The Multi-Stage History of Mt. Sharp

The Curiosity rover is exploring Gale crater and Mt. Sharp, Gale's 5km high central mound. We are investigating the history of alteration and erosion of Mt. Sharp using orbital imagery, spectroscopy and rover observations. Our results suggest a significant time gap between emplacement of the upper and lower sections of the mound. Crater counts show that the lower mound was formed soon after Gale itself, and that it contains distinct units ranging in altitude from approximately 4,500 to 1,800 m. Spectral data suggest that many units contain phyllosilicates. We found that these claybearing rocks occur in distinct layers concentrated below 2,900 m. Parts of the lower mound exhibit a transition from clays to sulfates with increasing altitude. The lower mound shows evidence of flowing water, including canyons and inverted channels. Wind erosion produced kmscale yardangs and scalloped cliffs. Our mapping shows that many yardangs in the lower mound are claybearing, with a predominant orientation of around NS. Curiosity's groundlevel images show myriad finescale, mainly horizontal layers in the lower mound. The rover has found stream beds and conglomerates, indicating that water once flowed on the crater floor. Drilling near the deepest point in Gale produced abundant clay, providing additional evidence of aqueous alteration. Upper mound units range in altitude from 2,100 m to +500 m, and mantle the lower mound above an angular unconformity. Most upper mound units are composed of layers. The formation age of the upper mound is unknown, since few craters are preserved. Claybearing layers are detectable in several locations, mainly at altitudes near 2,000 m. There is no evidence of water flow, but wind erosion has scalloped the surfaces and edges of layers, and finescale yardangs are common. Correlations between yardangs and clay spectra are apparent only in the lowermost units of the upper mound. Yardang orientations vary, and include NS, NWSE, and NESW. Upper mound units resemble the planetwide Medusae Fossae formation, dated as Hesperian and argued to be composed of ignimbrites. Medusae Fossae layers are easily eroded by wind, and our mapping demonstrates their resemblance to upper mound finescale yardangs. The history of Mt. Sharp started with deposition and lithification of sediments shortly after crater formation. Some lower mound layers were partially altered to clays and sulfates, and water formed streams and canyons. Wind erosion of the lower mound produced largescale yardangs, particularly in clayrich layers, oriented generally NS. Upper mound units were emplaced following a considerable period of wind erosion. The absence of water flow on the upper mound suggests that these units were emplaced after atmospheric loss rendered water unstable at the surface. The shift in dominant wind direction, as indicated by yardang orientations, also argues for a time gap between erosion of the lower and upper mound. These observations are consistent with upper mound units being related to the Hesperian Medusae Fossae formation. During 2014 Curiosity is expected to reach the foot of Mt. Sharp and ascend through the clayrich layers, into the sulfaterich layers, and possibly past the interface with the upper mound. This will be a unique opportunity to field check geologic models on the surface of Mars

Senlis – Les Arènes

Identifiant de l'opération archéologique : 9147 Date de l'opération : 2007 (SD) En prévision du rejointoiement du mur dit du premier rang de circulation des arènes de Senlis, un sondage d’observation a été porté sur sa partie orientale. Ce mur s’élève sur environ un mètre de haut en une superposition lâche de pierres sèches équarries où alternent des grosses pierres de taille quadrangulaires. Déjà rien dans son aspect n’indique une structure véritablement construite avec une technique antique..

The Formation and Erosion History of Mt. Sharp

The Curiosity rover is exploring 155 km diameter Gale crater and Mt. Sharp, Gale's 5 km high central mound (Fig. 1). This study addresses the formation and erosion history of Mt. Sharp. Gale lies on the topographic dichotomy between the southern highlands and the northern plains - a drop of over 2 km [1,2]. Altitude differences between the north and south rim reflect this regional slope, as do altitude differences between the deep annulus north of Mt. Sharp and the southern crater floor. Orbiter and rover images demonstrate that most exposed areas on Mt. Sharp consist of thin, sub-parallel units interpreted as sedimentary layers [3]. Gale is typical of the 50 large martian craters that have been totally or partially filled with such layers [4,5]. In many craters these sediments have been deeply eroded. Central Peak and Peak Ring: The highest point on Mt. Sharp, near the crater's center, is interpreted as a central peak [6]. The peak has a massive lower portion and a thin, smooth capping deposit (Fig. 2). Gale's size is transitional between martian craters with single central peaks and craters with peak rings approximately half the crater's diameter [2,6]. The boundaries of Mt. Sharp, as well as an arc of hills to the southeast of the mountain, closely match a circle approximately 80 km in diameter (Fig. 3). This morphology suggests that the Gale impact may have formed both a central peak and a partial peak ring, which is covered by the sediments of Mt. Sharp in the north and possibly exposed in the arc of eroded hills in the southeast quadrant (Figs. 3,4)

The Gale Crater Mound in a Regional Geologic Setting: Comparison Study of Wind Erosion in Gale Crater and Within a 1000 KM Radius

Gale is a Late Noachian/Early Hesperian impact crater located on the dichotomy boundary separating the southern highlands and the northern lowlands of Mars. NASA's Curiosity Rover is currently exploring Gale, searching for evidence of habitability early in Mars history. With an approximate diameter of 155 km, and a approx. 5 km central mound informally titled Mt. Sharp, Gale represents a region of geologic interest due to the abundance of knowledge that can be derived, through its sedimentary deposits, pertaining to the environmental evolution of Mars. This study was undertaken to compare wind erosional features in Gale Crater and within sediments in a 1000 km radial area. The ultimate objective of this comparison was to determine if or how Gale relates to the surrounding region

Black Women Survive Breast Cancer with Community-Based Care

PURPOSE Community-based breast cancer support agencies who address non-medical, social determinants of health needs that serve as barriers to maximizing breast health outcomes may play a vital role in mitigating breast cancer mortality. They share a common emphasis on addressing social, economic, and psychological needs of breast cancer survivors and those at risk of breast cancer. This paper is third in a series of papers exploring why the rate of breast cancer mortality is two times higher for African American women than white women in Memphis. We sought insights from community-based breast cancer support agencies because they have a close-up view of circumstances and decision-making among women at risk of and surviving breast cancer, and a close view of primary care, surgical, and insurance environments impacting these women. METHODS For this qualitative descriptive research study, data were collected using semi-structured in-depth focus groups with five breast cancer support agencies in Memphis. Categories and patterns were established using thematic analysis and a deductive a priori template of codes. RESULTS The main themes identified within support agencies were barriers to the use of services, education, health system support, and emotional support. Numerous sub themes included medication costs, support group supplemental programming, eligibility for mobile services, patient/provider communication, optimism, and family advice. Procrastinating, fearfulness, insurance, childcare, and transportation were barriers to care. Support agencies noted that one unique barrier that African American women who live in underserved areas of Memphis face in maintaining breast health is poor physician’s office management; in fragmented health care systems, information and patients can be lost to follow-up. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS Community-based breast cancer support agencies, who focus on social determinants of health, play a critical role as connectors for women with breast cancer who live in medically underserved areas and must find their way within a fragmented medical system. GRANT SUPPORT This research was funded by the Tennessee Department of Health, grant number A17-1251

The Complex, Multi-Stage History of Mt. Sharp

The Curiosity rover is exploring 155 km diameter Gale crater and Mt. Sharp, Gale's 5 km high central mound. This study addresses the formation and erosion history of Mt. Shar

Exploring the experiences of being an ethnic minority student within undergraduate nurse education: A qualitative study

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: Students studying in a country where another language is spoken face multiple challenges including their ability to fully integrate with peers and academic pressures in trying to obtain an undergraduate nursing degree. The aim of the study was to explore the lived experiences of students, from varying cultural and ethnic backgrounds, undertaking an undergraduate nursing degree. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative design and eight individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were analysed using manifest content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman. Results: Students reported feelings of isolation and the lack of opportunities to integrate with native students within academia and practice. The need for personal support was a crucial factor that was independent of gender and students reported challenges related to both language and culture during the programme. Conclusions: Suggestions arising from this study includes appropriate support systems within academia and practice. It is imperative that universities and practice settings promote and integrate cultural awareness within academia and practice in meeting the needs of students and providing culturally appropriate nursing care, thereby providing opportunities for all students to become competent and professional practitioners

Contribution of Two-Dose Vaccination Toward the Reduction of COVID-19 Cases, ICU Hospitalizations and Deaths in Chile Assessed Through Explanatory Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape

ObjectivesTo assess the impact of the initial two-dose-schedule mass vaccination campaign in Chile toward reducing adverse epidemiological outcomes due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.MethodsPublicly available epidemiological data ranging from 3 February 2021 to 30 September 2021 were used to construct GAMLSS models that explain the beneficial effect of up to two doses of vaccination on the following COVID-19-related outcomes: new cases per day, daily active cases, daily occupied ICU beds and daily deaths.ResultsAdministered first and second vaccine doses, and the statistical interaction between the two, are strong, statistically significant predictors for COVID-19-related new cases per day (R2 = 0.847), daily active cases (R2 = 0.903), ICU hospitalizations (R2 = 0.767), and deaths (R2 = 0.827).ConclusionOur models stress the importance of completing vaccination schedules to reduce the adverse outcomes during the pandemic. Future work will continue to assess the influence of vaccines, including booster doses, as the pandemic progresses, and new variants emerge.Policy ImplicationsThis work highlights the importance of attaining full (two-dose) vaccination status and reinforces the notion that a second dose provides increased non-additive protection. The trends we observed may also support the inclusion of booster doses in vaccination plans. These insights could contribute to guiding other countries in their vaccination campaigns

Black nursing students: Strategies for academic success

Aim The purpose of this qualitative research study was to determine the strategies Black graduates of predominantly White education programs used to successfully complete their degrees. background As the United States becomes more culturally and racially diverse, nursing is being called upon to diversify its workforce. Efforts are being made to increase ethnic and racial minority students\u27 access to and rate of success in nursing education. This article focuses on strategies that helped Black nursing students excel and graduate. method Eighteen Black nursing graduates were interviewed in depth using an 18-item semistructured questionnaire. results Participants in this study established a daily plan of study, joined racially and ethnically diverse study groups, read the course content, and developed note cards to help them succeed in the nursing program. conclusion These findings have specific implications for Black students\u27 learning, retention, and progression in nursing education. Copyright © 2014 by National League for Nursing, Inc

Experiences of successful African American graduates in degree nursing programs in a southern state

Today minorities are not graduating from nursing programs in sufficient numbers. This study identified strategies used by successful African American graduates to complete schools with majority Caucasian American students. A qualitative research design with eighteen nursing graduates was used to examine participants' experiences in prior nursing programs and factors that contributed to their success or sincerely challenged them. Individual in-depth interviews and five re-interviews were used to collect data. Categories and patterns were established using content analysis while examining transcripts from these interviews. Several themes emerged. They included: It takes, a Community to Create a Nurse, Personal Attitudes that Promoted Success, Strategies that Contributed to Success, and Barriers to Success. Under each theme several categories emerged such as: Peer Support, Family Members, Faculty at the School, Students of a Different Race (Caucasian American), Self-determination, Spirituality, Need for Financial Independency, Daily Routines, Study Groups, Daily Reading, Note Cards/Rewriting Notes, Lack of Encouragement, Lack of Preparation in High School, Racism, and Facing Failure. Some categories indicated factors that students perceived as helpful while others were perceived as hurtful to their experiences in nursing schools. Several types of supports were recommended for African Americans entering nursing programs such as; peer, family, and faculty support, effective study and test taking skills, an ethic of care model, self-directed learning strategies, and spiritual advisors, as a result of the study