Parameter Estimation and Confidence Regions in the Method of Light Curve Simulations for the Analysis of Power Density Spectra

The Method of Light Curve Simulations is a tool that has been applied to X-ray monitoring observations of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) for the characterization of the Power Density Spectrum (PDS) of temporal variability and measurement of associated break frequencies (which appear to be an important diagnostic for the mass of the black hole in these systems as well as their accretion state). It relies on a model for the PDS that is fit to the observed data. The determination of confidence regions on the fitted model parameters is of particular importance, and we show how the Neyman construction based on distributions of estimates may be implemented in the context of light curve simulations. We believe that this procedure offers advantages over the method used in earlier reports on PDS model fits, not least with respect to the correspondence between the size of the confidence region and the precision with which the data constrain the values of the model parameters. We plan to apply the new procedure to existing RXTE and XMM observations of Seyfert I galaxies as well as RXTE observations of the Seyfert II galaxy NGC 4945.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

State Uses Financial Incentives To Fund Nursing Home–Initiated Quality Improvement Projects Through Competitive Bidding Process, Leading to Better Care

Authorized in 2006 by the State legislature, Minnesota’s Performance-Based Incentive Program funds nursing home–initiated quality improvement projects for 1 to 3 years through increases of up to 5 percent in the operating per diem rate charged to Medicaid and private-pay residents. Funding decisions are made through a competitive bidding process administered annually by the Department of Human Services, with recommendations from a review committee. Program staff provide support to nursing homes during and after the application process. Nursing homes that do not achieve project-specific performance targets can lose up to 20 percent of the incentive payments. The program has engaged a high proportion of Minnesota nursing homes in quality improvement activities; meaningfully improved the quality of nursing home care; and had a positive impact on quality improvement processes, teamwork, and communication within nursing homes

TLR4-induced IFN-γ production increases TLR2 sensitivity and drives Gram-negative sepsis in mice

Gram-negative bacterial infection is a major cause of sepsis and septic shock. An important inducer of inflammation underlying both syndromes is the cellular recognition of bacterial products through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs). We identified a novel antagonistic mAb (named 1A6) that recognizes the extracellular portion of the TLR4–MD-2 complex. If applied to mice before infection with clinical isolates of Salmonella enterica or Escherichia coli and subsequent antibiotic therapy, 1A6 prevented otherwise fatal shock, whereas application of 1A6 after infection was ineffective. In contrast, coapplication of 1A6 and an anti-TLR2 mAb up to 4 h after infection with Gram-negative bacteria, in combination with the start of antibiotic therapy (mimicking clinical conditions), provided robust protection. Consistent with our findings in mice, dual blockade of TLR2 and TLR4 inhibited TNF-α release from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells upon Gram-negative bacterial infection/antibiotic therapy. Both murine splenocytes and human PBMCs released IFN-γ in a TLR4-dependent manner, leading to enhanced surface TLR2 expression and sensitivity for TLR2 ligands. Our results implicate TLR2 as an important, TLR4-driven sensor of Gram-negative bacterial infection and provide a rationale for blockade of both TLRs, in addition to antibiotic therapy for the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infection

Overview of Advanced LIGO Adaptive Optics

This is an overview of the adaptive optics used in Advanced LIGO (aLIGO), known as the thermal compensation system (TCS). The thermal compensation system was designed to minimize thermally-induced spatial distortions in the interferometer optical modes and to provide some correction for static curvature errors in the core optics of aLIGO. The TCS is comprised of ring heater actuators, spatially tunable CO$_{2}$ laser projectors and Hartmann wavefront sensors. The system meets the requirements of correcting for nominal distortion in Advanced LIGO to a maximum residual error of 5.4nm, weighted across the laser beam, for up to 125W of laser input power into the interferometer

Newtonian versus non-Newtonian upper mantle viscosity : implications for subduction initiation

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2005. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geophysical Research Letters 32 (2005): L19304, doi:10.1029/2005GL023457.The effect of rheology on the evolution of the slab-tip during subduction initiation is analyzed using 2-D numerical flow models. Experimentally determined flow laws have both strong temperature- and stress-dependence, which leads to large local variations in viscosity with direct consequences for subduction initiation. We find that models with Newtonian viscosity lead to flat or coupled subduction due to hydrodynamic stresses that pull the slab-tip up towards the overriding plate. Non-Newtonian rheology reduces these hydrodynamic stresses by decreasing the wedge viscosity and the slab coupling to wedge-corner flow, rendering the small negative-slab buoyancy of the slab-tip sufficient to maintain its dip during the early stages of subduction

Application benchmark results for Big Red, an IBM e1350 BladeCenter Cluster

The purpose of this report is to present the results of benchmark tests with Big Red, an IBM e1350 BladeCenter Cluster. This report is particularly focused on providing details of system architecture and test run results in detail to allow for analysis in other reports and comparison with other systems, rather than presenting such analysis here

Seedbank Persistence of Palmer Amaranth (\u3ci\u3eAmaranthus palmeri\u3c/i\u3e) and Waterhemp (\u3ci\u3eAmaranthus tuberculatus\u3c/i\u3e) across Diverse Geographical Regions in the United States

Knowledge of the effects of burial depth and burial duration on seed viability and, consequently, seedbank persistence of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) and waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J. D. Sauer] ecotypes can be used for the development of efficient weed management programs. This is of particular interest, given the great fecundity of both species and, consequently, their high seedbank replenishment potential. Seeds of both species collected from five different locations across the United States were investigated in seven states (sites) with different soil and climatic conditions. Seeds were placed at two depths (0 and 15cm) for 3 yr. Each year, seeds were retrieved, and seed damage (shrunken, malformed, or broken) plus losses (deteriorated and futile germination) and viability were evaluated. Greater seed damage plus loss averaged across seed origin, burial depth, and year was recorded for lots tested at Illinois (51.3% and 51.8%) followed by Tennessee (40.5% and 45.1%) and Missouri (39.2% and 42%) for A. palmeri and A. tuberculatus, respectively. The site differences for seed persistence were probably due to higher volumetric water content at these sites. Rates of seed demise were directly proportional to burial depth (α=0.001), whereas the percentage of viable seeds recovered after 36 mo on the soil surface ranged from 4.1% to 4.3% compared with 5% to 5.3% at the 15-cm depth for A. palmeri and A. tuberculatus, respectively. Seed viability loss was greater in the seeds placed on the soil surface compared with the buried seeds. The greatest influences on seed viability were burial conditions and time and site-specific soil conditions, more so than geographical location. Thus, management of these weed species should focus on reducing seed shattering, enhancing seed removal from the soil surface, or adjusting tillage systems

The Vehicle, Spring 2007

Table of Contents She Might Just Take You for GrantedRebecca M. Griffithpage 1 ShwagDarius Juttipage 2 In LoveAmanda Vealepage 9 SubmissiveSarah Ellerpage 10 Wedding SongRebecca M. Griffithpage 11 Why No Ladies and Gentlemen, My Shit Never StinksJacob Fosterpage 13 Death of an English MajorLindsey Durbinpage 14 Summer\u27s PerfumeRebecca M. Griffithpage 15 Gigavolt and ChrisEric Schumacherpage 16 UntitledKris Jonespage 22 Ode to the MuseGreg Harrellpage 23 TenderAmanda Vealepage 24 When the Muses HeaveElizabeth Hoodpage 25 Depression LiftingAmanda Vealepage 26 Red SwordAndrew Deckerpage 27 Warring IdeologyMargaret B. Hamperpage 29 ConfessionGreg Harrellpage 34 A Glass PuzzleBrittany Morganpage 35 Hey MaJacob Fosterpage 36 As July Faded AwayRebecca M. Griffithpage 37 About the LeftoversGina LoBiancopage 38 Me, Myself & ILindsey Durbinpage 39 Iced Parking LotRebecca M. Griffithpage 41 About the Authors Art Submissions Mike\u27s Revelation and MikeSean Walkercovers UntitledChad Navelpage 9 Morning in Tintern AbbeyCarrie Muellerpage 12 WestminsterCarrie Muellerpage 21 A Fighting ChanceOsha Rudduckpage 22 Rooftop SunsetJennifer O\u27Neilpage 25 EIU IVCarrie Muellerpage 28 MandolinOsha Rudduckpage 38 EIU IIICarrie Muellerpage 42https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1087/thumbnail.jp