Deployable Payloads with Starbug

We explore the range of wide field multi-object instrument concepts taking advantage of the unique capabilities of the Starbug focal plane positioning concept. Advances to familiar instrument concepts, such as fiber positioners and deployable fiber-fed IFUs, are discussed along with image relays and deployable active sensors. We conceive deployable payloads as components of systems more traditionally regarded as part of telescope systems rather than instruments - such as adaptive optics and ADCs. Also presented are some of the opportunities offered by the truly unique capabilities of Starbug, such as microtracking to apply intra-field distortion correction during the course of an observation.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, to be published in Proc. SPIE 6273 "Opto-Mechanical Technologies for Astronomy

Rcf1 and Rcf2, Members of the Hypoxia-induced Gene 1 Protein Family, Are Critical Components of the Mitochondrial Cytochrome bc1-cytochrome Oxidase Supercomplex

We report that Rcf1 (formerly Aim31), a member of the conserved hypoxia-induced gene 1 (Hig1) protein family, represents a novel component of the yeast cytochrome bc1-cytochrome c oxidase (COX) supercomplex. Rcf1 (respiratory supercomplex factor 1) partitions with the COX complex, and evidence that it may act as a bridge to the cytochrome bc1 complex is presented. Rcf1 interacts with the Cox3 subunit and can do so prior to their assembly into the COX complex. A close proximity of Rcf1 and members of the ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) family was also established. Rcf1 displays overlapping function with another Hig1-related protein, Rcf2 (formerly Aim38), and their joint presence is required for optimal COX enzyme activity and the correct assembly of the cytochrome bc1-COX supercomplex. Rcf1 and Rcf2 can independently associate with the cytochrome bc1-COX supercomplex, indicating that at least two forms of this supercomplex exist within mitochondria. We provide evidence that the association with the cytochrome bc1-COX supercomplex and regulation of the COX complex are a conserved feature of Hig1 family members. Based on our findings, we propose a model where the Hig1 proteins regulate the COX enzyme activity through Cox3 and associated Cox12 protein, in a manner that may be influenced by the neighboring AAC proteins

Assessments All the Way Down

The role of assessments is getting attention throughout legal education. A growing acceptance of the Graduate Record Examination (“GRE”) as an alternative to the Law School Aptitude Test (“LSAT”) and its incorporation into the U.S. News & World Report (“USN&WR”) law school rankings opened the door to changes in who is going to law school and how they are recruited. At the other end of students’ journey through legal education, the discussion of recent graduates’ bar exam performance – linked by some to declining LSAT scores of entering students – raised questions about the design of bar exams as well as about law schools’ preparation of graduates for the bar. In between, the American Bar Association’s incorporation of assessment into its accreditation process spurred growing interest in how law schools conduct assessments and is prompting changes in how legal educators evaluate students. In this article, we begin with the issues raised by the GRE’s appearance as an alternate pathway. Next, we set out assessment principles likely to influence future conversations in the legal academy. Then we look at how the bar results discussion connects to improving assessment strategies. Finally, we conclude with speculation about what this all means

Soybean Nutrient Needs

Maintaining a fertile growing environment is a risk management strategy that produces higher yield and healthier plants that better manage stress. This publication outlines crop nutrient removal rates, foliar fertilization and the influence of soil fertility on plant health.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/extension_ag_pubs/1191/thumbnail.jp

Mediators of the relationship between depression and alcohol-related harm: The role of alexithymia, impulsivity and negative reinforcement outcome expectancies

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of alcohol misuse on college campuses is a considerable problem. Depression is commonly found to be related to increases in alcohol related harm; however, not frequently found to be directly related to increases in alcohol use. This pattern suggests that there are factors related to depression that exaggerate alcohol problems other than the association between depression and the amount of alcohol used. This study examined the relationship between depression and alcohol related harm in college binge drinkers, focusing on emotional, behavioral, and cognitive variables believed to mediate the association. The roles of alexithymia, impulsivity, and negative expectancies of alcohol were specifically examined as potential mediators. Methods: This data was a subset of a larger study that examined college students who had broken the universities dry campus policy and were referred to an alcohol skills training program (n = 373). This subset was among those who completed all measures of interest (n = 198). Demographics were age (m = 18.92, sd = 1.029), freshman (63.6%, n = 126), male (61.6%, n = 122), White (92.4%, n = 183). Results: With regards various measures of alcohol related harm, a multiple mediation analysis revealed that a paths from depression to the mediators were significantly related; however, only negative expectancies mediated the relationship between depression and alcohol related harm. Discussion and Conclusion: These results emphasis the important role expectancies play in alcohol related harm, and provides support for the importance of monitoring expectancies of binge drinkers as part of intervention efforts. Scientific Significance: The findings contribute to the existing body of literature on the relationship between depression and alcohol related harm, and alcohol related harm in college students

Investigation of Acuros XB radiotherapy dose calculation algorithm

An important part of the radiotherapy process is the calculation of radiation dose deposition for individual patients. Accurate dose calculation provides a foundation for accurate dose prescription and reporting in radiation therapy. Several classes of radiation dose calculation algorithms exist. Some commonly used superposition-convolution algorithms are Collapsed Cone Convolution (CCC) (Philips Radiation Oncology Systems, Fitchburg, WI ) and Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA). Recently, Varian has introduced a new algorithm, Acuros XB, which solves the Linear Boltzmann Transport Equation (LBTE). This study assesses the accuracy of dose calculations performed with Acuros. In this study, a Monte Carlo model was created using the EGSnrc family of Monte Carlo code, in order to run Monte Carlo simulations. A Monte Carlo simulation involves simulating particle transport directly and is considered to be the gold standard in radiotherapy dose calculations. The Monte Carlo model is used to assess the accuracy of Acuros XB. In simple slab geometry, Acuros XB outperforms AAA when compared to Monte Carlo calculations and to measurements. Acuros XB and AAA show a dfference of -0.06 (+-) 0.13% and +0.6 (+-) 0.18% respectively, compared to measured doses distal to lung slabs of various thicknesses. Tests described in TecDoc 1583 [Vatnitsky and International Atomic Energy Agency, 2008] were used to validate Acuros and AAA calculations on a simple anthropomorphic phantom. Averaged over all TecDoc 1583 test cases and measurement points, AAA calculated dose 0.4 0.4% higher than measured, while Acuros calculated dose 0.2 (+-) 0.2% lower than measured. Calculations were made with Acuros, AAA and CCC for plans with small fields on Computed Tomography (CT) image sets of SBRT patients. The calculations were compared with Monte Carlo calculated dose. Acuros showed marginally better agreement with Monte Carlo than the other algorithms, for the patient plans and datasets used in this study. For a slice through the target volume of each plan, Acuros, AAA and CCC had a 98.0%, 97.8% and 96.7% gamma metric pass rate compared to Monte Carlo calculated dose, using the 2%, 2 mm gamma criteria.Thesis (MPhil) -- University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, 201

The Use of NASA near Real-time and Archived Satellite Data to Support Disaster Assessment

With support from a NASA's Applied Sciences Program, The Shortterm Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center has explored a variety of techniques for utilizing archived and near realtime NASA satellite data to support disaster assessment activities. MODIS data from the NASA Land Atmosphere Near Realtime Capability for EOS currently provides true color and other imagery for assessment and potential applications including, but not limited to, flooding, fires, and tornadoes. In May 2013, the SPoRT Center developed unique power outage composites using the VIIRS Day/Night Band to represent the first clear sky view of damage inflicted upon Moore and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma following the devastating EF5 tornado that occurred on May 20. Preevent imagery provided by the NASA funded WebEnabled Landsat Data project offer a basis of comparison for monitoring post-disaster recovery efforts. Techniques have also been developed to generate products from higher resolution imagery from the recently available International Space Station SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System instrument. Of paramount importance is to deliver these products to end users expeditiously and in formats compatible with Decision Support Systems (DSS). Delivery techniques include a Tile Map Service (TMS) and a Web Mapping Service (WMS). These mechanisms allow easy integration of satellite products into DSS's, including the National Weather Service's Damage Assessment Toolkit for use by personnel conducting damage surveys. This poster will present an overview of the developed techniques and products and compare the strengths and weaknesses of the TMS and WMS