Effects of reduced-impact logging on medium and large-bodied forest vertebrates in eastern Amazonia

Standard line-transect census techniques were deployed to generate a checklist and quantify the abundance of medium and large-bodied vertebrate species in forest areas of eastern Amazonia with and without a history of reduced-impact logging (RIL). Three areas were allocated a total of 1,196.9 km of line-transect census effort. Sampling was conducted from April to June 2012 and from April to August 2013, and detected 29 forest vertebrate species considered in this study belonging to 15 orders, 20 families and 28 genera. Additionally, eight species were recorded outside census walks through direct and indirect observations. Of this total, six species are considered vulnerable according to IUCN (Ateles paniscus, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Priodontes maximus, Tapirus terrestris, Tayassu peccary, Chelonoidis denticulata). Observed species richness ranged from 21 to 24 species in logged and unlogged areas, and encounter rates along transects were highly variable between treatments. However, the relative abundance of species per transect did not differ between transects in logged and unlogged forests. Of the species  detected during censuses, only three showed different relative abundance between the two treatments (Saguinus midas, Tinamus spp. and Dasyprocta leporina). Our results show that the effect of RIL forest management was a relatively unimportant determinant of population abundance for most medium and large vertebrates over the time period of the survey

The Exponential Map for the Conformal Group 0(2,4)

We present a general method to obtain a closed, finite formula for the exponential map from the Lie algebra to the Lie group, for the defining representation of the orthogonal groups. Our method is based on the Hamilton-Cayley theorem and some special properties of the generators of the orthogonal group, and is also independent of the metric. We present an explicit formula for the exponential of generators of the $SO_+(p,q)$ groups, with $p+q = 6$, in particular we are dealing with the conformal group $SO_+(2,4)$, which is homomorphic to the $SU(2,2)$ group. This result is needed in the generalization of U(1) gauge transformations to spin gauge transformations, where the exponential plays an essential role. We also present some new expressions for the coefficients of the secular equation of a matrix.Comment: 16pages,plain-TeX,(corrected TeX

The Metric of Yang-Mills Orbit Space on the Lattice

We find coordinates, the metric tensor, the inverse metric tensor and the Laplace-Beltrami operator for the orbit space of Hamiltonian SU(2) gauge theory on a finite, rectangular lattice. This is done using a complete axial gauge fixing. The Gribov problem can be completely solved, with no remaining gauge ambiguities.Comment: Title is changed in journal. Now 19 pages, still one figure, AMSTe

Ordered structures and jet noise

A series of measurements of near field pressures and turbulent velocity fluctuations were made in a jet having a Reynolds number of about 50,000 in order to investigate more quantitatively the character and behavior of the large scale structures, and to ascertain their importance to the jet noise problem. It was found that the process of interaction between vortices can be inhibited by artificially exciting the shear layers with periodic disturbances of certain frequency. The turbulent fluctuation amplitudes measured at four diameters downstream decreased considerably. Finally, it was observed that the passage frequency of the structures decreased with x in a similar manner as the frequency corresponding to the maximum intensity radiation emanating from the same value of x

An Analysis of Ohio\u27s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard

I performed quantitative analyses and qualitative interpretation of energy policy data, energy production and consumption data, and political data. I collected data on state Renewable Portfolio Standards from the Database for State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE), energy production and consumption data for the 50 states and Washington D.C. from the Energy Information Agency (EIA), and 1992 presidential election data from the internet. I identify relationships that exist between these different types of variables, and where Ohio fits in the national context of existing energy patterns and policies. There are several conclusions found in the literature that are independently tested with the data I have collected. I hypothesize that enactment of Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) policies and geographic location in the United States are not robust indicators of the proportion of energy generation in states that comes from renewable sources, and that the strength of RPS policies is not based upon location (Carley 2009). Furthermore, I predict that states that are politically left leaning have larger proportions of their energy generation coming from renewable sources and have stronger RPS policies (Carley 2009). Finally, I postulate that Ohio\u27s energy policy will be weaker relative to some policies based upon descriptive statistics of the RPS policies. Tests utilized include correlations, T-tests, and multiple linear regressions for geographic variables. I also performed a spatial analysis of renewable energy potential and unemployment rates in the state of Ohio. I found National Renewable Energy Laboratory maps of average wind speed, solar radiation, biomass yield, and a Bureau of Labor Statistics map of unemployment rates at the county level. I calculated correlation coefficients between unemployment rate and renewable resource abundance according to a 24-section grid I overlaid on the state. No positive statistically significant results occurred, with the highest unemployment in the Southeast and greatest wind potential in the Northwest. There was insufficient variation of solar radiation across the state to perform a meaningful correlation

A laser spectrometer and wavemeter for pulsed lasers

The design, construction, calibration, and evaluation of a pulsed laser wavemeter and spectral analyzer are described. This instrument, called the Laserscope for its oscilloscope-like display of laser spectral structure, was delivered to NASA Langley Research Center as a prototype of a laboratory instrument. The key component is a multibeam Fizeau wedge interferometer, providing high (0.2 pm) spectral resolution and a linear dispersion of spectral information, ideally suited to linear array photodiode detectors. Even operating alone, with the classic order-number ambiguity of interferometers unresolved, this optical element will provide a fast, real-time display of the spectral structure of a laser output. If precise wavelength information is also desired then additional stages must be provided to obtain a wavelength measurement within the order-number uncertainty, i.e., within the free spectral range of the Fizeau wedge interferometer. A Snyder (single-beam Fizeau) wedge is included to provide this initial wavelength measurement. Difficulties in achieving the required wide-spectrum calibration limit the usefulness of this function

Mission-Based Identification of Garden Audiences

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a small urban garden located just three miles from the city center in Midtown Atlanta. Since it was chartered in 1976 with a 50-year lease, it has occupied 30 acres adjacent to Piedmont Park, the most heavily used public park in the City. The Garden encompasses 15 acres of well-respected culti­vated gardens, 15 acres of old growth woods, and two acres for the Children\u27s Healthcare of Atlanta Children\u27s Garden (1999), along with the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory (1989), the new Fuqua Orchid Center (2002), gardenhouse (1985), the administrative center, and exhibit hall (2002) that houses the Children\u27s Learning Center. The Garden was organized by a grassroots group of citizens in the mid-1970s without benefit of a bequest or estate grounds, and is privately funded under the leadership of Mary Pat Matheson, executive director. Responsiveness to the surrounding community has always been its touchstone. Because of its proximity to downtown, the Garden is well situated and hosts a wide variety of public and private events. But the true nature of its audience arises from its mission statement, which is carried into every aspect of the Garden\u27s operations

Black students\u27 classroom silence in predominantly White institutions of higher education

This qualitative study explored Black students\u27 silence in classrooms at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) of higher education in the northeast United States. Fifteen student interviews revealed that teaching material centered on European-American culture and history influenced their silence. Participants perceived devaluing of people of color in course material and perceived that professors used and allowed racist language and opinions to pervade the classroom. Students negotiated the tension of having discordant views from the mainstream and at times, between other students of the same racial and cultural group. They often elected to speak out against perceived discrimination and remained silent in other times to avoid being judged. Often students found safe spaces including self-affirming majors and courses of study, and joined cultural and political student groups. Most participants perceived that they were stereotyped as the angry Black person and felt intimidated when in the racial, social class, and gender minority. Many participants believed that self-silencing for the sake of gaining knowledge was instrumental for their development as a student. The study concluded with suggestions for multicultural curriculum development and social policies for countering race bias and microaggressions in PWIs to increase Black students\u27 comfort speaking out in class