Simultaneous Water Vapor and Dry Air Optical Path Length Measurements and Compensation with the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer

The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer uses a near-infrared camera to measure the optical path length variations between the two AO-corrected apertures and provide high-angular resolution observations for all its science channels (1.5-13 $\mu$m). There is however a wavelength dependent component to the atmospheric turbulence, which can introduce optical path length errors when observing at a wavelength different from that of the fringe sensing camera. Water vapor in particular is highly dispersive and its effect must be taken into account for high-precision infrared interferometric observations as described previously for VLTI/MIDI or the Keck Interferometer Nuller. In this paper, we describe the new sensing approach that has been developed at the LBT to measure and monitor the optical path length fluctuations due to dry air and water vapor separately. After reviewing the current performance of the system for dry air seeing compensation, we present simultaneous H-, K-, and N-band observations that illustrate the feasibility of our feedforward approach to stabilize the path length fluctuations seen by the LBTI nuller.Comment: SPIE conference proceeding

Teores de óleo e proteína em grãos de soja, com diferentes manejos de percevejo, da colheita ao armazenamento, utilizando a espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo (NIR).

ABSTRACT: The aim was to determine changes in oil and protein content in soybean grain after different stink bugs field managements, on harvest and after of grain storage, using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). Three stink bugs control managements were used in the soybean crop season as: 1-soybean producer management area; 2-standard integrated pest management area; 3-control management area (no pesticides applied). After harvest and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after storage time, samples of grain were taken to analyze oil and protein content at NIR. The experiment was maintained in a room at 25° C and 60% of relative humidity during one year of storage time. The results showed an increase in protein and a decrease in lipid content during storage. The increase of stink bug attack in the field caused an increase in the protein content during storage, however no changes in lipid content occurred. RESUMO: O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar variação nos teores de óleo e proteína em grãos de soja, com diferentes manejos de percevejo, no momento da colheita e após determinado período de armazenamento, utilizando o NIR. Os tratamentos pesquisados neste estudo foram amostras de grãos de várias lavouras de soja e três condições de tratamentos: 1-área do produtor, 2-área com o MIP e 3-área testemunha. O experimento foi conduzido em BODs, sendo as avaliações no ponto zero (colheita), aos três, seis, nove e doze meses de armazenamento. Em condições ideais de armazenamento (25ºC e umidade relativa de 60%), ocorreu um aumento nos teores de proteína e uma diminuição nos teores de lipídios dos grãos de soja ao longo do armazenamento. O aumento de ataque de percevejos ocasionou aumento nos teores de proteína dos grãos de soja durante o armazenamento, entretanto sem alterar os teores de lipídios dos grãos

Meniscal transplantation and its effect on osteoarthritis risk : an abridged protocol for the MeTEOR study : a comprehensive cohortstudy incorporating a pilot randomised controlled trial

Objectives: Subtotal or total meniscectomy in the medial or lateral compartment of the knee results in a high risk of future osteoarthritis. Meniscal allograft transplantation has been performed for over thirty years with the scientifically plausible hypothesis that it functions in a similar way to a native meniscus. It is thought that a meniscal allograft transplant has a chondroprotective effect, reducing symptoms and the long-term risk of osteoarthritis. However, this hypothesis has never been tested in a high-quality study on human participants. This study aims to address this shortfall by performing a pilot randomised controlled trial within the context of a comprehensive cohort study design. Methods: Patients will be randomised to receive either meniscal transplant or a non-operative, personalised knee therapy program. MRIs will be performed every four months for one year. The primary endpoint is the mean change in cartilage volume in the weight-bearing area of the knee at one year post intervention. Secondary outcome measures include the mean change in cartilage thickness, T2 maps, patient-reported outcome measures, health economics assessment and complications. Results: This study is expected to report its findings in 2016

Imaging protoplanets: observing transition disks with non-redundant masking

Transition disks, protoplanetary disks with inner clearings, are promising objects in which to directly image forming planets. The high contrast imaging technique of non-redundant masking is well posed to detect planetary mass companions at several to tens of AU in nearby transition disks. We present non-redundant masking observations of the T Cha and LkCa 15 transition disks, both of which host posited sub-stellar mass companions. However, due to a loss of information intrinsic to the technique, observations of extended sources (e.g. scattered light from disks) can be misinterpreted as moving companions. We discuss tests to distinguish between these two scenarios, with applications to the T Cha and LkCa 15 observations. We argue that a static, forward-scattering disk can explain the T Cha data, while LkCa 15 is best explained by multiple orbiting companions.Comment: SPIE conference proceedin

Psychoative herbs commercialized in streets of Diadema (SP, Brazil): risk in its consumption

O comércio popular de drogas vegetais sem a garantia da qualidade implica em risco sanitário. O presente estudo fez uma análise interdisciplinar da rede de comércio de drogas vegetais (DVs) com foco nas drogas vegetais psicoativas (DVPs), disponíveis no comércio popular da Cidade de Diadema, e os riscos associados ao seu consumo. Métodos da etnofarmacologia, tais como: entrevistas informais, semi-estruturadas e observação participante foram utilizados para a realização do trabalho de campo; durante o qual, selecionaram-se quatro comerciantes, a fim de registrar a obtenção, manipulação, acondicionamento e tipos de DVs comercializadas. Foram registradas 63 DVs que remetiam a atividade psicoativa (DVPs) e, categorizadas em estimulantes (67%), depressoras (27%), depressoras e estimulantes (1%) e finalmente algumas não puderam ser definidas (5%). Essas DVPs tiveram seus nomes populares, forma de preparo e uso, partes utilizadas, contraindicações e doses registradas. Dezoito das 63 DVPs foram selecionadas segundo critérios do estudo, e seus lotes foram adquiridos dos entrevistados, a fim de serem analisados pela microbiologia (61 lotes) e farmacognosia (somente 22 daqueles, referentes a apenas 8 DVPs). Os resultados obtidos por essas áreas, somados a consultas em literaturas científicas, acerca de descrições de reações adversas, serviram de subsídio para a análise final dessas DVPs no contexto da farmacovigilância. Observaram-se deficiências principalmente na manipulação e acondicionamento das DVs por parte dos comerciantes, favorecendo sua contaminação e degradação. Os resultados das análises microbiológicas detectaram que 16% das DVPs analisadas apresentaram populações de bactérias (aeróbias e enterobactérias) superiores a 105 UFC/g e 31%, populações de fungos (bolores e leveduras) superiores a 103 UFC/g e a presença de espécies microbianas indicadoras de risco em 17 DVPs, especificamente em 74% dos 61 lotes, além de fungos produtores de aflatoxinas B1 e/ou B2 em quatro deles. Os resultados da farmacognosia demonstraram que 73% dos lotes foram reprovados ao menos em um dos demais parâmetros analisados (presença de contaminantes, caracterização e perfil cromatográfico). Sendo que, 50% dos 22 lotes analisados não coincidem com as especificações da farmacopéia e 36% apresentaram contaminação por outros órgãos vegetais, superior ao permitido nas monografias e um lote apresentou contaminação por insetos. Todos os 22 lotes foram reprovados na avaliação do rótulo (nomenclatura e validade) e praticamente todas as embalagens foram consideradas inadequadas. Além dos dados obtidos nessas análises, descrições de contra-indicações, efeitos adversos e interações medicamentosas foram encontradas na literatura científica para as 3 DVPs que tiveram sua identidade confirmada pela farmacognosia (camomila, ginkgo biloba e guaraná). Os resultados obtidos nesse estudo possibilitam observar as prioridades de adequação sanitária do comércio popular de DVs, bem como, traçar um perfil da qualidade das DVPs comercializadas segundo os parâmetros analisados. Conclui-se que essas DVPs reúnem importantes fatores capazes de causar danos à saúde dos consumidores, especialmente para alguns grupos como gestantes e indivíduos imunossuprimidos.The popular trade of herbal drugs without quality assurance implies a health risk. This study was an interdisciplinary analysis of the herbal drugs (DVs) trade network with focus on psychoactive drug plant (DVPs) available on the Brazilian city of Diadema, and risks associated with its consumption. Methods of ethnopharmacology, such as informal interviews, semi-structured interviews and participant observation were used for the completion of the fieldwork, during which four tradesmen were selected to register the collection, handling, packaging and types of DVs marketed. We registered 63 DVs that referred to psychoactive activity (DVPs) and categorized as stimulants (67%), depressants (27%), depressants and stimulants (1%) and finally some could not be set (5%). These DVPs had their popular names, preparations and uses, used parts, contraindications, and doses recorded. Eighteen of the 63 DVPs were selected according to the study criteria, and their lots were purchased by the selected tradesmen to be examined by microbiology (61 lots) and Pharmacognosy (only 22 of those lots, related to only 8 DVPs). The results for these areas, together with query in the scientific literature concerning descriptions of adverse reactions, provided the grant for the final analysis of these DVPs in the context of pharmacovigilance. Deficiencies were observed mainly in the handling and packaging of DVs by the traders, favoring its contamination and degradation. The microbiological analysis found that 16% of DVPs analyzed showed populations of bacteria (aerobic and Enterobacteriaceae) exceeding 105 CFU/g and 31%, populations of fungi (molds and yeasts) exceeding 103 CFU/g and the presence of risk indicator microbial species in 17 DVPs, specifically in 74% of the 61 lots, in addition to aflatoxin B1 or B2 producing fungi in four of them. The results of pharmacognosy showed that 73% had failed at least one of the parameters (contaminants, characterization and chromatographic profile), 50% of the 22 lots analyzed did not match the specifications of the pharmacopoeia, 36% were contaminated by other plant organs than those permitted in the monographs and a lot contamination by insects was found. All 22 lots have been disapproved in the evaluation of the label (classification and validity) and virtually all packages were considered inadequate. In addition to data obtained from such analysis, descriptions of contraindications, adverse effects and drug interactions were found in the literature for 3 DVPs who had their identity confirmed by the Pharmacognosy (chamomile, ginkgo biloba and guarana). The results obtained here allow us to observe the priorities of sanitary adequacy of the DVs popular trade, as well as establishing a profile of quality of DVPs marketed according to the analyzed parameters. We conclude that these DVPs gather important factors that could cause damage to the consumers health, especially for some groups such as pregnant women and immunosuppressed individuals.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)TEDEBV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertaçõe

Exoplanet science with the LBTI: instrument status and plans

The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI) is a strategic instrument of the LBT designed for high-sensitivity, high-contrast, and high-resolution infrared (1.5-13 $\mu$m) imaging of nearby planetary systems. To carry out a wide range of high-spatial resolution observations, it can combine the two AO-corrected 8.4-m apertures of the LBT in various ways including direct (non-interferometric) imaging, coronagraphy (APP and AGPM), Fizeau imaging, non-redundant aperture masking, and nulling interferometry. It also has broadband, narrowband, and spectrally dispersed capabilities. In this paper, we review the performance of these modes in terms of exoplanet science capabilities and describe recent instrumental milestones such as first-light Fizeau images (with the angular resolution of an equivalent 22.8-m telescope) and deep interferometric nulling observations.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, Proc. SPI

Operational experience, improvements, and performance of the CDF Run II silicon vertex detector

The Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) pursues a broad physics program at Fermilab's Tevatron collider. Between Run II commissioning in early 2001 and the end of operations in September 2011, the Tevatron delivered 12 fb-1 of integrated luminosity of p-pbar collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96 TeV. Many physics analyses undertaken by CDF require heavy flavor tagging with large charged particle tracking acceptance. To realize these goals, in 2001 CDF installed eight layers of silicon microstrip detectors around its interaction region. These detectors were designed for 2--5 years of operation, radiation doses up to 2 Mrad (0.02 Gy), and were expected to be replaced in 2004. The sensors were not replaced, and the Tevatron run was extended for several years beyond its design, exposing the sensors and electronics to much higher radiation doses than anticipated. In this paper we describe the operational challenges encountered over the past 10 years of running the CDF silicon detectors, the preventive measures undertaken, and the improvements made along the way to ensure their optimal performance for collecting high quality physics data. In addition, we describe the quantities and methods used to monitor radiation damage in the sensors for optimal performance and summarize the detector performance quantities important to CDF's physics program, including vertex resolution, heavy flavor tagging, and silicon vertex trigger performance.Comment: Preprint accepted for publication in Nuclear Instruments and Methods A (07/31/2013