A third HI 21-cm absorption system in the sight-line of MG J0414+0534: A redshift for Object X?

We report the detection of a third HI 21-cm absorber in the sight-line towards the z=2.64 quasar MG J0414+0534 (4C +05.19). In addition to the absorption at the host redshift and in the z=0.96 gravitational lens, we find, through a decimetre-wave spectral scan towards this source, strong absorption at z=0.38. We believe this may be associated with "Object X", an additional feature apparent in the field of the lensing galaxy and lensed images, on the basis of its close proximity to the quasar images and the possible detection of the [OIII] doublet in a published optical spectrum. If real, the strength of the [OIII] emission would suggest the presence of an active galactic nucleus, or a gas-rich galaxy undergoing rapid star formation, either of which is consistent with the strong outflows apparent in the 21-cm spectrum. Although this is the strongest intervening 21-cm absorber yet found, simultaneous observations failed to detect any of the 18-cm OH lines at the 21-cm redshift. This suggests that, as for the lensing galaxy, this is not the primary location of the intervening material responsible for the very red colour of MG J0414+0534.Comment: 5 pages, accepted by MNRAS Letter

Localised HI 21-cm absorption towards a double-lobed z=0.24 radio galaxy

We present the results of a mini-survey for associated HI 21-cm absorption at z < 0.42 with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. Our targets are radio galaxies, selected on the basis that the 1216 Angstrom luminosities are below 10^23 W/Hz, above which there has never been a detection of 21-cm absorption. Of the three sources for which we obtained good data, two are unclassified active galactic nuclei (AGN) and one is type-2. Being a non-detection, the type-2 object is consistent with our previous result that 21-cm absorption in radio sources is not dictated by unified schemes of AGN. In the case of the detection, the absorption only occurs towards one of the two resolved radio lobes in PKS 1649-062. If the absorption is due to an another intervening galaxy, or cool HI gas in the intergalactic medium, covering only the south-west lobe, then, being at the same redshift, this is likely to be gravitationally bound to the optical object identified as PKS 1649-062. If the absorption is due to an inclined disk centred between the lobes, intervening the SW lobe while being located behind the NE lobe, by assuming that it covers the emission peak at 150 kpc from the nucleus, we estimate a dynamical mass of ~3 x 10^12 solar masses for the disk.Comment: 5 pages accepted by MNRAS Letter

Biomass in the upwelling areas along the northwest coast of Africa as viewed with ERTS-1

Light penetration in water is affected by plankton, algae, and dissolved and suspended matter. As a consequence, the composition of backscattered light from below the air-sea interface is determined by the nature of the constituents in the water column. In contrast to the absorption spectrum of chemically pure chlorophyll in solution, algae suspensions absorb and scatter light more uniformly throughout the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because of their spectral absorption and scattering properties plankton concentration can be estimated by measuring the spectral backscattered radiance over water. Experiments using this approach were performed in upwelling regions along the northwest coast of Africa

Shipping exchange analysis of outsourced parcel shipping to LTL carriers

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2011.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 31-32).There is a large and intricate network of trucks, warehouses, stores, and companies that support the transportation and logistics industries in the United States. Different categories of carriers transport shipments of all sizes by utilizing complex tracking systems. Further, there is a network of brokers, consultants, third-party and fourth party logistics providers who organize and integrate these resources and services to provide transportation solutions for any shipment challenge. Solutions are created by integrating the capabilities of several carriers and other transportation service providers. Based on this integration, this thesis proposes a business model that will leverage the existing transportation network in US to provide a low-cost shipping option for residential shippers. It is concluded that the business model is possible with strong industry expertise and powerful database development.by Jamie K. Curran.S.B

Training health visitors in cognitive behavioural and person-centred approaches for depression in postnatal women as part of a cluster randomised trial and economic evaluation in primary care: the PoNDER trial

Aim: This paper aims to describe the training preparation for health visitors who took part in the intervention arm of a cluster randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of training for health visitors – the POstNatal Depression Economic evaluation and Randomised (the PoNDER) trial. A secondary aim is to make available, by electronic links, the training manuals developed for and used for the cognitive behavioural approach (CBA) and the person-centred approach (PCA) training for the health visitors. The paper is of relevance to health visitors, general practitioners, nurse practitioners, midwives, clinical psychologists, mental health nurses, community psychiatric nurses, counsellors, and service commissioners. Background: The trial clinical outcomes have been published, indicating the pragmatic effectiveness of the package of training for health visitors to identify depressive symptoms and provide a psychologically informed intervention. The training was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms at six months postnatally among intervention group women and some evidence of a benefit for the intervention group for some of the secondary outcomes at 18 months follow-up. Methods: The two experimental interventions examined in the PoNDER trial built upon promising work on the potential for psychological interventions to help women recover from postnatal depression as an alternative to pharmaceutical interventions and to address the limitations of previous research in the area. Findings: The package of health visitor training comprised the development of clinical skills in assessing postnatal women and identifying depressive symptoms, and the delivery of a CBA or a PCA for eligible women. This was the largest trial a health visitor intervention and of postnatal depression ever conducted. We are aware of no other rigorously performed trial that has published details of an extensively tested training programme for the benefit of health-care professionals and clients

Polymers and volatiles: Using VOC analysis for the conservation of plastic and rubber objects

There is an acknowledged need for improved conservation of plastic and rubber objects within collections, including improved methods of condition assessment, material identification, and better understanding of material degradation. This reflects the inherent instability and wide-ranging formulations of many such objects and also the relative lack of knowledge in this field. Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a useful method for understanding the chemical processes involved in polymer degradation and for the identification of materials. Conservators and curators have used odor analysis to identify historical plastics for many years, and techniques ranging from acid detection strips to laboratory-based techniques such as solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry have been used to characterize plastic and rubber materials and to understand their degradation. VOC analysis also has potential as a technique for bulk material identification, as a complementary tool to spectroscopic analysis of the surface. A significant advantage of VOC analysis is its potential to be non-invasive, avoiding destructive sampling or even contact with an object. However, there is a greater potential for VOC analysis to be of benefit within conservation than is currently being exploited and significant scope for future research. In fields such as construction or waste management, there is also significant research into analysis of VOC emissions from plastic and rubber materials. The goal of this paper is to systematically review research from a range of fields including conservation, polymer degradation, and plastics recycling and it includes the use of VOC analysis to understand the causes of damage to plastic and rubber objects, to provide evidence of degradation and to monitor degradation progress, and to identify materials and distinguish between different formulations. Summaries of relevant studies are given, and volatile markers of object damage and polymer degradation and key volatile identifiers of a particular material are highlighted