10,887 research outputs found
DI in the outer Galaxy
We report on a deep search with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope
towards the galactic anticenter for the 327 MHz hyperfine transition of DI.
This is a favorable direction for a search because: (i) the HI optical depth is
high due to velocity crowding; (ii) the observed molecular column density is
low (implying that most of the deuterium would probably be in atomic form,
rather than in HD); and (iii) the stellar reprocessing should be minimal.
Our observations are about a factor of two more sensitive than previous
searches for DI in this direction. We detect a low significance (about 4 sigma)
feature, consistent in both amplitude and center frequency with an emission
feature reported previously (Blitz & Heiles 1987). If this is the DI line, then
the implied N_D/N_H of 3.9+/-1.0 x 10^-5 is comparable to the inferred
pre-solar deuterium abundance. Our observation is consistent with the recent
low measurements of D/H towards high-redshift Lyman-limit systems. On the other
hand, if the reports of high DI abundance (about 24 x 10^-5) in such systems
are confirmed, then our observations imply that even in regions of reduced star
formation within the outer Galaxy, the DI abundance has been reduced by a
factor of about 6 from the primordial abundance.Comment: 4 page LaTeX requires l-aa.sty and psfig.sty, 1 ps figure. Accepted
for publication in A&A Letter
Recruiting hard-to-reach populations to physical activity studies : evidence and experiences
Most researchers who are conducting research with a public health focus face difficulties in recruiting the segments of the population that they really want to reach. This symposium presented evidence and experiences on recruiting participants to physical activity research, including both epidemiological and intervention based studies. Results from a systematic review of recruitment strategies suggested that we know little about how best to recruit and highlighted the need for researchers to report this in more detail, including metrics of reach into the target population such as number, proportion, and representativeness of participants. Specific strategies used to optimise responses to a population-based mail survey were presented such as study promotion, survey design, multiple mailings, and personal engagement. Finally, using place based recruiting via schools or places of worship to target ethnic minority youth were discussed. Overall the symposium presenters suggested that we need to learn more about how best to recruit participants, in particular those typically under-represented, and that researchers need to apportion a similar amount of planning effort to their recruitment strategies as they do the their research design. Finally we made a plea for researchers to report their recruitment processes in detail
A Technique for Correlative Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy of Individual Human Placental Villi: An Example Demonstrating Syncytial Sprouts in Early Gestation
Correlating the surface appearances of certain features with their internal structure is made particularly difficult in the human placenta by the complex three-dimensional branching pattern of the villous tree. This places a possible limitation on the use of the scanning electron microscope in this field, both for basic research purposes and as a tool in pathological diagnosis. To help overcome this problem, a technique for handling individual placental villi has been devised. By attaching single villi to glass pipette tips it has proved possible to scan the villi, embed them in resin and then section them in a known pre-determined orientation. Exact correlations between the surface appearances and the internal structure, as seen with either the light or transmission electron microscope, can then be drawn. This paper describes the technique and, using an example based on syncytial sprouts in early pregnancy, illustrates the precision afforded by the method
Building an Argument for the Use of Science Fiction in HCI Education
Science fiction literature, comics, cartoons and, in particular, audio-visual
materials, such as science fiction movies and shows, can be a valuable addition
in Human-computer interaction (HCI) Education. In this paper, we present an
overview of research relative to future directions in HCI Education, distinct
crossings of science fiction in HCI and Computer Science teaching and the
Framework for 21st Century Learning. Next, we provide examples where science
fiction can add to the future of HCI Education. In particular, we argue herein
first that science fiction, as tangible and intangible cultural artifact, can
serve as a trigger for creativity and innovation and thus, support us in
exploring the design space. Second, science fiction, as a means to analyze
yet-to-come HCI technologies, can assist us in developing an open-minded and
reflective dialogue about technological futures, thus creating a singular base
for critical thinking and problem solving. Provided that one is cognizant of
its potential and limitations, we reason that science fiction can be a
meaningful extension of selected aspects of HCI curricula and research.Comment: 6 pages, 1 table, IHSI 2019 accepted submissio
Novel continuum modeling of crystal surface evolution
We propose a novel approach to continuum modeling of the dynamics of crystal
surfaces. Our model follows the evolution of an ensemble of step
configurations, which are consistent with the macroscopic surface profile.
Contrary to the usual approach where the continuum limit is achieved when
typical surface features consist of many steps, our continuum limit is
approached when the number of step configurations of the ensemble is very
large. The model can handle singular surface structures such as corners and
facets. It has a clear computational advantage over discrete models.Comment: 4 pages, 3 postscript figure
Potential Vorticity Evolution of a Protoplanetary Disk with An Embedded Protoplanet
We present two-dimensional inviscid hydrodynamic simulations of a
protoplanetary disk with an embedded planet, emphasizing the evolution of
potential vorticity (the ratio of vorticity to density) and its dependence on
numerical resolutions. By analyzing the structure of spiral shocks made by the
planet, we show that progressive changes of the potential vorticity caused by
spiral shocks ultimately lead to the excitation of a secondary instability. We
also demonstrate that very high numerical resolution is required to both follow
the potential vorticity changes and identify the location where the secondary
instability is first excited. Low-resolution results are shown to give the
wrong location. We establish the robustness of a secondary instability and its
impact on the torque onto the planet. After the saturation of the instability,
the disk shows large-scale non-axisymmetry, causing the torque on the planet to
oscillate with large amplitude. The impact of the oscillating torque on the
protoplanet's migration remains to be investigated.Comment: 17 pages total with 9 figures (Fig.4,5,9 are in .jpg), accepted to
Ap
Spiral Evolution in a Confined Geometry
Supported nanoscale lead crystallites with a step emerging from a
non-centered screw dislocation on the circular top facet were prepared by rapid
cooling from just above the melting temperature. STM observations of the top
facet show a nonuniform rotation rate and shape of the spiral step as the
crystallite relaxes. These features can be accurately modeled using curvature
driven dynamics, as in classical models of spiral growth, with boundary
conditions fixing the dislocation core and regions of the step lying along the
outer facet edge.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Physical Review Letter
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