105 research outputs found
Simulations of propelling and energy harvesting articulated bodies via vortex particle-mesh methods
The emergence and understanding of new design paradigms that exploit flow
induced mechanical instabilities for propulsion or energy harvesting demands
robust and accurate flow structure interaction numerical models. In this
context, we develop a novel two dimensional algorithm that combines a Vortex
Particle-Mesh (VPM) method and a Multi-Body System (MBS) solver for the
simulation of passive and actuated structures in fluids. The hydrodynamic
forces and torques are recovered through an innovative approach which crucially
complements and extends the projection and penalization approach of Coquerelle
et al. and Gazzola et al. The resulting method avoids time consuming
computation of the stresses at the wall to recover the force distribution on
the surface of complex deforming shapes. This feature distinguishes the
proposed approach from other VPM formulations. The methodology was verified
against a number of benchmark results ranging from the sedimentation of a 2D
cylinder to a passive three segmented structure in the wake of a cylinder. We
then showcase the capabilities of this method through the study of an energy
harvesting structure where the stocking process is modeled by the use of
damping elements
Alien Registration- Bernier, Caroline (Lewiston, Androscoggin County)
https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/29379/thumbnail.jp
Sine wave in music and sound art : a typology of artistic approaches
Project : Towards an Aesthetics of the Sine Wave
Chercheur.e.s : Nicolas Bernier, Guillaume Boutard, Caroline TraubeDespite the sine wave’s close links to the birth of electronic music in the mid-twentieth century, it has been little studied aesthetically, and no systematic review of its artistic usages exists. This article presents a brief literature review, followed by the results of a survey on the principles guiding sine wave-based works. This allows to put forward a typological framework contributing to an understanding of the application of the sine wave in music
Adaptation Actions in Africa: Evidence that Gender Matters
This paper presents the initial data analyses of the CCAFS gender survey implemented in four sites in Africa. Using descriptive statistics we show gender differences in terms of perceptions of climate change, awareness and adoption of climate smart agricultural (CSA) practices, and types and sources of agro-climatic information in the four sites.We find that both men and women are experiencing changes in long-run weather patterns and that they are changing their behaviours in response; albeit relatively minor shifts in existing agricultural practices. For example, the most prevalent changes reported include switching crop varieties, switching types of crops and changing planting dates. As expected, women are less aware of many CSA practices. Encouragingly, this same pattern does not hold when it comes to adoption; in many cases, in East Africa in particular, women, when aware, are more likely than or just as likely as men to adopt CSA practices. In West Africa, overall, the adoption of these practices was much lower. In addition, we see that access to information from different sources varies greatly between men and women and among the sites; however, promisingly, those with access to information report using it to make changes to their agricultural practices. Our findings suggest that targeting women with climate and agricultural information is likely to result in uptake of new agricultural practices for adaptation
APPleSOSS: A Producer of ProfiLEs for SOSS. Application to the NIRISS SOSS Mode
The SOSS mode of the NIRISS instrument is poised to be one of the workhorse
modes for exoplanet atmosphere observations with the newly launched James Webb
Space Telescope. One of the challenges of the SOSS mode, however, is the
physical overlap of the first two diffraction orders of the G700XD grism on the
detector. Recently, the ATOCA algorithm was developed and implemented as an
option in the official JWST pipeline, as a method to extract SOSS spectra by
decontaminating the detector -- that is, separating the first and second
orders. Here, we present APPleSOSS (A Producer of ProfiLEs for SOSS), which
generates the spatial profiles for each diffraction order upon which ATOCA
relies. We validate APPleSOSS using simulated SOSS time series observations of
WASP-52b, and compare it to ATOCA extractions using two other spatial profiles
(a best and worst case scenario on-sky), as well as a simple box extraction
performed without taking into account the order contamination. We demonstrate
that APPleSOSS traces retain a high degree of fidelity to the true underlying
spatial profiles, and therefore yield accurate extracted spectra. We further
confirm that the effects of the order contamination for relative measurements
(e.g., exoplanet transmission or emission observations) is small -- the
transmission spectrum obtained from each of our four tests, including the
contaminated box extraction, deviates by 0.1 from the
atmosphere model input into our noiseless simulations. We further confirm via a
retrieval analysis that the atmosphere parameters (metallicity and C/O)
obtained from each transmission spectrum are consistent at the 1 level
with the true underlying values.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures. Submitted to PAS
ATOCA: an algorithm to treat order contamination. Application to the NIRISS SOSS mode
After a successful launch, the James Webb Space Telescope is preparing to
undertake one of its principal missions, the characterization of the
atmospheres of exoplanets. The Single Object Slitless Spectroscopy (SOSS) mode
of the Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) is the only
observing mode that has been specifically designed for this objective. It
features a wide simultaneous spectral range (0.6--2.8\,\micron) through two
spectral diffraction orders. However, due to mechanical constraints, these two
orders overlap slightly over a short range, potentially introducing a
``contamination'' signal in the extracted spectrum. We show that for a typical
box extraction, this contaminating signal amounts to 1\% or less over the
1.6--2.8\,\micron\ range (order 1), and up to 1\% over the 0.85--0.95\,\micron\
range (order 2). For observations of exoplanet atmospheres (transits, eclipses
or phase curves) where only temporal variations in flux matter, the
contamination signal typically biases the results by order of 1\% of the
planetary atmosphere spectral features strength. To address this problem, we
developed the Algorithm to Treat Order ContAmination (ATOCA). By constructing a
linear model of each pixel on the detector, treating the underlying incident
spectrum as a free variable, ATOCA is able to perform a simultaneous extraction
of both orders. We show that, given appropriate estimates of the spatial trace
profiles, the throughputs, the wavelength solutions, as well as the spectral
resolution kernels for each order, it is possible to obtain an extracted
spectrum accurate to within 10\,ppm over the full spectral range.Comment: Submitted to PASP. 22 pages, 12 figure
Atmospheric Reconnaissance of TRAPPIST-1 b with JWST/NIRISS: Evidence for Strong Stellar Contamination in the Transmission Spectra
TRAPPIST-1 is a nearby system of seven Earth-sized, temperate, rocky
exoplanets transiting a Jupiter-sized M8.5V star, ideally suited for in-depth
atmospheric studies. Each TRAPPIST-1 planet has been observed in transmission
both from space and from the ground, confidently rejecting cloud-free,
hydrogen-rich atmospheres. Secondary eclipse observations of TRAPPIST-1 b with
JWST/MIRI are consistent with little to no atmosphere given the lack of heat
redistribution. Here we present the first transmission spectra of TRAPPIST-1 b
obtained with JWST/NIRISS over two visits. The two transmission spectra show
moderate to strong evidence of contamination from unocculted stellar
heterogeneities, which dominates the signal in both visits. The transmission
spectrum of the first visit is consistent with unocculted starspots and the
second visit exhibits signatures of unocculted faculae. Fitting the stellar
contamination and planetary atmosphere either sequentially or simultaneously,
we confirm the absence of cloud-free hydrogen-rich atmospheres, but cannot
assess the presence of secondary atmospheres. We find that the uncertainties
associated with the lack of stellar model fidelity are one order of magnitude
above the observation precision of 89 ppm (combining the two visits). Without
affecting the conclusion regarding the atmosphere of TRAPPIST-1 b, this
highlights an important caveat for future explorations, which calls for
additional observations to characterize stellar heterogeneities empirically
and/or theoretical works to improve model fidelity for such cool stars. This
need is all the more justified as stellar contamination can affect the search
for atmospheres around the outer, cooler TRAPPIST-1 planets for which
transmission spectroscopy is currently the most efficient technique.Comment: 26 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical
Journal Letter
Chronic disease patients' experience with telehealth interventions and self-care strategies during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
Purpose. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Québec Public Health Agency asked Family Medicine Groups (FMGs) to prioritize telehealth interventions over face-to-face consultations. Telehealth interventions may increase stress and anxiety among patients with physical and/or mental chronic diseases (PCDs) and have a negative impact on patient-centered care. This study aimed to explore how PCDs coped with their healthcare needs through the use of telehealth services provided by FMGs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, between march and august 2020.
Methods. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study in FMGs in three regions of the province of Québec, Canada (metropolitan, semi-urban and rural). Forty-nine PCDs participated in this study. We carried out semi-structured interviews with 40 of these patients. We explored their satisfaction with telehealth services received in FMGs, their healthcare needs and emerging coping strategies related to self-care. We also investigated frequency of appointments in primary care. We used the transactional theory of stress and coping to inform our data collection and analysis, according to the COREQ appraisal grid.
Results. All PCDs were satisfied with their telehealth experience. They reported quick and easy access to their family physician or other healthcare providers. Participants thought telehealth was less appropriate for follow-ups with social workers or with any healthcare provider with whom no trust relationship had been established. Furthermore, several PCDs mentioned having visited primary care settings less frequently during the pandemic than before, as most of them tried to cope on their own before making an appointment for an in-person consultation. PCDs developed coping strategies primarily aimed at maintaining their health status, others aimed at reducing their stress. Consistent with the transactional model, many participants demonstrated the use of strategies that promote resilience in a pandemic context.
Conclusion. PCDs appreciated the telehealth interventions received but believe follow-ups could be improved. PCDs developed coping strategies to face the pandemic but they were not all optimal for their health. Combined with pandemic side effects, this could lead to a negative impact on PCDs’ health and self-management abilities
Major-Effect Alleles at Relatively Few Loci Underlie Distinct Vernalization and Flowering Variation in Arabidopsis Accessions
We have explored the genetic basis of variation in vernalization requirement and
response in Arabidopsis accessions, selected on the basis of their phenotypic
distinctiveness. Phenotyping of F2 populations in different environments, plus
fine mapping, indicated possible causative genes. Our data support the
identification of FRI and FLC as candidates
for the major-effect QTL underlying variation in vernalization response, and
identify a weak FLC allele, caused by a Mutator-like
transposon, contributing to flowering time variation in two N. American
accessions. They also reveal a number of additional QTL that contribute to
flowering time variation after saturating vernalization. One of these was the
result of expression variation at the FT locus. Overall, our
data suggest that distinct phenotypic variation in the vernalization and
flowering response of Arabidopsis accessions is accounted for by variation that
has arisen independently at relatively few major-effect loci
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