Creepy (not KREEPy) Gold-Indium Intermetallic Compounds on Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Samples

A series of Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) sessions to measure hydrogen (H) in Martian meteorite minerals was completed using the Cameca 6f SIMS and NanoSIMS 50L at Arizona State University (ASU). During these sessions, a creeping phenomenon has occurred, where the edges of samples pressed in indium are covered by a metal alloy. We summarize these observations herein, present a collection of preliminary data, and discuss explanations and concerns for future SIMS work. We conclude the report with a research plan for further study

Structured illumination microscopy with unknown patterns and a statistical prior

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) improves resolution by down-modulating high-frequency information of an object to fit within the passband of the optical system. Generally, the reconstruction process requires prior knowledge of the illumination patterns, which implies a well-calibrated and aberration-free system. Here, we propose a new \textit{algorithmic self-calibration} strategy for SIM that does not need to know the exact patterns {\it a priori}, but only their covariance. The algorithm, termed PE-SIMS, includes a Pattern-Estimation (PE) step requiring the uniformity of the sum of the illumination patterns and a SIM reconstruction procedure using a Statistical prior (SIMS). Additionally, we perform a pixel reassignment process (SIMS-PR) to enhance the reconstruction quality. We achieve 2$\times$ better resolution than a conventional widefield microscope, while remaining insensitive to aberration-induced pattern distortion and robust against parameter tuning

Foreword

In this paper, we show that the consistency of closed-loop subspace identification methods (SIMs) can be achieved through innovation estimation. Based on this analysis, a sufficient condition for the consistency of a new proposed closed-loop SIM is given, A consistent estimate of the Kalman gain under closed-loop conditions is also provided based on the algorithm. A multi-input-multi-output simulation shows that itis consistent under closed-loop conditions, when traditional SIMs fail to provide consistent estimates

The Rebel Flag: Offputting Symbol or Point of Pride?

In 2004, Gettysburg College hosted an art exhibit by John Sims, a Florida based artist and ethnomathematician. The exhibit focused on varied recolored versions of the Confederate Flag. The press outrage was quick and damning. I should know, I was quoted in it (in the Civil War News). Back in 2004, I called the exhibit, sickening, and condemned the college for, trying to distance itself from the town by rejecting the Civil War past in which it is steeped. I was wrong. I figured that out no sooner than passing through the doors of the art gallery and viewing the exhibit. Sims\u27 presentation was provocative and jarring, but had some of the most profound things to say about the Confederate Flag that I think can be said. It\u27s been six long years, my views have shifted and solidified, and I now look back on those words I spoke against Sims\u27 project in shame. [excerpt

Validação da versão portuguesa da Escala de Motivação Situacional (SIMS) em contextos académicos

The Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS), seeks to evaluate the motivation experienced when carrying out a specific task. The purpose of this research was to validate a Portuguese-language version of the scale, using a sample of 409 students, by attempting to reproduce its factor structure. The reliability analysis revealed acceptable internal consistency indexes in all subscales. Construct validity was assessed through Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The contributions of the factors and index of goodness-of-fit demonstrated the need to eliminate two items, which seems to agree with the results in other validation studies. Overall, results revealed that the SIMS is composed of four consistent factors and attested its psychometric quality. The scale does seem to represent a self-report measure of situational intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, external regulation, and amotivation, and can be widely used for the assessment of this construct in Portuguese academic contexts.A Escala de Motivação Situacional (sims) procura avaliar a motivação experimentada no desempenho de uma tarefa específica. O objetivo deste estudo foi validar a versão portuguesa, com uma amostra de 409 estudantes, ao tentar reproduzir a sua estrutura fatorial. Os resultados demostram uma consistência interna adequada relativamente às subescalas. A validade de constructo foi avaliada com a Análise Fatorial Confirmatória. Os valores de contribuição de cada fator e os índices de ajustamento assinalam a necessidade de eliminação de dois itens, que, por seu turno, vai de encontro a resultados de outros estudos de validação. Em geral, os resultados indicam que a sims é composta por quatro fatores consistentes e demostram a qualidade psicométrica. A escala parece ser uma boa medida de auto-relato para avaliar a motivação intrínseca, regulação identificada, regulação externa, e amotivação situacional, podendo ser utilizada na avaliação do constructo no contexto acadêmico português. Palavras-chave: autodeterminação, motivação situacional, medidas de motivação, alunos de ensino secundário, alunos universitários.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Portuga