Assessment of Satellite Radiometry in the Visible Domain

Marine reflectance and chlorophyll-a concentration are listed among the Essential Climate Variables by the Global Climate Observing System. To contribute to climate research, the satellite ocean color data records resulting from successive missions need to be consistent and well characterized in terms of uncertainties. This chapter reviews various approaches that can be used for the assessment of satellite ocean color data. Good practices for validating satellite products with in situ data and the current status of validation results are illustrated. Model-based approaches and inter-comparison techniques can also contribute to characterize some components of the uncertainty budget, while time series analysis can detect issues with the instrument radiometric characterization and calibration. Satellite data from different missions should also provide a consistent picture in scales of variability, including seasonal and interannual signals. Eventually, the various assessment approaches should be combined to create a fully characterized climate data record from satellite ocean color

Enhancing Reliability of Studies on Single Filament Memristive Switching via an Unconventional cAFM Approach

Memristive devices are highly promising for implementing neuromorphic functionalities in future electronic hardware, and direct insights into memristive phenomena on the nanoscale are of fundamental importance to reaching this. Conductive atomic force microscopy (cAFM) has proven to be an essential tool for probing memristive action locally on the nanoscale, but the significance of the acquired data frequently suffers from the nonlocality associated with the thermal drift of the tip in ambient conditions. Furthermore, comparative studies of different configurations of filamentary devices have proven to be difficult, because of an immanent variability of the filament properties between different devices. Herein, these problems are addressed by constraining the memristive action directly at the apex of the probe through functionalization of a cAFM tip with an archetypical memristive stack, which is comprised of Ag/Si3N4. The design of such functionalized cantilevers (entitled here as "memtips") allowed the capture of the long-term intrinsic current response, identifying temporal correlations between switching events, and observing emerging spiking dynamics directly at the nanoscale. Utilization of an identical memtip for measurements on different counter electrodes made it possible to directly compare the impact of different device configurations on the switching behavior of the same filament. Such an analytical approach in ambient conditions will pave the way towards a deeper understanding of filamentary switching phenomena on the nanoscale

A Novel Phytomyxean Parasite Associated with Galls on the Bull-Kelp Durvillaea antarctica (Chamisso) Hariot

Durvillaea antarctica (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) is a large kelp of high ecological and economic significance in the Southern Hemisphere. In natural beds along the central coast of Chile (Pacific Ocean), abnormal growth characterized by evident gall development and discolorations of the fronds/thallus was observed. Analysing these galls by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of endophytic eukaryotes showing typical characteristics for phytomyxean parasites. The parasite developed within enlarged cells of the subcortical tissue of the host. Multinucleate plasmodia developed into many, single resting spores. The affiliation of this parasite to the Phytomyxea (Rhizaria) was supported by 18S rDNA data, placing it within the Phagomyxida. Similar microorganisms were already reported once 23 years ago, indicating that these parasites are persistent and widespread in D. antarctica beds for long times. The symptoms caused by this parasite are discussed along with the ecological and economic consequences. Phytomyxean parasites may play an important role in the marine ecosystem, but they remain understudied in this environment. Our results demonstrate for the first time the presence of resting spores in Phagomyxida, an order in which resting spores were thought to be absent making this the first record of a phagomyxean parasite with a complete life cycle so far, challenging the existing taxonomic concepts within the Phytomyxea. The importance of the here described resting spores for the survival and ecology of the phagomyxid parasite will be discussed together with the impact this parasite may have on 'the strongest seaweed of the world', which is an important habitat forming and economic resource from the Southern Hemisphere

Does the weight of basketball shoes affect speed and jumping performance?

Purpose: The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of different weights of basketball shoes on speed and jumping performance in male basketball players. Material: 20 male basketball players in two groups, as eyes open (n:10) and eyes closed (n:10) participated in the study. The two groups performed vertical jump (VJ) and 10m sprint tests with three different weights of shoes (light, 352g; medium, 510g; heavy, 637g). The data were analyzed with Friedman repeated measurements variance analysis. Results: In Vertical Jump test, jumping performance of the eyes open group (EOG) with light shoes was found to be statistically higher as 1.8% and 2.1%, respectively when compared with medium and heavy shoes (p0.005). In 10 meter (m) sprint test, 10 m sprint time of the eyes open group was found to be statistically better as 0.5% and 1.6%, respectively when compared with medium and heavy shoe performance (p<0.001). Medium weight shoe was found to be 1.2% statistically better than heavy shoes (p<0.001). In eyes closed group, light shoes affected 10m sprint performance statistically better with 1% when compared with heavy shoes (p<0.001). Conclusions: Wearing light shoes in basketball has 2.1% and 1.6% positive effect on jumping and sprint performance, respectively. It can increase basketball players' performance. Choosing light shoes will help provide both psychological and physical advantages

Uncertainty Assessment of the SeaWiFS On-Orbit Calibration

Ocean color climate data records require water-leaving radiances with 5% absolute and 1% relative accuracies as input. Because of the amplification of any sensor calibration errors by the atmospheric correction, the 1% relative accuracy requirement translates into a 0.1% long-term radiometric stability requirement for top-of-the atmosphere radiances. The rigorous on-orbit calibration program developed and implemented for SeaWiFS by the NASA Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG) Calibration and Validation Team (CVT) has allowed the CVT to maintain the stability of the radiometric calibration of SeaWiFS at 0.13% or better over the mission. The uncertainties in the resulting calibrated top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) radiances can be addressed in terms of accuracy (biases in the measurements), precision (scatter in the measurements), and stability (repeatability of the measurements). The calibration biases of lunar observations relative to the USGS RObotic Lunar Observatory (ROLO) photometric model of the Moon are 2-3%. The biases from the vicarious calibration against the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) are 1-2%. The precision of the calibration derived from the solar calibration signal-tonoise ratios are 0.16%, from the lunar residuals are 0.13%, and from the vicarious gains are 0.10%. The long-term stability of the TOA radiances, derived from the lunar time series, is 0.13%. The stability of the vicariouslycalibrated TOA radiances, incorporating the uncertainties in the MOBY measurements and the atmospheric correction, is 0.30%. These results allow the OBPG to produce climate data records from the SeaWiFS ocean color data

The German fibromyalgia consumer reports - a cross-sectional survey

Background: Consumer surveys provide information on effectiveness and side effects of medical interventions in routine clinical care. A report of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) consumers has not been carried out in Europe. Methods: The study was carried out from November 2010 to April 2011. Participants diagnosed with FMS rated the effectiveness and side effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological FMS interventions on a 0 to 10 scale, with 10 being most efficacious (harmful). The questionnaire was distributed by the German League for people with Arthritis and Rheumatism and the German Fibromyalgia Association to their members and to all consecutive FMS patients of nine clinical centers of different levels of care. Results: 1661 questionnaires (95% women, mean age 54 years, mean duration since FMS diagnosis 6.8 years) were analysed. The most frequently used therapies were self-management strategies, prescription pain medication and aerobic exercise. The highest average effectiveness was attributed to whole body and local warmth therapies, thermal bathes, FMS education and resting. The highest average side effects were attributed to strong opioids, local cold therapy, gamma-amino-butyric acid analogues (pregabalin and gabapentin), tramadol and opioid transdermal systems. Conclusion: The German fibromyalgia consumer reports highlight the importance of non-pharmcological therapies in the long-term management of FMS, and challenges the strong recommendations for drug therapies given by FMS-guidelines

The Science of Sex Appeal: An Evolutionary Perspective

Growing evidence shows that features we find attractive in members of the opposite sex signal important underlying dimensions of health and reproductive viability. It has been discovered that men with attractive faces have higher quality sperm, women with attractive bodies are more fertile, men and women with attractive voices lose their virginity sooner, men who spend more money than they earn have more sex partners, and lap dancers make more tips when they are in the fertile phase of their menstrual cycle. This paper highlights recent evidence showing that the way we perceive other people has been shaped by our evolutionary history. An evolutionary approach provides a powerful tool for understanding the consistency and diversity of mating preferences and behaviors across individuals and cultures. Keywords: evolutionary psychology, facial attractiveness, body configuration, voice, menstrual cycle, muscularity, body fat, dishonest signals A cursory glance at the women featured in popular men&apos;s magazines, such as Maxim or Playboy, suggests that men are attracted to young women with smooth skin, long soft hair, large eyes, slender bodies, long legs, curved hips, large pronounced breasts, rounded buttocks, and flat stomachs The pressure to be attractive can leave many people feeling dissatisfied with their appearance Why do so many people spend so much time, effort, and money on their appearance? Why do we find some people more attractive than others? If beauty is only skin deep, why should it matter how people look? What follows is a review of the science of sex appeal, targeting recent findings that illustrate the conceptual and heuristic value of an evolutionary perspective. 1 We first briefly outline how evolution shapes the way we process information about other people, and then focus on why we find certain faces, body types, and voices appealing. We show how an evolutionary perspective enables us to understand and predict ways that women&apos;s preferences for some of these traits shift across the menstrual cycle. We conclude with a discussion of how individuals have developed cultural and technological innovations to enhance certain aspects of their appearance. The Impact of Evolution It is important to understand that we do not experience the world or other people directly. Rather, our experience is a byproduct of sensory input acting on the nervous system. Our sensory receptors are evolved neurological mechanisms that convert mechanical, chemical, thermal, or electromagnetic energy into nerve impulses. These nerve impulses in turn activate evolved parts of the brain that translate these impulses into experience. The age-old question, &quot;if a tree fell over in the woods and no one was there to hear it, would it make a noise?&quot; has a clear and definitive answer from a neurobiological perspective. No doubt a felled tree would produce intense air borne vibrations, but in order to be &quot;heard&quot; or to make a &quot;noise&quot; these vibrations would have to impinge on an ear and trigger nerve impulses that activate relevant 1 In biological terms, traits that are more typical of women are considered &quot;feminine&quot; whereas traits that are more typical of males are considered &quot;masculine.&quot; For example, testosterone &quot;masculinizes&quot; men&apos;s faces by making their jaws squarer, and estrogen &quot;feminizes&quot; women&apos;s faces by making their jaws more rounded

Calculating and visualizing the density of states for simple quantum mechanical systems

We present a graphical approach to understanding the degeneracy, density of states, and cumulative state number for some simple quantum systems. By taking advantage of basic computing operations, we define a straightforward procedure for determining the relationship between discrete quantum energy levels and the corresponding density of states and cumulative level number. The density of states for a particle in a rigid box of various shapes and dimensions is examined and graphed. It is seen that the dimension of the box, rather than its shape, is the most important feature. In addition, we look at the density of states for a multi-particle system of identical bosons built on the single-particle spectra of those boxes. A simple model is used to explain how the N-particle density of states arises from the single particle system it is based on

PACE Technical Report Series, Volume 6: Data Product Requirements and Error Budgets Consensus Document

This chapter summarizes ocean color science data product requirements for the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud,ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission's Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) and observatory. NASA HQ delivered Level-1 science data product requirements to the PACE Project, which encompass data products to be produced and their associated uncertainties. These products and uncertainties ultimately determine the spectral nature of OCI and the performance requirements assigned to OCI and the observatory. This chapter ultimately serves to provide context for the remainder of this volume, which describes tools developed that allocate these uncertainties into their components, including allowable OCI systematic and random uncertainties, observatory geo location uncertainties, and geophysical model uncertainties

The Distance To The Hyades Cluster Based On Hubble Space Telescope Fine Guidance Sensor Parallaxes

Trigonometric parallax observations made with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) 3 of seven Hyades members in six fields of view have been analyzed along with their proper motions to determine the distance to the cluster. Knowledge of the convergent point and mean proper motion of the Hyades is critical to the derivation of the distance to the center of the cluster. Depending on the choice of the proper-motion system, the derived cluster center distance varies by 9%. Adopting a reference distance of 46.1 pc or m - M = 3.32, which is derived from the ground-based parallaxes in the General Catalogue of Trigonometric Stellar Parallaxes (1995 edition), the FK5/PPM proper-motion system yields a distance 4% larger, while the Hanson system yields a distance 2% smaller. The HST FGS parallaxes reported here yield either a 14% or 5% larger distance, depending on the choice of the proper-motion system. Orbital parallaxes (Torres et al.) yield an average distance 4% larger than the reference distance. The variation in the distance derived from the HST data illustrates the importance of the proper-motion system and the individual proper motions to the derivation of the distance to the Hyades center; therefore, a full utilization of the HST FGS parallaxes awaits the establishment of an accurate and consistent proper-motion system.NASA HST GTO, HF-1042.01-93A, HF-1046.01-93A, NAS526555Astronom