The Corralitos Observatory program for the detection of lunar transient phenomena

This is a final report on the establishment, observing procedures, and observational results of a survey program for the detection of lunar transient phenomena (LTP's) by electro-optical image conversion means. For survey, a unique detection system with an image orthicon was used as the primary element in conjunction with a 24-in. f/20 Cassegrainian telescope. Observations in three spectral ranges, with 6,466 man-hours of observing, were actually performed during the period from October 27, 1965, to April 26, 1972. Within this entire period, no color or feature change within the detection capabilities of the instrumentation was observed, either independently or in follow up of amateur LTP reports, with the exception of one general bluing and several localized bluings (probably ascribable to the effects of the terrestrial atmosphere) that were observed solely by the Corralitos system. A table is presented indicating amateur and professional reports of LTP's and the results of efforts to confirm these reports through the Corralitos system

Silicon isotopes in Antarctic sponges : an interlaboratory comparison

Cycling of deepwater silicon (Si) within the Southern Ocean, and its transport into other ocean basins, may be an important player in the uptake of atmospheric carbon, and global climate. Recent work has shown that the Si isotope (denoted by δ29Si or δ30Si) composition of deep sea sponges reflects the availability of dissolved Si during growth, and is a potential proxy for past deep and intermediate water silicic acid concentrations. As with any geochemical tool, it is essential to ensure analytical precision and accuracy, and consistency between methodologies and laboratories. Analytical bias may exist between laboratories, and sponge material may have matrix effects leading to offsets between samples and standards. Here, we report an interlaboratory evaluation of Si isotopes in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic sponges. We review independent methods for measuring Si isotopes in sponge spicules. Our results show that separate subsamples of non-homogenized sponges measured by three methods yield isotopic values within analytical error for over 80% of specimens. The relationship between δ29Si and δ30Si in sponges is consistent with kinetic fractionation during biomineralization. Sponge Si isotope analyses show potential as palaeoceaongraphic archives, and we suggest Southern Ocean sponge material would form a useful additional reference standard for future spicule analyses

Non-traumatic chest pain in patients presenting to an urban emergency Department in sub Saharan Africa: a prospective cohort study in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND:Non-traumatic chest pain (NTCP) is a common reason for emergency department (ED) attendance in high-income countries, with the primary concern focused on life threatening cardiovascular diseases. There is general lack of data on aetiologies, diagnosis and management of NTPC in Sub Sahara African (SSA) countries. We aimed to describe evaluation, diagnosis and outcomes of adult patients presenting with NTCP to an urban ED in Tanzania. METHOD:This was a prospective observational cohort study of consecutive adult (≥18 years) patients presenting with non-traumatic chest pain to the Emergency Medicine Department (EMD) of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es salaam from September 2017 to April 2018. Structured case report form was used to collected demographics, clinical presentation, investigations, diagnosis, and EMD disposition and in hospital mortality. We determined frequency of NTCP among our patients, aetiologies, 24-h and 7-day in-hospital mortality, and predictors for mortality. RESULTS:We screened 29,495 adults attending EMD-MNH during the study and 389 (1.3%) presented with NTCP of these, 349 (90%) were enrolled. The median age was 45 (IQR 29-60) years and 177 (50.7%) were female. Overall, 69.1% patients received electrocardiography (ECG) in the EMD and 34.1% had a troponin test. Heart failure and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) were the leading hospital diagnoses (12.6% each), followed by chronic kidney disease (10%) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (9.6%). Total of 167 (48%) patients were admitted, and the 24-h and 7-day in-hospital mortality were 5 (3%) and 16 (9.6%) respectively. Univariate risk factors for mortality were a Glasgow Coma Scale of < 15 [RR = 3.4 (95%CI 3.2-23)], Acute Coronary Syndrome [RR = 5.7 (95% CI 1.7-11.8) and Troponin > 0.04 ng/ml [RR 2.9 (95%CI 1.2-7.3)]. Features distinguishing cardiovascular from other causes were: bradycardia [RR = 2.6 (95%CI 2.1-3.2)], heart beat awareness [RR = 2.3 (95%CI 1.7-3.2)] and history of diabetic mellitus [RR = 2.2 (95% CI 1.6-3.0)]. CONCLUSION:In this ED of SSA country, heart failure and pulmonary tuberculosis were the leading causes of NCTP, and ACS was present in 9.6%. NTCP in this setting carries high mortality, and ACS was the leading risk factor for death. ED providers in SSA must increasingly consider cardiovascular causes of NTCP

Strong nonlinear optical response of graphene flakes measured by four-wave mixing

We present the first experimental investigation of nonlinear optical properties of graphene flakes. We find that at near infrared frequencies a graphene monolayer exhibits a remarkably high third-order optical nonlinearity which is practically independent of the wavelengths of incident light. The nonlinear optical response can be utilized for imaging purposes, with image contrasts of graphene which are orders of magnitude higher than those obtained using linear microscopy.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

The role of benthic biofilm production in the mediation of silicon cycling in the Severn Estuary, UK

The biological mediation of benthic biogenic silica (BBSi) by the diatom-dominated biofilms on the intertidal mudflats of the Severn Estuary (UK) was assessed in situ under different environmental conditions using measurements of productive biomass (chlorophyll a), photosynthetic activity of undisturbed microalgal assemblages, benthic biogenic silica (BBSi) and benthic dissolved silica (BDSi). We show low BBSi standing stocks in the mudflats compared to other European estuaries, under both warmer summer conditions (0.6%) and colder winter conditions (0.5%). Dissolved forms of Si (BDSi) dominated the estuary, with significantly higher concentrations during the sampled winter (22.6 ± 1.0 mg L−1) compared to the sampled summer (2.9 ± 0.5 mg L−1). Benthic algal biomass was higher under cold conditions compared to warmer conditions (24.0 ± 2.3 and 13.2 ± 1.9 mg g−1sed. dw., respectively), following reduced migratory behaviour in the winter increasing surficial biomass. Relative maximum Electron Transport Rate (rETRmax), used as a proxy for relative primary productivity, was higher under warm conditions (254.1 ± 20.1 rel. units) compared to cold conditions (116.0 ± 27.1 rel. units). The biofilms sampled in the summer biologically mediated Si by the productive, high light acclimated diatoms that were highly motile during fluorescence measurements, and exhibited migratory behaviour, which despite nutrient limitation, evidenced by low Fv/Fm, increased the accumulation of BBSi. The biofilms sampled in the winter that were subject to relatively colder temperatures, consisted of low light acclimated diatoms of reduced migratory capabilities, and induced NPQ that suppressed productivity, and mediated BBSi to a lesser extent. Environmental stresses reduced the biofilm biological mediation of Si, which controlled Si to a lesser extent compared to the high hydrodynamic energy increasing biofilm re-suspension and terrestrial/coastal inputs

PENYULUHAN EKSEKUSI PERADILAN TATA USAHA NEGARA DAN PENERAPAN EKSEKUSI UANG PAKSA

Kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat dengan judul “ Penyuluhan Eksekusi Peradilan Tata Usaha Negara dan Penerapan Uang Paksa” bertujuan untuk : (1). Mengimplementasikan hasil penelitian terdahulu dengan permasalahan mengenai Pembayaran Uang Paksa dan Sanski Administrasi Terhadap  Pejabat Tata Usaha Negara yang tidak Patuh terhadap Putusan Tata Usaha Negara, (2). Sebagai bentuk edukasi dan peningkatan pemahaman hukum khususnya di bidang Hukum Acara Tata Usaha Negara dan Praktek Peradilan  bagi masyarakat di Negeri Suli, Kecamatan Salahutu, Kabupaten Maluku Tengah yang minim akan pendidikan hukum Hukum Acara Tata Usaha Negara dan Praktek Peradilan  ini menggunakan metode pelaksanaan berupa kegiatan penyuluhan hukum yang dilaksanakan secara panel oleh pemateri yang kemudian dilanjutkan dengan kegiatan tanya jawab antara masyarakat dengan pemateri

PENYULUHAN EKSEKUSI PERADILAN TATA USAHA NEGARA DAN PENERAPAN EKSEKUSI UANG PAKSA

Kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat dengan judul “Penyuluhan Eksekusi Peradilan Tata Usaha Negara Dan Penerapan Eksekusi Uang Paksa” bertujuan untuk : (1). Mengimplementasikan hasil penelitian terdahulu dengan permasalahan mengenai Pembayaran Uang Paksa dan Sanski Administrasi Terhadap  Pejabat Tata Usaha Negara yang tidak Patuh terhadap Putusan Tata Usaha Negara, (2). Sebagai bentuk edukasi dan peningkatan pemahaman hukum khususnya di bidang Hukum Acara Tata Usaha Negara dan Praktek Peradilan  bagi masyarakat di Negeri Suli, Kecamatan Salahutu, Kabupaten Maluku Tengah yang minim akan pendidikan hukum Hukum Acara Tata Usaha Negara dan Praktek Peradilan  ini menggunakan metode pelaksanaan berupa kegiatan penyuluhan hukum yang dilaksanakan secara panel oleh pemateri yang kemudian dilanjutkan dengan kegiatan tanya jawab antara masyarakat dengan pemateri