meaning that any computation done by a general purpose quantum computer can either be done using the UCDTQW framework. In the last decades, great progress has been made in this field by developing quantum walk-based algorithms that can outperform classical ones. However, current quantum computers work based on the quantum circuit model of computation, and the general mapping from one model to the other is still an open problem. In this work, we provide a matrix analysis of the unitary evolution operator of UCDTQW, which is composed at a time of a shift and a coin operators. We conceive the shift operator of the system as the unitary matrix form of the adjacency matrix associated with the graph on which the UCDTQW takes place, and provide a set of equations to transform the latter into the former and vice versa. However, this mapping modifies the structure of the original graph into a directed multigraph, by splitting single edges and arcs of the original graph into multiple arcs. Thus, the fact that any unitary operator has a quantum circuit representation means that any adjacency matrix that complies with the transformation equations will be automatically associated with a quantum circuit, and any quantum circuit acting on a bipartite system will be always associated with a directed multigraph. Finally, we extend the definition of the coin operator to a superposition of coins in such a way that each coin acts on different vertices of the directed multigraph on which the UCDTQW takes place, and provide a description of how this can be implemented in circuit form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several models have been proposed to build evolution operators to perform quantum walks in a theoretical way, although when wanting to map the resulting evolution operators into quantum circuits to run them in quantum computers, it is often the case that the mapping process is in fact complicated. Nevertheless, when the adjacency matrix of a graph can be decomposed into a sum of permutation matrices, we can always build a shift operator for a quantum walk that has a block diagonal matrix representation. In this paper, we analyze the mapping process of block diagonal operators into quantum circuit form and apply this method to obtain quantum circuits that generate quantum walks on the most common topologies found in the literature: the straight line, the cyclic graph, the hypercube and the complete graph. The obtained circuits are then executed on quantum processors of the type Falcon r5.11 L and Falcon r4T (two of each type) through IBM Quantum Composer platform and on the Qiskit Aer simulator, performing three steps for each topology. The resulting distributions were compared against analytical distributions, using the statistical distance ℓ 1 as a performance metric. Regarding experimental executions, we obtained short ℓ 1 distances in the cases of quantum circuits with a low amount of multi-control gates, being the quantum processors of the type Falcon r4T the ones that provided more accurate results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop an oxygen scavenger and antioxidant active packaging material for fried peanuts. The packaging solution, which has been made at the laboratory previously, has been developed by cast film extrusion and is composed of low-density polyethylene-ethylene vinyl alcohol-polyethylene terephthalate (LDPE/EVOH/PET)-based films containing β-carotene (CAR). In comparison with film without additive, developed film presented an orange colouring (higher L* and b* values and lower a* values) and an increase in oxygen induction time (OIt) from 4.5 to 14.1 min. The incorporation of β-carotene to the formulation also brings about a significant effect on the thermal stability as maximum degradation temperatures increased around 1%. Regarding the oxygen absorption capacity of the films, values of 1.39 ± 0.10 mL O2 per g of film at laboratory scale and 1.7 ± 0.3 mL O2 per g of multilayer (ML)/LDPE_CAR were obtained, respectively, after 3 days, proving the suitability of the packaging solutions as oxygen absorbers. To validate the packaging solution, the oxidative stability of fried peanuts packed in fabricated multilayer β-carotene bags was evaluated for 3 months at 40 °C. The hexanal content remained constant during this period. Meanwhile, peanuts packed in ML without β-carotene increased their hexanal content to 294%. This fact indicated a lower extent of oxidation in fried peanuts compared to food samples packaged in control films, suggesting the potential of ML/LDPE_CAR films as sustainable and antioxidant food packaging systems to offer protection against lipid oxidation in foods. Sensory evaluation confirmed that ML/LDPE_CAR films provided the peanut samples with an extra aroma due to the volatile degradation products of β-carotene (such as β-cyclocitral or 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new quantum heuristic algorithm aimed at finding satisfying assignments for hard K-SAT instances using a continuous time quantum walk that explicitly exploits the properties of quantum tunneling. Our algorithm uses a Hamiltonian H A (F) which is specifically constructed to solve a K-SAT instance F. The heuristic algorithm aims at iteratively reducing the Hamming distance between an evolving state | ψ j ⟩ and a state that represents a satisfying assignment for F. Each iteration consists on the evolution of | ψ j ⟩ (where j is the iteration number) under e - i H A t , a measurement that collapses the superposition, a check to see if the post-measurement state satisfies F and in the case it does not, an update to H A for the next iteration. Operator H A describes a continuous time quantum walk over a hypercube graph with potential barriers that makes an evolving state to scatter and mostly follow the shortest tunneling paths with the smaller potentials that lead to a state | s ⟩ that represents a satisfying assignment for F. The potential barriers in the Hamiltonian H A are constructed through a process that does not require any previous knowledge on the satisfying assignments for the instance F. Due to the topology of H A each iteration is expected to reduce the Hamming distance between each post measurement state and a state | s ⟩ . If the state | s ⟩ is not measured after n iterations (the number n of logical variables in the instance F being solved), the algorithm is restarted. Periodic measurements and quantum tunneling also give the possibility of getting out of local minima. Our numerical simulations show a success rate of 0.66 on measuring | s ⟩ on the first run of the algorithm (i.e., without restarting after n iterations) on thousands of 3-SAT instances of 4, 6, and 10 variables with unique satisfying assignments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In this letter, a method for dealing with the time-dependent dielectric breakdown of an oxide layer in a MOS or MIM structure in the framework of SPICE simulations is reported. • In particular, we focus the attention on the clustering model (Burr's XII distribution) for dielectric breakdown which can be considered as an extension of the well known Weibull model. In this letter, a method for dealing with the time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) of oxide layers in MOS and MIM structures in the framework of SPICE simulations is reported. In particular, we focus the attention on the clustering model (Burr's XII distribution) for dielectric breakdown which can be considered an extension of the well known Weibull model. The oxide time-to-breakdown for both models is calculated using the inversion method for the cumulative distribution function. For the sake of completeness, the proposed approach includes uncorrelated variability both in the initial and final resistance states. For illustrative purposes, it is also shown how voltage acceleration, progressive breakdown or any other correlation factor can be introduced in the simulation parameters. As an application example, the proposed method is used to simulate the simplest case of a gate-to-drain dielectric breakdown of a NMOS-based inverter circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cefazolin is one of curative treatments for infections due to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Both growth and critical illness may impact the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters. We aimed to build a population PK model for cefazolin in critically ill children in order to optimize individual dosing regimens. We included all children (age < 18 years, body weight (BW) > 2.5 kg) receiving cefazolin for MSSA infection. Cefazolin total plasma concentrations were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. A data modelling process was performed with the software MONOLIX. Monte Carlo simulations were used in order to attain the PK target of 100% fT > 4 × MIC. Thirty-nine patients with a median (range) age of 7 (0.1–17) years and a BW of 21 (2.8–79) kg were included. The PK was ascribed to a one-compartment model, where typical clearance and volume of distribution estimations were 1.4 L/h and 3.3 L respectively. BW, according to the allometric rules, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on clearance were the two influential covariates. Continuous infusion with a dosing of 100 mg/kg/day to increase to 150 mg/kg/day for children with a BW < 10 kg or eGFR >200 mL/min/1.73m2 were the best schemes to reach the PK target of 100% fT > 4 × MIC. In critically ill children infected with MSSA, continuous infusion seems to be the most appropriate scheme to reach the PK target of 100 % fT > 4 × MIC in children with normal and augmented renal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small pelagic fisheries management is difficult because they exhibit large natural abundance fluctuations and are considered forage fish. We discuss the challenges faced by these fisheries within the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability certification framework, which evaluates the sustainability of fish stocks, the environmental impact, and effective fisheries management. Certification suspension is frequently linked to the sustainability of stocks. For MSC certification, scientific research will need to play a major role in filling key knowledge gaps, particularly on the nature and causes of ecosystem productivity changes (including climate change), and the role of small pelagics in the ecosystem. Different from other cases where MSC certification creates a direct market incentive through price premiums, in these fisheries, the incentive is related to fisher's public image and improves the bases for negotiation with authorities and the conservation sector. In this context, strategic cooperation between fisheries under the certification process may provide them more benefits than competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum image processing has been developing rapidly in recent years. In this paper, the edge detection algorithm for quantum images is proposed. Three steps are consisted: quantum image smoothing, finding the highlight gradient and quantum edge tracking. In order to implement the above processes, a quantum comparator is designed and quantum circuits for all the steps are given. The proposed quantum edge detection algorithm makes full use of quantum parallelism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Small pelagic fish species have been a central research topic for more than 60 years because of their ecological role, their economic importance, and the apparent multidecadal large fluctuations in catches, synchronic fluctuations from remote regions, and the alternation between the abundance of sardine and anchovies within each system. Strong evidence supports the observation that low-frequency fluctuations of small pelagics occur naturally. However, the synchrony and the alternation have been questioned. In this study, the Regime Problem hypothesis is revisited by updating the fish catch time series to 2015, and by incorporating into the analyses stocks not originally considered due to the time series lengths. The specific questions addressed here are: 1) whether the synchronic fluctuations of small pelagics catches from remote regions and the species alternation between species within each system, observed for the last century in the Regime Problem literature, remains after updating the time series, and 2) If a multidecadal signal can also be detected in regions that were not considered in the original Regime hypothesis framework. Results indicate that the multidecadal synchrony between systems and alternation between species remains clear for the Kuroshio and Humboldt systems. The California small pelagics cannot be considered to be in phase with the other systems, that in Benguela alternation is not evident during at least the last two decades, and that there is not a single worldwide mode of variability teleconnecting all small pelagics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A central goal in quantum computing is the development of quantum hardware and quantum algorithms in order to analyse challenging scientific and engineering problems. Research in quantum computation involves contributions from both physics and computer science; hence this article presents a concise introduction to basic concepts from both fields that are used in annealing-based quantum computation, an alternative to the more familiar quantum gate model. We introduce some concepts from computer science required to define difficult computational problems and to realise the potential relevance of quantum algorithms to find novel solutions to those problems. We introduce the structure of quantum annealing-based algorithms as well as two examples of this kind of algorithms for solving instances of the max-SAT and Minimum Multicut problems. An overview of the quantum annealing systems manufactured by D-Wave Systems is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The inclusion of uncorrelated cycle to cycle variability in the quasistatic memdiode model for RRAM devices is studied in this work. • The experimental parameter distributions suiting better are determined by means of the tools in the fitdistrplus package for the R language. • Model results reproduce the main features exhibited by the experimental curves. • Statistical distributions from experimental and simulated parameters are compared including the study of the parameter fluctuations. • The model was studied with a one-way sensitivity analysis, where the impact of variations in the model parameters have in the model outputs was assessed. Variability of the conduction characteristics of filamentary-type resistive switching devices or resistive RAMs (RRAMs) is a hot research topic both in academia and industry because it is currently considered one of the major showstoppers for the successful development and application of this technology. In this work, we thoroughly investigate the statistics of the cycle-to-cycle (C2C) variability observed in the experimental current–voltage (I-V) curves of HfO 2 -based memristive structures using the fitdistrplus package for the R language. This exploratory analysis allows us to identify which parametric probability distributions are the most suitable candidates for describing our data. This study involves graphical tools such as the density, skewness-kurtosis (S-K), and quantile–quantile (Q-Q) plots. The analysis is completed with the aid of goodness-of-fit statistics (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Cramer-von Mises, Anderson-Darling) and criteria (Akaike's and Bayesian). The selected distributions are incorporated into the SPICE script of the quasi-static memdiode model for resistive switching devices and used for simulating uncorrelated C2C variability. Finally, a one-way sensitivity analysis is carried out in order to test the impact of the model parameters variation in the output characteristics of the device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal maturity estimation is an important medical procedure in the early diagnosis of growth disorders. Traditionally, it is performed by an expert physician or radiologist who determines it based on a visual subjective inspection, the approximated bone age of the child. This task is time consuming and is usually dependent on the judgment of each particular physician. Therefore, automated methods are extremely valuable and desirable. In this paper, we propose and describe an automatic method to estimate skeletal maturity through a supervised and incremental learning approach. Our method determines bone age by comparing aligned images with a - regression classifier. Here, we have solved the difficult task of image alignment by designing a radiological-hand specific Active Appearance Model, which was developed from a varied set of hand-labeled radiological images. By using this active model, our system constructs its own learned database by increasing a set of shape-aligned training images which are incrementally stored. Thus, when a test image arrives at the system, the alignment process is performed before the classification task takes place. For that purpose, we designed an original layout of landmarks to be located in representative regions of the radiographical image of the hand. Our results show that it is possible to use pixels directly as classification features as long as training and testing images have been previously aligned in shape and pose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how the performance, fitness, and distribution of species are impacted by changes in temperature is crucial for forecasting the ecological effects of climate change. Increasing mean sea surface temperature may alter the distribution of abalone species in the northeastern Pacific, although no apparent pattern has yet emerged. Ecophysiological observations (energy budget and the temperature performance curve based on scope for growth), satellite-derived daily sea surface temperature data, and observations of the population density distribution of wild abalones were integrated. The highest temperature-dependent scope for growth (physiological optimum) was discovered between 20.5 and 28.5 °C, peaking at 24 °C, with the upper thermal limit about 30 °C. Off the west coast of Baja California, the distribution of abalone appears to be dictated by the tradeoff between a mean temperature close to the physiological optimum and exposure to a highly variable environment (i.e., more stress and the risk of reaching suboptimal and lethal warm temperatures at the daily scale). The findings suggest that future models of the distribution of marine species in relation to thermal habitat should contain time-domain variability in addition to spatial-domain variability. • Temperature variability is expected to increase due to Climate change • Niche modeling often ignores temperature variability over time • Abalone distribution is determined by mean temperature and variability • Habitat models should also include temperature variability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic modification of mangrove systems can lead to decreased habitat quality, potentially affectingfood web structure and ecosystem function. Based on carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes, we evaluated the trophic structure of the fish communities from three mangrove systems in southern Baja California, Mexico, subject to varying levels of habitat modification. We hypothesized that anthropogenic habitat modification leads to differences in niche space (and hence trophic structure). We applied a Bayesian approach to the calculation of community level isotope-based metrics of functional trophic structure and compared the results to a structural (Shannon-Wiener) index of diversity. Frequency distributions of stable isotope ratios revealed differences between the highly modified mangrove system and those with limited or no habitat modification. Comparison of the isotopic composition of the dominant fish species sampled in summer and winter indicated limited seasonal differences in this arid region. However, isotopederived metrics of niche space were evaluated in the most highly modified mangrove system, suggesting a greater complexity in nutrient and primary production sources, a higher level of dietary specialization, and low functional redundancy. Fishes from the most pristine mangrove system exhibited highest diversity, a more limited range of isotopic values, and smaller measures of isotopic niche space, indicative of higher trophic redundancy. Comparison of the standardized (baseline-controlled) species-specific isotope ratios indicated that in 37% of cases isotopic differences persisted, further supporting our interpretation of variations in trophic structure. This research highlights that mangrove habitat modification has a marked influence on functional trophic diversity, as well as the fish community structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassava root is the main staple for 70% of the population in Mozambique, particularly in inaccessible rural areas, but is known to be low in iron. Anaemia is a public health problem in mothers and preschool children in Mozambique and up to 40% of these cases are probably due to dietary iron deficiency. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognize the fortification of foodstuff as an effective method to remedy dietary deficiencies of micronutrients, including iron. Cassava mahewu, a non-alcoholic fermented beverage is prepared at subsistence level from cassava roots using indigenous procedures. The aim of the study was to standardize mahewu fermentation and investigate if the type of cassava fermented, or the iron compound used for fortification affected the final product. Roots of sweet and bitter varieties of cassava from four districts (Rapale, Meconta, Alto Molocue and Zavala) in Mozambique, were peeled, dried and pounded to prepare flour. Cassava flour was cooked and fermented under controlled conditions (45°C for 24 h). The fermentation period and temperature were set, based on the findings of a pilot study which showed that an end-point pH of about 4.5 was regularly reached after 24 h at 45°C. Cassava mahewu was fortified with ferrous sulfate (FeSO4.7H2O) or ferrous fumarate (C4H2FeO4) at the beginning (time zero) and at the end of fermentation (24 h). The amount of iron added to the mahewu was based on the average of the approved range of iron used for the fortification of maize meal. The mean pH at the endpoint was 4.5, with 0.29% titratable acidity. The pH and acidity were different to those reported in previous studies on maize mahewu, whereas the solid extract of 9.65% was found to be similar. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast growth were not significantly different in mahewu fortified with either of the iron compounds. There was no significant difference between cassava mahewu made from bitter or sweet varieties. A standard method for preparation and iron fortification of cassava mahewu was developed. It is recommended that fortification occurs at the end of fermentation when done at household level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innovative and strategic models of creative industries (CIs) in the digital economy are capturing an increasing interest in recent years. Yet, most of the literature deals with creation and talent and very little with technological and innovation perspectives. Innovation is in general considered from a single viewpoint: a means to develop new creative contents. This article investigates an important issue that has been surprisingly neglected in scientific literature and public reports: the topic of R&D and technological innovations in CIs. The article characterises how and where R&D takes place in the book publishing industry. A systematic identification of R&D developments concerning e-book technology has been achieved using an original methodology set up to feature the technological strategic evolutions. The results provide a reliable cartography of the value chain through an adaptation of the open systems interconnection layers model. This framework helps to understand the new digital ecosystem of the book publishing sector and the strategies carried out by the editorial houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although instructor participation is generally thought to improve the effectiveness of simulation-based training, trainees may have time and opportunity to practice skills in simulation when an instructor is not available.Aim. The question of whether complex psychomotor skills, such as air combat maneuvering, can be acquired and improved entirely without instructor assistance through self-study and simulation-based practice is investigated.Method. The results of an extended sequence of simulated air combat missions flown by a single experimental subject are reported and analyzed. Over a period of eight calendar years the subject flew 2,950 simulated air combat missions organized into 138 campaigns using seven different aircraft types. Throughout the period the subject studied air combat maneuvering in a self-guided, self-study mode and consciously used maneuvers and tactics learned during that study with the intent of improving his performance. However, determining whether the subject’s skills were actually improving over time was confounded by the fact that between some campaigns the subject changed the aircraft type he was flying as well as the aircraft types flown by the opposition, making direct campaign-to-campaign performance comparisons problematic. Consequently, a type-independent measure of performance was developed to normalize for the different aircraft types and allow direct comparison of performance across different aircraft types flown and opposed.Results. Two different nonparametric statistical tests were applied to the normalized performance measure across all campaigns. A third nonparametric statistical method was applied to victories within each aircraft type. All three showed statistically significant improvement in the subject’s skills over time despite the complete absence of instructor assistance.Conclusions. Although this case study must be considered anecdotal because it involves only a single experimental subject, it does provide an existence proof that self-guided self-study and simulation-based practice without an instructor can produce improvement in complex psychomotor skills in some learners. In addition, the analytical methods used to normalize for different aircraft types and test for improvement may be useful in similar situations where performance must be compared across time-varying circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Using R=methyl or phenyl improves the sunlight into electricity conversion. [•] Changes in R is a viable way to tune the properties of cis-[Ru(R2-phen)(dcbH2)(NCS)2]. [•] The calculated properties of the complexes agree to those experimentally observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There are limited studies involving geomorphic factors and ecological patterns on a landscape scale of coastal features. This study examines the hypothesis that the structure of mangroves varies with habitat type. Using geomorphic criteria, we identified and classified 51 lagoons that contain mangroves on the Baja California Peninsula. Four lagoon types were analyzed: open drowned valley (I-A), barred drowned valley (I-C), Gilbert de Beaumont barrier lagoon (III-A), and cuspate lagoon (III-B). Structure patterns of mangrove forests growing at the edge of the lagoons were identified through photo interpretation and field observations, using landscape indices related to (1) area, density, and variability of the patches; (2) ecotone; and (3) form. Multivariate and univariate analyses were performed to determine the effects of habitat types on mangrove structure. Cluster analysis based on structural similarity showed two groups: (A) forests with limited structural development that grow mostly at the shore of lagoons I-A and I-C, and (B) larger forests with numerous patches, larger average size, average perimeters, and simpler forms than those in the first group, which grow mostly in lagoon type III-A. Similarity analysis showed no differences between the forests of lagoon types I-A and I-C, but there were differences between these two types and type III-A. Variance analysis showed differences in area, perimeter, and the shape of patches with respect to habitat type. Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference post hoc tests confirmed previously identified groups and showed that forest patches in lagoon type III-B are of intermediate structure. Lagoon type III-A appear to be more important in distribution and development of mangrove forests. Finally, we found that the spatial scale analyses and use of geomorphologically defined habitats were effective approaches for a first-order differentiation of mangrove forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the decisions of U.S. federal courts about the status of Puerto Rico as a commonwealth. Topics include U.S. Public Law 600 related to the status of Puerto Rico, the principle of the consent of the governed used in courts' interpretation of the law, and federal court cases including Calero Toledo v. Pearson Yacht Leasing Co. , Harris v. Rosario, and United States v. Vega Figueroa.

Abstract: We conducted a four year interdisciplinary collaborative project focused in the Gulf of California, the most important fishing region for Mexico. We reviewed published reports, collected and analyzed physical, chemical and ecological data sets, and developed models for the physical (atmosphere and ocean) and ecological components of this large marine ecosystem, to examine prevalent scientific questions regarding climate variability and change in the region, covering three time scales (ENSO, decadal-to-interdecadal, and long-term trend). We were able to describe how the Gulf of California influences the northward propagation of coastal trapped Kelvin waves associated with El Niño (ENSO) events, and how this signal, together with changes in the atmospheric forcing, results in a ENSO signature inside the Gulf. For the decadal-to-multidecadal scales, we found coherent trends among series, and with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The long-term temperature signal for the Gulf of California shows a warming that occurred in the mid 20th century, approximately a decade before that in the California Current. This signal is coherent with fluctuations in the industrial fisheries catch records (sardine and shrimps). For the recent decades we found no significant sustained long-term trend in any of the time series of physical and ecological variables that we considered. Instead, variability seems to be fully dominated by the interaction of PDO and ENSO. We stress the urgent need for more modeling efforts and the establishment of interdisciplinary (physical and biological) observation platforms for the marine environment in the Gulf of California. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes the methodology and the results obtained in the framework of the NEEDS (New Energy Externalities Developments for Sustainability) European project, while evaluating externalities due to accidental situations. In particular it focuses on the results obtained from a risk assessment of hydrogen transportation technologies. The quantification of risk as an additional source of externality to the cost of transporting hydrogen was obtained with the support of a commercial numerical simulation software that was specifically designed to deal with hazards in process industry environment. A number of scenarios and site dependencies have been taken into account in order to assess the risk associated with different transportation means, under several accidental conditions (e.g., kind of rupture and weather conditions). Results were compared with social acceptability limits of risk set by some countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Se presenta una biografía del filósofo argentino Arturo Andrés Roig. Nació en Mendoza, Argentina y estudio educación y filosofía en la Universidad de Cuyo, en Mendoza y filosofía en la Sorbone, en Francia. Se destacó como docente en diversos países de América Latina incluyendo Ecuador, México y Argentina.

Abstract: A new calibration method for high-performance liquid chromatography was validated. The method was called single-injection calibration approach (SICA) because it allowed to obtain a complete calibration curve by means of a single injection of a standard solution containing several non-volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds at different concentration levels. The compounds studied included carboxylic acids, polyalcohols, carbohydrates and water-soluble vitamins. This method allowed a 1–7-fold reduction in the analysis time with regard to conventional calibration methods. The method was applied to three different chromatographic detection methods: refractive index (RI) detection, diode array detection (DAD) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission detection (ICP-AED). Good linearity was achieved (r 2 >0.999) for the three detection methods but signal correction was required for RI detection and DAD. This fact demonstrated that ICP-AES was the most universal because the signal obtained for non-volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds was not a function of the chemical nature of the compound and only depended on the mass content of carbon. The method was validated by analyzing a reference non-fat milk powder sample as well as several real food samples (three fruit juices, four wines, three candies and a multivitamin complex). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Gulf of California is unique because of its geographical location and conformation. It hosts diverse ecosystems and important fisheries that support industry and provide livelihood to coastal settlements. It is also the site of interests and problems, and an intense interaction among managers, producers, and conservationists. In this report, we scrutinize the abiotic (hydrography, climate, ocean circulation, and chemistry) and biotic (phyto- and zooplankton, fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, and turtles) components of the marine ecosystem, and some particular aspects of climate variability, endemisms, harmful algal blooms, oxygen minimum layer, and pollution. We also review the current conditions and conflicts around the main fisheries (shrimp, small and large pelagic fishes, squid, artisanal and sportfishing), the most important human activity in the Gulf of California. We cover some aspects of management and conservation of fisheries, especially the claimed overexploitation of fish resources and the ecosystems, and review proposals for creating networks of marine protected areas. We conclude by identifying main needs for information and research, particularly the integration of data bases, the implementation of models and paleoreconstructions, establishment of monitoring programs, and the evaluation of fishing impacts and management actions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The applicability of the HPLC-ICP-AES coupling for the simultaneous determination of carbohydrates, carboxylic acids, alcohols, and metals in a single chromatographic run has been demonstrated in the present work. Five saccharides, glucose, fructose, sucrose, sorbitol, and lactose; five carboxylic acids, citric, tartaric, malic, lactic, and acetic; and three alcohols, glycerol, ethanol, and methanol, have been determined. A H+ cation exchange column has been used to separate these compounds. The chromatograms have been obtained by monitoring the carbon emission signal at 193.09 nm. The results obtained by HPLC-ICP-AES have been compared against thosefoundwithconventionaldetectionsystems(i.e., refractive index, UV, and photodyode array detectors). The HPLC-ICP-AES method has shown the following features: (i) organic compounds and metals can be simultaneously determined; (ii) the detection method is universal; (iii) for nonvolatile organic compounds, a complete calibration line can be obtained from a single injection; and (iv) it provides absolute limits of detection similar to or lower than those found with conventional detection systems (i.e., on the order of several tens of nanograms of organic compound). The methodology has been validated through the analysis of food samples such as juices, isotonic beverages, wines, and a certified nonfat milk powder sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence and associated factors of chronic uncomplicated strongyloidiasis were estimated among 200 consecutive elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) admitted to a general hospital in northern Italy. One-hundred patients had a peripheral eosinophil concentration ≥ 500 cells/µL (group A), and 100 were age- and gender-matched controls (group B). Measurements included serum IgG anti- Strongyloides antibody titre by an indirect immunofluorescence assay, combined with faecal culture for Strongyloides stercoralis. Anti- Strongyloides antibodies were detected in 28 patients (at high titre in 11 patients). Seropositivity was significantly more common among group A than among group B patients (OR 4.85). Strong seropositivity for anti- Strongyloides antibodies was associated with farm work (p < 0.001), but not with other patient characteristics or with signs and symptoms of strongyloidiasis. In conclusion, strongyloidiasis was relatively common among elderly in-patients; eosinophilia and a history of farm work were the most useful indications for this diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A stirred tank was used for the first time to elucidate the mechanism responsible for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) matrix effects caused by inorganic, acids and easily ionized elements (EIEs), as well as organic, ethanol and acetic acid, compounds. In order to gradually increase the matrix concentration, a matrix solution was introduced inside a stirred container (tank) initially filled with an aqueous multielement standard. PolyTetraFluoroEthylene (PTFE) tubing was used to deliver the resulting solution to the liquid sample introduction system. Matrix concentration ranged from 0 to 2 mol l−1 in the case of inorganic acids (i.e., nitric, sulfuric, hydrochloric and a mixture of them), from 0 to about 2500 mg l−1 for EIEs (i.e., sodium, calcium and mixtures of both) and from 0% to 15%, w/w for organic compounds. Up to 40–50 different solutions were prepared and measured in a period of time shorter than 6–7 min. This investigation was carried out in terms of emission intensity and tertiary aerosols characteristics. The experimental setup used in the present work allowed to thoroughly study the effect of matrix concentration on analytical signal. Generally speaking, the experiments concerning tertiary aerosol characterization revealed that, in the case of inorganic acids and EIEs, the mechanism responsible for changes in aerosol characteristics was the droplet fission. In contrast, for organic matrices it was found that the interference was caused by a change in both aerosol transport and plasma thermal characteristics. The extent of the interferences caused by organic as well as inorganic compounds was compared for a set of 14 emission lines through a wide range of matrix concentrations. With a stirred tank, it is possible to choose an efficient internal standard for any given matrix composition. The time required to complete this procedure was shorter than 7 min. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Local illumination changes due to shadows often reduce the quality of object-based video composition and mislead object recognition. This problem makes shadow detection a desirable tool for a wide range of applications, such as video production and visual surveillance. In this paper, an algorithm for the isolation of video objects from the local illumination changes they generate in real world sequences when camera, illumination and the scene characteristics are not known is presented. The algorithm combines a change detector and a shadow detector with a spatiotemporal verification stage. Colour information and spatio-temporal constraints are embedded to define the overall algorithm. Colour information is exploited in a selective way. First, relevant areas to analyse are identified in each image. Then, the colour components that carry most of the needed information are selected. Finally, spatial and temporal constraints are used to verify the results of the colour analysis. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated on both indoor and outdoor video sequences. Moreover, performance comparisons show that the proposed algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that investigated sea temperature in the abalone banks at Bahia Asuncion in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Description of the study area; Materials and methods; Results of the study.

• Uncorrelated cycle to cycle variability is included in the quasistatic memdiode model for RRAM devices. • The best parameter distributions from experimental curves are extracted using fitdistrplus package from the R language. • Model results reproduce the main features exhibited by the experimental curves. • Statistical distributions from experimental and simulated parameters are compared. In this work, we investigated how to include uncorrelated cycle-to-cycle (C2C) variability in the LTSpice quasi-static memdiode model for RRAM devices. Variability in the I-V curves is first addressed through an in-depth study of the experimental data using the fitdistrplus package for the R language. This provides a first approximation to the identification of the most suitable model parameter distributions. Next, the selected candidate distributions are incorporated into the model script and used for carrying out Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, the experimental and simulated observables (set and reset currents, transition voltages, etc.) are statistically compared and the model estimands recalculated if it is necessary. Here, we put special emphasis on describing the main difficulties behind this seemingly simple procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photosynthetic pigment concentrations retrieved from data generated from 1978 to 1986 by the sensor Coastal Zone Color Scanner were used to describe the seasonal and interannual variation of phytoplankton biomass of the Gulf of Tehuantepec and adjacent areas. The pigment concentrations 0.3 mg m-3 and higher were considered as an index of productive waters. Its spatial coverage shows coastal upwelling in the gulfs of Tehuantepec and Papagayo (in the eastern region of the study area) between October and April, upwelling at the Costa Rica dome during summer, and the transient effect of mixing by tropical storms from July to October throughout the study area. Upwelling events in Tehuantepec and Central America are not synchronous. The regionwest of the Gulf of Tehuantepec is oligotrophic most of the time (<0.2 mg m-3). The most evident inter annual variation was the effect of El Nino 1982--1983, with very low pigment concentrations associated with a deep thermocline in the whole study area. Also, there was an anti-El Nino event in 1985 in the eastern region, with highphytoplankton biomass concentrations associated with a shallow thermocline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parking lot systems based on computer vision have been used frequently in recent years to improve vehicle traffic on urban areas. These systems provide information about the availability of a parking place, furthermore these systems contribute for a better organization and to reduce the time to looking for a free space. One of the main challenges for these systems is the occlusion effects that occur frequently due to the location of the cameras in the parking lots. In this paper, we present a method for available parking place detection, where we contribute with a mechanism to reduce occlusion effects that consists of feature extraction using ICM based on input image separation. The results shows that our contribution significantly reduces the noise generated by occlusion effects. The proposed method was evaluated by our dataset and an external dataset, where the experiments results achieving up 0.98 accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop a double function active packaging material for nuts. The packaging solution, on the one hand, integrated polybutadiene (PB) as an oxygen scavenger and, on the other hand, it incorporated peanut aroma (PA) to improve customer's sensorial experience. Different formulations based on low density polyethylene (LDPE), commercial PA (5 wt %) and PB at two levels (5 wt % and 13 wt %) were obtained by cast film extrusion. The obtained films were compared in terms of their mechanical, structural, optical and thermal properties confirming a plasticizing effect of PA and PB resulting in an increase in the ductility of the polymer and in a slight decrease in the thermal properties, maintaining their transparency. Regarding the oxygen capacity of the films, values of 4.4 mL and 2.7 mL O2 g−1 film were obtained for PE/PA/PB13 and PE/PA/PB5, respectively, after 6 days proving the suitability of the UV irradiation treatment in improving the oxygen absorption capacity of PB without the need of a metal catalyst. The aroma retention capacity into the polymer matrix was also evaluated in the developed formulations. The incorporation of PB in 13 wt % into a LDPE matrix improved the PA retention. This behavior was attributed to the ability of PB in enhancing cross-linking of LDPE as the concentration of PB increases. The results suggested the potential of PE/PB/PB13 films as oxygen scavenger and aromatic food packaging system to offer protection against lipid oxidation in nuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the biannual meeting held by the Mexican Chapter of American Fisheries Society (AFS) and the Mexican Fisheries Society from May 2 to 4, 2007 in La Paz, Baja California Sur in Mexico. The topics discussed at the meeting include the strategic plans for fisheries sciences in Mexico, the importance of achieving sustainability and the potential use of aquaculture to recover coastal species. The speakers included Mary Fabrizio from the AFS and Daniel Lluch-Belda of the Mexican Chapter.

The Bay of La Paz (BLPZ), located in the southwestern Gulf of California, is a region of significant biological productivity and strong environmental variability that remains to be understood. In particular, the spatial signature of different El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions and their impact on the ecology of the bay remains puzzling because of contrasting field observations. In this context, the available satellite-derived data on surface chlorophyll (ChlSAT), sea surface temperature (SST) derived from the MODIS-Aqua sensor, together with surface wind intensity (WI) derived from reanalysis datasets from the period 2003–2018 were analyzed to identify the influence of local and remote forcing over the interannual variability of chlorophyll pigment concentration in BLPZ using WI, SST, and the Oceanic El Niño Index (ONI) as environmental factors. Significant relationships between environmental factors and ChlSAT were found using exponential models, with the higher slopes and correlations during La Niña events. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was used to extract the principal mode of the ChlSAT and SST interannual variability. The first mode (EOF1) accounted for 64% and 89% of the ChlSAT and the SST interannual variance, respectively, showing a strong gradient along the coast of the bay. The corresponding amplitude of the ChlSAT mode was significantly correlated with the independent variables PC1SST, ONI, and WI anomalies (R SST = − 0.60, R ONI = − 0.57, and R WI = 0.44, P < 0.001). Monthly time series of ChlSAT anomalies along the coast where examined as a function of each independent variable using a multiple linear regression analysis (LRA), which revealed that during the 2005 to 2013 period, high peaks of positive ChlSAT anomalies in the central and southern coast were related to cold ENSO events and favorable wind forcing, which smoothed the effect of weak and moderate El Niño episodes. This period of high biological productivity was only interrupted by the strong and long 2015–2016 El Niño event. Since late 2013, the ChlSAT and the WI anomalies showed a sharp drop to negative anomaly values, which may be the result of complex interactions of physical and biological processes observed during strong warm ENSO events, showing one peak of persistent warm SST anomalies via a weakening of the wind intensity (i.e., from atmospheric teleconnection) and a second one due to the oceanic connection. It is confirmed that BLPZ maintains high pigment concentration levels, comparable to those reported on the mainland coast of GC, where only strong warm ENSO episodes cause changes in chlorophyll concentration. • Biological productivity in the Bay of La Paz is impacted by large scale variability linked to El Niño Southern Oscillation. • During 2005–2013, the bay showed positive chlorophyll anomalies related to ENSO cold phase and favorable wind forcing. • During 2014–2018, the high productivity was interrupted as revealed by a sharp decrease in the ChlSAT and wind intensity. • Bay of La Paz shows productivity comparable to the Gulf of California mainland and the western coast of Baja California. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Litopenaeus vannamei is a widely studied species, the information on how the organisms respond to natural daily variations of environmental conditions such as temperature and dissolved oxygen, and how such conditions alter the physiological responses, is scarce. In the present work, the strategies used by shrimps to cope with temperature and dissolved oxygen fluctuations during 24 days were investigated through the evaluation of oxygen consumption and heat shock proteins (HSP) gene expression. During daily fluctuations, no change in oxygen consumption in the short-term, but a significant increase in the long-term during hyperthermia conditions was registered, whereas a significant decrease during hypoxia was observed during all the bioassay. On the other hand, HSP70 and HSP90 gene expression increased in gills under thermal stress but was down-regulated under hypoxia, in both the short- and the long-term. This study highlights that to counteract environmental variations of temperature and dissolved oxygen, the shrimps use molecular compensatory mechanisms (HSP gene expression) that are different to those used under constant hypoxic conditions, suggesting that hypoxia can compromise physiological cytoprotection. • Shrimp's oxygen consumption responses to cyclic hyperthermia and hypoxia are different between short and long-term exposure. • Under oscillating conditions, HSP gene expression in gills is compromised during hypoxia. • Oxygen consumption and HSP gene expression responses during cyclic conditions are different from those at constant hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous temporal and spatial patterns of natural climate variability have been characterized. By analyzing standardized and detrended sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) along the coast from 1950 to 2023, this study identifies two dominant modes of ocean variability in the Northeast Pacific Boundary Current (NEPBC) which includes the California and Alaska currents. The first mode is the prevalent pattern of interannual variability associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. A second mode arises as an independent dipole between the coasts of North and Central America, with the strongest intensities on a portion of the NEPBC (38°-53°N) and the Eastern Pacific warm pool (EPWP, 2°S-15°N). The difference in SSTA between the two regions appears to be caused by variations in the intensity and distribution of atmospheric pressure fields and it is related with the Pacific Meridional Mode and North Pacific Oscillation. Such coastal mode will provide the opportunity to describe the interactions of coastal processes with climate indices capturing larger-scale phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present QIRHSI, a novel quantum image representation method based on the HSI color space model. QIRHSI integrates the advantages of the Flexible Representation of Quantum Images (FRQI) model and the Novel Enhanced Quantum Representation (NEQR) model. On the one hand, the proposed QIRHSI model is better suited for the image processing related to intensity information via binary qubit sequence than multi-channel representation for quantum image (MCQI) (multi-channel FRQI). On the other hand, the QIRHSI model requires less storage space (10 qubits) in the hue and saturation channels, compared with the novel quantum representation of color digital images (NCQI) (tri-channel NEQR) model in RGB (24 qubits). Secondly, the polynomial preparation for constructing the QIRHSI state, the quantum image processing operations, an application of quantum image encryption and the optimized image preparation resources are explored, respectively. The ratio of optimization by preparing QIRHSI ranges from 55.87 to 95.72 % on different 8 × 8 sample images. Finally, the effectiveness, feasibility and complexity of the proposed quantum image representation and their associated operations are proved through theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum annealing algorithms were introduced to solve combinatorial optimization problems by taking advantage of quantum fluctuations to escape local minima in complex energy landscapes typical of NP − hard problems. In this work, we propose using quantum annealing for the theory of cuts, a field of paramount importance in theoretical computer science. We have proposed a method to formulate the Minimum Multicut Problem into the QUBO representation, and the technical difficulties faced when embedding and submitting a problem to the quantum annealer processor. We show two constructions of the quadratic unconstrained binary optimization functions for the Minimum Multicut Problem and we review several tradeoffs between the two mappings and provide numerical scaling analysis results from several classical approaches. Furthermore, we discuss some of the expected challenges and tradeoffs in the implementation of our mapping in the current generation of D-Wave machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a methodology to solve the stereo matching problem through quantum annealing optimization. Our proposal takes advantage of the existing Min-Cut/Max-Flow network formulation of computer vision problems. Based on this network formulation, we construct a quadratic pseudo-Boolean function and then optimize it through the use of the D-Wave quantum annealing technology. Experimental validation using two kinds of stereo pair of images, random dot stereograms and gray-scale, shows that our methodology is effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new correspondence between a d-dimensional dynamical system and a family of higher-order derivative (d+1)-dimensional systems. This new scale-holographic relation is built by the explicit introduction of a dimensionful constant which determines the size of the additional dimension. Scale holography is particularly useful for studying non-local theories, since the equivalent dual system on the higher dimensional manifold can be made to be local, as we illustrate with the specific examples of the p-adic string theory and the free particle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The study of almond fat stability is essential from a quality control perspective meanly because, in most of the cases, almonds are sold skinned and thermally treated. In this work an alternative method to Rancimat test based on attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier‐transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectrometry was adapted for checking the induced degradation at 75 °C of seven almond oil cultivars, three of the top Californian producing varieties, and, four traditional cultivars harvested in Spain. RESULTS: The thermal oil degradation evolution was followed by measuring the changes in the absorbance of the selected FTIR spectra bands (3470, 3006, 1730, 1630, 988 and 970 cm−1). A first‐order kinetic behaviour was observed, after an induction time in all bands. CONCLUSIONS: Kinetic coefficients and induction times were easily obtained as the absorbance values (from difference spectra) fitted to pseudo‐first‐order kinetics after the induction time. Principal component analysis was applied to the kinetic parameters to visualize which variables could be useful to classify the almond cultivars based on their resistance to thermal oxidation processes. It was found that selecting only the induction times corresponding to the bands 3470, 3006, 1630 and 970 cm−1 a separate classification of the Californian cultivars from the Spanish ones was possible. Finally, a linear discriminant analysis was assayed using only the four induction times previously selected. Validated classification and correct in 100% of the cases was obtained for all the samples based on their Spanish or Californian origin. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]