5,702 research outputs found
Simulations of Adaptive Optics with a Laser Guide Star for SINFONI
The SINFONI instrument for ESO's VLT combines integral field spectroscopy and
adaptive optics (AO). We discuss detailed simulations of the adaptive optics
module. These simulations are aimed at assessing the AO module performance,
specifically for operations with extended sources and a laser guide star.
Simulated point spread function (PSF) images will be used to support scientific
preparations and the development of an exposure time calculator, while
simulated wavefront sensor measurements will be used to study PSF
reconstruction methods. We explain how the adaptive optics simulations work,
focusing on the realistic modelling of the laser guide star for a curvature
wavefront sensor. The predicted performance of the AO module is discussed,
resulting in recommendations for the operation of the SINFONI AO module at the
telescope.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, to appear in SPIE conference proceedings vol
5490, "Advancements in Adaptive Optics", eds. D. Bonaccini, B.L. Ellerbroek,
R. Ragazonni, Glasgow UK, 21-25 June 200
A DC-coupled RF Amplifier in CMOS with DC-feedback
A CMOS multistage RF amplifier with DC coupling is presented. A complete optimisation of the various stages is done to maximize the RF gain for a given power budget. To decrease the effects of offsets and tolerances in high gain multistage amplifiers usually (lossy) AC coupling is used. The presented circuit employs DC coupling and DC control circuitry to avoid coupling-induced\ud
losses. Compared to existing competing AC-coupled designs the presented one has much more gain at the same power consumption with a lower die area. For the 3-stage design vehicle, with Rsrc = 500Ω and Cout = 400fF, the maximal signal power gain at 4mA supply current is 33dB at 1.9GHz
Gravitationally lensed radio emission associated with SMM J16359+6612, a multiply imaged submillimeter galaxy behind A2218
We report the detection of discrete, lensed radio emission from the multiply
imaged, z=2.516 submillimetre selected galaxy, SMM J16359+6612. All three
images are detected in deep WSRT 1.4 GHz and VLA 8.2 GHz observations, and the
radio positions are coincident with previous sub-mm SCUBA observations of this
system. This is the widest separation lens system to be detected in the radio
so far, and the first time that multiply imaged lensed radio emission has been
detected from a star forming galaxy -- all previous multiply-lensed radio
systems being associated with radio-loud AGN. Taking into account the total
magnification of ~45, the WSRT 1.4 GHz observations suggest a star formation
rate of 500 Solar mass/yr. The source has a steep radio spectrum (alpha -0.7)
and an intrinsic flux density of just 3 microJy at 8.2 GHz. Three other SCUBA
sources in the field are also detected by the WSRT, including SMMJ16359+66118,
a singly imaged (and magnified) arclet at z=1.034. Higher resolution radio
observations of SMMJ16359+6612 (and other highly magnified star forming
galaxies) provide a unique opportunity to study the general properties and
radio morphology of intrinsically faint, distant and obscured star forming
galaxies. They can also help to constrain the technical specification of next
generation radio telescopes, such as the Square Kilometre Array.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, to appear in A&A letter
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Dealing with propositional ambiguity in business process improvement
If it is true that people express their views about organisational issues in ambiguous terms then one needs to address this ambiguity instead of the âproblemsâ to find an appropriate methodological approach to resolving or dissolving problem situations in the organisation. This paper highlights and discusses those issues, which therefore relate to ambiguityin relation to decision making tasks within organisations, and the related Soft Systems Methodology / Systems Thinking school of thought, which traditionally constrains such ambiguities. A model of these issues is presented in terms of the Business Process Improvement (BPI) task to highlight these interdependencies
Nutritional support for patients with metastatic cancer
Verheul, H.M.W. [Promotor]Schueren, M.A.E. de van der [Copromotor]Langius, J.A.E. [Copromotor
The effect of genomic information on optimal contribution selection in livestock breeding programs
BACKGROUND: Long-term benefits in animal breeding programs require that increases in genetic merit be balanced with the need to maintain diversity (lost due to inbreeding). This can be achieved by using optimal contribution selection. The availability of high-density DNA marker information enables the incorporation of genomic data into optimal contribution selection but this raises the question about how this information affects the balance between genetic merit and diversity. METHODS: The effect of using genomic information in optimal contribution selection was examined based on simulated and real data on dairy bulls. We compared the genetic merit of selected animals at various levels of co-ancestry restrictions when using estimated breeding values based on parent average, genomic or progeny test information. Furthermore, we estimated the proportion of variation in estimated breeding values that is due to within-family differences. RESULTS: Optimal selection on genomic estimated breeding values increased genetic gain. Genetic merit was further increased using genomic rather than pedigree-based measures of co-ancestry under an inbreeding restriction policy. Using genomic instead of pedigree relationships to restrict inbreeding had a significant effect only when the population consisted of many large full-sib families; with a half-sib family structure, no difference was observed. In real data from dairy bulls, optimal contribution selection based on genomic estimated breeding values allowed for additional improvements in genetic merit at low to moderate inbreeding levels. Genomic estimated breeding values were more accurate and showed more within-family variation than parent average breeding values; for genomic estimated breeding values, 30 to 40% of the variation was due to within-family differences. Finally, there was no difference between constraining inbreeding via pedigree or genomic relationships in the real data. CONCLUSIONS: The use of genomic estimated breeding values increased genetic gain in optimal contribution selection. Genomic estimated breeding values were more accurate and showed more within-family variation, which led to higher genetic gains for the same restriction on inbreeding. Using genomic relationships to restrict inbreeding provided no additional gain, except in the case of very large full-sib families
On measuring the Tully-Fisher relation at
The evolution of the line width - luminosity relation for spiral galaxies,
the Tully-Fisher relation, strongly constrains galaxy formation and evolution
models. At this moment, the kinematics of z>1 spiral galaxies can only be
measured using rest frame optical emission lines associated with star
formation, such as Halpha and [OIII]5007/4959 and [OII]3727. This method has
intrinsic difficulties and uncertainties. Moreover, observations of these lines
are challenging for present day telescopes and techniques. Here, we present an
overview of the intrinsic and observational challenges and some ways way to
circumvent them. We illustrate our results with the HST/NICMOS grism sample
data of z ~ 1.5 starburst galaxies. The number of galaxies we can use in the
final Tully-Fisher analysis is only three. We find a ~2 mag offset from the
local rest frame B and R band Tully-Fisher relation for this sample. This
offset is partially explained by sample selection effects and sample specifics.
Uncertainties in inclination and extinction and the effects of star formation
on the luminosity can be accounted for. The largest remaining uncertainty is
the line width / rotation curve velocity measurement. We show that high
resolution, excellent seeing integral field spectroscopy will improve the
situation. However, we note that no flat rotation curves have been observed for
galaxies with z>1. This could be due to the described instrumental and
observational limitations, but it might also mean that galaxies at z>1 have not
reached the organised motions of the present day.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, A&A accepte
Discovery of distant high luminosity infrared galaxies
We have developed a method for selecting the most luminous galaxies detected
by IRAS based on their extreme values of R, the ratio of 60 micron and B-band
luminosity. These objects have optical counterparts that are close to or below
the limits of Schmidt surveys. We have tested our method on a 1079 deg^2 region
of sky, where we have selected a sample of IRAS sources with 60 micron flux
densities greater than 0.2 Jy, corresponding to a redshift limit z~1 for
objects with far-IR luminosities of 10^{13} L_sun. Optical identifications for
these were obtained from the UK Schmidt Telescope plates, using the likelihood
ratio method. Optical spectroscopy has been carried out to reliably identify
and measure the redshifts of six objects with very faint optical counterparts,
which are the only objects with R>100 in the sample. One object is a
hyperluminous infrared galaxy (HyLIG) at z=0.834. Of the remaining, fainter
objects, five are ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIGs) with a mean redshift
of 0.45, higher than the highest known redshift of any non-hyperluminous ULIG
prior to this study. High excitation lines reveal the presence of an active
nucleus in the HyLIG, just as in the other known infrared-selected HyLIGs. In
contrast, no high excitation lines are found in the non-hyperluminous ULIGs. We
discuss the implications of our results for the number density of HyLIGs at z<1
and for the evolution of the infrared galaxy population out to this redshift,
and show that substantial evolution is indicated. Our selection method is
robust against the presence of gravitational lensing if the optical and
infrared magnification factors are similar, and we suggest a way of using it to
select candidate gravitationally lensed infrared galaxies.Comment: 6 pages, accepted for publication in A&
The spatial distribution of excited H_2 in T Tau: a molecular outflow in a young binary system
Strong extended emission from molecular hydrogen
in the v = 1 â 0 S(l) transition is mapped around T Tau. In
addition, the v = 2 â 1 S(l) line is detected close to the star. The ratio of the two transitions is consistent with an excitation process in which both fluorescence by stellar ultraviolet radiation and collisions in a warm, dense medium play a role. The morphology is interpreted as emission from a molecular outflow which appears to wiggle as a result of the fact that T Tau is a binary system seen almost pole-on. It is shown that an outflow with a small opening angle can reproduce the observed extended emission. From comparison with previous studies it is argued that the molecular outflow originates from T Tau S, the infrared component. The presented model constrains the orientation and geometry of the system
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