bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resilience of Cloud Computing in Critical Systems
Authors: Diez Oscar , Silva Andrés
Published: January 2014

With the increasing utilisation of Internet services and cloud computing by many organisations (both private and public), it is clear that computing is becoming the fifth utility (along with water, electricity, telephony and gas). These technologies are used for almost all types of systems, and critical systems are now no exception. Even if critical systems appear not to rely directly on cloud services, there may be hidden interdependencies that could affect their resilience. This paper investigates the uses of cloud computing in relation to critical systems and how this affects their resilience, initially comparing it with existing models and frameworks. Some examples are presented together with the associated risks. A framework is introduced for analysing the dependability and resilience of a system that relies on cloud services and how to improve them. As part of the framework, the concepts of micro and macro dependability are introduced to explain the internal and external dependability on services supplied by an external cloud. A pharmacovigilance model system has been used for framework validation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multivariate Process Capability Vector Based on One‐Sided Model
Authors: Ciupke Krzysztof
Published: January 2014

To evaluate the capability of manufacturing processes in satisfying the customer's needs, a variety of indices has been developed. Some of them are introduced by researchers to analyse the processes with multivariate quality characteristics. Most of the proposed in the literature multivariate capability indices are defined under assumption of normality distribution of the quality characteristics. Thus, the process region describing the variation of the data has an elliptical shape. In this paper, a multivariate process capability vector with three components is introduced, which allows to access the capability of a process with both normally and non‐normally quality characteristics due to application of a pair of one‐sided models as the process region shape. At the beginning, one‐sided models are defined, next the proposed vector components are proposed and the methodology of their evaluation is presented. The methodology (which in fact could be also applied to both the correlated and non‐correlated characteristics) is verified by applying simulation and real problems. The obtained results show that the proposed methodology performs satisfactorily in all considered cases. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outpatient robotic hysterectomy: clinical outcomes and financial analysis of initial experience
Authors: Borahay Mostafa A. , Patel Pooja R. , Kilic Cemil Hakan , Kilic Gokhan Sami
Published: January 2014

Background

Robotic surgery is associated with several advantages but also high costs. This study evaluates clinical outcomes and financial feasibility of outpatient robotic hysterectomy.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study (Class II‐2) of patients who underwent robotic hysterectomy for benign conditions by the same surgeon (M.A.B.) at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA, during November 2010–February 2013. The study only included cases considered appropriate for outpatient management. Clinical outcomes and costs for patients discharged the same day (outpatients) were compared to those electively admitted (hospitalized).

Results

Twenty‐nine cases (14 outpatient and 15 hospitalized) were analysed. Demographic, pre‐, peri‐ and postoperative characteristics and payer types were not different among the groups (p > 0.05). Outpatient hysterectomy was associated with $4968 hospital savings (p < 0.001), $410 payer savings (p = 0.775) and $4558 improvement in net profit/loss (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

In well‐selected patients, adopting a well‐designed programme, outpatient robotic hysterectomy seems to be safe and financially feasible. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Alternate Graft for Staged Flexor Tendon Reconstruction
Authors: Low N. , Fahy E. T. , Frisken J. , Mann N.
Published: January 2014

We describe the novel use of semitendinosus as a tendon graft for 2-stage flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) reconstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of a hamstring tendon graft in this setting. The FDP of two digits were reconstructed in a 30 year-old male who presented 18 years after the original injury. The semitendinosus was chosen as a graft as the traditional grafts were deemed inappropriate. The result of the operation is convincing, and we suggest the semitendinosus tendon to be considered an option for FDP reconstruction.
Treatment Preferences for Trigger Digit by Members of the American Association for Hand Surgery
Authors: Pruzansky Jason S. , Goljan Peter , Lundmark David P. , Shin Eon K. , Jacoby Sidney M. , Osterman A. Lee
Published: January 2014

Background

Trigger digit is a common pathology encountered by hand surgeons, but there is a lack of evidence-based guidelines. We investigated the treatment preferences of hand surgeons and explored whether geographic location, type of residency training, or clinical experience is associated with differences in practice.

Methods

An online survey was distributed via email by the American Association for Hand Surgery to 615 members. The survey consisted of 17 questions related to conservative and operative management of trigger digits.

Results

One hundred thirty-nine unique responses were received (22.6 %). Geographic distribution of respondents encompassed the entire USA and was not associated with variations in practice. Of the respondents, 56.8 % were trained in orthopedic surgery while 37.4 % had plastic surgery training. In regards to duration of practice, 8.6 % were in practice for up to 5 years, 29.5 % for 6–15 years, 33.8 % for 16–25 years, and 28.1 % for more than 25 years. Notably, the great majority of respondents preferred corticosteroid injections for initial treatment. Those who were willing to give three or more injections prior to surgery were more likely to be plastic surgeons in practice for 16 years or more. A large minority of surgeons utilized splinting in their conservative management. Orthopedic surgeons were more likely to perform tenolysis during pulley release and more likely to use monitored anesthesia care.

Conclusions

Variation exists between the treatment algorithms of hand surgeons when managing a trigger digit. Some of these differences may be attributable to the type of training or the duration of clinical practice.
Effects of Multiple Injections of Hypertonic Dextrose in the Rabbit Carpal Tunnel: A Potential Model of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Development
Authors: Yoshii Yuichi , Zhao Chunfeng , Schmelzer James D. , Low Phillip A. , An Kai-Nan , Amadio Peter C.
Published: January 2014

Background

This study investigated the effects of a series of four hypertonic dextrose injections on the subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) and median nerve within the carpal tunnel of a rabbit model.

Methods

Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were used. One forepaw carpal tunnel was randomly injected with 0.1 ml of 10 % dextrose solution. The contralateral forepaw was injected with a similar amount of saline. This injection was made once per week for 4 weeks. The animals were killed at 16 weeks after the initial injection and were evaluated by electrophysiology (EP), SSCT mechanical testing, and histology.

Results

Mechanical testing revealed significantly greater ultimate load and energy absorption in the dextrose injection group compared to the saline injection group ( P<0.05). Histological evaluation revealed SSCT fibrosis and thickening and edema in the median nerve bundles in the dextrose injection group. There was a prolongation in the latency of the EP test in the dextrose injection group ( P=0.08).

Conclusions

Previous studies had shown that one or two injections of 10 % dextrose could induce moderate SSCT fibrosis and mild EP changes without nerve histology changes. In this study, we have shown that higher doses create more severe fibrosis and, most importantly, more severe neuropathy, suggesting a dose–response effect, and confirming this as a potentially useful animal model for researching the etiology and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
A Polymath Approach for the Prediction of Optimized Transesterification Process Variables of Polanga Biodiesel
Authors: Dhingra Sunil , Dubey Kashyap Kumar , Bhushan Gian
Published: January 2014

An attempt has been made to employ an artificial neural network (ANN) combined with a genetic algorithm (GA) in MATLAB 7.0 for predicting the optimized reaction variables for maximum biodiesel production of polanga oil by the transesterification process. The developed ANN is a multilayer feed‐forward back‐propagation network (5‐10‐1) with five input, ten hidden and one output layers. The input variables are the molar ratio of ethanol to oil (X1 in % v/v), the catalyst concentration (X2 in % w/v), the reaction temperature (X3 in °C), the reaction time (X4 in min), the agitation speed (X5 in rpm) and the output parameter is biodiesel yield (% by weight) of polanga oil. The experimental data used in the developed ANN were obtained from response surface methodology (RSM) based on a central composite design. The trained ANN was tested using different training functions from the MATLAB to predict the best correlation coefficients of training, testing and validation. The data generated by trained ANN is used by GA with regards to the best response (for predicting biodiesel yield greater than predicted by RSM) for different combinations of variables (X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5) to attain optimization. The average biodiesel yield (by performing experiments under optimized conditions) of 92 % by weight was produced against the proposed value of 91.08 % by weight.
Social Inequalities in Obesity Persist in the Nordic Region Despite Its Relative Affluence and Equity
Authors: Magnusson Maria , Sørensen Thorkild I. A. , Olafsdottir Steingerdur , Lehtinen-Jacks Susanna , Holmen Turid Lingaas , Heitmann Berit Lilienthal , Lissner Lauren
Published: January 2014

Social inequalities in overweight and obesity (OWOB) have persisted in the affluent and reputedly egalitarian Nordic countries. In this review we examine associations between socioeconomic position (SEP) and OWOB, and secular trends in such associations. Determinants and possible causes of the relations are discussed together with opportunities to cope with OWOB as a public health problem. The findings show a persisting inverse social gradient. An interaction between SEP and gender is noted for adults in Denmark, Finland and Iceland and for children in Sweden. There are overall tendencies for increased inequality, however no consistent trend for an increased social gradient in OWOB. Reasons that increased inequality does not unequivocally mirror in a steepened social gradient in obesity may include methodological questions as well as societal efforts to counteract obesity. Multi-level efforts are needed to prevent OWOB.
Nutritional status and related factors of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Zhang Liyan , Lu Yuhan , Fang Yu
Published: January 2014

The scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) is considered to be the most appropriate tool for detecting malnutrition in cancer patients. In particular, malignant tumours derived from the gastrointestinal tract may impair nutrient intake and absorption and cause malnutrition. We carried out a cross-sectional study to assess the nutritional status and related factors of patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Nutritional status was determined using the scored PG-SGA in patients (n 498) with advanced gastrointestinal cancer admitted to the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Unit at Beijing Cancer Hospital between 1 August 2012 and 28 February 2013. The possible related factors including age, sex, hospitalisation frequency and pathology were explored. We found that 98 % of the patients required nutrition intervention and 54 % of the patients required improved nutrition-related symptom management and/or urgent nutritional support (PG-SGA score ≥ 9). Factors related to malnutrition were age (r 0·103, P< 0·01), hospitalisation frequency (r − 0·196, P< 0·01) and sex (the prevalence of malnutrition was higher in men than in women (9·88 v. 8·54, P< 0·01)). Patients with rectal cancer had a lower risk of malnutrition than patients with other types of gastrointestinal cancer (F= 35·895, P< 0·01). More attention should be paid to the nutritional status of gastrointestinal patients, especially those at a higher risk of malnutrition, such as elderly patients, those hospitalised for the first time, male patients and those with other types of gastrointestinal cancer except rectal cancer. The nutritional status of these patients should be evaluated and they should be given proper nutrition education and nutritional support in a timely manner.
Plasma nitrogen isotopic fractionation and feed efficiency in growing beef heifers
Authors: Wheadon N. M. , McGee M. , Edwards G. R. , Dewhurst R. J.
Published: January 2014

Fractionation of N isotopes occurs in many metabolic reactions which causes tissue proteins to become enriched in15N while urea (urine) is depleted in15N relative to the diet. We investigated15N enrichment of whole plasma and its relationship with feed conversion efficiency (FCE) in growing beef heifers (n84) offered 2 kg/d of concentrates with grass silagead libitum.Heifers were on average 299 (sd48·3) d old and weighed 311 (sd48·8) kg. Plasma was obtained on day 79 (n84) of the experiment and from a subset of animals (n20) on four occasions between days 16 and 79. Silage DM intake (DMI) averaged 4·1 (sd0·74) kg/d and concentrate DMI was 1·72 kg/d. Mean mid-test live weight was 333 (sd47·6) kg, daily gain was 0·53 (sd0·183) kg, FCE (g live-weight gain/g DMI) was 0·09 (sd0·028) and residual feed intake (RFI) was 0 (sd0·428). N isotopic fractionation (Δ15N; plasma δ15N − diet δ15N) averaged 3·58 ‰ on day 79 (n84) and 3·90 ‰ for the subset of heifers. There was no relationship between Δ15N and RFI. Plasma δ15N and Δ15N were related to both FCE (negative) and animal weight (positive) for the whole population, and repeatable for the subset of animals over four time points. These relationships of Δ15N with FCE and animal weight are consistent with the anticipated negative relationship with N-use efficiency. There is potential to use Δ15N to provide rapid, low-cost estimates of FCE in cattle.
Does Patronage Matter? Connecting Influences on Judicial Appointments with Judicial Decision Making
Authors: Hausegger Lori , Riddell Troy , Hennigar Matthew
Published: January 2014

Abstract.The federal government's power to appoint judges has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. While many suggest that partisan affiliation, gender and professional background may be influencing the Canadian appointment process, and some have called into question the fairness of such influences, little attention has been directed at determining whether these characteristics influence the outcome of cases. This paper studies decisions made by the Ontario Court of Appeal between 1990 and 2003 and uses a unique measure of partisan affiliation in an attempt to answer the question: do characteristics which play a role in the appointment process influence judicial decision making.

Résumé.Ces dernières années ont vu une augmentation de l'attention donné à l'autorité du gouvernement fédéral en ce qui concerne la nomination judiciaire. Il y en a plusieurs qui suggèrent que l'affiliation partisan, le sexe, et l'expérience professionnelle des candidats judiciaires sont tous des caractéristiques qui peuvent influencer la procédure de nomination. Encore d'autres ont remis en question l'équité d'un choix basé sur ces influences. Cependant, la question qui n'a pas reçu beaucoup d'attention jusqu'à maintenant est si ces caractéristiques influencent le résultat des affaires juridiques. L'article qui suit examine les décisions rendu par le Cour d'appel de l'Ontario entre les années 1990 et 2003, employant une mesure unique d'affiliation partisan, avec le but de répondre à la question : Est-ce que les caractéristiques qui peuvent jouer un rôle dans la procédure de nomination influencent les décisions judiciaires?
Le Canada et le monde vus de l'Ouest : la politique étrangère de David Bercuson et Barry Cooper
Authors: Dorion-Soulié Manuel
Published: January 2014

Résumé.Cet article a pour objectif de présenter les racines intellectuelles de la politique étrangère canadienne promue par David Bercuson et Barry Cooper, deux membres de ce que d'aucunes appellent « l'école de Calgary », et à qui on attribue une certaine influence sur la pensée du gouvernement Harper. L'article montre que bien que leurs prescriptions puissent se résumer à première vue à un désir de rapprochement avec les États-Unis, leur politique étrangère repose sur des fondements plus complexes, qui combinent leur propre lecture de l'histoire canadienne et des intentions ayant présidé à la Confédération, une certaine conception des relations internationales, ainsi qu'une réflexion philosophique et anthropologique sur la violence, le tout ayant été fortement influencé par la conscience politique particulière de l'Ouest canadien.

Abstract.This article explores the intellectual roots of Canada's foreign policy as conceived and promoted by David Bercuson and Barry Cooper, two prominent members of the “Calgary School” and public intellectuals credited with influencing the Harper government's view of the world. While their notion of Canada's foreign policy can be simply boiled down to their belief that Canada should align with the foreign policy of the United States, it is, in fact, more complex. Bercuson and Cooper's vision of Canada's foreign policy blends in a distinct way their own understanding of Canadian history and the original intent behind Canadian Confederation; their particular conception of international relations; philosophical and anthropological reflections on violence; and their typically Western Canadian political consciousness.
Whose Country, Whose Soldiers, Whose Responsibility? First World War Ex-Servicemen and the Development of the Irish Free State, 1923–1939
Authors: MONAGHAN SHANNON
Published: January 2014

How new states dealt with minority populations and developed (or failed to develop) strong and secure government institutions are significant research areas in the history of states born in the aftermath of the First World War. This article examines how Irish First World War veterans served as transitional figures during the state-building phase of the Irish Free State in the 1920s and 1930s. Though they are often presented as categorically maligned or forgotten victims of a period of rising nationalism, this article argues that the ex-servicemen, despite the imperial legacies they represented, were popularly supported during the 1920s and early 1930s, and even served as vehicles through which the Free State cemented its stability and defined its independence and obligations in the international and domestic arenas.
Renarrating Italian Fascism: New Directions in the Historiography of a European Dictatorship
Authors: BERNHARD PATRICK
Published: January 2014

The extent to which European dictatorships of the twentieth century enjoyed popular support is one of the most contested and difficult questions in international contemporary history. In the case of Italian Fascism, two opposing points of view continue to hold sway. The first, orthodox viewpoint was established before 1945, and holds that the majority of the Italian population rejected Mussolini's regime, making widespread repression of the ubiquitous antifascist resistance essential for maintaining Mussolini's claim to power. A second, revisionist opinion first gained ground in the 1960s, and asserts that large segments of the population consented to the rule of regime, but that Fascist Italy was harmless compared to the dictatorships of Stalin and Hitler. It is only in recent years that an anti-revisionist, and, in certain cases, post-revisionist school of thought has been established. The five publications discussed in this article are representative of this new line of thinking. I argue that some of these publications are best characterised as anti-revisionist, as they focus predominantly on overturning the thesis of consensus. By contrast, only three of these works exhibit a truly post-revisionist perspective that attempts to combine both narratives into a new synthesis.
A longitudinal analysis of maternal depressive symptoms and children's food consumption and weight outcomes
Authors: Morrissey Taryn W , Dagher Rada K
Published: January 2014

Objective

Maternal depressive symptoms negatively impact mothers’ parenting practices and children's development, but the evidence linking these symptoms to children's obesity is mixed.

Design

We use a large sample to examine contemporaneous and lagged associations between maternal depressive symptoms and children's BMI, obesity and food consumption, controlling for background characteristics.

Setting

Data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), a longitudinal study of children from infancy through kindergarten in the USA, were collected at four waves from 2001 to 2007, when children were 9 months, 2 years, 4 years and 5½years of age, through surveys, child assessments and observations.

Subjects

A sub-sample of children from the ECLS-B is used (n6500).

Results

Between 17 % and 19 % of mothers reported experiencing depressive symptoms; 17 % to 20 % of children were obese. Maternal depressive symptoms were associated with a small decrease in the likelihood her child was obese (0·8 percentage points) and with lower consumption of healthy foods. The duration of maternal depressive symptoms was associated with higher BMI (0·02sd) among children whose parents lacked college degrees.

Conclusions

Results indicate that mothers’ depressive symptoms have small associations with children's food consumption and obesity. Among children whose parents lack college degrees, persistent maternal depressive symptoms are associated with slightly higher child BMI. Findings highlight the need to control for depression in analyses of children's weight. Interventions that consider maternal depression early may be useful in promoting healthy weight outcomes and eating habits among children.
Nineteenth-Century Gagaku Songs as a Subject of Musical Analysis: An Early Example of Musical Creativity in Modern Japan
Authors: Gottschewski Hermann
Published: January 2014

Nineteenth-century gagaku (Japanese traditional court music) songs, composed mainly between 1877 and 1884, are almost forgotten today; but they deserve special attention for their function in the development of modern composition in Japan. More than 100 compositions by 28 composers, belonging to two collections, can be counted as gagaku songs in the narrowest sense. Most of them are accompanied by an individually composed ostinato pattern played on the wagon, a six-stringed zither. The songs are strongly shaped by Restoration thought, one of the characteristic aspects of the early modernization period in Japan, although the genre originated in response to the need for music for a modern Western method of education.

An analysis of the two collections, of intertextually related pieces and of different versions of single songs shows that the collective process of genre development and the individual process of song composition were closely intertwined. The aim of my analysis was to uncover the problems faced by composers when they composed a single song. Particular solutions were often required to fulfil all the demands of the strict stylistic framework of the genre, while meeting the conditions of a specific poem. While similarity to an already existing song was not avoided when a new song was composed, the effort to create a difference can also be observed clearly in some cases. My analysis gives special attention to heterophonic techniques that characterize the relation between voice and accompaniment. Their use is constitutive for the musical form, and their analysis sheds light on the aesthetic significance of each song. An analytical approach to the gagaku song repertoire provides us with a fascinating insight into how musical creativity was performed under the circumstances of a quickly changing cultural environment in the early modernization period of Japan.
The Milky Way thin disk structure as revealed by stars and young open clusters
Authors: Carraro Giovanni
Published: January 2014

In this contribution I shall focus on the structure of the Galactic thin disk. The evolution of the thin disk and its chemical properties have been discussed in detail by T. Bensby's contribution in conjunction with the properties of the Galactic thick disk, and by L.Olivia in conjunction with the properties of the Galactic bulge. I will review and discuss the status of our understanding of three major topics, which have been the subject of intense research nowadays, after long years of silence: (1) the spiral structure of the Milky Way, (2) the size of the Galactic disk, and (3) the nature of the Local arm (Orion spur), where the Sun is immersed. The provisional conclusions of this discussion are that: (1) we still have quite a poor knowledge of the Milky Way spiral structure, and the main disagreements among various tracers are still to be settled; (2) the Galactic disk does clearly not have an obvious luminous cut-off at about 14 kpc from the Galactic center, and next generation Galactic models need to be updated in this respect, and (3) the Local arm is most probably an inter-arm structure, similar to what we see in several external spirals, like M 74. Finally, the impact of Gaia and LAMOST in this field will be briefly discussed as well.
Variable Stars and Galactic Structure
Authors: Feast Michael , Whitelock Patricia A.
Published: January 2014

Variable stars have a unique part to play in Galactic astronomy. Among the most important of these variables are the Cepheids (types I and II), the RR Lyraes and the Miras (O- and C-rich). The current status of the basic calibration of these stars in their roles as distance, structure and population indicators is outlined and some examples of recent applications of these stars to Galactic and extragalactic problems are reviewed. The expected impact of Gaia on this type of work is discussed and the need for complementary ground based observations, particularly large scale near-infrared photometry, is stressed.
Peculiar Metal Poor Stars as Guides to Key Processes in the Early Halo
Authors: Andersen Johannes , Nordström Birgitta
Published: January 2014

Large photometric or spectroscopic surveys are used to sort stars into populations and define the main trends that characterise them, as diagnostics of their origin. Stars falling off the trends defined by the ‘normal’ stars are called ‘peculiar’ and typically eliminated in discussions of Galactic structure and evolution. In our programme on extremely metal-poor halo giants, we have recently focused on the small subgroup that is strongly enhanced in r-process elements, asking whether the chemical peculiarity is intrinsic to these stars or due to local surface pollution caused by mass transfer from a binary companion. Precise radial-velocity monitoring over several years turns out to disprove the binary hypothesis and has led to new insight in the processes of chemical enrichment in the early Galactic halo. An ongoing analogous programme on carbon-enhanced metal-poor giants is briefly described at the end.
The evolution of C and O abundances in stellar populations
Authors: Nissen Poul E. , Schuster William J.
Published: January 2014

Carbon and oxygen abundances in F and G main-sequence stars ranging in metallicity from [Fe/H] = −1.6 to +0.5 are determined from a non-LTE analysis of C i and O i atomic lines in high-resolution spectra. Both C and O are good tracers of stellar populations; distinct trends of [C/Fe] and [O/Fe] as a function of [Fe/H] are found for high- and low-alpha halo stars and for thick- and thin-disk stars. These trends and that of [C/O] provide new information on the nucleosynthesis sites of carbon and the time-scale for the chemical enrichment of the various Galactic components.
Two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood: evidence from stellar abundance of beryllium
Authors: Tan Kefeng , Zhao Gang
Published: January 2014

It is now generally believed that the Galaxy was formed through hierarchical merging, which means that different components of the Galaxy may have experienced different chemical evolution histories. Since alpha elements are mainly produced by core collapse supernovae, they are closely associated with the star formation history of the Galaxy. In this regard, Galactic components with different alpha elemental abundance patterns may show different behaviors in beryllium abundances since the production of beryllium is correlated with the cosmic rays and thus the supernovae. A recent study by Nissen & Schuster (2010) has revealed the existence of two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood based on the alpha elemental abundances and kinematics of 94 dwarf stars. We determined beryllium abundances for some of these stars and find systematic differences in beryllium abundances between these two halo populations. Our results consolidate the conclusion of two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood. Our results also show that beryllium abundance is a very good indicator of star formation rate, and could be used to trace the substructures of the Galactic halo.
Star formation in galaxies: the role of spiral arms
Authors: Dobbs Clare L.
Published: January 2014

Studying star formation in spiral arms tells us not only about the evolution of star formation, and molecular clouds, but can also tell us about the nature of spiral structure in galaxies. I will address both these topics using the results of recent simulations and observations. Galactic scale simulations are beginning to examine in detail the evolution of Giant Molecular Clouds (GMC) as they form in spiral arms, and then disperse by stellar feedback or shear. The overall timescale for this process appears comparable to the crossing time of the GMCs, a few Myrs for 105 M⊙ clouds, 20 Myr or so for more massive GMCs. Both simulations and observations show that the massive clouds are found in the spiral arms, likely as a result of cloud-cloud collisions. Simulations including stars should also tell us about the stellar age distribution in GMCs, and across spiral arms. More generally, recent work on spiral galaxies suggests that the dynamics of gas flows in spiral arms are different in longlived and transient spiral arms, resulting in different age patterns in the stars. Such results could be used to help establish the main driver of spiral structure in the Milky Way (Toomre instabilities, the bar, or nearby companion galaxies) in conjunction with future surveys.
The GALAH survey
Authors: Anguiano B. , Freeman K. , Bland-Hawthorn J. , De Silva G. , Asplund M. , Carollo D. , D'Orazi V. , Keller S. , Martell S. , Sharma S. , Sneden C. , de Boer L. Wylie , Zucker D. , Zwitter T. ,   the GALAH survey team
Published: January 2014

HERMES is a new high-resolution multi-object spectrograph on the Anglo Australian Telescope. The primary science driver for HERMES is the GALAH survey, GALactic Archaeology with HERMES. We are planning a spectroscopic survey of about a million stars, aimed at using chemical tagging techniques to reconstruct the star-forming aggregates that built up the disk, the bulge and halo of the Galaxy. This project will benefit greatly from the stellar distances and transverse motions from the Gaia mission.
Fundamental stellar properties from asteroseismology
Authors: Aguirre Víctor Silva , Casagrande Luca , Miglio Andrea
Published: January 2014

Accurate characterization of stellar populations is of prime importance to correctly understand the formation and evolution process of our Galaxy. The field of asteroseismology has been particularly successful in such an endeavor providing fundamental parameters for large samples of stars in different evolutionary phases. We present our results on determinations of masses, radii, and distances of stars in the CoRoT and Kepler fields, showing that we can map and date different regions of the galactic disk and distinguish gradients in the distribution of stellar properties at different heights. We further review how asteroseismic determinations can produce a unique set of constraints, including ages, outside the solar neighborhood for galactic chemical evolution models.
Testing the chemical tagging with old OC
Authors: Blanco-Cuaresma Sergi , Soubiran C. , Jofré P. , Heiter U.
Published: January 2014

We have applied the chemical tagging technique to study three old Open Clusters (NGC2632/Praesepe, NGC752 and NGC1817) by using our own spectral analysis code.
Stellar population analysis of galaxies in SDSS and LAMOST Pilot Survey
Authors: Chen Xiaoyan , Luo Ali , Yang Haifeng
Published: January 2014

The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST, i.e. Guoshoujing Telescope) has finished its pilot survey (from October 2011 to June 2012). With about 3000 galaxy spectra collected during the pilot survey, we are planning to analyze the stellar populations of these galaxies in two different ways respectively. One is Lick indices (such as Hβ, Mgb, 〈Fe〉 etc., Worthey et al. 1994), which are not sensitive to the flux calibration, and another one is the full optical spectra fitting (Chen et al. 2009, 2010). Then we can evaluate the affects of flux calibration errors on stellar population analysis by comparing the results of the two methods′. Here we briefly show the early experiments aiming to test the consistency and/or difference between the two methods.
The Light Side and The Dark Side of the Milky Way Halo
Authors: Kafle Prajwal R. , Sharma Sanjib , Lewis Geraint F. , Bland-Hawthorn Joss
Published: January 2014

We present our recent measurement of the kinematics of the Milky Way stellar halo (Light Side) and the derived mass of the dark matter halo (Dark Side) using the Jeans analysis. A tangential dip in the velocity anisotropy profile at r ~ 17 kpc (Kafle et al. 2012), and a distinct difference of ~65 kms−1 in the mean azimuthal velocity and the r.m.s dispersion of the most metal-rich and the metal-poor Blue Horizontal Branch stars we find (Kafle et al. 2013) are reported. The implications of this on the current controversial issue of an existence of the two-components in the halo are also discussed.

Aided with the kinematic measurements of the light side, we demonstrate how we infer the dynamical property of the dark side. Considering a realistic three component galaxy model (Hernquist bulge, Miyamoto-Nagai disk and NFW halo), we estimate the virial mass of the Galaxy to be Mvir = 1.2+0.5−0.4 × 1012M⊙ (Kafle et al. 2012). We also show that the rotation curve of the Galaxy has undulations similar to what have also been seen in the studies of the HI gas (Sofue et al. 2009).
Offsetting the bright sources for LAMOST
Authors: Lei Ya-Juan , Zhang Hao-Tong , Dong Yi-Qiao , Yuan Hai-Long
Published: January 2014

For optical fiber spectrum of LAMOST, the requirement for magnitude difference between neighbor fibers is less than 5 magnitudes to avoid faint sources being contaminated by their bright neighbors. However, sometime, neither bright nor faint sources are dense enough to fill a whole plate (4000 fibers). To make full use of all the fibers, they have better be put into the same plate. To resolve crosstalk, we propose that photons fed into a fiber can be degraded by offsetting the fiber from disc center of the bright star. Thus the bright and faint sources can be observed in the same plate without crosstalk contamination. We test the feasibility of the program with the test observation of LAMOST, and the results show that our program is consistent with the expectation.
The Galactic rotation curve from red clump stars
Authors: Liu Chao , van de Ven Glenn , Fang Min , Wu Yue , Carrell Kenneth , Xue Xiangxiang
Published: January 2014

We use line-of-sight velocities of more than 4000 red clump stars observed from MMT/Hectospec to derive the Galactic rotation curve between 8 and 13 kpc in Galactocentric radius to better than 10 km s−1. A three-component (bulge+disk+halo) with an additional massive ring of 1.66×1010 M⊙ at about 11.6 kpc provides an excellent fit with the observation.
Data reduction and calibration for LAMOST survey
Authors: Luo Ali , Zhang Jiannan , Chen Jianjun , Song Yihan , Wu Yue , Bai Zhongrui , Wang Fengfei , Du Bing , Zhang Haotong
Published: January 2014

There are three data pipelines for LAMOST survey. The raw data is reduced to one dimension spectra by the data reduction pipeline(2D pipeline), the extracted spectra are classified and measured by the spectral analysis pipeline(1D pipeline), while stellar parameters are measured by LASP pipeline.

(a) The data reduction pipeline. The main tasks of the data reduction pipeline include bias calibration, flat field, spectra extraction, sky subtraction, wavelength calibration, exposure merging and wavelength band connection.

(b) The spectra analysis pipeline. This pipeline is designed to classify and identify objects from the extracted spectra and to measure their redshift (or radial velocity). The PCAZ (Glazebrooket al. 1998) method is applied to do the classification and redshift measurement.

(c) Stellar parameters LASP. Stellar parameters pipeline (LASP) is to estimate stellar atmospheric parameters, e.g. effective temperature Teff, surface gravity log g, and metallicity [Fe/H], for F, G and K type stars. To effectively determine those fundamental stellar measurements, three steps with different methods are employed. The first step utilizes the line indices to approximately define the effective temperature range of the analyzed star. Secondly, a set of the initial approximate values of the three parameters are given based on template fitting method. Finally, we exploit ULySS (Kolevaet al. 2009) to give the final values of parameters through minimizing the χ2value between the observed spectrum and a multidimensional grid of model spectra which is generated by an interpolating of ELODIE library. There are two other classification for A type star and M type star. For A type star, standard MK system is employed (Grayet al. 2009) to give each object temperature class and luminosity type. For M type star, they are classified into subclasses by an improved Hammer method, and metallicity of each objects is also given.

During the pilot survey, algorithms were improved and the pipelines were tested. The products of LAMOST survey will include extracted and calibrated spectra in FITS format, a catalog of FGK stars with stellar parameters, a catalog of M dwarf with subclass and metallicity, and a catalog of A type star with MK classification. A part of the pilot survey data, including about 319 000 high quality spectra with SNR > 10, a catalog of stellar parameters of FGK stars and another catalog of a subclass of M type stars have been released to the public in August 2012 (Luoet al. 2012). The general survey started from October 2012, and completed the first year survey. The formal data release one (DR1) is being prepared, which will include both pilot survey and first year general survey, and planed to be released under the LAMOST data policy.
Traces of the formation history of the Milky Way
Authors: Nordström B. , Stonkutė E. , Ženovienė R. , Tautvaišienė G.
Published: January 2014

Chemical and kinematical information is needed in order to understand and trace the formation history of our Galaxy. In the homogeneous large sample of F and G stars in the survey by Nordström et al. (2004), groups of stars with orbital parameters different from field stars were found by Helmi et al. (2006). Simulations of disrupted satellites showed that the groups had similar properties as infalling dwarf satellites would have after several Gyr. From high resolution spectra, we analyse elemental abundances of stars in 3 such groups with conserved kinematic properties. Here we present first results of s- and r- process element abundances in two such groups and compare with average field stars.
Comparison of Determined Stellar Parameters between LAMOST and SEGUE Spectra
Authors: Wu Yue , Luo Ali , Du Bing , Guo Yanxin
Published: January 2014

We positionally cross-matched the stellar observations between LAMOST pilot survey and SDSS/SEGUE database, picked out more than 4000 targets observed by both projects, mostly are late A and FGK type stars. For the two dataset, we adopted ULySS program (Koleva et al. 2009, Wu et al. 2011a) to determine the stellar atmospheric parameters (Teff, log g, [Fe/H], Radial Velocity) with the ELODIE library as a reference (Wu et al. 2011b). For the individual parameter, we made two kinds of comparison, first for the SDSS spectra, second for the LAMOST spectra, tested the differences between the SSPP (SDSS/SEGUE stellar parameter pipeline) measurements and the ULySS derived results. Since the LAMOST pilot survey observations SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) are low, for the latter comparison we excluded those stars with g band SNR < 10, then the sample volumn reduced to around 1300. Fig.1 displays the details of the second kind comparison for each parameter. All the comparisons demonstrate acceptable and reasonable agreement between each other for medium-resolution survey spectra. Our preliminary examination on the precision of the stellar parameters that could be derived from the LAMOST pilot survey observations exhibits the equivalent capability of LAMOST to study our Milky Way as for the SDSS/SEGUE. The LAMOST telescope executed its formal survey from Sep. 28th 2012, it will yield more better quality stellar spectroscopic data spanning in deeper and broader sky coverage (this work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China under No. 11103031).
Development of target allocation methods for LAMOST focal plate
Authors: Yuan Hailong , Zhang Haotong , Zhang Yanxia , Lei Yajuan , Dong Yiqiao
Published: January 2014

We first introduce the primary target allocation requirements and restrictions for the parallel control multiple fiber system, which is used in the LAMOST spectroscopic survey. The fiber positioner anti-collision model is imported. Then several target allocation methods and features are discussed in detail, including a network flow algorithm, high priority for fiber unit holding less target number, target allocation algorithm for groups, target allocation method for add-ons and target reallocation. Their virtues and weaknesses are analyzed for various kinds of scientific research situations. Furthermore an optimization concept using the Simulate Anneal Arithmetic (SAA) is developed to improve the fiber utilizing efficiency.
Detecting and Characterizing Exoplanets with Direct Imaging: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Biller Beth
Published: January 2014

The last decade has yielded the first images of exoplanets, considerably advancing our understanding of the properties of young giant planets. In this talk I will discuss current results from ongoing direct imaging efforts as well as future prospects for detection and characterization of exoplanets via high contrast imaging. Direct detection, and direct spectroscopy in particular, have great potential for advancing our understanding of extrasolar planets. In combination with other methods of planet detection, direct imaging and spectroscopy will allow us to eventually: 1) study the physical properties of exoplanets (colors, temperatures, etc.) in depth and 2) fully map out the architecture of typical planetary systems. Direct imaging has offered us the first glimpse into the atmospheric properties of young high-mass (3-10 MJup) exoplanets. Deep direct imaging surveys for exoplanets have also yielded the strongest constraints to date on the statistical properties of wide giant exoplanets. A number of extremely high contrast exoplanet imaging instruments have recently come online or will come online within the next year (including Project 1640, SCExAO, SPHERE, GPI, among others). I will discuss future prospects with these instruments.
High Contrast Imaging of an Exoplanet with the Magellan VisAO Camera
Authors: Males Jared R. , Close Laird M. , Morzinski Katie M. , Kopon Derek , Puglisi Alfio , Gasho Victor , Follette Kate , Esposito Simone , Riccardi Armando , Pinna Enrico , Xompero Marco , Briguglio Runa , Arcidiacono Carmelo , Hinz Phil M. , Uomoto Alan , Hare Tyson , Quiros-Pacheco Fernando , Argomedo Javier , Busoni Lorenzo , Rodigas T.J. , Wu Ya-Lin
Published: January 2014

The Magellan Adaptive Optics (MagAO) system saw first light in November 2012 at Las Campanas Observatory (LCO) on the 6.5m Clay telescope. Here we present an introduction to MagAO's visible wavelength diffraction limited imager, VisAO. VisAO delivers Strehl ratios greater than 30% from 0.62 microns (r') through 1 micron, where Strehl is even higher, and achieved resolutions as small as 20 milli-arcseconds. We took advantage of the excellent performance of MagAO/VisAO to conduct high contrast observations of an exoplanet in the optical. With VisAO, we are, for the first time, able to begin characterizing exoplanet atmospheres in the optical from the ground.
Solving for the Orbital Elements of Binary Systems using MCMC Simulations.
Authors: Mede Kyle , Brandt Timothy D.
Published: January 2014

Recent simulation and observational data have been used to investigate the ability of Kozai oscillations to explain the formation of “hot Jupiter” planetary systems. One of the first exoplanets discovered, τ Boo Ab, orbits a star with a binary companion, making it an excellent testbed for this scenario. We have written a three-dimensional Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulator to constrain the orbit of the distant stellar companion τ Boo B, and are currently deriving orbital parameters and confidence intervals. These orbital parameters will confirm or reject Kozai oscillations as a plausible formation mechanism for τ Boo Ab.
Polarimetry with the Gemini Planet Imager: Instrument Characterization and Future Science
Authors: Millar-Blanchaer Max , Wiktorowicz Sloane J. , Perrin Marshall D. , Graham James R. , Thomas Sandrine J. , Dillon Daren , Fitzgerald Michael P. , Maire Jérome , Macintosh Bruce , Goodsell Stephen J.
Published: January 2014

The Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) is a high contrast coronagraph designed to directly image exoplanets and circumstellar disks. GPI includes a polarimetry mode designed to characterize dust grains and enhance the contrast of scattered, polarized light by a factor of 100. Reflections and birefringence of optics within the optical train induce a polarization signature that needs to be measured a priori and calibrated out during data reduction. Here we report on the results of an extensive laboratory characterization campaign of the polarimetry mode. The linear instrumental polarization has been measured in 4 GPI passbands and found to be between 3.5 ± 0.3 % at 1.0 micron and 1.1 ± 0.3 % at 2.0 microns. Modulation efficiency has been measured to be 94% at 1.0 micron increasing to 97% at 2.0 microns. Stability has been shown to better than 0.6% over timescales of ~ 3 months and over cool down cycles. The tests show that GPI passes all polarimetry design requirements and should be able to measure circumstellar disk linear polarization to 1% accuracy.