Direct Evidence for Geophyte Exploitation in the Wyoming Basin

In the Wyoming Basin, archaeological sites dating from the Early Archaic to Late Prehistoric are often found associated with or adjacent to dense populations of Cymopterus bulbosus (springparsley), a nutritious geophyte that would have been an important food source for prehistoric humans living in the region. Experimental data have shown that the caloric return rates of C. bulbosus were enough to support seasonal exploitation by foragers, yet there has been no direct evidence for the use of this geophyte from the archaeological record. In this study, we examine starch granules from 10 ground stone tools excavated from two stratified, multicomponent archaeological sites in the Wyoming Basin to determine if C. bulbosus was collected and consumed in the past. Taproots of C. bulbosus were collected from two populations in the immediate vicinity of the archaeological sites in order to develop a modern starch reference. Identification of Cymopterus starch granules is based on a systematic study of those reference granules. The presence of Cymopterus starch on the ground stone artifacts suggests that prehistoric foragers were collecting and consuming these geophytes. These findings support previous hypotheses about geophyte use in southern Wyoming and therefore have implications for increasing human populations as well as settlement and subsistence decisions

Surface normal photonic crystal waveguide coupling for N^3 distributed optoelectronic crossbar

The realization of the N^3 distributed optoelectronic crossbar requires the incorporation of bidirectional transceiver modules. The current design philosophy of these modules in their single wavelength configuration consist of the integration of VCSEL and RCE detection devices monolithically integrated with a bidirectional common waveguide. Coupling into this common waveguide is currently under investigation utilizing two methods 1.) surface normal coupling using a buried grating coupler external but monolithic surface normal coupling utilizing photonic crystal. This paper will briefly discuss the first method and its drawbacks which motivate the second photonic crystal implementation method. Our initial design work has been accomplished at 980 nm. The measure reflectance spectrum of the VCSEL/PD epitaxy structure prior to the fabrication of the photonic crystal coupler and waveguide layer

A Multi-Proxy Approach to Archaeobotanical Research: Archaic and Fremont Diets, Utah

New analytical techniques in archaeobotany allow researchers to examine human plant use by developing interrelated, yet independent lines of evidence. Here we outline the results of a two-method archaeobotanical approach to investigate Archaic and Fremont Great Basin diets. We conducted both macro- and microbotanical (starch granule) analyses at nine archaeological sites located in central and southwestern Utah. Our results show that in contexts where macrobotanical remains are poorly preserved, the application of microbotanical methods can produce additional sets of information, thus improving interpretations about past human diets. In this study, macrobotanical remains represented seed-based dietary contributions, while microbotanical remains came primarily from geophytes. Results suggest largely overlapping diets for Archaic and Fremont residents of Utah

Surface normal photonic crystal waveguide coupling for N^3 distributed optoelectronic crossbar

The realization of the N^3 distributed optoelectronic crossbar requires the incorporation of bidirectional transceiver modules. The current design philosophy of these modules in their single wavelength configuration consist of the integration of VCSEL and RCE detection devices monolithically integrated with a bidirectional common waveguide. Coupling into this common waveguide is currently under investigation utilizing two methods 1.) surface normal coupling using a buried grating coupler external but monolithic surface normal coupling utilizing photonic crystal. This paper will briefly discuss the first method and its drawbacks which motivate the second photonic crystal implementation method. Our initial design work has been accomplished at 980 nm. The measure reflectance spectrum of the VCSEL/PD epitaxy structure prior to the fabrication of the photonic crystal coupler and waveguide layer

Subbarrel patterns in somatosensory cortical barrels can emerge from local dynamic instabilities

Complex spatial patterning, common in the brain as well as in other biological systems, can emerge as a result of dynamic interactions that occur locally within developing structures. In the rodent somatosensory cortex, groups of neurons called "barrels" correspond to individual whiskers on the contralateral face. Barrels themselves often contain subbarrels organized into one of a few characteristic patterns. Here we demonstrate that similar patterns can be simulated by means of local growth-promoting and growth-retarding interactions within the circular domains of single barrels. The model correctly predicts that larger barrels contain more spatially complex subbarrel patterns, suggesting that the development of barrels and of the patterns within them may be understood in terms of some relatively simple dynamic processes. We also simulate the full nonlinear equations to demonstrate the predictive value of our linear analysis. Finally, we show that the pattern formation is robust with respect to the geometry of the barrel by simulating patterns on a realistically shaped barrel domain. This work shows how simple pattern forming mechanisms can explain neural wiring both qualitatively and quantitatively even in complex and irregular domains. © 2009 Ermentrout et al

Report of the Commission Appointed by Governor C. C. Young to Investigate the Causes Leading to the Failure of the St. Francis Dam Near Saugus, California

This report embodies the conclusions of the commission appointed to investigate the causes for the failure of the St. Francis Dam on March 12, 1928. California deplores the heavy loss of life and property that this disaster entailed. To prevent a recurrence of a like catastrophe, we believe it imperative that whatever lessons the failure of this dam may teach should be made public for the benefit of the people of our state. It was also our thought that the investigation into the causes of the failure of this dam should be made by an agency that was not in any way connected with the preparation of the plans, the construction, or the operation of the dam. Accordingly a commission of engineers and geologists of expert knowledge and eminent reputation was appointed to make this study. The instructions given its members appear in the body of their report. Despite the arduous service that the investigation required, the members of the commission served without personal compensation to them- selves, thus placing their report upon a high plane of unselfish public service. On behalf of the people of California, I extend to them the thanks of the state. As the future of California depends in a large measure upon the storage of water, and the construction of dams, it is gratifying to note that this report finds that such structures can be built with entire safety when due regard is paid to suitability of foundations and correctness of design. This is the great lesson of the disaster. C. C. Young, Governor of California

Report of the Commission Appointed by Governor C. C. Young to Investigate the Causes Leading to the Failure of the St. Francis Dam Near Saugus, California

This report embodies the conclusions of the commission appointed to investigate the causes for the failure of the St. Francis Dam on March 12, 1928. California deplores the heavy loss of life and property that this disaster entailed. To prevent a recurrence of a like catastrophe, we believe it imperative that whatever lessons the failure of this dam may teach should be made public for the benefit of the people of our state. It was also our thought that the investigation into the causes of the failure of this dam should be made by an agency that was not in any way connected with the preparation of the plans, the construction, or the operation of the dam. Accordingly a commission of engineers and geologists of expert knowledge and eminent reputation was appointed to make this study. The instructions given its members appear in the body of their report. Despite the arduous service that the investigation required, the members of the commission served without personal compensation to them- selves, thus placing their report upon a high plane of unselfish public service. On behalf of the people of California, I extend to them the thanks of the state. As the future of California depends in a large measure upon the storage of water, and the construction of dams, it is gratifying to note that this report finds that such structures can be built with entire safety when due regard is paid to suitability of foundations and correctness of design. This is the great lesson of the disaster. C. C. Young, Governor of California