Continuous phase amplification with a Sagnac interferometer

We describe a weak value inspired phase amplification technique in a Sagnac interferometer. We monitor the relative phase between two paths of a slightly misaligned interferometer by measuring the average position of a split-Gaussian mode in the dark port. Although we monitor only the dark port, we show that the signal varies linearly with phase and that we can obtain similar sensitivity to balanced homodyne detection. We derive the source of the amplification both with classical wave optics and as an inverse weak value.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, previously submitted for publicatio

Importance of charge capture in interphase regions during readout of charge-coupled devices

The current understanding of charge transfer dynamics in charge-coupled devices (CCDs) is that charge is moved so quickly from one phase to the next in a clocking sequence and with a density so low that trapping of charge in the interphase regions is negligible. However, simulation capabilities developed at the Centre for Electronic Imaging, which includes direct input of electron density simulations, have made it possible to investigate this assumption further. As part of the radiation testing campaign of the Euclid CCD273 devices, data have been obtained using the trap pumping method, a method that can be used to identify and characterize single defects within CCDs. Combining these data with simulations, we find that trapping during the transfer of charge among phases is indeed necessary to explain the results of the data analysis. This result could influence not only trap pumping theory and how trap pumping should be performed but also how a radiation-damaged CCD is readout in the most optimal way

Rich Socio-Cognitive Agents for Immersive Training Environments: Case of NonKin Village

Demand is on the rise for scientifically based human-behavior models that can be quickly customized and inserted into immersive training environments to recreate a given society or culture. At the same time, there are no readily available science model-driven environments for this purpose (see survey in Sect. 2). In researching how to overcome this obstacle, we have created rich (complex) socio-cognitive agents that include a large number of social science models (cognitive, sociologic, economic, political, etc) needed to enhance the realism of immersive, artificial agent societies. We describe current efforts to apply model-driven development concepts and how to permit other models to be plugged in should a developer prefer them instead. The current, default library of behavioral models is a metamodel, or authoring language, capable of generating immersive social worlds. Section 3 explores the specific metamodels currently in this library (cognitive, socio-political, economic, conversational, etc.) and Sect. 4 illustrates them with an implementation that results in a virtual Afghan village as a platform-independent model. This is instantiated into a server that then works across a bridge to control the agents in an immersive, platform-specific 3D gameworld (client). Section 4 also provides examples of interacting in the resulting gameworld and some of the training a player receives. We end with lessons learned and next steps for improving both the process and the gameworld. The seeming paradox of this research is that as agent complexity increases, the easier it becomes for the agents to explain their world, their dilemmas, and their social networks to a player or trainee

Australian children\u27s physical activity and screen time while in grandparental care

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore Australian children\u27s engagement in physical activity and screen time while being cared for by their grandparents. Method: Grandparents (N = 1,190) providing ≥3 hours of weekly care to a grandchild aged 3–14 years completed an online survey assessing their grandchildren\u27s movement behaviours while in their care. Descriptive statistics were computed for frequency of engagement in unstructured and structured physical activities, minutes spent playing outdoors, and minutes spent engaged in screen time. Regression analyses were conducted to assess socio-demographic predictors of movement behaviours. Results: Playing in the yard was the most common form of physical activity in which grandchildren reportedly participated (77% ‘usually’ or ‘always’), followed by playing with toys/equipment (62%). Few (14–36%) frequently engaged in active transport. Children spent an average of 181 minutes per week engaged in screen-based activities. Conclusions: There is an opportunity to improve children\u27s movement behaviours while in grandparental care. Communicating to grandparents their importance in supporting an active lifestyle is warranted. Implications for Public Health: Findings highlight the importance of creating environments that facilitate play-based, outdoor activities. Ensuring children have access to play equipment while in the care of grandparents and improving access to and quality of neighbourhood parks may assist with activity promotion

Continuous Phase Amplification with a Sagnac Interferometer

We describe a phase-amplification technique using a Sagnac interferometer. We monitor the relative phase between two paths of a precisely misaligned interferometer by measuring the average position of a split-Gaussian mode in the dark port. Although we monitor only the dark port, we show that the signal varies linearly with phase and that we can obtain similar sensitivity to balanced homodyne detection. We derive the source of the amplification using classical wave optics

Molecular features of heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from bacteremic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>(hVISA) bacteremia is an emerging infection. Our objective was to determine the molecular features of hVISA strains isolated from bacteremic patients and to compare them to methicillin resistant <it>S. aureus </it>(MRSA) and methicillin sensitive <it>S. aureus </it>(MSSA) blood isolates.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We assessed phenotypic and genomic changes of hVISA (n = 24), MRSA (n = 16) and MSSA (n = 17) isolates by PCR to determine staphylococcal chromosomal cassette (SCC<it>mec</it>) types, Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and the accessory gene regulator (<it>agr</it>) loci. Biofilm formation was quantified. Genetic relatedness was assessed by PFGE. PFGE analysis of isolates was diverse suggesting multiple sources of infection. 50% of hVISA isolates carried SCC<it>mec </it>type I, 21% type II; 25% type V; in 4% the SCC<it>mec </it>type could not be identified. Among MRSA isolates, 44% were SCC<it>mec </it>type I, 12.5% type II, 25% type V, 12.5% were non-typable, and 6% were SCC<it>mec </it>type IVd. Only one hVISA isolate and two MSSA isolates carried the PVL. Biofilm formation and <it>agr </it>patterns were diverse.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>hVISA isolates were diverse in all parameters tested. A considerable number of hVISA and MRSA strains carried the SCC<it>mec </it>type V cassette, which was not related to community acquisition.</p

EO-1/Hyperion: Nearing Twelve Years of Successful Mission Science Operation and Future Plans

The Earth Observing One (EO-1) satellite is a technology demonstration mission that was launched in November 2000, and by July 2012 will have successfully completed almost 12 years of high spatial resolution (30 m) imaging operations from a low Earth orbit. EO-1 has two unique instruments, the Hyperion and the Advanced Land Imager (ALI). Both instruments have served as prototypes for NASA's newer satellite missions, including the forthcoming (in early 2013) Landsat-8 and the future Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI). As well, EO-1 is a heritage platform for the upcoming German satellite, EnMAP (2015). Here, we provide an overview of the mission, and highlight the capabilities of the Hyperion for support of science investigations, and present prototype products developed with Hyperion imagery for the HyspIRI and other space-borne spectrometers