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We present the results of an automated fibre optic test bench constructed at the University of Victoria as part of the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) Fibre Transmission System (FiTS). In preparation for MSE-FiTS, we have begun characterizing the focal ratio degradation (FRD) of candidate multi-mode fibres with the ultimate goal of testing all ~4000 MSE fibres. To achieve this, we have built an optical bench to perform an automated version of the collimated beam test. Herein we present the design of the bench and discuss the automation of components by introducing the Big FiTS Fibre Wrapper (Big FFW), our open-source automation software. We conclude with the results of tests performed using the Big FFW on a sample of candidate fibre, comparing the Big FFW results against those found using manual methods. Our results suggest that the candidate MSE fibre meets the science requirement of < 5% FRD at f=2 and less than 1% disagreement between both measurement methods.

The Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) is a next-generation observatory, designed to provide highly multiplexed, multi-object spectroscopy over a wide field of view. The observatory will consist of (1) a telescope with an 11.25 m aperture, (2) a 1.5 square-degree science field of view, (3) fibre optic positioning and transmission systems, and (4) a suite of low (R=3000), moderate (R=6000) and high resolution (R=40,000) spectrographs. The Fibre Transmission System (FiTS) consists of 4332 optical fibres, designed to transmit the light from the telescope prime focus to the dedicated spectrographs. The ambitious science goals of MSE require the Fibre Transmission System to deliver performance well beyond the current state of the art for multi-fibre systems, e.g., the sensitivity to observe magnitude 24 objects over a very broad wavelength range (0.37 - 1.8 microns) while achieving relative spectrophotometric accuracy of <3% and radial velocity precision of 20 km/s.

The Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS) is a powerful new instrument being built to facility-class standards for the Gemini telescope. It takes advantage of the latest developments in adaptive optics and integral field spectrographs. GIRMOS will carry out simultaneous high-angular-resolution, spatially-resolved infrared (\\(1-2.4\\) \\(\\)m) spectroscopy of four objects within a two-arcminute field-of-regard by taking advantage of multi-object adaptive optics. This capability does not currently exist anywhere in the world and therefore offers significant scientific gains over a very broad range of topics in astronomical research. For example, current programs for high redshift galaxies are pushing the limits of what is possible with infrared spectroscopy at \\(8-10\\)-meter class facilities by requiring up to several nights of observing time per target. Therefore, the observation of multiple objects simultaneously with adaptive optics is absolutely necessary to make effective use of telescope time and obtain statistically significant samples for high redshift science. With an expected commissioning date of 2023, GIRMOS's capabilities will also make it a key followup instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope when it is launched in 2021, as well as a true scientific and technical pathfinder for future Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) multi-object spectroscopic instrumentation. In this paper, we will present an overview of this instrument's capabilities and overall architecture. We also highlight how this instrument lays the ground work for a future TMT early-light instrument.

(Abridged) This is the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer 2018 book. It is intended as a concise reference guide to all aspects of the scientific and technical design of MSE, for the international astronomy and engineering communities, and related agencies. The current version is a status report of MSE's science goals and their practical implementation, following the System Conceptual Design Review, held in January 2018. MSE is a planned 10-m class, wide-field, optical and near-infrared facility, designed to enable transformative science, while filling a critical missing gap in the emerging international network of large-scale astronomical facilities. MSE is completely dedicated to multi-object spectroscopy of samples of between thousands and millions of astrophysical objects. It will lead the world in this arena, due to its unique design capabilities: it will boast a large (11.25 m) aperture and wide (1.52 sq. degree) field of view; it will have the capabilities to observe at a wide range of spectral resolutions, from R2500 to R40,000, with massive multiplexing (4332 spectra per exposure, with all spectral resolutions available at all times), and an on-target observing efficiency of more than 80%. MSE will unveil the composition and dynamics of the faint Universe and is designed to excel at precision studies of faint astrophysical phenomena. It will also provide critical follow-up for multi-wavelength imaging surveys, such as those of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, Gaia, Euclid, the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope, the Square Kilometre Array, and the Next Generation Very Large Array.

Manoomin, wild rice, is integral to the culture, livelihood, and identity of the Anishinaabeg, the indigenous peoples of Canada and the United States that include the Odawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Algonquin peoples. In addition to the vital role Manoomin has in the lives of the Anishinaabeg, Manoomin is recognized as being ecologically important, feeding migrating and resident wildlife species, providing a nursery for fish and nesting and breeding habitats for many waterfowl and muskrat, and stabilizing shorelines. This study was initiated by a team of Lake Superior basin Anishinaabe communities and federal and state agencies to document and characterize (1) the importance of Manoomin habitat to Anishinaabe cultural perspectives and identity, community connections, spiritual practices, food sovereignty, and food security; and (2) the ecological importance of Manoomin habitat as an indicator of a high-quality, high-functioning, and biodiverse ecosystem. The team applied a set of cultural and ecological metrics to characterize seven case study sites around Lake Superior and used a habitat equivalency analysis to determine the amount of restoration needed to counterbalance the lost Manoomin habitat functionality. Results from this study highlight the difficulty in restoring the cultural and ecological functionality of degraded Manoomin habitat and the importance of preserving and protecting existing Manoomin habitat.

Objectives: The use of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) has become increasingly popular after athletic injuries, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. In BFRT a cuff is applied to partially occlude arterial inflow and venous return in the injured limb while a person performs low-load exercises. Cuff inflation increases the metabolic demand of the quadriceps while limiting the absolute load across the reconstructed knee. By training under lower loads an individual may be able to train with less pain and experience similar benefits that occur with standard, higher load rehabilitation exercises. Between 4-6 months postoperatively an athlete typically transitions to more sport specific and higher load activities and discontinues supervised therapy such as low load exercises with BFRT. Whether or not the use of low-load BFRT during early rehabilitation leads to better recovery and retention of strength gains at 6 months than standard of care rehabilitation during the same period is unknown. To address this clinical gap, we performed a secondary analysis of a data from a completed clinical trial to determine whether the use of BFRT earlier in rehabilitation (first 4 months) resulted in better recovery and sustainment of quadriceps muscle strength, rate of torque development (RTD) and gait mechanics associated with the quadriceps (peak knee flexion angle and extensor moment) than standard of care rehabilitation at a 6 month follow up. We hypothesized that the use of BFRT would result in better recovery and retention (compared to baseline) of these performance outcomes than standard of care at a 6 month follow up. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial that evaluated the effects of BFRT during early phases of rehabilitation on outcomes after ACL reconstruction. The study was prospectively registered on clinicaltrials.gov and had institutional review board approval. Forty-six athletes were randomly assigned to either low-load strength training with BFRT or standard of care training with sham BFRT. Participants performed BFRT (or sham BFRT) for one month pre-surgery and four months post-surgery. Both groups followed the same standard rehabilitation program and performed the same exercises (leg press, knee extension, squat, step up/down) 3x per week. Outcome variables were measured at baseline and 6 months post-surgery. Isometric quadriceps strength and rate of torque development were measured on an isokinetic dynamometer and normalized to body mass. An instrumented gait analysis was used to measure peak knee flexion angle and knee extensor moment. A Fisher’s exact test was used to assess between group differences in sex; two-sample t-tests were used to assess between group differences in age and each outcome (change from baseline to 6-months post-surgery). Results: There were no differences between groups for sex (X2=0, p=1.00, BFRT: 10F, 12M, Sham: 10F, 14M) and age (t41.38=0.42, p=0.68, BFRT: 20.9 ± 6.31 yrs, Sham: 21.58 ± 5.35 yrs). There were no significant differences between groups for change in quadriceps strength (t42.08=0.41, p=0.69, BFRT: 0.24 ± 0.7 Nm/kg, Sham: 0.32 ± 0.6 Nm/kg), RTD (t34.12=-0.02,p=0.98, BFRT: -0.06 ± 4.5 Nm/kg/s, Sham: -0.08 ± 2.7 Nm/kg/s) (Figure 1), peak knee flexion angle (t35=-0.32, p=0.75, BFRT: -4.43 ± 8.3 degrees, Sham: -5.1 ± 5.2 degrees) or peak knee extensor moment (t41.27=-1.1, p=0.28, BFRT: 0.054 ± 0.17 Nm/kg*m, Sham: 0.003 ± 0.143 Nm/kg*m) (Figure 2). Conclusions: One of the major purported benefits of using BFRT is that it will help athletes recover quicker than performing standard rehabilitation. Athletes in both groups ended up with a similar change from baseline in quadriceps muscle strength and gait mechanics at a 6 month follow up. These results suggest that athletes using BFRT do not recover and retain their strength any better than those receiving standard of care and are in no better position to pass return to sport testing. The use of a sham BFRT unit, rigorous blinding of the participants and assessors, and consistency in the physical therapist performing rehabilitation strengthened the study. Limitations of this study were that it was limited to one site, where the majority of patients received a bone patellar bone autograft, limiting generalizability to other graft types. In summary, these findings extend the field and question the use of BFRT to assist athletes in being able to recover and retain quadriceps strength and knee mechanics any better than standard of care rehabilitation.

We identified homozygous truncating mutations in HOXA1 in three genetically isolated human populations. The resulting phenotype includes horizontal gaze abnormalities, deafness, facial weakness, hypoventilation, vascular malformations of the internal carotid arteries and cardiac outflow tract, mental retardation and autism spectrum disorder. This is the first report to our knowledge of viable homozygous truncating mutations in any human HOX gene and of a mendelian disorder resulting from mutations in a human HOX gene critical for development of the central nervous system.