Efficient testing of segmented aspherical mirrors by use of a reference plate and computer-generated holograms. II. Case study, error analysis, and experimental validation

Segmented mirrors present unique challenges to fabrication and testing that are absent for monolithic optics. Since traditional asphere tests do not address segmented optics adequately, we validate a previously developed method to test large quantities of segments accurately, quickly, and economically. In this test, the aspheric shape of each segment is controlled to high accuracy by use of computer-generated holograms, and the radius of curvature is tightly controlled by use of the reference plate. In an adjoining paper [Appl Opt 43, 5303 (2004)] we developed the theory for this test, and now we present a complete system design and optimization for measuring the 1.4-m segments from a 30-m F/1 primary. A complete tolerance analysis predicts a test accuracy of 4.8-nm rms surface and excellent accuracy for controlling the geometry of the segment. In addition, a laboratory demonstration using 30-cm optics is presented that demonstrated 3.9-nm rms surface accuracy.     

A central cholinergic inhibitory system as a basis for tonic immobility (animal hypnosis) in chickens.

4 experiments provided support for the hypothesis that tonic immobility (TI) in chickens, which may be analogous to response suppression in the rat, is a result of fear and is mediated by central cholinergic systems. A total of 124 experimental and 54 control, White Leghorn cockerel chicks were the Ss. Exp I established that scopolamine, a central and peripheral acting anticholinergic, will reduce the duration of TI, whereas methylscopolamine, which acts only peripherally, will not. Exp II established a dose-response curve for scopolamine and TI. Exp III demonstrated that scopolamine increased activity and that this increase may be a factor in reducing the duration of TI. Exp IV showed that physostigmine, which blocks acetylcholinesterase and allows longer action of acetylcholine at the synapse, increased the duration of TI. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bioconversion of n−3 and n−6 PUFA by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clavibacter</Emphasis> sp. ALA2

Clavibacter sp. ALA2 oxidized n−3 and n−6 PUFA into a variety of oxylipins. Structures of products converted from EPA and DHA were determined as 15,18-dihydroxy-14,17-epoxy-5(Z),8(Z),11(Z)-eicosatrienoic acid and 17,20-dihydroxy-16,19-epoxy-4(Z),7(Z),10(Z),13(Z)-docosatetraenoic acid by GC-MS and NMR analyses. In contrast, γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid were converted to diepoxy bicyclic FA, tetrahydrofuranyl monohydroxy FA, and trihydroxy FA. Thus, the structures of bioconversion products were different between n−3 and n−6 PUFA. Furthermore, strain ALA2 placed hydroxy groups and cyclic structures at the same position from the ω-terminal despite the number of carbons in the chain and the double bonds in the PUFA.     

Post-synthetic modification of conjugated microporous polymers

Control over the surface functionality and microporosity in conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) has been achieved by the post-synthetic modification of amines into amides of with different alkyl chains, one of which was chiral. The surface areas, pore volumes, carbon dioxide uptakes and isosteric heat of adsorption for carbon dioxide can be rationally tuned.     

Customization of a Commercially Available Prep Scale SFC System to Provide Enhanced Capabilities

Preparative Scale Supercritical Fluid Chromatography is emerging as a powerful alternative to HPLC for the purification and separation of complex chemical reaction mixtures. Advantages include greatly reduced solvent usage (and thus lower cost and environmental impact), higher throughput, and in some cases higher resolution. While there are commercially available prep SFC instruments, none currently offer all the features desired by many medicinal chemists engaged in the drug discovery process. These include: the ability to collect an unlimited number of fractions per sample with high recovery and negligible carryover, fully automated capacity to collect several hundred fractions, and the ability to collect fractions into the same disposable test tubes and racks which are already employed in HPLC. This article describes the customization of a preparatory scale SFC system purchased from Berger Instruments, Inc., Newark, DE. (a subsidiary Mettler-Toledo International, Inc., of Greifensee, Switzerland) in order to provide these capabilities.     

Crafting the Compelling User Experience

This article provides an introduction to the usage of software engineering approaches and tools for the design of user experience (UE). This approach was developed for three main reasons: (a) to provide UE design teams a rigorous, methodical, encompassing method that can be applied throughout the entire product development cycle; (b) to provide designers a way to work with abstract concepts to establish the conceptual design of the system before progressing to the realization of the design to the appropriate platform; and (c) to communicate the intended design to the implementation team in a manner that is concise, complete, and familiar. The approach is the application of Unified Modeling Language concepts to describe users and the UE design rather than the technical architecture. It is believed that designing the UE design separately from the technical architecture will help ensure teams deliver a usable and delightful UE. The methods in this article have been applied to a handful of real-world projects in the last year and a half. Thus far, the application of software engineering approaches and tools have been found to be very powerful aids that have enabled the creation of highly useful Web experiences as well as software applications.

Our intent is to address the full gamut of issues involved in creating a total user experience (UE)-from discovery of users needs through high-level and low-level design, ensuring fidelity during development, and deployment, with a full assessment of how well the design meets users' needs. We believe that through a concerted use of such a rigorous approach we can greatly improve not only the UE of products we create, but also the experience of designing and developing them. We are not the only team taking this direction in UE design. It has become clear to many in our field that a more rigorous, thorough, and accurate approach to UE design is not only possible-it is necessary, for many of the same reasons that software engineers long ago embraced such practices. As we are evolving our approaches in other phases, this article focuses on the discovery and design phase activities.     

Choosing the best method for local validity estimation: Relative accuracy of meta-analysis versus a local study versus Bayes-analysis.

This study assessed the relative accuracy of 3 techniques--local validity studies, meta-analysis, and Bayesian analysis--for estimating test validity, incremental validity, and adverse impact in the local selection context. Bayes-analysis involves combining a local study with nonlocal (meta-analytic) validity data. Using tests of cognitive ability and personality (conscientiousness) as predictors, an empirically driven selection scenario illustrates conditions in which each of the 3 estimation techniques performs best. General recommendations are offered for how to estimate local parameters, based on true population variability and the number of studies in the meta-analytic prior. Benefits of empirical Bayesian analysis for personnel selection are demonstrated, and equations are derived to help guide the choice of a local validity technique (i.e., meta-analysis vs. local study vs. Bayes-analysis). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)