3,691 research outputs found
Empirical model for quasi direct current interruption with a convoluted arc
This contribution considers various aspects of a quasi direct current, convoluted arc produced by a magnetic field (B-field) connected in parallel with an RLC circuit that have not been considered in combination. These aspects are the arc current limitation due to the arc convolution, changes in arc resistance due to the B-field and material ablation, and the relative significance of the RLC circuit in producing an artificial current zero. As a result, it has been possible to produce an empirical equation for predicting the current interruption capability in terms of the B-field magnitude and RLC components
Evidence for deceleration in the radio jets of GRS1915+105?
There is currently a clear discrepancy in the proper motions measured on
different angular scales in the approaching radio jets of the black hole X-ray
binary GRS1915+105. Lower velocities were measured with the Very Large Array
(VLA) prior to 1996 than were subsequently found from higher-resolution
observations made with the Very Long Baseline Array and the Multi-Element Radio
Linked Interferometer Network. We initiated an observing campaign to use all
three arrays to attempt to track the motion of the jet knots from the 2006
February outburst of the source, giving us unprecedented simultaneous coverage
of all angular scales, from milliarcsecond scales out to arcsecond scales. The
derived proper motion, which was dominated by the VLA measurements, was found
to be 17.0 mas per day, demonstrating that there has been no significant
permanent change in the properties of the jets since 1994. We find no
conclusive evidence for deceleration of the jet knots, unless this occurs
within 70 mas of the core. We discuss possible causes for the varying proper
motions recorded in the literature.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 13 pages, 10 figure
First e-VLBI observations of GRS 1915+105
We present results from the first successful open call e-VLBI science run,
observing the X-ray binary GRS 1915+105. e-VLBI science allows the rapid
production of VLBI radio maps, within hours of an observation rather than
weeks, facilitating a decision for follow-up observations. A total of 6
telescopes observing at 5 GHz across the European VLBI Network (EVN) were
correlated in real time at the Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE).
Constant data rates of 128 Mbps were transferred from each telescope, giving 4
TB of raw sampled data over the 12 hours of the whole experiment. Throughout
this, GRS 1915+105 was observed for a total of 5.5 hours, producing 2.8 GB of
visibilities of correlated data. A weak flare occurred during our observations,
and we detected a slightly resolved component of 2.7 x 1.2 milliarcsecond with
a position angle of 140 (+/-2) degrees. The peak brightness was 10.2 mJy per
beam, with a total integrated radio flux of 11.1 mJy.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS 4 pages, 3 figure
Climate Change and Biosphere Response: Unlocking the Collections Vault
Natural history collections (NHCs) are an important source of the long-term data needed to understand how biota respond to ongoing anthropogenic climate change. These include taxon occurrence data for ecological modeling, as well as information that can be used to reconstruct mechanisms through which biota respond to changing climates. The full potential of NHCs for climate change research cannot be fully realized until high-quality data sets are conveniently accessible for research, but this requires that higher priority be placed on digitizing the holdings most useful for climate change research (e.g., whole-biota studies, time series, records of intensively sampled common taxa). Natural history collections must not neglect the proliferation of new information from efforts to understand how present-day ecosystems are responding to environmental change. These new directions require a strategic realignment for many NHC holders to complement their existing focus on taxonomy and systematics. To set these new priorities, we need strong partnerships between NHC holders and global change biologists
A transient relativistic radio jet from Cygnus X-1
We report the first observation of a transient relativistic jet from the
canonical black hole candidate, Cygnus X-1, obtained with the Multi-Element
Radio-Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN). The jet was observed in only one
of six epochs of MERLIN imaging of the source during a phase of repeated X-ray
spectral transitions in 2004 Jan--Feb, and this epoch corresponded to the
softest 1.5-12 keV X-ray spectrum. With only a single epoch revealing the jet,
we cannot formally constrain its velocity. Nevertheless, several lines of
reasoning suggest that the jet was probably launched 0.5-4.0 days before this
brightening, corresponding to projected velocities of 0.2c < v_app < 1.6c, and
an intrinsic velocity of > 0.3c. We also report the occurrence of a major radio
flare from Cyg X-1, reaching a flux density of ~120 mJy at 15 GHz, and yet not
associated with any resolvable radio emission, despite a concerted effort with
MERLIN. We discuss the resolved jet in terms of the recently proposed 'unified
model' for the disc-jet coupling in black hole X-ray binaries, and tentatively
identify the 'jet line' for Cyg X-1. The source is consistent with the model in
the sense that a steady jet appears to persist initially when the X-ray
spectrum starts softening, and that once the spectral softening is complete the
core radio emission is suppressed and transient ejecta / shock observed.
However, there are some anomalies, and Cyg X-1 clearly does not behave like a
normal black hole transient in progressing to the canonical soft / thermal
state once the ejection event has happened.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA
Investigating the physical properties of transiting hot Jupiters with the 1.5-m Kuiper Telescope
We present new photometric data of 11 hot Jupiter transiting exoplanets
(CoRoT-12b, HAT-P-5b, HAT-P-12b, HAT-P-33b, HAT-P-37b, WASP-2b, WASP-24b,
WASP-60b, WASP-80b, WASP-103b, XO-3b) in order to update their planetary
parameters and to constrain information about their atmospheres. These
observations of CoRoT-12b, HAT-P-37b and WASP-60b are the first follow-up data
since their discovery. Additionally, the first near-UV transits of WASP-80b and
WASP-103b are presented. We compare the results of our analysis with previous
work to search for transit timing variations (TTVs) and a wavelength dependence
in the transit depth. TTVs may be evidence of a third body in the system and
variations in planetary radius with wavelength can help constrain the
properties of the exoplanet's atmosphere. For WASP-103b and XO-3b, we find a
possible variation in the transit depths that may be evidence of scattering in
their atmospheres. The B-band transit depth of HAT-P-37b is found to be smaller
than its near-IR transit depth and such a variation may indicate TiO/VO
absorption. These variations are detected from 2-4.6, so follow-up
observations are needed to confirm these results. Additionally, a flat spectrum
across optical wavelengths is found for 5 of the planets (HAT-P-5b, HAT-P-12b,
WASP-2b, WASP-24b, WASP-80b), suggestive that clouds may be present in their
atmospheres. We calculate a refined orbital period and ephemeris for all the
targets, which will help with future observations. No TTVs are seen in our
analysis with the exception of WASP-80b and follow-up observations are needed
to confirm this possible detection.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, 9 Tables. Light Curves available online.
Accepted to MNRAS (2017 August 25
Fluoride in the diet of 2-years-old children
Objectives
This study aimed to calculate the fluoride concentrations of commonly consumed foods and beverages for 2-years-old children utilizing market basket information for the US Midwest region.
Methods
Total Diet Study food lists were cross-referenced with National Health and Nutrition Examination SurveyâWhat We Eat in America data to determine the foods and beverages to be included. Fluoride concentrations were determined using a modification of the hexamethyldisiloxane microdiffusion technique. Fluoride concentrations were summarized for each of the food categories. Daily dietary fluoride intake was estimated using a simulation analysis.
Results
Food and beverage fluoride concentrations varied widely, ranging from nondetectable for some oils and dairy products to more than 3.0 ΌgF/g food for some processed meats, fish and fruits. The estimated mean (±SD) daily dietary fluoride intake, excluding dentifrice and supplements, was 412±114 ΌgF/d. The estimated average ingestion for a 2-years-old weighing 12.24 kg was 0.034±0.009 mg/kg/d. A diet based on foods and beverages in the fifth percentile of fluoride intake distribution for an average child would result in 247 ΌgF/d or 0.020 mg/kg/d, while a diet with foods and beverages in the 95th percentile would result in a total intake of 622 ΌgF/d or 0.051 mg/kg/d.
Conclusions
The fluoride concentrations of foods and beverages vary widely, and, if items in the 95th percentile of fluoride intake distribution are ingested, children could consume more fluoride than the recommended 0.05 mg/kg/d. Fluoride intake calculated in this study was higher than historically reported dietary levels
First e-VLBI observations of Cygnus X-3
We report the results of the first two 5 GHz e-VLBI observations of the X-ray
binary Cygnus X-3 using the European VLBI Network. Two successful observing
sessions were held, on 2006 April 20, when the system was in a quasi-quiescent
state several weeks after a major flare, and on 2006 May 18, a few days after
another flare. At the first epoch we detected faint emission probably
associated with a fading jet, spatially separated from the X-ray binary. The
second epoch in contrast reveals a bright, curved, relativistic jet more than
40 milliarcseconds in extent. In the first, and probably also second epochs,
the X-ray binary core is not detected, which may indicate a temporary
suppression of jet production as seen in some black hole X-ray binaries in
certain X-ray states. Spatially resolved polarisation maps at the second epoch
provide evidence of interaction between the ejecta and the surrounding medium.
These results clearly demonstrate the importance of rapid analysis of
long-baseline observations of transients, such as facilitated by e-VLBI.Comment: Accepted for publication as a letter in MNRA
Development and validation of the ACE tool: Assessing medical trainees' competency in evidence based medicine
BACKGROUND: While a variety of instruments have been developed to assess knowledge and skills in evidence based medicine (EBM), few assess all aspects of EBM - including knowledge, skills attitudes and behaviour - or have been psychometrically evaluated. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an instrument that evaluates medical traineesâ competency in EBM across knowledge, skills and attitude. METHODS: The âAssessing Competency in EBMâ (ACE) tool was developed by the authors, with content and face validity assessed by expert opinion. A cross-sectional sample of 342 medical trainees representing ânoviceâ, âintermediateâ and âadvancedâ EBM trainees were recruited to complete the ACE tool. Construct validity, item difficulty, internal reliability and item discrimination were analysed. RESULTS: We recruited 98 EBM-novice, 108 EBM-intermediate and 136 EBM-advanced participants. A statistically significant difference in the total ACE score was observed and corresponded to the level of training: on a 0-15-point test, the mean ACE scores were 8.6 for EBM-novice; 9.5 for EBM-intermediate; and 10.4 for EBM-advanced (pâ<â0.0001). Individual item discrimination was excellent (Item Discrimination Index ranging from 0.37 to 0.84), with internal reliability consistent across all but three items (Item Total Correlations were all positive ranging from 0.14 to 0.20). CONCLUSION: The 15-item ACE tool is a reliable and valid instrument to assess medical traineesâ competency in EBM. The ACE tool provides a novel assessment that measures user performance across the four main steps of EBM. To provide a complete suite of instruments to assess EBM competency across various patient scenarios, future refinement of the ACE instrument should include further scenarios across harm, diagnosis and prognosis
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