78 research outputs found
Evidence for He I 10830 \AA~ absorption during the transit of a warm Neptune around the M-dwarf GJ 3470 with the Habitable-zone Planet Finder
Understanding the dynamics and kinematics of out-flowing atmospheres of hot
and warm exoplanets is crucial to understanding the origins and evolutionary
history of the exoplanets near the evaporation desert. Recently, ground based
measurements of the meta-stable Helium atom's resonant absorption at 10830
\AA~has become a powerful probe of the base environment which is driving the
outflow of exoplanet atmospheres. We report evidence for the He I 10830 \AA~in
absorption (equivalent width \AA) in the exosphere of
a warm Neptune orbiting the M-dwarf GJ 3470, during three transits using the
Habitable Zone Planet Finder (HPF) near infrared spectrograph. This marks the
first reported evidence for He I 10830 \AA\, atmospheric absorption for a
planet orbiting an M-dwarf. Our detected absorption is broad and its
blueshifted wing extends to -36 km/sec, the largest reported in the literature
to date. We modelled the state of Helium atoms in the exosphere of GJ3470b
based on assumptions on the UV and X-ray flux of GJ 3470, and found our
measurement of flux-weighted column density of meta-stable state Helium
, derived from our transit
observations, to be consistent with model, within its uncertainties. The
methodology developed here will be useful to study and constrain the
atmospheric outflow models of other exoplanets like GJ 3470b which are near the
edge of the evaporation desert.Comment: Accepted in Ap
Doing more with less: Teacher professional learning communities in resource-constrained primary schools in rural China.
Teacher professional learning communities provide environments in which teachers engage in regular research and collaboration. They have been found effective as a means for connecting professional learning to the day-to-day realities faced by teachers in the classroom. In this article, the authors draw on survey data collected in primary schools serving 71 villages in rural Gansu Province as well as transcripts from in-depth interviews with 30 teachers. Findings indicate that professional learning communities penetrate to some of Chinaâs most resource-constrained schools but that their nature and development are shaped by institutional supports, principal leadership, and teachersâ own initiative
Evidence for He I 10830 Ă Absorption during the Transit of a Warm Neptune around the M-dwarf GJ 3470 with the Habitable-zone Planet Finder
Understanding the dynamics and kinematics of outflowing atmospheres of hot and warm exoplanets is crucial to understanding the origins and evolutionary history of the exoplanets near the evaporation desert. Recently, ground-based measurements of the meta-stable helium atom's resonant absorption at 10830 Ă
has become a powerful probe of the base environment which is driving the outflow of exoplanet atmospheres. We report evidence for the He I 10830 Ă
in absorption (equivalent width ~0.012 ± 0.002 Ă
) in the exosphere of a warm Neptune orbiting the M-dwarf GJ 3470, during three transits using the Habitable Zone Planet Finder near-infrared spectrograph. This marks the first reported evidence for He I 10830 Ă
atmospheric absorption for a planet orbiting an M-dwarf. Our detected absorption is broad and its blueshifted wing extends to â36 km sâ»Âč, the largest reported in the literature to date. We modeled the state of helium atoms in the exosphere of GJ3470b based on assumptions on the UV and X-ray flux of GJ 3470, and found our measurement of flux-weighted column density of meta-stable state helium (N_(He2/3S) = 2.4Ă10Âčâ°cmâ»ÂČ), derived from our transit observations, to be consistent with the model, within its uncertainties. The methodology developed here will be useful to study and constrain the atmospheric outflow models of other exoplanets like GJ 3470b, which are near the edge of the evaporation desert
Stellar Spectroscopy in the Near-infrared with a Laser Frequency Comb
The discovery and characterization of exoplanets around nearby stars is
driven by profound scientific questions about the uniqueness of Earth and our
Solar System, and the conditions under which life could exist elsewhere in our
Galaxy. Doppler spectroscopy, or the radial velocity (RV) technique, has been
used extensively to identify hundreds of exoplanets, but with notable
challenges in detecting terrestrial mass planets orbiting within habitable
zones. We describe infrared RV spectroscopy at the 10 m Hobby-Eberly telescope
that leverages a 30 GHz electro-optic laser frequency comb with nanophotonic
supercontinuum to calibrate the Habitable Zone Planet Finder spectrograph.
Demonstrated instrument precision <10 cm/s and stellar RVs approaching 1 m/s
open the path to discovery and confirmation of habitable zone planets around
M-dwarfs, the most ubiquitous type of stars in our Galaxy
Upper crustal structure and axial topography at intermediate spreading ridges : seismic constraints from the southern Juan de Fuca Ridge
Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2005. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Geophysical Research 110 (2005): B12104, doi:10.1029/2005JB003630.We use multichannel seismic reflection data to image the upper crustal structure of 0-620
ka crust along the southern Juan de Fuca Ridge (JdFR). The study area comprises two
segments spreading at intermediate rate with an axial high morphology with narrow
(Cleft) and wide (Vance) axial summit grabens (ASG). Along most of the axis of both
segments we image the top of an axial magma chamber (AMC). The AMC along Cleft
deepens from south to north, from 2.0 km beneath the RIDGE Cleft Observatory and
hydrothermal vents near the southern end of the segment, to 2.3 km at the northern end
near the site of the 1980âs eruptive event. Along the Vance segment, the AMC also
deepens from south to north, from 2.4 km to 2.7 km. Seismic layer 2A, interpreted as the
basaltic extrusive layer, is 250-300 m thick at the ridge axis along the Cleft segment, and
300-350 m thick along the axis of the Vance segment. However off-axis layer 2A is
similar in both segments (500-600 m), indicating ~90% and ~60% off-axis thickening at
the Cleft and Vance segments, respectively. Half of the thickening occurs sharply at the
walls of the ASG, with the remaining thickening occurring within 3-4 km of the ASG.
Along the full length of both segments, layer 2A is thinner within the ASG, compared to
the ridge flanks. Previous studies argued that the ASG is a cyclic feature formed by
alternating periods of magmatism and tectonic extension. Our observations agree with
the evolving nature of the ASG. However, we suggest that its evolution is related to large
changes in axial morphology produced by small fluctuations in magma supply. Thus the
ASG, rather than being formed by excess volcanism, is a rifted flexural axial high. The
changes in axial morphology affect the distribution of lava flows along the ridge flanks,
as indicated by the pattern of layer 2A thickness. The fluctuations in magma supply may
occur at all spreading rates, but its effects on crustal structure and axial morphology are
most pronounced along intermediate spreading rate ridges.This study was supported by the National Science Foundation grants OCE-0002551 to
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, OCE-0002488 to Lamont-Doherty Earth
Observatory, and OCE-0002600 to Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Hip fracture risk in relation to vitamin D supplementation and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vitamin D supplementation for fracture prevention is widespread despite conflicting interpretation of relevant randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence. This study summarises quantitatively the current evidence from RCTs and observational studies regarding vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and hip fracture risk.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We undertook separate meta-analyses of RCTs examining vitamin D supplementation and hip fracture, and observational studies of serum vitamin D status (25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level), PTH and hip fracture. Results from RCTs were combined using the reported hazard ratios/relative risks (RR). Results from case-control studies were combined using the ratio of 25(OH)D and PTH measurements of hip fracture cases compared with controls. Original published studies of vitamin D, PTH and hip fracture were identified through PubMed and Web of Science databases, searches of reference lists and forward citations of key papers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The seven eligible RCTs identified showed no significant difference in hip fracture risk in those randomised to cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol supplementation versus placebo/control (RR = 1.13[95%CI 0.98-1.29]; 801 cases), with no significant difference between trials of <800 IU/day and â„800 IU/day. The 17 identified case-control studies found 33% lower serum 25(OH)D levels in cases compared to controls, based on 1903 cases. This difference was significantly greater in studies with population-based compared to hospital-based controls (Ï<sup>2</sup><sub>1 </sub>(heterogeneity) = 51.02, p < 0.001) and significant heterogeneity was present overall (Ï<sup>2</sup><sub>16 </sub>(heterogeneity) = 137.9, p < 0.001). Serum PTH levels in hip fracture cases did not differ significantly from controls, based on ten case-control studies with 905 cases (Ï<sup>2</sup><sub>9 </sub>(heterogeneity) = 149.68, p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Neither higher nor lower dose vitamin D supplementation prevented hip fracture. Randomised and observational data on vitamin D and hip fracture appear to differ. The reason for this is unclear; one possible explanation is uncontrolled confounding in observational studies. Post-fracture PTH levels are unrelated to hip fracture risk.</p
Global collision-risk hotspots of marine traffic and the worldâs largest fish, the whale shark
© The Author(s), 2022. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Womersley, F. C., Humphries, N. E., Queiroz, N., Vedor, M., da Costa, I., Furtado, M., Tyminski, J. P., Abrantes, K., Araujo, G., Bach, S. S., Barnett, A., Berumen, M. L., Bessudo Lion, S., Braun, C. D., Clingham, E., Cochran, J. E. M., de la Parra, R., Diamant, S., Dove, A. D. M., Dudgeon, C. L., Erdmann, M. V., Espinoza, E., Fitzpatrick, R., GonzĂĄlez Cano, J., Green, J. R., Guzman, H. M., Hardenstine, R., Hasan, A., Hazin, F. H. V., Hearn, A. R., Hueter, R. E., Jaidah, M. Y., Labaja, J., Ladinol, F., Macena, B. C. L., Morris Jr., J. J., Norman, B. M., Peñaherrera-Palmav, C., Pierce, S. J., Quintero, L. M., Ramırez-MacĂas, D., Reynolds, S. D., Richardson, A. J., Robinson, D. P., Rohner, C. A., Rowat, D. R. L., Sheaves, M., Shivji, M. S., Sianipar, A. B., Skomal, G. B., Soler, G., Syakurachman, I., Thorrold, S. R., Webb, D. H., Wetherbee, B. M., White, T. D., Clavelle, T., Kroodsma, D. A., Thums, M., Ferreira, L. C., Meekan, M. G., Arrowsmith, L. M., Lester, E. K., Meyers, M. M., Peel, L. R., Sequeira, A. M. M., Eguıluz, V. M., Duarte, C. M., & Sims, D. W. Global collision-risk hotspots of marine traffic and the worldâs largest fish, the whale shark. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 119(20), (2022): e2117440119, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2117440119.Marine traffic is increasing globally yet collisions with endangered megafauna such as whales, sea turtles, and planktivorous sharks go largely undetected or unreported. Collisions leading to mortality can have population-level consequences for endangered species. Hence, identifying simultaneous space use of megafauna and shipping throughout ranges may reveal as-yet-unknown spatial targets requiring conservation. However, global studies tracking megafauna and shipping occurrences are lacking. Here we combine satellite-tracked movements of the whale shark, Rhincodon typus, and vessel activity to show that 92% of sharksâ horizontal space use and nearly 50% of vertical space use overlap with persistent large vessel (>300 gross tons) traffic. Collision-risk estimates correlated with reported whale shark mortality from ship strikes, indicating higher mortality in areas with greatest overlap. Hotspots of potential collision risk were evident in all major oceans, predominantly from overlap with cargo and tanker vessels, and were concentrated in gulf regions, where dense traffic co-occurred with seasonal shark movements. Nearly a third of whale shark hotspots overlapped with the highest collision-risk areas, with the last known locations of tracked sharks coinciding with busier shipping routes more often than expected. Depth-recording tags provided evidence for sinking, likely dead, whale sharks, suggesting substantial âcrypticâ lethal ship strikes are possible, which could explain why whale shark population declines continue despite international protection and low fishing-induced mortality. Mitigation measures to reduce ship-strike risk should be considered to conserve this species and other ocean giants that are likely experiencing similar impacts from growing global vessel traffic.Funding for data analysis was provided by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) through a University of Southampton INSPIRE DTP PhD Studentship to F.C.W. Additional funding for data analysis was provided by NERC Discovery Science (NE/R00997/X/1) and the European Research Council (ERC-AdG-2019 883583 OCEAN DEOXYFISH) to D.W.S., Fundação para a CiĂȘncia e a Tecnologia (FCT) under PTDC/BIA/28855/2017 and COMPETE POCI-01â0145-FEDER-028855, and MARINFOâNORTE-01â0145-FEDER-000031 (funded by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Program [NORTE2020] under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development FundâERDF) to N.Q. FCT also supported N.Q. (CEECIND/02857/2018) and M.V. (PTDC/BIA-COM/28855/2017). D.W.S. was supported by a Marine Biological Association Senior Research Fellowship. All tagging procedures were approved by institutional ethical review bodies and complied with all relevant ethical regulations in the jurisdictions in which they were performed. Details for individual research teams are given in SI Appendix, section 8. Full acknowledgments for tagging and field research are given in SI Appendix, section 7. This research is part of the Global Shark Movement Project (https://www.globalsharkmovement.org)
Global Spatial Risk Assessment of Sharks Under the Footprint of Fisheries
Effective ocean management and conservation of highly migratory species depends on resolving overlap between animal movements and distributions and fishing effort. Yet, this information is lacking at a global scale. Here we show, using a big-data approach combining satellite-tracked movements of pelagic sharks and global fishing fleets, that 24% of the mean monthly space used by sharks falls under the footprint of pelagic longline fisheries. Space use hotspots of commercially valuable sharks and of internationally protected species had the highest overlap with longlines (up to 76% and 64%, respectively) and were also associated with significant increases in fishing effort. We conclude that pelagic sharks have limited spatial refuge from current levels of high-seas fishing effort. Results demonstrate an urgent need for conservation and management measures at high-seas shark hotspots and highlight the potential of simultaneous satellite surveillance of megafauna and fishers as a tool for near-real time, dynamic management
A sub-Neptune sized planet transiting the M2.5-dwarf G 9-40: Validation with the Habitable-zone Planet Finder
We validate the discovery of a 2 Earth radii sub-Neptune-size planet around
the nearby high proper motion M2.5-dwarf G 9-40 (EPIC 212048748), using
high-precision near-infrared (NIR) radial velocity (RV) observations with the
Habitable-zone Planet Finder (HPF), precision diffuser-assisted ground-based
photometry with a custom narrow-band photometric filter, and adaptive optics
imaging. At a distance of , G 9-40b is the second closest
transiting planet discovered by K2 to date. The planet's large transit depth
(3500ppm), combined with the proximity and brightness of the host star at
NIR wavelengths (J=10, K=9.2) makes G 9-40b one of the most favorable
sub-Neptune-sized planet orbiting an M-dwarf for transmission spectroscopy with
JWST, ARIEL, and the upcoming Extremely Large Telescopes. The star is
relatively inactive with a rotation period of 29 days determined from the
K2 photometry. To estimate spectroscopic stellar parameters, we describe our
implementation of an empirical spectral matching algorithm using the
high-resolution NIR HPF spectra. Using this algorithm, we obtain an effective
temperature of K, and metallicity of
. Our RVs, when coupled with the orbital
parameters derived from the transit photometry, exclude planet masses above
with 99.7% confidence assuming a circular orbit. From its
radius, we predict a mass of and an RV
semi-amplitude of , making its mass
measurable with current RV facilities. We urge further RV follow-up
observations to precisely measure its mass, to enable precise transmission
spectroscopic measurements in the future.Comment: Accepted for publication in AJ, 22 pages, 15 figure
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