2W/nm Peak-power All-Fiber Supercontinuum Source and its Application to the Characterization of Periodically Poled Nonlinear Crystals

We demonstrate a uniform high spectral brightness and peak power density all-fiber supercontinuum source. The source consists of a nanosecond Ytterbium fiber laser and an optimal length PCF producing a continuum with a peak power density of 2 W/nm and less than 5 dB of spectral variation between 590 to 1500 nm. The Watt level per nm peak power density enables the use of such sources for the characterization of nonlinear materials. Application of the source is demonstrated with the characterization of several periodically poled crystals.Comment: 8 pages 4 figures v2 includes revisions to the description of the continuum formatio

Comparing plasma and faecal measures of steroid hormones in Adelie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae

Physiological measurements of both stress and sex hormones are often used to estimate the consequences of natural or human-induced change in ecological studies of various animals. Different methods of hormone measurement exist, potentially explaining variation in results across studies; methods should be cross-validated to ensure that they correlate. We directly compared faecal and plasma hormone measurements for the first time in a wild free-living species, the Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae). Blood and faecal samples were simultaneously collected from individual penguins for comparison and assayed for testosterone and corticosterone (or their metabolites). Sex differences and variability within each measure, and correlation of values across measures were compared. For both hormones, plasma samples showed greater variation than faecal samples. Males had higher mean corticosterone concentrations than females, but the difference was only statistically significant in faecal samples. Plasma testosterone, but not faecal testosterone, was significantly higher in males than females. Correlation between sample types was poor overall, and weaker in females than in males, perhaps because measures from plasma represent hormones that are both free and bound to globulins, whereas measures from faeces represent only the free portion. Faecal samples also represent a cumulative measure of hormones over time, as opposed to a plasma ‘snapshot’ concentration. Our data indicate that faecal sampling appears more suitable for assessing baseline hormone concentrations, whilst plasma sampling may best define immediate responses to environmental events. Consequently, future studies should ensure that they select the most appropriate matrix and method of hormone measurement to answer their research questions

Guidelines for the Selection of Physical Literacy Measures in Physical Education in Australia

Assessment of physical literacy poses a dilemma of what instrument to use. There is currently no guide regarding the suitability of common assessment approaches. The purpose of this brief communication is to provide a user's guide for selecting physical literacy assessment instruments appropriate for use in school physical education and sport settings. While recommendations regarding specific instruments are not provided, the guide offers information about key attributes and considerations for the use. A decision flow chart has been developed to assist teachers and affiliated school practitioners to select appropriate methods of assessing physical literacy. School PE and sport scenarios are presented to illustrate this process. It is important that practitioners are empowered to select the most appropriate instrument/s to suit their needs

Defining Physical Literacy for Application in Australia: A Modified Delphi Method

Purpose. The development of a physical literacy definition and standards framework suitable for implementation in Australia. Method. Modified Delphi methodology. Results . Consensus was established on four defining statements: Core – Physical literacy is lifelong holistic learning acquired and applied in movement and physical activity contexts; Composition – Physical literacy reflects ongoing changes integrating physical, psychological, cognitive and social capabilities; Importance – Physical literacy is vital in helping us lead healthy and fulfilling lives through movement and physical activity; Aspiration – A physically literate person is able to draw on their integrated physical, psychological, cognitive, and social capacities to support health promoting and fulfilling movement and physical activity, relative to their situation and context, throughout the lifespan. The standards framework addressed four learning domains (physical, psychological, cognitive, and social), spanning five learning configurations/levels. Conclusion. The development of a bespoke program for a new context has important implications for both existing and future program

Establishing LAAs and managing individual needs Overview report

Professionals responsible for managing water and flooding systems have always worked in partnership with others. The form and functioning of such partnerships has traditionally focused on delivering structural ‘solutions’. Now that the challenges faced by urban society are complex and changing relatively rapidly, it is timely to review how best to establish, maintain and sustain such partnerships. Here recent experiences from the EU INTERREG IVb MARE project utilising Learning and Action Alliances (LAA) is presented. The concept of a Learning Alliance (LA) is relatively new, although working in partnerships to deliver innovation is a long-standing practice especially in enterprises. Application of the LA approach to improve water system management has become popular in a number of EU funded studies helping to innovate. MARE considers the use of LAs in adapting to changing flood risks. This report sets out the formation, structure, management and conclusions from WP1 of the MARE project. In MARE, the standard ‘Learning Alliance’ concept has been modified to include ‘Action’ in recognition of the need to actually make changes happen. Hence from here on the term Learning and Action Alliance (LAA) is use. Recommendations from activities, outcomes and data analysed support the initiation and continuation of the MARE LAAs from the findings in examining the LAAs in the project. This report details the process and support given to each LAA, defined through interviews and questionnaires and briefly discusses the necessary shift of focus from individual Leaders and Champions to individualised support to the LAAs as entities in themselves. MARE had 4 core LAAs plus an overarching project management LAA. Validation of the processes of LAA establishment and functioning is outlined using results from interviews, questionnaires, training and direct observation. Activities and outcomes in supporting the vision and needs of the constituent Learning and Action Alliances (LAA) of the MARE project are reviewed and an overview of the LAAs’ individual visions and recommendations for support are introduced. The interviews and questionnaire were developed to gain knowledge in depth for each LAA and to inform how innovation and continuation of the LAAs could be supported. Recommendations are made based on the outcomes of this process, drawing conclusions about general commonalities across the LAAs and the support required to help share knowledge and best working practices transnationally, together with the development of a programme of tailored support for each LAA. Much can be learnt from approaches to innovation in practice from other domains such as private enterprise, where innovation is the life-blood of survival. Bringing a behavioural psychology spotlight on to the formation, dynamics and personality of partnerships such as the LAAs in MARE, is believed to be unique to MARE, helping to understand how best to create and sustain effective functioning of such alliances not only in MARE but more widely. Review of the relative functioning and success of the 6 LAAs in MARE has shown that they can help to provide the capacity building, via active learning, the trust and legitimacy and openness required to deliver the innovation needed to face the complex and wicked problems in managing flood risk. The diverse nature and functionality of the various LAAs, illustrates that there is not one single format for a LAA, each needs to be locally and contextually grounded and to develop its’ own vision and modus operandi

Supercontinuum generation in optical fibers

The optical fiber based supercontinuum source has recently become a significant scientific and commercial success, with applications ranging from frequency comb production to advanced medical imaging. This one-of-a-kind book explains the theory of fiber supercontinuum broadening, describes the diverse operational regimes and indicates principal areas of applications, making it a very important guide for researchers and graduate students. With contributions from major figures and groups who have pioneered research in this field, the book describes the historical development of the subject, provides a background to the associated nonlinear optical processes, treats the generation mechanisms from continuous wave to femtosecond pulse pump regimes and highlights the diverse applications. A full discussion of numerical methods and comprehensive computer code are also provided, enabling readers to confidently predict and model supercontinuum generation characteristics under realistic condition

Digital particle image velocimetry measurements of the downwash distribution of a desert locust Schistocerca gregaria.

Actuator disc models of insect flight are concerned solely with the rate of momentum transfer to the air that passes through the disc. These simple models assume that an even pressure is applied across the disc, resulting in a uniform downwash distribution. However, a correction factor, k, is often included to correct for the difference in efficiency between the assumed even downwash distribution, and the real downwash distribution. In the absence of any empirical measurements of the downwash distribution behind a real insect, the values of k used in the literature have been necessarily speculative. Direct measurement of this efficiency factor is now possible, and could be used to compare the relative efficiencies of insect flight across the Class. Here, we use Digital Particle Image Velocimetry to measure the instantaneous downwash distribution, mid-downstroke, of a tethered desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria). By integrating the downwash distribution, we are thereby able to provide the first direct empirical measurement of k for an insect. The measured value of k=1.12 corresponds reasonably well with that predicted by previous theoretical studies