Multiplexed Dispersive Spectrometers Using Reduced Background Infrared Detectors

The application of multiplex spectrometry to cryogenically cooled LWIR extrinsic photodetectors is limited by system noise. This noise limitation results in a detector NEP that is directly proportional to bandwidth. Therefore, multiplex schemes that require increased bandwidth are not productive of real advantage. However, doubly encoded systems that are based on 2n - 1 or n + N - 1 measurements have the potential to provide a real throughput gain proportional to the number of elements used on the throughput matrix

Explaining Adherence Success in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Ethnographic Study

Background: Individuals living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa generally take more than 90% of prescribed doses of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This number exceeds the levels of adherence observed in North America and dispels early scale-up concerns that adherence would be inadequate in settings of extreme poverty. This paper offers an explanation and theoretical model of ART adherence success based on the results of an ethnographic study in three sub-Saharan African countries. Methods and Findings: Determinants of ART adherence for HIV-infected persons in sub-Saharan Africa were examined with ethnographic research methods. 414 in-person interviews were carried out with 252 persons taking ART, their treatment partners, and health care professionals at HIV treatment sites in Jos, Nigeria; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Mbarara, Uganda. 136 field observations of clinic activities were also conducted. Data were examined using category construction and interpretive approaches to analysis. Findings indicate that individuals taking ART routinely overcome economic obstacles to ART adherence through a number of deliberate strategies aimed at prioritizing adherence: borrowing and “begging” transport funds, making “impossible choices” to allocate resources in favor of treatment, and “doing without.” Prioritization of adherence is accomplished through resources and help made available by treatment partners, other family members and friends, and health care providers. Helpers expect adherence and make their expectations known, creating a responsibility on the part of patients to adhere. Patients adhere to promote good will on the part of helpers, thereby ensuring help will be available when future needs arise. Conclusion: Adherence success in sub-Saharan Africa can be explained as a means of fulfilling social responsibilities and thus preserving social capital in essential relationships

Systematic calculation of molecular vibrational spectra through a complete Morse expansion

We propose an accurate and efficient method to compute vibrational spectra of molecules, based on exact diagonalization of an algebraically calculated matrix based on powers of Morse coordinate. The present work focuses on the 1D potential of diatomic molecules: as typical examples, we apply this method to the standard Lennard-Jones oscillator, and to the ab initio potential of the H2 molecule. Global cm-1 accuracy is exhibited through the H2 spectrum, obtained through the diagonalization of a 30 x 30 matrix. This theory is at the root of a new method to obtain globally accurate vibrational spectral data in the context of the multi-dimensional potential of polyatomic molecules, at an affordable computational cost.Comment: 30 pages including 6 figure

Quantum trajectory perspective of atom-field interaction in attosecond time scale

Here the ionization and high harmonic generation in Hydrogen and Helium by using quantum (hydrodynamic) trajectories is analyzed theoretically. The quantum trajectories allow a self-contained treatment of the electron exchange and correlation effects without introducing ad hoc potentials into the Schrodinger equation. Our approach predicts the correct high harmonic spectra and the attosecond pulses generated by the Helium atom beyond the single active electron approximation. It can be used to study complex multi-electron systems and their interaction with laser field of both high and low intensity.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Circumstellar discs: What will be next?

This prospective chapter gives our view on the evolution of the study of circumstellar discs within the next 20 years from both observational and theoretical sides. We first present the expected improvements in our knowledge of protoplanetary discs as for their masses, sizes, chemistry, the presence of planets as well as the evolutionary processes shaping these discs. We then explore the older debris disc stage and explain what will be learnt concerning their birth, the intrinsic links between these discs and planets, the hot dust and the gas detected around main sequence stars as well as discs around white dwarfs.Comment: invited review; comments welcome (32 pages

Modelling groundwater rebound in recently abandoned coalfields using DInSAR

Advances in differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) processing algorithms, such as the Intermittent Small Baseline Subset (ISBAS), and increased data availability from SAR systems, such as Sentinel-1, provide the opportunity to increase the spatial and temporal density of ground deformation measurements. Such measurements, when combined with modelling, have the potential to make a significant cost-effective contribution to the progressive abandonment strategy of recently closed coalfields. Applications of DInSAR over coalfields have observed heave in coal measures rocks and temporal correlations between the rise of mine water and deformation time-series. The cessation of systematic dewatering can have a variety of detrimental impacts and knowledge of the time-scales (i.e. the rate of rebound) and structure of the mine system are crucial to the remediation strategy. Although mine plans and borehole measurements provide vital information in this regard, mine plans are often incomplete or inaccurate, whereas monitoring boreholes are spatially sparse. Consequently, groundwater can flow in unanticipated directions via goaf, mine shafts and roadways, making it difficult to determine where the impacts of rebound are likely to occur. In this study, ground deformation data obtained using ISBAS DInSAR on ENVISAT (2002–2009) and Sentinel-1 (2015–2019) data are used to develop a simple method to model groundwater rebound in abandoned coalfields. A forward analytical model based upon the principle of effective stress and mine water ponds is first implemented to estimate surface heave in response to changes in groundwater levels measured in monitoring boreholes. The forward model is then calibrated and validated using the ground deformation data. The DInSAR data were subsequently inverted to map the change in groundwater levels in greater detail across the coalfield and forecast surface discharges in order to support mitigation strategies

THE TOOLS AND MONTE CARLO WORKING GROUP Summary Report from the Les Houches 2009 Workshop on TeV Colliders

This is the summary and introduction to the proceedings contributions for the Les Houches 2009 "Tools and Monte Carlo" working group.Comment: 144 Pages. Workshop site http://wwwlapp.in2p3.fr/conferences/LesHouches/Houches2009/ . Conveners were Butterworth, Maltoni, Moortgat, Richardson, Schumann and Skand