Statistical characterization of polychromatic absolute and differential squared visibilities obtained from AMBER/VLTI instrument

In optical interferometry, the visibility squared modulus are generally assumed to follow a Gaussian distribution and to be independent of each other. A quantitative analysis of the relevance of such assumptions is important to help improving the exploitation of existing and upcoming multi-wavelength interferometric instruments. Analyze the statistical behaviour of both the absolute and the colour-differential squared visibilities: distribution laws, correlations and cross-correlations between different baselines. We use observations of stellar calibrators obtained with AMBER instrument on VLTI in different instrumental and observing configurations, from which we extract the frame-by-frame transfer function. Statistical hypotheses tests and diagnostics are then systematically applied. For both absolute and differential squared visibilities and under all instrumental and observing conditions, we find a better fit for the Student distribution than for the Gaussian, log-normal and Cauchy distributions. We find and analyze clear correlation effects caused by atmospheric perturbations. The differential squared visibilities allow to keep a larger fraction of data with respect to selected absolute squared visibilities and thus benefit from reduced temporal dispersion, while their distribution is more clearly characterized. The frame selection based on the criterion of a fixed SNR value might result in either a biased sample of frames or in a too severe selection.Comment: A&A, 13 pages and 9 figure

Pyrrhidium sanguineum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera, Ceramycidae) - a first interception for Malta

International trade which is the result of modern and fast transport across continents, has resulted in the introduction and establishment of alien invasive insects. This was no exception for the Maltese Islands with many alien species being established in relatively recent years. Cocquempot & Mifsud (2013) provided some information on alien longhorn beetles in Europe with special reference to those introduced and established as well as those intercepted in Malta. The present note provides some information on the Welsh Oak Longhorn Beetle, Pyrrhidium sanguineum, a small to medium size (6–16 mm) saproxylic beetle, which is characterized by a spectacular purple or sometimes yellow-orange colour of the pronotum and elytra.peer-reviewe

Refine modeling tools to forecast effects of dam operations on reservoir food webs

Includes bibliographical references.Annual progress report, March 24 - August 1, 1998

Effect of pre-analytical treatments on bovine milk acute phase proteins

Background Samples for diagnostic procedures often require some form of pre-analytical preparation for preservation or safe handling during transportation prior to analysis in the laboratory. This is particularly important for milk samples which frequently need preservatives to retain milk composition as close to that found in freshly collected samples as possible. Methods Milk samples were treated by heating at 56 °C for 30 min or preserved by addition of either potassium dichromate or bronopol respectively. Haptoglobin (Hp), mammary associated serum amyloid A3 (M-SAA3) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in the various treatment groups and in control samples which were not treated, using enzyme linked immunoassays. The concentrations of each APP were compared between treated and non-treated groups using the Wilcoxon signed ranks tests. Results Heat treatment of samples was found to have a significant lowering effect on milk M-SAA3 and CRP but not Hp. The use of potassium dichromate and bronopol as preservatives in milk had no significant effects on milk Hp and M-SAA3 concentration but lowered milk CRP values compared to controls. Conclusions The observed effects of heating and preservative use on milk APP should be taken into consideration when assaying samples which have undergone heat treatment as a result of international transfer regulations involving biological samples or samples needing chemical preservation prior to transport to laboratory

The Parallel Encounter: An Alternative to the Traditional Serial Trainee–Attending Patient Evaluation Model

BackgroundThe emergency department environment requires the clinician‐educator to use adaptive teaching strategies to balance education with efficiency and patient care. Recently, alternative approaches to the traditional serial trainee–attending patient evaluation model have emerged in the literature.MethodsThe parallel encounter involves the attending physician and resident seeing the patient independently. Instead of the trainee delivering a traditional oral case presentation, the trainee does not present the history and examination to the attending physician. Rather, the attending and trainee come together following their independent evaluations to jointly discuss and formulate the assessment and plan.ResultsThe parallel encounter has the potential to enhance the teaching encounter by emphasizing clinical reasoning, reduce cognitive bias by integrating two independent assessments of the same patient, increase attending workflow flexibility and efficiency, and improve patient satisfaction and outcomes by reducing time to initial provider contact. The attending must be mindful of protecting resident autonomy. This model tends to work better for more senior learners.ConclusionsThe parallel encounter represents a novel approach to the traditional serial trainee–attending patient evaluation model that may enhance the teaching encounter and improve patient care.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163487/2/aet210491_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163487/1/aet210491.pd

Prospectus, July 19, 2000

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2000/1018/thumbnail.jp

Prospectus, August 21, 2000

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2000/1019/thumbnail.jp