A radio continuum study of planetary nebulae and extended emissions in the Magellanic Clouds

This thesis examines emissions from the interstellar medium (ISM) of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) and reports the detection of planetary nebulae in the radio continuum (RC) from both Magellanic Clouds (MCs). New RC measurements of the planetary nebulae are used to calibrate a statistical distance scale based on the surface brightness–diameter relation (Σ–D) (defined as Σ = A × D-β). The correlation between far-infrared (FIR) and RC emissions from the ISM of the SMC was investigated over scales from 3 kpc to 0.01 kpc. Good far-infrared/radio continuum (FIR/RC) correlation down to ∼15 pc was seen. The reciprocal slope of the FIR/RC emission correlation, RC/FIR, in the SMC was shown to be greatest in the most active star–forming regions with a power law slope of ∼1.14 indicating that the RC emission increases faster than the FIR emission. The slope of the other regions and the entire SMC are much flatter and in the range of 0.63–0.85. The slopes tend to follow the thermal fractions of the regions with a range of 0.5– 0.95. It was found that the thermal fraction of the RC emission alone can provide the expected FIR/RC correlation. This result was consistent with a common source for ultraviolet (UV) photons which heat dust and which ionise Hi to produce thermal electrons leading to freefree (FF) radiation. The UV photons, which ionise the ISM and heat the dust, come from hot young stars, the largest of which will eventually become supernovae. Non-thermal emission, in the form of synchrotron radio emission, is from ultra-relativistic electrons accelerated by supernovae. These ultra-relativistic electrons interact with the galactic magnetic field and the acceleration produces the synchrotron radiation observed. The SMC results with minimal nonthermal contributions may not provide support for coupling between the local gas density and the magnetic field intensity. Planetary nebulae detected in the RC are frequently referred to by the shorthand “radio planetary nebulae”. A search for radio planetary nebulae in the SMC resulted in ten new RC detections reported here from the 105 catalogued planetary nebula positions in the SMC (SMP S6, LIN41, LIN142, SMPS13, SMP S14, SMP S16, J 18, SMP S18, SMPS19, and SMPS22). Six SMC radio planetary nebulae previously detected (LIN45, SMPS11, SMP S17, LIN321, LIN339, and SMP S24) were re-observed. These sixteen radio detections represent ∼15% of the total catalogued planetary nebula population in the SMC. Six of these objects, however, were shown to have characteristics that suggest they are likely planetary nebula mimics (LIN41, LIN45, SMPS11, LIN142, LIN321, and LIN339). The SMC radio planetary nebula population was also used in a (Σ–D) relation study. The results of this study were consistent with previous SMC and Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) planetary nebula measurements of the (Σ-D) relation. This study contributed twenty-one new radio detections of planetary nebulae to the total of thirty-one radio planetary nebulae that have been detected in the LMC. The search for these radio planetary nebulae in the LMC began with the exploration of all 629 validated planetary nebula positions. All presently available data from the ATOA at 3, 6, 13, and 20 cm were examined at these positions. The newly detected planetary nebulae were: SMP L13, SMPL15, SMPL21, SMP L23, SMPL29, SMPL37, SMP L38, SMPL45, SMPL50, SMP L52, SMPL53, SMPL58, SMPL63, SMP L66, SMPL73, SMPL75, SMP L76, SMPL78, RP 659, SMPL85, and SMPL92. Seven previously detected radio planetary nebulae (Filipovic et al., 2009) were also detected: SMP L47, SMP L48, SMPL62, SMPL74, SMP L83, SMP L84, and SMP L89. An additional three planetary nebulae from the study by Filipovic et al. (2009): SMPL25, SMPL33, and SMPL39 were not detected in this study but were included in the complete catalogue compilation of radio planetary nebulae presented here. One of the previous detections from that study, SMP L8, had been reclassified as a planetary nebula mimic, a compact Hii region. With the available planetary nebula 6 cm surface brightness measurements and the corresponding planetary nebula diameter data, a bootstrap resampled sample was constructed from twenty-eight LMC radio planetary nebulae and nine SMC radio planetary nebulae which revealed that Magellanic Cloud (MC) planetary nebulae were not likely to follow linear evolutionary paths. The best fitting parameters from this resampled sample were comparable to previous results from the MCs and the Galactic planetary nebulae. A value of β = 2.9 ± 0.4 was obtained for MC planetary nebulae compared to β = 3.1 ± 0.4 for the Galaxy. The MC planetary nebula resampled sample was used to calibrate a planetary nebula (Σ–D) statistical distance model which resulted in a predicted statistical distance error of 17%. Since a value of β = 2.9±0.4 was found for the MC sample which is just below the minimum predicted theoretical value of β = 3, sensitivity selection effects were examined. To estimate the significance of the sensitivity selection effects, a Monte Carlo bootstrap resampled sample was created which included various sensitivity bias parameters. The best fitting parameters from the bias effects on the bootstrap resampled sample created in this way indicated that selection effects were significant for β values larger than β ∼ 2.6. The selection effect was shown to produce a measured value of β = 2.9 when the unbiased sample had a value of β ∼ 3.4. A continuous probability density function (PDF) was also constructed using a Monte Carlo bootstrap resampled sample with more advanced techniques. This approach resulted in an enhanced accuracy for the statistical distance calculation with a distance error of 16%. This error was comparable to a study by Frew et al. (2016b) which used the (SHα-r) relation and reported a distance measurement error of 18% with a calibration sample of 1100 planetary nebulae

Separate but not equal: Questioning la separacion de idiomas of dual language instruction

This paper is separated into two parts: (1) an investigation and analysis of the separation of languages in dual language schools in the United States and (2) a guide for educators in developing translanguaging spaces within a Spanish/English dual language Unit of Study. The first part of this paper looks at the current popular trend of dual language instruction with the notion that bilingual programs are implemented to serve the interests of the dominant group in society; in this case, White families of privilege. Along this vein, a clear separation of languages in dual language instruction models is seen as a way of perpetuating the social stratification and marginalization of language minority students. The sociopolitical, pedagogical, theoretical, historical, and legal factors that have contributed to the current nature of dual language program models in the United States are explored in depth.The second part of this paper is organized into a guide for educators on how to design translanguaging spaces within a dual language Unit of Study

Analyzing the Retroreflectivity Mandate

The purpose of this analysis is to examine the costs and benefits of the federal mandate that requires local agencies to assess, replace and maintain the retroreflectivity of all traffic signs that are on a public road as outlined in 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655, Subpart F (FHWA, 2011). It is also a requirement that all signs be inventoried along with their GPS locations for easier maintenance in the future. Sign retroreflectivity maintenance is important because crash rates at night are much higher than they are during the day despite there being fewer cars on the road. Additionally, the elderly population is growing and with age, eye sight decreases. Having signs that reflect the appropriate amount of light can help deter some crashes by grabbing the attention of drivers at night. Sign retroreflectivity maintenance is important because crash rates at night are much higher than they are during the day despite there being fewer cars on the road. Additionally, the elderly population is growing and with age, eye sight decreases. Having signs that reflect the appropriate amount of light can help deter some crashes by grabbing the attention of drivers at night. These findings are important because in the current economic climate, many local governments are struggling to fund other higher priority projects let alone projects that they have3 little choice but to carry them out or risk losing Federal-aid funds (FHWA, 2012). This mandate is not funded by the Federal Government and so these local governments must finance the assessment and management program themselves or by paying an administrative fee

Communicating Commitment within Monogamous Romantic Relationships

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)This study sought to better understand the communication of commitment in monogamous romantic relationships, including how one communicates his/her commitment to his/her partner and how one interprets messages from his/her partner. Focusing on the fundamentals of communicating commitment to one’s partner proves beneficial in understanding the commitment processes in daily life. In an effort to understand this concept, I used themes from interdependence theory and the investment model to formulate the interview questions and develop the findings. The findings and interpretations demonstrate that couples are communicating their commitment to each other in words/verbal expressions, especially in the beginning stages of the committed relationship; the commitment global construct employed most to communicate commitment in relationship is relational maintenance behaviors; and people perceive that nonverbal expressions of commitment are the best way to interpret messages of commitment from one’s partner

Radio Planetary Nebulae in the Large Magellanic Cloud

We present 21 new radio-continuum detections at catalogued planetary nebula (PN) positions in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) using all presently available data from the Australia Telescope Online Archive at 3, 6, 13 and 20 cm. Additionally, 11 previously detected LMC radio PNe are re-examined with $7$ detections confirmed and reported here. An additional three PNe from our previous surveys are also studied. The last of the 11 previous detections is now classified as a compact \HII\ region which makes for a total sample of 31 radio PNe in the LMC. The radio-surface brightness to diameter ($\Sigma$-D) relation is parametrised as $\Sigma \propto {D^{ - \beta }}$. With the available 6~cm $\Sigma$-$D$ data we construct $\Sigma$-$D$ samples from 28 LMC PNe and 9 Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) radio detected PNe. The results of our sampled PNe in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) are comparable to previous measurements of the Galactic PNe. We obtain $\beta=2.9\pm0.4$ for the MC PNe compared to $\beta = 3.1\pm0.4$ for the Galaxy. For a better insight into sample completeness and evolutionary features we reconstruct the $\Sigma$-$D$ data probability density function (PDF). The PDF analysis implies that PNe are not likely to follow linear evolutionary paths. To estimate the significance of sensitivity selection effects we perform a Monte Carlo sensitivity simulation on the $\Sigma$-$D$ data. The results suggest that selection effects are significant for values larger than $\beta \sim 2.6$ and that a measured slope of $\beta=2.9$ should correspond to a sensitivity-free value of $\sim 3.4$.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures, 6 table

Education on Fall Prevention to Improve Self-Efficacy of Nursing Staff in Long Term Care: a Pilot Study

Purpose: Fall prevention is an ongoing concern in long-term care. Self-efficacy of nursing staff affects their performance levels related to fall prevention. Research concerning falls in the elderly is plentiful but there are no published studies addressing self-efficacy of nursing staff for implementation of fall prevention strategies in long-term care. The authors hypothesize that fall prevention education by an occupational therapist would be effective to improve the self-efficacy of nursing staff for implementation of fall prevention strategies and self-efficacy to prevent resident falls. Method: A pre-test post-test pilot study implementing a five-week, multifaceted, fall prevention education course was conducted by an occupational therapist. The SEPF-A and SEPF-N were administered to the nursing staff respective of their professional licensure to assess falls self-efficacy before and after the course. Results: Eight participants (6 certified nursing assistants & 2 nurses) completed the course. A statistically significant improvement (p = .043, a = .05) in falls self-efficacy was noted for the nursing assistants. Following training, there was a 40% increase in the SEPF-A and a 67% increase in the SEPF-N indicating an improvement in self-efficacy related to falls. Conclusion: Fall prevention training by a licensed expert may be an effective approach to increase self-efficacy of nursing staff for implementation of fall prevention strategies and for prevention of resident falls in long-term care