5,367 research outputs found

    Comparison of the scintillation noise above different observatories measured with MASS instruments

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    Scintillation noise is a major limitation of ground base photometric precision. An extensive dataset of stellar scintillation collected at 11 astronomical sites world-wide with MASS instruments was used to estimate the scintillation noise of large telescopes in the case of fast photometry and traditional long-exposure regime. Statistical distributions of the corresponding parameters are given. The scintillation noise is mostly determined by turbulence and wind in the upper atmosphere and comparable at all sites, with slightly smaller values at Mauna Kea and largest noise at Tolonchar in Chile. We show that the classical Young's formula under-estimates the scintillation noise.The temporal variations of the scintillation noise are also similar at all sites, showing short-term variability at time scales of 1 -- 2 hours and slower variations, including marked seasonal trends (stronger scintillation and less clear sky during local winter). Some correlation was found between nearby observatories.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 14 pages, 11 figure

    A Scientific Communication Mentoring Intervention Benefits Diverse Mentees With Language Variety Related Discomfort

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    We studied social-psychological effects over time of a faculty-mentor workshop intervention that addressed attitudes associated with language variety and their impact on scientific communication (SC) skill development of PhD and postdoctoral STEM research trainees (N = 274). Six months after their mentors attended the workshop, all mentees had significant gains in productivity in speaking tasks. In particular, mentees with high language discomfort rated their quality of communication with their mentor and their enthusiasm about communicating more highly (p \u3c .05 for both measures), compared to mentees with low language discomfort. In addition, mentees raised speaking nonstandardized varieties of English reported significant reductions in discomfort related to language use (p = .003), compared to mentees raised speaking standardized English. We conclude that training mentors to understand and respond to language diversity and development results in multiple beneficial outcomes for mentees, including the amelioration of language-variety related discomfort in the research environment

    Protoplanetary and Transitional Disks in the Open Stellar Cluster IC 2395

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    We present new deep UBVRI images and high-resolution multi-object optical spectroscopy of the young (~ 6 - 10 Myr old), relatively nearby (800 pc) open cluster IC 2395. We identify nearly 300 cluster members and use the photometry to estimate their spectral types, which extend from early B to middle M. We also present an infrared imaging survey of the central region using the IRAC and MIPS instruments on board the Spitzer Space Telescope, covering the wavelength range from 3.6 to 24 microns. Our infrared observations allow us to detect dust in circumstellar disks originating over a typical range of radii ~ 0.1 to ~ 10AU from the central star. We identify 18 Class II, 8 transitional disk, and 23 debris disk candidates, respectively 6.5%, 2.9%, and 8.3% of the cluster members with appropriate data. We apply the same criteria for transitional disk identification to 19 other stellar clusters and associations spanning ages from ~ 1 to ~ 18 Myr. We find that the number of disks in the transitional phase as a fraction of the total with strong 24 micron excesses ([8] - [24] > 1.5) increases from 8.4 +\- 1.3% at ~ 3 Myr to 46 +\- 5% at ~ 10 Myr. Alternative definitions of transitional disks will yield different percentages but should show the same trend.Comment: accepted by the Astrophysical Journa

    High-resolution Near-Infrared Images and Models of the Circumstellar Disk in HH 30

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    We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-object Spectrometer (NICMOS) observations of the reflection nebulosity associated with the T Tauri star HH 30. The images show the scattered light pattern characteristic of a highly inclined, optically thick disk with a prominent dustlane whose width decreases with increasing wavelength. The reflected nebulosity exhibits a lateral asymmetry in the upper lobe on the opposite side to that reported in previously published Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) images. The radiation transfer model which most closely reproduces the data has a flared accretion disk with dust grains larger than standard interstellar medium grains by a factor of approximately 2.1. A single hotspot on the stellar surface provides the necessary asymmetry to fit the images and is consistent with previous modeling of the light curve and images. Photometric analysis results in an estimated extinction of Av>~80; however, since the photometry measures only scattered light rather than direct stellar flux, this a lower limit. The radiative transfer models require an extinction of Av = 7,900.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap.

    Interaction of Brain Noradrenergic System and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis in Man

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    Background: Numerous interactions between the brainstem locus coeruleus system and the HPA axis have been shown in experimental animals. This relationship is less well characterized in humans and little is known about the influence of psychiatric disorders, which disturb one of these systems, on this relationship. Methods: Untreated subjects with pure MDD (n=13), MDD with comorbid anxiety disorders (n=17), and pure anxiety disorders (n=15) were recruited by advertising. Age and sex matched control subjects were recruited for each subject with a psychiatric diagnosis (n=45). All subjects underwent a social stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), and blood was collected for ACTH assay. These same subjects also underwent a clonidine challenge study for assessment of growth hormone release as a marker of tonic noradrenergic activation. Results: Examining log transformed area under the curve response for each hormone, a significant negative relationship (simple regression) was observed between systems in normal subjects. This relationship was preserved in anxiety subjects. However, both pure depressed and comorbid depressed and anxiety subjects demonstrated disruption of this relationship. Conclusions: Under normal circumstances, noradrenergic systems can influence the magnitude of the HPA axis response to stress. However, in subjects with major depression, HPA axis activation appears autonomous of noradrenergic influence.NIMH MH57751 (all authors), MH 01931 to EAY, MO1 RR00042 (General Clinical Research Center (G-CRC) of the University of Michigan),Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/51372/1/Youngintercation.pd

    Feasibility and Acceptability of a Pilot Knowledge Translation Telementoring Program for Allied Health Professionals

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    Purpose: Knowledge translation (KT) in the health system is critical for the delivery of evidence-based practice. Supporting allied health professionals to plan and implement KT, using strategies that broadly reach across multiple geographical locations of the workforce, are needed. We piloted KT group telementoring via videoconference as an innovative solution to support and empower a vastly dispersed workforce. Methods: The 6-month Knowledge Translation Support Service (KTSS) involved monthly, one-hour, virtual group-based support of clinician-led KT projects within state-run hospital and health services. Supported by an independent facilitator, a panel of KT experts and health service leaders provided constructive critique and KT support for four projects from various disciplines (dietetics, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and social work) and health districts. Process evaluation included an assessment of program fidelity, dose delivered and engagement. Program acceptability (participants and panel members) was assessed after each session through online surveys. Effectiveness was captured by survey of KT confidence and qualitative interviews of participants perceived benefits of participation. Results: All project leads attended each meeting, with 1-2 specific projects discussed each month. On completion, participants reported high program satisfaction and felt that the KTSS met their expectations and learning needs. Overall the participants described beneficial gains with confidence in KT skills. Conclusions: The telementoring offered exposure to a breadth of expertise not normally accessible, successfully built a team environment in the virtual space and had a positive impact on project progression. Future directions include investing in scalability and sustainability of telementoring strategies for KT support

    ISO observations and models of galaxies with Hidden Broad Line Regions

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    We present ISO mid-infrared spectrophotometry and far-infrared photometry of galaxies with Hidden Broad Line Regions (HBLR). We also present radiative transfer models of their spectral energy distributions which enable us to separate the contributions from the dusty disc of the AGN and the dusty starbursts. We find that the combination of tapered discs (discs whose thickness increases with distance from the central source in the inner part but stays constant in the outer part) and starbursts provide good fits to the data. The tapered discs dominate in the mid-infrared part of the spectrum and the starbursts in the far-infrared. After correcting the AGN luminosity for anisotropic emission we find that the ratio of the AGN luminosity to the starburst luminosity, L(AGN)/L(SB), ranges from about unity for IRAS14454-4343 to about 13 for IRAS01475-0740. Our results suggest that the warm IRAS colours of HBLR are due to the relatively high L(AGN)/L(SB). Our fits are consistent with the unified model and the idea that the infrared emission of AGN is dominated by a dusty disc in the mid-infrared and starbursts in the far-infrared.Comment: A&A accepeted, 8pages 2 Figures, final versio

    On the functional anatomy of the urge-for-action

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    Several common neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome (TS), autistic spectrum disorder) are associated with unpleasant bodily sensations that are perceived as an urge for action. Similarly, many of our everyday behaviors are also characterized by bodily sensations that we experience as urges for action. Where do these urges originate? In this paper, we consider the nature and the functional anatomy of “urges-for-action,” both in the context of everyday behaviors such as yawning, swallowing, and micturition, and in relation to clinical disorders in which the urge-for-action is considered pathological and substantially interferes with activities of daily living (e.g., TS). We review previous frameworks for thinking about behavioral urges and demonstrate that there is considerable overlap between the functional anatomy of urges associated with everyday behaviors such as swallowing, yawning, and micturition, and those urges associated with the generation of tics in TS. Specifically, we show that the limbic sensory and motor regions—insula and mid-cingulate cortex—are common to all of these behaviors, and we argue that this “motivation-for-action” network should be considered distinct from an “intentional action” network, associated with regions of premotor and parietal cortex, which may be responsible for the perception of “willed intention” during the execution of goal-directed actions

    Accurate Estrogen Receptor Quantification in Patients with Negative and Low-Positive Estrogen-Receptor-Expressing Breast Tumors: Sub-Analyses of Data from Two Clinical Studies

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    <p>Full copyright for enhanced digital features is owned by the authors.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Article full text</strong></p><p><br> The full text of this article can be found <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12325-019-0896-0"><b>here</b>.</a> <br> <br> <strong>Provide enhanced digital features for this article</strong><br> If you are an author of this publication and would like to provide additional enhanced digital features for your article then please contact <u>[email protected]</u>.<br> <br> The journal offers a range of additional features designed to increase visibility and readership. All features will be thoroughly peer reviewed to ensure the content is of the highest scientific standard and all features are marked as ‘peer reviewed’ to ensure readers are aware that the content has been reviewed to the same level as the articles they are being presented alongside. Moreover, all sponsorship and disclosure information is included to provide complete transparency and adherence to good publication practices. This ensures that however the content is reached the reader has a full understanding of its origin. No fees are charged for hosting additional open access content.<br> <br> Other enhanced features include, but are not limited to:<br> ‱ Slide decks<br> ‱ Videos and animations<br> ‱ Audio abstracts<br> ‱ Audio slides</p> <p> </p
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