Rate constants and Arrhenius parameters for the reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with CF3CH2OCHF2, CF3CHClOCHF2 and CF3CH2OCClF2, using the discharge-flow/resonance fluorescence method

Rate constants have been determined for the reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with the three partially halogenated methyl-ethyl ethers, CF$_3$CH$_2$OCHF$_2$, CF$_3$CHClOCHF$_2$ and CF$_3$CH$_2$OCClF$_2$, using discharge-flow techniques to generate the OH radicals and the Cl atoms and resonance fluorescence to observe changes in their relative concentrations in the presence of added ether. For each combination of radical and ether, experiments were carried out at three temperatures between 292 and 410 K, yielding the following Arrhenius expressions for the rate constants within this range of temperature: OH + CF$_3$CH$_2$OCHF$_2$: $k$ = (2.0$\pm$0.8) $\times$ 10$^{-11}$ exp( – 2110 $\pm$ 150 K / T) cm$^3$ molecule$^{-1}$ s$^{-1}$ OH + CF$_3$CHClOCHF$_2$: $k$ = (4.5 $\pm$ 1.3) $\times$ 10$^{-13}$ exp( – 940 $\pm$ 100 K / T) cm$^3$ molecule$^{-1}$ s$^{-1}$ OH + CF$_3$CH$_2$OCClF$_2$: $k$ = (1.6 $\pm$ 0.6) $\times$ 10$^{-12}$ exp( – 1100 $\pm$ 125 K / T) cm$^3$ molecule$^{-1}$ s$^{-1}$ Cl + CF$_3$CH$_2$OCHF$_2$: $k$ = (6.1 $\pm$ 1.4) $\times$ 10$^{-12}$ exp( – 1830 $\pm$ 90 K / T) cm$^3$ molecule$^{-1}$ s$^{-1}$ Cl + CF$_3$CHClOCHF$_2$: $k$ = (7.8 $\pm$ 2.6) $\times$ 10$^{-11}$ exp( – 2980 $\pm$ 130 K / T) cm$^3$ molecule$^{-1}$ s$^{-1}$ Cl + CF$_3$CH$_2$OCClF$_2$: $k$ = (2.2 $\pm$ 0.2) $\times$ 10$^{-11}$ exp( – 2700 $\pm$ 40 K / T) cm$^3$ molecule$^{-1}$ s$^{-1}$ The results are compared with those obtained previously for the same and related reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms, and the atmospheric implications of the results are considered briefly

The ALHAMBRA Project: A large area multi medium-band optical and NIR photometric survey

(ABRIDGED) We describe the first results of the ALHAMBRA survey which provides cosmic tomography of the evolution of the contents of the Universe over most of Cosmic history. Our approach employs 20 contiguous, equal-width, medium-band filters covering from 3500 to 9700 A, plus the JHKs bands, to observe an area of 4 sqdeg on the sky. The optical photometric system has been designed to maximize the number of objects with accurate classification by SED and redshift, and to be sensitive to relatively faint emission lines. The observations are being carried out with the Calar Alto 3.5m telescope using the cameras LAICA and O-2000. The first data confirm that we are reaching the expected magnitude limits of AB<~25 mag in the optical filters from the blue to 8300 A, and from AB=24.7 to 23.4 for the redder ones. The limit in the NIR is (Vega) K_s~20, H~21, J~22. We expect to obtain accurate redshift values, Delta z/(1+z) <~ 0.03 for about 5x10^5 galaxies with I<~25 (60% complete), and z_med=0.74. This accuracy, together with the homogeneity of the selection function, will allow for the study of the redshift evolution of the large scale structure, the galaxy population and its evolution with redshift, the identification of clusters of galaxies, and many other studies, without the need for any further follow-up. It will also provide targets for detailed studies with 10m-class telescopes. Given its area, spectral coverage and its depth, apart from those main goals, the ALHAMBRA-Survey will also produce valuable data for galactic studies.Comment: Accepted to the Astronomical Journal. 43 pages, 18 figures. The images have been reduced in resolution to adapt to standard file sizes. Readers can find the full-resolution version of the paper at the ALHAMBRA web site (http://www.iaa.es/alhambra) under the "Publications" lin

NFIRAOS: TMT facility adaptive optics with conventional DMs

Although many of the instruments planned for the TMT (Thirty Meter Telescope) have their own closely-coupled adaptive optics systems, TMT will also have a facility Adaptive Optics (AO) system feeding three instruments on the Nasmyth platform. For this Narrow-Field Infrared Adaptive Optics System, NFIRAOS (pronounced nefarious), the TMT project considered two architectures. One, described in this paper, employs conventional deformable mirrors with large diameters of about 300 mm and this is the reference design adopted by the TMT project. An alternative design based on MEMS was also studied, and is being presented separately in this conference. The requirements for NFIRAOS include 0.8-5 microns wavelength range, 30 arcsecond diameter output field of view (FOV), excellent sky coverage, and diffraction- limited atmospheric turbulence compensation (specified at 133 nm RMS including residual telescope and science instrument errors.) The reference design for NFIRAOS includes multiple sodium laser guide stars over a 70 arcsecond FOV, and an infrared tip/tilt/focus/astigmatism natural guide star sensor within instruments. Larger telescopes require greater deformable mirror (DM) stroke. Although initially NFIRAOS will correct a 10 arcsecond science field, it uses two deformable mirrors in series, partly to provide sufficient stroke for atmospheric correction over the 30 m telescope aperture, but mainly to partially correct a 2 arcminute diameter "technical" field to sharpen near-IR natural guide stars and improve sky coverage. The planned upgrade to full performance includes replacing the groundconjugated DM with a higher actuator density, and using a deformable telescope secondary mirror as a "woofer." NFIRAOS incorporates an instrument rotator and selection of three live instruments: a near-Infrared integral field Imaging spectrograph, a near-infrared echelle spectrograph, and after upgrading NFIRAOS to full multi-conjugation, a wide field (30 arcsecond) infrared camera

Acceptability of HIV self-sampling kits (TINY vial) among people of black African ethnicity in the UK: a qualitative study

Background: Increasing routine HIV testing among key populations is a public health imperative, so improving access to acceptable testing options for those in need is a priority. Despite increasing targeted distribution and uptake of HIV self-sampling kits (SSKs) among men who have sex with men in the UK, little is known about why targeted SSK interventions for black African users are not as wide-spread or well-used. This paper addresses this key gap, offering insight into why some groups may be less likely than others to adopt certain types of SSK interventions in particular contexts. These data were collected during the development phase of a larger study to explore the feasibility and acceptability of targeted distribution of SSKs to black African people. Methods: We undertook 6 focus groups with members of the public who self-identified as black African (n = 48), 6 groups with specialists providing HIV and social services to black African people (n = 53), and interviews with HIV specialist consultants and policy-makers (n = 9). Framework analysis was undertaken, using inductive and deductive analysis to develop and check themes. Results: We found three valuable components of targeted SSK interventions for this population: the use of settings and technologies that increase choice and autonomy; targeted offers of HIV testing that preserve privacy and do not exacerbate HIV stigma; and ensuring that the specific kit being used (in this case, the TINY vial) is perceived as simple and reliable. Conclusions: This unique and rigorous research offers insights into participants’ views on SSK interventions, offering key considerations when targeting this population.. Given the plethora of HIV testing options, our work demonstrates that those commissioning and delivering SSK interventions will need to clarify (for users and providers) how each kit type and intervention design adds value. Most significantly, these findings demonstrate that without a strong locus of control over their own circumstances and personal information, black African people are less likely to feel that they can pursue an HIV test that is safe and secure. Thus, where profound social inequalities persist, so will inequalities in HIV testing uptake – by any means

Six Years of Chandra Observations of Supernova Remnants

We present a review of the first six years of Chandra X-ray Observatory observations of supernova remnants. From the official "first-light" observation of Cassiopeia A that revealed for the first time the compact remnant of the explosion, to the recent million-second spectrally-resolved observation that revealed new details of the stellar composition and dynamics of the original explosion, Chandra observations have provided new insights into the supernova phenomenon. We present an admittedly biased overview of six years of these observations, highlighting new discoveries made possible by Chandra's unique capabilities.Comment: 82 pages, 28 figures, for the book Astrophysics Update

Acute kidney disease and renal recovery : consensus report of the Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) 16 Workgroup

Consensus definitions have been reached for both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and these definitions are now routinely used in research and clinical practice. The KDIGO guideline defines AKI as an abrupt decrease in kidney function occurring over 7 days or less, whereas CKD is defined by the persistence of kidney disease for a period of > 90 days. AKI and CKD are increasingly recognized as related entities and in some instances probably represent a continuum of the disease process. For patients in whom pathophysiologic processes are ongoing, the term acute kidney disease (AKD) has been proposed to define the course of disease after AKI; however, definitions of AKD and strategies for the management of patients with AKD are not currently available. In this consensus statement, the Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) proposes definitions, staging criteria for AKD, and strategies for the management of affected patients. We also make recommendations for areas of future research, which aim to improve understanding of the underlying processes and improve outcomes for patients with AKD

PINGS: the PPAK IFS Nearby Galaxies Survey

We present the PPAK Integral Field Spectroscopy (IFS) Nearby Galaxies Survey: PINGS, a 2-dimensional spectroscopic mosaicking of 17 nearby disk galaxies in the optical wavelength range. This project represents the first attempt to obtain continuous coverage spectra of the whole surface of a galaxy in the nearby universe. The final data set comprises more than 50000 individual spectra, covering in total an observed area of nearly 80 arcmin^2. In this paper we describe the main astrophysical issues to be addressed by the PINGS project, we present the galaxy sample and explain the observing strategy, the data reduction process and all uncertainties involved. Additionally, we give some scientific highlights extracted from the first analysis of the PINGS sample.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 26 pages, 14 figures (some in low resolution), 3 table

Preliminary Psychometric Analyses of Two Assessment Measures Quantifying Communicative and Social Activities: the COMACT and SOCACT

Background: There is a need for clinical tools that capture the real-life impact of aphasia (Simmons-Mackie, Threats & Kagan, 2005). This study reports on a psychometric investigation of two self-report tools: the Communicative Activities Checklist and the Social Activities Checklist (COMACT; SOCACT: Cruice, 2001), which assess the dimensions of communication activity and social participation in aphasia. Aims: (1) To investigate internal consistency, convergent and known validity of the COMACT and SOCACT; and (2) To investigate the impact of personal contextual factors: gender, age, years in education, linguistic ability and emotional health on communicative and social activities. Method: 30 participants with mild-moderate chronic aphasia (PWA: mean age 71 years, mean time post-onset 41 months, mean years in education 10.77) and 75 control neurologically healthy participants (NHP: mean age 74 years, mean years in education 13.18) completed the COMACT and SOCACT reporting how frequently they engaged in particular activities. The COMACT has 45 communication activities with sub-scales of Talking, Listening, Reading and Writing. The SOCACT contains 20 social activities with sub-scales of Leisure, Informal and Formal. Internal consistency (IC) was examined using Cronbach’s alpha (α). Correlations with published assessments, Western Aphasia Battery (WAB: Kertesz, 1982) and Communication Activities of Daily Living (CADL-2: Holland, Frattali & Fromm, 1999) were computed for COMACT only. Multiple regression models were examined for differences in participant (PWA vs. NHP) performance on COMACT and SOCACT. COMACT & SOCACT: psychometric investigation Results: Total COMACT IC was 0.83 (PWA), and 0.84 (NHP). Following deletion of four items, to further improve sub-scale ICs, total COMACT IC was 0.83 (PWA) and 0.86 (NHP). COMACT total score and WAB AQ were moderately correlated (r = 0.55). Total SOCACT IC was 0.58 (PWA) and 0.63 (NHP). Following single item deletion, total IC was 0.65 (PWA) and 0.64 (NHP). Statistical analysis revealed PWA, in comparison to NHP, participated in significantly fewer communication and social activities. Personal contextual factors impacted both groups differently; particular aspects were associated with communication activity (age and language severity) and social activity (age only). For NHP, ageing, emotional health and years in education were significant predictors of social and communication activity. Conclusion: This study finds the COMACT to be a reliable, valid measure of communication activity. The SOCACT had ‘questionable’ IC and requires further psychometric investigation. Both tools demonstrate known group validity. Relationships between impairment-level and personal contextual factors for communication activity and social participation are highlighted