Constant Scaling Research Articles

Practical method for table grape selection using multicriteria decision análisis

The São Francisco Valley (Pernambuco-PE, Brazil) is of great importance for the local economy, since the region represents a large portion of Brazilian production and export of fresh grapes. Traditional methods of feasibility analysis involve only cost or productivity analyses, but for the grape growers there must be techniques and methods that assist decision making involving other criteria with characteristics of the grape. Yet, there is a noticeable lack of multi-criteria methods that assist the grower in making decisions for selection of commercial table grape cultivars for the feasibility analysis. Thus, the aim of the present study is to select table grape cultivars through multiple criteria, using a new method for eliciting scale constants: the Flexible and Interactive Tradeoff (FITradeoff), for the purpose of assisting a rural producer to expand production while minimizing inconsistencies in the decision-making process. With the assistance of a decision maker, the Decision Matrix and Consequence Table were constructed on Microsoft Excel® – composed by 11 criteria and 3 alternatives, all closed source grape cultivars (with patents). Then, the data were applied on the FITradeoff software for the ranking problematic. Thus, it was possible to arrive at a ranking of the best alternatives, where the cultivar Timpson (SNFL) (U2) was found to be the optimal solution proposed for the rural producer. The application of FITradeoff provided a satisfactory result with little time and effort spent, leading to a final suggestion for the decision maker. In addition, at the end of the process, it provided graphical visualization of the performance and dominance of each criterion selected, as well as a ranking of the grape cultivars through the Hasse Diagram, with the order of the best alternatives. Ordering the grape genotypes considering Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis methods is crucial to selection of commercial table grape cultivars. The method can be applied to other segments of agriculture that require multi-criteria evaluations.

Surgical Treatment of Patients with Damage to the Ligaments Holding the Long Head of the Biceps (Pulley Lesion) in Combination with Contracture of the Shoulder Joint

Background. Damage to the ligaments holding the long head of the biceps, or Pulley Lesion injuries, are often accompanied by contracture of the shoulder joint.
 Objective. The objective of the study was to compare the treatment outcomes of patients with Pulley Lesion injuries and secondary adhesive capsulitis.
 Material and Methods. The study included 82 patients with contracture of the shoulder joint and damage to the ligaments holding the long head of the biceps. The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the extent of surgical intervention: group 1 underwent subpectoral tenodesis and selective capsulotomy of the shoulder joint; group 2 underwent subpectoral tenodesis without selective capsulotomy of the shoulder joint. The function of the shoulder joint was assessed using the Constant Shoulder Score and VAS scales before surgery, at 3 and 6 months after the surgery.
 Results. At 3 months follow-up, the average functional result according to the Constant Shoulder Score was somewhat worse in group 2 (14.5±5.2 points) than in group 1 (8.5±6.4 points), p = 0.031. At 6 months follow-up, the average functional result according to the Constant Shoulder Score was 5.1±5.6 points in group 1 and 10.1±4.1 points in group 2 (p = 0.024). At 3 months follow-up, the average VAS score was worse in group 2 than in group 1 and reached 2.81±0.7 points. At 6 months follow-up, the average VAS score in group 2 was also worse than in group 1 (p = 0.051).
 Conclusions. Performing selective capsulotomy and subpectoral tenodesis in patients with secondary adhesive capsulitis and damage to the ligaments holding the long head of the biceps (Pulley Lesion injuries) allows us to achieve better functional results both according to the Constant Shoulder Score and the VAS scale at 3 and 6 months after the surgery.

Core shift controls grain boundary energy scaling in Cu and Al

Grain boundary energies in different elements are correlated. The proportional scaling constants relating the energies of crystallography-equivalent boundaries in any two f.c.c. elements are nearly constant, with the notable exception of aluminum where these constants are known to vary significantly. However, the origins of the exceptional behavior of aluminum are not understood. Previously, we reported that for fcc metals there is a preference for tilt boundaries to shift their tilt axis across the (11¯0) plane towards [112] and to ultimately form low energy [112] core shifted boundaries (CSBs). By comparing grain boundary energies in copper and aluminum with different tilt axes in (11¯0) plane, we now report the existence of a well-defined scaling behavior for the case of low angle boundaries. In contrast, the scaling constant for high angle boundaries is essentially fixed regardless of their tilt axis shift. This results in a gradual change in the scaling constants from low angle to high angle boundaries, which is responsible for the apparent exceptional scaling behavior found in aluminum. An analysis of structure evolution during core shifting points to the significance of boundary-core dissociation, a form of correlated relaxation of individual atoms at boundaries, in controlling the scaling of boundary energies.

Towers and hierarchies in the Standard Model from Emergence in Quantum Gravity

Based on Quantum Gravity arguments, it has been suggested that all kinetic terms of light particles below the UV cut-off could arise in the IR via quantum (loop) corrections. These loop corrections involve infinite towers of states becoming light (e.g. Kaluza-Klein or string towers). We study implications of this Emergence Proposal for fundamental scales in the Standard Model (SM). In this scheme all Yukawa couplings are of order one in the UV and small Yukawas for lighter generations appear via large anomalous dimensions induced by the towers of states. Thus, the observed hierarchies of quark and lepton masses are a reflection of the structure of towers of states that lie below the Quantum Gravity scale, ΛQG. Small Dirac neutrino masses consistent with experimental observation appear due to the existence of a tower of SM singlet states of mass m0 ≃ Yν3\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {Y}_{\ u_3} $$\\end{document}Mp ≃ 7 × 105 GeV, opening up a new extra dimension, while the UV cut-off occurs at ΛQG ≲ 1014 GeV. Additional constraints relating the Electro-Weak (EW) and cosmological constant (c.c.) scales (denoted MEW and V0) appear if the Swampland condition mν1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {m}_{\ u_1} $$\\end{document} ≲ V01/4\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {V}_0^{1/4} $$\\end{document} is imposed (with ν1 denoting the lightest neutrino), which itself arises upon applying the AdS non-SUSY Conjecture or the AdS/dS Distance Conjecture to the 3d vacua from circle compactifications of the SM. In particular, the EW scale and that of the extra dimension fulfill m0MEW ≲ 102V01/4\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {V}_0^{1/4} $$\\end{document}Mp, thus relating the EW hierarchy problem to that of the c.c. Hence, all fundamental scales may be written as powers of the c.c., i.e. m• ∼ V0δMp1−4δ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {V}_0^{\\delta }{M}_p^{1-4\\delta } $$\\end{document}. The scale of SUSY breaking is m3/2 ≲ 7 × 105 GeV, which favours a Mini-Split scenario that could be possibly tested at LHC and/or FCC.

Single-row versus double-row arthroscopic repair in the treatment of rotator cuff tears. A systematic review.

The purpose of this study is to perform a systematic review of the scientific literature to compare single and double row techniques for rotator cuff tears in terms of functional, pain improvement and structural healing of the tendon. In order to carry out the research, a systematic selection of scientific articles has been made by consulting PubMed and The Cochrane Library databases. The articles included in the present study compare the single-row and double-row techniques, with publication date between 2016 and 2021. Diverse results are observed in the UCLA, SST, Constant and ASES assessment scales and in the range of mobility, therefore, the superiority of one technique in terms of functional results is not established. The double row technique may show superiority in the strength variable, although there is a methodological variability in its measurement. The double-row technique may be related to more intense postoperative pain, while the single-row technique to residual shoulder pain. However, the variables strength and pain show non-homogeneous or coincident data. The superiority of the double row repair in the structural healing of the tendon and a lower re-tear rate than the single row technique is established with statistically significant results, being the most homogeneous and coincident studies.

Interchangeability between factor analysis, logistic IRT, and normal ogive IRT.

In existing studies, it has been argued that factor analysis (FA) is equivalent to item response theory (IRT) and that IRT models that use different functions (i.e., logistic and normal ogive) are also interchangeable. However, these arguments have weak links. The proof of equivalence between FA and normal ogive IRT assumes a normal distribution. The interchangeability between the logistic and normal ogive IRT models depends on a scaling constant, but few scholars have examined whether the usual values of 1.7 or 1.702 maximize interchangeability. This study addresses these issues through Monte Carlo simulations. First, the FA model produces almost identical results to those of the normal ogive model even under severe nonnormality. Second, no single scaling constant maximizes the interchangeability between logistic and normal ogive models. Instead, users should choose different scaling constants depending on their purpose in using a model and the number of response categories (i.e., dichotomous or polytomous). Third, the interchangeability between logistic and normal ogive models is determined by several conditions. The interchangeability is high if the data are dichotomous or if the latent variables follow a symmetric distribution, and vice versa. In summary, the interchangeability between FA and normal ogive models is greater than expected, but that between logistic and normal ogive models is not.

Incorporation of first-order backscattered power in Water Cloud Model for improving the Leaf Area Index and Soil Moisture retrieval using dual-polarized Sentinel-1 SAR data

The novel modification in the WCM (mWCM) is proposed in this study to simulate total backscattering contribution and to improve Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Soil Moisture (SM) retrieval using Sentinel-1 Single Look Complex (SLC) datasets at VV and VH polarizations for the wheat crop. The intended modification was achieved through two steps; (1) Proposing the scaling constants of vegetation (fveg), soil (fsoil) and vegetation-soil interaction (finter) within the traditional WCM. The scaling constants are dimensionless quantity and were derived utilizing the degree of polarization (which were computed using the Hermitian covariance matrix); (2) Incorporation of the first order scattering component derived from the novel Vegetation-Soil Scattering Model (VSSM) to the total backscattering within the traditional WCM. The aim of including the vegetation-soil interaction in land surface models is to predict the combined effect of vegetation and soil on the total backscattering. The model parameters (i.e., A, B, C, and E) were calibrated using a non-linear least square regression algorithm. The accuracy of the retrieved and measured LAI and SM is evaluated using the different statistical indicators, e.g., coefficient of determination (R2), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE). The retrieval from mWCM produced better accuracy with lower error than traditional WCM. The forward simulation results of mWCM revealed a notably higher accuracy for the total simulated radar backscattered coefficient at the VH polarization (σ0VH). The VH results showed a high R2 = 0.86, a high NSE = 0.85, and a low RMSE = 0.51 dB, outperforming the simulated σ0VV with R2 = 0.84, NSE = 0.84, RMSE = 0.66 dB. Consequently, the inversion of the mWCM yielded significantly improved accuracy in retrieving LAI at the VH polarization. The VH retrieval results exhibited a R2 = 0.80, NSE = 0.78, and RMSE = 0.44 m2m−2, while the VV polarization achieved an R2 = 0.78, NSE = 0.77, and RMSE = 0.53 m2m−2 for LAI estimation. In SM retrieval, higher accuracy was observed at VV polarization with R2 value of 0.77, NSE value = 0.79, and RMSE = 0.048 m3m−3 than the VH polarization with R2 = 0.75, NSE = 0.76, and RMSE = 0.050 m3m−3.

Peculiarities of Acromioplasty in Patients with Chronic Massive Rotator Cuff Ruptures

Background. According to the literature, from 14% to 28% of patients with rotator cuff tendon ruptures have unsatisfactory results of treatment and require a reverse shoulder joint arthroplasty in the future.
 Objective: to compare the results of open rotator cuff repair of chronic massive rotator cuff tears in groups with standard subacromial decompression and subacromial decompression with resection of the lateral part of the acromion.
 Materials and Methods. The study included 58 patients who underwent an open rotator cuff repair of chronic massive rotator cuff tears (supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons) and who underwent a rehabilitation program and follow-up up to 12 months after surgery. The age of the patients ranged from 30 to 60 years. All patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 – classic subacromial decompression, group 2 – classic subacromial decompression complemented by resection of 5 mm of the lateral end of the acromion. Shoulder joint function was assessed using the Constant Shoulder Score and VAS scales before surgery, 6 and 12 months after surgery.
 Results. Six months after surgery, the mean functional result on the Constant Shoulder Score scale in group 1 was slightly worse (24.5 ± 16.2 points) than in group 2 (18.5 ± 6.1 points); p = 0.131. Twelve months after surgery, the mean functional score on the Constant Shoulder Score was 21.1 ± 5.6 points in group 1 and 10.1 ± 6.1 points in group 2 (p = 0.031). Six months after surgery, the average score on the VAS scale was worse in group 1 than in group 2 and ranged from 3.5 ± 1.2 points. Twelve months after surgery, the mean score on the VAS scale was also worse in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.05). Conclusions. Resection of the lateral part of the acromion during the open rotator cuff repair of chronic massive rotator cuff tendons tears allows to obtain better average functional results of treatment both 6 months and 12 months after the surgery. Resection of the lateral end of the acromion changes the vector of the total force of the rotator cuff and deltoid muscles during shoulder elevation. This reduces the probability of the subacromial conflict syndrome development and thus reduces the load on the area of the rotator cuff tendon suture.

Bifurcation cascade, self-similarity, and duality in the three-rotor problem.

The three-rotor system concerns equally massive point particles moving on a circle subject to attractive cosine potentials of strength g. The quantum theory models chains of coupled Josephson junctions. Classically, it displays order-chaos-order behavior with increasing energy E along with a seemingly globally chaotic phase for 5.33g≲E≲5.6g. It is also known to admit pendulum and isosceles breather families of periodic orbits at all energies. While pendula display a doubly infinite sequence of stability transitions accumulating at their libration to rotation threshold at E=4g, breathers undergo only one stability transition. Here, we show that these stability transitions are associated with forward and reverse fork-like isochronous and period-doubling bifurcations. The new family of periodic orbits born at each of these bifurcations is found using an efficient search algorithm starting from a transverse perturbation to the parent orbit. The graphs of stability indices of various classes of orbits born at pendulum bifurcations meet at E=4g forming "fans." The transitions in the librational and rotational phases are related by an asymptotic duality between bifurcation energies and shapes of newly born periodic orbits. The latter are captured by solutions to a Lamé equation. We also find and numerically validate values of scaling constants for self-similarity in (a) stability indices of librational and rotational pendula and (b) shapes of newly born orbits as E→4g. Finally, we argue that none of the infinitely many families of periodic orbits we have found is stable for 5.33g≲E≲5.6g, providing further evidence for global chaos in this energy band.

FPGA Centric Attention Based Deep Learning Network Evoked Chaotic Encryption to Mitigate Side Channel Attacks

Security concerns are growing, especially in applications where sensitive information is sent (such as health care devices, credit cards, and even Internet of Things (IoT) nodes), even while these developments bring in a modern revolution. This is due to the constant scaling of technologies, which has now been incredibly useful for delivering the new trend of development in the numerous domains such as communications, semiconductors, health care, and automation. Even when cutting-edge standard encryption algorithms are used in smart devices, the principal threats, such as Side-Channel Attacks (SCA) and Correlation Power Analysis (CPA), increase the susceptibility of encrypted cipher text to attacks. In order to defend against side channel assaults, the usefulness of deep learning algorithms combined with chaotic principles is examined in this paper. Scroll Mapping (SM) and Attention-Evoked Long Short-Term Memory (AE-LSTM) are used in the proposed study to effectively safeguard sensitive data while consuming little power. The most promising advancements in terms of all security metrics and hardware capabilities for obtaining high-speed performances are shown by experimental findings on an FPGA implementation of a suggested framework.

Early Dark Energy in Type IIB String Theory

Early Dark Energy (EDE) is a promising model to resolve the Hubble Tension, that, informed by Cosmic Microwave Background data, features a generalization of the potential energy usually associated with axion-like particles. We develop realizations of EDE in type IIB string theory with the EDE field identified as either a C4 or C2 axion and with full closed string moduli stabilization within the framework of either KKLT or the Large Volume Scenario. We explain how to achieve a natural hierarchy between the EDE energy scale and that of the other fields within a controlled effective field theory. We argue that the data-driven EDE energy scale and decay constant can be achieved without any tuning of the microscopic parameters for EDE fields that violate the weak gravity conjecture, while for states that respect the conjecture it is necessary to introduce a fine-tuning. This singles out as the most promising EDE candidates, amongst several working models, the C2 axions in LVS with 3 non-perturbative corrections to the superpotential generated by gaugino condensation on D7-branes with non-zero world-volume fluxes.

Assignment of the absolute configuration of molecules that are chiral by virtue of deuterium substitution using chiral tag molecular rotational resonance spectroscopy.

Chiral tag molecular rotational resonance (MRR) spectroscopy is used to assign the absolute configuration of molecules that are chiral by virtue of deuterium substitution. Interest in the improved performance of deuterated active pharmaceutical ingredients has led to the development of precision deuteration reactions. These reactions often generate enantioisotopomer reaction products that pose challenges for chiral analysis. Chiral tag rotational spectroscopy uses noncovalent derivatization of the enantioisotopomer to create the diastereomers of the 1:1 molecular complexes of the analyte and a small, chiral molecule. Assignment of the absolute configuration requires high-confidence determinations of the structures of these weakly bound complexes. A general search method, CREST, is used to identify candidate geometries. Subsequent geometry optimization using dispersion corrected density functional theory gives equilibrium geometries with sufficient accuracy to identify the isomers of the chiral tag complexes produced in the pulsed jet expansion used to introduce the sample into the MRR spectrometer. Rotational constant scaling based on the fact that the diastereomers have the same equilibrium geometry gives accurate predictions allowing identification of the homochiral and heterochiral tag complexes and, therefore, assignment of absolute configuration. The method is successfully applied to three oxygenated substrates from enantioselective Cu-catalyzed alkene transfer hydrodeuteration reaction chemistry.

Relation between Scale-Up and Life Cycle Assessment for Wet Grinding Process of Pumice

This study examines the grinding process of pumice based on the dry and wet laboratory measurements, scale-up method, and life cycle assessment. This research’s main goal was to set up the relation between scale-up and life cycle assessment results for the wet grinding process with the help of mathematical equations. Within the first research works, basic grinding testing in a laboratory dry Bond mill was accomplished. This step allowed the description of the estimated particle size distribution, median particle size, specific grinding work, and grindability index number of pumice. The second step was the determination of power consumption and scale-up in a laboratory stirred media mill, and it involved the assessment of resources, primary energies, and environmental impacts of wet grinding using GaBi 8.0 software. According to the results, we obtain life cycle emission factors by introducing five coefficients for grinding in laboratory and industrial conditions. These constants depend on the external dimensions of the mill and can be expressed by a derived scale constant from the scale-up. Research results enable the industry to make a prognosis for industrial plants based on the integration between life cycle assessment and scale-up of the pilot grinding processes.

Benchmarking the Ising universality class in $3 \le d < 4$ dimensions

The Ising critical exponents \etaη, \nuν and \omegaω are determined up to one-per-thousand relative error in the whole range of dimensions 3 \le d < 43≤d<4, using numerical conformal-bootstrap techniques. A detailed comparison is made with results by the resummed epsilon expansion in varying dimension, the analytic bootstrap, Monte Carlo and non-perturbative renormalization-group methods, finding very good overall agreement. Precise conformal field theory data of scaling dimensions and structure constants are obtained as functions of dimension, improving on earlier findings, and providing benchmarks in 3 \le d < 43≤d<4.

Scale fragilities in localized consensus dynamics

We consider distributed consensus in networks where the agents have integrator dynamics of order two or higher (n≥2). We assume all feedback to be localized in the sense that each agent has a bounded number of neighbors and consider a scaling of the network through the addition of agents in a modular manner, i.e., without re-tuning controller gains upon addition. We show that standard consensus algorithms, which rely on relative state feedback, are subject to what we term scale fragilities, meaning that stability is lost as the network scales. For high-order agents (n≥3), we prove that no consensus algorithm with fixed gains can achieve consensus in networks of any size. That is, while a given algorithm may allow a small network to converge, it causes instability if the network grows beyond a certain finite size. This holds in families of network graphs whose algebraic connectivity, that is, the smallest non-zero Laplacian eigenvalue, is decreasing towards zero in network size (e.g. all planar graphs). For second-order consensus (n=2) we prove that the same scale fragility applies to directed graphs that have a complex Laplacian eigenvalue approaching the origin (e.g. directed ring graphs). The proofs for both results rely on Routh–Hurwitz criteria for complex-valued polynomials and hold true for general directed network graphs. We survey classes of graphs subject to these scale fragilities, discuss their scaling constants, and finally prove that a sub-linear scaling of nodal neighborhoods can suffice to overcome the issue.

Modeling fracture of multidirectional thin-ply laminates using an anisotropic phase field formulation at the macro-scale

An equivalent single layer approach to model fracture events of multidirectional balanced thin-ply laminates via the use of the Phase Field method is explored. The inherent anisotropic nature of a multidirectional laminate is taken into account through the use of a structural tensor, defined from scaled directional vectors, which can account for the variation in fracture toughness of the laminates in varying directions. The scaling constants are defined using the lay-up of the laminate and the intra-laminar fracture toughness of the lamina, minimizing the number of input parameters required while also alleviating the structural tensor of a pure numerical and geometric meaning. They have a significant effect in the solution, and are here related to materials properties, not only providing a new perspective on their definition but also allowing the reduction of the number of numerical parameters used to calibrate the anisotropic PF model. The numerical implementation of the proposed formulation is performed using a simple and robust thermal analogy in Abaqus by exploiting the use of an anisotropic conductivity matrix that plays the role of the structural tensor in the anisotropic phase field formulation, which reduces the complexity of the simulations. Experimental results, based on open-hole tension and double edge-notched tension, are reproduced via simulation validating the model for size effects and for the response to off-axis loading. Successful prediction of notch size effects in multidirectional composite laminates is achieved by means of an equivalent single layer approach, incl. the off-axis open-hole tension strengths of a directional thin-ply laminate. All numerical strength predictions were well within acceptable errors of the respective experimental values.

Grain Growth Inhibition by Second Phase Particles : A Two-Dimensional Monte Carlo Computational Study

A comprehensive 2-D simulation was performed on a square lattice under the influence of a second phase particle to validate the Zener limit. The effect of matrix sizes from 100 to 10,000 was examined on R(lim), R(max), Scaling constant(k), and impurities lying on the grain boundaries(ϕ). In addition, the optimum matrix size N=2000 under various second phase particles and Q states were investigated. The particle-pinned regimes developed a unique relationship between the Zener limit and the fraction of second phase particles resting on the grain boundary, i.e., R(limit)=1/eΦ It was observed that the particle fraction is proportional to the determined limiting grain size. The homogeneity and distribution of grains were observed to obey the lognormal behavior.

Bayesian Borrowing Methods for Count Data: Analysis of Incontinence Episodes in Patients with Overactive Bladder

We examine the performance of the power prior and the meta-analytic-predictive (MAP) prior for the analysis of (overdispersed) count data when multiple historical control data are incorporated into the analysis of the current data. To this end, we explore the Poisson and the negative binomial distribution. We propose a computational approach based on path sampling for the calculation of the scaling constant of the Modified Power Prior (MPP). We illustrate the methods through a motivating example of a clinical trial evaluating the effect of an experimental treatment to reduce the number of incontinence events for patients with an overactive bladder. Furthermore, we assess the performance of these methods via a simulation study in case of heterogeneity of the control arms. For similar current and historical control arms, the MPP approach offers greater statistical power than the MAP prior approach. When the means are different across the control arms, the MPP yields a slightly inflated Type I error rate, whereas the MAP prior does not. When the dispersion parameters are different across the control arms, the results are reversed. In conclusion, the MPP approach outperforms the MAP prior approach for count data.

Metabolic Rates of Japanese Anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) during Early Development Using a Novel Modified Respirometry Method.

The allometric relationship between metabolic rate (VO2) and body mass (M) has been a subject of fascination and controversy for decades. Nevertheless, little is known about intraspecific size-scaling metabolism in marine animals such as teleost fish. The Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus is a planktotrophic pelagic fish with a rapid growth and metabolic rate. However, metabolic rate measurements are difficult in this species due to their extremely small body size after hatching. Herein, the metabolic rate of this species during its early developmental stage was measured for 47 individuals weighing 0.00009-0.09 g (from just after hatching to 43 days old) using the micro-semi-closed method, a newly modified method for monitoring metabolism developed specifically for this study. As a result, three distinct allometric phases were identified. During these phases, two stepwise increases in scaling constants occurred at around 0.001 and 0.01 g, although the scaling exponent constant remained unchanged in each phase (b^ = 0.683). Behavioral and morphological changes accompanied the stepwise increases in scaling constants. Although this novel modified respirometry method requires further validation, it is expected that this study will be useful for future metabolic ecology research in fish to determine metabolism and survival strategy.

Study of radiation protection vestments for maintenance of mobile nuclear power plants

Most radiation exposure to personnel comes from inspection, maintenance, and repair within the reactor compartment. The objective of this paper was to discover the garment that, at the same time, presents the best result for the attenuation of ionizing radiation, as well as good ergonomics for the maintenance professional of mobile nuclear plants. For this, market research was carried out and, as a result, nine Radiation Protection Vestments (VPRs) were found, from five different manufacturers and from three countries, the United States, Japan and China; and which are feasible to be acquired. To choose the VPR, the optimization techniques of CIPR 55 were used: Multi-Attribute Utility Analysis and Multi-Criteria Outranking Analysis. Based on the information provided by the manufacturers, five attributes were chosen for comparison: protection cost, percentage of ionizing radiation attenuation, weight, discomfort, and surface decontamination of the vestment. To verify the robustness of the analytical solution, the values of the scaling constants were re-calculated, where it was observed that the analytical solution found is strongly influenced when the protection cost is changed, as it is the highest cost VPR among all those surveyed. The VPR chosen by both optimization techniques was the STEMRAD 360, which has the highest attenuation of ionizing radiation, as well as being the VPR with greater emphasis on ergonomics.