Trust region versus line search for computing the optical flow

We consider the numerical treatment of the optical flow problem by evaluating the performance of the trust region method versus the line search method. To the best of our knowledge, the trust region method is studied here for the first time for variational optical flow computation. Four different optical flow models are used to test the performance of the proposed algorithm combining linear and nonlinear data terms with quadratic and TV regularization. We show that trust region often performs better than line search; especially in the presence of non-linearity and non-convexity in the model.

Phenol-Explorer 3.0: a major update of the Phenol-Explorer database to incorporate data on the effects of food processing on polyphenol content

Polyphenols are a major class of bioactive phytochemicals whose consumption may play a role in the prevention of a number of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes and cancers. Phenol-Explorer, launched in 2009, is the only freely available web-based database on the content of polyphenols in food and their in vivo metabolism and pharmacokinetics. Here we report the third release of the database (Phenol-Explorer 3.0), which adds data on the effects of food processing on polyphenol contents in foods. Data on >100 foods, covering 161 polyphenols or groups of polyphenols before and after processing, were collected from 129 peer-reviewed publications and entered into new tables linked to the existing relational design. The effect of processing on polyphenol content is expressed in the form of retention factor coefficients, or the proportion of a given polyphenol retained after processing, adjusted for change in water content. The result is the first database on the effects of food processing on polyphenol content and, following the model initially defined for Phenol-Explorer, all data may be traced back to original sources. The new update will allow polyphenol scientists to more accurately estimate polyphenol exposure from dietary surveys. Database URL: http://www.phenol-explorer.eu

Oxidized oils and dietary zinc and alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation: effects on rabbit plasma, liver and meat fatty acid composition and meat Zn, Cu, Fe and Se content

The effects of the addition of heated oils to feeds (3%, w/w) and the dietary supplementation with a-tocopheryl acetate (TA; 100 mg/kg) and Zn (200 mg/kg) on rabbit tissue fatty acid (FA) composition and on the Zn, Cu, Fe and Se content in meat were assessed. Heating unre���ned sun���ower oil (SO) at 558C for 245 h increased its content in primary oxidation products and reduced its a-tocopherol content. However, this did not signi���cantly affect tissue FA composition. Heating SO at 1408C for 31 h increased its content in secondary oxidation products and in some FA isomers asc9,t11-CLA and di-trans CLA. This led to increases in di-trans CLA in liver and in t9,c12-18:2 in meat. The c9,t11-CLA was the most incorporated CLA isomer in tissues. The dietary supplementation with a-TA did not affect the FA composition of plasma, liver or meat. The cooking of vacuum-packed rabbit meat at 788C for 5 min reduced signi���cantly but slightly its polyunsaturated FA content. The dietary supplementation with Zn did not modify the content of Zn, Fe or Se in meat, but it reduced its Cu content. On the other hand, it increased the content of some FAs in meat when SO heated at 1408C for 31 h was added to feeds.

A thematic analysis of delusion with religious content in schizophrenia: open, closed, and mixed dynamics

The aim of the present study was to elicit how patients with delusions with religious contents conceptualized or experienced their spirituality and religiousness. Sixty-two patients with present or past religious delusions went through semistructured interviews, which were analyzed using the three coding steps described in the grounded theory. Three major themes were found in religious delusions: ''spiritual identity,'' ''meaning of illness,'' and ''spiritual figures.'' One higher-order concept was found: ''structure of beliefs.'' We identified dynamics that put these personal beliefs into a constant reconstruction through interaction with the world and others (i.e., open dynamics) and conversely structural dynamics that created a complete rupture with the surrounding world and others (i.e., closed structural dynamics); those dynamics may coexist. These analyses may help to identify psychological functions of delusions with religious content and, therefore, to better conceptualize interventions when dealing with it in psychotherapy.

Effect of aerobic exercise on skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and function in older adults

Regular aerobic exercise training, which is touted as a way to ameliorate metabolic diseases, increases aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity usually declines with advanced age. The decline in aerobic capacity is typically associated by a decrease in the quality of skeletal muscle. At the molecular level, this decreased quality comes in part from perturbations in skeletal muscle mitochondria. Of particular is a decrease in the total amount of mitochondria that occupy the skeletal muscle volume. What is not well established is if this decrease in mitochondrial content is due to inactive lifestyle or the process of aging. Herein, the work of the thesis shows a clear connection between mitochondrial content and aerobic capacity. This indicates that active individuals with higher VChmax levels also contain higher volumes of mitochondria inside their muscle as opposed to sedentary counterparts who have lower levels of mitochondrial content. Upon taking these previously sedentary individuals and entering them into an aerobic exercise intervention, they are able to recover their mitochondrial content as well as function to similar levels of lifelong athletes of the same age. Furthermore, the results of this thesis show that mitochondrial content and function also correlate with exercise efficiency. If one is more efficient, he/she is able to expend less energy for a similar power output. Furthermore, individuals who increase in efficiency also increase in the ability to oxidize and utilize fat during pro-longed exercise. This increased reliance on fat after the intervention is associated with an increased amount of mitochondria, particularly in the intermyofibrillar region of skeletal muscle. Therefore, elderly adults who were once sedentary were able to recover mitochondrial content and function and are able to reap other health benefits from regular aerobic exercise training. Aging per se does not seem to be the culprit that will lead to metabolic diseases but rather it seems to be a lack of physical activity. -- Un entra��nement sportif d'endurance, connu pour r��duire le risque de d��velopper des maladies m��taboliques, augmente notre capacit�� a��robie. La capacit�� a��robie diminue g��n��ralement avec l'��ge. Ce d��clin est typiquement associ�� d'une diminution de la qualit�� du muscle squelettique. Au niveau mol��culaire, cette diminution est due �� des perturbations dans les mitochondries du muscle squelettique,, ce qui conduit �� une diminution de la quantit�� totale des mitochondries pr��sentes dans le muscle squelettique. Il n'a pas encore ��t�� ��tabli si cette diminution de la teneur mitochondriale est due �� un mode de vie s��dentaire ou au processus du vieillissement. Ce travail de th��se montre un lien clair entre le contenu mitochondrial et la capacit�� a��robie. Il indique que des personnes ��g��es actives, avec des niveaux de V02max plus ��lev��s, poss��dent ��galement un volume plus ��lev�� de mitochondries dans leurs muscles en comparaison �� leurs homologues s��dentaires. En prenant des individus s��dentaires et leur faisant pratiquer une activit�� physique a��robie, il est possible d'accro��tre leur contenu de m��me que leur fonction mitochondriale �� des niveaux similaires �� ceux d'athl��tes du m��me ��ge ayant pratiqu�� une activit�� physique tout au long de leur vie. De plus, les r��sultats de ce travail d��montrent que le contenu et la fonction mitochondriale sont en corr��lation avec l'efficiscience lors d'exercice physique. En agumentant l'effiscience, les personnes sont alors capables de d��penser moins d'��nergie pour une puissance d'exercice similaire. Donc, un volume mitochondrial accru dans le muscle squelettique, associ�� �� une fonction mitochondriale am��lior��e, est associt�� �� une augmentation de l'effiscience. En outre, les personnes qui augmentent leur effiscience, augmentent aussi leur capacit�� �� oxyder les graisses durant l'exercice prolong��. Une augmentation du recours au graisses apr��s l'intervention est associ��e �� une quantit�� accrue de mitochondries, en particulier dans la r��gion inter-myofibrillaire du muscle squelettique. Par cons��quent, les personnes ��g��es autrefois s��dentaires sont en mesure de r��cup��rer leur contenu et leur fonction mitochondriale ainsi que d'autres avantages pour la sant�� gr��ce �� un entra��nement a��robie r��gulier. Le vieillissement en soi ne semble donc pas ��tre le coupable conduisant aux maladies m��taboliques qui semblent plut��t ��tre li�� �� un manque d'activit�� physique.

Response of the Thermal Conductivity as a Function of Water Content of a Burnt Mediterranean Loam Soil

The purpose of this research is to explore the variability on the soil thermal conductivity -��- after a prescribe fire, and to assess the effects of the ashes on the heat transfer once it"s were incorporated into the soil matrix. Sampling plot was located in the Montgr�� Massif (NE of Spain). A set of 42 soil samples between surface and 5 cm depth was collected before and after the fire. To characterize the soil chemical and physical variables were analyzed. To determine the vari-ability on the soil �� a dry-out curve per scenario (before and after fire) was determined. SoilRho�� method based on ASTM D-5334-08 which was validated by LabFerrer was used. Soil thermal conductivity has shown changes in their values. Indeed, in all moisture scenarios the values of soil �� decreased after soil was burnt. The critical point in the rela-tionship �� (��) for the soil after fire which always was stronger than soil before to be burnt. Soil with"white" ashes showed a high thermal conductivity. An X-Ray diffractometry analysis allowed to clarify and to verify these results. To sum up, we could say that thermal conductivity presents changes when the scenario changes, i.e. before and after to be burnt. On the other hand, the volume of ashes incorporated on the soil increased the differences between no burnt and burnt soil, showing even some improvements on the heat transfer when water content started to govern the process.

Study of Johnsons Glacier (Livingston Island, Antarctica) by means of shallow ice cores and their tephra and by analysis of 137Cs content

With the aim of monitoring the dynamics of the Livingston Island ice cap, the Departament de Geodin��mica i Geof��sica of the Universitat de Barcelona began ye a r ly surveys in the austral summer of 1994-95 on Johnsons Glacier. During this field campaign 10 shallow ice cores were sampled with a manual ve rtical ice-core drilling machine. The objectives were: i) to detect the tephra layer accumulated on the glacier surface, attributed to the 1970 Deception Island pyroclastic eruption, today interstratified; ii) to verify wheter this layer might serve as a reference level; iii) to measure the 1 3 7Cs radio-isotope concentration accumulated in the 1965 snow stratum; iv) to use the isochrone layer as a mean of verifying the age of the 1970 tephra layer; and, v) to calculate both the equilibrium line of the glacier and average mass balance over the last 28 years (1965-1993). The stratigr a p hy of the cores, their cumulative density curves and the isothermal ice temperatures recorded confi rm that Johnsons Glacier is a temperate glacier. Wi n d, solar radiation heating and liquid water are the main agents controlling the ve rtical and horizontal redistribution of the volcanic and cryoclastic particles that are sedimented and remain interstratified within the g l a c i e r. It is because of this redistribution that the 1970 tephra layer does not always serve as a ve ry good reference level. The position of the equilibrium line altitude (ELA) in 1993, obtained by the 1 3 7Cs spectrometric analysis, varies from about 200 m a.s.l. to 250 m a.s.l. This indicates a rising trend in the equilibrium line altitude from the beginning of the 1970s to the present day. The va rying slope orientation of Johnsons Glacier relative to the prevailing NE wind gives rise to large local differences in snow accumulation, which locally modifies the equilibrium line altitude. In the cores studied, 1 3 7Cs appears to be associated with the 1970 tephra laye r. This indicates an intense ablation episode throughout the sampled area (at least up to 330 m a.s.l), which probably occurred synchronically to the 1970 tephra deposition or later. A rough estimate of the specific mass balance reveals a considerable accumulation gradient related to the increase with altitude.

On Option Price Information Content and Extraction of Implied Probability Distributions

In this study we used market settlement prices of European call options on stock index futures to extract implied probability distribution function (PDF). The method used produces a PDF of returns of an underlying asset at expiration date from implied volatility smile. With this method, the assumption of lognormal distribution (Black-Scholes model) is tested. The market view of the asset price dynamics can then be used for various purposes (hedging, speculation). We used the so called smoothing approach for implied PDF extraction presented by Shimko (1993). In our analysis we obtained implied volatility smiles from index futures markets (S&P 500 and DAX indices) and standardized them. The method introduced by Breeden and Litzenberger (1978) was then used on PDF extraction. The results show significant deviations from the assumption of lognormal returns for S&P500 options while DAX options mostly fit the lognormal distribution. A deviant subjective view of PDF can be used to form a strategy as discussed in the last section.

S��hk��isen taloushallinnon vaikutus tilitoimistojen tuottavuuteen Case: Heeros Systems Oy

T��ss�� tutkimuksessa tarkasteltiin tuottavuuden k��sitett�� ja mittaamista palvelualoilla. Tutkielman tavoitteena oli kuvata ja ymm��rt���� s��hk��isen taloushallinnon vaikutusta tilitoimistojen tuottavuuteen. Aihetta l��hestyttiin s��hk��isi�� taloushallinto-ohjelmia valmistavan case-yhti�� Heeros Systems Oy:n avulla. Tutkimus on luonteeltaan laadullinen tutkimus, jonka tutkimusmenetelm��-n�� k��ytettiin teemahaastatteluja. Tutkimusaineisto ker��ttiin haastattelemal-la yhteens�� kymment�� tutkimuksen kohteena olevan tilitoimiston edusta-jaa. Tutkimuksen perusteella ei havaittu s��hk��isen taloushallinnon selke��sti vaikuttavan tilitoimistojen tuottavuuteen t��ss�� vaiheessa, mutta toiminto-ymp��rist��n s��hk��istyess��, esimerkiksi verkkolaskujen yleistyess��, tilan-teen uskotaan muuttuvan nopeasti. T��ll��in tuottavuuden kasvu edellytt���� ty��prosessin muuttamista ja huolellista suunnittelua.

Lowering blood alcohol content levels to save lives: A European case study

Road safety has become an increasing concern in developed countries due to the significant amount of fatalities and the associated economic losses. Only in 2005 these losses rose to 200,000 million euros, a considerable sum �� approximately 2% of GDP �� that easily justifies any public intervention. One measure taken by governments to address this issue is to enact stricter policies and regulations. Since drunk driving is one of the greatest concerns among public authorities in this field, several European countries have lowered their illegal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels to 0.5 mg/ml during the last decade. This study is the first evaluation of the effectiveness of this transition using European panel-based data (CARE) for the period 1991-2003 with the differences-in-differences method in a fixed effects estimation that allows for any pattern of correlation (Cluster-Robust). The results reveal a positive impact on certain groups of road users and on the whole population when the policy is accompanied by enforcement interventions. Moreover, positive results appeared after a time lag of over two years. Finally, I state the importance of controlling for serial correlation in the evaluation of this type of policy.

Lowering blood alcohol content levels to save lives: A European case study

Road safety has become an increasing concern in developed countries due to the significant amount of fatalities and the associated economic losses. Only in 2005 these losses rose to 200,000 million euros, a considerable sum �� approximately 2% of GDP �� that easily justifies any public intervention. One measure taken by governments to address this issue is to enact stricter policies and regulations. Since drunk driving is one of the greatest concerns among public authorities in this field, several European countries have lowered their illegal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels to 0.5 mg/ml during the last decade. This study is the first evaluation of the effectiveness of this transition using European panel-based data (CARE) for the period 1991-2003 with the differences-in-differences method in a fixed effects estimation that allows for any pattern of correlation (Cluster-Robust). The results reveal a positive impact on certain groups of road users and on the whole population when the policy is accompanied by enforcement interventions. Moreover, positive results appeared after a time lag of over two years. Finally, I state the importance of controlling for serial correlation in the evaluation of this type of policy.

Biokaasun sy��tt�� maakasuverkostoon

Biokaasua syntyy mm. kaatopaikoilla, j��tevedenpuhdistamoilla ja biokaasureaktoreissa, kun bakteerit hajottavat orgaanista ainesta hapettomissa olosuhteissa. Biokaasun t��rkein ainesosa on metaani, jota biokaasussa on tyypillisesti hieman yli puolet. Muu osa biokaasusta on p����osin hiilidioksidia, mutta se sis��lt���� my��s paljon erilaisia ep��puhtauksia, jotka vaikeuttavat biokaasun hy��tyk��ytt����. Suomeen tuotava maakaasu puolestaan on l��hes puhdasta metaania. T��m�� diplomity�� suoritettiin Gasum Oy:lle ja sen tarkoituksena oli tutkia millaisia toimenpiteit�� vaaditaan, jotta biokaasua voidaan sy��tt���� Suomen maakaasuverkostoon. Ty��ss�� suoritettiin katsaus biokaasun puhdistus- ja jalostusmenetelmiin, joilla biokaasun sis��lt��m��t ep��puhtaudet poistetaan ja metaanipitoisuus nostetaan l��hes maakaasun tasolle hiilidioksidia poistamalla. Lis��ksi ty��ss�� simuloitiin biokaasun sy��tt���� maakaasuverkostoon eri koostumuksin ja maakaasuverkoston eri osista n��in syntyv��n seoskaasun ominaisuuksien m����ritt��miseksi simulointiohjelma Simonen avulla. Ty��ss�� my��s etsittiin parasta keinoa j��ljitt���� maakaasuverkoston kaasun laatua ja hallita energiatasetta, kun kaasun laatu ei en���� ole kaikkialla sama. Lis��ksi suoritettiin lyhyt katsaus biokaasusy��t��n vaikutuksista p����st��kauppaan ja maakaasuverkoston j��rjestelm��vastaavan teht��v����n. Ty��ss�� tultiin siihen tulokseen, ett�� biokaasun sy��tt�� maakaasuverkostoon on mahdollista vain, kun biokaasu puhdistetaan ja jalostetaan. T��ll��in biokaasun ja maakaasun seos t��ytt���� maakaasuverkoston kaasulle asetetut laatukriteerit, vaikka yksin biokaasu ei sit�� tee. Parhaaksi keinoksi hallita maakaasun ja biokaasun laatua todettiin kaasukromatografien k��ytt��.

The genetic content of chromosomal inversions across a wide latitudinal gradient

There is increasing evidence regarding the role of chromosomal inversions in relevant biological processes such as local adaptation and speciation. A classic example of the adaptive role of chromosomal polymorphisms is given by the clines of inversion frequencies in Drosophila subobscura, repeatable across continents. Nevertheless, not much is known about the molecular variation associated with these polymorphisms. We characterized the genetic content of ca. 600 individuals from nine European populations following a latitudinal gradient by analysing 19 microsatellite loci from two autosomes (J and U) and the sex chromosome (A), taking into account their chromosomal inversions. Our results clearly demonstrate the molecular genetic uniformity within a given chromosomal inversion across a large latitudinal gradient, particularly from Groningen (Netherlands) in the north to M��laga (Spain) in the south, experiencing highly diverse environmental conditions. This low genetic differentiation within the same gene arrangement across the nine European populations is consistent with the local adaptation hypothesis for th evolutionof chromosomal polymorphisms. We also show the effective role of chromosomal inversions in maintaining different genetic pools within these inverted genomic regions even in the presence of high gene flow. Inversions represent thus an important barrier to gene flux and can help maintain specific allelic combinations with positive effects on fitness. Consistent patterns of microsatellite allele-inversion linkage disequilibrium particularly in loci within inversions were also observed. Finally, we identified areas within inversions presenting clinal variation that might be under selection.

Services "amis des jeunes": promouvoir des soins adapt��s aux adolescents [Youth friendly health services: how to promote quality health care for adolescents].

Beaucoup de jeunes ��prouvent des difficult��s �� demander une aide m��dicale et psychosociale alors qu'ils en auraient bien besoin. Cela est li�� au processus d'autonomisation propre �� cette p��riode de la vie : les adolescents souhaitent r��soudre leurs probl��mes eux-m��mes. Pour am��liorer la qualit�� des soins aux jeunes, l'Organisation mondiale de la sant��, avec l'UNICEF et d'autres organismes, a d��velopp�� le concept de youth friendly health services ; services amis des jeunes. Ce concept repose sur plusieurs principes, comme l'accessibilit��, la flexibilit��, une formation sp��cifique du personnel, le respect de la neutralit�� et de la confidentialit��, comp��tences communicationnelles, etc. L'application de cette approche ne se limite pas aux centres sp��cialis��s en m��decine de l'adolescence, mais devra ��tre progressivement implant��e dans toutes les structures de soins accueillant des jeunes. Many young people have difficulties requesting medical or psychosocial support, although some badly need it. This difficulty is related to the fact that, as part of their search for autonomy, young people prefer to solve their problems by themselves. To improve the quality of care, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and allied organizations have developed the concept of "Youth friendly health services". This concept includes policies and strategies to improve the accessibility and flexibility, staff's competence and communication skills, etc. Such an approach should not be limited to specialized centers for adolescent health. It should be adopted by all health care institutions dealing with young people.