Unveiling Palomar 2: The Most Obscure Globular Cluster in the Outer Halo

We present the first color-magnitude study for Palomar 2, a distant and heavily obscured globular cluster near the Galactic anticenter. Our (V,V-I) color-magnitude diagram (CMD), obtained with the UH8K camera at the CFHT, reaches V(lim) = 24 and clearly shows the principal sequences of the cluster, though with substantial overall foreground absorption and differential reddening. The CMD morphology shows a well populated red horizontal branch with a sparser extension to the blue, similar to clusters such as NGC 1261, 1851, or 6229 with metallicities near [Fe/H] = -1.3$. From an average of several indicators, we estimate the foreground reddening at E(B-V) = 1.24 +- 0.07 and obtain a true distance modulus (m-M)_0 = 17.1 +- 0.3$, placing it about 34 kpc from the Galactic center. We use starcounts of the bright stars to measure the core radius, half-mass radius, and central concentration of the cluster. Its integrated luminosity is M_V = -7.9, making it clearly brighter and more massive than most other clusters in the outer halo.Comment: 25 pages, aastex, with 8 postscript figures; accepted for publication in AJ, September 1997. Also available by e-mail from [email protected]. Please consult Harris directly for (big) postscript files of Figures 1a,b (the images of the cluster

Inversion improves the recognition of facial expression in thatcherized images

The Thatcher illusion provides a compelling example of the face inversion effect. However, the marked effect of inversion in the Thatcher illusion contrasts to other studies that report only a small effect of inversion on the recognition of facial expressions. To address this discrepancy, we compared the effects of inversion and thatcherization on the recognition of facial expressions. We found that inversion of normal faces caused only a small reduction in the recognition of facial expressions. In contrast, local inversion of facial features in upright thatcherized faces resulted in a much larger reduction in the recognition of facial expressions. Paradoxically, inversion of thatcherized faces caused a relative increase in the recognition of facial expressions. Together, these results suggest that different processes explain the effects of inversion on the recognition of facial expressions and on the perception of the Thatcher illusion. The grotesque perception of thatcherized images is based on a more orientation-sensitive representation of the face. In contrast, the recognition of facial expression is dependent on a more orientation-insensitive representation. A similar pattern of results was evident when only the mouth or eye region was visible. These findings demonstrate that a key component of the Thatcher illusion is to be found in orientation-specific encoding of the features of the face

The tilt of mean sea level along the east coast of North America

The tilt of mean sea level along the North American east coast has been a subject of debate for many decades. Improvements in geoid and ocean circulation models, and GPS positioning of tide gauge benchmarks, provide an opportunity to produce new tilt estimates. Tilts estimated using tide gauge measurements referenced to high-resolution geoid models (the geodetic approach) and ocean circulation models (the ocean approach) are compared. The geodetic estimates are broadly similar, with tilts downward to the north through the Florida Straits and at Cape Hatteras. Estimates from the ocean approach show good agreement with the geodetic estimates, indicating a convergence of the two approaches and resolving the long standing debate as to the sign of the tilt. These tilts differ from those used by Yin and Goddard (2013) to support a link between changing ocean circulation and coastal sea level rise

Outstanding Educational Performance Awards: Highlighting High Achieving Arkansas Schools, 2010

So, in this Arkansas Education Report (AER) we aim to highlight excellent performance and give our congratulations. To that end, we are happy to highlight many high performing schools around the state in our now-annual AER entitled the Outstanding Educational Performance Awards

Effects of Commercial Formaldehyde Inclusion and Lysine Level on Pig Performance of 35- to 50-lb Nursery Pigs

A total of 299 pigs (DNA 400 × 200; initial BW 33.6 lb) were used in a 14-d study to determine the effects of two separate commercial formaldehyde products (Termin-8; Anitox Corp, Lawrenceville, GA and SalCURB; Kemin Industries, Inc., Des Moines, IA) on nursery pig performance. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial design with three formaldehyde inclusions: none vs. 6.5 lb/ton SalCURB vs. 6.0 lb/ton Termin-8 and 2 Lys levels: Standard (1.25% SID Lys) vs. Low (1.10% SID Lys). Formaldehyde treatments were established based on supplier recommendations and diets were treated with supplier-specific equipment. Pens of pigs were balanced by initial BW and randomly allotted to one of six treatments with five pigs per pen and 10 pens per treatment. Overall, there was a tendency (P \u3c 0.10) for a formaldehyde source × Lys level interaction to affect ADG and F/G, but not ADFI. Pigs fed diets with standard Lys levels, regardless of formaldehyde source, tended to have similar (P \u3e 0.10) ADG to one another, but greater (P \u3c 0.10) ADG than pigs fed low Lys levels treated with either formaldehyde source. Furthermore, pigs fed standard Lys levels treated with no formaldehyde or SalCURB tended to have improved (P \u3c 0.10) F/G compared to pigs fed standard Lys levels treated with Termin-8 or low Lys levels treated with no formaldehyde or SalCURB. Pigs fed diets with low Lys and treated with Termin-8 tended to have poorer (P \u3c 0.10) F/G than all other treatments. Regardless of source or Lys level, the inclusion of formaldehyde in nursery pig diets tended to reduce (P \u3c 0.10) ADG and resulted in poorer (P \u3c 0.05) F/G. Furthermore, the main effect of formaldehyde source affected (P \u3c 0.05) ADG, F/G, and tended to affect (P \u3c 0.10) ADFI, with pigs fed Termin-8 performing poorer than those fed SalCURB or no formaldehyde. As expected, Lys level affected (P \u3c 0.05) ADG and F/G, but did not alter ADFI (P \u3e 0.10). In summary, SalCURB inclusion did not alter nursery pig growth performance compared to the untreated basal diet, regardless of Lys level. However, the inclusion of Termin-8 tended to result in poorer F/G in standard Lys diets and poorer ADG and F/G in low Lys diets compared to an untreated control

Cooling of Quark Stars in the Color Superconductive Phase: Effect of Photons from Glueball decay

The cooling history of a quark star in the color superconductive phase is investigated. Here we specifically focus on the 2-flavour color (2SC) phase where novel process of photon generation via glueball (GLB) decay have been already investigated (Ouyed & Sannino 2001). The picture we present here can in principle be generalized to quark stars entering a superconductive phase where similar photon generation mechanisms are at play. As much as 10^{45}-10^{47} erg of energy is provided by the GLB decay in the 2SC phase. The generated photons slowly diffuse out of the quark star keeping it hot and radiating as a black-body (with possibly a Wien spectrum in gamma-rays) for millions of years. We discuss hot radio-quiet isolated neutron stars in our picture (such as RX J185635-3754 and RX J0720.4-3125) and argue that their nearly blackbody spectra (with a few broad features) and their remarkably tiny hydrogen atmosphere are indications that these might be quark stars in the color superconductive phase where some sort of photon generation mechanism (reminiscent of the GLB decay) has taken place. Fits to observed data of cooling compact stars favor models with superconductive gaps of Delta_2SC = 15-35 MeV and densities rho_2SC=(2.5-3.0)rho_N (rho_N being the nuclear matter saturation density) for quark matter in the 2SC phase. If correct, our model combined with more observations of isolated compact stars could provide vital information to studies of quark matter and its exotic phases.Comment: 7 journal pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS (more discussions on photon cooling versus neutrino cooling before and after pairing of quarks

Evaluation of Extreme Thermal Processing Methods to Improve Nutrient Utilization of Low-Energy Diets for Finishing Pigs

A total of 270 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050; initially 115.7 lb) were used in a 79-d experiment to determine the effects of long-term conditioning or extrusion on finishing pig nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and carcass characteristics. There were 7 or 8 pigs per pen and 9 pens per treatment. Treatments included the same basal diet processed as: 1) nonprocessed mash; 2) pelleted with 45-s conditioner retention time; 3) pelleted with 90-s conditioner retention time; or 4) extruded. Diets were fed in three phases with the same low-energy diet formulation fed across treatments, containing 30% corn dried distillers grains with solubles and 19% wheat middlings. Pigs fed thermally processed feed, regardless of method, had improved ADG, F/G, ether extract, and crude fiber apparent total tract digestibility (P \u3c 0.05) compared to those fed the mash diet, but thermal processing did not affect ADFI . Extruded diets tended to improve F/G compared to pelleted diets (P = 0.09). Pigs fed any thermally processed treatment had greater HCW compared to those fed mash (P \u3c 0.05). Improvements in fat and crude fiber digestibility (P \u3c 0.05) led to improved caloric efficiency in pigs fed thermally processed diets. Thermal processing did not influence percentage yield, backfat, or loin depth when HCW was used as a covariate. However, pigs fed thermally processed diets had greater jowl fat iodine value compared to those fed mash diets (P \u3c 0.05). Electrical energy usage during thermal processing was recorded. Pigs fed mash diets had greater (P \u3c 0.05) cost per lb of gain, as well as reduced gain value and income over feed costs, compared to those fed thermally processed diets. This experiment confirms the benefits of thermally processing feeds to improve ADG and F/G, but compromises carcass fat iodine value. Additionally, this research suggests that more extreme thermal processing conditions may be used without hindering nutrient utilization

Finely Grinding Cereal Grains in Pelleted Diets Offers Little Improvement in Nursery Pig Growth Performance

Five experiments were conducted to determine the effects of corn particle size and diet form on nursery pig performance and feed preference. In Exp. 1, 192 nursery pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 14.7 lb and 26 d of age) were used in a 35-d experiment. Pens of pigs were balanced by BW and allotted to 1 of 4 treatments with 6 pigs per pen and 8 pens per treatment. The same corn and soybean meal-based diet formulation was used for all treatments. The 2 × 2 factorial consisted of the main effects of corn particle size (400 vs. 700 μm) and diet form (mash vs. pelleted). Pigs fed mash diets had improved overall ADG and greater ADFI during all periods (P \u3c 0.05) and particle size did not impact (P \u3e 0.10) performance. In Exp. 2, a study utilized 96 pigs to evaluate feed preference of pigs consuming mash diets with either 400 or 700 μm corn. Pigs overwhelmingly (P \u3c 0.05) preferred to consume 700 μm corn compared to 400 μm corn (79.3 vs. 20.7%). In Exp. 3, 224 nursery pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 24.1 lb and 40 d of age) were used in a 10-d experiment to determine the effects of corn particle size in pelleted diets on nursery pig performance. Experimental treatments were formed by grinding corn to 1 of 4 different particle sizes (250, 400, 550, or 700 μm). Particle size tended to affect (P \u3c 0.10) ADG in a quadratic manner, but did not impact (P \u3e 0.10) ADFI or F/G. Pigs fed pelleted diets from either 250 or 700 μm corn had poorer ADG than the intermediate treatments. Exp. 4 utilized 91 pigs to evaluate the preference of pigs consuming pelleted diets with either 250 or 700 μm corn from Exp. 3. Even in pelleted form, pigs preferred (P \u3c 0.05) to consume diets manufactured with the coarser particle size corn (58.2 vs. 41.8%). In Exp. 5, 180 nursery pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 15.8 lb and 36 d of age) were used in a 35-d experiment to determine the effects of corn particle size and pelleting on nursery pig growth performance. The 2 × 2 factorial consisted of 2 corn particle sizes (500 μm vs. 750 μm) and two diet forms (mash vs. pelleted). Overall, reducing particle size from 750 to 500 μm did not affect growth performance (P \u3e 0.10). Pelleting reduced (P \u3c 0.05) feed intake, but did not affect ADG or F/G (P \u3e 0.10). These studies suggest that there is little value to be gained by grinding corn to less than 700 microns if fed in pelleted form. Furthermore, our data suggest that, regardless if fed as mash or pellets, pigs prefer to consume diets manufactured with coarser ground corn if given the choice

Effects of Increasing Space Allowance by Removing a Pig or Gate Adjustment on Finishing Pig Growth Performance

A total of 256 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 123.1 lb) were used in a 71 d growth study to compare the effects of increasing space allowance by removing a pig or gate adjustment, on finishing pig growth performance. At the initiation of the trial, pens of pigs were blocked by BW and allotted to 1 of 4 space allowance treatments. The 4 treatments included: 1) 9.8 ft2/pig or 2) 6.8 ft2/pig for the entire study with treatments 3 and 4 initially providing 6.8 ft2, but either a gate was adjusted or the heaviest pig in the pen was removed to provide more space. By using the following equation, space adjustments were made to keep the pigs above their predicted minimum space requirement before growth is impacted: space [(m2) = 0.0336 × BW (kg)0.66]. There were initially 8 pigs per pen and 8 pens per treatment.From d 0 to 28, before any gate adjustments or pig removals, ADG tended to be greater (P = 0.076) for pigs allowed 9.8 ft2 compared with pigs stocked at 6.8 ft2. Overall, d 0 to 71, pigs allowed 9.8 ft2 had greater (P = 0.001) ADG compared with pigs with all other space allowances. Removing pigs or adjusting the gating increased (P = 0.001) ADG compared to those maintained at 6.8 ft2; however, both treatments had decreased (P = 0.001) ADG compared with pigs allowed 9.8 ft2. Most of the differences in ADG can be explained by differences in ADFI. Pigs allowed 9.8 ft2 had greater (P = 0.001) ADFI compared with pigs allowed 6.8 ft2; however, intake was similar for pigs allowed increased space by gate adjustment to pigs allowed 9.8 ft2. Pigs allowed increased space by pig removal had similar ADFI to pigs allowed 6.8 ft2. Space allowance did not influence feed efficiency.In summary, as expected, pigs with 9.8 ft2 grew faster and consumed more feed than pigs that were restricted in space. Furthermore, either removing a pig or adjusting the gating as pigs reached the critical k value influenced growth performance similarly. We speculated that along with pig growth, removing the heaviest pigs could have influenced social dynamics of the remaining pigs in the pen; however, our study indicates the performance benefit from removing the heaviest pig from the pen is primarily from the increased space allowance alone. As pigs grew to the minimum predicted space requirement and were subsequently allowed more space, performance was not similar compared to unrestricted pigs. This indicates the industry accepted minimum space prediction equation [m2 = 0.0336 × BW (kg)0.66] doesn’t fully explain the impacts on pig performance across multiple body weight ranges