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

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

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

Success in nursing school: Black nursing students\u27 perception of peers, family, and faculty

Blacks comprise 12.3% of the U.S. population and only 4.6% of registered nurses nationally. Moreover, Blacks have the highest percentage of nongraduates among nursing students compared with other U.S. racial/ethnic groups. This descriptive qualitative study examined the perceptions and experiences that contributed to success for Black graduates, ages 18 to 50, who attended nursing degree programs with predominantly White students and identified the experiences students credited for their success. Data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews with 18 participants. Categories and patterns were established using content analysis. Findings suggest that the Black students valued peer support, interactions with White students\u27 study groups, family support, and faculty encouragement and support as factors that enhanced success. This article focuses on those supports students identified as essential to graduation. The findings of this study demonstrate that it takes a community to create a nurse. Specific implications for student retention are discussed. © SLACK Incorporated

Actividades en contacto con la naturaleza en los niveles pertenecientes al NB5 y NB6 de los colegios particulares de Viña del Mar

Tesis (Educación Física)El ministerio de Educación (MINEDUC), ha incorporado en los planes y programas del subsector de Educación Física tres ejes temáticos que son aptitud física y salud, deportes, actividades de expresión motriz y actividades en contacto con la naturaleza. La investigación se centra en uno de estos tres ejes, este es: Actividades en contacto con la naturaleza. Esta actividad esta orientada a desarrollar en el alumno y alumna las capacidades que le permitan enfrentar situaciones diversas en los medios que no son habituales en su cotidiano vivir, a esto se le aplican las técnicas de campamento, excursionismo, y de exploración en los entornos naturales; desarrollando a la vez habilidades sociales, utilizando así el medio ambiente como medio de aprendizaje. Este eje es esencial para el desarrollo del alumno y alumna tanto en lo cognitivo, afectivo social y motor. Por lo que esta investigación pretende determinar como abordan este eje temático los profesores de educación física en colegios particulares de la ciudad de Viña del Mar

Process for the Preparation of Citalopram Intermediate

The present invention provides, inter alia, a novel process for the preparation of Citalopram, a known antidepressant