Coffee inventory through orbital imagery

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Optical spectroscopy of Nd3+ ions in a nanostructured glass matrix

This paper presents the optical characterization of Nd3+ ions in nanostructured SiO2-Na2CO3-Al2O3-B2O3 (SNAB) CdS glass, synthesized by fusion. Radiative properties of the glass were determined by absorption, luminescence spectroscopy and lifetime measurements. Nd3+ emission enhancement and quenching were investigated in the presence of CdS nanocrystals. Nd3+-emission quenching was attributed to upconversion mechanisms and nonradiative processes such as multiphonon decay and energy transfer, while the Nd3+-emission enhancement was due to energy transfer from the CdS nanocrystals. Changes in the chemical environment around CdS nanocrystals were also confirmed by Judd-Ofelt calculations.CNPqFAPEMIGCAPE

Thermal diffusivity of a SNAB glass system doped with CdS nanocrystals and Nd3+

This work reports on the thermal diffusivity of the SiO2-Na2CO3-B2O3-Al2O3 (SNAB) glass system doped with semiconductor nanocrystals of CdS and Nd3+ ions. Thermal diffusivity (D) was obtained by the Thermal Lens technique. It is shown that D decreases up to 30% when SNAB is doped with CdS nanocrystals. The effect is discussed in terms of heat transport by phonons as well as interface and surface scattering.CAPESFAPEMIGCNP

Investigation in SrTi'O IND.3'-CaTi'O IND.3'-PbTi'O IND.3' ternary thin films by dielectric proprieties and Raman spectroscopy

Dielectric and Raman scattering experiments were performed on polycrystalline Pb1−x−yCaxSryTiO3 thin films as a function of temperature. Temperature-dependent dielectric measurements revealed a decreasing ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transition temperature and peak dielectric permittivity showed a broad phase transition near room temperature with increasing levels of CaO12 and SrO12 clusters. Therefore, for higher levels of substitution, the possible random position of the CaO12 and SrO12 clusters leads to a diffuse state. At 100 kHz, the ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transition temperatures were 633, 495 and 206 K for PCST90 (Pb0.90Ca0.05Sr0.05TiO3), PCST70 (Pb0.70Ca0.15Sr0.15TiO3) and PCST30 (Pb0.30Ca0.35Sr0.35TiO3) thin films, respectively. The evolution of the Raman spectra was also studied as a function of temperature. The temperature dependence of the E(1TO) soft mode frequencies was used to characterize the phase transition. Raman peaks were observed above the ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transition temperature, although all optical modes should be inactive in Raman scattering. The origin of these modes was interpreted as a breakdown of the local cubic symmetry by the random distribution of CaO12 and SrO12 clusters.CNPqCAPESFAPESP/CEPID (06/53926-4)FAPESP/CEPID (08/53515-7)FAPESP/CEPID (06/51640-6

Citizens AND HYdrology (CANDHY): conceptualizing a transdisciplinary framework for citizen science addressing hydrological challenges

Widely available digital technologies are empowering citizens who are increasingly well informed and involved in numerous water, climate, and environmental challenges. Citizen science can serve many different purposes, from the "pleasure of doing science" to complementing observations, increasing scientific literacy, and supporting collaborative behaviour to solve specific water management problems. Still, procedures on how to incorporate citizens' knowledge effectively to inform policy and decision-making are lagging behind. Moreover, general conceptual frameworks are unavailable, preventing the widespread uptake of citizen science approaches for more participatory cross-sectorial water governance. In this work, we identify the shared constituents, interfaces, and interlinkages between hydrological sciences and other academic and non-academic disciplines in addressing water issues. Our goal is to conceptualize a transdisciplinary framework for valuing citizen science and advancing the hydrological sciences. Joint efforts between hydrological, computer, and social sciences are envisaged for integrating human sensing and behavioural mechanisms into the framework. Expanding opportunities of online communities complement the fundamental value of on-site surveying and indigenous knowledge. This work is promoted by the Citizens AND HYdrology (CANDHY) Working Group established by the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS)

Sleep-effects on implicit and explicit memory in repeated visual search

In repeated visual search tasks, facilitation of reaction times (RTs) due to repetition of the spatial arrangement of items occurs independently of RT facilitation due to improvements in general task performance. Whereas the latter represents typical procedural learning, the former is a kind of implicit memory that depends on the medial temporal lobe (MTL) memory system and is impaired in patients with amnesia. A third type of memory that develops during visual search is the observers’ explicit knowledge of repeated displays. Here, we used a visual search task to investigate whether procedural memory, implicit contextual cueing, and explicit knowledge of repeated configurations, which all arise independently from the same set of stimuli, are influenced by sleep. Observers participated in two experimental sessions, separated by either a nap or a controlled rest period. In each of the two sessions, they performed a visual search task in combination with an explicit recognition task. We found that (1) across sessions, MTL-independent procedural learning was more pronounced for the nap than rest group. This confirms earlier findings, albeit from different motor and perceptual tasks, showing that procedural memory can benefit from sleep. (2) Likewise, the sleep group compared with the rest group showed enhanced context-dependent configural learning in the second session. This is a novel finding, indicating that the MTL-dependent, implicit memory underlying contextual cueing is also sleep-dependent. (3) By contrast, sleep and wake groups displayed equivalent improvements in explicit recognition memory in the second session. Overall, the current study shows that sleep affects MTL-dependent as well as MTL-independent memory, but it affects different, albeit simultaneously acquired, forms of MTL-dependent memory differentially

Influence of crystal field potential on the spectroscopic parameters of\ud SiO2.B2O3.PbO glass doped with Nd2O3

This paper presents the optical characteristics of Nd3+ silicate glass (SiO2-B2O3-PbO), synthesized by the fusion method. Two sets of samples were prepared: glass and corresponding glass ceramics. Optical absorption, luminescence, Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements were performed in order to determine the structural properties of the systems and the radiative characteristics of Nd3+ ions. Near infrared luminescence exhibited typical Nd3+ bands. Raman and AFM measurements indicated nanocrystal growth with thermal treatment of the glass ceramics. Judd-Ofelt calculations also confirmed that heat treatment induced structural rearrangement of the samples that was dependent on Nd2O3 concentration. This resulted in changes in the optical and physical properties of the samples, including stimulated emission cross section and rigidity.CNPqFAPEMIGCAPE

'Eu POT.3+' photoluminescence enhancement due to thermal energy transfer in 'Eu IND.2''O IND.3'-doped Si'O IND.2'-'B IND.2''O IND.3'-Pb'O IND.2' glasses system

In this work, Eu3+-doped lead borosilicate glasses (SiO2-B2O3-PbO2) synthesized by fusion method had their optical properties investigated as a function of temperature. Atomic Force Microscopy images obtained for a glass matrix annealed at 350 and 500 °C show a precipitated crystalline phase with sizes 11 and 21 nm, respectively. Besides, as the temperature increases from 350 to 300 K a strong Eu3+ photoluminescence (PL) enhancement takes place. This anomalous feature is attributed to the thermally activated carrier transfer process from nanocrystals and charged intrinsic defects states to Eu3+ energy levels. In addition, the PL peaks in this temperature range were assigned to the Eu3+ transitions 5D0→7F2, at 612 nm, 5D0→7F1, at 595 nm, and 5D0→7F0, at 585 nm. It was also observed that the 5D0→7F3 and 5D0→7F4 PL bands at 655 and 700 nm, respectively, show a continuous decrease in intensity as the temperature increases.CAPESMCT/CNPqFAPEMI

A SRY-HMG box frame shift mutation inherited from a mosaic father with a mild form of testicular dysgenesis syndrome in Turner syndrome patient

Background: Sex determining factor (SRY) located on the short arm of the Y chromosome, plays an important role in initiating male sex determination, resulting in development of testicular tissue. Presence of the SRY gene in females results in XY sex reversal and increased risk of gonadal germ cell tumours if the karyotype also includes the so-called GonadoBlastoma on the Y chromosome (GBY) region. The majority of mutations within the SRY gene are de novo affecting only a single individual in the family. The mutations within the high-mobility group (HMG) region have the potential to affect its DNA binding activity.Case Presentation: We performed G- and R-banding cytogenetic analysis of the patient and her family members including her father. We also performed molecular genetic analysis of SRY gene. Cytogenetic analysis in the patient (Turner Syndrome) revealed the mosaic karyotype as 45, X/46, XY (79%/21% respectively) while her father (milder features with testicular dysgenesis syndrome) has a normal male karyotype (46, XY). Using molecular approach, we screened the patient and her father for mutations in the SRY gene. Both patient and her father showed the same deletion of cytosine within HMG box resulting in frame shift mutation (L94fsX180), the father in a mosaic pattern. Histological examination of the gonads from the patient revealed the presence of gonadoblastoma formation, while the father presented with oligoasthenozoospermia and a testicular seminoma. The frameshift mutation at this codon is novel, and may result in a mutated SRY protein.Conclusion: Our results suggest that lack of a second sex chromosome in majority cells of the patient may have triggered the short stature and primary infertility, and the mutated SRY protein may be associated with the development of gonadoblastoma. It is of importance to note that mosaic patients without a SRY mutation also have a risk for malignant germ cell tumors

Development of a Boston-area 50-km fiber quantum network testbed

Distributing quantum information between remote systems will necessitate the integration of emerging quantum components with existing communication infrastructure. This requires understanding the channel-induced degradations of the transmitted quantum signals, beyond the typical characterization methods for classical communication systems. Here we report on a comprehensive characterization of a Boston-Area Quantum Network (BARQNET) telecom fiber testbed, measuring the time-of-flight, polarization, and phase noise imparted on transmitted signals. We further design and demonstrate a compensation system that is both resilient to these noise sources and compatible with integration of emerging quantum memory components on the deployed link. These results have utility for future work on the BARQNET as well as other quantum network testbeds in development, enabling near-term quantum networking demonstrations and informing what areas of technology development will be most impactful in advancing future system capabilities.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures + Supplemental Material