197 research outputs found
A uniform asteroseismic analysis of 22 solar-type stars observed by Kepler
Asteroseismology with the Kepler space telescope is providing not only an
improved characterization of exoplanets and their host stars, but also a new
window on stellar structure and evolution for the large sample of solar-type
stars in the field. We perform a uniform analysis of 22 of the brightest
asteroseismic targets with the highest signal-to-noise ratio observed for 1
month each during the first year of the mission, and we quantify the precision
and relative accuracy of asteroseismic determinations of the stellar radius,
mass, and age that are possible using various methods. We present the
properties of each star in the sample derived from an automated analysis of the
individual oscillation frequencies and other observational constraints using
the Asteroseismic Modeling Portal (AMP), and we compare them to the results of
model-grid-based methods that fit the global oscillation properties. We find
that fitting the individual frequencies typically yields asteroseismic radii
and masses to \sim1% precision, and ages to \sim2.5% precision (respectively 2,
5, and 8 times better than fitting the global oscillation properties). The
absolute level of agreement between the results from different approaches is
also encouraging, with model-grid-based methods yielding slightly smaller
estimates of the radius and mass and slightly older values for the stellar age
relative to AMP, which computes a large number of dedicated models for each
star. The sample of targets for which this type of analysis is possible will
grow as longer data sets are obtained during the remainder of the mission.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures in the main text, 22 figures in Appendix.
Accepted for publication in Ap
Equal opportunities: Do shareable interfaces promote more group participation than single users displays?
Computers designed for single use are often appropriated suboptimally when used by small colocated groups working together. Our research investigates whether shareable interfaces–that are designed for more than one user to inter-act with–can facilitate more equitable participation in colocated group settings compared with single user displays. We present a conceptual framework that
characterizes Shared Information Spaces (SISs) in terms of how they constrain and invite participation using different entry points. An experiment was conducted that compared three different SISs: a physical-digital set-up (least constrained), a multitouch tabletop (medium), and a laptop display (most constrained). Statistical analyses showed there to be little difference in participation levels between the three conditions other than a predictable lack of equity of control over the interface in the laptop condition. However, detailed qualitative analyses revealed more equitable participation took place in the physical-digital condition in terms of verbal utterances over time. Those who spoke the least contributed most to the physical design task. The findings are discussed in relation to the conceptual framework and, more generally, in terms of how to select, design, and combine different display technologies to support collaborative activities
Complete Genome Sequence of the Complex Carbohydrate-Degrading Marine Bacterium, Saccharophagus degradans Strain 2-40T
The marine bacterium Saccharophagus degradans strain 2-40 (Sde 2-40) is emerging as a vanguard of a recently discovered group of marine and estuarine bacteria that recycles complex polysaccharides. We report its complete genome sequence, analysis of which identifies an unusually large number of enzymes that degrade >10 complex polysaccharides. Not only is this an extraordinary range of catabolic capability, many of the enzymes exhibit unusual architecture including novel combinations of catalytic and substrate-binding modules. We hypothesize that many of these features are adaptations that facilitate depolymerization of complex polysaccharides in the marine environment. This is the first sequenced genome of a marine bacterium that can degrade plant cell walls, an important component of the carbon cycle that is not well-characterized in the marine environment
T2-weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance in acute cardiac disease
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) using T2-weighted sequences can visualize myocardial edema. When compared to previous protocols, newer pulse sequences with substantially improved image quality have increased its clinical utility. The assessment of myocardial edema provides useful incremental diagnostic and prognostic information in a variety of clinical settings associated with acute myocardial injury. In patients with acute chest pain, T2-weighted CMR is able to identify acute or recent myocardial ischemic injury and has been employed to distinguish acute coronary syndrome (ACS) from non-ACS as well as acute from chronic myocardial infarction
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