KIC 9406652: An Unusual Cataclysmic Variable in the Kepler Field of View

KIC 9406652 is a remarkable variable star in the Kepler field of view that shows both very rapid oscillations and long term outbursts in its light curve. We present an analysis of the light curve over quarters 1 to 15 and new spectroscopy that indicates that the object is a cataclysmic variable with an orbital period of 6.108 hours. However, an even stronger signal appears in the light curve periodogram for a shorter period of 5.753 hours, and we argue that this corresponds to the modulation of flux from the hot spot region in a tilted, precessing disk surrounding the white dwarf star. We present a preliminary orbital solution from radial velocity measurements of features from the accretion disk and the photosphere of the companion. We use a Doppler tomography algorithm to reconstruct the disk and companion spectra, and we also consider how these components contribute to the object's spectral energy distribution from ultraviolet to infrared wavelengths. This target offers us a remarkable opportunity to investigate disk processes during the high mass transfer stage of evolution in cataclysmic variables.Comment: 31 pages, 13 figures, accepted for Ap

Standardized ASCE Penman-Monteith: Impact of sum-of-hourly vs. 24-hour timestep computations at reference weather station sites

ABSTRACT. The standardized ASCE Penman-Monteith (ASCE-PM) model was used to estimate grass-reference evapotran-spiration (ETo) over a range of climates at seven locations based on hourly and 24 h weather data. Hourly ETo computations were summed over 24 h periods and reported as sum-of-hourly (SOH). The SOH ASCE-PM ETo values (ETo,h,ASCE) were compared with the 24 h timestep ASCE-PM ETo values (ETo,d) and SOH ETo values using the FAO Paper 56 Penman-Monteith (FAO56-PM) method (ETo,h,FAO). The ETo,h,ASCE values were used as the basis for comparison. The ETo,d estimated higher than ETo,h,ASCE at all locations except one, and agreement between the computational timesteps was best in humid regions. The greatest differences between ETo,d and ETo,h,ASCE were in locations where strong, dry, hot winds cause advective increases in ETo. Three locations showed considerable signs of advection. Some of the differences between the timesteps was attributed to uncertainties in predicting soil heat flux and to the difficulty of ETo,d to effectively account for abrupt diurnal changes in wind speed, air temperature, and vapor pressure deficit. The ETo,h,FAO values correlated well with ETo,h,ASCE values (r2> 0.997), but estimated lower than ETo,h,ASCE at all locations by 5 % to 8%. This was due to the impact of higher surface resistance during daytime periods. Summing the ETo values over a weekly, monthly, or annual basis generally reduced the differences between ETo,d and ETo,h,ASCE. Summing the ETo,d values over multiple days and longer periods for peak ETo months resulted in inconsistent differences between the two timesteps. The results suggest a potential improvement in accuracy when using the standardized ASCE-PM procedure applied hourly rather than daily. The hourly application helps to account for abrupt changes in atmospheric conditions on ETo estimation in advective and other environments when hourly climate data are available

An EUV Study of the Intermediate Polar EX Hydrae

On 2000 May 5, we began a large multi-wavelength campaign to study the intermediate polar, EX Hydrae. The simultaneous observations from six satellites and four telescopes were centered around a one million second observation with EUVE. Although EX Hydrae has been studied previously with EUVE, our higher signal-to-noise observations present new results and challenge the current IP models. Previously unseen dips in the light curve are reminiscent of the stream dips seen in polar light curves. Also of interest is the temporal extent of the bulge dip; approximately 0.5 in phase, implying that the bulge extends over half of the accretion disk. We propose that the magnetic field in EX Hydrae is strong enough (a few MG) to begin pulling material directly from the outer edge of the disk, thereby forming a large accretion curtain which would produce a very broad bulge dip. This would also result in magnetically controlled accretion streams originating from the outer edge of the disk. We also present a period analysis of the photometric data which shows numerous beat frequencies with strong power and also intermittent and wandering frequencies, an indication that physical conditions within EX Hya changed over the course of the observation. Iron spectral line ratios give a temperature of log T=6.5-6.9 K for all spin phases and a poorly constrained density of n_e=10^10-10^11 cm^-3 for the emitting plasma. This paper is the first in a series detailing our results from this multi-wavelength observational campaign.Comment: 27 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

CDL Data Quality Assessment

Quality issues related to commercial driver license (CDL) data present ongoing challenges to state and federal transportation agencies. This study highlights several problems with CDL data, including a lack of standardization for state-specific traffic infractions; process and workflow difficulties that degrade the accuracy, validity, and timeliness of data; adjudication procedures that can potentially mask serious violations from CDL driver history records; inadequate recordkeeping in state law enforcement citation and court case management software applications; outdated mainframe systems in urgent need of upgrades; IT personnel who are not paid enough; and insufficient reporting requirements for federal agencies that issue traffic citations. Best practices states can adopt to resolve these issues include undertaking renewed efforts to standardize state traffic infraction codes and equivalency tables; increasing automation of data entry and reducing repetitive data entry processes; amplifying outreach efforts to law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and judges that are focused on the federal guidelines which govern the adjudication of CDL-related infractions and their application to driver history records; including a CDL indicator in citation and adjudication software so that researchers and analysts can better track how CDL-related traffic are handled; increasing investments in new IT systems as well as personnel recruitment and retention; and improving coordination between federal agencies and the Central Violations Bureau so that traffic citations are reported to state agencies quicker

Destined to die in hospital? Systematic review and meta-analysis of place of death in haematological malignancy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Haematological malignancies are a common, heterogeneous and complex group of diseases that are often associated with poor outcomes despite intensive treatment. Research surrounding end-of-life issues, and particularly place of death, is therefore of paramount importance, yet place of death has not been formally reviewed in these patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was undertaken using PubMed to identify all studies published between 1966 and 2010. Studies examining place of death in adult haematology patients, using routinely compiled morbidity and mortality data and providing results specific to this disease were included. 21 studies were identified with descriptive and/or risk-estimate data; 17 were included in a meta-analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to other cancer deaths, haematology patients were more than twice as likely to die in hospital (Odds Ratio 2.25 [95% Confidence Intervals, 2.07-2.44]).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Home is generally considered the preferred place of death but haematology patients usually die in hospital. This has implications for patients who may not be dying where they wish, and also health commissioners who may be funding costly end-of-life care in inappropriate acute hospital settings. More research is needed about preferred place of care for haematology patients, reasons for hospital deaths, and how these can be avoided if home death is preferred.</p

Developing a Baseline for Customer Satisfaction in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet\u27s Department of Vehicle Regulation

Among the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) business units, the Department of Vehicle Regulation (DVR) has the most interactions with members of the public and other government agencies. Given its high profile and public visibility, it is critical for the department to provide high-quality customer service. Lacking data on customer perceptions of DVR’s level of service, the department commissioned researchers at the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) to conduct a baseline and rebaseline customer satisfaction surveys. Along with administering surveys to external customers, KTC’s research team also polled DVR staff to gauge employee morale and identify areas which could be improved. Approximately 90% of departmental staff believe that DVR provides a high level of customer service, and most viewed the department’s divisions favorably. Staff, however, noted the importance of fostering an open, equitable, and collaborative workspace as well as the importance of having up-to-date technological tools to perform daily job functions. With respect to the baseline and rebaseline external customer surveys, this study measured a slight decline in overall customer satisfaction. In the baseline survey, 81% of respondents were very or somewhat satisfied with the service they received; in the rebaseline survey 77% said the same. Regression modeling found a strong negative relationship between number of call escalations (i.e., call transfers) and customer satisfaction; call duration had a smaller but negative impact on customer satisfaction. Survey respondents expressed a growing preference for using electronic means (email, website) to interact with DVR. Moving forward, it will be critical for DVR to dedicate resources to improving its website and streamlining other modes of electronic communication, reducing the number of call escalations, and shortening average call durations – particularly hold times

Palliative care specialists' perceptions concerning referral of haematology patients to their services : findings from a qualitative study

Background: Haematological malignancies (leukaemias, lymphomas and myeloma) are complex cancers that are relatively common, affect all ages and have divergent outcomes. Although the symptom burden of these diseases is comparable to other cancers, patients do not access specialist palliative care (SPC) services as often as those with other cancers. To determine the reasons for this, we asked SPC practitioners about their perspectives regarding the barriers and facilitators influencing haematology patient referrals. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study, set within the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Haematological Malignancy Research Network (HMRN: www.hmrn.org), a population-based cohort in the North of England. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 SPC doctors and nurses working in hospital, community and hospice settings between 2012 and 2014. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed for thematic content using the ‘Framework’ method. Results: Study participants identified a range of barriers and facilitators influencing the referral of patients with haematological malignancies to SPC services. Barriers included: the characteristics and pathways of haematological malignancies; the close patient/haematology team relationship; lack of role clarity; late end of life discussions and SPC referrals; policy issues; and organisational issues. The main facilitators identified were: establishment of interdisciplinary working patterns (co-working) and enhanced understanding of roles; timely discussions with patients and early SPC referral; access to information platforms able to support information sharing; and use of indicators to ‘flag’ patients’ needs for SPC. Collaboration between haematology and SPC was perceived as beneficial and desirable, and was said to be increasing over time. Conclusions: This is the first UK study to explore SPC practitioners’ perceptions concerning haematology patient referrals. Numerous factors were found to influence the likelihood of referral, some of which related to the organisation and delivery of SPC services, so were amenable to change, and others relating to the complex and unique characteristics and pathways of haematological cancers. Further research is needed to assess the extent to which palliative care is provided by haematology doctors and nurses and other generalists and ways in which clinical uncertainty could be used as a trigger, rather than a barrier, to referral. Keywords: Cancer, Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma, Haematology, Specialist palliative care, End of life, Hospice, Qualitativ

The K2 Mission: Characterization and Early results

The K2 mission will make use of the Kepler spacecraft and its assets to expand upon Kepler's groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of exoplanets and astrophysics through new and exciting observations. K2 will use an innovative way of operating the spacecraft to observe target fields along the ecliptic for the next 2-3 years. Early science commissioning observations have shown an estimated photometric precision near 400 ppm in a single 30 minute observation, and a 6-hour photometric precision of 80 ppm (both at V=12). The K2 mission offers long-term, simultaneous optical observation of thousands of objects at a precision far better than is achievable from ground-based telescopes. Ecliptic fields will be observed for approximately 75-days enabling a unique exoplanet survey which fills the gaps in duration and sensitivity between the Kepler and TESS missions, and offers pre-launch exoplanet target identification for JWST transit spectroscopy. Astrophysics observations with K2 will include studies of young open clusters, bright stars, galaxies, supernovae, and asteroseismology.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures, Accepted to PAS

Auditory feature perception and auditory hallucinatory experiences in schizophrenia spectrum disorder

Schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SZ) is associated with deficits in auditory perception as well as auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH). However, the relationship between auditory feature perception and auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH), one of the most commonly occurring symptoms in psychosis, has not been well characterized. This study evaluated perception of a broad range of auditory features in SZ and to determine whether current AVHs relate to auditory feature perception. Auditory perception, including frequency, intensity, duration, pulse-train and temporal order discrimination, as well as an embedded tone task, was assessed in both AVH (n = 20) and non-AVH (n = 24) SZ individuals and in healthy controls (n = 29) with the Test of Basic Auditory Capabilities (TBAC). The Hamilton Program for Schizophrenia Voices Questionnaire (HPSVQ) was used to assess the experience of auditory hallucinations in patients with SZ. Findings suggest that compared to controls, the SZ group had greater deficits on an array of auditory features, with non-AVH SZ individuals showing the most severe degree of abnormality. IQ and measures of cognitive processing were positively associated with performance on the TBAC for all SZ individuals, but not with the HPSVQ scores. These findings indicate that persons with SZ demonstrate impaired auditory perception for a broad range of features. It does not appear that impaired auditory perception is associated with recent auditory verbal hallucinations, but instead associated with the degree of intellectual impairment in SZ