The [Ne III]/[Ne II] line ratio in NGC 253

We present results of the mapping of the nucleus of the starburst galaxy NGC 253 and its immediate surroundings using the Infrared Spectrograph on board the Spitzer Space Telescope. The map is centered on the nucleus of the galaxy and spans the inner 800 × 688 pc^2. We perform a brief investigation of the implications of these measurement on the properties of the star formation in this region using theories developed to explain the deficiency of massive stars in starbursts

Characterization of multiterminal tandem photovoltaic devices and their subcell coupling

Three-terminal (3T) and four-terminal (4T) tandem photovoltaic (PV) devices using various materials have been increasingly reported in the literature, but measurement standards are lacking. Here, multiterminal devices measured as functions of two load variables are characterized unambiguously as functions of three device voltages or currents on hexagonal plots. We demonstrate these measurement techniques using two GaInP/GaAs tandem solar cells, with a middle contact between the two subcells, as example 3T devices with both series-connected and reverse-connected subcells. Coupling mechanisms between the subcells are quantified within the context of a simple equivalent optoelectronic circuit. Electrical and optical coupling mechanisms are most clearly revealed using coupled dark measurements. These measurements are sensitive enough to observe very small luminescent coupling from the bottom subcell to the top subcell in the prototype 3T device. Quick simplified measurement techniques are also discussed within the context of the complete characterization

BENEFICIAMENTO DO SAL: UMA VISÃO DOS RISCOS AMBIENTAIS

O presente estudo buscou analisar todo o pro-cesso de beneficiamento do sal, que em todas as suas fases proporciona riscos ambientais aos colaboradores. Realizou-se um levantamento exploratório qualitativo que possibilitou descrever e analisar os riscos físicos a que estão submetidos os trabalhadores desse segmento industrial. Os dados foram coletados e analisados utili-zando-se como técnicas de trabalho em campo e de interpretação das informações coletadas, respectiva-mente, a observação e a análise preliminar de riscos. Dos resultados obtidos com o trabalho demonstrou-se a necessidade de adoção de medidas preventivas e corre-tivas, com o intuito de evitar acidentes, no processo de beneficiamento do sal, pois essa é a etapa da produção que apresenta a maior diversidade de riscos e concen-tração do maior número de trabalhadores do ramo sali-neiro

BENEFICIAMENTO DO SAL: UMA VISÃO DOS RISCOS AMBIENTAIS

O presente estudo buscou analisar todo o pro-cesso de beneficiamento do sal, que em todas as suas fases proporciona riscos ambientais aos colaboradores. Realizou-se um levantamento exploratório qualitativo que possibilitou descrever e analisar os riscos físicos a que estão submetidos os trabalhadores desse segmento industrial. Os dados foram coletados e analisados utili-zando-se como técnicas de trabalho em campo e de interpretação das informações coletadas, respectiva-mente, a observação e a análise preliminar de riscos. Dos resultados obtidos com o trabalho demonstrou-se a necessidade de adoção de medidas preventivas e corre-tivas, com o intuito de evitar acidentes, no processo de beneficiamento do sal, pois essa é a etapa da produção que apresenta a maior diversidade de riscos e concen-tração do maior número de trabalhadores do ramo sali-neiro

Shrub Communities, Spatial Patterns, and Shrub-Mediated Tree Mortality following Reintroduced Fire in Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Shrubs contribute to the forest fuel load; their distribution is important to tree mortality and regeneration, and vertebrate occupancy. We used a method new to fire ecology—extensive continuous mapping of trees and shrub patches within a single large (25.6 ha) study site—to identify changes in shrub area, biomass, and spatial pattern due to fire reintroduction by a backfire following a century of fire exclusion in lower montane forests of the Sierra Nevada, California, USA. We examined whether trees in close proximity to shrubs prior to fire experienced higher mortality rates than trees in areas without shrubs. We calculated shrub biomass using demography subplots and existing allometric equations, and we developed new equations for beaked hazel (Corylus cornuta ssp. californica [A. de Candolle] E. Murray) from full dissection of 50 stems. Fire decreased shrub patch area from 15.1 % to 0.9 %, reduced live shrub biomass from 3.49 Mg ha−1 to 0.27 Mg ha−1, and consumed 4.41 Mg ha−1 of living and dead shrubs. Distinct (non-overlapping) shrub patches decreased from 47 ha−1 to 6 ha−1. The mean distance between shrub patches increased 135 %. Distances between montane chaparral patches increased 285 %, compared to a 54 % increase in distances between riparian shrub patches and an increase of 267 % between generalist shrub patches. Fire-related tree mortality within shrub patches was marginally lower (67.6 % versus 71.8 %), showing a contrasting effect of shrubs on tree mortality between this forest ecosystem and chaparral-dominated ecosystems in which most trees are killed by fire

Of cattle, sand flies and men : a systematic review of risk factor analyses for South Asian visceral leishmaniasis and implications for elimination

Background: Studies performed over the past decade have identified fairly consistent epidemiological patterns of risk factors for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Indian subcontinent. Methods and Principal Findings: To inform the current regional VL elimination effort and identify key gaps in knowledge, we performed a systematic review of the literature, with a special emphasis on data regarding the role of cattle because primary risk factor studies have yielded apparently contradictory results. Because humans form the sole infection reservoir, clustering of kala-azar cases is a prominent epidemiological feature, both at the household level and on a larger scale. Subclinical infection also tends to show clustering around kala-azar cases. Within villages, areas become saturated over a period of several years; kala-azar incidence then decreases while neighboring areas see increases. More recently, post kalaazar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) cases have followed kala-azar peaks. Mud walls, palpable dampness in houses, and peridomestic vegetation may increase infection risk through enhanced density and prolonged survival of the sand fly vector. Bed net use, sleeping on a cot and indoor residual spraying are generally associated with decreased risk. Poor micronutrient status increases the risk of progression to kala-azar. The presence of cattle is associated with increased risk in some studies and decreased risk in others, reflecting the complexity of the effect of bovines on sand fly abundance, aggregation, feeding behavior and leishmanial infection rates. Poverty is an overarching theme, interacting with individual risk factors on multiple levels. Conclusions: Carefully designed demonstration projects, taking into account the complex web of interconnected risk factors, are needed to provide direct proof of principle for elimination and to identify the most effective maintenance activities to prevent a rapid resurgence when interventions are scaled back. More effective, short-course treatment regimens for PKDL are urgently needed to enable the elimination initiative to succeed

Diversidade de criadouros e tipos de imóveis freqüentados por Aedes albopictus e Aedes aegypti

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diversity of oviposition containers and buildings where females of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti can be found. METHODS: A study was carried out in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southern Brazil, between 2002 and 2003. Larvae in different types of buildings were investigated, and immature forms found were then sent to the laboratory for identification. The larval frequency for both mosquitoes was estimated in the oviposition containers available. The Breteau index and the building infestation index were calculated and differences were tested using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The types of buildings that were positive for Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti were: dwellings (83.9%); churches, schools, clubs (6.8%); vacant land (6.4%); and businesses (2.8%). Of 9,153 larvae collected, 12.0% were Aedes albopictus and 88.0% were Aedes aegypti. Aedes albopictus were mostly found in drains (25.4%); cans, bottles, empty bottles (23.9%); and plant vases (16.2%). Aedes aegypti was much more frequently found than Aedes albopictus (chi2=145.067; pOBJETIVOS: Verificar a diversidade de criadouros e tipos de imóveis freqüentados por fêmeas de Aedes albopictus e Aedes aegypti. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado nos anos de 2002 e 2003 no bairro de Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Realizou-se pesquisa larvária em diferentes tipos de imóveis. As larvas encontradas foram identificadas em laboratório. A freqüência de larvas dessas duas espécies foi computada nos diversos criadouros disponíveis. Foram calculados os índices de infestação predial e de Breteau, as diferenças foram testadas pelo qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Os tipos de imóveis positivos para os aedinos foram: residências (83,9% do total); igrejas, escolas, clubes (6,8%); terrenos baldios (6,4%); e comércios (2,8%). Das 9.153 larvas, 12,0% eram de Aedes albopictus e 88,0% de Aedes aegypti. Para aquela espécie, os recipientes onde foram mais encontradas foram ralos (25,4%), latas, garrafas, vasilhames (23,9%) e vasos com plantas (16,2%). Aedes aegypti mostrou-se mais freqüente nos criadouros que Aedes albopictus (chi2=145,067,

HERUS: the far-IR/submm spectral energy distributions of local ULIRGs and photometric atlas

We present the Herschel-SPIRE photometric atlas for a complete flux limited sample of 43 local ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs), selected at 60 μm by IRAS, as part of the HERschel ULIRG Survey (HERUS). Photometry observations were obtained using the SPIRE instrument at 250, 350, and 500 μm. We describe these observations, present the results, and combine the new observations with data from IRAS to examine the far-infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of these sources. We fit the observed SEDs of HERUS objects with a simple parametrized modified blackbody model, where temperature and emissivity β are free parameters. We compare the fitted values to those of non-ULIRG local galaxies, and find, in agreement with earlier results, that HERUS ULIRGs have warmer dust (median temperature T = 37.9 ± 4.7 K compared to 21.3 ± 3.4 K) but a similar β distribution (median β = 1.7 compared to 1.8) to the Herschel reference sample (HRS, Cortese et al. 2014) galaxies. Dust masses are found to be in the range of 107.5–109 M⊙, significantly higher than that of HRS sources. We compare our results for local ULIRGs with higher redshift samples selected at 250 and 850 μm. These latter sources generally have cooler dust and/or redder 100-to-250  μm colours than our 60 μm-selected ULIRGs. We show that this difference may in part be the result of the sources being selected at different wavelengths rather than being a simple indication of rapid evolution in the properties of the population