The Advantage of Increased Resolution in the Study of Quasar Absorption Systems

We compare a new R = 120,000 spectrum of PG1634+706 (z_QSO = 1.337,m_V = 14.9) obtained with the HDS instrument on Subaru to a R = 45, 000 spectrum obtained previously with HIRES/Keck. In the strong MgII system at z = 0.9902 and the multiple cloud, weak MgII system at z = 1.0414, we find that at the higher resolution, additional components are resolved in a blended profile. We find that two single-cloud weak MgII absorbers were already resolved at R = 45,000, to have b = 2 - 4 km/s. The narrowest line that we measure in the R = 120, 000 spectrum is a component of the Galactic NaI absorption, with b = 0.90+/-0.20 km/s. We discuss expectations of similarly narrow lines in various applications, including studies of DLAs, the MgI phases of strong MgII absorbers, and high velocity clouds. By applying Voigt profile fitting to synthetic lines, we compare the consistency with which line profile parameters can be accurately recovered at R = 45,000 and R = 120,000. We estimate the improvement gained from superhigh resolution in resolving narrowly separated velocity components in absorption profiles. We also explore the influence of isotope line shifts and hyperfine splitting in measurements of line profile parameters, and the spectral resolution needed to identify these effects. Super high resolution spectra of quasars, which will be routinely possible with 20-meter class telescopes, will lead to greater sensitivity for absorption line surveys, and to determination of more accurate physical conditions for cold phases of gas in various environments.Comment: To appear in AJ. Paper with better resolution images available at http://www.astro.psu.edu/users/anand/superhigh.AJ.pd

Peptide based low molecular weight gelators

Over the last 12 months a number of papers have been published which shed light on the processes that control the self-assembly of peptides into fibrous hydrogel networks. A number of new properties of dipeptide hydrogels have also been reported. This article highlights recent activity in the area of peptide self-assembly, with a particular focus on tri-peptides, di-peptides and protected amino acids

Microarray experiments: Considerations for experimental design

Microarrays are useful tools to investigate the expression of thousands of genes rapidly. Some researchers remain reluctant to use the technology, however, largely because of its expense. Careful design of a microarray experiment is key to generating cost-effective results. This article explores issues that researchers face when embarking on a microarray experiment for the first time. These include decisions about which microarray platform is available for the organism of interest, the degree of replication (biological and technical) needed and which design (direct or indirect, loop or balanced block) is suitable

Dynamic Spin-Polarized Resonant Tunneling in Magnetic Tunnel Junctions

Precisely engineered tunnel junctions exhibit a long sought effect that occurs when the energy of the electron is comparable to the potential energy of the tunneling barrier. The resistance of metal-insulator-metal tunnel junctions oscillates with an applied voltage when electrons that tunnel directly into the barrier's conduction band interfere upon reflection at the classical turning points: the insulator-metal interface, and the dynamic point where the incident electron energy equals the potential barrier inside the insulator. A model of tunneling between free electron bands using the exact solution of the Schroedinger equation for a trapezoidal tunnel barrier qualitatively agrees with experiment.Comment: 4pgs, 3 fig

Fuel economy and exhaust emissions of a diesel vehicle under real traffic conditions

Traffic and vehicle simulations are often developed individually. However, vehicle performance is heavily affected by traffic conditions. Cosimulations of traffic and vehicle under real‐road situations can reflect the semi‐real‐world performance of vehicles, with traffic conditions being taken into considerations. This paper proposed an approach to combine the traffic and vehicle simulations that are realized by simulation of urban mobility (SUMO) and GT‐Suite software, respectively. In this paper, the sensitivities of the road grade and vehicle speed to the fuel economy and exhaust emissions were investigated; vehicle fuel consumption and regular exhaust emissions on a real‐road were analyzed; the effect of the traffic accident and congestions on fuel consumption and exhaust emissions were quantified. The results indicated that nitrogen oxides (NOx) and soot emission were consistent with fuel consumption rate, which was dominated by vehicle acceleration whose effect was aggravated by road grade. The fuel penalties caused by accident were in the range of 0.015‐0.023 kg depending on the severity of the accidents. The fuel consumption increased from 1.199 to 1.312 kg and 1.559 kg for 900 and 1800 vehicles/h traffic flow cases compared with 180 vehicles/h traffic flow

Will it gel? Successful computational prediction of peptide gelators using physicochemical properties and molecular fingerprints

The self-assembly of low molecular weight gelators to form gels has enormous potential for cell culturing, optoelectronics, sensing, and for the preparation of structured materials. There is an enormous “chemical space” of gelators. Even within one class, functionalised dipeptides, there are many structures based on both natural and unnatural amino acids that can be proposed and there is a need for methods that can successfully predict the gelation propensity of such molecules. We have successfully developed computational models, based on experimental data, which are robust and are able to identify in silico dipeptide structures that can form gels. A virtual computational screen of 2025 dipeptide candidates identified 9 dipeptides that were synthesised and tested. Every one of the 9 dipeptides synthesised and tested were correctly predicted for their gelation properties. This approach and set of tools enables the “dipeptide space” to be searched effectively and efficiently in order to deliver novel gelator molecules

Improving the Accuracy of Genomic Prediction of Milk Fat

Four statistical models were considered to quantify any advantage of including the genotype of known causative mutations when calculating direct genomic values. Data included 50k genotypes from 5,661 Holstein Friesian cows and 2,287 bulls. This study showed that when a known QTL for milk traits, DGAT1, was fit as a fixed class or fixed covariate in genomic prediction, an increase in accuracy was seen compared to fitting it as either a random covariate or relying on linked 50k markers fit as random covariates. The regression coefficients of genomic prediction on phenotype were near one for all estimates, indicating no major bias was in the estimates. These results suggest it is beneficial to the accuracy of prediction to include information from known major QTL in genomic analyses

Improving Accuracy of Genomic Prediction in Holstein Friesians

Three statistical models were considered to assess the advantage of including information of known causative mutations when estimating genomic breeding values. Data included phenotypic records and 50k genotypes from 5,661 Holstein Friesian cows. This study showed that when aknown causative mutation for milk traits, DGAT1, was fit as a fixed effect in genomic prediction, an increase in accuracy was seen compared to fitting it as either a random effect or not explicitly fitting it and relying on linked markers fitted as random effects. The regression coefficients of genomic prediction on phenotype were near one for all estimates, indicating that no major bias was present in the estimates. These results suggest that, when calculatinggenomic predictions, it is beneficial to include information from known major genes in the analysis to increase the accuracy of prediction

Providing Strategic Direction and Marketing Insights for a Mature Aquatic Facility

As local communities all over the country are facing declining usage of aquatic centers as they age, recreation departments must decide how to address the increasing loss of revenue while also continuing to provide a desired service. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current situation of a municipal aquatic center located in the Southeast United States in order to determine what steps could be taken to increase usage and decrease negative cash flow. While the Center is still very functional, little has been done in recent decades to update or market it and usage has greatly declined. The study reports how the town sought outside expertise in order to determine what elements of the marketing mix may be better used to minimize the negative cash flow generated by the Center and direct future strategic planning. The SWOT analysis developed through the use of a nominal group is described with the panel\u27s recommendations for future steps and development options included. The town is now able to make an informed decision as to how best spend limited resources and direct efforts to not only resuscitate their aging facility, but also enhance the image of the town and develop much needed new revenue streams