151 research outputs found
Yaṯa ‘’ amar Watār fils de Yakrubmalik, mukarrib de Saba’ et le synchronisme sabéo-assyrien sous Sargon II (722-705 av. J.-C.)
No full textInternational audienceThe Sabeo-Assyrian synchronism between Sargon II (722-705 BC) and “Ita’amra the Sabaean” mentioned in Assyrian sources constitutes one of the foundations for the chronology of South Arabia. Since the 2003 publication of the inscription AO 31929, and the 2005 discovery of the inscription DAI-Ṣirwāḥ 2005-50 by the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut of Ṣan‘ā’, the Sabaean sovereign Yaṯa‘’amar Watār son of Yakrubmalik mukarrib of Saba’, author of these two texts, appears to be the best candidate for the identification of “Ita’amra the Sabaean”, calling into question the previous identification with Yaṯa‘’amar Bayān son of Sumhū‘alī. Yanūf. Several other new inscriptions, attesting further synchronisms for the second half of the 8th century BC between the kingdom of Saba’ and the cities of Nashshān and Ma‘īn, from the Jawf region in Yemen, support this new hypothesis.Le synchronisme sabéo-assyrien sous le règne de Sargon II (722-705 av. J.-C.) constitue un des fondements de la chronologie de l’Arabie du Sud. Depuis la publication en 2003 de l’inscription AO 31929 et la mise au jour en 2005 de l’inscription DAI-Ṣirwāḥ 2005-50 par le Deutsches Archäologisches Institut de Ṣan‘ā’, le souverain sabéen Yaṯa‘’amar Watār fils de Yakrubmalik mukarrib de Saba’, auteur de ces deux textes, apparaît aujourd’hui comme étant le meilleur candidat à l’identification avec « Ita’amra le Sabéen » que l’on identifiait auparavant avec Yaṯa‘’amar Bayān fils de Sumhū‘alī. Cette remise en question repose également sur des nouveaux synchronismes attestés au cours de la seconde moitié du viiie s. av. J.-C., entre Saba’ et les cités de Nashshān et Ma‘īn, de la région du Jawf au Yémen
Refrigeration With And Of Solid State Devices
No full textSolid state coolers are reliable, cheap and easy to scale down to microscopic scales, hence very promising for on chip refrigeration in microelectronics. The previous decade has shown tremendous interest for applications both in science and industry. In this thesis we present an overview on the state of the art possibilities and applications of solid state cooling in Microelectronic industry. A study based on the different types of coolers, their applicability and limitations. This includes the operating temperature ranges, cooling power and effciency. Physical and practical advantages and drawbacks of different systems are analysed. Also presented is a brief literature on cryogenic NIS coolers, their operating principles,effiencies, and limitations are touched upon. In that respect, the problems limiting the effiency of these refrigerators is the excessive heating, of the superconducting leads. The diffusion of hot quasi-particles is of critical importance. The physical processes behind are of strong fundamental interest, especially at low temperatures. To address the above problem of heating, we conduct an experiment which allows us to study the diffusion and energy relaxation of quasiparticles in a superconducting wire which aids in the design and optimization of the NIS coolers. An attempt has been made identify the relevant physical processes involved. This involves study of nonequilibrium superconductivity, tunnelling, diffsion and relaxation processes. We present the the basic physics, fabrication technology and experimental techniques.Kavli Institute of NanoscienceApplied Science
The role of Z-disc proteins in myopathy and cardiomyopathy
No full textThe Z-disc acts as a protein-rich structure to tether thin filament in the contractile units, the sarcomeres, of striated muscle cells. Proteins found in the Z-disc are integral for maintaining the architecture of the sarcomere. They also enable it to function as a (bio-mechanical) signalling hub. Numerous proteins interact in the Z-disc to facilitate force transduction and intracellular signalling in both cardiac and skeletal muscle. This review will focus on six key Z-disc proteins: α-actinin 2, filamin C, myopalladin, myotilin, telethonin and Z-disc alternatively spliced PDZ-motif (ZASP), which have all been linked to myopathies and cardiomyopathies. We will summarise pathogenic variants identified in the six genes coding for these proteins and look at their involvement in myopathy and cardiomyopathy. Listing the Minor Allele Frequency (MAF) of these variants in the Genome Aggregation Database (GnomAD) version 3.1 will help to critically re-evaluate pathogenicity based on variant frequency in normal population cohorts
The role of collective motion in examples of coarsening and self-assembly
No full textThe simplest prescription for building a patterned structure from its constituents is to add particles, one at a time, to an appropriate template. However, self-organizing molecular and colloidal systems in nature can evolve in much more hierarchical ways. Specifically, constituents (or clusters of constituents) may aggregate to form clusters (or clusters of clusters) that serve as building blocks for later stages of assembly. Here we evaluate the character and consequences of such collective motion in a set of prototypical assembly processes. We do so using computer simulations in which a system's capacity for hierarchical dynamics can be controlled systematically. By explicitly allowing or suppressing collective motion, we quantify its effects. We find that coarsening within a two dimensional attractive lattice gas (and an analogous off-lattice model in three dimensions) is naturally dominated by collective motion over a broad range of temperatures and densities. Under such circumstances, cluster mobility inhibits the development of uniform coexisting phases, especially when macroscopic segregation is strongly favored by thermodynamics. By contrast, the assembly of model viral capsids is not frustrated but is instead facilitated by collective moves, which promote the orderly binding of intermediates consisting of several monomers
Data from: Senescence in the city: exploring ageing patterns of a long‐lived raptor across an urban gradient
No full textIn many vertebrates, productivity and survival usually increase with age and then start to decline above a certain age; processes known as reproductive and actuarial senescence. Senescence is widely believed to be driven by the accumulation of somatic damage or mutations. Thus, levels of such cellular damage, and therefore senescence could, in theory, differ between different habitats if they experience different stressors. Urban environments expose animals to a wide range of stressors that pose a challenge to physiological systems and might accelerate the ageing process. We studied productivity and survival of Black Sparrowhawks across an urban gradient in Cape Town, South Africa. We hypothesise that productivity and survival will first increase with age, but that productivity and survival will then decline above a certain age, due to senescence. Furthermore, we hypothesise that rates of senescence will be accelerated in more urban areas. We used 17 years of data from colour-ringed individuals. We found no indication of any improvement in productivity with age in early-life, but we did detect reproductive senescence, with productivity declining above 6 years of age. However, contrary to our predictions, there were no differences in reproductive senescence along the urban gradient. Similarly, we found that survival rates of adults did not show any strong improvement with age in early life, but decreased with age amongst older birds, providing support for actuarial senescence. However, once again no differences in this pattern were apparent along the urban gradient. This study represents one of the first to examine differences in senescence rates in different habitats. Our results suggest that for this urban adapted species, senescence patterns do not vary according to levels of urbanisation. Whether this pattern holds for species more sensitive to urbanisation remains worthy of exploration.Excel table with 4 sheets: i) first sheet contains all raw data needed to model age dependent productivity; ii) second sheet contains the according legend/data description; iii) third sheet contains all raw data needed to model apparent survival and encounter probability; and, iv) fourth sheet contains according legend/data description.Data from: Sumasgutner, P. , Koeslag, A. and Amar, A. (2019), Senescence in the city: exploring ageing patterns of a long‐lived raptor across an urban gradient. J Avian Biol. Accepted Author Manuscript. doi:10.1111/jav.0224
Dual-class shares and audit pricing: Evidence from the canadian markets
No full textThis paper investigates whether audit fees vary with the wedge between cash flow rights and control rights arising from the presence of dual-class share structures. Dual-class shares exist in firms having two or more classes of shares with disproportionate voting rights. They affect audit fees through their effect on the supply for audit services. External auditors conduct wider (narrower) scope audits depending on whether dual-class shares increase (decrease) audit risk and-or auditor business risk. Wider (narrower) scope audits are more (less) costly for the auditors and for their clients. This paper documents a positive association between audit fees and the wedge between cash flow rights and control rights in a sample of Canadian firms during 2004. It extends current research by investigating whether dominant shareholdings affect audit pricing, and by examining audit pricing in Canada over a time period that witnessed significant changes in corporate governance.Abbott LJ, 2006, AUDITING-J PRACT TH, V25, P85, DOI 10.2308-aud.2006.25.1.85; Abbott LJ, 2003, AUDITING-J PRACT TH, V22, P17, DOI 10.2308-aud.2003.22.2.17; Agnblad J, 2001, CONTROL CORPORATE EU; Ali A, 2007, J ACCOUNT ECON, V44, P238, DOI 10.1016-j.jacceco.2007.01.006; Anderson T., 1994, ACCOUNTING BUSINESS, V24, P195; ASARE S, 2005, J ACCOUNTING PUBLIC, V10, P489; Bedard JC, 2004, ACCOUNT REV, V79, P277, DOI 10.2308-accr.2004.79.2.277; Ben-Amar W, 2006, J BUS FINAN ACCOUNT, V33, P517, DOI 10.1111-j.1468-5957.2006.00613.x; Carcello JV, 2002, CONTEMP ACCOUNT RES, V19, P365, DOI 10.1506-CHWK-GMQ0-MLKE-K03V; CHOI JH, 2005, AUDIT PRICING LEGAL; CHUNG D, 1988, CONTEMP ACCOUNT RES, V5, P19; CHURCH E, 2003, GLOBE MAIL 0925; Claessens S, 2002, J FINANC, V57, P2741, DOI 10.1111-1540-6261.00511; COHEN J, 2007, AUDITING J PRACT MAY, P71; DAVIS LR, 1993, ACCOUNT REV, V68, P135; Elson C., 1996, SO METHODIST U LAW R, V50, P135; Fan JPH, 2005, J ACCOUNTING RES, V43, P35, DOI 10.1111-j.1475-679x.2004.00162.x; Francis J, 2005, J ACCOUNT ECON, V39, P329, DOI 10.1016-j.jacceco.2005.01.001; GOMPERS P, 2006, INCENTIVES VS CONTRO; GROSSMAN SJ, 1988, J FINANC ECON, V20, P175, DOI 10.1016-0304-405X(88)90044-X; GUL F, 2001, AUDITING-J PRACT TH, V20, P73; Gul F. A., 1998, J ACCOUNT ECON, V24, P219; HARRIS M, 1988, J FINANC ECON, V20, P203, DOI 10.1016-0304-405X(88)90045-1; Hay DC, 2006, CONTEMP ACCOUNT RES, V23, P141, DOI 10.1506-4XR4-KT5V-E8CN-91GX; Heninger WG, 2001, ACCOUNT REV, V76, P111, DOI 10.2308-accr.2001.76.1.111; Hope OK, 2003, J ACCOUNTING RES, V41, P235, DOI 10.1111-1475-679X.00102; Huang HW, 2007, AUDITING-J PRACT TH, V26, P147, DOI 10.2308-aud.2007.26.1.147; Kane GD, 2004, J BUS RES, V57, P976, DOI 10.1016-S0148-2963(02)00499-X; Krishnamoorthy G., 2004, J ACCOUNTING LIT, V23, P87; LaPorta R, 1997, J FINANC, V52, P1131; LENZ C, 2003, J FINANC ECON, V69, P505; O'Sullivan N., 2000, BRIT ACCOUNTING REV, V24, P397, DOI 10.1006-bare.2000.0139; OKEEFE TB, 1994, J ACCOUNTING RES, V32, P241, DOI 10.2307-2491284; Palmrose ZV, 2004, CONTEMP ACCOUNT RES, V21, P139, DOI 10.1506-WBF9-Y69X-L4DX-JMV1; SIMUNIC DA, 1980, J ACCOUNTING RES, V18, P161, DOI 10.2307-2490397; Simunic DA, 1996, AUDITING-J PRACT TH, V15, P119; Taylor S., 1998, J CORP FINANC, V4, P107, DOI 10.1016-S0929-1199(97)00012-6; Thorne L, 2003, J BUS ETHICS, V43, P305, DOI 10.1023-A:1023005311277; TINAIKAR S, 2006, DISCLOSURE EFFECTS D; Wang DC, 2006, J ACCOUNTING RES, V44, P619, DOI 10.1111-j.1475-679X.2006.00213.x; Wingate M., 1997, RES ACCOUNTING REG S, V11, P129106
What Governs Immediate or Delayed Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation by Direct Current Shock?
No full textBackground: Aftershock delivery and direct current DC-cardioversion of atrial fibrillation may be immediate or delayed.
Objective: To characterize the immediate or delayed reversion of atrial fibrillation.
Methods: The study was conducted at Alhassani Heart Centre from October 2018 to February 2022. Patients diagnosed with persistent atrial fibrillation and who reverted to sinus rhythm after DC-Cardioversion were included in this case series study. Some patients showed immediate conversion to sinus rhythm while others showed delayed conversion after shock delivery. The duration of the atrial fibrillation, the ventricular rate range before the intervention, the preceding drug therapy, patient weight, and left atrial size were measured to illuminate the factors that affect the reversion format.
Results: From a total of 86 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation treated with DC-cardioversion, 77 (89%) patients reverted into sinus rhythm and were included in the study. Fifty patients reverted immediately, and 27 patients reverted late. The mean ventricular rate was higher in the immediate group (138 ± 22) compared to 75 ± 18 in the delayed group. The post-conversion appearance of atrial premature beats was more in the delayed group. The left atrial size was slightly larger in the delayed group. The role of taking a preceding drug was not significant in both groups.
Conclusion: The pattern of reversion in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing DC shock is governed by the ventricular rate before the reversion and the appearance of atrial premature complexes after DC shock
Relaxation of the resistive superconducting state in boron-doped diamond films
No full textWe report a study of the relaxation time of the restoration of the resistive superconducting state in single crystalline boron-doped diamond using amplitude-modulated absorption of (sub-)THz radiation (AMAR). The films grown on an insulating diamond substrate have a low carrier density of about 2.5×1021cm?3 and a critical temperature of about 2K. By changing the modulation frequency we find a high-frequency rolloff which we associate with the characteristic time of energy relaxation between the electron and the phonon systems or the relaxation time for nonequilibrium superconductivity. Our main result is that the electron-phonon scattering time varies clearly as T?2, over the accessible temperature range of 1.7 to 2.2 K. In addition, we find, upon approaching the critical temperature Tc, evidence for an increasing relaxation time on both sides of Tc.QN/Quantum NanoscienceApplied Science
Silicon photonic mode multiplexers based on subwavelength metamaterials and on-chip beam forming
No full textIntegration of photonic circuits on silicon offers a unique opportunity to address the scaling of inter- and intra-chip communications in an energy-efficient and cost-effective manner. Mode-division multiplexing (MDM) is deemed as one of the most promising technologies to increase aggregated data bandwidth and avoid a communication capacity crunch. In this invited talk, we review our latest advances on integrated silicon mode multiplexers, including new topologies based on subwavelength grating (SWG) metamaterials for extended broadband operation and higher-order mode support. Specifically, we report on an ultra-broadband multiplexer based on a phase shifter and a multimode interference (MMI) coupler both engineered with subwavelength metamaterials. Experimental measurements of a complete multiplexer-demultiplexer link show losses lower than 2 dB and crosstalk below -17 dB over a bandwidth of 245 nm (1427 – 1672 nm).Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.QN/Groeblacher La
The Use of Information Systems in Collocated and Distributed Teams: A Test of the 24-Hour Knowledge Factory
No full textDean of the MIT Sloan School of Management, in highlighting the importance of outsourcing and the global economy, and the support provided by him at several stages of the research. We also acknowledge the help provided by a number of companies with respect to implementing the proposed vision in their respective companies. Author Biographies
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