D-1A equipment module structure test

The Centaur Equipment Module (E/M) structural test program was performed in two parts due to an unscheduled hardware failure in the first test series. The objectives of the initial test program were to define the flexibility characteristics of the E/M, verify the design load capability, and determine its ultimate strength capability by loading to structural failure. However, during the first failure test attempt, the Intelsat IV MPA failed instead of the E/M. Therefore a new adapter was fabricated to simulate the HEAO mission adapter and the second series of tests were then performed. They concluded with the failure of the E/M forward interface ring resulting in about 3.5 degrees of permanent set on the high compression side. Nevertheless, the linear or useable strength capability of the E/M is greater or equal to that which is required for the HEAO missions. The E/M is deemed structurally qualified for the HEAO missions

Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum sources from the Jodrell Bank-VLA Astrometric Survey

Observations with MERLIN at 408 MHz have been used to establish the low-frequency part of the spectra of more than a hundred compact radio sources taken from the part of the Jodrell Bank--VLA Astrometric Survey limited by 35 deg. < \delta < 75 deg. These sources were selected from JVAS and other catalogues to have convex spectra between 1.4 and 8.4 GHz, characteristic of Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum (GPS) sources. We have confirmed convex shapes of the spectra of 76 objects (one half of our initial candidates) thereby yielding the largest genuine sample of GPS sources compiled so far. Seven of 17 identified quasars in the sample have large (z\ga 2) redshifts.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, minor corrections. To appear in: A&A Suppl. vol. 135 (March 1999

Cooperatively enhanced precision of hybrid light-matter sensors

We consider a hybrid system of matter and light as a sensing device and quantify the role of cooperative effects. The latter generically enhance the precision with which modifications of the effective light-matter coupling constant can be measured. In particular, considering a fundamental model of N qubits coupled to a single electromagnetic mode, we demonstrate that the ultimate bound for the precision shows double-Heisenberg scaling: Delta theta proportional to 1/(Nn), with N and n the number of qubits and photons, respectively. Moreover, even using classical states and measuring only one subsystem, a Heisenberg-times-shot-noise scaling, i.e., 1/(N root n) or 1/(n root N), is reached. As an application, we show that a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a double-well optical lattice within an optical cavity can in principle be used to detect the gravitational acceleration g with the relative precision of Delta g/g similar to 10(-4) Hz(-1/2). The analytical approach presented in this study takes into account the leakage of photons through the cavity mirrors, and allows one to determine the sensitivity when g is inferred via measurements on atoms or photons

Cooperatively-enhanced precision of hybrid light-matter sensors

We consider a hybrid system of matter and light as a sensing device and quantify the role of cooperative effects. The latter generically enhance the precision with which modifications of the effective light-matter coupling constant can be measured. In particular, considering a fundamental model of $N$ qubits coupled to a single electromagnetic mode, we show that the ultimate bound for the precision shows double-Heisenberg scaling: $\Delta\theta\propto1/(Nn)$, with $N$ and $n$ being the number of qubits and photons, respectively. Moreover, even using classical states and measuring only one subsystem, a Heisenberg-times-shot-noise scaling, i.e. $1/(N\sqrt{n})$ or $1/(n\sqrt{N})$, is reached. As an application, we show that a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a double-well potential within an optical cavity can detect the gravitational acceleration $g$ with the relative precision of $\Delta g/g\simeq10^{-9}\text{Hz}^{-1/2}$. The analytical approach presented in this study takes into account the leakage of photons through the cavity mirrors, and allows to determine the sensitivity when $g$ is inferred via measurements on atoms or photons.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Rabies Diagnosis for Developing Countries

A new diagnostic test for rabies in animals was evaluated in N'Djaména, capital of Chad. The test is based on a direct immuno-histochemical detection of rabies virus in brain tissue (dRIT) visible by normal light microscopy. Rabies detection by dRIT light microscopy is 10 times less expensive than fluorescence microscopy required for the current gold standard of rabies diagnosis. The test showed ideal results in fresh samples with 100% agreement with the gold standard and confirms the results of a first study in Tanzania. Thus, it has a significant potential for diagnosing rabies in low-income countries, and under field conditions where rabies diagnosis is unavailable for the moment. This new test opens up a great potential to train technical staff and to establish rabies diagnosis without delay in low-income countries with urban rabies

The feasibility of canine rabies elimination in Africa: dispelling doubts with data

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Background:&lt;/b&gt; Canine rabies causes many thousands of human deaths every year in Africa, and continues to increase throughout much of the continent.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Methodology/Principal Findings:&lt;/b&gt; This paper identifies four common reasons given for the lack of effective canine rabies control in Africa: (a) a low priority given for disease control as a result of lack of awareness of the rabies burden; (b) epidemiological constraints such as uncertainties about the required levels of vaccination coverage and the possibility of sustained cycles of infection in wildlife; (c) operational constraints including accessibility of dogs for vaccination and insufficient knowledge of dog population sizes for planning of vaccination campaigns; and (d) limited resources for implementation of rabies surveillance and control. We address each of these issues in turn, presenting data from field studies and modelling approaches used in Tanzania, including burden of disease evaluations, detailed epidemiological studies, operational data from vaccination campaigns in different demographic and ecological settings, and economic analyses of the cost-effectiveness of dog vaccination for human rabies prevention.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusions/Significance:&lt;/b&gt; We conclude that there are no insurmountable problems to canine rabies control in most of Africa; that elimination of canine rabies is epidemiologically and practically feasible through mass vaccination of domestic dogs; and that domestic dog vaccination provides a cost-effective approach to the prevention and elimination of human rabies deaths.&lt;/p&gt

Isolation and molecular characterization of Fikirini rhabdovirus, a novel virus from a Kenyan bat

Zoonotic and vector-borne pathogens have comprised a significant component of emerging human infections in recent decades, and bats are increasingly recognized as reservoirs for many of these disease agents. To identify novel pathogens associated with bats, we screened tissues of bats collected in Kenya. Virus isolates were identified by next generation sequencing of viral nucleic acid preparations from the infected cell culture supernatant and characterized molecularly. Here we report the identification of Fikirini rhabdovirus, a novel rhabdovirus isolated from a bat, Hipposideros vittatus, captured along the Kenyan coast.Technical Support Corps funds from the Global Disease Detection Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA), and by an Interagency Agreement between the United States Agency for International Development Emerging Pandemic Threats Program and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.http://vir.sgmjournals.orghb201