2,324 research outputs found
Collective Interview on the History of Town Meetings
As illustrated in the introduction, the special issue ends with a ‘collective interview’ to some distinguished
scholars that have given an important contribution to the study of New England Town Meetings. The collective interview has been realized by submitting three questions to our interviewees, who responded individually in written. The text of the answers has not been edited, if not minimally. However, the editors have broken up longer individual answers in shorter parts. These have been subsequently rearranged in an effort to provide, as much as possible, a fluid structure and a degree of interaction among the different perspectives provided by our interviewees on similar issues. The final version of this interview has been edited and approved by all interviewees
Design considerations for flight test of a fault inferring nonlinear detection system algorithm for avionics sensors
The modifications to the design of a fault inferring nonlinear detection system (FINDS) algorithm to accommodate flight computer constraints and the resulting impact on the algorithm performance are summarized. An overview of the flight data-driven FINDS algorithm is presented. This is followed by a brief analysis of the effects of modifications to the algorithm on program size and execution speed. Significant improvements in estimation performance for the aircraft states and normal operating sensor biases, which have resulted from improved noise design parameters and a new steady-state wind model, are documented. The aircraft state and sensor bias estimation performances of the algorithm's extended Kalman filter are presented as a function of update frequency of the piecewise constant filter gains. The results of a new detection system strategy and failure detection performance, as a function of gain update frequency, are also presented
Costs of colour change in fish: food intake and behavioural decisions
Many animals, particularly reptiles, amphibians, fish and cephalopods, have the ability to change their body colour, for functions including thermoregulation, signalling and predator avoidance. Many fish plastically darken their body colouration in response to dark visual backgrounds, and this functions to reduce predation risk. Here, we tested the hypotheses that colour change in fish (1) carries with it an energetic cost and (2) affects subsequent shoal and habitat choice decisions. We demonstrate that guppies (Poecilia reticulata) change colour in response to dark and light visual backgrounds, and that doing so carries an energetic cost in terms of food consumption. By increasing food intake, however, guppies are able to maintain growth rates and meet the energetic costs of changing colour. Following colour change, fish preferentially choose habitats and shoals that match their own body colouration, and maximise crypsis, thus avoiding the need for further colour change but also potentially paying an opportunity cost associated with restriction to particular habitats and social associates. Thus, colour change to match the background is complemented by behavioural strategies, which should act to maximise fitness in variable environments. © 2013. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd
Internal kinematic and physical properties in a BCD galaxy: Haro 15 in detail
We present a detailed study of the kinematic and physical properties of the
ionized gas in multiple knots of the blue compact dwarf galaxy Haro 15. Using
echelle and long slit spectroscopy data, obtained with different instruments at
Las Campanas Observatory, we study the internal kinematic and physical
conditions (electron density and temperature), ionic and total chemical
abundances of several atoms, reddening and ionization structure. Applying
direct and empirical methods for abundance determination, we perform a
comparative analysis between these regions and in their different components.
On the other hand, our echelle spectra show complex kinematics in several
conspicuous knots within the galaxy. To perform an in-depth 2D spectroscopic
study we complete this work with high spatial and spectral resolution
spectroscopy using the Integral Field Unit mode on the Gemini Multi-Object
Spectrograph instrument at the Gemini South telescope. With these data we are
able to resolve the complex kinematical structure within star forming knots in
Haro 15 galaxy.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, IX Scientific Meeting of the Spanish Astronomical
Society held on September 13-17, 2010, in Madrid, Spai
High resolution spectroscopy of the BCD galaxy Haro 15:I. Internal kinematics
Using echelle spectroscopy, obtained at Las Campanas Observatory, we present
a detailed study of the internal kinematics of the nebular material in multiple
knots of the blue compact dwarf galaxy Haro 15. A detailed analysis of the
complex emission line profiles show the presence of an underlying broad
component in almost all knots, and the brightest star-forming region shows
unmistakable signs for the presence of two distinct narrow kinematical
components. We also study the information that our analysis provides regarding
the motion of the individual knots in the Haro 15 galaxy potential, confirming
that they follow galactic rotation. Finally, we examine the relation between
their velocity dispersion and luminosity, finding that almost all knots follow
the relation for virialised systems. This holds for the strong narrow
components identified in complex fits and for single profile fits, although the
latter show a flatter slope. In agreement with previous findings, in this paper
we show that the existence of multiple kinematical components among massive
starbursts cannot be overlooked, as it has a noticeable effect on any
subsequent analysis that relies on basic parameters.Comment: 12 pages, 21 figure
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