Thomson scattering above solar active regions and an ad-hoc polarization correction method for the emissive corona

Thomson scattered photospheric light is the dominant constituent of the lower solar corona's spectral continuum viewed off-limb at optical wavelengths. Known as the K-corona, it is also linearly polarized. We investigate the possibility of using the a priori polarized characteristics of the K-corona, together with polarized emission lines, to measure and correct instrument-induced polarized crosstalk. First, we derive the Stokes parameters of Thomson scattering of unpolarized light in an irreducible spherical tensor formalism. This allows forward synthesis of the Thomson scattered signal for the more complex scenario of symmetry-breaking features in the incident radiation field, which could limit the accuracy of our proposed technique. For this, we make use of an advanced 3D radiative magnetohydrodynamic coronal model. Together with synthesized polarized signals in the Fe XIII 10746 Angstrom emission line, we find that an ad hoc correction of telescope and instrument-induced polarization crosstalk is possible under the assumption of a non-depolarizing optical system.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Body of Knowledge for Health Administration Education: Teaching Epidemiology in the Age of Health Care Reform

As we embark on reforming the U.S. healthcare system, population-based healthcare is becoming even more important, and epidemiology is the basic science we will use to evaluate our effectiveness. Although recent research has shown that most undergraduate and graduate programs in health administration teach epidemiology courses in their curricula, the goals, objectives, and final content for such a course remain inconsistent across the programs. There are limited guiding principles (e.g., accreditation and certification criteria) on what health administration programs should expect of students studying epidemiology. To assess the similarities and differences in epidemiological content taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels, we systematically reviewed epidemiology content by querying those who teach this specific course via a national survey tool and syllabi obtained from programs. The purpose of this paper is to describe, for health administration programs, the (a) body of knowledge (i.e., content, principles) for a course in epidemiology taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels; and (b) perspectives of instructors regarding their approach in teaching epidemiology at the undergraduate or graduate level. This work will serve as a guide that can help educators when developing the competencies, goals, and objectives for epidemiology courses in their health administration programs