The Potential Applications of Optical Dating to the Sandy Uplands of East Texas and Northwest Louisiana

The fine, sandy soils of East Texas and Northwest Louisiana have been the source of archaeological debate for some time. This discourse concerns the mode of burial of cultural material in the easily eroded soils and the mechanics of recent (Holocene) landform evolution. Because these deposits are typically well-drained, organic matter does not preserve well, thus hindering the dating of the geomorphic events that figure prominently in their development and the prehistoric occupations which lie buried throughout uplands of this region. A relatively new dating technique, optical dating, has much to offer this region and the archaeological community as it measures the period of time that has elapsed since sand grains were last exposed to sunlight. Hence, it directly dates the time of sediment transportation and deposition. This method is therefore applicable to a number of archaeological and geomorphic processes which may not be dated by traditional methods, owing to the lack of organic matter suitable for radiocarbon dating. In geomorphic contexts, optical dating may be preferred over radiocarbon as it directly dates the time of sedimentation rather than the age of organic matter in features such as buried soils that may be significantly different from the geomorphic event which fossilized the soil

Security Clearance Process: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

[Excerpt] The security clearance process is designed to determine the trustworthiness of an individual prior to granting him or her access to classified national security information. The process has evolved since the early 1950s, with antecedents dating to World War II. This report highlights some of the fundamental aspects of the process by providing answers to frequently asked questions

Scaling results for the Liquid Sheet Radiator (LSR)

Surface tension forces at the edges of a thin liquid (approx. 100 micrometers) sheet flow result in a triangularly shaped sheet. Such a geometry is ideal for an external flow radiator. The experimental investigation of such sheet flows was extended to large sheets (width = W = 23.5 cm, length = L approx. = 3.5 m). Experimental L/W results are greater than the calculated results. However, more experimental results are necessary for a complete comparison. The calculated emissivity of a sheet of Dow-Corning 705 silicone oil, which is a low temperature (300 to 400K) candidate for a liquid sheet radiator (LSR), is greater than .8 for sheet thicknesses greater than 100 micrometers

Hotel universe

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University Bibliography