Effects of vibrational excitation on the F + H2O → HF + OH reaction: dissociative photodetachment of overtone-excited [F-H-OH].

The reaction F + H2O → HF + OH is a four-atom system that provides an important benchmark for reaction dynamics. Hydrogen atom transfer at the transition state for this reaction is expected to exhibit a strong dependence on reactant vibrational excitation. In the present study, the vibrational effects are examined by photodetachment of vibrationally excited F-(H2O) precursor anions using photoelectron-photofragment coincidence (PPC) spectroscopy and compared with full six-dimensional quantum dynamical calculations on ab initio potential energy surfaces. Prior to photodetachment at hνUV = 4.80 eV, the overtone of the ionic hydrogen bond mode in the precursor F-(H2O), 2νIHB at 2885 cm-1, was excited using a tunable IR laser. Experiment and theory show that vibrational energy in the anion can be effectively carried away by the photoelectron upon a Franck-Condon photodetachment, and also show evidence for an increase of branching into the F + H2O reactant channel. The experimental results suggest a greater role for product rotational excitation than theory. Improved potential energy surfaces and longer wavepacket propagation times would be helpful to further examine the nature of the discrepancy

Aprendizaje Basado en Tareas y Suficiencia de Inglés en una Universidad de Negocios

This project adds to the growing body of empirical research focusing on the effects of task-based learning (TBL) on second language acquisition. Through the design and implementation of two business English case studies, in which learning was scaffolded through a sequence of tasks, the authors argue that a TBL approach to language teaching more effectively engages students and promotes greater oral language proficiency than traditional approaches. The authors argue that guiding students to utilise and combine their existing knowledge and skills with vocabulary and structures presented in class to solve case study problems has the potential to result in greater student confidence and, subsequently, greater language proficiency. Nevertheless, various factors can significantly reduce the successfulness of TBL in this context, including disparate learner profiles in cultural and business knowledge, life experiences, motivation, as well as constraints in terms of time and institutional assessment.Este proyecto se suma a un significativo número de investigaciones empíricas, centrándose en los efectos del aprendizaje basado en tareas (TBL) en el proceso de adquisición de una segunda lengua. Mediante el diseño e implementación de dos estudios de caso en las clases de inglés de negocios, en las que el aprendizaje fue escalonado a través de una secuencia de tareas. Las autoras sostienen que el enfoque de aprendizaje basado en tareas involucra de manera efectiva a los estudiantes en el aprendizaje del idioma y promueve una mayor competencia del lenguaje oral que los enfoques tradicionales. Las autoras afirman que el guiar a los estudiantes en el uso y combinación de sus habilidades y conocimiento existente con el vocabulario y las estructuras presentadas en clase para resolver problemas de estudio de caso contribuyen a que el estudiante tenga mayor confianza y posteriormente un mayor dominio del idioma. Sin embargo, diferentes factores pueden reducir significativamente el éxito del aprendizaje basado en tareas en este contexto, incluyendo los diversos perfiles de los estudiantes en relación al conocimiento cultural y empresarial, experiencias, motivaciones, así como las limitaciones en términos de tiempo y evaluación institucional

Integrating research and teaching for data curation in iSchools

The quickly changing nature of information science and technology creates unique and remarkable challenges in terms of developing curriculum focused on building data competencies. Faculties responsible for teaching current developments in information studies have the unique burden of needing to continuously update our curricula without sacrificing our broader teaching goals. This panel features diverse perspectives on teaching data curation skills in five US‐based schools of information at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Panelists will present their unique perspectives on pedagogical approaches in courses dedicated to data curation, digital preservation, description and access standards, as well as data access and interchange. Topics introduced will range from flipped classroom techniques, finding messy datasets, common pitfalls, hands‐on labs, cloud based tools, data carpentry labs, and sequencing learning objectives to match stages of the data life cycle. This panel will give ASIST conference participants an opportunity to see a range of junior faculty, each with IMLS funded research projects related to data curation, share their experiences of teaching data competencies in the classroom.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163368/2/pra2285.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163368/1/pra2285_am.pd

Limited evolution of West Nile virus has occurred during its southwesterly spread in the United States

AbstractAnalysis of partial nucleotide sequences of nine West Nile virus strains isolated in southeast Texas during June–August 2002 revealed a maximum of 0.35% nucleotide variation from a New York 1999 strain. Two sequence subtypes were identified that differed from each other by approximately 0.5%, suggesting multiple introductions of virus to this area. Analysis of sequences from cloned PCR products for one strain revealed up to 0.6% divergence from the consensus sequence at the subpopulation level. The presence of unique patterns of small numbers of mutations in North American West Nile strains studied to date may suggest the absence of a strong selective pressure to drive the emergence of dominant variants

Cohort profile: Working age adults accessing secondary mental healthcare services in South London (UK) and benefits – A data linkage of electronic mental healthcare records and benefits data

Objectives To present an overview of a cohort of working age adults accessing secondary mental healthcare services and benefits related to unemployment, sickness, disability, or income support and describe the different benefit types received across diagnostic and sociodemographic groups. Methods Using a novel data linkage containing electronic secondary mental health care records from the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust and benefits data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), we present descriptive statistics on a cohort of working age adults. The data window covers the period January 2007-June 2020. Results We identified n=150,348 patients of working age (18-65 years), who had attended SLaM secondary mental health care services, 78.3% of which had received a benefit relating to unemployment, sickness, disability, or income support. Of this group, 68% had a recorded primary psychiatric diagnosis. We found that a much higher percentage of those with a primary psychiatric diagnosis received more than one benefit (69.4%) compared to those who had not received a primary psychiatric diagnosis (30.6%). Conclusions We showed types of benefits received among working age adults accessing secondary mental health care services. This cohort will be further examined to explore trajectories of mental health care and benefit receipt and provide evidence that will help to inform both DWP policies and mental health care delivery

Nitrous Oxide Dynamics in the Siberian Arctic Ocean and Vulnerability to Climate Change

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a strong greenhouse gas and stratospheric ozone-depleting substance. Around 20% of global emissions stem from the ocean, but current estimates and future projections are uncertain due to poor spatial coverage over large areas and limited understanding of drivers of N2O dynamics. Here, we focus on the extensive and particularly data-lean Arctic Ocean shelves north of Siberia that experience rapid warming and increasing input of land-derived nitrogen with permafrost thaw. We combine water column N2O measurements from two expeditions with on-board incubation of intact sediment cores to assess N2O dynamics and the impact of land-derived nitrogen. Elevated nitrogen concentrations in water column and sediments were observed near large river mouths. Concentrations of N2O were only weakly correlated with dissolved nitrogen and turbidity, reflecting particulate matter from rivers and coastal erosion, and correlations varied between river plumes. Surface water N2O concentrations were on average close to equilibrium with the atmosphere, but varied widely (N2O saturation 38%–180%), indicating strong local N2O sources and sinks. Water column N2O profiles and low sediment-water N2O fluxes do not support strong sedimentary sources or sinks. We suggest that N2O dynamics in the region are influenced by water column N2O consumption under aerobic conditions or in anoxic microsites of particles, and possibly also by water column N2O production. Changes in biogeochemical and physical conditions will likely alter N2O dynamics in the Siberian Arctic Ocean over the coming decades, in addition to reduced N2O solubility in a warmer ocean.publishedVersio

Looking deep into the Rosette Nebula's heart : the (sub)stellar content of the massive young cluster NGC 2244

A.S.'s work is supported by the STFC grant No. ST/R000824/1.As part of the ongoing effort to characterize the low-mass (sub)stellar population in a sample of massive young clusters, we have targeted the ~2 Myr old cluster NGC 2244. The distance to NGC 2244 from Gaia DR2 parallaxes is 1.59 kpc, with errors of 1% (statistical) and 11% (systematic). We used the Flamingos-2 near-infrared camera at the Gemini-South telescope for deep multi-band imaging of the central portion of the cluster (~2.4 pc2). We determined membership in a statistical manner, through a comparison of the cluster's color–magnitude diagram to that of a control field. Masses and extinctions of the candidate members are then calculated with the help of evolutionary models, leading to the first initial mass function (IMF) of the cluster extending into the substellar regime, with the 90% completeness limit around 0.02 M ⊙. The IMF is well represented by a broken power law (dN/dM ∝ M −α ) with a break at ~0.4 M ⊙. The slope on the high-mass side (0.4–7 M ⊙) is α = 2.12 ± 0.08, close to the standard Salpeter slope. In the low-mass range (0.02–0.4 M ⊙), we find a slope α = 1.03 ± 0.02, which is at the high end of the typical values obtained in nearby star-forming regions (α = 0.5–1.0), but still in agreement within the uncertainties. Our results reveal no clear evidence for variations in the formation efficiency of brown dwarfs (BDs) and very low-mass stars due to the presence of OB stars, or for a change in stellar densities. Our finding rules out photoevaporation and fragmentation of infalling filaments as substantial pathways for BD formation.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Augmented Reality for Railroad Operations Using Head-up Displays

693JJ6-18-C-000010A team from MIT\u2019s Human Systems Laboratory designed the locomotive HUD as a wide field of view augmented reality head-up display (AR-HUD). The technical feasibility of an AR-HUD was assessed through literature review and hardware tests. To study human factors issues, an AR-HUD prototype was designed, reviewed by experienced engineers, then implemented in the FRA Cab Technology Integration Laboratory simulator. The engineers\u2019 behavior was not significantly altered and using the AR-HUD reduced the time spent looking away from the forward view. Subjective feedback from the engineers confirmed the acceptability and potential benefit of using HUDs

Globetrotting strangles: the unbridled national and international transmission of Streptococcus equi between horses.

The equine disease strangles, which is characterized by the formation of abscesses in the lymph nodes of the head and neck, is one of the most frequently diagnosed infectious diseases of horses around the world. The causal agent, Streptococcus equi subspecies equi, establishes a persistent infection in approximately 10 % of animals that recover from the acute disease. Such 'carrier' animals appear healthy and are rarely identified during routine veterinary examinations pre-purchase or transit, but can transmit S. equi to naïve animals initiating new episodes of disease. Here, we report the analysis and visualization of phylogenomic and epidemiological data for 670 isolates of S. equi recovered from 19 different countries using a new core-genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) web bioresource. Genetic relationships among all 670 S. equi isolates were determined at high resolution, revealing national and international transmission events that drive this endemic disease in horse populations throughout the world. Our data argue for the recognition of the international importance of strangles by the Office International des Épizooties to highlight the health, welfare and economic cost of this disease. The Pathogenwatch cgMLST web bioresource described herein is available for tailored genomic analysis of populations of S. equi and its close relative S. equi subspecies zooepidemicus that are recovered from horses and other animals, including humans, throughout the world. This article contains data hosted by Microreact

The 16th Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys: First Release from the APOGEE-2 Southern Survey and Full Release of eBOSS Spectra

This paper documents the 16th data release (DR16) from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS), the fourth and penultimate from the fourth phase (SDSS-IV). This is the first release of data from the Southern Hemisphere survey of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2); new data from APOGEE-2 North are also included. DR16 is also notable as the final data release for the main cosmological program of the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS), and all raw and reduced spectra from that project are released here. DR16 also includes all the data from the Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey and new data from the SPectroscopic IDentification of ERosita Survey programs, both of which were co-observed on eBOSS plates. DR16 has no new data from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey (or the MaNGA Stellar Library "MaStar"). We also preview future SDSS-V operations (due to start in 2020), and summarize plans for the final SDSS-IV data release (DR17)