The surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory provides information about the longitudinal development of the muonic component of extensive air showers. Using the timing information from ...the flash analog-to-digital converter traces of surface detectors far from the shower core, it is possible to reconstruct a muon production depth distribution. We characterize the goodness of this reconstruction for zenith angles around 60degrees and different energies of the primary particle. From these distributions, we define X super( mu ) sub(max) as the depth along the shower axis where the production of muons reaches maximum. We explore the potentiality of X super( mu ) sub(max) as a useful observable to infer the mass composition of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays. Likewise, we assess its ability to constrain hadronic interaction models.
Bat Rabies Surveillance in Europe Schatz, J.; Fooks, A. R.; McElhinney, L. ...
Zoonoses and public health,
February 2013, Letnik:
60, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Summary
Rabies is the oldest known zoonotic disease and was also the first recognized bat associated infection in humans. To date, four different lyssavirus species are the causative agents of rabies ...in European bats: the European Bat Lyssaviruses type 1 and 2 (EBLV‐1, EBLV‐2), the recently discovered putative new lyssavirus species Bokeloh Bat Lyssavirus (BBLV) and the West Caucasian Bat Virus (WCBV). Unlike in the new world, bat rabies cases in Europe are comparatively less frequent, possibly as a result of varying intensity of surveillance. Thus, the objective was to provide an assessment of the bat rabies surveillance data in Europe, taking both reported data to the WHO Rabies Bulletin Europe and published results into account. In Europe, 959 bat rabies cases were reported to the RBE in the time period 1977–2010 with the vast majority characterized as EBLV‐1, frequently isolated in the Netherlands, North Germany, Denmark, Poland and also in parts of France and Spain. Most EBLV‐2 isolates originated from the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands, and EBLV‐2 was also detected in Germany, Finland and Switzerland. Thus far, only one isolate of BBLV was found in Germany. Published passive bat rabies surveillance comprised testing of 28 of the 52 different European bat species for rabies. EBLV‐1 was isolated exclusively from Serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus and Eptesicus isabellinus), while EBLV‐2 was detected in 14 Daubenton′s bats (Myotis daubentonii) and 5 Pond bats (Myotis dasycneme). A virus from a single Natterer’s bat (Myotis nattereri) was characterized as BBLV. During active surveillance, only oral swabs from 2 Daubenton′s bats (EBLV‐2) and from several Eptesicus bats (EBLV‐1) yielded virus positive RNA. Virus neutralizing antibodies against lyssaviruses were detected in various European bat species from different countries, and its value and implications are discussed.
Abstract
We report the discovery of six ultra-faint Milky Way satellites identified through matched-filter searches conducted using Dark Energy Camera (DECam) data processed as part of the second ...data release of the DECam Local Volume Exploration (DELVE) survey. Leveraging deep Gemini/GMOS-N imaging (for four candidates) as well as follow-up DECam imaging (for two candidates), we characterize the morphologies and stellar populations of these systems. We find that these candidates all share faint absolute magnitudes (
M
V
≥ −3.2 mag) and old, metal-poor stellar populations (
τ
> 10 Gyr, Fe/H < −1.4 dex). Three of these systems are more extended (
r
1/2
> 15 pc), while the other three are compact (
r
1/2
< 10 pc). From these properties, we infer that the former three systems (Boötes V, Leo Minor I, and Virgo II) are consistent with ultra-faint dwarf galaxy classifications, whereas the latter three (DELVE 3, DELVE 4, and DELVE 5) are likely ultra-faint star clusters. Using data from the Gaia satellite, we confidently measure the proper motion of Boötes V, Leo Minor I, and DELVE 4, and tentatively detect a proper-motion signal from DELVE 3 and DELVE 5; no signal is detected for Virgo II. We use these measurements to explore possible associations between the newly discovered systems and the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal, the Magellanic Clouds, and the Vast Polar Structure, finding several plausible associations. Our results offer a preview of the numerous ultra-faint stellar systems that will soon be discovered by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and highlight the challenges of classifying the faintest stellar systems.
Excess weight and obesity have high prevalence rates globally and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth emerged as an ...effective tool for promoting healthy behaviours in the management of chronic conditions. This study employed a three-month quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-intervention measurements, assessing the progress of 82 adults assigned either to an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). A total of 66 participants completed the study, with 33 in each group. The IG had access to a telehealth-based platform providing educational content on healthy lifestyle habits and were followed up both in-person and remotely. The CG were monitored as usual, i.e., at their primary care nurses’ discretion. The IG exhibited a statistically significant reduction in weight, BMI, and abdominal circumference, along with improved adherence to a heart-healthy diet, specifically the Mediterranean diet, and higher levels of physical activity. The nurse-led intervention (Care4US+), utilising telehealth from primary care, has proven effective in enhancing healthy behaviours and reducing cardiovascular risk factors.
Abstract
We present a detailed spectroscopic analysis of RR Lyrae (RRL) variables in the globular cluster NGC 5139 (
ω
Cen). We collected optical (4580–5330 Å), high-resolution (
R
∼ 34,000), high ...signal-to-noise ratio (∼200) spectra for 113 RRLs with the multifiber spectrograph M2FS at the
Magellan
/Clay Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory. We also analyzed high-resolution (
R
∼ 26,000) spectra for 122 RRLs collected with FLAMES/GIRAFFE at the Very Large Telescope, available in the ESO archive. The current sample doubles the literature abundances of cluster and field RRLs in the Milky Way based on high-resolution spectra. Equivalent-width measurements were used to estimate atmospheric parameters, iron, and abundance ratios for
α
(Mg, Ca, Ti), iron peak (Sc, Cr, Ni, Zn), and s-process (Y) elements. We confirm that
ω
Cen is a complex cluster, characterized by a large spread in the iron content: −2.58 ≤ Fe/H ≤ −0.85. We estimated the average cluster abundance as
, with
σ
= 0.33 dex. Our findings also suggest that two different RRL populations coexist in the cluster. The former is more metal-poor (Fe/H ≲ − 1.5), with almost solar abundance of Y. The latter is less numerous, more metal-rich, and yttrium enhanced (Y/Fe ≳ 0.4). This peculiar bimodal enrichment only shows up in the s-process element, and it is not observed among lighter elements, whose X/Fe ratios are typical for Galactic globular clusters.
We present a new method for probing the hadronic interaction models at ultrahigh energy and extracting details about mass composition. This is done using the time profiles of the signals recorded ...with the water-Cherenkov detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The profiles arise from a mix of the muon and electromagnetic components of air showers. Using the risetimes of the recorded signals, we define a new parameter, which we use to compare our observations with predictions from simulations. We find, first, inconsistencies between our data and predictions over a greater energy range and with substantially more events than in previous studies. Second, by calibrating the new parameter with fluorescence measurements from observations made at the Auger Observatory, we can infer the depth of shower maximum Xmax for a sample of over 81,000 events extending from 0.3 to over 100 EeV. Above 30 EeV, the sample is nearly 14 times larger than what is currently available from fluorescence measurements and extending the covered energy range by half a decade. The energy dependence of ⟨Xmax⟩ is compared to simulations and interpreted in terms of the mean of the logarithmic mass. We find good agreement with previous work and extend the measurement of the mean depth of shower maximum to greater energies than before, reducing significantly the statistical uncertainty associated with the inferences about mass composition.
The use of recycled aggregates in concrete opens a whole new range of possibilities in the reuse of materials in the building industry. The utilisation of recycled aggregates is a good solution to ...the problem of an excess of waste material, provided that the desired final product quality is reached. The studies on the use of recycled aggregates have been going on for 50 years. In fact, none of the results showed that recycled aggregates are unsuitable for structural use. However, some hypothetical problems related to durability aspects resulted in recycled aggregates being employed practically only as base filler for road construction. This paper focuses on the possibility of the use of recycled aggregate concrete as a structural material. For that purpose an experimental study of the shear behaviour and strength of beams made with recycled aggregate concrete was studied. Twelve beam specimens with the same compression strength, four concrete mixtures using different percentages of recycled coarse aggregates (0%, 25%, 50% and 100%) and three different transverse reinforcement arrangements were cast and tested up to failure. Analytical predictions of the experimental results were carried out using a numerical model based on the modified compression field theory and simplified models such as those proposed by Cladera & Mari, the Canadian standard CSA and the Eurocode-2. The results obtained indicate that a substitution of less than 25% of coarse aggregate, scarcely affects the shear capacity of RC beams, provided that all measures related to dosage and durability aspects have been adopted.
Aims. We seek to produce a homogeneous catalog of astrophysical parameters of 239 resolved star clusters, located in the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds, observed in the Washington photometric ...system. Methods. The cluster sample was processed with the recently introduced Automated Stellar Cluster Analysis (ASteCA) package, which ensures both an automatized and a fully reproducible treatment, together with a statistically based analysis of their fundamental parameters and associated uncertainties. The fundamental parameters determined for each cluster with this tool, via a color-magnitude diagram (CMD) analysis, are metallicity, age, reddening, distance modulus, and total mass. Results. We generated a homogeneous catalog of structural and fundamental parameters for the studied cluster sample and performed a detailed internal error analysis along with a thorough comparison with values taken from 26 published articles. We studied the distribution of cluster fundamental parameters in both Clouds and obtained their age-metallicity relationships. Conclusions. The ASteCA package can be applied to an unsupervised determination of fundamental cluster parameters, which is a task of increasing relevance as more data becomes available through upcoming surveys.
The kinetics of the thermal oxidation of white metal and Cu
2
S have been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG), which was carried out under atmospheric oxidative conditions (O
2
100%) with ...heating rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20 °C min
−1
. Each experiment was performed three times, the indicated values being the average of the three experiments. The experimental data were evaluated using isoconversional models based on the Arrhenius equation. The models are constructed using first-order mechanisms in the reactions and therefore, since most of them present adequate regression coefficients, it can be verified that order 1 is the most predominant order among the reactions found. In addition, the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose model, which has the highest regression coefficient, is considered to be the most optimal. Similar behavior was recorded between Cu
2
S and white metal, as well as a similar regular increase in the apparent activation energy (Ea) of 10–30 kJ mol
−1
for both materials. The reactions that took place during the oxidation of white metal and Cu
2
S were determined using a computational model based on thermodynamics developed in this work. The identified phases include CuSO
4
, Cu
2
SO
4
, Cu
2
O, CuO, CuO·CuSO
4
.
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