LD Parameter Research Articles

Improving groundwater vulnerability assessment in structurally controlled hard rock aquifer: insight from lineament density and land use/land cover pattern.

A comprehensive seasonal assessment of groundwater vulnerability was conducted in the weathered hard rock aquifer of the upper Swarnrekha watershed in Ranchi district, India. Lineament density (Ld) and land use/land cover (LULC) were integrated into the conventional DRASTIC and Pesticide DRASTIC (P-DRASTIC) models and were extensively compared with six modified models, viz. DRASTIC-Ld, DRASTIC-Lu, DRASTIC-LdLu, P-DRASTIC-Ld, P-DRASTIC-Lu, and P-DRASTIC-LdLu, to identify the most optimal model for vulnerability mapping in hard rock terrain of the region. Findings were geochemically validated using NO3- concentrations of 68 wells during pre-monsoon (Pre-M) and post-monsoon (Post-M) 2022. Irrespective of the applied model, groundwater vulnerability shows significant seasonal variation, with > 45% of the region classified as high to very high vulnerability in the pre-M, increasing to ̴67% in post-M season, highlighting the importance of seasonal vulnerability assessments. Agriculture and industries' dominant southern region showed higher vulnerability, followed by regions with high Ld and thin weathered zone. Incorporating Ld and LULC parameters into DRASTIC-LdLu and P-DRASTIC-LdLu models increases the 'Very High' vulnerability zones to 17.4% and 17.6% for pre-M and 29.4% and 27.9% for post-M, respectively. Similarly, 'High' vulnerable zones increase from 32.5% and 25% in pre-M to 33.8% and 35.3% in post-M for respective models. Model output comparisons suggest that modified DRASTIC-LdLu and P-DRASTIC-LdLu perform better, with accurate estimations of 83.8% and 89.7% for pre-M and post-M, respectively. However, results of geochemical validation suggest that among all the applied modified models, DRASTIC-LdLu performs best, with accurate estimations of 34.4% and 20.6% for pre-M and post-M, respectively.

Impact of the quenching of shell effects with excitation energy on nuclear level density

We investigate the nature and impact of shell effects on nuclear level density (NLD) and particle emission probability as a function of temperature in a microscopic theoretical framework of Statistical Model for nuclei ranging from neutron deficient to neutron rich isotopes of Z= 27−35. Critical temperatures are traced for neighbouring even, odd, closed shell and mid−shell nuclei which respond to excitations differently due to their varying stability and structural effects. Importance of the shell effects and shell correction energy is reflected significantly in NLD variation which slowly diminishes with increasing excitation energy indicating the quenching of shell effects. The enhancement of LD parameter with the deformation and rotation and the fade out of enhancement with increasing excitations has been shown. The weakening of magicity of N=28 near the proton drip line has been observed in the inverse level density parameter ‘K’(= A/a) and β variation though it is usually uncommon to see this effect in excited nuclei. Variation of our calculated NLD for odd 69As and even 70Ge exhibits structural effects and agrees very well with the variation of experimental values. Our evaluated level density parameter ‘a’ values are compared with RIPL-2 (Reference Input Parameter Library) data which show good agreement.

Impact of age on the postural stability measured by a virtual reality tracker-based posturography and a pressure platform system

BackgroundCenter of pressure (CoP) parameters are commonly used to evaluate age-related changes in postural control during standing. However, they mainly reflect ankle strategies and provide limited information about hip strategies, which are essential for postural control among the aged population. Body displacement at the lumbar level (LD) can be used as a proxy for hip strategies.ObjectivesWe set up a virtual reality tracker-based posturography to measure LD and compared the CoP and LD parameters in two age groups to explore the roles of ankle and hip strategies during bipedal stance.MethodsTwenty-seven older healthy participants (63.8 ± 7.1 years old) and 27 younger controls (31.7 ± 9.9 years old) performed four standing tasks with their postural steadiness measured simultaneously with both systems under four stance conditions (combination of eyes-open/eyes-closed and wide-based/narrow-based). Five parameters were calculated from the trajectories of the CoP and LD. The difference in the parameters between two groups was analyzed with the Mann–Whitney U test. The discriminative ability of the parameters from the two systems was computed by the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC). We also used the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess the correlation between two measures.ResultsMost of the parameters obtained from both systems were significantly different between the younger and older groups. Mean velocity in the medial–lateral and anterior–posterior directions could effectively discriminate age-related changes, especially with the LD parameters. The receiver’s operation curve analysis gained the largest AUC (0.85 with both systems) with mean velocity in the medial–lateral direction during narrow-based standing with eyes closed. Meanwhile, we observed a low correlation between parameters obtained from the two methods in velocity measures, with the lowest ICC in the mean velocity in the medial–lateral direction in the older group (ICC = 0.34 ~ 0.41).ConclusionBoth systems could differentiate age-related changes in postural steadiness, but with dissociated information about mean velocity, especially the mean velocity in the medial–lateral direction in the older group. The results support the complimentary role of using tracker-based posturography to understand the effect of age on the mechanisms of postural control.

Resistin Gene Polymorphism Is an Influencing Factor of Postoperative Pain for Chinese Patients

Background Gene polymorphism is an important factor affecting the efficacy and dosage of opioids. A recent study showed RETN rs3745367 was associated with postoperative pain intensity. OPRM1 gene was confirmed to affect the postoperative analgesic consumption of morphine and other opioids. Objective In this study, we investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the RETN, OPRM1 gene and postoperative pain intensity, analgesics consumption, and ADR. The haplotype analysis focus on OPRM1 was also implemented. Study design This was a prospective, observational study. Setting Patients undergoing spinal fusion and correction operation were recruited. Genotypes of rs3745367, rs1799971, rs2075572, and rs9322447 were tested. Pain assessment was performed to measure postoperative pain intensity, postoperative fentanyl and pethidine consumption was recorded to calculate analgesics consumption, and adverse reactions were recorded. Method We recruited 142 patients undergoing spinal correction and fusion. Genotyping was performed by using a real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) system and validated with allelic discrimination assays. The pain was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. LD test and the construction and analysis of haplotype were using Haploview software. Results Rs3745367 demonstrated a significant association with postoperative average pain intensity in 24h (P = 0.015) and 48h (P = 0.001) after surgery. Rs2075572 and rs9322447 influenced postoperative maximal pain intensity in 48h after surgery (P = 0.042, 0.033, respectively). No correlation was found between OPRM1 SNPs and analgesics consumption and adverse reaction. According to the results of this study, a strong LD was observed between rs1799971 and rs9322447 (Block 1, LD parameters: D' = 0.82, r2 = 0.14), rs2075572 and rs9322447 (Block 2, LD parameters: D' = 0.92, r2 = 0.51). Limitations The association between rs3745367 with serum resistin levels was not investigated in this research, serum resistin levels of the incision part should be investigated in future studies. Conclusion RETN rs3745367 was associated with postoperative average pain intensity, OPRM1 rs2075572 and rs9322447 may influence postoperative maximal pain intensity.

The effect of overtraining on serum leptin levels in women national wrestlers

Purpose: Weight control and weight loss during the periods of wrestling competitions are attached great importance -in order to be successful in wrestling. Leptin hormone level is known to play an important role in the control of body weight. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of substantial weight loss on serum leptin levels of women wrestlers during competition periods. Material and Methods: Twenty-five women wrestlers who trained for 2015 European Championship from Turkish National Wrestling Team and 26 sedentary women were recruited voluntarily for this study. Serum leptin levels of wrestlers in the experimental group and sedentary women in the control group were measured after overnight fasting before and after 21 days training camp of 2015 European Championship. Results. Statistically significant difference was found in the direction of decrease in body weight, body mass index (BMI), glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, LD, VLDL and leptin parameters and increase in HDL parameters before and after training camp in the experimental group ( p < .05 ). There was a statistically significant difference in leptin levels between the control group and women wrestlers ( p < .05 ). There was also a statistically significant difference in leptin levels of wrestlers before and after training camp ( p < .05 ). Conclusion. As a result, the data obtained in the study indicate that intense wrestling trainings in camping period brought about weight loss and decreased leptin levels.

Morphology and morphometry of upland lakes over lateritic crust, Serra dos Carajás, southeastern Amazon region.

High-resolution satellite images, digital elevation models, bathymetric and sedimentological surveys coupled with statistical analysis were used to understand the physical environment and discuss their influence on water quality of the five upland lakes of Serra Sul dos Carajás, southeast Amazonia. The lakes have mid-altitude ranges (elevation), very small (catchment) and shallow to very shallow (central basins). Based on the length, area and volume, Violão and TI (Três Irmãs)-3 lakes may present large vertical movements of the water due to wind action and weakly stratified waters. Trophic conditions based on depth and shore development (Ld) parameters must be used with caution, since Amendoim Lake is relatively deep, but it is oligotrophic to ultra-oligotrophic. Ld values suggest that the lakes are circular to subcircular and are likely formed by solution process, as also suggested by volume development. TI-2 Lake is only presenting convex central basin and has highest dynamic ratio (DR), thus it may have high sedimentation and erosion rates. Based on the relationship between studied parameters, morphometric index and DR likely influence temperature and dissolved oxygen of waters of TI-2 Lake due to its depth profile and wind-induced surface mixing. Nevertheless, water quality parameters are controlled by catchment characteristics of the lakes.

Weak Field Magnetic Susceptibility Fluctuations Above the Superconducting Transition YBa $$_{2}$$ 2 Cu $$_{3-x}$$ 3 - x Fe $$_{x}$$ x O $$_{7-\delta }$$ 7 - δ (0.05 $$\le x$$ ≤ x $$\le $$ ≤ 0.12)

This paper reports the production of YBa $$_{2}$$ Cu $$_{3-x}$$ Fe $$_{x}$$ O $$_{7-\delta }$$ (0.05 $$\le x$$ $$\le $$ 0.12) superconducting system by using the standard solid-state reaction technique. A Rietveld refinement of the experimental X-ray diffraction patterns allows the determination of the lattice parameters and the phase composition of the studied system; the mean present phase shown is an orthorhombic phase Pmmm. Magnetic and transport properties are typical for superconducting samples. In this paper, magnetic susceptibility fluctuations are studied in the limit of weak magnetic fields. For each of the samples, the best fit of the experimental data of $$\Delta \chi $$ /T, in the limit of weak magnetic fields in function of the reduced temperature, allowed us to obtain the values of $$A_\mathrm{s}$$ (diamagnetism of Schmidt) and $$B_\mathrm{LD}$$ (LD parameter). The Lawrence–Doniach model (LD) has been used for the fluctuation analysis. It is demonstrated, by means of the analysis of the thermal fluctuations, that the YBa $$_{2}$$ Cu $$_{3-x}$$ Fe $$_{x}$$ O $$_{7-\delta }$$ system has an excellent 2D scaling behavior (BLD).

Subsarcolemmal lipid droplet responses to a combined endurance and strength exercise intervention.

Muscle lipid stores and insulin sensitivity have a recognized association although the mechanism remains unclear. We investigated how a 12‐week supervised combined endurance and strength exercise intervention influenced muscle lipid stores in sedentary overweight dysglycemic subjects and normal weight control subjects (n = 18). Muscle lipid stores were measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), electron microscopy (EM) point counting, and direct EM lipid droplet measurements of subsarcolemmal (SS) and intramyofibrillar (IMF) regions, and indirectly, by deep sequencing and real‐time PCR of mRNA of lipid droplet‐associated proteins. Insulin sensitivity and VO2max increased significantly in both groups after 12 weeks of training. Muscle lipid stores were reduced according to MRS at baseline before and after the intervention, whereas EM point counting showed no change in LD stores post exercise, indicating a reduction in muscle adipocytes. Large‐scale EM quantification of LD parameters of the subsarcolemmal LD population demonstrated reductions in LD density and LD diameters. Lipid droplet volume in the subsarcolemmal LD population was reduced by ~80%, in both groups, while IMF LD volume was unchanged. Interestingly, the lipid droplet diameter (n = 10 958) distribution was skewed, with a lack of small diameter lipid droplets (smaller than ~200 nm), both in the SS and IMF regions. Our results show that the SS LD lipid store was sensitive to training, whereas the dominant IMF LD lipid store was not. Thus, net muscle lipid stores can be an insufficient measure for the effects of training.

Longitudinale, sportartspezifische Leistungsdiagnostik im Handball

Sports-specific, biomechanical measuring stations and measuring-station trainings have become common practice in many forms of sports and are an essential element of the complex assessment of physical performance. In handball, however, there is still considerable research potential in this respect as well as in the systematic generation and acquisition of the requirements profile and progress of strain. The prime objective of the longitudinal study was to determine the potential performance and development of handball players (3 rd league) in general and in terms of handball sport in particular. Another objective was to establish correlations between tests and indicators of performance in competitions. 13 handball players (age: 26.5 ± 3.6 years) were tested three times (before and after the pre-season preparation phase and at the end of the first half of the season) on two test days each. The examination was composed of sprint test (ST, day 1), handball-specific complex test (HBKT, day 1) and assessment of treadmill diagnostics (LD, day 2). The surveyed parameters were lactate and heart rate (LD/HBKT) as well as time (ST, HBKT) and the number of errors (HBKT). The cardiac (Hfmax = 201 min-1) and metabolic strain (lactate = 17.8 mmol/L) in the HBKT were very high. In the preparatory phase, the average magnitudes of effect registered were at d = 0.31 (ST parameter), d = 0.68 (HBKT parameter) and d = 0.98 (LD parameter). The most significant improvements throughout the entire period of time were registered in the parameters v2 (LD; η2 = 0.371), total goal-throwing time (HBKT; η2 = 0.250), total penalty time (HBKT; η2 = 0.236) and total round 2 (HBKT; η2 = 0.227). In HBKT and LD, the performance level was stabilised by the end of the first half of the season. In terms of speed, however, there was a decline in performance abilities. The competition performance has its highest degree of correlation with cardial (defense: r = -0.656) and metabolic (offensive: r = -0.655) recuperativeness in HBKT. The findings of this longitudinal survey are on the one hand intended to make assessments of physical performance more efficient (isolated sprint test no longer required) and to improve data output (HBKT: throwing velocity; reference database). In this context, a more extensive consideration of indicators for competition performance and their correlation to specific parameters is recommendable. On the other hand, the applied training contents must be further optimised in terms of their severity and chronology.

Response to a comment by Luigi Cervo and Valter Torri on: “Dose–effect study of Gelsemium sempervirens in high dilutions on anxiety-related responses in mice” (Magnani P. et al., Psychopharmacology, 2010)

Dear Editor, We are glad that our Psychopharmacology paper, published on May 2010, is still raising interest with promise of a large impact. As a result of a challenging and pioneering work on this medicinal plant, we published three papers that do nothing more than report and discuss the experimental findings, as these were consecutively obtained. These papers contain all the necessary explanations, so that an unbiased perusal of them should be enough to confirm the overall validity of our findings. In the limited space at our disposal, we are forced to respond to only a few key points (a detailed rebuttal of the letter is available on request). The charge of non-reproducibility by Cervo and Torri is unfounded because in both series of experiments Gelsemium sempervirens worked in two well-validated models to the same direction, even with different statistical significance. In the cited preliminary study, we report the significant effects of G. sempervirens 5C, 7C and 30C in an open field (OF), and the Psychopharmacology paper reports a similar result, albeit with lower statistical significance (p = 0.060, Fig. 2). In light–dark test (LD), the anxiolytic-like effect of G. sempervirens was highly significant in the second paper, while in the first one, it was present in 5C and 30C, albeit in a non-significant way. The differences may be due to the variability of animal responses, well known in behavioural research, and to some changes in protocols (animal vendor, type of housing in cages and sequence of tests) that we describe in the paper and in the cited review, as recognised also by Cervo and Torri. For further confirmation, we also performed a pooled analysis of the two papers’ results and found a highly significant effect of G. sempervirens 5C, 7C and 30C in OF parameters (permanence in centre area) and of G. sempervirens 5C, 9C and 30C in LD parameters (time spent in light and number of light–dark transitions) (Bellavite et al. 2011). Regarding the lack of activity of buspirone and diazepam in OF parameters, as reported also by others (references in the Psychopharmacology discussion), this may suggest that the effect of G. sempervirens in OF concerns the exploratory behaviour and the decrease in neophobia, instead of the anxiolytic-like effect. G. sempervirens reproducibly did not alter the locomotion assessed in OF in any series, indicating that the effect was not sedative. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted appropriately since we compared each treatment group, composed of 48 mice, against 96 untreated mice in order to have a larger control group, and this is correct. In the ANOVA, the usual procedure is for each treatment group to be compared with a single control group, which is what we did. Comparing each treatment with each of the two controls would have engendered more problems of multiple comparisons for no useful purpose and resulted in loss of power. Moreover, the two control groups showed similar variability and could therefore be pooled without qualms. For what concerns the alleged lack of a dose–response effect, this is not at all uncommon in behavioural pharmacology and there can be a host of possible reasons. The objection arises from a misunderstanding of high-dilution effects and hormesis, where non-linear phenomena and possible physicochemical changes of the solvent come into play, as discussed and referenced in the paper (page 542, paragraph 3). These are not “post hoc” interpretations but rather up-to-date working models (Bellavite et al. 2010). This criticism is therefore also unjustified. Our research has reported for the first time the effect of G. sempervirens on two highly validated behavioural paradigms in laboratory mouse. Yours sincerely, Bellavite et al.

A simple Scheme for Generating an n-Qubit W State in a Trapped-Ion System without a Lamb–Dicke Limit

A simple and scalable scheme is proposed to generate a n-qubit W state in a trapped-ion system without the Lamb–Dicke limit. The n-qubit W state can be generated by the interaction between the ions and the laser field if the collective mode is initially prepared in the single-phonon state and each ion is in the ground state. The scheme only requires a single laser and avoids laser manipulation of the individual ion. The time required to complete the process decreases with the number of ions. The present scheme is not limited to small values of the LD parameter, which greatly enhances operation speeds.

High Differentiation among Eight Villages in a Secluded Area of Sardinia Revealed by Genome-Wide High Density SNPs Analysis

To better design association studies for complex traits in isolated populations it's important to understand how history and isolation moulded the genetic features of different communities. Population isolates should not “a priori” be considered homogeneous, even if the communities are not distant and part of a small region. We studied a particular area of Sardinia called Ogliastra, characterized by the presence of several distinct villages that display different history, immigration events and population size. Cultural and geographic isolation characterized the history of these communities. We determined LD parameters in 8 villages and defined population structure through high density SNPs (about 360 K) on 360 unrelated people (45 selected samples from each village). These isolates showed differences in LD values and LD map length. Five of these villages show high LD values probably due to their reduced population size and extreme isolation. High genetic differentiation among villages was detected. Moreover population structure analysis revealed a high correlation between genetic and geographic distances. Our study indicates that history, geography and biodemography have influenced the genetic features of Ogliastra communities producing differences in LD and population structure. All these data demonstrate that we can consider each village an isolate with specific characteristics. We suggest that, in order to optimize the study design of complex traits, a thorough characterization of genetic features is useful to identify the presence of sub-populations and stratification within genetic isolates.

ENGINEERING MACROSCOPIC QUANTUM STATES OF A SINGLE TRAPPED ION: HIGHER-ORDER LAMB–DICKE APPROXIMATIONS

The effects of higher-order Lamb–Dicke approximations (LDAs), on engineering motional quantum states of a single trapped cold ion, are discussed. By measuring the internally electronic states of a single trapped cold ion, which is driven by two classical laser beams tuning respectively to the first upper and lower sidebands, we show that the externally macroscopic vibrational states superposed by either even or odd number states are generated. Under the LDA (i.e., only the first order effect of LD parameter η is considered), these states just are the usual even and odd coherent states. For relative large values of η, we showed that the effects of higher-order LDAs, i.e., terms relating to ηk, k ≥ 2, are not negligible. They might significantly enhance certain nonclassical properties, e.g., squeezing and antibunching effects of the generated macroscopic quantum states.

Monte Carlo Simulations of Solid 2D Phase Growth on 1D Solid Substrates with Square-Wave Surface Profiles. Influence of Hole Design and Depositing Particle Surface Diffusion

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of particle 2D attachment on and detachment from plane and rough substrates are presented. The model involves 2D diffusion of particles from the solution (attachment) and from the solid front outwards (detachment), and in both the 1D surface diffusion of particles as main ingredients. The attachment and detachment probabilities Ps and Pd, respectively, the concentration of particles (cp), and the geometric parameters of the square-wave surface profile are varied. Dense deposits are obtained for large values of the diffusion length on the surface (lD), small attachment probability (Ps), and large concentration of particles (cp). The increase in the surface area of the deposit produces a departure from constant area pure diffusion behaviour. For the attachment of particles on rough surfaces two types of processes are observed, i.e., one which is similar to that found for the plane and another which is characteristic of the presence of holes. The efficiency of hole filling depends on lD, Ps, cp, and geometric parameters of the substrates. At low MC time (tMC) bulk diffusion dominates the hole filling process, whereas for large tm surface diffusion on hole walls becomes rate determining. Clogging effects also play a key role in particle attachment and detachment from hole walls. MC simulations of detachment proceeds under a low detachment probability of particles in direct contact with the substrate and under a tenfold larger one for overlayer particles. The detachment process is highly dependent on the initial geometry of the substrate throughout the surface area and on the degree of branching of the deposit that determines the magnitude of clogging. Comparison of MC simulations and experimental data is envisaged for the levelling of silver electrodeposits and upd/stripping processes.

A new parameter to study compositional properties of non-coding regions in eukaryotic genomes

Genomes are characterized by global and local compositional properties that are interesting in an evolutionary perspective but also provide useful information for the identification of some functional elements. Following previous studies, in this work we investigated compositional properties of non-coding sequences in four eukaryotic genomes ( C. elegans, D. melanogaster, M. musculus, H. sapiens). We developed a procedure based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) to identify pentamers that are over-represented in introns (intron vocabulary) and to define a new parameter (LD) that reflects oligonucleotide composition of a given sequence. We analyzed genomic sequences and we found that all non-coding parts of a genome are characterized by similar LD values. Furthermore, we used the new parameter to analyze potentially regulatory regions. We extracted non-redundant sets of promoter sequences for D. melanogaster and H. sapiens and we studied their compositional (G+C content and LD parameter) and conformational (bendability propensity) properties. We found that regions immediately surrounding transcription start sites are distinguishable because of their %G+C, LD and bendability values.

Monte Carlo Simulations of Solid 2D Phase Growth on 1D Solid Substrates with Square-Wave Surface Profiles. Influence of Hole Design and Depositing Particle Surface Diffusion

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of particle 2D attachment on and detachment from plane and rough substrates are presented. The model involves 2D diffusion of particles from the solution (attachment) and from the solid front outwards (detachment), and in both the 1D surface diffusion of particles as main ingredients. The attachment and detachment probabilities Ps and Pd, respectively, the concentration of particles (cp), and the geometric parameters of the square-wave surface profile are varied. Dense deposits are obtained for large values of the diffusion length on the surface (lD), small attachment probability (Ps), and large concentration of particles (cp). The increase in the surface area of the deposit produces a departure from constant area pure diffusion behaviour. For the attachment of particles on rough surfaces two types of processes are observed, i.e., one which is similar to that found for the plane and another which is characteristic of the presence of holes. The efficiency of hole filling depends on lD, Ps, cp, and geometric parameters of the substrates. At low MC time (tMC) bulk diffusion dominates the hole filling process, whereas for large tm surface diffusion on hole walls becomes rate determining. Clogging effects also play a key role in particle attachment and detachment from hole walls. MC simulations of detachment proceeds under a low detachment probability of particles in direct contact with the substrate and under a tenfold larger one for overlayer particles. The detachment process is highly dependent on the initial geometry of the substrate throughout the surface area and on the degree of branching of the deposit that determines the magnitude of clogging. Comparison of MC simulations and experimental data is envisaged for the levelling of silver electrodeposits and upd/stripping processes.