With the advent of the Heliophysics/Geospace System Observatory (H/GSO), a complement of multi-spacecraft missions and ground-based observatories to study the space environment, data retrieval, ...analysis, and visualization of space physics data can be daunting. The Space Physics Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS), a grass-roots software development platform (
www.spedas.org
), is now officially supported by NASA Heliophysics as part of its data environment infrastructure. It serves more than a dozen space missions and ground observatories and can integrate the full complement of past and upcoming space physics missions with minimal resources, following clear, simple, and well-proven guidelines. Free, modular and configurable to the needs of individual missions, it works in both command-line (ideal for experienced users) and Graphical User Interface (GUI) mode (reducing the learning curve for first-time users). Both options have “crib-sheets,” user-command sequences in ASCII format that can facilitate record-and-repeat actions, especially for complex operations and plotting. Crib-sheets enhance scientific interactions, as users can move rapidly and accurately from exchanges of technical information on data processing to efficient discussions regarding data interpretation and science. SPEDAS can readily query and ingest all International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP)-compatible products from the Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF), enabling access to a vast collection of historic and current mission data. The planned incorporation of Heliophysics Application Programmer’s Interface (HAPI) standards will facilitate data ingestion from distributed datasets that adhere to these standards. Although SPEDAS is currently Interactive Data Language (IDL)-based (and interfaces to Java-based tools such as Autoplot), efforts are under-way to expand it further to work with python (first as an interface tool and potentially even receiving an under-the-hood replacement). We review the SPEDAS development history, goals, and current implementation. We explain its “modes of use” with examples geared for users and outline its technical implementation and requirements with software developers in mind. We also describe SPEDAS personnel and software management, interfaces with other organizations, resources and support structure available to the community, and future development plans.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The Emirates Mars Mission Amiri, H. E. S.; Brain, D.; Sharaf, O. ...
Space science reviews,
2022/2, Volume:
218, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) was launched to Mars in the summer of 2020, and is the first interplanetary spacecraft mission undertaken by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The mission has multiple ...programmatic and scientific objectives, including the return of scientifically useful information about Mars. Three science instruments on the mission’s Hope Probe will make global remote sensing measurements of the Martian atmosphere from a large low-inclination orbit that will advance our understanding of atmospheric variability on daily and seasonal timescales, as well as vertical atmospheric transport and escape. The mission was conceived and developed rapidly starting in 2014, and had aggressive schedule and cost constraints that drove the design and implementation of a new spacecraft bus. A team of Emirati and American engineers worked across two continents to complete a fully functional and tested spacecraft and bring it to the launchpad in the middle of a global pandemic. EMM is being operated from the UAE and the United States (U.S.), and will make its data freely available.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
In order to compare the effectiveness of birds and insects as pollinators, we studied the floral biology of the bromeliad Aechmea nudicaulis (L.) Grisebach in the biome of the Atlantic rain forest, ...southern Brazil. On Santa Catarina Island, flowering extends from mid‐September to the end of December, with diurnal anthesis. The reproductive system is obligatory xenogamy, thus pollinator‐dependent. Flowers secrete 31.84 μl of nectar per day, with a mean sugar concentration of 23.2%. Highest nectar volume and sugar concentration occur at the beginning of anthesis. Most floral traits are characteristic for ornithophily, and nectar production appears to be adapted to the energy demand of hummingbirds. Continued secretion of the sucrose‐dominated nectar attracts and binds visitors to inflorescences, strengthening trapline foraging behaviour. Experiments assessing seed set after single flower visits were performed with the most frequent visitors, revealing the hummingbird Thalurania glaucopis as the most effective pollen vector. In addition, bees are also functional pollinators, as substantiated by their high visitation frequency. We conclude that this pollination system is bimodal. Thus, there is redundancy in the pollination service provided by birds and bees, granting a high probability of successful reproduction in Ae. nudicaulis.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Although Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) is widely recognized as an important trophic link to top predators in Arctic marine ecosystems, the challenges of conducting fieldwork in the Arctic make this ...species difficult to study. We establish some basic relationships to improve prey energetics modeling when only in-field parameters (e.g., fork length) can be measured. We investigated the intraspecific relationships among energy density, fork length, mass, and water content for Arctic cod captured by Black Guillemots and Thick-billed Murres at two sites (Western Beaufort and Hudson Bay). Dry energy density was similar between sites (21.6—22.2 kJ g-1) and increased with fork length (Dry EDkJ/g = 0.028 (± 0.01) • Fork Lengthmm + 18.12 (± 1.33). Even though fish lost some water as they were transported to the nest by avian predators, wet energy density also increased with fork length. We suggest that environmental conditions had a similar effect on growth at these two locations although they occur in very different oceanographic regimes. Arctic cod, especially large cod, is one of the most energy-rich prey species in the Arctic. Our results highlight the importance of this valuable prey to Arctic ecosystems and the utility of using seabirds opportunistically as samplers of the marine environment. Même si la morue polaire (Boreogadus saida) est grandement reconnue comme un lien trophique important pour les prédateurs situés en bout de chaîne des écosystèmes marins de l'Arctique, cette espèce est difficile à étudier en raison des défis inhérents à la réalisation de travaux sur le terrain dans l'Arctique. Nous établissons des relations de base afin d'améliorer la modélisation de la valeur énergétique des proies lorsque seuls des paramètres sur le terrain (comme la longueur à la fourche) peuvent être mesurés. Nous avons étudié les relations intraspécifiques qui existent entre la densité d'énergie, la longueur à la fourche, la masse et la teneur en eau de la morue polaire capturée par le guillemot à miroir et le guillemot de Brünnich à deux sites (ouest de Beaufort et baie d'Hudson). La densité d'énergie sèche était semblable entre les sites (21,6—22,2 kJ g-1) et augmentait en fonction de la longueur à la fourche (DE sèche EDkJ/g = 0,028 (± 0,01) • longueur à la fourchemm + 18,12 (± 1,33). Même si les poissons perdaient de l'eau pendant le transport jusqu'au nid par les oiseaux prédateurs, la densité d'énergie humide augmentait également en fonction de la longueur à la fourche. Nous suggérons que les conditions environnementales avaient un effet similaire sur la croissance à ces deux sites même s'ils se trouvent dans des régimes océanographiques très différents. La morue polaire, surtout celle de grande taille, est l'une des espèces proies les plus riches en énergie de l'Arctique. Nos résultats mettent en évidence l'importance de cette précieuse proie pour les écosystèmes de l'Arctique et l'utilité de se servir des oiseaux de mer de manière opportuniste en guise d'échantillonneurs de l'environnement marin.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NMLJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background: Granular cell tumors (GrCTs) are rare neoplasms derived from Schwann cells and can affect any part of the body. They are histologically categorized into benign (most common), atypical, or ...malignant (<2%) subtypes. Methods: A retrospective review of pathology-proven GrCTs at a tertiary hospital was done from 4/1/2014 to 3/31/2021. The patient age, gender, location of the tumor, and imaging findings were reviewed. Results: A total of 18 patients with GrCTs were found over a period of 7 years. The sites of involvement ranged from the tongue to the heel. The most common site of occurrence was the esophagus. There were 2 cases of recurrences and 2 cases of multicentric GrCTs. In our study, we did not have atypical or malignant GrCTs. Conclusion: Granular cell tumors are uncommon and primarily published as case reports and case series. Our seven-year review provides a comprehensive synopsis of this tumor in the breast and rest of the body. Their clinical and imaging features are non-characteristic, but histopathologic features with immunohistochemistry are diagnostic. Complete surgical excision with negative margins is the accepted standard of care. A global overview of this tumor will allow physicians to provide their patients with a better understanding of their diagnosis and prognosis.
BACKGROUND:The maxillary artery is recognized as the main vascular supply of the facial bones; nonetheless, clinical evidence supports a codominant role for the facial artery. This study explores the ...extent of the facial skeleton within a facial allograft that can be harvested based on the facial artery.
METHODS:Twenty-three cadaver heads were used in this study. In 12 heads, the facial, superficial temporal, and maxillary arteries were injected. In one head, facial artery angiography was performed. Ten facial allografts were raised. The soft tissues were dissected to show the arterial anastomotic connections. Radiographs and computed tomographic scans were obtained.
RESULTS:Constant anastomosis between the facial, inferior alveolar, and infraorbital arteries at the mental and infraorbital foramina were found. The facial artery vascularized the homolateral mandibular symphysis, body, and ramus. The condylar and coronoid processes were vascularized in 67 percent of the allografts. The homolateral maxilla was contrasted in all allografts. The alveolar and palatine processes contained the contrast in 83 percent of specimens. The maxillary process of the zygomatic bone was perfused in all allografts, followed by the body, frontal (83 percent), and temporal processes (67 percent). The nasal lateral wall and septum were vascularized in 83 percent of the allografts. The medial and lateral orbital walls and the orbital floor were stained in all specimens. The zygomatic process of the temporal bone was the least perfused bone.
CONCLUSION:A composite allograft containing 90 to 95 percent of the facial bones can be based on bilateral facial arteries.
We observed an apparent suspension of embryonic growth in the Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle, a cavity-nesting alcid typically having a two-egg clutch and incubation period of approximately 28 d. ...Limited suspension of embryonic growth is common for species with a multi-egg clutch, but our observations are apparently the first to document an extended ( greater than or equal to 14 d) suspension prior to the onset of incubation in the wild. We found no previous record of the fostering and successful incubation of the egg of the previous owners by birds usurping a nest cavity. Observations were made on Cooper Island, in northern Alaska, where man-made structures on a sand and gravel substrate provide nest cavities. At the time of clutch completion a previously non-breeding pair displaced the original nest owners and pushed the two eggs to the edge of the nest depression. Approximately 7 d later the usurping pair moved the displaced eggs back into the nest depression. They added their own egg to the clutch 14 d later and began incubating all three eggs. The initial egg in the original clutch pipped after 28 d of incubation (45 d after deposition), but died while pipping. The other hatched after 33 d of incubation (47 d after deposition); indicating embryonic growth had been suspended for greater than or equal to 14 days. During the period of growth suspension, daily temperatures averaged 2.9 degree C (range 0.1-7.4 degree C) with daily minima < 0 degree C on 12 of the 18 days, demonstrating an extended cold tolerance in the species.
The family Picathartidae contains two species confined to West Africa, the White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus found from Ghana to Guinea, and the Grey-necked Picathartes Picathartes ...oreas, which is mainly confined to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon (Green 1995, Burrow and Demey 2002, Fry ef al. 2004). The taxonomic alignment of the Picathartidae has long been debated and they are currently placed in their own family, Picathartidae (Sibley and Alquist 1990). Picathartids are relatively large, quiet birds that construct mud-cup nests attached to the steep faces of overhanging cliffs in lowland forests. They are believed to be naturally rare, due to the lack of suitable nesting sites, and are considered by BirdLife International to be globally threatened (Serle 1952, BirdLife International 2000). This rarity has created a comparative dearth of detailed scientific observation of P. oreas; however, P. gymnocephalus has been better studied of late (Thompson 2004a, Thompson 2004b).
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BFBNIB, GIS, IJS, KISLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Background: Granular cell tumors (GrCTs) are rare neoplasms derived from Schwann cells and can affect any part of the body. They are histologically categorized into benign (most common), atypical, or ...malignant (<2%) subtypes. Methods: A retrospective review of pathology-proven GrCTs at a tertiary hospital was done from 4/1/2014 to 3/31/2021. The patient age, gender, location of the tumor, and imaging findings were reviewed. Results: A total of 18 patients with GrCTs were found over a period of 7 years. The sites of involvement ranged from the tongue to the heel. The most common site of occurrence was the esophagus. There were 2 cases of recurrences and 2 cases of multicentric GrCTs. In our study, we did not have atypical or malignant GrCTs. Conclusion: Granular cell tumors are uncommon and primarily published as case reports and case series. Our seven-year review provides a comprehensive synopsis of this tumor in the breast and rest of the body. Their clinical and imaging features are non-characteristic, but histopathologic features with immunohistochemistry are diagnostic. Complete surgical excision with negative margins is the accepted standard of care. A global overview of this tumor will allow physicians to provide their patients with a better understanding of their diagnosis and prognosis.
A retrospective study was performed to evaluate treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Two hundred sixty-five patients were treated over a 4 1/2-year period. Only patients in whom studies showed ...abnormal nerve conduction (a median nerve sensory latency greater than 3.6 msec or a median distal motor latency greater than 4.3 msec) were included in the evaluation. Nonsurgical treatment consisted of patient education, wrist splinting, B vitamins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, and job change or modification when possible. A follow-up history, physical examination, and repeat nerve conduction studies were performed at 3- to 9-month intervals, depending on the severity of symptoms and the degree of abnormal latencies. Surgery was performed on 77 patients and 95 hands. The remaining 188 patients were treated nonsurgically. Both surgically and nonsurgically treated patients considered the results to be satisfactory.
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