3,970 research outputs found
Evaluating some computer enhancement algorithms that improve the visibility of cometary morphology
The observed morphology of cometary comae is determined by ejection circumstances and the interaction of the ejected material with the local environment. Anisotropic emission can provide useful information on such things as orientation of the nucleus, location of active areas on the nucleus, and the formation of ion structure near the nucleus. However, discrete coma features are usually diffuse, of low amplitude, and superimposed on a steep intensity gradient radial to the nucleus. To improve the visibility of these features, a variety of digital enhancement algorithms were employed with varying degrees of success. They usually produce some degree of spatial filtering, and are chosen to optimize visibility of certain detail. Since information in the image is altered, it is important to understand the effects of parameter selection and processing artifacts can have on subsequent interpretation. Using the criteria that the ideal algorithm must enhance low contrast features while not introducing misleading artifacts (or features that cannot be seen in the stretched, unprocessed image), the suitability of various algorithms that aid cometary studies were assessed. The strong and weak points of each are identified in the context of maintaining positional integrity of features at the expense of photometric information
Q^2-evolution of nucleon-to-resonance transition form factors in a QCD-inspired vector-meson-dominance model
We adopt the vector-meson-dominance approach to investigate Q^2-evolution of
N-R transition form factors (N denotes nucleon and R an excited resonance) in
the first and second resonance regions. The developed model is based upon
conventional NR\gamma-interaction Lagrangians, introducing three form factors
for spin-3/2 resonances and two form factors for spin-1/2 nucleon excitations.
Lagrangian form factors are expressed as dispersionlike expansions with four or
five poles corresponding to the lowest excitations of the mesons \rho(770) and
\omega(782). Correct high-Q^2 form factor behavior predicted by perturbative
QCD is due to phenomenological logarithmic renormalization of electromagnetic
coupling constants and linear superconvergence relations between the parameters
of the meson spectrum. The model is found to be in good agreement with all the
experimental data on Q^2-dependence of the transitions N-\Delta(1232),
N-N(1440), N-N(1520), N-N(1535). We present fit results and model predictions
for high-energy experiments proposed by JLab. Besides, we make special emphasis
on the transition to perturbative domain of N-\Delta(1232) form factors.Comment: 22 pages, 22 PS figures, REVTeX 4; v2: +3 refs, minor editorial
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Empirical Studies of Evolving Systems
This paper describes the results of the working group investigating the issues of empirical studies for
evolving systems. The groups found that there were many issues that were central to successful evolution and this
concluded that this is a very important area within software engineering. Finally nine main areas were selected for consideration. For each of these areas the central issues were identified as well as success factors. In some cases success stories were also described and the critical factors accounting for the success analysed. In some cases it was later found that a number of areas were so tightly coupled that it was important to discuss them together
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Analysis of Recent Manifests for Goods Imported through US Ports
Several active interrogation techniques are being developed to detect shielded special nuclear materials (SNM) hidden in cargo containers loaded on container ships arriving at US ports. It raises the questions of the types of cargos in which SNM could be hidden, and their impact on detected signatures. Since the definition of a set of ''typical'' or standard cargos has proven to be difficult, we analyzed shipping manifests for US imports shipped through North American ports collected on 14 days distributed over 12 months. From these data, we generated several distribution functions such as commodity categories, average densities, and packaging types that could be of interest to the cargo scanning community. One of the cargo scanning techniques currently under development at LLNL is based on neutron active interrogation, and relies on the unique signature of beta-delayed gammas emitted by fission products in the 3 to 7 MeV energy range. {sup 19}F(n,a){sup 16}N, has been identified as the main potential interference for 7 and 9 MeV neutron beams. Estimates of cargo compositions based on manifests identified as containing fluorine are presented
Arctic and subarctic environmental analyses utilizing ERTS-1 imagery
The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 imagery provides a means of distinguishing and monitoring estuarine surface water circulation patterns and changes in the relative sediment load of discharging rivers on a regional basis. Physical boundaries mapped from ERTS-1 imagery in combination with ground truth obtained from existing small scale maps and other sources resulted in improved and more detailed maps of permafrost terrain and vegetation for the same area. Snowpack cover within a research watershed has been analyzed and compared to ground data. Large river icings along the proposed Alaska pipeline route from Prudhoe Bay to the Brooks Range have been monitored. Sea ice deformation and drift northeast of Point Barrow, Alaska have been measured during a four day period in March and shore-fast ice accumulation and ablation along the west coast of Alaska have been mapped for the spring and early summer seasons
SAM Domain-Based Protein Oligomerization Observed by Live-Cell Fluorescence Fluctuation Spectroscopy
Sterile-alpha-motif (SAM) domains are common protein interaction motifs observed in organisms as diverse as yeast and human. They play a role in protein homo- and hetero-interactions in processes ranging from signal transduction to RNA binding. In addition, mutations in SAM domain and SAM-mediated oligomers have been linked to several diseases. To date, the observation of heterogeneous SAM-mediated oligomers in vivo has been elusive, which represents a common challenge in dissecting cellular biochemistry in live-cell systems. In this study, we report the oligomerization and binding stoichiometry of high-order, multi-component complexes of (SAM) domain proteins Ste11 and Ste50 in live yeast cells using fluorescence fluctuation methods. Fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) and 1-dimensional photon counting histogram (1dPCH) confirm the SAM-mediated interaction and oligomerization of Ste11 and Ste50. Two-dimensional PCH (2dPCH), with endogenously expressed proteins tagged with GFP or mCherry, uniquely indicates that Ste11 and Ste50 form a heterogeneous complex in the yeast cytosol comprised of a dimer of Ste11 and a monomer of Ste50. In addition, Ste50 also exists as a high order oligomer that does not interact with Ste11, and the size of this oligomer decreases in response to signals that activate the MAP kinase cascade. Surprisingly, a SAM domain mutant of Ste50 disrupted not only the Ste50 oligomers but also Ste11 dimerization. These results establish an in vivo model of Ste50 and Ste11 homo- and hetero-oligomerization and highlight the usefulness of 2dPCH for quantitative dissection of complex molecular interactions in genetic model organisms such as yeast
Influences on academics' approaches to development: voices from below
The purpose of this qualitative case study research was to explore faculty-based academicsâ views on what influences their behaviours and attitudes towards their development. Informed by critical realist ontology, the data collection was carried out through narrative interviews with academics in two contrasting English Universities. Findings, or areas for reflection, have emerged about the constraints and enablements academics perceive in respect of their professional development. In particular, themes such as the significance of professional status; misaligned initiatives and priorities; the influence of supportive networks; and emergent personal, individual concerns have surfaced. The conclusion is drawn that the significance of agency raises the importance of responding to the âvoices from belowâ
Valuing Arts-based Academic Projects in a Faculty of Nursing: Experiences of Graduate Students and Supervisors
Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explore student and supervisor experiences and perspectives regarding the advantages and challenges of arts-based projects in the context of graduate nursing education programs. We define arts-based academic projects as graduate level projects that incorporate a significant artistic component, and that culminate in a final written report of a capping exercise, a thesis or a dissertation. Procedures: Three graduate students were asked to briefly summarize their arts-based academic projects and to reflect upon their experiences with their projects, noting the advantages and challenges that they encountered in the process. The studentsâ supervisors also reported their experiences with supervising students conducting arts-based academic projects. The resulting written reflections were collated and summarized.
Results: The arts-based academic projects included a set of comics, a story-based digital education tool and a digital knowledge whiteboard animation video. All of these projects integrated visual art into products for the purpose of knowledge translation. The students and their supervisors identified numerous advantages to arts-based projects, such as being able to address the complexities of context and to engage broad audiences. They reported challenges such as misunderstanding and devaluing the nature of these less traditional academic projects.
Conclusions: This study has implications for future arts-based projects that may be conducted in Schools or Faculties of Nursing. Supervisors and committee members play a key role in fostering the creativity of students, building on their strengths, and encouraging them to pursue innovative theses or capping exercises. Similarly, graduate program coordinators/associate deans of graduate programs can also support these students by encouraging and approving projects that are less conventional and by helping others understand the value of these projects.
Résumé
Objectif : Cet article a pour but dâexplorer les expĂ©riences et les perspectives dâĂ©tudiantes et de directrices de projets quant aux avantages et aux dĂ©fis inhĂ©rents aux projets de nature artistique dans le cadre de programmes dâĂ©tudes supĂ©rieures en sciences infirmiĂšres. Nous dĂ©finissons les projets dâĂ©tudes de nature artistique comme Ă©tant des travaux des cycles supĂ©rieurs qui comportent un important volet artistique et aboutissent Ă la rĂ©daction dâun rapport de fin dâĂ©tudes, dâune thĂšse ou dâun mĂ©moire. Approche : Nous avons demandĂ© Ă trois Ă©tudiantes des cycles supĂ©rieurs de rĂ©sumer leur projet artistique et de rĂ©flĂ©chir sur leur expĂ©rience en soulignant les avantages et les dĂ©fis rencontrĂ©s au court du processus. Les directrices de ces projets Ă©tudiants ont Ă©galement dĂ©crit leur expĂ©rience de suivi de projets dâĂ©tudes de nature artistique. Nous avons colligĂ© les rĂ©flexions Ă©crites pour en faire la synthĂšse.
RĂ©sultats : Les projets dâĂ©tudes de nature artistique qui ont Ă©tĂ© prĂ©sentĂ©s comprenaient une bande dessinĂ©e comme moyen de diffusion de rĂ©sultats de recherche, un outil numĂ©rique dâapprentissage basĂ© sur un rĂ©cit pour des parents et des enfants asthmatiques ,et une vidĂ©o dâanimation numĂ©rique de partage de connaissances sur tableau blanc pour les parents dâenfants qui ont gastroentĂ©rite aiguĂ«. Tous ces projets intĂ©graient les arts visuels dans des produits destinĂ©s au transfert de connaissances. Les Ă©tudiantes et les directrices de projets ont soulevĂ© de nombreux avantages liĂ©s Ă de tels projets, comme la possibilitĂ© de rendre compte de la complexitĂ© du contexte et dâintĂ©resser un large public. Les dĂ©fis soulignĂ©s incluaient notamment lâincomprĂ©hension et la dĂ©valorisation de tels projets dâĂ©tudes moins conventionnels.
Conclusions : Cette synthĂšse peut avoir des rĂ©percussions sur dâĂ©ventuels projets dâĂ©tudes de nature artistique menĂ©s dans les Ă©coles ou les facultĂ©s de sciences infirmiĂšres. Les directrices et les membres de comitĂ©s jouent un rĂŽle prĂ©pondĂ©rant auprĂšs des Ă©tudiantes, soit de favoriser leur crĂ©ativitĂ©, de dĂ©velopper leurs forces et de les encourager Ă envisager des thĂšses et des rapports de fin dâĂ©tudes avant-gardistes. De mĂȘme, les responsables et les vice-doyennes des programmes de cycles supĂ©rieurs peuvent soutenir ces Ă©tudiantes en favorisant et en approuvant des travaux moins conventionnels, tout en aidant les autres Ă en comprendre la valeur
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