Balanced flux formulations for multidimensional Evans function computations for viscous shocks

The Evans function is a powerful tool for the stability analysis of viscous shock profiles; zeros of this function carry stability information. In the one-dimensional case, it is typical to compute the Evans function using Goodman's integrated coordinates [G1]; this device facilitates the search for zeros of the Evans function by winding number arguments. Although integrated coordinates are not available in the multidimensional case, we show here that there is a choice of coordinates which gives similar advantages

The Role of Admissions Practices in Diversifying Honors Populations: A Case Study

While there is scant evidence that standardized test results (SAT/ACT) predict college success, these scores can act as barriers to college admissions and honors programs, particularly for students in underserved communities. This study examines the impact of transitioning from an honors admission framework—in which standardized tests are a key variable in the process—to a test-blind environment with holistic admissions protocols that identify students who are academically strong as well as engaged in extracurricular activities. Parallel (test-dependent and test-blind) admissions protocols were used in 2020–2021 applications to determine if a test-blind environment fostered greater inclusivity and diversity in the first-year honors cohort. Data suggest that test-blind transitions yielded a more ethnically diverse honors applicant pool as well as first-year cohort population. Results also indicate that students of color are more likely to notice the test-blind admission option and that this option is more likely to have an effect on their decision to apply than on their white counterparts. Survey respondents (n = 105) also attest to their confidence in graduating with honors. While high across ethnicities and genders, rankings of desire and commitment to remain in the program are highest among Black and Hispanic students. Augmenting data on test-blind admissions, the authors reflect on the newly adopted holistic review process, acknowledging that other aspects of admissions must be addressed for achieving meaningful diversity and inclusion in honors

Inclusive and Effective Holistic Admission Frameworks for Honors Programs: A Case Study Continued

This study continues an earlier (2021) examination of a program’s move from an admissions framework that used standardized test score thresholds to a test-blind holistic review. While the initial study evinced holistic review as a more equitable gateway to honors education for students from underserved backgrounds (as compared to admission frameworks that rely heavily on SAT/ACT thresholds), the current study further substantiates this finding as the program fully transitions to its subsequent admission cycle. In addition to affirming holistic admissions practice as effective for diversifying honors populations, the study considers two additional results. First, the holistic review rubric is assessed from the lenses of equity and efficacy. The revised rubric and the rationale for revision are provided. Results indicate that high school GPA and co- and extra-curricular involvement are key predictors of success in honors programs. Second, researchers track annual achievement and involvement of students in the fall 2020 cohort based on which admission track they followed. Students admitted through holistic review without SAT/ACT scores tend to be more involved in the program but experience difficulty in maintaining the minimum honors GPA in their first year. Results offer a backdrop for important discussions currently underway in the honors community regarding how to best provide equitable gateways and welcoming and supportive programs that give students tools for success in honors

B2: Glacial Deposits and Late-Glacial to PostGlacial Alluvial Fans in the Northwestern White Mountains, New Hampshire

Guidebook for field trips in Western Maine and Northern New Hampshire: New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference, p. 135-160

Identical Profiles, Different Paths: Addressing Self-selection Bias in Learning Community Cohorts

This article presents a method for addressing the self-selection bias of students who participate in learning communities (LCs). More specifically, this research utilizes equivalent comparison groups based on selected incoming characteristics of students, known as bootstraps, to account for self-selection bias. To address the differences in academic preparedness in the fall 2012 cohort, three stratified random samples of students were drawn from the non-LC population to match the LC cohort in mean ACT composite scores and mean high school percentile ranks. This process is called bootstrapping. The study suggests that LCs do impact student academic achievement and retention. The results indicate that LC students with similar entering characteristics to those of the bootstrap sample had higher rates for both GPA and retention than non-LC participants

Resource Utilization and Site Selection for a Self-Sufficient Martian Outpost

As a planet with striking similarities to Earth, Mars is an important focus for scientific research aimed at understanding the processes of planetary evolution and the formation of our solar system. Fortunately, Mars is also a planet with abundant natural resources, including assessible materials that can be used to support human life and to sustain a self-sufficient martian outpost. Resources required include water, breathable air, food, shelter, energy, and fuel. Through a mission design based on in situ resource development, we can establish a permanent outpost on Mars beginning with the first manned mission. This paper examines the potential for supporting the first manned mission with the objective of achieving self-sufficiency through well-understood resource development and a program of rigorous scientific research aimed at extending that capability. We examine the potential for initially extracting critical resources from the martian environment, and discuss the scientific investigations required to identify additional resources in the atmosphere, on the surface, and within the subsurface. We also discuss our current state of knowledge of Mars, technical considerations of resource utilization, and using unmanned missions' data for selecting an optimal site. The primary goal of achieving self-sufficiency on Mars would accelerate the development of human colonization beyond Earth, while providing a robust and permanent martian base from which humans can explore and conduct long-term research on planetary evolution, the solar system, and life itself

Offsetting of CO₂ emissions by air capture in mine tailings at the Mount Keith Nickel Mine, Western Australia: Rates, controls and prospects for carbon neutral mining

The hydrated Mg-carbonate mineral, hydromagnesite [Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂•4H₂O], precipitates within mine tailings at the Mount Keith Nickel Mine, Western Australia as a direct result of mining operations. We have used quantitative mineralogical data and δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O and F¹⁴C isotopic data to quantify the amount of CO₂fixation and identify carbon sources. Our radiocarbon results indicate that at least 80% of carbon stored in hydromagnesite has been captured from the modern atmosphere. Stable isotopic results indicate that dissolution of atmospheric CO₂ into mine tailings water is kinetically limited, which suggests that the current rate of carbon mineralization could be accelerated. Reactive transport modeling is used to describe the observed variation in tailings mineralogy and to estimate rates of CO₂ fixation. Based on our assessment, approximately 39,800 t/yr of atmospheric CO₂ are being trapped and stored in tailings at Mount Keith. This represents an offsetting of approximately 11% of the mine's annual greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, passive sequestration via enhanced weathering of mineral waste can capture and store a significant amount of CO₂. Recommendations are made for changes to tailings management and ore processing practices that have potential to accelerate carbonation of tailings and further reduce or completely offset the net greenhouse gas emissions at Mount Keith and many other mines

Detection of the lunar body tide by the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter

The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter instrument onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft collected more than 5 billion measurements in the nominal 50 km orbit over ~10,000 orbits. The data precision, geodetic accuracy, and spatial distribution enable two-dimensional crossovers to be used to infer relative radial position corrections between tracks to better than ~1 m. We use nearly 500,000 altimetric crossovers to separate remaining high-frequency spacecraft trajectory errors from the periodic radial surface tidal deformation. The unusual sampling of the lunar body tide from polar lunar orbit limits the size of the typical differential signal expected at ground track intersections to ~10 cm. Nevertheless, we reliably detect the topographic tidal signal and estimate the associated Love number h[subscript 2] to be 0.0371 ± 0.0033, which is consistent with but lower than recent results from lunar laser ranging.United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant NNX09AM53G)United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant NNG09HP18C