Retrieving Neptune's aerosol properties from Keck OSIRIS observations. I. Dark regions

We present and analyze three-dimensional data cubes of Neptune from the OSIRIS integral-field spectrograph on the 10-m Keck telescope, from July 2009. These data have a spatial resolution of 0.035"/pixel and spectral resolution of R~3800 in the H and K broad bands. We focus our analysis on regions of Neptune's atmosphere that are near-infrared dark- that is, free of discrete bright cloud features. We use a forward model coupled to a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to retrieve properties of Neptune's aerosol structure and methane profile above ~4 bar in these near-infrared dark regions. Using a set of high signal-to-noise spectra in a cloud-free band from 2-12N, we find that Neptune's cloud opacity is dominated by a compact, optically thick cloud layer with a base near 3 bar and composed of low albedo, forward scattering particles, with an assumed characteristic size of ~1$\mu$m. Above this cloud, we require a vertically extended haze of smaller (~0.1 $\mu$m) particles, which reaches from the upper troposphere (~0.6 bar) into the stratosphere. The particles in this haze are brighter and more isotropically scattering than those in the deep cloud. When we extend our analysis to 18 cloud-free locations from 20N to 87S, we observe that the optical depth in aerosols above 0.5 bar decreases by a factor of 2-3 or more at mid- and high-southern latitudes relative to low latitudes. We also consider Neptune's methane (CH$_4$) profile, and find that our retrievals indicate a strong preference for a low methane relative humidity at pressures where methane is expected to condense. Our preferred solution at most locations is for a methane relative humidity below 10% near the tropopause in addition to methane depletion down to 2.0-2.5 bar. We tentatively identify a trend of lower CH$_4$ columns above 2.5 bar at mid- and high-southern latitudes over low latitudes.Comment: Published in Icarus: 15 September 201

Neptune's deep atmosphere revealed

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94842/1/grl4440.pd

Occultation Light Curves of Io's Hot Spots in 2014

We present ground-based observations of Io during Spring 2014, contributing to decadal timelines of individual hot spots' volcanic activity

Thermal Properties of the Icy Galilean Satellites from Millimeter ALMA Observations

We present spatially-resolved maps of the leading and trailing hemispheres of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto from ALMA millimeter wavelength observations

Predictors of medication-related problems among medicaid patients participating in a pharmacist-provided telephonic medication therapy management program

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of medication-related problems (MRPs) among Medicaid patients participating in a telephonic medication therapy management (MTM) program. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data from patients enrolled in a previously published study. DATA SOURCES: Two Medicaid administrative claims file databases (for health care utilization and prescription dispensing information) and one pharmacy organization file for MTM program information. PATIENTS: Seven hundred twelve adult Medicaid patients who participated in a statewide pharmacist-provided telephone-based MTM program and who received an initial medication therapy review. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary dependent variable was the number of MRPs detected during the initial medication therapy review. Secondary dependent variables were the detection of one or more MRPs related to indication, effectiveness, safety, and adherence. Predictor variables were selected a priori that, from the literature and our own practice experiences, were hypothesized as being potentially associated with MRPs: demographics, comorbidities, medication use, and health care utilization. Bivariate analyses were performed, and multivariable models were constructed. All predictor variables with significant associations (defined a priori as p<0.1) with the median number of MRPs detected were then entered into a three-block multiple linear regression model. The overall model was significant (p<0.001, R(2) = 0.064). Significant predictors of any MRPs (p<0.05) were total number of medications, obesity, dyslipidemia, and one or more emergency department visits in the past 3 months. For indication-related MRPs, the model was significant (p<0.001, R(2) = 0.049), and predictors included female sex, obesity, dyslipidemia, and total number of medications (p<0.05). For effectiveness-related MRPs, the model was significant (p<0.001, R(2) = 0.054), and predictors included bone disease and dyslipidemia (p<0.05). For safety-related MRPs, the model was significant (p<0.001, R(2) = 0.046), and dyslipidemia was a predictor (p<0.05). No significant predictors of adherence-related MRPs were identified. CONCLUSION: This analysis supports the relative importance of number of medications as a predictor of MRPs in the Medicaid population and identifies other predictors. However, given the models' low R(2) values, these findings indicate that other unknown factors are clearly important and that criteria commonly used for determining MTM eligibility may be inadequate in identifying appropriate patients for MTM in a Medicaid population

An Embeddable Testbed for Insurgent and Terrorist Agent Theories: InsurgiSim

Many simulators today contain traditional opponents and lack an asymmetric insurgent style adversary. InsurgiSim prototypes an embeddable testbed containing a threat network of agents that one can easily configure and deploy for training and analysis purposes. The insurgent network was constructed inside a socio-cognitive agent framework (FactionSim-PMFserv) that includes: (a) a synthesis of best-of-breed models of personality, culture, values, emotions, stress, social relations, mobilization, as well as (b) an IDE for authoring and managing reusable archetypes and their task-sets (Sect. 2). Agents and markups in this library are not scripted, and act to follow their values and fulfill their needs. So it\u27s desirable to profile the agents (e.g., faction leaders, cell logisticians, followers, bomb maker, financier, recruiter, etc.) as faithfully to the real world as possible. Doing this will improve the utility of InsurgiSim for studying what may be driving the insurgent agents in a given area of operation as Sect. 3 explains. InsurgiSim\u27s bridge is an HLA federate and can be embedded to drive all or some of the insurgent agents in a 3rd party simulator. Three such examples are summarized in Sect.4. The paper closes with next steps to improve InsurgiSim\u27s capabilities and utility

Hammer forging process of lever drop forging from AZ31 magnesium alloy

The results of theoretical and experimental analysis of hammer forging process of lever drop forging from AZ31 magnesium alloy are presented in this paper. In order to design a process guaranteeing obtaining a proper product, numerous simulations were made, in which material flow kinematics, strain and damage criterion distributions and forging energy were analyzed. On the basis of the obtained results, the analysis of limiting phenomena, which could appear during the process, was made. Experimental tests in industrial conditions according to designed technology were carried out. Good quality of drop forgings were obtained. On the basis of conducted research, it was stated that hammer forging of lever drop forging from AZ31 magnesium alloy is possible

Development of planar pixel modules for the ATLAS high luminosity LHC tracker upgrade

The high-luminosity LHC will present significant challenges for tracking systems. ATLAS is preparing to upgrade the entire tracking system, which will include a significantly larger pixel detector. This paper reports on the development of large area planar detectors for the outer pixel layers and the pixel endcaps. Large area sensors have been fabricated and mounted onto 4 FE-I4 readout ASICs, the so-called quad-modules, and their performance evaluated in the laboratory and testbeam. Results from characterisation of sensors prior to assembly, experience with module assembly, including bump-bonding and results from laboratory and testbeam studies are presented