13 research outputs found
A New Comprehensive 2-D Model of the Point Spread Functions of the XMM-Newton EPIC Telescopes : Spurious Source Suppression and Improved Positional Accuracy
We describe here a new full 2-D parameterization of the PSFs of the three
XMM-Newton EPIC telescopes as a function of instrument, energy, off-axis angle
and azimuthal angle, covering the whole field-of-view of the three EPIC
detectors. It models the general PSF envelopes, the primary and secondary
spokes, their radial dependencies, and the large-scale azimuthal variations.
This PSF model has been constructed via the stacking and centering of a large
number of bright, but not significantly piled-up point sources from the full
field-of-view of each EPIC detector, and azimuthally filtering the resultant
PSF envelopes to form the spoke structures and the gross azimuthal shapes
observed. This PSF model is available for use within the XMM-Newton Science
Analysis System via the usage of Current Calibration Files XRTi_XPSF_0011.CCF
and later versions. Initial source-searching tests showed substantial
reductions in the numbers of spurious sources being detected in the wings of
bright point sources. Furthermore, we have uncovered a systematic error in the
previous PSF system, affecting the entire mission to date, whereby returned
source RA and Dec values are seen to vary sinusoidally about the true position
(amplitude ~0.8") with source azimuthal position. The new PSF system is now
available and is seen as a major improvement with regard to the detection of
spurious sources. The new PSF also largely removes the discovered astrometry
error and is seen to improve the positional accuracy of EPIC. The modular
nature of the PSF system allows for further refinements in the future.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. 15 pages, 13 figures (some of
reduced quality). A full-resolution version is available at
http://www.star.le.ac.uk/~amr30/amr_PSFpaper.pd
Planck pre-launch status: The optical system
Planck is a scientific satellite that represents the next milestone in space-based research related to the cosmic microwave background, and in many other astrophysical fields. Planck was launched on 14 May of 2009 and is now operational. The uncertainty in the optical response of its detectors is a key factor allowing Planck to achieve its scientific objectives. More than a decade of analysis and measurements have gone into achieving the required performances. In this paper, we describe the main aspects of the Planck optics that are relevant to science, and the estimated in-flight performance, based on the knowledge available at the time of launch. We also briefly describe the impact of the major systematic effects of optical origin, and the concept of in-flight optical calibration. Detailed discussions of related areas are provided in accompanying papers
The James Webb Space Telescope Mission
Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies,
expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling
for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least .
With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000
people realized that vision as the James Webb Space Telescope. A
generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of
the mission, potentially as long as 20 years, and beyond. This report and the
scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000
team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image
quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief
history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing
program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite
detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit.Comment: Accepted by PASP for the special issue on The James Webb Space
Telescope Overview, 29 pages, 4 figure
De toekomst van Israel
Wetensch. publicatieFaculteit der Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappe
An educational intervention about the classification of penicillin allergies: effect on the appropriate choice of antibiotic therapy in pregnant women
International audienceBACKGROUND: Most pregnant women who self-report penicillin allergy are not truly penicillin-allergic and this misunderstanding often leads to administration of inappropriate antibiotic therapy. Decision algorithms have been developed to guide antibiotic selection but major discrepancies have been reported between guidelines and clinical practice. We aimed to optimize the prescription of antibiotics for pregnant women who self-reported penicillin allergy, using an educational intervention about the classification of penicillin allergies that targeted gynecologists, anesthesiologists and midwives.METHODS: This quasi-experimental study assessed the effect of an educational intervention about the classification of penicillin allergy. For six months, a combination of two strategies was used, namely dissemination of printed educational materials and group education. The principal study endpoint was the appropriateness of the antibiotic therapy, defined in advance for each level of allergic risk.RESULTS: The pre-intervention phase included 903 women; one year after its conclusion, the post-intervention phase began and included 892 women. The prevalence of self-reported penicillin allergy was stable over the two periods (6.8% before vs 5.4% after, P=0.24). The clinical classification of penicillin allergies was more often used after the educational intervention (68% vs 100%, P<0.001). The appropriateness of the antibiotic therapy prescribed to self-reported penicillin allergic-women increased significantly between the two periods, from 5/29 (17.2%) to 18/27 (66.7%, P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: An educational intervention about penicillin allergy classification was associated with an improvement in the choice of appropriate antibiotic therapy among women who had reported penicillin allergy