2,059 research outputs found
Spectral variability on primitive asteroids of the Themis and Beagle families: space weathering effects or parent body heterogeneity?
Themis is an old and statistically robust asteroid family populating the
outer main belt, and resulting from a catastrophic collision that took place
2.51.0 Gyr ago. Within the old Themis family a young sub-family, Beagle,
formed less than 10 Myr ago, has been identified. We present the results of a
spectroscopic survey in the visible and near infrared range of 22 Themis and 8
Beagle families members. The Themis members investigated exhibit a wide range
of spectral behaviors, while the younger Beagle family members look spectrally
bluer with a smaller spectral slope variability. The best meteorite spectral
analogues found for both Themis and Beagle families members are carbonaceous
chondrites having experienced different degrees of aqueous alteration,
prevalently CM2 but also CV3 and CI, and some of them are chondrite samples
being unusual or heated. We extended the spectral analysis including the data
available in the literature on Themis and Beagle families members, and we
looked for correlations between spectral behavior and physical parameters using
the albedo and size values derived from the WISE data. The analysis of this
larger sample confirm the spectral diversity within the Themis family and that
Beagle members tend to be bluer and to have an higher albedo. The differences
between the two family may be partially explained by space weathering
processes, which act on these primitive surfaces in a similar way than on
S-type asteroids, i.e. producing reddening and darkening. However we see
several Themis members having albedos and spectral slopes similar to the young
Beagle members. Alternative scenarios are proposed including heterogeneity in
the parent body having a compositional gradient with depth, and/or the survival
of projectile fragments having a different composition than the parent body.Comment: Manuscript pages: 40; Figures: 15 ; Tables: 4 Icarus (2016),in pres
Advanced combined iodine dispenser and detector
A total weight of 1.23 kg (2.7 lb), a total volume of 1213 cu m (74 cu in), and an average power consumption of 5.5W was achieved in the advanced combined iodine dispenser/detector by integrating the detector with the iodine source, arranging all iodinator components within a compact package and lowering the parasitic power to the detector and electronics circuits. These achievements surpassed the design goals of 1.36 kg (3.0 lb), 1671 cu m (102 cu in) and 8W. The reliability and maintainability were improved by reducing the detector lamp power, using an interchangeable lamp concept, making the electronic circuit boards easily accessible, providing redundant water seals and improving the accessibility to the iodine accumulator for refilling. The system was designed to iodinate (to 5 ppm iodine) the fuel cell water generated during 27 seven-day orbiter missions (equivalent to 18,500 kg (40,700 lb) of water) before the unit must be recharged with iodine crystals
The home lawn
A well-graded, fresh, green lawn is the first requirement for the home grounds planting. A fine lawn gives the family physical comfort. We often get our most satisfying relaxation on a soft, cool, well-kept lawn. Every family can have a good lawn by following the simple directions given in this bulletin.
You reap what you put into the lawn at the beginning. A properly made lawn will cost you less money to maintain. It is very important that thought be given to the proposed lawn area from the standpoint of soil drainage, organic matter content and fertility. Above all, start with a good soil foundation. Then select an approved grass seed mixture and do the seeding at the right time
Impact of pump OSNR on noise figure for fiber-optical parametric amplifiers
Electrical measurements of the noise figure of a fiberoptical parametric amplifier are presented and compared with optical measurements. The transfer of pump noise by four-wave mixing was clearly demonstrated. A numerical model was developed to simulate the transfer of pump noise and validated by these measurements. Using this model, we determine, for practical systems, a minimum required pump optical signal-to-noise ratio of 65 dB
Impact of pump phase modulation on system performance of fibre-optical parametric amplifiers
Bit error rate induced in a parametric amplifier has been measured with a 10 Gbit=s line rate. It is shown experimentally that the phase modulation of the pump distorts the mark level of the channel and may cause system penalty. Different phase modulation schemes have been compared
Zero-dispersion Wavelength Mapping in Short Single-Mode Optical Fibers Using Parametric Amplification
We demonstrate a novel convenient nondestructive method based on optical
parametric amplification that allows retrieval of the zero-dispersion
wavelength map along a short optical fiber span with a high-spatial resolution.
The improved resolution relies on the high sensitivity to the local
longitudinal dispersion fluctuations of the parametric high-gain spectrum.Comment: 3 page
Development of an empathy and clarity rating scale to measure the effect of medical improv on end-of-first-year OCSE performance: a pilot study
Patients want empathetic physicians who listen and understand. How do you teach and measure empathy? Medical educators, including those inspired by Alan Alda, have turned to theater to teach skills in empathetic communication. Improvisation-informedcurriculum (medical improv) draws upon foundational actors training: deep listening, emotional understanding, connections, authenticity. Arating scale to measure the impact of medical improv on empathetic and clear communication does not exist. Objective: To develop aframework and instrument, the Empathy and Clarity Rating Scale (ECRS), for measuring communication elements used by actors and physicians, and pilot ECRS to test effectiveness of medical improv on first-yearstudents' communication skills. Design: Four medical schools collaborated. USMLE Step 2 Communication and Interpersonal Skills (CIS) domains were used as framework for discussion among three focus groups, each with clinicians, actors, communication experts, and community members with patient experience. Audiotaped discussions were transcribed; open coding procedures located emerging themes. The initial coding scheme was compared with the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure. ECRS content was aligned with CARE, CIS and focus group themes. Modified nominal processes were conducted to finalize the scale. We implemented procedures to establish content validity and interrater reliability. Final ECRS was used to study student performance across three levels of experience with medical improv. Results: The final ECRS was comprised of seven five-pointscale items. Narrative comments precede behaviorally anchored ratings: 5=desired, 1=ineffective, 2-4=developing based upon adjustment needed. Rater agreement across all items was 84%. There was asmall correlation between the ECRS and another measure interviewing (r=0.262, p=0.003). Students with advanced medical improv training outperformed those without (F=3.51, p=.042). Conclusion: Acommunication scale enlightened by experiences of actors, clinicians, scholars and patients has been developed. The ECRS has potential to detect the impact of medical improv on development of empathetic and clear communication
Quantum squeezing of optical dissipative structures
We show that any optical dissipative structure supported by degenerate
optical parametric oscillators contains a special transverse mode that is free
from quantum fluctuations when measured in a balanced homodyne detection
experiment. The phenomenon is not critical as it is independent of the system
parameters and, in particular, of the existence of bifurcations. This result is
a consequence of the spatial symmetry breaking introduced by the dissipative
structure. Effects that could degrade the squeezing level are considered.Comment: 4 pages and a half, 1 fugure. Version to appear in Europhysics
Letter
Spectroscopy of 32Ne and the Island of Inversion
We report on the first spectroscopic study of the N=22 nucleus 32Ne at the
newly completed RIKEN Radioactive Ion Beam Factory. A single gamma-ray line
with an energy of 722(9) keV was observed in both inelastic scattering of a 226
MeV/u 32Ne beam on a Carbon target and proton removal from 33Na at 245 MeV/u.
This transition is assigned to the de-excitation of the first J^pi = 2+ state
in 32Ne to the 0+ ground state. Interpreted through comparison with
state-of-the-art shell model calculations, the low excitation energy
demonstrates that the Island of Inversion extends to at least N=22 for the Ne
isotopes.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett. 11 pages, 3 figure
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