Active radiation detectors for use in space beyond low earth orbit: spatial and energy resolution requirements and methods for heavy ion charge classification

2017 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.Space radiation exposure to astronauts will need to be carefully monitored on future missions beyond low earth orbit. NASA has proposed an updated radiation risk framework that takes into account a significant amount of radiobiological and heavy ion track structure information. These models require active radiation detection systems to measure the energy and ion charge Z. However, current radiation detection systems cannot meet these demands. The aim of this study was to investigate several topics that will help next generation detection systems meet the NASA objectives. Specifically, this work investigates the required spatial resolution to avoid coincident events in a detector, the effects of energy straggling and conversion of dose from silicon to water, and methods for ion identification (Z) using machine learning. The main results of this dissertation are as follows: 1. Spatial resolution on the order of 0.1 cm is required for active space radiation detectors to have high confidence in identifying individual particles, i.e., to eliminate coincident events. 2. Energy resolution of a detector system will be limited by energy straggling effects and the conversion of dose in silicon to dose in biological tissue (water). 3. Machine learning methods show strong promise for identification of ion charge (Z) with simple detector designs

A Multi-Chamber System for Analyzing the Outgassing, Deposition, and Associated Optical Degradation Properties of Materials in a Vacuum

We report on the Camera Materials Test Chamber, a multi-vessel apparatus which analyzes the outgassing consequences of candidate materials for use in the vacuum cryostat of a new telescope camera. The system measures the outgassing products and rates of samples of materials at different temperatures, and collects films of outgassing products to measure the effects on light transmission in six optical bands. The design of the apparatus minimizes potential measurement errors introduced by background contamination.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, published in RSI (minor edits made to match journal accepted version

The window of desiccation tolerance shown by early-stage germinating seedlings remains open in the resurrection plant, Xerophyta viscosa

Resurrection plants are renowned for their vegetative desiccation tolerance (DT). While DT in vegetative tissues is rare in angiosperms, it is ubiquitous in mature orthodox seeds. During germination, seedlings gradually lose DT until they pass a point of no return, after which they can no longer survive dehydration. Here we investigate whether seedlings of the resurrection plant Xerophyta viscosa ever lose the capacity to establish DT. Seedlings from different stages of germination were dehydrated for 48 hours and assessed for their ability to recover upon rehydration. While a transient decline in the ability of X. viscosa seedlings to survive dehydration was observed, at no point during germination was the ability to re-establish DT completely lost in all seedlings. Pre-treatment of seedlings with PEG or sucrose reduced this transient decline, and improved the survival rate at all stages of germination. Additionally, we observed that the trait of poikilochlorophylly (or loss of chlorophyll) observed in adult X. viscosa leaves can be induced throughout seedling development. These results suggest that the window of DT seen in germinating orthodox seeds remains open in X. viscosa seedlings and that vegetative DT in Xerophyta species may have evolved from the ability to retain this program through to adulthood

Typhoon frequency and intensity across the Western Pacific Ocean north of the Equator, 1951 – 2014

Disturbance has been a repeated theme in ecology in recent decades, yet incorporating its frequency and pattern at broad spatial scales into ecological analyses has been difficult – rather, most environmental datasets used in broad-extent analyses represent average conditions. We present a detailed dataset summarizing the frequency (i.e., number of typhoons) and intensity (average and maximum windspeeds) of typhoons across the Western Pacific north of the Equator, based on data characterizing tracks for 1673 typhoons from the Japan Meteorological Center. The data presented are aggregated and resampled to 0.2° (~22 km at the Equator) spatial resolution; temporal coverage extends 1951 – 2014. We also present data specifically for prior to 1980 and after 1999, to respond to questions related to climate change, although no major changes were evident between the time periods

Anticipation of coincidence in baseball players

20 players from Pacific University\u27s baseball team were tested on the Bassin Anticipation Timer to determine if anticipation of coincidence as measured by the Bassin correlates to actual hitting tendencies. Bassin results indicate a non-significant correlation exists between actual batting performance and performance expected from Bassin testing. The Bassin triggering device was also held in three different positions to better mimic bat handling. Analysis indicated that the location and manner in which the trigger device is held and pressed makes no statistically significant difference. However, a significant correlation did exist between Bassin performance and strike percentage. Evidence in this study suggests a new manner in which the Bassin Anticipation Timer may be employed to study, and perhaps improve, baseball players\u27 batting

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Efficacy for Reducing Recidivism Rates of Moderate- and High-Risk Sexual Offenders: A Scoping Systematic Literature Review

Published ArticleThis literature scoping review compared recidivism rates of moderate- and highrisk sexual offenders who received cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) oriented treatments. Ten empirical studies from 2001 to 2014 were selected for review that met the following criteria: (a) Treatment program included a CBT-based intervention with a comparative intervention; (b) participants included adult, male, moderate- and high-risk sexual offenders only; and (c) follow-up data for up to 12 months. Data were analyzed using a summative metric for recidivism rate comparisons (N = 3,073 for CBT and N = 3,588, for comparison approaches). Sexual offense recidivism rates varied from 0.6% to 21.8% (with CBT) and from 4.5% to 32.3% (with comparison intervention). The within-sample median rate of violent recidivism with a history of sexual offense was 21.1% (with CBT) versus 32.6% (comparison). Sexual offenders had a general felonies (within-sample) median recidivism rate of 27.05% (with CBT) versus 51.05% (comparison). The evidence supports the conclusion that CBT in its various forms is an efficacious treatment modality to prevent offense recidivism by sexual offenders. Suggestions for future research are considered

GAMBARAN HISTOPATOLOGI GINJAL TIKUS PUTIH (Rattus norvegicus) JANTAN YANG DIBERI INFUSA PARE LOKAL PULAU TIMOR

Some of the chemical compounds in bitter melon fruit that acts as infertility for males, namely saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and triterpenoids were able to reduce the number of spermatogenic cells. Renal excretory function in carrying out this gets tough task, because almost 25% of all blood flow to the two kidneys. The amount of blood flow to the kidney causes renal exposure to the material circulating in the circulation system is quite high, so that the toxic material will easily cause damage to the kidney tissue. This study aimed to determine the effect of dose delivery infusion of local bitter melon fruit on the island of Timor, East Nusa Tenggara against renal histopathology description of male white rat (Rattus norvegicus). The study was conducted in the 2 treatment groups, namely (P1) bitter melon infusion at a dose of 1250 mg/kgBB/day and (P2) bitter melon infusion at a dose of 2500 mg/kgBB/day. Each treatment group consisted of 6 rats administered for 48 days. Microscopic changes that occur in the kidneys of mice include glomerular congestion, atrophy of the glomerulus, tubular hemorrhage, necrosis of the tubules are composed of cells piknosis, Karyorrhexis cells, karyolysis cells and tubular protein deposits. The average glomerular damage and kidney tubules was higher in treatment P2 than P1 which indicates the ravages caused by high dose bitter melon infusion given to the treatment group P1 and P2 so that the chemical substances to be excessive and toxic, accumulate in the kidneys and cause damage to the kidney

Cross Cultural Indicators of Independent Learning in Young Children: A Jordanian Case

Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2016. This study attempts to explore the level of Independent Learning (IL) amongst a sample of Jordanian preschoolers. Behaviors of sixty preschool children aged 5-6 years old were observed and rated by their teachers against an Arabic version of the Children\u27s Independent Learning Development (CHILD 3-5) observational instrument to explore the independent learning among young children according to their gender, engagement level, parental education and the size of their families. The results illustrated that preschoolers may show some aspects of behaviors particularly those related to pro-social and cognitive areas. It also indicated that children from high educated environments demonstrated IL behaviors more than those coming from low educated environments. Finally, children coming from larger family size showed less IL behaviors than those coming from smaller ones. Results and implications are discussed