Count-loss characteristics of photon-counting 2D detectors are demonstrated for eight bunch-modes at SPring-8 through Monte Carlo simulations. As an indicator, the effective maximum count rate was introduced to signify the X-ray intensity that the detector can count with a linearity of 1% or better after applying a count-loss correction in each bunch-mode. The effective maximum count rate is revealed to vary depending on the bunch-mode and the intrinsic dead time of the detectors, ranging from 0.012 to 0.916 Mcps (megacounts per second) for a 120 ns dead time, 0.009 to 0.807 Mcps for a 0.5 µs dead time and 0.020 to 0.273 Mcps for a 3 µs intrinsic detector dead time. Even with equal-interval bunch-modes at SPring-8, the effective maximum count rate does not exceed 1 Mcps pixel−1. In other words, to obtain data with a linearity better than 1%, the maximum intensity of X-rays entering the detector should be reduced to 1 Mcps pixel−1 or less, and, in some cases, even lower, depending on the bunch-mode. When applying count-loss correction using optimized dead times tailored to each bunch-mode, the effective maximum count rate exceeds the values above. However, differences in the effective maximum count rate due to bunch-modes persist. Users of photon-counting 2D detectors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the count-loss characteristics dependent on bunch-mode, and to conduct experiments accordingly. In addition, when designing the time structure of bunch-modes at synchrotron radiation facilities, it is essential to take into account the impact on experiments using photon-counting 2D detectors.

An anomalous ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (AUSAXS) system has been constructed at BL28XU at SPring-8 for time-resolved AUSAXS experiments. The path length was extended to 9.1 m and a minimum of q = 0.0069 nm−1 was attained. Scattering profiles at 0.0069 to 0.3 nm−1 were successfully obtained at 17 different X-ray energies in 30 s using the BL28XU optical setup, which enables adjustment of the energy of the incident X-rays quickly without the beam position drifting. Time-resolved measurements were conducted to investigate changes in the structure of zinc compounds in poly(styrene-ran-butadiene) rubber during vulcanization. A change in energy dependence of the scattered intensity with time was found during vulcanization, suggesting the transformation of zinc in the reaction.

SPring-8-II is a major upgrade project of SPring-8 that was inaugurated in October 1997 as a third-generation synchrotron radiation light source. This upgrade project aims to achieve three goals simultaneously: achievement of excellent light source performance, refurbishment of aged systems, and significant reduction in power consumption for the entire facility. A small emittance of 50 pm rad will be achieved by (1) replacing the existing double-bend lattice structure with a five-bend achromat one, (2) lowering the stored beam energy from 8 to 6 GeV, (3) increasing the horizontal damping partition number from 1 to 1.3, and (4) enhancing horizontal radiation damping by installing damping wigglers in long straight sections. The use of short-period in-vacuum undulators allows ultrabrilliant X-rays to be provided while keeping a high-energy spectral range even at the reduced electron-beam energy of 6 GeV. To reduce power consumption, the dedicated, aged injector system has been shut down and the high-performance linear accelerator of SACLA, a compact X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) facility, is used as the injector of the ring in a time-shared manner. This allows the simultaneous operation of XFEL experiments at SACLA and full/top-up injection of the electron beam into the ring. This paper overviews the concept of the SPring-8-II project, the system design of the light source and the details of the accelerator component design.

The US Supreme Court is seen in Washington, DC on July 1, 2021.; Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. Supreme Court ends its spring term today with two final decisions expected to come down, one involving a pivotal voting rights case out of Arizona and the other involving so-called “dark money” and campaign finance. 

Today on AirTalk, we’ll get a summary of the arguments that each side in the two cases will be making, and we’ll look back on the Spring 2021 term overall, as the nine justices will break until the fall.

Guests:

Vikram Amar, dean and professor of law at the University of Illinois College of Law

David Becker, executive director and founder of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that works with election officials around the country to ensure convenient and secure voting for all voters; he is the former director of the elections program at The Pew Charitable Trusts and a former senior trial attorney in the Voting Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division; he tweets @beckerdavidj

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

; Credit: LA Johnson/NPR

Undergraduate college enrollment fell again this spring, down nearly 5% from a year ago. That means 727,000 fewer students, according to new data from the National Student Clearinghouse.

"That's really dramatic," says Doug Shapiro, who leads the clearinghouse's research center. Fall enrollment numbers had indicated things were bad, with a 3.6% undergraduate decline compared with a year earlier, but experts were waiting to see if those students who held off in the fall would enroll in the spring. That didn't appear to happen.

"Despite all kinds of hopes and expectations that things would get better, they've only gotten worse in the spring," Shapiro says. "It's really the end of a truly frightening year for higher education. There will be no easy fixes or quick bounce backs."

Overall enrollment in undergraduate and graduate programs has been trending downward since around 2012, and that was true again this spring, which saw a 3.5% decline — seven times worse than the drop from spring 2019 to spring 2020.

The National Student Clearinghouse attributed that decline entirely to undergraduates across all sectors, including for-profit colleges. Community colleges, which often enroll more low-income students and students of color, remained hardest hit by far, making up more than 65% of the total undergraduate enrollment losses this spring. On average, U.S. community colleges saw an enrollment drop of 9.5%, which translates to 476,000 fewer students.

"The enrollment landscape has completely shifted and changed, as though an earthquake has hit the ground," says Heidi Aldes, dean of enrollment management at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, a community college in Minnesota. She says her college's fall 2020 enrollment was down about 8% from the previous year, and spring 2021 enrollment was down about 11%.

"Less students are getting an education"

Based on her conversations with students, Aldes attributes the enrollment decline to a number of factors, including being online, the "pandemic paralysis" community members felt when COVID-19 first hit, and the financial situations families found themselves in.

"Many folks felt like they couldn't afford to not work and so couldn't afford to go to school and lose that full-time income," Aldes says. "There was so much uncertainty and unpredictability."

A disproportionately high number of students of color withdrew or decided to delay their educational goals, she says, adding to equity gaps that already exist in the Minneapolis area.

"Sure, there is a fiscal impact to the college, but that isn't where my brain goes," Aldes says. "There's a decline, which means there are less students getting an education. That is the tragedy, that less students are getting an education, because we know how important education is to a successful future."

To help increase enrollment, her team is reaching out to the high school classes of 2020 and 2021, and they're contacting students who previously applied or previously enrolled and stopped attending. She says she's hopeful the college's in-person offerings — which now make up nearly 45% of its classes — will entice students to come back, and appeal to those who aren't interested in online courses. So far, enrollment numbers for fall 2021 are up by 1%. "We are climbing back," she says.

A widening divide

Despite overall enrollment declines nationally, graduate program enrollments were up by more than 120,000 students this spring. That means there are more students who already have college degrees earning more credentials, while, at the other end of the spectrum, students at the beginning of their higher ed careers are opting out — a grim picture of a widening gap in America.

"It's kind of the educational equivalent of the rich getting richer," Shapiro says. "Those gaps in education and skills will be baked into our economy, and those families' lives, for years to come."

The value of a college degree — and its impact on earning power and recession resilience — has only been reinforced by the pandemic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans with a college degree were more likely to stay employed during the pandemic, and if they did lose a job, they were more likely to get hired again. Unemployment rates were higher for those without a degree or credential beyond high school.

"Almost all of the income gains and the employment gains for the last decade have gone to people with higher education degrees and credentials," Shapiro says. "Those who are getting squeezed out of college today, especially at community colleges, are just getting further and further away from being able to enjoy some of those benefits."

In the National Student Clearinghouse data, traditional college-aged students, those 18 to 24, were the largest age group missing from undergraduate programs. That includes many students from the high school class of 2020, who graduated at the beginning of the pandemic. Additional research from the Clearinghouse shows a 6.8% decline in college-going rates among the class of 2020 compared to the class of 2019 — that's more than four times the decline between the classes of 2018 and 2019. College-going rates were worse for students at high-poverty high schools, which saw declines of more than 11%.

For the communities and organizations tasked with helping high school graduates transition and succeed in college, the job this year is exponentially harder. Students have always struggled to attend college: "It's not new to us," says Nazy Zargarpour, who leads the Pomona Regional Learning Collaborative, which helps Southern California high school students enroll and graduate from college. "But this year, it's on steroids because of COVID."

Her organization is offering one-on-one outreach to students to help them enroll or re-enroll in college. As part of that effort, Zargarpour and her colleagues conducted research to help them understand why students didn't go on to college during the pandemic.

"Students told us that it's a variety of things, including a lot of just life challenges," she says. "Families being disrupted because of lack of work; families being disrupted because of the challenges of the illness itself; students having to take care of their young siblings; challenges with technology."

The biggest question now: Will those students return to college? Experts say the farther a student gets from their high school graduation, the less likely they are to enroll, because life gets in the way. But Zargarpour is hopeful.

"It will take a little bit of time for us to catch up to normal and better, but my heart can't bear to say all hope is lost for any student ever."

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Two new rapid expert consultations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine offer lessons learned from the 2020 fall semester regarding COVID-19 testing and guidance on student behavior, as college administrators plan for the 2021 spring semester.

Cato T. Laurencin — a member of the National Academy of Sciences (2021), National Academy of Engineering (2011), and National Academy of Medicine (2004) — is being awarded the Springarn Medal from the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization.

Artificial intelligence is just a spoke in the wheel of security – an important spoke but, alas, only one

Much like its predecessor, the FGP Primary Cleaner, the FGP with External Spring features FDA-approved, food grade materials including a stainless-steel tensioner and a solid pole.

Tastykake recently released its spring seasonal lineup of treats, which are available for a limited time through May.

Tastykake, a Flowers Foods brand, is offering limited edition Lemon and Strawberry Kandy Kakes until May 21.

Biospringer North America Corporation has announced an expansion on its yeast extract site in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to support the growing market trend for natural origin ingredients derived from fermentation.  

More than 170 milling industry leaders and guests gathered in South Carolina for the North American Millers’ Association’s 2022 Spring Conference, which ended on April 12, 2022.

The arbor is built to withstand heavy use and deliver consistent performance, job after job and the pin drive system ensures a snug and secure fit.

3 new models; starting at $1,099

According to actual feedback on G2 platform, 93% of the VideoMost users have rated it 4 or 5-stars.

Front Signs introduces their most recent collection of signage trends. This time, they're using their own projects to share the most popular sign types of the 2022 winter/spring season.

This super-popular venue in Haltom City is a favorite for spring weddings.

For homeowners, spring can be a beautiful time of the year, but damaging spring storms can spring up at any time and if your property is not prepared, springtime can be costly.

The high-profile project in Midtown Atlanta's northern arts district is the most recent Atlanta project for the Chicago-based ISP.

Frank Sinatra's 60th Birthday Party Was Held At The Historic Property

Professional Development Resources, a national provider of accredited continuing education units, is preparing for its annual event that involves keeping its curriculum fresh by introducing new courses and retiring older ones.

Belli Skincare is launching a new web design for spring (www.belliskincare.com) - just in time to celebrate Mother's Day! The new site has a modern, enhanced and streamlined design that makes navigation smoother.

PCY Expo is a one-of-a-kind online trade show for the home decor industry. PCY is attending the Spring edition of the China Import & Export Commodities Fair on April 23-27, 2023.

The ultimate source for Michigan camping adventures kicks off a couple weeks from now.

Discover the new collection today

Leading the Fight Against Nursing Home Neglect with Unmatched Expertise and Compassion

Of the 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level. Finalists will have the opportunity to compete for some 6,870 scholarships worth more than $26 million.

The 2024 Flower and Annual of the Year Now Available for Colorado Gardeners

Author Kay A. Oliver wins more awards and is inducted into WHo's WHo.

Resident Selectress Iriela, New York based DJ & producer will bang the party alongside an all star lineup from around the world! April 13, guest Yukiko from Chicago joins the party. The event kicks off at 9pm at Ace Hotel New York!

Ring in spring this April 5-6 and 12-13 at any of Huntington's Oklahoma jewelry stores with great deals on beautiful engagement rings and dream wedding bands.

Insightful Comments from Craft Holsters' CEO and Marketing Specialist on Their Diverse and Innovative Hellcat Holster Collection

Spring at the NFSA: 80s synths, diverse festivals and a runaway car!

This program provides expert instruction and advice about rating, permanent disability, impairment and litigation strategies. Instructors will focus on all aspects of rating and prepare everyone involved in the rating…

This program will provide expert instruction and advice about rating, permanent disability, impairment and litigation strategies. The panel of instructors will focus on education that benefits all parties in the…

This program offers expert instruction and advice on rating, while providing the students with the upper hand in everyday issues with your cases. Students will walk away with an understanding…

This post: Affinity Spring Sale: Up to 50% Off was first published on Beyond Photo Tips by Susheel Chandradhas

You might have seen some of my articles about Affinity Photo and how it is a wonderfully cost-effective solution for both advanced amateurs and professional photographers when it comes to retouching images. Well, if you have been holding out for a discount on purchase of Affinity apps, then now might be the right time to […]

This post: Affinity Spring Sale: Up to 50% Off was first published on Beyond Photo Tips

By University of Illinois News Have you ever admired the vibrant colors of spring flowers and wondered how to create this beauty in your own landscape? “The time to plant for spring bloomers is now,” said University of Illinois Extension … Continue reading →

Spring is on the horizon, so you know what that means. Spring-cleaning time is coming soon too. This yearly refresh is more than just a reminder to dust your home; it’s also a chance to revitalize your ecommerce business, attract new customers and delight loyal shoppers. Here are five easy ways to improve your ecommerce … Continue reading Spring Cleaning: Five Ways to Improve Your Ecommerce Site

The post Spring Cleaning: Five Ways to Improve Your Ecommerce Site appeared first on Design Shard.

Event Begins: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 3:00pm
Location: Off Campus Location
Organized By: Center for Global and Intercultural Study

Want to fulfill Spanish major/minor requirements abroad? Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the CGIS Spanish-language program offerings in Spring/Summer 2025.

Note: CGIS Spring/Summer 2025 applications open in October 1st, 2024 and close on January 15th, 2025.

A new box set chronicles Elvis Presley's time in Grind City.

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Spring Rouge by Leonard Wren is a(n) Limited Edition. The Edition is Limited to Limited Edition of 195 pcs

Spring in the Public Garden LIMITED EDITION CANVAS by Sally Calwell Fisher is a(n) Limited Edition. The Edition is Limited to Limited to 100 pcs

Spring in the Public Garden LIMITED EDITION PRINT by Sally Calwell Fisher is a(n) Limited Edition. The Edition is Limited to Limited to 350 pcs

SPRING SHOWERS LIMITED EDITION PRINT by James Reynolds is a(n) Limited Edition. The Edition is Limited to Limited to 1000 pcs

Springtime in the Meadows by James Coleman is a(n) Limited Edition. The Edition is Limited to Limited Edition of 395 pcs

As business owners start preparing their companies to withstand the increased volume of business, it’s imperative they do the same with their fleets.

In this episode we discuss the current state of the spring framework. We talk about core features (dependency injection, AOP) but also about the spring universe, i.e. some of the more specific frameworks such as Spring Batch.