1,018 research outputs found
Thin profile and waterproof USB-C connector
In the currently available form, integrating a Universal Serial Bus Type C (USB-C) receptacle into a device affects the device thickness and forces the device to have large display borders. This disclosure enables provision of a USB-C receptacle in a thin profile device underneath a display stack. The techniques, as disclosed herein, eliminate the outer shell of the USB-C receptacle and use the primary enclosure of a connected device, e.g., a phone, as the outer shell. An O-ring, attached to a ground shield/shell of the USB-C receptacle, interfaces with the primary enclosure of the connected device to maintain a waterproof seal
Co-seismic slip from the 1995 July 30 M_w=8.1 Antofagasta, Chile, earthquake as constrained by InSAR and GPS observations
We analyse radar interferometric and GPS observations of the displacement field from the 1995 July 30 M_w= 8.1 Antofagasta, Chile, earthquake and invert for the distribution of slip along the co-seismic fault plane. Using a fixed fault geometry, we compare the use of singular-value decomposition and constrained linear inversion to invert for the slip distribution and find that the latter approach is better resolved and more physically reasonable. Separate inversions using only GPS data, only InSAR data from descending orbits, and InSAR data from both ascending and descending orbits without the GPS data illustrate the complimentary nature of GPS and the presently available InSAR data. The GPS data resolve slip near GPS benchmarks well, while the InSAR provides greater spatial sampling. The combination of ascending and descending InSAR data contributes greatly to the ability of InSAR to resolve the slip model, thereby emphasizing the need to acquire this data for future earthquakes. The rake, distribution of slip and seismic moment of our preferred model are generally consistent with previous seismic and geodetic inversions, although significant differences do exist. GPS data projected in the radar line-of-sight (LOS) and corresponding InSAR pixels have a root mean square (rms) difference of about 3 cm. Comparison of our predictions of vertical displacement and observed uplift from corraline algae have an rms of 10 cm. Our inversion and previous results reveal that the location of slip might be influenced by the 1987 M_w= 7.5 event. Our analysis further reveals that the 1995 slip distribution was affected by a 1988 M_w= 7.2 event, and might have influenced a 1998 M_w= 7.0 earthquake that occurred downdip of the 1995 rupture. Our slip inversion reveals a potential change in mechanism in the southern portion of the rupture, consistent with seismic results. Predictions of the satellite LOS displacement from a seismic inversion and a joint seismic/GPS inversion do not compare favourably with the InSAR observations
XMMFITCAT: The XMM-Newton spectral-fit database
The XMM-Newton spectral-fit database (XMMFITCAT) is a catalogue of spectral
fitting results for the source detections within the XMM-Newton Serendipitous
source catalogue with more than 50 net (background-subtracted) counts per
detector in the 0.5-10 keV energy band. Its most recent version, constructed
from the latest version of the XMM-Newton catalogue, the 3XMM Data Release 4
(3XMM-DR4), contains spectral-fitting results for 114,000 detections,
corresponding to 78,000 unique sources. Three energy bands are defined
and used in the construction of XMMFITCAT: Soft (0.5-2 keV), Hard (2-10 keV),
and Full (0.5-10 keV) bands. Six spectral models, three simple and three more
complex models, were implemented and applied to the spectral data. Simple
models are applied to all sources, whereas complex models are applied to
observations with more than 500 counts (30%). XMMFITCAT includes best-fit
parameters and errors, fluxes, and goodness of fit estimates for all fitted
models. XMMFITCAT has been conceived to provide the astronomical community with
a tool to construct large and representative samples of X-ray sources by
allowing source selection according to spectral properties, as well as
characterise the X-ray properties of samples selected in different wavelengths.
We present in this paper the main details of the construction of this database,
and summarise its main characteristics.Comment: To appear in Astronomy & Astrophysics, 12 pages, 11 figure
Interlaced spectrally encoded confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral domain optical coherence tomography
Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) have become essential clinical diagnostic tools in ophthalmology by allowing for video-rate noninvasive en face and depth-resolved visualization of retinal structure. Current generation multimodal imaging systems that combine both SLO and OCT as a means of image tracking remain complex in their hardware implementations. Here, we combine a spectrally encoded confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SECSLO) with an ophthalmic SDOCT system. This novel implementation of an interlaced SECSLO-SDOCT system allows for video-rate SLO fundus images to be acquired alternately with high-resolution SDOCT B-scans as a means of image aiming, guidance, and registration as well as motion tracking. The system shares the illumination source, detection system, and scanning optics between both SLO and OCT as a method of providing a simple multimodal ophthalmic imaging system that can readily be implemented as a table-top or hand-held device
A New 626 s Periodic X-ray Source in the Direction of the Galactic Center
Here we report the detection of a 626 s periodic modulation from the X-ray
source 2XMM J174016.0-290337 located in the direction of the Galactic center.
We present temporal and spectral analyses of archival XMM-Newton data and
photometry of archived near-infrared data in order to investigate the nature of
this source. We find that the X-ray light curve shows a strong modulation at
626 +/- 2 s with a confidence level > 99.9% and a pulsed fraction of 54%.
Spectral fitting demonstrates that the spectrum is consistent with an absorbed
power law. No significant spectral variability was observed over the 626 s
period. We have investigated the possibility that the 626 s period is orbital
in nature (either that of an ultra-compact X-ray binary or an AM CVn) or
related to the spin of a compact object (either an accretion powered pulsar or
an intermediate polar). The X-ray properties of the source and the photometry
of the candidate near-infrared counterparts are consistent with an accreting
neutron star X-ray binary on the near-side of the Galactic bulge, where the 626
s period is most likely indicative of the pulsar spin period. However, we
cannot rule out an ultra-compact X-ray binary or an intermediate polar with the
data at hand. In the former case, if the 626 s modulation is the orbital period
of an X-ray binary, it would be the shortest period system known. In the latter
case, the modulation would be the spin period of a magnetic white dwarf.
However, we find no evidence for absorption dips over the 626 s period, a low
temperature black body spectral component, or Fe Kalpha emission lines. These
features are commonly observed in intermediate polars, making 2XMM
J174016.0-290337 a rather unusual member of this class if confirmed. We instead
suggest that 2XMM J174016.0-290337 could be a new addition to the emerging
class of symbiotic X-ray binaries.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, submitted to A&A on 18th January 2010, accepted
for publication 20th August 201
Rapid Imaging of Earthquake Ruptures with Combined Geodetic and Seismic Analysis
Rapid determination of the location and extent of earthquake ruptures is helpful for disaster response, as it allows prediction of the likely area of major damage from the earthquake and can help with rescue and recovery planning. With the increasing availability of near real-time data from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other global navigation satellite system receivers in active tectonic regions, and with the shorter repeat times of many recent and newly launched satellites, geodetic data can be obtained quickly after earthquakes or other disasters. We have been building a data system that can ingest, catalog, and process geodetic data and combine it with seismic analysis to estimate the fault rupture locations and slip distributions for large earthquakes
A meta-analytic review of stand-alone interventions to improve body image
Objective
Numerous stand-alone interventions to improve body image have been developed. The
present review used meta-analysis to estimate the effectiveness of such interventions, and
to identify the specific change techniques that lead to improvement in body image.
Methods
The inclusion criteria were that (a) the intervention was stand-alone (i.e., solely focused on
improving body image), (b) a control group was used, (c) participants were randomly
assigned to conditions, and (d) at least one pretest and one posttest measure of body
image was taken. Effect sizes were meta-analysed and moderator analyses were conducted.
A taxonomy of 48 change techniques used in interventions targeted at body image
was developed; all interventions were coded using this taxonomy.
Results
The literature search identified 62 tests of interventions (N = 3,846). Interventions produced
a small-to-medium improvement in body image (d+ = 0.38), a small-to-medium reduction in
beauty ideal internalisation (d+ = -0.37), and a large reduction in social comparison tendencies
(d+ = -0.72). However, the effect size for body image was inflated by bias both within
and across studies, and was reliable but of small magnitude once corrections for bias were
applied. Effect sizes for the other outcomes were no longer reliable once corrections for
bias were applied. Several features of the sample, intervention, and methodology moderated
intervention effects. Twelve change techniques were associated with improvements in
body image, and three techniques were contra-indicated.
Conclusions
The findings show that interventions engender only small improvements in body image, and
underline the need for large-scale, high-quality trials in this area. The review identifies effective
techniques that could be deployed in future interventions
An Orphan CpG Island Drives Expression of a let-7 miRNA Precursor with an Important Role in Mouse Development.
Most human genes are associated with promoters embedded in non-methylated, G + C-rich CpG islands (CGIs). Not all CGIs are found at annotated promoters, however, raising the possibility that many serve as promoters for transcripts that do not code for proteins. To test this hypothesis, we searched for novel transcripts in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that originate within orphan CGIs. Among several candidates, we detected a transcript that included three members of the let-7 micro-RNA family: Let-7a-1, let-7f-1, and let-7d. Deletion of the CGI prevented expression of the precursor RNA and depleted the included miRNAs. Mice homozygous for this mutation were sub-viable and showed growth and other defects. The results suggest that despite the identity of their seed sequences, members of the let-7 miRNA family exert distinct functions that cannot be complemented by other members
The XMM-Newton serendipitous survey. VII. The third XMM-Newton serendipitous source catalogue
Thanks to the large collecting area (3 x ~1500 cm at 1.5 keV) and wide
field of view (30' across in full field mode) of the X-ray cameras on board the
European Space Agency X-ray observatory XMM-Newton, each individual pointing
can result in the detection of hundreds of X-ray sources, most of which are
newly discovered. Recently, many improvements in the XMM-Newton data reduction
algorithms have been made. These include enhanced source characterisation and
reduced spurious source detections, refined astrometric precision, greater net
sensitivity and the extraction of spectra and time series for fainter sources,
with better signal-to-noise. Further, almost 50\% more observations are in the
public domain compared to 2XMMi-DR3, allowing the XMM-Newton Survey Science
Centre (XMM-SSC) to produce a much larger and better quality X-ray source
catalogue. The XMM-SSC has developed a pipeline to reduce the XMM-Newton data
automatically and using improved calibration a new catalogue version has been
produced from XMM-Newton data made public by 2013 Dec. 31 (13 years of data).
Manual screening ensures the highest data quality. This catalogue is known as
3XMM. In the latest release, 3XMM-DR5, there are 565962 X-ray detections
comprising 396910 unique X-ray sources. For the 133000 brightest sources,
spectra and lightcurves are provided. For all detections, the positions on the
sky, a measure of the quality of the detection, and an evaluation of the X-ray
variability is provided, along with the fluxes and count rates in 7 X-ray
energy bands, the total 0.2-12 keV band counts, and four hardness ratios. To
identify the detections, a cross correlation with 228 catalogues is also
provided for each X-ray detection. 3XMM-DR5 is the largest X-ray source
catalogue ever produced. Thanks to the large array of data products, it is an
excellent resource in which to find new and extreme objects.Comment: 23 pages, version accepted for publication in A&
Towards informed and multi-faceted wildlife trade interventions
International trade in wildlife is a key threat to biodiversity conservation. CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, is the primary mechanism for controlling international wildlife trade and seeks to ensure it is sustainable, relying on trade bans and controls. However, there has been little comprehensive review of the effectiveness of CITES. Here, we review typical and atypical approaches taken to regulate wildlife trade in CITES and assert that it boasts few successes. We attribute this to: non-compliance, an over reliance on regulation, lack of knowledge of listed species, ignorance of the reality of market forces, and influence among CITES actors. To more effectively manage trade we argue that interventions need to go beyond regulation and should be multi-faceted, reflecting the complexity of wildlife trade. To inform such interventions we assert an intensive research effort is needed and we outline six key research areas: (1) factors undermining wildlife trade governance at the national level, (2) determining sustainable harvest rates for CITES species, (3) gaining the buy-in of local communities in implementing CITES, (4) supply and demand based market interventions, (5) means of quantifying illicit trade, and (6) political processes and influence within CITES
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