The Mira-based distance to the Galactic centre

Mira variables are useful distance indicators, due to their high luminosities and well-defined period-luminosity relation. We select 1863 Miras from SAAO and MACHO observations to examine their use as distance estimators in the Milky Way. We measure a distance to the Galactic centre of $R_0 = 7.9 \pm 0.3$ kpc, which is in good agreement with other literature values. The uncertainty has two components of $\sim$0.2 kpc each: the first is from our analysis and predominantly due to interstellar extinction, the second is due to zero-point uncertainties extrinsic to our investigation, such as the distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). In an attempt to improve existing period-luminosity calibrations, we use theoretical models of Miras to determine the dependence of the period-luminosity relation on age, metallicity, and helium abundance, under the assumption that Miras trace the bulk stellar population. We find that at a fixed period of $\log P = 2.4$, changes in the predicted $K_s$ magnitudes can be approximated by $\Delta M_{Ks} \approx -0.109(\Delta \rm{[Fe/H]}) + 0.033( {\Delta}t/\rm{Gyr}) + 0.021 ({\Delta}Y/0.01)$, and these coefficients are nearly independent of period. The expected overestimate in the Galactic centre distance from using an LMC-calibrated relation is $\sim$0.3 kpc. This prediction is not validated by our analysis; a few possible reasons are discussed. We separately show that while the predicted color-color diagrams of solar-neighbourhood Miras work well in the near-infrared, though there are offsets from the model predictions in the optical and mid-infrared.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. 16 pages, 8 figures, 6 table

EMODnet Chemistry Spatial Data Infrastructure for marine observations and related information

Scientific research as well as management of the marine environment, and sustainable blue growth are based on the availability of quality-assured observations, reliable data and solid scientific-based information. These represent three consecutive steps of Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom paradigm on the pyramid of wisdom, providing different layers of information. EMODnet (European Marine Observation and Data network) is one of the key infrastructures engaged in collecting, facilitating access and promoting use and re-use of marine observation and data products for both scientific research and marine environmental management. Its Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) represents a powerful mechanism to support the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive Article 19.3 in accordance with the INSPIRE Directive standards and implementing rules. Standardized, harmonized and validated chemical data collections are made available for water quality evaluation at a regional scale, establishing interoperability between the data sets from the many different providers (more than 60 in EMODnet Chemistry). Concentration maps of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen are computed on a standard grid, providing information at a regular time interval, per season and over several vertical layers, including the deepest one. Dedicated Open Geospatial Consortium standard services for browsing, viewing and downloading chemistry observation data and data products for the European waters have been developed, and are actively maintained and monitored. These results can provide knowledge layers and can also answer the needs of the directive on Maritime Spatial Planning (EU, 2014), which requires the integration of multidisciplinary data and information on the state of the marine environment with maritime and human activities. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd.EMODnet Chemistr

The Impact of Computerized Provider Order Entry Systems on Inpatient Clinical Workflow: A Literature Review

Previous studies have shown the importance of workflow issues in the implementation of CPOE systems and patient safety practices. To understand the impact of CPOE on clinical workflow, we developed a conceptual framework and conducted a literature search for CPOE evaluations between 1990 and June 2007. Fifty-one publications were identified that disclosed mixed effects of CPOE systems. Among the frequently reported workflow advantages were the legible orders, remote accessibility of the systems, and the shorter order turnaround times. Among the frequently reported disadvantages were the time-consuming and problematic user-system interactions, and the enforcement of a predefined relationship between clinical tasks and between providers. Regarding the diversity of findings in the literature, we conclude that more multi-method research is needed to explore CPOE's multidimensional and collective impact on especially collaborative workflow