1,325 research outputs found
Identification and Removal of Noise Modes in Kepler Photometry
We present the Transiting Exoearth Robust Reduction Algorithm (TERRA) --- a
novel framework for identifying and removing instrumental noise in Kepler
photometry. We identify instrumental noise modes by finding common trends in a
large ensemble of light curves drawn from the entire Kepler field of view.
Strategically, these noise modes can be optimized to reveal transits having a
specified range of timescales. For Kepler target stars of low photometric
noise, TERRA produces ensemble-calibrated photometry having 33 ppm RMS scatter
in 12-hour bins, rendering individual transits of earth-size planets around
sun-like stars detectable as ~3 sigma signals.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, submitted to PAS
Further evidence for the planet around 51 Pegasi
The discovery of the planet around the solar-type star 51 Pegasi marked a
watershed in the search for extrasolar planets. Since then seven other
solar-type stars have been discovered, of which several have surprisingly short
orbital periods, like the planet around 51 Peg. These planets were detected
using the indirect technique of measuring variations in the Doppler shifts of
lines in the spectra of the primary stars. But it is possible that oscillations
of the stars themselves (or other effects) could mimic the signature of the
planets, particularly around the short-period planets. The apparent lack of
spectral and brightness variations, however, led to widespread acceptance that
there is a planet around 51 Peg. This conclusion was challenged by the
observation of systematic variations in the line profile shapes of 51 Peg,
which suggested stellar oscillations. If these observations are correct, then
there is no need to invoke a planet around 51 Peg to explain the data. Here we
report observations of 51 Peg at a much higher spectral resolution than those
in ref.9, in which we find no evidence for systematic changes in the line
shapes. The data are most consistent with a planetary companion to 51 Peg.Comment: LaTeX, 6 pages, 2 figures. To appear in 8 January 1998 issue of
Natur
Identification of Ancient Feather Fragments Found in Melting Alpine Ice Patches in Southern Yukon
Twelve ancient artifacts or fragmented feather samples recovered from melting alpine ice patches in southern Yukon were analyzed in order to identify the species of birds associated with the ice patches or used on weapons recovered from these sites. The identification of bird species used by ancient hunters as long ago as 4500 BP enhances our insight into the customs, culture, and sophistication of life at that time. Downy feather barbs were found on two samples and microscopically identified as duck (Anatidae) and falcon (Falconidae). Further examination and comparisons using museum specimens resulted in a total of six identifications: Anatidae, eagle (Aquila or Haliaeetus), gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus), short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), and northern flicker (Colaptes auratus luteus). Three of the feather samples were complete enough to show apparent modification, or notching, along the feather shaft. The identification of non-game birds such as gyrfalcon and eagles, together with evidence of possible worked or notched feathers, indicates that as long as 4500 years ago, Subarctic hunters selected feathers not only for their utility in fletching, but also possibly for symbolic or decorative purposes.On a analysĂ© 12 anciens artefacts ou Ă©chantillons de fragments de plumes dĂ©couverts dans le sud du Yukon lors de la fonte de plaques de glace alpine, afin dâidentifier les espĂšces aviaires associĂ©es Ă ces plaques de glace ou utilisĂ©es sur les armes provenant de ces sites. Lâidentification des espĂšces aviaires utilisĂ©es par les anciens chasseurs Ă une Ă©poque aussi reculĂ©e que 4500 BP nous permet de mieux comprendre les coutumes, la culture et le degrĂ© de sophistication de la vie Ă cette Ă©poque. On a trouvĂ© des barbes duveteuses sur deux Ă©chantillons et lâanalyse au microscope a rĂ©vĂ©lĂ© quâelles appartenaient Ă un canard (anatidĂ©) et Ă un faucon (falconidĂ©). Un examen plus poussĂ© et des comparaisons avec des spĂ©cimens prĂ©sents dans des musĂ©es ont permis dâĂ©tablir six provenances: anatidĂ©, aigle (Aquila ou Haliaeetus), faucon gerfaut (Falco rusticolus), lagopĂšde Ă queue blanche (Lagopus leucurus), hibou des marais (Asio flammeus) et pic flamboyant (Colaptes auratus luteus). Trois des Ă©chantillons de plumes Ă©taient assez complets pour rĂ©vĂ©ler des modifications apparentes ou encoches, le long de la tige de la plume. Lâidentification dâoiseaux non cynĂ©gĂ©tiques tels que le faucon gerfaut et les aigles, combinĂ©e avec la dĂ©couverte de plumes encochĂ©es ou Ă©ventuellement travaillĂ©es, rĂ©vĂšle quâil y a 4500 ans, les chasseurs subarctiques sĂ©lectionnaient dĂ©jĂ les plumes non seulement dans un but utilitaire pour en faire des empennes de flĂšches, mais peut-ĂȘtre aussi Ă des fins symboliques ou dâornementation
Assessment of Student Skills for Critiquing Published Primary Scientific Literature: Using a Primary Trait Analysis Scale
Instructor evaluation of progressive student skills in the analysis of primary literature is critical for the development of these skills in young scientists. Students in a senior or graduate-level one-semester course in Immunology at a Masters-level comprehensive university were assessed for abilities (primary traits) to recognize and evaluate the following elements of a scientific paper: Hypothesis and Rationale, Significance, Methods, Results, Critical Thinking and Analysis, and Conclusions. We tested the hypotheses that average recognition scores vary among elements and that scores change with time differently by trait. Recognition scores (scaled 1 to 5), and differences in scores were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) (n = 10 papers over 103 days). By multiple comparisons testing, we found that recognition scores statistically fell into two groups: high scores (for Hypothesis and Rationale, Significance, Methods, and Conclusions) and low scores (for Results and Critical Thinking and Analysis). Recognition scores only significantly changed with time (increased) for Hypothesis and Rationale and Results. ANCOVA showed that changes in recognition scores for these elements were not significantly different in slope (F1,16 = 0.254, P = 0.621) but the Results trait was significantly lower in elevation (F1,17 = 12.456, P = 0.003). Thus, students improved with similar trajectories, but starting and ending with lower Results scores. We conclude that students have greatest difficulty evaluating Results and critically evaluating scientific validity. Our findings show extant student skills, and the significant increase in some traits shows learning. This study demonstrates that students start with variable recognition skills and that student skills may be learned at differential rates. Faculty can use these findings or the primary trait analysis scoring scale to focus on specific paper elements for which they desire to improve recognition
âThe Power of Self-Motion in Cavendishâs Natureâ
Nature, according to Cavendish, has âan Infinite Natural power, that is, a power to produce infinite effects in her own self, by infinite changes of Motions.â While Cavendish mentions powers with respect to human beings, medicines, occasional causes, and other entities, these powers are really just the power of self-moving matter to cause changes in the world. This chapter examines why Cavendish attributes the power of self-motion to matter, what this power is, how it arose, how it is enacted, and its limitations. In doing so, it discusses her views on causation, perception, and motion, and argues that motion is not reducible to change in mereological facts
Star Spot Induced Radial Velocity Variability in LkCa 19
We describe a new radial velocity survey of T Tauri stars and present the
first results. Our search is motivated by an interest in detecting massive
young planets, as well as investigating the origin of the brown dwarf desert.
As part of this survey, we discovered large-amplitude, periodic, radial
velocity variations in the spectrum of the weak line T Tauri star LkCa 19.
Using line bisector analysis and a new simulation of the effect of star spots
on the photometric and radial velocity variability of T Tauri stars, we show
that our measured radial velocities for LkCa19 are fully consistent with
variations caused by the presence of large star spots on this rapidly rotating
young star. These results illustrate the level of activity-induced radial
velocity noise associated with at least some very young stars. This
activity-induced noise will set lower limits on the mass of a companion
detectable around LkCa 19, and similarly active young stars.Comment: ApJ accepted, 27 pages, 12 figures, aaste
A Molecular Assessment of Speciation and Evolutionary History of the Globally Distributed Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari)
The spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari), a species of conservation concern (Near Threatened IUCN category) is commonly associated with coral reef ecosystems worldwide where it is likely to play an important predatory role. Currently described as a single, circumglobally distributed species, geographic differences in parasite diversity have led to suggestions that A. narinari may constitute a species complex. There has been no systematic evidence to support this suggestion, however. If multiple species of spotted eagle ray exist, each will likely posses decreased geographic ranges and population sizes, altering the impacts of threats and requiring separate assessments of conservation needs. We assessed the validity of A. narinari as a single cosmopolitan species using 1570bp of sequence data from two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and COI) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS2 locus. Individuals from four major geographic regions were examined: western north Atlantic, and western, central, and eastern Pacific. Phylogenies for each locus concordantly described three distinct lineages (western north Atlantic, western/central Pacific, and eastern Pacific) with no genetic exchange among regions. Genetic distances among the most divergent lineages were comparable to taxonomically uncontroversial batoid and teleost congener pairs. Using combined genealogical concordance and genetic distance results, we recommend 1) that the western/central Pacific lineage be recognized as a distinct species from the western north Atlantic and eastern Pacific lineages, and 2) the western north Atlantic and eastern Pacific lineages, separated by the Isthmus of Panama, be given subspecies status. Dramatically higher nucleotide diversity and sequence divergence coupled with a basal position in multiple phylogenetic analyses support an Indo-West Pacific origin for the A. narinari species complex, with subsequent migration into the Atlantic. Evolutionary relationships among lineages suggest a westerly migration around the southern tip of Africa, with intensification of the Benguela coldwater upwelling system a possible vicariant mechanism underlying speciation
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