Coherent optical phase transfer over a 32-km fiber with 1-s instability at 10−1710^{-17}

The phase coherence of an ultrastable optical frequency reference is fully maintained over actively stabilized fiber networks of lengths exceeding 30 km. For a 7-km link installed in an urban environment, the transfer instability is $6 \times 10^{-18}$ at 1-s. The excess phase noise of 0.15 rad, integrated from 8 mHz to 25 MHz, yields a total timing jitter of 0.085 fs. A 32-km link achieves similar performance. Using frequency combs at each end of the coherent-transfer fiber link, a heterodyne beat between two independent ultrastable lasers, separated by 3.5 km and 163 THz, achieves a 1-Hz linewidth.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Progress and challenges in coupled hydrodynamic-ecological estuarine modeling

© The Author(s), 2015. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Estuaries and Coasts 39 (2016): 311-332, doi:10.1007/s12237-015-0011-y.Numerical modeling has emerged over the last several decades as a widely accepted tool for investigations in environmental sciences. In estuarine research, hydrodynamic and ecological models have moved along parallel tracks with regard to complexity, refinement, computational power, and incorporation of uncertainty. Coupled hydrodynamic-ecological models have been used to assess ecosystem processes and interactions, simulate future scenarios, and evaluate remedial actions in response to eutrophication, habitat loss, and freshwater diversion. The need to couple hydrodynamic and ecological models to address research and management questions is clear because dynamic feedbacks between biotic and physical processes are critical interactions within ecosystems. In this review, we present historical and modern perspectives on estuarine hydrodynamic and ecological modeling, consider model limitations, and address aspects of model linkage, skill assessment, and complexity. We discuss the balance between spatial and temporal resolution and present examples using different spatiotemporal scales. Finally, we recommend future lines of inquiry, approaches to balance complexity and uncertainty, and model transparency and utility. It is idealistic to think we can pursue a “theory of everything” for estuarine models, but recent advances suggest that models for both scientific investigations and management applications will continue to improve in terms of realism, precision, and accuracy.NKG, ALA, and RPS acknowledge support from the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program. DKR gratefully acknowledges support from NSF (OCE-1314642) and NIEHS (1P50-ES021923-01). MJB and JMPV gratefully acknowledge support from NOAA NOS NCCOS (NA05NOS4781201 and NA11NOS4780043). MJB and SJL gratefully acknowledge support from the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program—Defense Coastal/Estuarine Research Program (RC-1413 and RC-2245)

Examining young adults daily perspectives on usage of anxiety apps: A user study

The growing number of mental health smartphone applications has led to increased interest in how these tools might support users in different models of care. However, research on the use of these interventions in real-world settings has been scarce. It is important to understand how apps are used in a deployment setting, especially among populations where such tools might add value to current models of care. The objective of this study is to explore the daily use of commercially-available mobile apps for anxiety that integrate CBT, with a focus on understanding reasons for and barriers for app use and engagement. This study recruited 17 young adults (age M = 24.17 years) while on a waiting list to receive therapy in a Student Counselling Service. Participants were asked to select up to two of a list of three selected apps (Wysa, Woebot, and Sanvello) and instructed to use the apps for two weeks. Apps were selected because they used techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, and offer diverse functionality for anxiety management. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered through daily questionnaires to capture participants’ experiences with the mobile apps. In addition, eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted at the end of the study. We used descriptive statistics to analyze participants’ interaction with different app features and used a general inductive approach to analyze the collected qualitative data. The results highlight that users form opinions about the apps during the first days of app use. A number of barriers to sustained use are identified including cost-related issues, inadequate content to support long-term use, and a lack of customization options for different app functions. The app features used differ among participants with self-monitoring and treatment elements being the most used features.</jats:p

Examining young adults daily perspectives on usage of anxiety apps: A user study.

The growing number of mental health smartphone applications has led to increased interest in how these tools might support users in different models of care. However, research on the use of these interventions in real-world settings has been scarce. It is important to understand how apps are used in a deployment setting, especially among populations where such tools might add value to current models of care. The objective of this study is to explore the daily use of commercially-available mobile apps for anxiety that integrate CBT, with a focus on understanding reasons for and barriers for app use and engagement. This study recruited 17 young adults (age M = 24.17 years) while on a waiting list to receive therapy in a Student Counselling Service. Participants were asked to select up to two of a list of three selected apps (Wysa, Woebot, and Sanvello) and instructed to use the apps for two weeks. Apps were selected because they used techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, and offer diverse functionality for anxiety management. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered through daily questionnaires to capture participants' experiences with the mobile apps. In addition, eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted at the end of the study. We used descriptive statistics to analyze participants' interaction with different app features and used a general inductive approach to analyze the collected qualitative data. The results highlight that users form opinions about the apps during the first days of app use. A number of barriers to sustained use are identified including cost-related issues, inadequate content to support long-term use, and a lack of customization options for different app functions. The app features used differ among participants with self-monitoring and treatment elements being the most used features