4,367 research outputs found
Searching for Earth-mass planets around Centauri: precise radial velocities from contaminated spectra
This work is part of an ongoing project which aims to detect terrestrial
planets in our neighbouring star system Centauri using the Doppler
method. Owing to the small angular separation between the two components of the
Cen AB binary system, the observations will to some extent be
contaminated with light coming from the other star. We are accurately
determining the amount of contamination for every observation by measuring the
relative strengths of the H- and NaD lines. Furthermore, we have
developed a modified version of a well established Doppler code that is
modelling the observations using two stellar templates simultaneously. With
this method we can significantly reduce the scatter of the radial velocity
measurements due to spectral cross-contamination and hence increase our chances
of detecting the tiny signature caused by potential Earth-mass planets. After
correcting for the contamination we achieve radial velocity precision of for a given night of observations. We have also
applied this new Doppler code to four southern double-lined spectroscopic
binary systems (HR159, HR913, HR7578, HD181958) and have successfully recovered
radial velocities for both components simultaneously.Comment: accepted for publication in the International Journal of Astrobiology
(published by Cambridge University Press); will appear in a revised form,
subsequent to editorial input by Cambridge University Pres
Shanties, symbolic speech, and the public forum: ramshackle protection for free expression
Journal ArticleShanties, symbolizing student opposition to South African apartheid and the demand that United States universities divest from corporations doing business in South Africa, were the sit-ins of the 1980s. Silent but graphic, shanties challenged the established order and attracted media attention. Sometimes, like sit-ins, the impact of shanties provoked state officials to demand their removal. The resultant confrontations between protestors and officials both highlighted the demand for change and challenged the boundaries of first amendment law
Modeling and performance of a 100-element pHEMT grid amplifier
A 100-element hybrid grid amplifier has been fabricated, The active devices in the grid are custom-made pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) differential-pair chips. We present a model for gain analysis and compare measurements with theory. The grid includes stabilizing resistors in the gate. Measurements show the grid has a peak gain of 10 db when tuned for 10 GHz and a gain of 12 dB when tuned for 9 GHz. The maximum 3-dB bandwidth is 15% at 9 GHz. The minimum noise figure is 3 dB. The maximum saturated output power is 3.7 W, with a peak power-added efficiency of 12%. These results area significant improvement over previous grid amplifiers based on heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT's)
Blood pressure management in ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy
The relationship between presenting blood pressure in acute ischemic stroke patients and outcome is complex. Several studies have demonstrated a U-shaped curve with worse outcomes when blood pressure is high or low. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines recommend values of blood pressure \u3c 185/110 mmHg in patients treated with intravenous t-PA and permissive hypertension up to 220/120 mmHg in those not treated with intravenous t-PA. The optimal blood pressure target is less clear in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Before thrombectomy, the guidelines recommend a blood pressure \u3c 185/110 mmHg though patients with even lower systolic blood pressures may have better outcomes. During and after thrombectomy, the guidelines recommend a blood pressure \u3c 180/105 mmHg. However, several studies have suggested that during thrombectomy the primary goal should be to prevent significant low blood pressure (e.g., target systolic blood pressure \u3e 140 mmHg or MAP \u3e 70 mmHg). After thrombectomy, the primary goal should be to prevent high blood pressure (e.g., target systolic blood pressure \u3c 160 mmHg or MAP \u3c 90 mmHg). To make more specific recommendations, large, randomized-control studies are needed that address factors such as the baseline blood pressure, timing and degree of revascularization, status of collaterals, and estimated risk of reperfusion injury
High-accuracy comparison of numerical relativity simulations with post-Newtonian expansions
Numerical simulations of 15 orbits of an equal-mass binary black hole system
are presented. Gravitational waveforms from these simulations, covering more
than 30 cycles and ending about 1.5 cycles before merger, are compared with
those from quasi-circular zero-spin post-Newtonian (PN) formulae. The
cumulative phase uncertainty of these comparisons is about 0.05 radians,
dominated by effects arising from the small residual spins of the black holes
and the small residual orbital eccentricity in the simulations. Matching
numerical results to PN waveforms early in the run yields excellent agreement
(within 0.05 radians) over the first cycles, thus validating the
numerical simulation and establishing a regime where PN theory is accurate. In
the last 15 cycles to merger, however, {\em generic} time-domain Taylor
approximants build up phase differences of several radians. But, apparently by
coincidence, one specific post-Newtonian approximant, TaylorT4 at 3.5PN order,
agrees much better with the numerical simulations, with accumulated phase
differences of less than 0.05 radians over the 30-cycle waveform.
Gravitational-wave amplitude comparisons are also done between numerical
simulations and post-Newtonian, and the agreement depends on the post-Newtonian
order of the amplitude expansion: the amplitude difference is about 6--7% for
zeroth order and becomes smaller for increasing order. A newly derived 3.0PN
amplitude correction improves agreement significantly ( amplitude
difference throughout most of the run, increasing to 4% near merger) over the
previously known 2.5PN amplitude terms.Comment: Updated to agree with published version (various minor
clarifications; added description of AH finder in Sec IIB; added discussion
of tidal heating in Sec VC
Building a Strategy Map to Lead a School of Business in a Christian University
All academic business units are involved in the ongoing processes of strategic planning and outcomes assessment. Although these processes should be driven by important values, such as stewardship, accountability, student learning, continuous quality improvement, and transparency, in many instances academic business units simply go through the motions of planning and assessment because of accreditation or institutional requirements. A “strategy map” can be a corrective to that, making the planning process both more meaningful and more actionable. Developed and tested in world-class companies, a strategy map depicts how any organization can accomplish its mission by identifying and investing in the key drivers of performance — those initiatives and resources that have a clear cause-and-effect relationship to its desired outcomes. This paper describes how the School of Business at Charleston Southern University developed a strategy map to guide strategic planning, mobilization of resources, program assessment, and ultimately, student learning
INFLAMAÇÃO SUBCLÍNICA, OBESIDADE, DIABETES E DOENÇAS RELACIONADAS
Um estado de inflamação crônica subclínica, originado de uma dieta pró-inflamatória, do sedentarismo e de insultos intra-uterinos, entre outros fatores, está associado ao desenvolvimento do diabetes e de doenças cardiovasculares. Esse processo é mediado, em parte, pelo estresse oxidativo e por citocinas pró-inflamatórias, que interferem nos mecanismos de sinalização da insulina. A obesidade contribui para esse processo, uma vez que o tecido adiposo é hoje compreendido como um órgão secretor de produtos e mediadores pró-inflamatórios, como a interleucina-6 (IL-6) e o componente 3 do complemento (C3), e anti-inflamatórios, como a adiponectina. Outros fatores envolvidos são a alteração funcional do sistema nervoso autônomo e do sistema neuroendócrino, em resposta ao estresse. A insulina, em condições normais, apresenta efeitos antiinflamatórios. A resistência à insulina, uma vez presente, interromperia as ações inibitórias da insulina contra a inflamação, favorecendo também a manutenção do estado inflamatório crônico. Uma melhor compreensãodo papel do sistema imune inato na fisiopatologia da síndrome metabólica, do diabetes, da hipertensão e da doença cardiovascular, assim como das causas da ativação crônica desse sistema, deve levar a importantes avanços na predição, na prevenção e no manejo clínico dessas doenças.Unitermos: Diabetes melito, inflamação, obesidade, síndrome metabólica
Dysflective cones: Visual function and cone reflectivity in long-term follow-up of acute bilateral foveolitis.
PURPOSE:Confocal adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) images provide a sensitive measure of cone structure. However, the relationship between structural findings of diminished cone reflectivity and visual function is unclear. We used fundus-referenced testing to evaluate visual function in regions of apparent cone loss identified using confocal AOSLO images. METHODS:A patient diagnosed with acute bilateral foveolitis had spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) (Spectralis HRA + OCT system [Heidelberg Engineering, Vista, CA, USA]) images indicating focal loss of the inner segment-outer segment junction band with an intact, but hyper-reflective, external limiting membrane. Five years after symptom onset, visual acuity had improved from 20/80 to 20/25, but the retinal appearance remained unchanged compared to 3 months after symptoms began. We performed structural assessments using SD-OCT, directional OCT (non-standard use of a prototype on loan from Carl Zeiss Meditec) and AOSLO (custom-built system). We also administered fundus-referenced functional tests in the region of apparent cone loss, including analysis of preferred retinal locus (PRL), AOSLO acuity, and microperimetry with tracking SLO (TSLO) (prototype system). To determine AOSLO-corrected visual acuity, the scanning laser was modulated with a tumbling E consistent with 20/30 visual acuity. Visual sensitivity was assessed in and around the lesion using TSLO microperimetry. Complete eye examination, including standard measures of best-corrected visual acuity, visual field tests, color fundus photos, and fundus auto-fluorescence were also performed. RESULTS:Despite a lack of visible cone profiles in the foveal lesion, fundus-referenced vision testing demonstrated visual function within the lesion consistent with cone function. The PRL was within the lesion of apparent cone loss at the fovea. AOSLO visual acuity tests were abnormal, but measurable: for trials in which the stimulus remained completely within the lesion, the subject got 48% correct, compared to 78% correct when the stimulus was outside the lesion. TSLO microperimetry revealed reduced, but detectible, sensitivity thresholds within the lesion. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE:Fundus-referenced visual testing proved useful to identify functional cones despite apparent photoreceptor loss identified using AOSLO and SD-OCT. While AOSLO and SD-OCT appear to be sensitive for the detection of abnormal or absent photoreceptors, changes in photoreceptors that are identified with these imaging tools do not correlate completely with visual function in every patient. Fundus-referenced vision testing is a useful tool to indicate the presence of cones that may be amenable to recovery or response to experimental therapies despite not being visible on confocal AOSLO or SD-OCT images
Columbia River Basin Water Law Institutions and Policies Survey: Report to the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission
Report to the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commissio
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