The 3.1 micrometer ice band in infrared reflection nebulae

Recent observations show that infrared reflection nebulae are common phenomena in star forming regions. Extensive observations were made of two nearby infrared reflection nebulae, Orin Molecular Cloud 2 IRS1 (OMC-2/IRS1) and Cepheus A IRS6a (Cep-A/IRS6a). Mie scattering models of ice coated grains were used to study the constraints on the properties and locations of grains that could produce a feature similar to that observed in OMC-2 and Cep-A. It was concluded that scattering by ice particles alone could not be responsible for the 3.1 micron feature observed in infrared reflection nebulae

The Development of a Faculty/Peer Mentoring Program for First Semester Baccalaureate Nursing Students

The employment of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)-prepared nurses at the bedside in clinical areas is necessary to realize improved care outcomes. The increased retention of BSN students will ultimately provide for an increased proportion and larger workforce of BSN-prepared nurses. The purpose of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Capstone Project was to demonstrate nurse-sensitive outcomes in the educational setting. These outcomes have the potential to ultimately impact clinical practice and patient care outcomes. This DNP Capstone Report describes an evidence-based intervention aimed at increasing academic performance and retention of undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students \u27“at risk for academic failure. The implementation of a faculty/peer mentoring program consisted of four sessions during the health assessment class for first semester baccalaureate nursing students. Serial measurements of exam grades along with comparison of similar content from final comprehensive exam were used to measure knowledge retention/application of course content in \u27“at risk students. Exam grades were used to measure outcome differences between intervention group and control groups. Control groups consisted of \u27“at risk students in health assessment course from two previous semesters. Data analysis revealed no significant differences in academic performance between intervention group and control groups (p \u3e .05). However, data analysis within the intervention group revealed significant academic improvement in serial exam grades during- and post-intervention (p \u3c .05). Students and peer mentors also expressed appreciation for the mentoring experience

Infrared studies of dust grains in infrared reflection nebulae

IR reflection nebulae, regions of dust which are illuminated by nearby embedded sources, were observed in several regions of ongoing star formation. Near IR observation and theoretical modelling of the scattered light form IR reflection nebulae can provide information about the dust grain properties in star forming regions. IR reflection nebulae were modelled as plane parallel slabs assuming isotropically scattering grains. For the grain scattering properties, graphite and silicate grains were used with a power law grain size distribution. Among the free parameters of the model are the stellar luminosity and effective temperature, the optical depth of the nebula, and the extinction by foreground material. The typical results from this model are presented and discussed

The Statistics of the BATSE Spectral Features

The absence of a BATSE line detection in a gamma-ray burst spectrum during the mission's first six years has led to a statistical analysis of the occurrence of lines in the BATSE burst database; this statistical analysis will still be relevant if lines are detected. We review our methodology, and present new simulations of line detectability as a function of the line parameters. We also discuss the calculation of the number of ``trials'' in the BATSE database, which is necessary for our line detection criteria.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, AIPPROC LaTeX, to appear in "Gamma-Ray Bursts, 4th Huntsville Symposium," eds. C. Meegan, R. Preece and T. Koshu

The BATSE experiment on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory: Status and some early results

The Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) is a sensitive all-sky detector system. It consists of eight uncollimated detectors at the corners of the spacecraft which have a total energy range of 15 keV to 100 MeV. The primary objective of BATSE is the detection, location, and study of gamma ray bursts and other transient sources. The instrement also has considerable capability for the study of pulsars, solar flares, and other discrete high energy sources. The experiment is now in full operation, detecting about one gamma ray burst per day. A brief description of the on-orbit performance of BATSE is presented, along with examples of early results from some of the gamma ray bursts

Time Dependent Clustering Analysis of the Second BATSE Gamma-Ray Burst Catalog

A time dependent two-point correlation-function analysis of the BATSE 2B catalog finds no evidence of burst repetition. As part of this analysis, we discuss the effects of sky exposure on the observability of burst repetition and present the equation describing the signature of burst repetition in the data. For a model of all burst repetition from a source occurring in less than five days we derive upper limits on the number of bursts in the catalog from repeaters and model-dependent upper limits on the fraction of burst sources that produce multiple outbursts.Comment: To appear in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, uuencoded compressed PostScript, 11 pages with 4 embedded figure