Study of a quasi-microscope design for planetary landers

The Viking Lander fascimile camera, in its present form, provides for a minimum object distance of 1.9 meters, at which distance its resolution of 0.0007 radian provides an object resolution of 1.33 millimeters. It was deemed desirable, especially for follow-on Viking missions, to provide means for examing Martian terrain at resolutions considerably higher than that now provided. This led to the concept of quasi-microscope, an attachment to be used in conjunction with the fascimile camera to convert it to a low power microscope. The results are reported of an investigation to consider alternate optical configurations for the quasi-microscope and to develop optical designs for the selected system or systems. Initial requirements included consideration of object resolutions in the range of 2 to 50 micrometers, an available field of view of the order of 500 pixels, and no significant modifications to the fascimile camera

On the Incentive Effect of Job Rotation

The longer an agent is employed in a job, the more the principal will have learned about his ability through the history of performance. With implicit incentives, influence perceptions and effort incentives decrease over time. Rotating agents to a different job deletes learning effects about ability, creating fresh impetus for effort. However, job rotation also reduces the time horizon, and thus reduces rents from working and also incentives. In this trade-off, we derive conditions for the desirability of job rotation and show how in the presence of career concerns job rotation may emerge endogenously. Finally, our model allows for more general comments on the optimal rotation frequency as well as the preferred organizational design of a firm

Arterial stiffness as a model to dissect chronic inflammation in FMF

Version of Recor

Advancing COVID-19 Detection in a University Environment: Comprehensive Validation and Longitudinal Analysis of High-Throughput Breathalyzer Technology

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for efficient and non-invasive diagnostic tools for early detection and management. This study evaluated the TERA breath analyzer (TERA.Bio®), a Real-Time High-Throughput Breathalyzer, for SARS-CoV-2 detection. It aimed to validate and implement the TERA.Bio® for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 within a university population compared to RT-qPCR testing. Conducted at the University of Miami, this observational study consisted of two phases: a validation phase and a longitudinal monitoring phase, using cross-sectional and prospective cohort designs, respectively. Participants, including symptomatic individuals and those in close contact with confirmed cases, underwent simultaneous testing with the TERA.Bio® and mid-nasal swab RT-qPCR tests. The study evaluated TERA.Bio®’s accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and its role for surveillance. A total of 27,445 breath samples were analyzed through the TERA.Bio®. In the validation phase, the TERA.Bio® demonstrated a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 85.1%. Longitudinal monitoring revealed no significant correlation between unclear TERA.Bio® results and smoking status. The TERA.Bio® is a viable tool for COVID-19 screening in university environments, providing rapid, cost-effective, apt extensive screening and monitoring in a dense academic setting. Its non-invasive nature, high throughput, and electronic health system compatibility make it an essential addition to existing COVID-19 diagnostic strategies. This study highlights the critical role of innovative diagnostic tools in pandemic management and suggests potential applications of TERA.Bio® technology in broader public health scenarios