Evaluating LANDSAT-4 MSS and TM data

Interband line pixel misregistrations were determined for the four MSS bands of the Mistassini, Ontario scene and multitemporal registration of LANDSAT-4 products were tested for two different geocoded scenes. Line and pixel misregistrations are tabulated as determined by the manual ground control points and the digital band to band correlation techniques. A method was developed for determining the spectral information content of TM images for forestry applications

Electroless thin film CoNiFe-B alloys for integrated magnetics on Si

Electroless magnetic thin films have been deposited from borane-based baths suitable for use in integrated magnetics on Si applications. The baths were developed for compatibility with standard photoresist for microfabrication of integrated magnetics on Si. The specific formulations, which differ from those reported previously, yield uniform, high saturation magnetisation (up to 2.15 T) deposits with low coercivity (<2 Oe). The resistivity of the film can be increased to minimise eddy current losses by using higher dimethylamine borane (DMAB) content or the inclusion of a second reducing agent, hypophosphite, to facilitate phosphorus codeposition of up to 7 at.%. The Ni content in the plating bath has been shown to exert significant influence over the composition, deposition rate and coercivity. XRD analysis suggests that the deposits consist of nanocrystalline phase with grains <20 nm. Such small grains are consistent with the observed low coercivity of the deposits

Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy of the superconducting proximity effect in a diluted ferromagnetic alloy

We studied the proximity effect between a superconductor (Nb) and a diluted ferromagnetic alloy (CuNi) in a bilayer geometry. We measured the local density of states on top of the ferromagnetic layer, which thickness varies on each sample, with a very low temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscope. The measured spectra display a very high homogeneity. The analysis of the experimental data shows the need to take into account an additional scattering mechanism. By including in the Usadel equations the effect of the spin relaxation in the ferromagnetic alloy, we obtain a good description of the experimental data.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Diagnostic for Verifying the Thrust Vector Requirement of the AEPS Hall-Effect Thruster and Comparison to the NEXT-C Thrust Vector Diagnostic

A diagnostic has been designed and fabricated to verify the thrust vector requirement for the Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS) thruster. This diagnostic will be used to verify that the propulsion system thrust vector offset from the mounting surface normal vector does not exceed 1.5 degrees over the entire throttling range and over the course of 23,000 hours of thruster testing. The diagnostic will also not violate the thruster's required voltage standoff capability in the presence of carbon backsputter by being minimally intrusive and not significantly adding to the facility backsputtered rate. Based on these requirements, an appropriate diagnostic design was determined to comprise of an array of 23 Faraday probes swept through the plume in an arc 1m from the thruster to map the beam current density. The beam current density centroid of the plume is assumed to track the thrust vector within an acceptable level of uncertainty. Additionally, a reference system, including optical alignment to the mounting surface normal vector and tilt sensors, was devised to periodically calibrate the probe position and motion throughout the long duration wear test campaign. Initial measurements of the thruster plume have been acquired to demonstrate the diagnostics functionality, verify procedures, and assess any necessary improvements prior to implementation of the diagnostic during the AEPS Engineering Development Unit (EDU) long duration wear test. To illustrate the merits of differing approaches to thrust vector determination for different classes of electric propulsion thrusters, NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster-Commercial (NEXT-C) thrust vector diagnostic design details and recent data are also discussed (Appendix A)

Coaxial metal and magnetic alloy nanotubes in polycarbonate templates by electroless deposition

We present a novel technique for the preparation of coaxial metal and magnetic alloy nanotubes, which is demonstrated for the coaxial nanotubes of Ni/Co and Ni/CoNiFe alloys deposited in activated polycarbonate templates using electroless plating. For each metal or alloy the tube wall thickness was controlled to be less than 100 nm. The process involved two consecutive deposition steps from hypophosphite and/or borane reducing agent based electroless plating solutions. We further characterise the magnetic properties of the ternary magnetic alloy films and coaxial nanotubes. The coaxial tubes show homogenous wall thickness and composition, which is delineated from the magnetic measurements

Diagnostic for Verifying the Thrust Vector Requirement of the AEPS Hall-Effect Thruster and Comparison to the NEXT-C Thrust Vector Diagnostic

A diagnostic has been designed and fabricated to verify the thrust vector requirement for the Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS) thruster. This diagnostic will be used to verify that the propulsion system thrust vector offset from the mounting surface normal vector does not exceed 1.5 degrees over the entire throttling range and over the course of 23,000 hours of thruster testing. The diagnostic will also not violate the thruster's required voltage standoff capability in the presence of carbon backsputter by being minimally intrusive and not significantly adding to the facility backsputtered rate. Based on these requirements, an appropriate diagnostic design was determined to comprise of an array of 23 Faraday probes swept through the plume in an arc 1m from the thruster to map the beam current density. The beam current density centroid of the plume is assumed to track the thrust vector within an acceptable level of uncertainty. Additionally, a reference system, including optical alignment to the mounting surface normal vector and tilt sensors, was devised to periodically calibrate the probe position and motion throughout the long duration wear test campaign. Initial measurements of the thruster plume have been acquired to demonstrate the diagnostics functionality, verify procedures, and assess any necessary improvements prior to implementation of the diagnostic during the AEPS Engineering Development Unit (EDU) long duration wear test. To illustrate the merits of differing approaches to thrust vector determination for different classes of electric propulsion thrusters, NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster-Commercial (NEXT-C) thrust vector diagnostic design details and recent data are also discussed (Appendix A)

Impact of adult weight management interventions on mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Introduction: The effects of interventions targeting weight loss on physical health are well described, yet the evidence for mental health is less clear. It is essential to better understand the impact of weight management interventions on mental health to optimise care and minimise risk of harm. We will assess the effect of behavioural weight management interventions on mental health in adults with overweight and obesity. Methods and analysis: The systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidance. We will include behavioural weight management interventions with a diet and/or physical activity component focusing on weight loss for adults with a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster RCTs will be the only eligible study designs. Outcomes of interest will be related to mental health. The following databases were searched from inception to 07 May 2019: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane database (CENTRAL), PsycINFO, ASSIA, AMED and CINAHL. The search strategy was based on four concepts: (1) adults, defined as ≥18 years, with overweight/obesity, defined as BMI ≥25kg/m², (2) weight management interventions, (3) mental health outcomes and (4) study design. The search was restricted to English-language published papers, with no other restrictions applied. Two stage screening for eligibility will be completed by two independent reviewers, with two independent reviewers completing data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Data permitting, a random-effects meta-analysis of outcomes, subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be conducted. If not appropriate, narrative synthesis and ‘levels of evidence’ assessment will be completed. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required as primary data will not be collected. The completed systematic review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal, at conferences and contribute towards the lead author’s PhD thesis. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019131659

Fluorescent Excitation of Spectral Lines in Planetary Nebulae

Fluorescent excitation of spectral lines is demonstrated as a function of temperature-luminosity and the distance of the emitting region from the central stars of planetary nebulae. The electron densities and temperatures are determined, and the method is exemplified through a detailed analysis of spectral observations of a high excitation PN, NGC 6741, observed by Hyung and Aller(1997). Fluorescence should also be important in the determination of element abundances. It is suggested that the method could be generally applied to determine or constrain the luminosity and the region of spectral emission in other intensively radiative sources such as novae, supernovae, and active galactic nuclei.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures (fig.4 in color), ApJ (in press

DMAB oxidation for electroless deposition from alkaline solutions

Dimethylamine borane (DMAB) has been used as a reducing agent in electroless baths for many years. There has been an increased interest in DMAB-based electroless baths recently for applications in microelectronics such as barrier/capping layers for copper IC interconnect. To optimise the plating baths a thorough understanding of the role of each of the bath constituents is required. To this end we have employed microelectrodes to investigate the oxidation mechanism of boranes in alkaline solutions. In this paper we present data for DMAB and the simpler ammonia borane (AB) to assist in the analysis of borane oxidation in alkaline solutions. Both DMAB and AB are shown to oxidise in two steady state mass transport- controlled oxidation waves for specific concentration ranges. The potential range for oxidation, the optimum concentration and a suggested mechanism for oxidation are shown