An improved double-toroidal spectrometer for gas phase (e,2e) studies

A new spectrometer is described for measuring the momentum distributions of scattered electrons arising from electron-atom and electron-molecule ionization experiments. It incorporates and builds on elements from a number of previous designs, namely, a source of polarized electrons and two high-efficiency electrostatic electron energy analyzers. The analyzers each comprise a seven-element retarding-electrostatic lens system, four toroidal-sector electrodes, and a fast position-and-time-sensitive two-dimensional delay-line detector. Results are presented for the electron-impact-induced ionization of helium and the elastic scattering of electrons from argon and helium which demonstrate that high levels of momentum resolution and data-collection efficiency are achieved. Problematic aspects regarding variations in collection efficiency over the accepted momentum phase space are addressed and a methodology for their correction presented. Principles behind the present design and previous designs for electrostatic analyzers based around electrodes of toroidal-sector geometry are discussed and a framework is provided for optimizing future devices.The assistance of the AustralianGerman Research Cooperation Scheme and the Australian Research Council through Grant No. DP0452553 and a 1998 ARC RIEF grant is gratefully acknowledged

Court procedures for identifying problem drinkers. Volume III: scoring keys

Notes: Distribution restrictedNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/1204/2/17645.0001.001.pd

Black Holes and Causal Structure in Anti-de Sitter Isometric Spacetimes

The observation that the 2+1 dimensional BTZ black hole can be obtained as a quotient space of anti-de Sitter space leads one to ask what causal behaviour other such quotient spaces can display. In this paper we answer this question in 2+1 and 3+1 dimensions when the identification group has one generator. Among other things we find that there does not exist any 3+1 generalization of the rotating BTZ hole. However, the non-rotating generalization exists and exhibits some unexpected properties. For example, it turns out to be non-static and to possess a non-trivial apparent horizon.Comment: LaTeX, 22 pages, 10 postscript figures, uses epsf.te

Novel missense mutation in the bZIP transcription factor, MAF, associated with congenital cataract, developmental delay, seizures and hearing loss (Ayme-Gripp syndrome)

Published online: 08 May 2017Background: Cataract is a major cause of severe visual impairment in childhood. The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic cause of syndromic congenital cataract in an Australian mother and son. Method: Fifty-one genes associated with congenital cataract were sequenced in the proband using a custom Ampliseq library on the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (PGM). Reads were aligned against the human genome (hg19) and variants were annotated. Variants were prioritised for validation by Sanger sequencing if they were novel, rare or previously reported to be associated with paediatric cataract and were predicted to be protein changing. Variants were assessed for segregation with the phenotype in the affected mother. Result: A novel likely pathogenic variant was identified in the transactivation domain of the MAF gene (c.176C > G, p.(Pro59Arg)) in the proband and his affected mother., but was absent in 326 unrelated controls and absent from public variant databases. Conclusion: The MAF variant is the likely cause of the congenital cataract, Asperger syndrome, seizures, hearing loss and facial characteristics in the proband, providinga diagnosis of Aymé-Gripp syndrome for the family.Shari Javadiyan, Jamie E. Craig, Shiwani Sharma, Karen M. Lower, Theresa Casey, Eric Haan, Emmanuelle Souzeau and Kathryn P. Burdo

Electron-impact ionization and excitation of helium to the n=1-4 ionic states

We present high-precision (e; 2e) measurements and calculations for the e-He four-body Coulomb breakup problem. Cross-section ratios for ionization and excitation of the first three excited states of He+ relative to the ground state have been measured for incident energies between 112 and 319 eV. Comparing the data with predictions from a state-of-the-art hybrid distorted-wave + convergent R matrix with pseudostates (close coupling) approach shows that treating the projectile-target interaction at least to second order is crucial to obtain reasonable agreement between theory and experiment. Nevertheless, our benchmark studies reveal significant theoretical problems for the symmetric energy-sharing cases, thus indicating the need for further improvement.S. Bellm, J. Lower and K. Bartscha

U.S. adolescent and adult women\u27s experiences accessing and using toilets in schools, workplaces, and public spaces: A multi-site focus group study to inform future research in bladder health

The World Health Organization recognizes access to clean and safe toilets as crucial for public health. This study explored U.S. adolescent and adult cisgender women\u27s lived experiences accessing toilets in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. As part of the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium, we conducted 44 focus groups with female participants (n = 360; ages 11-93). Focus groups were stratified by age (11-14, 15-17, 18-25, 26-44, 45-64, 65+) and conducted across 7 geographically diverse U.S. sites from July 2017-April 2018. Using a transdisciplinary approach, we conducted conventional qualitative coding informed by our PLUS conceptual framework and used content analysis processes to identify salient themes. Across settings, toilet access was restricted by gatekeepers (i.e., individuals who control access to toilets). In contrast, self-restricting toilet use (deciding not to use the toilet despite biologic need to urinate) was based on internalized norms to prioritize school and job responsibilities over urination. In public spaces, self-restricting use was largely in response to lack of cleanliness. Across the life course, participants perceived gender disparities in the ability to easily access public toilets. Further research is needed to determine if and how these factors impact bladder health across the life course

Benchmark experiment and theory for near-threshold excitation of helium by electron impact

A new experimental technique has been applied to measure absolute scattering cross sections for electron impact excitation of the n ≤ 2, 3 states of helium at near-threshold energies. The experimental results are compared with predictions from recent state-of-the-art theoretical calculations. The calculations are performed using the R-matrix with pseudostates, B-spline R-matrix, and the convergent close-coupling methods. Generally, very good agreement is found between the experiment and the three theorie

Angle-resolving time-of-flight electron spectrometer for near-threshold precision measurements of differential cross sections of electron-impact excitation of atoms and molecules

This article presents a new type of low-energy crossed-beam electron spectrometer for measuring angular differential cross sections of electron-impact excitation of atomic and molecular targets. Designed for investigations at energies close to excitation thresholds, the spectrometer combines a pulsed electron beam with the time-of-flight technique to distinguish between scattering channels. A large-area, position-sensitive detector is used to offset the low average scattering rate resulting from the pulsing duty cycle, without sacrificing angular resolution. A total energy resolution better than 150 meV (full width at half maximum) at scattered energies of 0.5-3 eV is achieved by monochromating the electron beam prior to pulsing it. The results of a precision measurement of the differential cross section for electron-impact excitation of helium, at an energy of 22 eV, are used to assess the sensitivity and resolution of the spectrometer.M.L. would also like to thank both the Australian Research Council and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, who have supported the project under Grant Nos. LX0346836 and LA 1473, respectively

Five new real-time detections of Fast Radio Bursts with UTMOST

We detail a new fast radio burst (FRB) survey with the Molonglo Radio Telescope, in which six FRBs were detected between June 2017 and December 2018. By using a real-time FRB detection system, we captured raw voltages for five of the six events, which allowed for coherent dedispersion and very high time resolution (10.24 $\mu$s) studies of the bursts. Five of the FRBs show temporal broadening consistent with interstellar and/or intergalactic scattering, with scattering timescales ranging from 0.16 to 29.1 ms. One burst, FRB181017, shows remarkable temporal structure, with 3 peaks each separated by 1 ms. We searched for phase-coherence between the leading and trailing peaks and found none, ruling out lensing scenarios. Based on this survey, we calculate an all-sky rate at 843 MHz of $98^{+59}_{-39}$ events sky$^{-1}$ day$^{-1}$ to a fluence limit of 8 Jy-ms: a factor of 7 below the rates estimated from the Parkes and ASKAP telescopes at 1.4 GHz assuming the ASKAP-derived spectral index $\alpha=-1.6$ ($F_{\nu}\propto\nu^{\alpha}$). Our results suggest that FRB spectra may turn over below 1 GHz. Optical, radio and X-ray followup has been made for most of the reported bursts, with no associated transients found. No repeat bursts were found in the survey.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, submitted to MNRA